Pleurothallis orchids don’t have the largest or most colorful flowers, but they can be fascinating. These two species exemplify their charms. In the photos above, the first is Pleurothallis viduata, a miniature from Ecuador. I bought it at Orchids in the Park this past July. Its white and purple flowers bob in the breeze on thin, […]
We’re spoiled on the California coast with year-round gardening. The rainy season has slowly begun, and we’re heading into our winter growing season. Cymbidium flower spikes are sprouting. Masdevallias and other pleurothallids are reveling in the cool conditions. The evidence is here in the brilliant colors from our garden. These cool-growers flourish despite pests and […]
Earlier this month, Dave and I headed to the Peninsula Orchid Society Show in nearby San Mateo. This event has repeatedly shown that small displays can be really spectacular, and this year did not disappoint. It was full of great flowers, unusual species, and new hybrids. The first row of photos above features two species […]
Despite the trials and tribulations of our planet, the earth continues to spin, the seasons continue their cycles, and orchids make great stress relievers. Enjoy these photos from this summer’s Orchids in the Park event in San Francisco to celebrate today’s equinox. Let the beauty of nature stop you in your tracks. When thoughts are […]
This gorgeous Coelogyne arrived in our garden recently after a friend gave me a division. Happily, it bloomed quickly, and we’ve been enjoying these great flowers. Coelogyne Memoria W. Micholitz is a hybrid orchid, and it’s truly a prize. Its crystal white blooms boast a flower lip with brilliant orange hues. This is a primary […]
Last week’s Orchids in the Park event was crowded with blooms and with people. The San Francisco Orchid Society always does a great job putting together its shows, and this was no exception. Enjoy these photos, and check back soon for more.
Be sure to head to Golden Gate Park next weekend for Orchids in the Park. San Francisco’s summer show features lots of orchids, and also bromeliads, succulents, and carnivorous plants. There will be plant sales, orchid care workshops, and special activities for kids. These photos from last year’s event offer a glimpse of the wonders that […]
In honor of today’s solstice, enjoy these photos from a recent visit to a friend’s garden. The plants thriving outdoors in her backyard in San Francisco’s Mission District include lots of orchids. Cool-growing Cymbidiums, Dendrobiums, and Coelogynes put on a stunning show. Flowering maples, fuchsias, and a very happy orange clivia complement the orchids. Whether […]
It’s not just orchids in our garden. While I recently boasted about the orchids in bloom, the rest of the plants are springing up, too. They include succulents, Mediterranean-climate plants, and California natives. Some really stand out, like the adorable Fivespots in the first photo above, and the stunning blue Aristea in the second photo. […]
Our garden has been bursting with spring orchid color. With mild weather and regular rains, these cool growers are loving life on the Northern California coast. When I remember to fertilize, I use 20-20-20 orchid fertilizer, but also alternate with light sprinklings of worm castings or compost. The natural fertilizer often kicks them into flower […]
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