January’s chilly start has been perfect for this beautiful Arpophyllum. Here on the California coast, this Cattleya relative is blooming outdoors on our back deck, and it’s easy to see how it acquired the nickname “Hyacinth Orchid.” This gorgeous plant was a gift from Dave’s parents, and it’s proving to be a reliable bloomer over [...]
There’s no better reminder than the harsh winter weather that many orchids have entered a dormant season. Corresponding to a dry season in the wild, members of these common orchid families are resting like a bear in a cozy den. Resist the urge to water until you see their pseudobulbs start to shrivel. Do your [...]
Sobralia flowers never fail to impress. Many species in this genus have big blooms. With flowers as large as 10 inches (25 cm,) this species is one of the most remarkable in the family.
The flowers look like Cattleyas, but the similarities end there. Unlike Cattleyas, this Sobralia species likes heavy water and fertilizer, and doesn’t [...]
Pseudo-what? That word is pseudobulb, pronounced “SOO-doh-bulb.” Like the bulbs of tulips and daffodils, orchid pseudobulbs store water and nutrients during the dormant season. Many popular orchids, like Cattleyas, Miltonias, and Oncidiums, have them at the bases of their leaves. Pseudobulbs come in a wide variety of forms. They can be egg-shaped, spherical, or flat. [...]
These tiny, charming flowers belong to a Stenoglottis, one of the easiest African orchids to grow. With purple polka dots and fringed lips, the flowers provide an enchanting show from late summer though autumn. Dozens of blooms are crowded onto each flower spike, and open sequentially over a few months.
This Stenoglottis is not an air [...]
If cold temperatures are confining your gardening to indoors, your orchids can still keep you busy. In addition to the autumn chores I wrote about recently, this is a good time of year to look at light conditions. Orchids that originate from the tropics do not experience very short days or weak sun in their [...]
Depending on your local climate, autumn brings shorter days, cool temperatures, and some corresponding autumn chores. As temperatures dip, you’ll need to bring warm growing orchids inside. Take the opportunity to clean off dead leaves and weeds. Check for pests, paying attention to the undersides of leaves and the potting media. Although I try to [...]
The phrase “stiff upper lip” usually describes the resolve of the British people, but it’s also an apt description for this Cyrtochilum. This orchid is an Oncidium relative from high-elevation cloud forests in the South American Andes, and it looks like it has teeth. The white “teeth” are actually part of the flower’s lip. It [...]
If you didn’t know better, you might think that these flower buds look like the very hungry plant Audrey II, from the classic film and musical Little Shop of Horrors. Fortunately, this orchid doesn’t have teeth and doesn’t eat people, so there’s no danger.
Once the buds open, these flowers lose their threatening facade, and look [...]
If you’re welcoming today’s summer solstice by enjoying some time outdoors, it’s always a good idea to keep your eyes open for whatever surprises nature can offer. Some can be so petite that they’re easy to overlook, but I find it’s often worth the effort to be observant. Case in point: these delightful Orchis flowers, [...]
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