Always use a clean, sharp scissors to prevent spreading plant diseases. Clean the blades with hot water and soap, rubbing alcohol, or bleach solution. Cut 1/4 inch (6 mm) above the node. Another spike may emerge beneath the cut. Its flowers will be smaller and shorter-lived than the first set.

Although this method may add a month to your blooming season, it really drains energy from the plant. In the wild, unpollinated orchids drop their flowers, and start to make energy for next year’s blossoms. When forced to rebloom, the plant uses up its energy reserves. If you’d rather keep your orchid long-term and enjoy years of flowers, I would advise you to skip this process. Instead, let your Phal return to its natural growth cycle. Cut the old flower spike as close to the plant’s base as you can without damaging nearby leaves or roots. Healthy plants will grow and produce even more flowers next year.

Those moth pollinators have long tongues, so the orchid completes its lure with a drop of nectar at the bottom of a narrow tube called a nectar spur. The flowers have evolved to entice the moth perfectly into position against the sticky yellow pollen. While the moth reaches to receive a nectar reward, it picks up or deposits pollen, and helps the orchid to reproduce.

This Angraecum has a graceful nectar spur up to 4 inches (10 cm) long, more than twice the size of the flower itself. As they develop, the unopened flower buds are dwarfed by their lengthening spurs. Blooms can last a month or more. Like most of its tropical African relatives, this species requires bright light, warm temps, regular water, and high humidity.

This Ghost Orchid was part of an exhibit by Kim and Edgar Stehli of Windswept in Time Orchids. They’re located in Broadview Heights, Ohio, and can be reached by phone for sales at 440-838-5757. Ghost Orchids amaze with their stunning, fragrant white flowers and lack of leaves. They grow by using chlorophyll in their roots. Some of these photos show the greenish-white tangle of roots dangling behind the exotic flower. Ghost Orchids are native to swamps and coastal forests in South Florida, the Bahamas, and Cuba.

I’ll post more photos from Erie soon, but this remarkable bloom is my choice as the highlight of the show held in an ice rink. Even if I’m lucky enough to see another Ghost Orchid flower again, I’ll bet it won’t be so close to a Zamboni.

In some parts of their native range in Southeast Asia, they’re so common that they’re considered weeds. Ludisias live in rainforests from India to Indonesia, and grow as terrestrials in sandy soil. They’re easy to root by placing cuttings of their thick stems into moss or water. Jewel Orchids enjoy the same conditions as African Violets: regular waterings, warm temps, high humidity, and shade. They’ll also grow under artificial lights.

In the past few years, new Ludisia colors and leaf patterns have appeared on the market. They’re also easy to grow. For all varieties, watch out for mealybug and scale, which may be a symptom of low humidity.

Their small, white flowers, standing on tall, fuzzy spikes above the foliage, are easier to appreciate with the benefit of Dave’s photography skills. They have a light, sweet scent. Of course, even when the flowers fade, the Jewel Orchid’s leaves continue the show.

Pronounced “oh-ee-NEE-ella,” rhymes with “go see me, Ella,” its name comes from Greek words describing the flower’s resemblance to an eagle’s wings. Maybe the pointed tip on the flower lip also inspired thoughts of a bird’s beak.

Oeoniellas are native to Madagascar, the Seychelles, and other small islands of the Indian Ocean. They need high humidity, bright light, warm temperatures, and regular water. With good humidity, they can handle temps over 90F (32 C.) Flowers can last a month or more. Like many white orchids from Africa, they’re only fragrant at night when their moth pollinators are active.

Kilauea is an active volcano, but the last major lava action in this crater was 1959. Much of the rainforest on the rim has regrown in the past half century, and we saw numerous Phaius orchids on the forest floor (”Phaius” is pronounced FAY-us, and rhymes with “pay us.”) Like Bamboo Orchids, Phaius are terrestrials that grow in soil and in rock crevices.

Although neither species is native to Hawaii, both have naturalized in rainy parts of the islands. These orchids are thriving despite harsh growing conditions near the 4100 ft. (1250 m) summit. Besides strong tropical winds and rains, the black lava really bakes as it absorbs heat from the tropical sun. More amazing than that, these orchids survive dangerous levels of sulfur dioxide gas that vent nearby, although we took our hike on a day when the winds were in our favor. The final photo shows the eastern section of Kilauea Iki with the forest growing on its walls and rim. At this end the crater is 400 ft. (122 m) deep and over 1 mile (1.6 km) wide.

Of course, there were more astounding orchids also, like the sweet smelling Aerides in the next two photos. It’s related to Vandas and Phals, and one of the great warm growers that are tough to keep in foggy San Francisco. The third photo shows chains of tiny flowers from a colorful Dendrochilum.

This very strange Bulbophyllum is another warm growing orchid, with tiny flowers that look like passengers on a boat, or an upside-down caterpillar. The white flowers of a fragrant Neobenthamia look normal by comparison, even though they bloom on top of a tall, bamboo-like plant just like an Arundina.

Located in a tropical rainforest just a few miles north of Hilo, these orchids grow outdoors in the beautifully tended gardens. There’s a special section for orchid displays, but as you look around, you’ll discover orchids are also spread throughout the whole valley. They have many of the most commonly grown varieties, such as Phals, Cattleyas, Dendrobiums, and Oncidiums, alongside some less commonly-seen tropical orchids, like the brilliant red Renanthera in the next photo set.

Besides being a magnificent tourist destination, Hawaii Tropical Botanical Garden plays an essential role as a sanctuary for endangered plant species. The Garden operates as a non-profit organization, and is also a study center and seed bank dedicated to conservation of rare tropical plants. If you can’t make it to Hawaii, you can still enjoy their flowers by ordering a tropical flower bouquet from their website. They can ship a piece of Hawaiian heaven anywhere in the USA in only 2 days. They obviously have heaven enough to spare.

Since our arrival back in San Francisco, we’ve been greeted by cold winter rains. I hope these photos are helping to provide you with the same warm tropical thoughts that we’re trying to retain. Below are flowers from a Spathoglottis, a Hong Kong Orchid Tree (not a true orchid, but it smells just as sweet,) an Anthurium, and a Vireya. They’re all from the B&B’s gardens. If these blooms aren’t enough to mentally transport you to a lush, warm paradise, then maybe Art and Orchids’ great new website can help. And definitely check back here soon for some more inspiration — we have lots more Hawaii pictures to share. Now, if I can just find my sweater.

If you’re looking for the perfect holiday gift, check out Moth Orchids: The Complete Guide to Phalaenopsis by Steven Frowine. This beautiful book is the definitive text on the most popular orchids in the world. With hundreds of gorgeous photos and excellent illustrations, Frowine provides a thorough and enjoyable text on the entire Phal family. Along with Phal species and traditional hybrids, the book shows the results of exciting advances in orchid breeding that have created new colors and dazzling patterns. The book contains detailed care info and a month-by-month calendar of moth orchid culture. There’s also a list of fragrant varieties, and great extra Phal tidbits, like how to make an orchid corsage. On top of all this, Moth Orchids helped me to identify my mini Phal, which came without a name tag, as a hybrid named Phalaenopsis Sogo Twinkle ‘Stars’. Highly recommended!