Archive for March, 2018

There Are Always More Moth Orchids

Wednesday, March 28th, 2018

Moth Orchids are one of the most popular houseplants in the world, and there’s a steady stream of new varieties. These photos highlight some of the latest hybrid trends. Many feature new patterns or color mixes. Others are bigger, rounder, and flatter. Miniatures are smaller than ever, and harlequins continue to flaunt their artistry. Some […]

Fragrant Foxtail Orchids

Sunday, March 25th, 2018

Check out the video below to immerse yourself in tropical orchid splendor. Foxtail Orchids earn their name from their bushy clusters of flowers. They’re also known for their sweet scents. Having savored the strong perfume of a single plant in bloom, I can’t imagine how powerful the fragrance must be in the Vietnamese garden in […]

Orchids for the Equinox

Tuesday, March 20th, 2018

Welcome today’s spring equinox with more photos from the recent Pacific Orchid Expo. Northern California has been greeted with a chilly rain to mark the day. Our rainy season was late this winter, but began in earnest a few weeks ago. It should be enough to keep our multi-year drought at bay. Of course, it’s […]

Fermilab Plants Rare Native Orchids

Sunday, March 18th, 2018

What do rare orchids and particle physics have in common? The folks at Fermilab are in the business of subatomic discoveries, but they’re also part of a project to restore native prairie. On their campus outside of Chicago, they’ve been bringing back native plants like the Eastern Prairie Fringed Orchid. This species is endangered throughout […]

Why the Conservation of Orchids Is No Simple Matter

Monday, March 12th, 2018

The Smithsonian illustrates why orchid conservation is tricky. Orchid seeds require a symbiotic fungus to grow, so saving seeds isn’t enough. Experts need to understand each orchid species’ relation to its essential fungi. “First you have to find the fungus,” says Smithsonian botanist Melissa McCormick, “then you have to figure out what it is, and […]

More Photos from the Pacific Orchid Expo

Thursday, March 8th, 2018

There aren’t enough superlatives to do justice to the Pacific Orchid Expo. These photos, and those in the first post, are just a drop in the bucket of the plants that recently adorned the Hall of Flowers in Golden Gate Park. Every year, the show features extravagant colors, rich perfumes, and fascinating orchid diversity. With […]

New York Botanical Garden Orchid Show Begins Today

Saturday, March 3rd, 2018

Tropical beauty abounds at the New York Botanical Garden’s annual Orchid Show, running from March 3rd – April 22nd. Check out a preview of the floral artistry in the video below. Visitors can enjoy the blooms during regular daytime hours, or with music, dancing, and cocktails during Orchid Evenings.

March Orchid Shows

Thursday, March 1st, 2018

March is a busy month for orchids, with events on every continent (ok, except Antarctica.) Majors shows are happening in Taiwan, Santa Barbara, San Diego, Montreal, Paris, and Shanghai. All of these events are great opportunities to enjoy amazing flowers. March 2 – 3 Englewood Area Orchid Society Show & Sale, Englewood United Methodist Church, […]