Archive for the 'Photos' Category

More Photos from Orchids in the Park

Friday, August 5th, 2016

I’ve found more great flowers from Orchids in the Park 2016. Fragrant orchids, mini orchids, jewel orchids and more filled the County Fair Building in Golden Gate Park. Moth Orchids and Lady Slippers abounded, too. Check back soon for more photos from this spectacular event.

Orchids in the Park 2016

Monday, July 25th, 2016

Orchids in the Park always bring incredible orchids to Golden Gate Park. This past weekend’s event featured both modern hybrids and spectacular, unusual species. Enjoy the photos from this dazzling show. If this blog sometimes sound like a broken record about the endless diversity of the orchid family, these photos illustrate why. Even veteran orchid […]

Don’t Miss Orchids in the Park This Weekend

Thursday, July 21st, 2016

Don’t miss Orchids in the Park this weekend! San Francisco’s annual summer orchid show takes place in the County Fair Building at 9th Avenue & Lincoln Way, near the entrance to Strybing Arboretum. These photos from recent years hint at the botanical wonders to expect at this weekend’s event. Besides orchid displays, there will also […]

Orchid Cactus

Tuesday, July 19th, 2016

Don’t be confused by the name — an Orchid Cactus isn’t an orchid, but it does have amazing flowers. Orchid Cacti are tropical succulents with big, vivid blooms that earn an orchid comparison. Also known as epiphyllums, epicacti, or just epis, there are many varieties in a range of brilliant colors, including yellows, pinks, reds, […]

Stenoglottis Orchids, Big and Small

Wednesday, July 6th, 2016

These charming flowers belong to two related orchids, Stenoglottis longifolia and Stenoglottis woodii. They’re some of the easiest African orchid species to grow. The first half-dozen photos show Stenoglottis longifolia. Even though its blooms are small, this species can grow into a big plant. The flowers feature brilliant purple spots and a fringed lip. Dozens […]

The Longest Days

Monday, June 20th, 2016

The summer solstice brings the longest days and shortest nights of the year. Humans, like plants, love that extra sunshine. To help celebrate today’s solstice, here are more photos from Dave’s recent visit to the Montreal Botanical Garden. I’ve already devoted two posts to the garden, and there’s still more to see. No orchids in […]

Orchids Love Fog

Friday, June 17th, 2016

Orchids love fog. That’s one reason why the Northern California coast is a great place to grow orchids outdoors. Frequent fog, especially in areas closest to the ocean, creates a perfect humid climate for cool growers. Orchids want at least 50% humidity. Fog occurs when levels reach 100%, and the air is saturated with enough […]

More from the Montreal Botanical Garden

Thursday, June 9th, 2016

It was easy to find more great photos from Dave’s trip to the Montreal Botanical Garden. These pictures come from the Orchids and Aroids Greenhouse and the Tropical Rainforest Greenhouse. They include more orchids and lots of bromeliads. The Tropical Rainforest Greenhouse features realistic depictions of how air plants, like orchids, grow attached to trees […]

Orchids at the Montreal Botanical Garden

Monday, May 30th, 2016

Even if it seems that Dave is on a whirlwind tour of the planet’s botanical gardens, that’s not really the case. He’s just traveling a lot for work, and he’s taking advantage of chances to sightsee. Last week, after a conference in Canada, he was able to enjoy one of the most impressive gardens in […]

Purple Zygo Orchids

Monday, May 23rd, 2016

When you think of Zygo orchids, think purple. Zygos are known for brilliant purple hues, rich scents, and long-lasting flowers. Alongside all that purple, their showy blooms include green, white, and maroon. These photos show just of few of the growing number of Zygo varieties, with many new hybrids on the market. The species are native […]