AboutOrchids

With lots of cool days this Spring, our backyard garden has been slow to start. But with mild temperatures and longer days, it’s finally filling in. Enjoy these (non-orchid) photos. Our yard is partially shaded by our neighbors’ trees, so the poppies don’t receive enough sun until mid-Spring. This was one of the first to […]

Nicknamed the Hardy Chinese Orchid, Bletilla striata is a terrestrial that grows in soil. Originally from China, Japan, and Korea, Bletillas go dormant over the winter, and can handle light freezes. These flowers have been slowly opening over the past few days. They’re still not completely open in these photos, but you can see their […]

Here are some more pictures from our recent visit to Phipps Conservatory in Pittsburgh, PA. Cymbidium flowers Originally I mis-identified this orchid. Its correct name is Bifrenaria harrisoniae. The center looks like a smiley face with a fuzzy beard. In high humidity at Phipps, orchid roots grow exposed to the open air. The roots growing […]

We took a trip with Dave’s parents to beautiful Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens in Pittsburgh, PA. Among the wonderful gardens in their enormous Victorian greenhouses, Phipps has an orchid room and a Thai rainforest exhibit. Lots were in bloom in the orchid room, but none were in bloom in the Thai exhibit. Yellow Phals […]

It’s a sign of springtime that I have so many orchids starting to bloom. This little red Maxillaria tenuifolia may not look as impressive as larger orchids, but it packs a big scent. This single flower fills our front room with a sweet coconut aroma. It is native to Central American jungles, and enjoys warm […]

This Dockrillia striolata flower opened today. This orchid is a small Dendrobium relative from Australia. It was a pleasant surprise this morning, because I’ve had this orchid for 6 years, but it’s never bloomed for me. I’m not sure what I finally did right to help it bloom. Yes, that’s a fat aphid in the […]

… and the day is the first day of Spring. These beautiful Jumellea arachnantha blooms made for a great equinox celebration. It’s native to the Comoros Islands by Madagascar, and the flowers have a strong fragrance during the day.

Spring is on the way, which means I am already busy repotting. With the season bringing stronger sunlight and more warmth, most orchids start a cycle of growth. It’s the best time to replace old potting material and provide an open, fresh environment for new roots. Years ago, I was shocked when I first saw […]

This beautiful Helcia sanguinolenta flower has been open for a few days. They live as epiphytes at elevations as high as 10,000 feet (3000 meters) in the Andes of Ecuador. Its native climate is similar to San Francisco’s, with mild temperatures and foggy days.

No, they were not functional during the show. These hand-made porcelain urinals are the work of California artist Clark Sorensen, and were featured at last week’s Pacific Orchid Expo here in San Francisco. If anyone is in doubt about your love of orchids, these would certainly prove your devotion, and then some. I’m also including […]