Orchids have become favorite holiday gifts. Moth Orchids are as common as Poinsettias. So if you receive an orchid gift for the holidays, what should you do with it? Fortunately, orchids are easy with a few basic guidelines. Check the tips below to help your orchid thrive and bloom for years to come. What kind? […]
Warm wishes on this first day of winter! With today’s solstice, the planet spirals forward into another season. If you prefer balmier weather, some tropical inspiration may help to heat things up. Orchids are great antidotes to the cold and grey. Dave snapped most of these beautiful pictures at Pacific Orchid Expos in recent years. […]
Moth Orchids, or Phals, are some of the most popular houseplants in the world. Thanks to their beauty, elegance, and toughness, Phals now live in countless homes and offices. If you’re buying an orchid gift, especially for an orchid beginner, there’s no better choice. Here are few reasons why: Moth Orchids have very long lasting […]
You may not like spiders, but you’ll like Spider Orchids. Brassias’ long, delicate petals resemble arachnid legs, and their muted color patterns help complete the effect. (Note that these Spider Orchids are different than the Australian Caladenia orchids with the same common name.) Many Brassias are fragrant, and sport large, graceful blooms. The flowers of […]
Orchid care changes with the seasons, and many orchids begin dormancy as winter approaches. During this rest period, they need less water and fertilizer. Winter dormancy mimics a dry season in the orchids’ native habitats. Orchids like the Cattleya, Dendrobium, and Oncidium in the pictures below won’t bloom without a dry period. Cut back on watering […]
Cymbidiums, or Boat Orchids, are some of the most popular orchids in the world. Their beauty and hardiness have helped turn them into favorite houseplants, cut flowers, and corsages. This current popularity is merely the latest chapter in their long history, since Cymbidiums have been cultivated in East Asia for thousands of years. There are […]
There’s much more to the California Academy of Sciences than a rainforest. As one of one the nation’s preeminent natural history museums, it also features an extensive aquarium, a planetarium, a living roof, and even a small penguin colony. This post highlights some of the creatures living in the museum. Starting in the aquarium, the […]
San Francisco’s very own tropical rainforest lives in the Academy of Sciences in Golden Gate Park. Encased within a 4-story glass bubble, plants and animals bask in light, warmth, and humidity. Birds and butterflies dart between trees, flowers, and human visitors. Walking up from the forest floor into the tops of the trees, there’s living […]
Dave took so many great photos at this year’s Orchids in the Park that it was easy to find enough for another post. The first set includes a shapely Paph, a haunting Dracula, and an intriguing Vanda close-up. Once again, these photos highlight the incredible diversity of the orchid family. Each appeals to a specific bug or […]
With orchids in every supermarket, visiting an orchid show might seem unnecessary. However, last weekend’s Orchids in the Park proved why orchid shows are definitely worthwhile. The displays were full of unusual and exotic blooms. You won’t find these orchid varieties in a supermarket. These flowers both defy and excite the imagination. They’re great reminders […]
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