AboutOrchids

New orchid species are discovered all the time. One of the latest, a tiny Podochilus species from Vietnam, adds to the tens of thousands already known to science.

This orchid doesn’t win any points for being showy. Nobody gasps in delight when they see its flowers, or gushes over its colors. Epidendrum peperomia is a mini orchid species with flowers that remind me of beetles. It’s quite distinct from its larger orchid relatives, like the reed-stem Epidendrums, which flaunt tall clusters of brilliant […]

The Manila Bulletin highlights some of the delightful color variations found in a favorite local orchid. Phalaenopsis equestris is a Moth Orchid species which is usually white and pink. However, many other color forms exist in white, yellow, orange, or purple. Scroll through their photos to explore the color array.

This isn’t just a miniature orchid — it’s a micro orchid! When we went to Orchids in the Park a couple weeks ago, nobody was expecting to see one of the tiniest orchid flowers in the world. Dave didn’t have his macro lens, but he did pretty well with his regular camera. This mini Platystele […]

These charming flowers belong to two related orchids, Stenoglottis longifolia and Stenoglottis woodii. They’re some of the easiest African orchid species to grow. The first half-dozen photos show Stenoglottis longifolia. Even though its blooms are small, this species can grow into a big plant. The flowers feature brilliant purple spots and a fringed lip. Dozens […]

If you have a warm, sunny windowsill, and sometimes forget to water, Tolumnias may be perfect for you. These mini orchids have eye-catching colors and patterns. I bought this Tolumnia hybrid at last year’s Pacific Orchid Expo, and this year, it put on a great show with lots of brilliant blooms. Tolumnias are native to […]

With such incredible diversity, the orchid family features flowers of every size. Some varieties have tiny flowers, each bloom smaller than a fingernail. These mini blooms may be less popular than their larger relatives, but they are just as interesting. Big, showy orchid flowers may steal the spotlight, especially if you need a magnifying lens […]

This Scaphosepalum species is a mini Masdevallia relative with incredible blooming power. The plant shown in most of these photos flowered continuously for over five years! Its new blooms, each smaller than a pea, continually emerge along a lengthening, zig-zag flower spike. The first photo in this series comes from a plant we recently saw in […]

Orchid casualties are inevitable in any collection, even for experienced growers. My latest loss was this adorable mini Oncidium species, a victim of some devilish raccoons. I bought this plant many years ago, and always grew it outdoors. It’s been a stubborn species, and only bloomed for me twice. A couple weeks ago, I found […]

Orchids grow all over the world, not just in the tropics. High in the mountains, canyons, and plateaus of Southwest Colorado, many remarkable native orchid species thrive, despite the harsh conditions. Dave’s mother lives in the Four Corners area of Colorado, and, like her son, has a great photographic eye. She and her hiking pals have […]