AboutOrchids

It’s not too late to register for the Native Orchid Conference, held June 12 – 16 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. Run by an organization of the same name, the Native Orchid Conference highlights orchids from the USA and Canada. There are over 200 species of orchids native to North America, from California to Newfoundland, from Miami to Vancouver, and even north of the Arctic Circle. This conference focuses on conservation and restoration of destroyed or damaged habitats. Orchid experts will give talks on topics such as orchid hot spots and conservation case studies. The conference also includes field-trips to nearby state parks to find orchids that survive Wisconsin’s long, cold winters.

With cool, foggy weather here in San Francisco, and even some unusual late spring showers this week, it’s the perfect climate for Masdevallias. No wonder that we have 3 different kinds in bloom at once. This first set shows a great purple hybrid with typical Masdevallia traits, like the triangular shape and bright colors. The last photo in the set shows a less noticeable family trait, with a close-up of the tiny petals and lip inside the flower.

Despite the common misconception that all orchids want warm temperatures, Masdevallias are native to cool, high-altitude rainforests with constant rain or fog. They range from mountains in Mexico and Central America south into the Andes. In cultivation they need a cool, damp climate, although they must be protected from freezing. There are warmer growing varieties also, but no matter what climate they prefer, Masdevallias need daily watering and high humidity. This orange hybrid has been a reliable bloomer for years, and enjoys living outside all year long in the San Francisco fog.

This final set shows an extra small species from Ecuador. It’s one of the only members of the vast Masdevallia family to have multiple blooms on each flower spike. In its native home, it lives in a forest that receives very little rain, but constant fog and mist. No wonder it’s enjoying our weather!

As we approach summer, June is a slow month for orchid shows in the northern half of the globe. Orchid lovers are tending new growth, and summer heat complicates orchid transport. In the southern half of the globe, Australia and New Zealand are approaching winter, so there are plenty of great orchid shows down under.

Our late spring garden is full of great sights and smells, and even tastes and sounds. Orange nasturtiums are common sights in California gardens. Their flowers and leaves are edible, with a peppery flavor. However, the snails make a feast of them much more often that we do. The pink roses have a beauty and sweet scent that’s tempered by their sharp thorns. The third and fourth photos show little purple Cerinthe flowers, which reappear annually in the garden. This hardy Mediterranean plant loves the California climate. Bees return the love, and their buzzing resonates in the little tubular flowers, serving as a natural amplifier for the garden orchestra.

I love this Japanese Painted Fern with silver foliage and bright purple stems. Violets add even more purple to the garden. Calla lilies are South African natives that love the San Francisco climate.

The next 3 photos show irises that put on a spectacular spring show with lots of large, colorful blooms. The final photo shows some urban wildlife:  2 California Slender Salamanders. I’ve seen this native species in the garden frequently over the years, and these 3-4 inch long (8-10 cm) bug-eaters are great for natural pest control. They even eat some of our pesky snails. Since amphibians are often sensitive to toxins, I’m happy to take the salamanders’ presence as proof that a beautiful garden is best without dangerous artificial chemicals.

The Orchid Conservation Alliance (OCA) is a non-profit organization dedicated to conserving orchids in their native habitats. OCA supports numerous projects to preserve orchids around the world. With the backing of individuals, orchid societies, prominent scientists, and orchid vendors, OCA places emphasis on saving wild rainforest habitats. Some of the strategies of organizations supported by the OCA include setting up rainforest preserves, working with local communities for sustainable land management, and sponsoring essential scientific research.

The OCA also organizes trips to orchid hotspots such as Brazil and Ecuador. By viewing orchids in their natural habitats, the need for saving them in their wild homes becomes readily apparent. The OCA offers several ways to contribute, including memberships and donations. Members receive benefits such as the organization’s periodic newsletters.

Jan-Marie took so many amazing picture from her visit to Singapore Botanic Gardens that I couldn’t possibly fit them into one post. I’ll start with more Vandas and Dendrobiums.

These warm growers epitomize the word orchid. With the largest display of tropical orchids in the world, Singapore Botanic Gardens has been a pioneer in orchid breeding for decades. These Wilsonara, Dendrobium, Oncidium and Vanda photos show examples of their hybridization programs.

Many of the orchids in these photos are hybrids that are bred to be hardy, as long as they receive good basic care. The first picture in this set shows a hybrid Dendrobium aptly nicknamed an “Antelope Dendrobium.” Besides their corkscrew petals, most Antelope Dendrobiums have a rich fragrance. The final picture shows a tunnel with thousands of yellow Oncidium flowers, surely a tropical paradise.

Our good friend and cat-sitter extraordinaire, Jan-Marie, recently enjoyed a trip to Malaysia and Singapore, where she visited Singapore Botanic Gardens. The Republic of Singapore is a small island nation located very close to the equator, so naturally this former British colony is home to many tropical orchids.  Singapore is also one of the world’s largest commercial orchid growers, specializing in warm growers like Phals, Vandas, Paphs, and Dendrobiums.

The National Orchid Garden is part of the Singapore Botanic Gardens, and contains over 3,000 orchid species and hybrids. The pictures below show Vanda Miss Joaquim, the national flower of Singapore. This hybrid orchid blooms almost continuously when given full sun, heavy water, regular fertilizer, and warm temperatures. It has unusual, thin, pencil-shaped leaves that look more like stems than foliage.

More pictures below show a Spathoglottis flower, lots of Phals, a rainbow of Vanda flowers, and Vanda plants attached to a tree. Thanks so much, Jan-Marie, for sharing your marvelous pictures!

I’m a week late to celebrate the Mexican holiday of Cinco de Mayo, but this Mexican native shows no signs of finishing its fiesta of color. Laelia anceps is a Cattleya relative that’s easy to grow, and one of the toughest orchids around. It holds its large, star-shaped flowers high up on flower spikes that can reach over 39 inches (1 m) tall. Although my plant has purple flowers, this orchid species has numerous color varieties, including shades of white, pink, and lavender. Since it’s such an easy and attractive orchid, it’s no surprise that Laelia anceps is often used as a parent plant in hybrid creation.

Within its native range in Mexico, this Laelia lives in varied environments. Unlike other orchid species that require exacting conditions, this orchid grows in both hot, dry climates and cool, wet environments. It can also survive in a range of light levels from shady to sunny. In the wild, it often grows as a lithophyte, with roots attached to rocks and cliff faces. Here in San Francisco, I keep mine outdoors all year, where it receives full afternoon sun. It does require a drier winter dormancy to bloom well.

Besides being able to tolerate a wide range of conditions, this tough orchid can handle dry air better than most, so high humidity is not essential. Mine usually blooms twice a year, so it almost always sports open flowers or emerging flower spikes, adding a perennial touch of Mexican beauty. I guess it’s always ready for a fiesta.

We recently enjoyed a visit to Mercer, Pennsylvania, where Dave’s parents live. Dave’s Mom (and my Mother-in-Law) Brenda has a beautiful garden, so we’re sending a virtual Mother’s Day card with some pictures we took during our trip. Happy Mother’s Day, Brenda!

Mercer is in an area of western Pennsylvania that has a typical climate for the Northeastern USA. Short, warm summers are followed by cold, snowy winters, with an average January temperature of 17 F (-8 C.) Of course, it’s a tougher climate for orchids than the mild weather of the California coast. Nonetheless, you can see a large variety of beautiful plants and flowers that make the most of the short growing season.

Besides being a talented gardener in her own right, Brenda is a member of Master Gardeners. Master Gardeners programs in the USA and Canada were created to offer reliable home gardening information. Through extensive training, Master Gardeners are certified to provide gardening help to their communities. They volunteer to give educational lectures, demonstrations, help with community gardening projects, and offer phone support services. Pennsylvania’s program is run by Penn State, which is also Dave’s alma mater.

The final picture shows Corky, an Australian Shepherd who is Brenda’s constant garden companion. She is 15 years old, and was rescued from the middle of the road in the middle of the winter when she was a puppy. If Brenda is working in the garden, whether planting, weeding, pruning, or watering, Corky is there to help (or get in the way.)

Did you know that Mother’s Day was not started by a greeting card company, but by Julia Ward Howe in 1870 as an anti-war holiday? And speaking of Mother’s Day, there’s no better gift for mom than an orchid. Whatever the occasion for an orchid purchase, here are some tips on getting the most for your money:

• Look for freshly opened flowers, with no shriveled buds. If the orchid has multiple blooms and they’re all already open, it can be tough to tell how long they’ll last. If there are a few unopened buds, chances are that the flowers are fresh, and you’ll have the bonus of watching the buds unfurl over time.
• Leaves should appear healthy-looking and firm, not floppy or too soft. A few small blemishes may not indicate any problem, so if the plant seems to be in good shape, don’t make that an automatic disqualifier. Some varieties of orchids can have darker or lighter green leaf coloration, but yellow or black leaves are bad.
• If you find insect pests on any flowers or leaves, find another vendor.
• It’s ok if a few roots are sticking out of the pot. These should be firm and white or silvery in color. Green tips mean the roots are actively growing.
• Phals and Paphs are great choices since their blooms can last for months, and they can survive in lower light levels often found in homes and offices.
• If you’re looking for an orchid with scented flowers, remember that some varieties may only have a scent at certain times of the day. Smell the flowers to determine if it’s a scent that you like.
• For care purposes, it will really help to identify your orchid. Look for a plant with a name tag, or ask the vendor. It’s not always necessary to know the exact name, just the family of orchids to which it belongs.