Sobralia flowers never fail to impress. Many species in this genus have big blooms. With flowers as large as 10 inches (25 cm,) this species is one of the most remarkable in the family. The flowers look like Cattleyas, but the similarities end there. Unlike Cattleyas, this Sobralia species likes heavy water and fertilizer, and […]
Pseudo-what? That word is pseudobulb, pronounced “SOO-doh-bulb.” Like the bulbs of tulips and daffodils, orchid pseudobulbs store water and nutrients during the dormant season. Many popular orchids, like Cattleyas, Miltonias, and Oncidiums, have them at the bases of their leaves. Pseudobulbs come in a wide variety of forms. They can be egg-shaped, spherical, or flat. […]
San Francisco’s mild climate has been true to form this fall, with recent warm and sunny November days. Even though we’re lacking red and yellow autumn leaves, the garden has both bright colors and muted tones. Fuchsias in the first 2 photos enjoy our cool, foggy climate. It’s no wonder we always have some in […]
These tiny, charming flowers belong to a Stenoglottis, one of the easiest African orchids to grow. With purple polka dots and fringed lips, the flowers provide an enchanting show from late summer though autumn. Dozens of blooms are crowded onto each flower spike, and open sequentially over a few months. This Stenoglottis is not an […]
If you’d enjoy having a pet bird, but don’t want the noise, smell, and mess, this little orchid may be your solution. Named Ornithophora, its flowers look like little birds with head, beak, long neck, and wings spread out behind. As an added bonus, it has a light, sweet scent. I’ve been growing this reliable […]
When it comes to the all-time record holders for blooming orchids, look no further than the Epidendrum family. The 3 varieties pictured here share the admirable distinction of staying in bloom all year in our garden. The red ones have been blooming continuously for over 6 years, persisting even in our cool, gray winters. They […]
From the equator to the poles, today the entire planet has 12 hours of light and 12 hours of darkness. As the seasons cycle on, our garden is still in full swing. We’re enjoying these sunflowers, passionflowers, and amaryllis. The amaryllis originally came from Dave’s garden in New Orleans, where it bloomed during the summer […]
The phrase “stiff upper lip” usually describes the resolve of the British people, but it’s also an apt description for this Cyrtochilum. This orchid is an Oncidium relative from high-elevation cloud forests in the South American Andes, and it looks like it has teeth. The white “teeth” are actually part of the flower’s lip. It […]
The most popular orchids sold today are Phals, or Moth Orchids. Since their blooms can last for months, and they grow in the same light and temperature ranges of our homes and offices, their popularity is easy to understand. It’s no wonder that orchid growers have concentrated their attentions on this genus, and created thousands […]
As promised, here are some additional photos from our trip to San Francisco’s Conservatory of Flowers. I’ll start with more warm growing orchids, like these 2 gorgeous Paphs, followed by 2 colorful members of the Oncidium family. Among its thousands of tropical plants and flowers, the Conservatory has a resident gecko population to help with […]
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