AboutOrchids

When it’s easy to find Phals, Oncidiums, and Epidendrums in any supermarket, it is possible to become jaded by orchids. Fortunately, the vast orchid family is always full of surprises, and these photos from Pacific Orchid Expo 2012 certainly prove my point. Whether it’s an eye-catching hybrid, an unusual species, or a fresh color combination, orchids always offer more.

Anyone feeling uninspired by common supermarket orchids can always find more varieties which are uncommon, or downright weird. Flowers can look like colorful bugs, or may be almost black. Shapes and patterns defy the imagination. As always, the Pacific Orchid Expo had an abundance of great examples. If it ever seems that you’re about to become bored by orchids, look again.

March is a busy month for orchid shows around the globe. Major events are happening in Santa Barbara, San Diego, Philadelphia, Montreal, London, Munich, Johannesburg, and Taiwan.

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The Pacific Orchid Expo, the largest orchid show in the USA, delighted thousands of visitors in San Francisco this past weekend. To celebrate the 75th anniversary of the Golden Gate Bridge, this year’s theme was “A Salute to the Golden Gate.” Dave and I enjoyed a sunny view of the world’s most famous bridge on the way to the show, and then a “mini” version of the bridge inside the show. Of course, it was all about the orchids from there.

With over 150,000 orchids under one roof, it was tough enough to figure out where to point our cameras. I’ll spend the next few days sifting through the embarrassment of orchid photo riches. To start, here’s a cheery Cattleya, a remarkable Antelope Dendrobium, and charming mini blue Cleisocentron. Check back again soon– there’s lots more to share!

A single blog post can only scratch the surface of Hawaii Tropical Botanical Garden (HTBG), so here’s a second post with more photos from our recent visit. Of course, HTBG has plenty of orchids, large and small.

However, in this garden even the orchids have competition. Breathtaking flowers line the garden paths. Tropical colors steal the show, like this multi-hued Heliconia, purple Anthurium, and Pink Quill bromeliad.

Some visitors tour HTBG in just an hour, but it’s easy to spend half a day or more, especially with a camera. Trying to capture so many exotic plants can take a while. Two more orchids and a blue bromeliad flower spike round out today’s tour, but look for more in future posts.

These and other winter orchid exhibits provide an instant reprieve from the season’s chill.

February 11 – March 10
Orchid Escape at Mesker Park Zoo & Botanic Garden offers a tropical delight. In Evansville, Indiana, the zoo’s warm and humid Amazonia exhibit makes a comfortable orchid home. Admission is included with a regular zoo ticket.

February 18 – April 29
The U.S. Botanic Garden presents Orchid Mystique: Nature’s Triumph in collaboration with Smithsonian Gardens. To celebrate the centennial of Washington DC’s beloved cherry blossoms, the exhibit shows orchids in serene Japanese gardens. There are also photo displays of native North American orchids.

March 3 – April 22
New York Botanical Garden presents a mesmerizing Orchid Show. Vertical orchid gardens transform the conservatory into an exotic, tropical escape. French artist and botanist Patrick Blanc covers structures in orchids, ferns, and exotic plants, reminiscent of how epiphytes grow naturally. Orchid experts will be on hand for weekend visitors who have orchid care questions.

As orchids surge in Valentine’s Day popularity, each year brings them into more homes and offices. With a few orchid care basics, they’re as easy as any houseplant. Many types, like Phals, can stay in bloom for months. To help your flowers last their longest, check these tips on where to place your orchid:

• Most importantly, keep the plant in good humidity. Dry air can quickly make orchid flowers wilt.
• Except for sun-lovers like Vandas, Arundinas, and some Epidendrums, orchid flowers last longer out of direct sun. After blooms are done, many varieties can be moved into morning sun.
• Don’t place the orchid near heaters or air conditioning vents. Temperature extremes or dry air may shock it into dropping its flowers.
• If you live in a cold winter climate, keep the plant away from cold windows.

Of course, if you put your new orchid where it looks most beautiful and reminds you of your valentine, that’s fine too. You may not enjoy the maximum blooming time from your plant, but your orchid and your love will live on.

Many regular readers of this blog already know that, for me, heaven has an address. A short drive up from Hilo on the Big Island, Hawaii Tropical Botanical Garden (HTBG) is an earthly paradise. In the natural greenhouse of Onomea Valley, HTBG offers meandering trails through a tropical rainforest. The flowers may look unreal, but they’re some of Mother Nature’s best work, like this brilliant lobster-claw Heliconia, large red Torch Ginger, and bizarre black Bat Flower.

Once home to an ancient Hawaiian fishing village, Onomea Valley now hosts over 2000 tropical plant species from around the globe, many rare or endangered. HTBG has over 40 acres (16 hectares) of plants, with plenty of orchids everywhere. Besides the central Orchid Garden, many more are attached to the trees (remember to look up!) We had the good fortune to visit earlier this month, when Dave snapped these great photos.

Of course, paradise includes beautiful waterfalls and tasty bananas. It even has a deliciously fragrant Golden Gardenia tree in the parking lot. Pending your next trip to the Big Island of Hawaii, you have can a bit of paradise delivered. HTBG’s online store offers dazzling tropical bouquets for shipment to the rest of the USA. Other garden gifts can be shipped worldwide. HTBG members enjoy free garden entrance. All proceeds support the non-profit conservation group which takes care of this little piece of heaven.

Orchid make beautiful, elegant, and fashionable Valentine gifts. Whether for love or friendship, they’re popular holiday flowers. However, picking the best one can be tricky. Orchid buying tips can be helpful for smart shoppers, but many orchid purchases aren’t about logic. Most of us have succumbed to the impulse buy. For me, it usually involves an exotic flower stopping me in my tracks. Before long, I’m mentally rearranging my other plants to find room. That’s not the ideal way to add to my collection, but when buying a gift, it’s fine to let your passion be your guide. Mostly you’ll find human-made hybrids for sale, grown for their vigor and exceptional blooms. There are countless varieties to choose from, but trust that your heart will know which is best.

From February 4 – March 4, the world’s most prestigious botanical gardens is putting on a “Tropical Extravaganza.” On the outskirts of London, Royal Botanic Gardens Kew has set up an exotic show. Among the 6500 tropical plants on display, there are over 2700 orchids. Floral arrangements represent the forces of nature: fire, earth, water, and air.

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.

Of the dozens of shows around the globe this month, I’m fortunate enough to live in the backyard of one of the largest, the Pacific Orchid Expo opening February 24th. Only Tokyo’s show opening February 18th is bigger. No matter the orchid count, all these shows offer magical blooms for your enjoyment. Many are perfectly timed to shop for Valentine’s Day gifts.

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