Archive for August, 2015

Cochleanthes: An Orchid From the Amazon

Saturday, August 29th, 2015

I bought this gorgeous Cochleanthes at an orchid show five years ago, and it has been one of my most reliable bloomers ever since. Its captivating white flowers boast great purple highlights. This species is native to the Amazon Rainforest, from Brazil to Venezuela, Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru. The flowers appear fragile, but they’re thick […]

The Princess of Wales Conservatory

Monday, August 24th, 2015

The Princess of Wales Conservatory is one of Kew Gardens’ greatest treasures. Opened by Diana, Princess of Wales, in 1987, this enormous glasshouse features 10 different climate zones with extraordinary plant displays. The building itself is a modern counterpoint to the historic Victorian style of the Palm House, located a short walk away. The conservatory […]

US Battles to Save Illegally Trafficked Plants

Tuesday, August 18th, 2015

The illegal plant trade endangers many rare plant species, and orchids are prime targets. International agreements prohibit this trade, so what happens when illegally trafficked plants are found and confiscated? The BBC reports that species seized in the USA become property of the government, which places them in a rescue program. Many of the plants […]

Exploring the Palm House at Kew Gardens

Thursday, August 13th, 2015

The Palm House is a remarkable, historic masterpiece, and also home to a living, tropical rainforest. First opened in 1848, this glasshouse stands as an icon of Kew Gardens. The Palm House’s enormous steel frame holds 16,000 panes of glass. Along with tropical palms, it features many more exotic plants, too. Orchids hang throughout the […]

More From Orchids in the Park

Friday, August 7th, 2015

Enjoy these photos from July’s Orchids in the Park in San Francisco. Brilliant orchid colors and strange flower shapes filled the show. Colorful miniatures competed for my camera with their dinner-plate sized orchid cousins. Flowers with twisted horns like an antelope stole the focus from other blooms with more vivid hues. The diversity always seems […]

August Orchid Shows

Saturday, August 1st, 2015

Orchid shows are truly global, but this month it’s especially obvious: the first five listings below are on five different continents. No matter where you are, orchid shows are great ways to see gorgeous flowers, talk to orchid experts, take pictures, and buy plants for your collection. August 1 – 2 Queensburgh Orchid Club Show, […]