Archive for the 'Photos' Category

Spring

Thursday, March 20th, 2014

Welcome spring with orchids! These beauties from the recent Pacific Orchid Expo are loud celebrations of the season. While some of the country has endured a brutal winter, California has emerged from one of its warmest, driest winters in recorded history. We are certainly hoping for rainier months ahead. For now, though, it’s best to […]

Orchid Eviction

Thursday, March 13th, 2014

AboutOrchids has moved to a new home! We had rented a sunny garden apartment in the middle of San Francisco since the mid-1990’s, but our building was sold last year. With San Francisco’s eviction epidemic making national news, we weren’t surprised when the new owners kicked us out. It’s been very stressful, but fortunately, Dave […]

More from Pacific Orchid Expo 2014

Saturday, March 8th, 2014

I’m still sorting through photos from the recent Pacific Orchid Expo, and I wanted to share some more great pictures. It’s easy to see that these aren’t your everyday orchids. With the magic of Dave’s photography, the incredible diversity of the orchid family shines through. Among the vast world of orchids, Dave and I find […]

Pacific Orchid Expo 2014

Monday, February 24th, 2014

If you didn’t make it to last weekend’s Pacific Orchid Expo in San Francisco, you missed an incredible show. This year’s displays featured thousands of varieties of extraordinary flowers. With so many photographic treats in every direction, it was tough to know which way to turn. Brilliant colors and rich fragrances beckoned from dozens of […]

Pacific Orchid Expo Opens

Thursday, February 20th, 2014

The San Francisco Orchid Society invites you to Pacific Orchid Expo 2014, starting with tonight’s opening gala. The show continues through Sunday. It’s the largest show in the country, with 150,000 orchids on display or on sale. Tickets are available online or at the door. Sometimes I hear a question like “Why go to an […]

Caring for a Valentine Orchid

Friday, February 14th, 2014

With their beauty and elegance, it’s easy to see how orchids are challenging roses as valentine favorites. If you receive one as a valentine gift, check the care tips below the eye candy to help your orchid grow and thrive. What kind? –  Identifying your orchid can help you understand its care needs. Most orchids […]

Orchids As Cut Flowers

Wednesday, February 5th, 2014

Orchids have become valentine favorites, both as potted plants and as cut flowers. Potted plants, however, can inspire worries about their care. Cut orchid flowers have the same beauty and elegance without the worry. As cut flowers, orchids make the perfect valentine gift. Phals, Cattleyas, Cymbidiums, Dendrobiums, Oncidiums, and Paphs are often sold as cut flowers. […]

Cutting Off Orchid Roots

Monday, January 20th, 2014

As air plants, many orchids grow roots outside their pots. Popular varieties like Phals and Vandas prefer to grow this way. However, some people find exposed roots unattractive. “Can I cut off my orchid’s roots?” is a common question. Usually the query includes an explanation that the roots stick out of the pot, look ugly, […]

Odonts: Hardy, Cool Growing Orchids

Tuesday, January 14th, 2014

If you think all orchids need warmth, then these beautiful Odonts will surprise you. Odont is a conveniently shortened nickname for Odontoglossum. The pink hybrid pictured in the first row and the yellow hybrid pictured in the second row are great examples of this cool growing orchid family. They are reliable bloomers on our back […]

Winter Garden

Sunday, January 5th, 2014

Admittedly, we’re spoiled gardeners here in San Francisco. It rarely goes below freezing, so we can grow lots of tropical plants outdoors all year. Many enjoy the cooler winter weather, and bloom through the season. During sunny days, butterflies and bees make an appearance to enliven the garden. These recent pictures from our backyard show […]