Archive for the 'Warm Growers' Category
Sunday, July 20th, 2008
One of the most common questions I receive about orchids is how to force them to re-bloom ahead of their natural schedules. There is only one method I know to accomplish this, and it only works with Phalaenopsis. As soon as the last flower fades, cut the flower spike (the stem that holds the flowers) […]
Categories: Growing, Orchids in the Wild, Photos, Warm Growers
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Wednesday, July 9th, 2008
Labellum is the Latin word for “lip,” and the labellum of an orchid flower is a modified petal that is often its most ornate feature. This Paphiopedilum features a prominent labellum shaped like a cup.
These Phalaenopsis flowers have a labellum with a yellow center surrounded by 3 lobes.
Usually, an orchid labellum is at the bottom […]
Categories: Cool Growers, Mini Orchids, Misc, Photos, Warm Growers, Watering
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Saturday, July 5th, 2008
In the early 90’s I received this Phalaenopsis orchid as a gift from a friend, and it’s been a reliable bloomer ever since. It usually starts to bloom in the spring, and continues through the fall. The large flowers can last for months.
Each flower is about 5 inches (12.7 cm) wide. The photo below shows […]
Categories: Growing, Photos, Warm Growers
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Friday, June 20th, 2008
To welcome the longest day of the year (in the Northern Hemisphere, that is,) I have some cheery pink Epidendrum flowers. Happy summer! Here in San Francisco, it’s a hot one, 94 F (34 C) in the shade at 1:00 in the afternoon. Where’s that cool SF fog when I need it?
This Epidendrum lives on […]
Categories: Growing, Misc, Photos, Warm Growers
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Wednesday, April 16th, 2008
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 […]
Categories: Fragrant Orchids, Growing, Photos, Warm Growers
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Thursday, March 20th, 2008
… 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.
Categories: Fragrant Orchids, Photos, Warm Growers
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Monday, February 4th, 2008
This Diplocaulobium is a great little Dendrobium relative that flowered today, and went a long way to pick me up from my winter doldrums. Its spider-like flowers last less than a day, opening in the morning and closing the same evening. But it more than makes up for its short-lived flowers by blooming […]
Categories: Fragrant Orchids, Growing, Mini Orchids, Photos, Warm Growers
Comments: 2 Comments