Meet Elleanthus amethystinus, a fascinating orchid from the Andes. Out of bloom, the plant looks like a small clump of bamboo, with pointed leaves on thin stems. But when clusters of bright pink flowers emerge, it’s obviously an orchid. The charming blossoms boast fringed lips, and resemble little joyous birds. Each flower is only about […]
For today’s summer solstice, enjoy these orchids happily growing wild in Colorado and Utah. The first row of photos features the Spotted Coralroot, an unusual leafless plant which only appears above ground when it blooms. Despite this peculiarity, its flowers are spectacular, as are its deep red stems. Below, the second row of pictures highlights […]
Ask locals in the San Francisco Bay Area where it’s the foggiest, and many will say Pacifica. The town that Dave and I have called home for over a dozen years even has an annual Fog Fest. Blowing in from ocean, the fog is fascinating and beautiful, even when it arrives on a chilly wind. […]
Artificial Intelligence is in vogue nowadays. It can be helpful, but it makes it tougher than ever to know what’s real and what’s not. That includes orchid photos. There are fake AI orchids all over. Actual orchids are beautiful and amazing enough. Phony AI photos go overboard, like slathering paint on a peacock. I guarantee […]
Like the rest of the US Southwest, the SF Bay Area is heading into the equinox today with a heatwave. High temperature records have been broken all week. For this first day of spring, here are more photos from the recent Pacific Orchid Expo, when temperatures were reasonable. The diversity of the orchid world is […]
San Francisco’s Pacific Orchid Expo is always packed with stunning orchids. This year’s show featured incredible displays with fantastic floral variety. In addition to wonderful sights and scents, it was a pleasure to chat with friendly orchid lovers, old friends, and vendors with great orchid expertise. I’m still sorting through our pictures, so check back […]
The Pacific Orchid Expo is coming! San Francisco’s big event begins with a special opening gala on Thursday, February 26th. The show and sale run from Friday, February 27th to Sunday, March 1st. In Golden Gate Park, the County Fair Building at 9th Avenue and Lincoln Way will be packed with incredible blooms, vendors, and […]
Given the right growing conditions, some orchids can flower for a really long time. I have bragging rights for a few reliable and consistent plants in my collection. Pictured in the first row of photos above, my grand champion is the red Epidendrum which has bloomed continuously for 23 years. Living outdoors, it endures strong […]
Here are additional photos from last fall’s Peninsula Orchid Society Show in San Mateo, which was packed with spectacular blooms, much more than I could put into my previous post. In the first row above, there are three Moth Orchids, very different from the types found in grocery stores. They feature one of my favorite […]
Don’t miss the stunning Lightscape show shining in the San Francisco Botanical Garden within Golden Gate Park. Nightly light displays are adding beauty to the garden. Even without orchids, it’s a spectacular botanical exhibit. I’ve been to the garden many times over the decades, but never at nighttime. It’s a very different experience. The lights […]
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