AboutOrchids

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.

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 […]

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?

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 […]

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

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]