Attend a free online symposium about orchid preservation. The Orchid Conservation Alliance does great work saving orchids. Leaders from three of its projects in Ecuador and Colombia will present updates and answer questions for this Zoom-posium. Even though there is no cost, prior registration is required. The event will be held on Saturday, March 26th, […]
Citizen scientists can contribute a lot to orchid research. Australians can help by finding wild orchids and taking photos. First, choose an area to explore by checking the Atlas of Living Australia. Next, go into the wild, and be observant and curious. Take photos, not plants. Then, upload the pictures to iNaturalist Australia or Wild […]
Over a dozen years ago, I was at an orchid show here in California, talking with a Hawaiian grower. I remember him saying that his orchids hadn’t gone dormant properly that year because they had a “hot winter.” That paradoxical phrase stuck with me. It seemed like an omen of climate change. Now it’s 2022, […]
In San Marino, California, the Huntington Library, Art Museum, and Botanical Gardens house over 10,000 orchids. It’s one of the largest and most diverse collections in the world, and just one reason why it’s worth visiting the Huntington. However, if you can’t visit in person, you can take a virtual tour of the Huntington’s orchids. […]
Many orchid species lovers, including myself, are already familiar with Andy’s Orchids. Andy has been a regular sight for years at shows around the country, and a good number of my own plants were purchased from him. His jungle-like Southern California greenhouses are home to the largest and most diverse orchid species collection in the […]
Give orchids for the holidays, and also give to orchids to save them. Please join or donate to the essential conservation groups listed below, because orchids need our help. Worsening climate change, habitat destruction, pollution, over-collection of wild plants, and disappearing pollinators are all major threats. These organizations are trying to save orchids and all […]
I doubt that any photo of ancient Coast Redwoods can convey how massive these giants are. When standing before them in person, it’s impossible to comprehend their height. Looking up their straight trunks, and then looking up some more, you finally see the tree canopy against the sky. It’s hard to avoid straining your neck. […]
The allure of orchids inspires bad behavior from some, and sadly, the problem seems to be growing worse. In Australia, orchid lovers are sharing info online, causing lots of people to search for the flowers in real life. Social media has expanded sharing of location information, which leads to a crush of visitors. Plants are […]
Orchids can inspire obsessions and lifetime devotions. These three Australians are perfect examples, and have great orchid tales to share. Julian Pitcher braves poisonous snakes, stinging trees, and other jungle hazards to hunt for orchids in tropical Queensland. He studies and photographs rare species, and always promotes conservation. Check out his Wild Orchid Adventures YouTube […]
All over the world, rare plants are being stolen from the wild, and from botanical gardens. London’s legendary Kew Gardens employs security officers and cameras 24 hours a day. Its orchids, however, need extra protection. Many are displayed in locked glass cabinets to prevent theft. The rarest aren’t put out for visitors at all. Spurred […]
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