AboutOrchids

The Orchid Conservation Alliance (OCA) is happy to announce that the Rainforest Trust is doubling donations for the Dracula Orchid Reserve, an important nature sanctuary in Ecuador. Every contribution will be matched, dollar for dollar. The groups’ goal is to purchase 1450 acres (587 hectares) in one of the planet’s most important biodiversity hotspots. This […]

Year after year, Orchids in the Park is full of delights. Whether it’s the latest in Moth Orchid hybrids, or brilliant yellow Lycastes which smell like cinnamon, there’s lots for every orchid lover. I’m just starting to go through all the photos from this past weekend’s event, but it’s easy to see that it was […]

Is anything more opulent than a Jewel Orchid? These mini terrestrials are treasured for their striking foliage, which boasts beautiful vein patterns on satiny leaves. The first row of photos below shows Ludisias, the easiest and most commonly grown Jewel Orchids. They’re usually seen with dark purple leaves and bright pink stripes, but there are […]

San Francisco’s summer orchid show happens this weekend in Golden Gate Park. Orchids in the Park runs from 10:00 am – 5:00 pm on Saturday and Sunday in the SF County Fair Building at 9th Avenue and Lincoln Way. These photos from last year’s event should provide plenty of incentive to put it on your […]

When little Singapore throws an Orchid Extravaganza, it goes big. This year’s event is running until August 20th at the Flower Dome, which is the largest glasshouse in the world. Over 10,000 orchids are on display, with Moth Orchids, Vandas, Dendrobiums, Tiger Orchids, and many more varieties.  Learn more about the exhibit from The Straits […]

What’s the difference between a Fen Orchid and a Bog Orchid? Best to consult A Beginner’s Vegetative Guide to the Orchids of the British Isles. This great, free resource from London’s Natural History Museum is expertly written, with beautiful illustrations and clear-cut explanations for botanical concepts. The guide focuses on identifying species by their leaves, […]

Despite wind, fog, bugs, raccoons, and other gardening obstacles, our backyard in Pacifica is full of blooms for the start of summer. There’s lots of lush growth from our drought-busting winter. Even orchids that like a dry winter dormancy didn’t seem to mind the heavy rains, like the purple Zygo and white Dendrobium in the […]