Archive for the 'Photos' Category

Night Fragrant Orchids

Saturday, May 17th, 2014

What do the Ghost Orchid and Darwin’s Orchid have in common? Besides their sparkling white blooms, they are also night fragrant orchids. They have no scent during the day, and turn on their perfumes when it’s dark. The six photos below represent just a fraction of night fragrant orchid varieties. I’ve included a few more […]

Orchids on Mother’s Day

Sunday, May 11th, 2014

Orchids have become such popular Mother’s Day gifts that moms are becoming orchid addicts as a result. They’ve discovered what many already know — orchids are easy and rewarding with a few basic care tips. Many orchids can sport their glorious blooms for weeks or even months. To get the most life out of your […]

Orchids on the Coast

Monday, April 28th, 2014

Here’s proof that the orchids are doing well after our recent move to Pacifica. This great orange Masdevallia stays in flower for months at a time. Currently, it’s putting on a fantastic show with dozens of brilliant blooms. This hybrid is living next to the house with the rest of the outdoor orchids. They’re sheltered on […]

Orchid Post Mortem: Myoxanthus

Monday, April 7th, 2014

Every now and then, I’m reminded of the adage that you’re not an orchid expert until you’ve killed your weight in orchids. I passed that milestone long ago, and while I kill fewer now, occasionally a weight is added to the scales. For example, I lost this Myoxanthus over the past winter. It died after […]

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 […]