Archive for March, 2015

It’s Easy to Love Masdevallia Orchids

Sunday, March 29th, 2015

It’s no wonder why we love Masdevallia orchids. These two stunning examples are now in bloom on our patio, with their big, neon flowers atop tall stems, bobbing in the breeze. Thanks to Dave’s great photography, it’s easy to enjoy their charms. Believe it or not, both of these plants are the same species, Masdevallia […]

Discovering New Orchids

Wednesday, March 25th, 2015

Kew Science explains how new orchid species are discovered. Every year, scientists describe hundreds of additional orchid species. These discoveries emerge from plant specimens preserved in scientific institutions, and expeditions to unexplored jungles. Little-explored tropical rainforests abound in Southeast Asia, New Guinea, Indonesia, the Philippines, and many areas of the Andes. However, searching these remote […]

Hello Spring

Friday, March 20th, 2015

I’ve been digging deeper into our photos from the recent Pacific Orchid Expo, and these blooms jumped out to help greet spring. In the the USA’s Northeast, today is a welcome finish to a frigid, snowy winter. Here in California, spring is the end to our hopes that a rainy winter would replenish our reservoirs. […]

The Secret Life of Orchids – Fungi

Tuesday, March 17th, 2015

Take a peek at the secret life of orchids in the short video below. Smithsonian Ecologist Melissa McCormick explains how much wild orchids need fungi to survive. Many types of plants exchange nutrients with fungi, but orchids cheat this symbiotic relationship by eating their fungi instead. Fortunately, a little fertilizer will suffice with your orchids […]

And More Photos From the Pacific Orchid Expo

Thursday, March 12th, 2015

Orchids are full of surprises.With incredibly diverse shapes, colors, and fragrances, it’s hard to believe that these flowers are actually related to one another. No other flowering plant family has such rich palettes and fascinating designs. These examples from the recent Pacific Orchid Expo certainly prove my point. Many of these lesser-known varieties are the […]

Orchids for Chinese New Year

Saturday, March 7th, 2015

It’s the Year of the Ram, and Chinese New Year is a great time for orchids. For millennia, orchids, especially Cymbidiums, have been treasured in East Asia for their rich fragrances and graceful foliage. Nowadays, they are popular gifts and decorations for Chinese New Year, also known as Lunar New Year, or Spring Festival. Confucius […]

More Photos from the Pacific Orchid Expo

Wednesday, March 4th, 2015

As I continue to sort through our pictures from this year’s Pacific Orchid Expo, I’m finding lots of great shots. Here are some of Dave’s photos. They’re wonderful examples of the stunning diversity of the orchid family, which goes far beyond what’s for sale at the supermarket. With their brilliant colors and strange shapes, these […]

March Orchid Shows

Sunday, March 1st, 2015

Orchids are loved everywhere, and there’s no better proof than this month’s show schedule. March is a very busy month, with big events in Santa Barbara, San Diego, Atlanta, Montreal, Vancouver, and Taiwan. Even in unlikely locales like Boise, Saskatoon, and Norway, smaller shows celebrate this incredible plant family. March 6 – 7 Englewood Area […]