The Philadelphia Flower Show is the largest indoor flower show in the country, and orchids are always a big part of the event. This year’s tropical theme, “Hawaii: Islands of Aloha,” showcases plenty of Phals, Cattleyas, Epidendrums, and Miltonias. The show is earning rave reviews in the local press and beyond. It’s even making a […]
Fitting enough for February’s “Obsession Issue” of Smithsonian magazine, there’s an engaging article about “The Orchid Olympics.” Last November’s World Orchid Conference in Singapore attracted over 300,000 visitors from 55 countries. Don’t miss the Smithsonian’s superb video tour of the event, highlighting the prize-winning Orchid Society of Papua New Guinea. Then check out the astonishing […]
Orchids are popular presents to welcome the Year of the Dragon, which begins on January 23rd. For those celebrating the Chinese New Year or Tet, the Vietnamese New Year, orchids make elegant gifts for family and friends. They’re most favored in red or yellow, the traditional colors for the occasion. At the Asian Garden Mall […]
A vanilla farmer in Malaysia recounts the challenges of cultivating the world’s second most expensive spice. The Vanilla orchid grows as a vine whose flowers open for just a single day. After pollination by hand, the vanilla beans take months to mature, and then months more to dry and cure. That hasn’t deterred farmer K.K. […]
Scientists have discovered the first orchid that blooms in the dark. British and Dutch botanists found the new species, which they’ve named Bulbophyllum nocturnum, native to a single island off New Guinea. After saving the unknown orchid from a logging area, they brought it back to Europe. They were perplexed when its flower buds seemed […]
A tiger is taking over the Brooklyn Botanic Garden! Native to rainforests of Southeast Asia, the Tiger Orchid makes a big impression. Grammatophyllum speciosum is the world’s largest orchid. This tropical species can grow as heavy as 2 tons (1.8 metric tons,) and believe it or not, it’s an air plant. The Brooklyn specimen has […]
Forgot to renew your passport? Missed your flight to Singapore? Don’t worry — you can still experience the ongoing 20th World Orchid Conference. The event known as the “Orchid Olympics” began last Sunday, November 13th, and runs until this Sunday, November 20th. You can start by exploring the wonderful photography of a local blogger. His […]
The American Orchid Society (AOS) is moving to Coral Gables. For years, the AOS has had a home and orchid garden in Delray Beach, Florida. The Great Recession has dealt a blow to the society’s finances, so they need to sell their property and move. Fortunately, they’ve found a new home at Fairchild Tropical Botanic […]
Orchids need bees more than bees need them. Scientists have long known that male orchid bees use orchid scents to court females. Many tropical species like Stanhopeas and Cycnoches rely on their perfumes to attract amorous male bees as pollinators. The males collect scent compounds using special brushes on their legs, and pollinate flowers in […]
A Burmese group is reviving their tradition of adorning ethnic clothing with orchid threads. In northern Myanmar (also known as Burma,) they weave Dendrobium fibers into fabrics. Locally called “waso,” the orchid is Dendrobium moschatum, a species with great flowers and a musky fragrance. It’s native to lower elevations all around the Himalayas. Fibers made […]
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