Archive for the 'Photos' Category

Grammatophyllum Orchids

Thursday, October 9th, 2014

Grammatophyllum orchids make a big impression. These large beauties are native to hot, steamy jungles in Southeast Asia and the Pacific. Dave and I have seen them in Hawaii before, but never in bloom until our recent visit to Foster Botanical Garden in Honolulu. We not saw only one, but three different Grammatophyllum varieties flowering […]

Lyon Arboretum

Sunday, September 28th, 2014

In the verdant Manoa Valley above Honolulu, Lyon Arboretum boasts a rainforest full of botanical treasures. Over 5000 plant varieties fill almost 200 acres (81 hectares) of jungle. There aren’t many orchids, but there are many other incredible tropical flowers and gorgeous views. Almost a century ago, the Hawaiian Sugar Planters’ Association set this land […]

The Biggest Orchid in the World

Monday, September 22nd, 2014

Welcome today’s change of seasons with the Tiger Orchid, the biggest orchid in the world! Dave and I spotted this jumbo beauty during our recent visit to Foster Botanical Garden in Honolulu. This was the first time we’ve ever seen one in bloom. The Tiger Orchid’s Latin name, Grammatophyllum speciosum, seems to fit this large […]

Orchids at Foster Botanical Garden

Monday, September 15th, 2014

If you want to see orchids in Honolulu, visit Foster Botanical Garden. Hawaii’s oldest botanical garden showcases exotic orchids in several areas of its 13.5 acre (5.5 hectare) grounds. Photos from our recent visit start below with three spectacular blossoms: a Tiger Orchid, a Leopard Orchid, and a purple Miltonia. These warm growers are the […]

Honolulu’s Blooms

Monday, September 8th, 2014

Hawaii’s beauty takes many forms. During a recent trip to Honolulu, Dave and I enjoyed warm sun and the clear, blue ocean, but with our cameras, we found much more. Amid the hotels, restaurants, and souvenir shops, busy Waikiki is a good place to find botanical beauty. These first three photos came from our hotel […]

Hiking in Pacifica

Friday, August 22nd, 2014

As Dave and I explore our new hometown, we’ve been enchanted by this beautiful area. We recently took a short hike on Devil’s Slide Trail. Until recently, this was part of California Route 1, also known as the Pacific Coast Highway. Nicknamed Devil’s Slide, this stretch endured decades of landslides, road closures, and drivers occasionally […]

More Photos From Orchids in the Park

Monday, August 11th, 2014

Enjoy more photos from San Francisco’s recent Orchids in the Park. With so many incredible flowers packed into a small space, it can be tough to know which way to point the camera. Luckily, every direction brings great shots. These different orchids have diverse colors, shapes, and sizes. They also have a range of temperature, […]

Orchids in the Park 2014

Tuesday, August 5th, 2014

It’s San Francisco’s smaller orchid show, but Orchids in the Park always manages to impress. This past weekend was no exception. Here are the first of Dave’s photos from this year’s event. This show and sale always exhibits so much more than the usual supermarket orchids. Phal and Dendrobium hybrids are great, but they are […]

“Orchids in the Park” Arrives Early

Thursday, July 24th, 2014

Attention orchid lovers! Orchids in the Park 2014 arrives a month early this year, coming up on the weekend of August 2nd & 3rd.  This event is smaller and less crowded than the SF Orchid Society’s huge winter show, but even this scaled-down exhibit has plenty of fascinating orchids. These dozen pictures are just a […]

Join Your Local Orchid Society

Thursday, July 17th, 2014

Joining your local orchid society is one of the best ways to learn about orchids. Let’s say you’re a novice, and you’ve already discovered the treasure trove of basic orchid info here at AboutOrchids. Your local orchid society can help you build on that knowledge. The people you meet will share your love of orchids, […]