These photos highlight just a few of the orchids on display at San Francisco’s Conservatory of Flowers. Their extraordinary collection spans the vast range of the orchid world. Big and small, hybrid and species, common and rare — they’re all well represented. One of the benefits of air plants like these is that they live […]
Surely, we’re spoiled for orchids around here. Only a few weeks after Orchids in the Park, Dave and I headed over to Golden Gate Park again. This time, we went to the historic Conservatory of Flowers, and found lots of orchids and other stunning blooms. Here are a few of the sights — The Conservatory […]
There was so much to enjoy at this summer’s Orchids in the Park that I still have plenty of photos to share. Longtime readers already know that my orchid tastes often run to the bizarre, the uncommon, or varieties that I’ve never seen in person before. So here are some of my freaky favorites from […]
Year after year, Orchids in the Park is full of delights. Whether it’s the latest in Moth Orchid hybrids, or brilliant yellow Lycastes which smell like cinnamon, there’s lots for every orchid lover. I’m just starting to go through all the photos from this past weekend’s event, but it’s easy to see that it was […]
Is anything more opulent than a Jewel Orchid? These mini terrestrials are treasured for their striking foliage, which boasts beautiful vein patterns on satiny leaves. The first row of photos below shows Ludisias, the easiest and most commonly grown Jewel Orchids. They’re usually seen with dark purple leaves and bright pink stripes, but there are […]
Despite wind, fog, bugs, raccoons, and other gardening obstacles, our backyard in Pacifica is full of blooms for the start of summer. There’s lots of lush growth from our drought-busting winter. Even orchids that like a dry winter dormancy didn’t seem to mind the heavy rains, like the purple Zygo and white Dendrobium in the […]
To celebrate today’s solstice, enjoy this rainbow of orchids. Depending on which hemisphere you’re in, it’s the summer solstice or the winter solstice, the longest day or the shortest day. The seasons, and the cycles of life, march on everywhere.
Ever heard of Chain Orchids? Also called Dendrochilums, they’re an unusual orchid family, lesser known than their close relatives, the Coelogynes. With multitudes of small, densely clustered flowers, they’ve earned the nickname Chain Orchids. Each “chain” consists of mini star-shaped blooms. Some people may sneer at tiny flowers, but massed by the dozens, or hundreds, […]
Masdevallias love our foggy weather, and we love our Masdevallias right back. This brilliant pink Masdevallia was a gift from a friend many years ago, and I’ve grown it outdoors ever since. Over the past month, it’s put out a bumper crop of 32 flowers and buds, most of them still going strong when Dave […]
Most orchids don’t deserve their fussy reputations, so don’t panic if you don’t know how to take care of your new Mother’s Day present. With a few basic care tips, orchids can keep their flowers for months, and then bloom again next year. Begin by placing your gift orchid in a shady place with good […]
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