The next Santa Barbara International Orchid Show will recall how World War II turned the area into an orchid haven. England was the world’s leading Cymbidium grower before World War II. During the war, the UK’s valuable plants were threatened by aerial bombings and fuel shortages. To help save them, orchid enthusiasts in California purchased […]
With dense clusters of little purple blooms, this looks like a hyacinth. On closer inspection, however, each flower reveals itself as a tiny, perfect orchid. Known as the Giant Hyacinth Orchid, this has been a very reliable bloomer in our garden, opening in late autumn and continuing for several months into winter. This year’s incredible […]
Dracula orchids may have a haunting side, but these fascinating Masdevallia relatives need your help. Newly discovered Dracula species in Ecuador are threatened by deforestation. Conservation groups are attempting to create a new nature sanctuary in northwestern Ecuador, to be named the Dracula Orchid Reserve. Rainforest Trust and Fundación EcoMinga want to save part of […]
Enjoy more photos from San Francisco’s recent Orchids in the Park. With so many incredible flowers packed into a small space, it can be tough to know which way to point the camera. Luckily, every direction brings great shots. These different orchids have diverse colors, shapes, and sizes. They also have a range of temperature, […]
The Brits love orchids, and, of course, that includes their native varieties. Over spring and summer, wild orchid blooms can make UK headlines. For example, the BBC reports on bee orchids in West Sussex which are not growing where they’re supposed to. A large number of the unusual orchids are thriving in “highly acidic clay […]
Here’s proof that the orchids are doing well after our recent move to Pacifica. This great orange Masdevallia stays in flower for months at a time. Currently, it’s putting on a fantastic show with dozens of brilliant blooms. This hybrid is living next to the house with the rest of the outdoor orchids. They’re sheltered on […]
Every now and then, I’m reminded of the adage that you’re not an orchid expert until you’ve killed your weight in orchids. I passed that milestone long ago, and while I kill fewer now, occasionally a weight is added to the scales. For example, I lost this Myoxanthus over the past winter. It died after […]
If you think all orchids need warmth, then these beautiful Odonts will surprise you. Odont is a conveniently shortened nickname for Odontoglossum. The pink hybrid pictured in the first row and the yellow hybrid pictured in the second row are great examples of this cool growing orchid family. They are reliable bloomers on our back […]
The endangered Caladenia Spider Orchid is on the edge of extinction. With only two plants known, it’s Australia’s rarest orchid. Fortunately, botanists and volunteers are fighting to rescue it. For security, scientists have kept the plants’ exact location near Melbourne a secret. They’re not even saying which of the hundreds of species of Caladenias this […]
Cymbidiums, or Boat Orchids, are some of the most popular orchids in the world. Their beauty and hardiness have helped turn them into favorite houseplants, cut flowers, and corsages. This current popularity is merely the latest chapter in their long history, since Cymbidiums have been cultivated in East Asia for thousands of years. There are […]
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