Being an orchid geek, one of my favorite things is blooming a species for the first time. When this unusual Stenia pushed out a single flower bud, I was excited. Over several weeks, the bud fattened up, and finally opened to reveal a fascinating blossom. Stenia vasquezii has a spotted flower with a lip folded […]
Celebrate today’s equinox with more pictures from the recent Pacific Orchid Expo in San Francisco. Begin with six terrific Cymbidiums, shown in the photos above. It’s no surprise that they were in abundance at the show. They’re relatively easy to grow on the California coast, and many are blooming at this time of year. The […]
Last weekend’s Pacific Orchid Expo in San Francisco was spectacular. The theme, “Orchids in the Clouds,” inspired heavenly displays. Dave and I took lots of pictures, and I’m just starting to sort through them. As always, there were amazing flowers, captivating fragrances, and friendly orchid lovers. I came home with a couple of miniatures, a […]
The 72nd Annual Pacific Orchid Expo arrives next week at the SF County Fair Building, 9th Avenue and Lincoln Way, in Golden Gate Park. This year’s theme is “Orchids in the Clouds.” Opening with a special preview night on Thursday, February 27th, the show runs until Sunday, March 2nd. It promises incredible flower displays, dozens […]
When is a rose not a rose? Maybe when it’s an orchid that smells like a rose. This mini orchid has small flowers with big fragrance. I’ve blogged before about this beautiful Caucaea species. It’s an easy cool grower with a delicious rose scent. Last autumn, this plant’s blooms were damaged during a windy storm. […]
Moth Orchids, Lady Slippers, and Pansy Orchids have easy common names, but most orchids don’t. They have their Latin names, which can be daunting. Understandably, many people are intimidated by long, scientific words. Fortunately, not all of them are difficult. Check out this list of 10 orchids with Latin names that you don’t have to […]
Celebrate today’s solstice with orchids from our garden. All these photos are from this autumn. The season changes with some blooms already fallen, but others still going strong. As the days start to lengthen after the winter solstice, new cycles of growth will begin. I’ve highlighted most of these orchids in past posts (although I’ve […]
This Vanda is a flower machine. It keeps blooming, and it’s grown well enough to need a bigger vase. I blogged before about the handy Vanda trick I use. These orchids are normally kept mounted, in baskets, or bare root. Those methods can be challenging for home growers outside the tropics. They’re much easier to […]
A couple years ago, while repotting a Dancing Lady Orchid, part of the plant broke off. With a few leaves, roots, and pseudobulbs, I could have put it the small piece back the pot with the rest of the plant, but I decided to experiment. We have a few large stones in the backyard, shaded […]
Some orchids can be sneaky. Greenhoods, or Pterostylis orchids, have a surprise in store for small flies, gnats, and mosquitoes. These strange flowers have tricky lips. As an insect enters the flower, the hinged lip snaps shut. This briefly imprisons the pollinator inside the bloom. The only escape route is a tight squeeze past the […]
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