Orchid casualties are inevitable in any collection, even for experienced growers. My latest loss was this adorable mini Oncidium species, a victim of some devilish raccoons. I bought this plant many years ago, and always grew it outdoors. It’s been a stubborn species, and only bloomed for me twice. A couple weeks ago, I found […]
There’s more to autumn color than red and yellow leaves. Mark today’s change of season with vibrant orchid hues. These tropical blooms are my idea of a happy equinox. For orchids, autumn is just another season of flowers. Many varieties take their blooming cues from shorter days and cooler nights. The fall equinox is one […]
Orchids grow all over the world, not just in the tropics. High in the mountains, canyons, and plateaus of Southwest Colorado, many remarkable native orchid species thrive, despite the harsh conditions. Dave’s mother lives in the Four Corners area of Colorado, and, like her son, has a great photographic eye. She and her hiking pals have […]
These photos from our recent trip to Kew Gardens highlight the depth of their esteemed orchid collection. Many of these are less well-known orchids. Some have tiny flowers or muted colors, and many are rare. They’re still just as fascinating as their showier orchid cousins in cultivation. These unusual, uncommon species include the tiny yellow […]
I bought this gorgeous Cochleanthes at an orchid show five years ago, and it has been one of my most reliable bloomers ever since. Its captivating white flowers boast great purple highlights. This species is native to the Amazon Rainforest, from Brazil to Venezuela, Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru. The flowers appear fragile, but they’re thick […]
The Princess of Wales Conservatory is one of Kew Gardens’ greatest treasures. Opened by Diana, Princess of Wales, in 1987, this enormous glasshouse features 10 different climate zones with extraordinary plant displays. The building itself is a modern counterpoint to the historic Victorian style of the Palm House, located a short walk away. The conservatory […]
The Palm House is a remarkable, historic masterpiece, and also home to a living, tropical rainforest. First opened in 1848, this glasshouse stands as an icon of Kew Gardens. The Palm House’s enormous steel frame holds 16,000 panes of glass. Along with tropical palms, it features many more exotic plants, too. Orchids hang throughout the […]
Enjoy these photos from July’s Orchids in the Park in San Francisco. Brilliant orchid colors and strange flower shapes filled the show. Colorful miniatures competed for my camera with their dinner-plate sized orchid cousins. Flowers with twisted horns like an antelope stole the focus from other blooms with more vivid hues. The diversity always seems […]
Every year, Orchids in the Park puts on an amazing display. This past weekend, the event again filled Golden Gate Park with fantastic orchids. San Francisco’s smaller annual show can’t compare with the Pacific Orchid Expo’s size and spectacle, but it always boasts outstanding and unusual plants. Of course, I especially love the bizarre varieties, which […]
The San Francisco Orchid Society presents Orchids in the Park this coming weekend, July 25th – 26th. Check out the orchids at the County Fair Building in Golden Gate Park, near the park entrance by 9th Avenue & Lincoln Way. Enjoy orchid displays, vendors, talks by orchid experts, book sales, and raffles. To further whet […]
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