Celebrate today’s summer solstice with photos from San Francisco’s exquisite Japanese Tea Garden. It’s the oldest public Japanese garden in the country, and one of many wonders of Golden Gate Park. Dave and I went there recently after we were fully vaccinated. We hadn’t been in years, and we really enjoyed visiting again. It features […]
Revel in spring blooms with these native wildflowers growing by the ocean near San Francisco. Mori Point is a 32 acre (13 hectare) park in Pacifica, California with stunning coastal views. It’s part of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area, which encompasses much of Pacific coastline outside the Golden Gate. Dave and I recently took […]
VirtualOrchids.org is judging orchids online. It’s not quite the same as in-person judging, but it’s proving to be very worthwhile. While much of the orchid world has moved online in the past year, orchid judges must examine plants in person to give awards. With most shows still cancelled, online contests are a good alternative. No […]
In the UK, Awards of Garden Merit (AGMs) are given to worthy plants, including orchids, by the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS.) AGMs are varieties which are reliable, easy to grow, and commonly sold in the UK. The three photos above represent orchids which currently have AGMs. They are Pleione formosana, Stenoglottis longifolia, and Oncidium Sharry […]
The Smithsonian Environmental Research Center explains the life lessons offered by North American orchids. If the Queen’s Lady Slipper can take 16 years to bloom, certainly we humans can learn to take our time. When Three Bird Orchids bloom en masse to better attract pollinators, they are exemplifying the importance of teamwork. For all that […]
The Species Identification Task Force (SITF) sorts out difficult orchid identities. There are about 30,000 orchid species, and experts with the American Orchid Society work to verify whether awarded plants’ nametags are accurate. Whenever a species receives its first award, it’s automatically reviewed to authenticate its identity. Orchid judges may also ask for confirmation of […]
There’s a treasure trove of Central African orchids at www.Orchid-Africa.net. This growing database offers a look at some uncommon species, and it features lots of pictures. Central African orchids aren’t as well known as their relatives from Madagascar and South Africa, but they should be. They include captivating members of the Angraecum family, Bulbophyllums, Eulophias, […]
Four years ago, many, including me, predicted that Trump would be a catastrophe for the USA. Certainly, he has been. He has failed to face a worsening pandemic, an economic collapse, and climate change disasters. His blatant corruption, incompetence, nepotism, and immorality are on display every day. His poisonous bigotry will continue to do damage […]
Orchid-gami lets everyone to create great orchid art. It’s an educational project from the North American Orchid Conservation Center and the United States Botanic Garden. They’re created templates for 3D models of native North American orchids. Download the files for free, then print, cut, fold, and glue. Teachers, parents, and kids will love assembling orchids. […]
For over 120 years, the UK’s Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) has employed an official artist to render portraits of award-winning orchids. This stunning art is not only beautiful, but also precise in its botanical elements, making it better than photographs for discerning floral details. Since 1897, there have been nine official artists who have painted […]
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