Archive for November, 2015

Possible Orchid Extinctions

Saturday, November 28th, 2015

Sad news from Scientific American and the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species: their update of 25 possibly extinct species includes a dozen orchids from Madagascar. Many of these species have not been seen for decades, and their native habitats have been destroyed.

Bromeliad in Bloom

Wednesday, November 25th, 2015

As fellow air plants, bromeliads are natural orchid companions in the garden. Many tank bromeliads have fascinating blooms. They earn their nickname by holding water in their leaves, which helps them survive dry periods. This one grows in our garden, and its brilliant, hot pink flower spikes reveal small blooms that look like shiny, purple […]

A Surprising Method of Orchid Pollination

Saturday, November 21st, 2015

In the 1930s, amateur naturalist Edith Coleman solved an orchid puzzle that had perplexed Charles Darwin. Why are some orchids pollinated by only male insects?

Easy Orchid Species

Wednesday, November 18th, 2015

Unlike tough orchid hybrids, many orchid species deserve their finicky reputations. They have exacting care needs, requiring precise temperatures, special potting, or purified water. Fortunately, there are some exceptions to the finicky orchid species rule. These easy warm growers and intermediate growers are great choices for orchid beginners. (I’ll highlight easy cool growers in a […]

Scientists Work With Cuba To Bring Lost Orchids Back To Florida

Friday, November 13th, 2015

NPR reports that American and Cuban scientists are working to bring back some of Florida’s native orchids. Listen to the story below–

The Angraecoid Alliance

Tuesday, November 10th, 2015

Angraecoids are a family of fascinating and fragrant orchids, and the Angraecoid Alliance is a group dedicated to their cultivation and conservation. These orchids are native to tropical Africa, especially Madagascar, and Indian Ocean islands. Many have gleaming white flowers, scentless during the day, but with rich scents at night. Sadly, many are endangered due […]

Mini Scaphosepalum Orchid Has Incredible Blooming Power

Friday, November 6th, 2015

This Scaphosepalum species is a mini Masdevallia relative with incredible blooming power. The plant shown in most of these photos flowered continuously for over five years! Its new blooms, each smaller than a pea, continually emerge along a lengthening, zig-zag flower spike. The first photo in this series comes from a plant we recently saw in […]

November Orchid Shows

Sunday, November 1st, 2015

From Santa Barbara to Helsinki to Lima, these orchid events are all full of gorgeous flowers, orchid experts, and great plants for sale. Don’t miss the chance to see one of these amazing shows! November 5 – 7 Mornington Peninsula Orchid Society Summer Show, Gateway Shopping Centre, 230 Cranbourne Rd., Langwarrin, Victoria, Australia November 5 […]