Archive for the 'Growing' Category

The Streaked Rock Orchid: A Tough Mini from Down Under

Wednesday, January 6th, 2021

The Streaked Rock Orchid is a wonderful Australian native. Its strange flowers resemble elaborate birds in flight. Its little, pencil-like leaves turn purplish-red in the sun, making it look like a pointy, colorful hedgehog. In the wild, Dendrobium striolatum lives attached to rocky cliffs in the states of New South Wales, Victoria, and Tasmania. Our […]

The Yolk-Yellow Orchid, Prosthechea vitellina

Friday, August 21st, 2020

I’m glad I splurged on this Prosthechea vitellina at the Pacific Orchid Expo in February. It was on my shopping list as a cool grower that I figured would do well here on the Northern California coast. Happily, it’s proven to be a great addition to our garden, and has settled into its new home […]

Thunia Orchids Grow Fast and Tall

Thursday, July 9th, 2020

Thunia flowers may resemble Cattleyas, but they are very different orchids. Thunias grow tall canes that look like cornstalks, and their 5 inch (12.7 cm) blooms hang in clusters from the tops. They may be the fastest growing orchids. New canes can reach up to 4 feet (1.2 m) tall in only a few months. […]

Angraecums, the Shining Stars of the Orchid World

Wednesday, June 17th, 2020

Sparkling white flowers make Angraecums look like shining stars. This fascinating genus is native to Madagascar, tropical Africa, and islands in the Indian Ocean. They are sometimes called Comet Orchids, because thin nectar tubes hanging from the backs of their flowers inspire thoughts of comet tails. The most famous is Darwin’s Orchid, Angraecum sesquipedale. It’s […]

Mother’s Day Orchid Care

Sunday, May 10th, 2020

Are you staring with amazement at your gorgeous Mother’s Day orchid, and also wondering how to care for it? Don’t worry! Orchids don’t deserve their difficult reputations. It’s pretty likely that your new plant is a Moth Orchid, like those in the row of photos above. With a few basic care tips, it can continue […]

Orchid Valentines

Thursday, February 13th, 2020

Orchids have become so favored as Valentine’s gifts that it’s now a common dilemma whether to keep the plant afterwards. Many think that orchids are impossible to grow, but with basic care info, common varieties are easy.  The most popular are Moth Orchids, like those pictured in the photos above. Check out more tips about […]

Vanda Orchids in Glass

Monday, January 27th, 2020

Vandas are orchid royalty, but they can be challenging to grow. They need sun, warmth, regular water, high humidity, and lots of space for their long, dangling roots. Since they don’t like being potted, they’re usually grown on mounts or in baskets, with their roots hanging freely. That makes them difficult for home growers, who […]

Bulbophyllums Are Some of the Weirdest Orchids

Monday, May 27th, 2019

Bulbophyllums are one of the largest and strangest orchid families in the world. With over 2000 species and a growing number of hybrids, they have ridiculously diverse flower forms. Some of their blooms are large, some are tiny, and some don’t look like flowers at all. They all have fascinating, hinged floral lips which jiggle […]

Caring for Mother’s Day Orchids

Sunday, May 12th, 2019

If you’ve received an orchid gift for Mother’s Day, basic care info can help you enjoy your plant and keep it happy. Check the tips below these photos for helpful orchid info. Watering – Orchids need good drainage, so remove wrapping paper or decorative containers before watering. Soak the plant with room-temperature water, and let […]

Happy, Healthy Orchid Roots

Tuesday, April 16th, 2019

Healthy roots are essential for healthy orchids. Many people are tempted to cut off their orchid’s roots because they seem unattractive, but that’s bad for the plant. Whether they’re air plants or terrestrials, orchids need happy roots to survive and thrive. Some types have thick roots, while others have thin. All have central, wiry cores, […]