For those of us who can’t make it to the UK, the BBC has a video tour of the show which highlights lots of Vandas, Phals, Oncidiums, and Miltonias. It’s an explosion of color that provides a great remedy for gloomy winter weather.

Then check out the astonishing photographs of JG Bryce. He captured thousands of pictures at the conference, and then digitally processed them to bring out depth and focus. Individual flowers stand against white backgrounds, and appear almost in 3D. Bryce’s work requires an obsessive attention to detail which fits in nicely with the Orchid Olympics.

January 12 – February 20
The Orchid Showcase at the Denver Botanic Gardens presents hundreds of orchids in their Orangery. In other areas of the garden, orchids bloom alongside indoor waterfalls.

January 14 – April 8
Orchids! Vibrant Victoriana offers a winter escape at Franklin Park Conservatory in Columbus, Ohio. Hundreds of orchids are on display, and there are talks, tours, and classes. Don’t miss the exhibit of dazzling glass orchids by acclaimed artist Debora Moore.

January 23 – February 10
Enchanting Orchids warms up the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society’s McLean Library in Philadelphia. Delight in free lectures, workshops, and a wide variety of orchids on exhibit.

January 28 – March 25
In St. Louis, Missouri Botanical Garden’s Annual Orchid Show provides a chance to see prize specimens from one of the country’s largest orchid collections. Enjoy fascinating orchid colors and scents in a Chinese themed garden.

February 4-April 15
Orchid Daze: Hanging Gardens at the Atlanta Botanical Garden mixes Babylon with Midtown Atlanta. Suspended displays of potted orchids appear to float in the air. Orchid Daze includes guided tours, care clinics, and orchid markets.

I know this can’t be right. I grow orchids at my home 20 minutes from Sacramento. I also have a few more at my office. I’ve accidentally killed phals by allowing them only two weeks without water. How can anyone water once in three weeks?

Well, Patti, some people can water once in 3 weeks, but this really illustrates the problem with one-size-fits-all orchid care instructions. Soundbites may be dangerous to your orchid’s health. I would guess that the author of the advice grows Phals potted in moss in perfect greenhouse conditions. Many orchid pros water once every 3 weeks. They pot the Phals in tightly packed moss, which acts like a sponge. It can hold a lot of water, especially in high humidity. With a goal of minimizing water use, they’ve set up their growing environments accordingly. So it is possible.

Of course, most home or office growers don’t have optimal conditions. Even if your orchids grow in moss, your light levels, humidity, air movement, and temps vary. Each of these affects watering frequency. If your orchids are potted in bark, then you need to consider that it can dry quicker than moss. That’s why an orchid care regimen needs to be flexible, and soundbites do not account for fluctuating conditions. If a formula says “once every 3 weeks,” or “3 ice cubes per week,” take that as a starting point. Then, you need to pay attention to your plants. Check these helpful watering tips, and create your own schedule.

Coelia is easy to pronounce; just ignore the “o” and say “Celia” like the woman’s name. In the wild, it grows as an epiphyte or a terrestrial in rainforests up to 5000 feet (1500 m) in elevation. In cultivation, it needs frequent watering, shady conditions, and winter dormancy. This species tolerates a wide range of temps. However, it doesn’t like repotting, and extra care is needed to avoid damage to roots.

The blooms can be as large as 2 inches (5 cm,) but this plant enjoying life on my back deck has slightly smaller 1.5 inch (3.8 cm) flowers. Besides this variety, another member of the Coelia genus in the final photo has tiny white flowers. This species, Coelia triptera, was on display at a local orchid show. Like Coelia bella, it’s also fragrant.

January 14 – March 4
Phipps Conservatory Orchid and Tropical Bonsai Show welcomes guests to stroll through their spectacular gardens in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The show highlights orchids like Phals and Paphs along with the Japanese art of miniature trees. The conservatory also presents practical growing tips for orchids and bonsais.

January 20 – March 18
Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden near Charlotte, North Carolina invites visitors to “Join the Expedition” for its Orchid Spectacular. The event focuses on 19th century explorers who risked life and limb searching for unknown orchids. The garden features 5000 orchids and orchid classes.

January 20 – March 25
Near Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Longwood Gardens Orchid Extravaganza provides a refuge from winter with thousands of flowers. This year’s event fills their conservatory with a variety of orchid displays, including an arch covered with 350 white Phals.