AboutOrchids

Moth Orchids, or Phals, always put on an impressive show. They’ve become essential for Valentine’s Day and the Lunar New Year. A steady stream of new hybrid colors and patterns continually adds to the list of Phal choices. Best of all, modern hybrids are grown for both beauty and toughness. They are as easy to […]

Orchid poaching is a global problem, as plants are torn from the wild for profit, or as a selfish person’s trophy. Around the Great Lakes, poaching is threatening many native plants, including orchids. True orchid lovers know that they need to keep locations secret when they find native species. If word gets out, the plants […]

Scientists have long wondered what awakens orchids, like the Small-Whirled Pogonia, after they’ve hidden underground for extended dormant periods. Smithsonian.com reports that a soil fungus holds the answer.

For years, I’ve had great success growing a Giant Hyacinth Orchid outdoors. With long, graceful leaves, it’s an elegant plant even when not in flower. But certainly, it’s at its best when it bursts into bloom. Tall stalks emerge, each boasting dozens of small, purple flowers. Every winter, this orchid reliably puts on a great […]

Looking for a winter escape? Don’t miss these long-term exhibits featuring beautiful flowers inside warm glasshouses. January 6 – February 20 Find a floral wonderland at Denver Botanic Gardens’ Orchid Showcase. Enjoy hundreds of blooms in the Orangery and Marnie’s Pavilion. January 7 – March 5 Take an opulent garden stroll through the 1920’s at […]

The Miami Herald reports on the Million Orchid Project, which is returning native orchid species to South Florida. After years of growing seedlings in labs, scientists and volunteers are transplanting young orchids into urban areas around Miami-Dade County. It’s a big experiment in orchid conservation and citizen science. So far, over 30,000 plants from several […]

With a chilly rain here on the California coast, and more storms in the forecast, these orchids are perfect for inspiring warm thoughts. Enjoy a few more photos from our visit to Vallarta Botanical Gardens in Mexico last winter. With blooms in every hue, rich perfumes, and amazing flower shapes, these orchids are embodiments of […]