As seasons change and holidays approach, this month’s schedule is slower, but there’s still plenty to choose from. I’m glad that in-person events have returned, but I’m also happy that some virtual events are continuing, like the Orchid Digest International Speakers Day. They allow people to attend from anywhere, and are much easier for those far away or with physical limitations.
Variegated plants are in vogue these days, just like they have been many times throughout history. Centuries before Instagram made them the latest fad, orchid lovers in East Asia noticed leaf color variations in Cymbidiums and Samurai Orchids, and began cultivating them. Of course, many plant varieties besides orchids have colorful leaves, too. Gardens around the globe have long been decorated by their rich hues and fascinating patterns.
There are so many variegated orchids that these 15 examples are just a drop in the bucket. Entire branches of the orchid family tree feature variegation. There are hundreds or maybe thousands of Paph varieties and Jewel Orchids with multicolor leaves. Moth Orchids, Dendrobiums, Vanillas, and Epidendrums may have them. Some terrestrials have them, likely as camouflage to help them blend into the forest floor. Colors can include different shades of green, white, yellow, silver, red, pink, or purple.
These orchids can be divided into two categories: those where variegation is the usual form, and those where it’s an unusual mutation. The first eight photos in this post show varieties where it’s the usual form. The last seven photos, starting with the Vanilla planifolia vine, show ones with mutations. These mutants may sometimes revert to growing their typical all-green leaves. If so, it may be necessary to cut off the all-green growth, and only allow the variegated parts to remain.
The final row of photos highlights the centuries-long traditions of cultivating variegated East Asian orchids. Patterned Samurai Orchids, Cymbidiums, and others, like the Phalaenopsis japonica (also known as Sedirea japonica) in the final photo, can command extraordinary prices among orchid lovers. Flawlessly raised in stunning flowerpots, they are each treasured works of art. They also exemplify why variegated plants are always in fashion.
Dogs are helping orchids. The North American Orchid Conservation Center has two projects where dogs are working to save endangered species (the article is in the middle of their newsletter.) With their keen sense of smell, specially trained hounds have learned to identify the orchids from dried specimens. They can locate wild plants when they’re out of bloom, and even when they’re completely dormant. The Small Whorled Pogonia, Isotria medeoloides, can stay dormant underground for over a decade. It can be very difficult to find, but the pups are learning how. Canelo Hills Ladies’ Tresses, Spiranthes delitescens is a rare orchid from only a few Arizona locations, but the dogs sniff it out easily. With canine assistance, conservationists are learning more about these species, and improving the odds that they can preserve them.
India is home to over 1,250 native orchid species. As is the case in many countries, those orchids are threatened by overharvesting of wild plants. To improve enforcement of India’s laws, a new poster has been created by the World Wildlife Fund and TRAFFIC, a registered UK charity which works to stop illegal wildlife trade. The poster identifies 11 of the most endangered varieties, offering clear illustrations of nine Paphs, one Vanda, and one Renanthera. Check out a small version of the poster below, or download the larger size from the website. You can also learn more about India’s orchids with a fact sheet containing important information about the plants, the threats they face, and conservation efforts.
True to their nickname, Weedy Orchids are tough enough to survive harsh conditions. This invasive species is also known as the Broad-Leaved Helleborine or Epipactis helleborine. Last year, I did two blog posts, here and here, about Weedy Orchids thriving in a small forested area of our neighborhood. They’ve returned this year, their blooms flanking a short hiking trail. I also spotted a little plant bordering a sidewalk on a busy nearby street.
Weedy orchids are robust enough to grow among other invasive plants, while enduring strong coastal winds and surviving our multiyear drought. These plants rely mostly on fog for water. It condenses and drips from the pine trees above them. And while our little San Francisco suburb has lots of green spaces, it doesn’t really have “wilds.” That’s fine for these orchids, which seem to like areas that are frequently disturbed by humans and other animals. The final row of photos below shows that small plant adjacent to a sidewalk. I’m guessing that most people walk by it without recognizing it as an orchid. It would probably surprise them to learn that it’s an orchid growing wild.
From Nairobi to Atlanta to Barcelona to Honolulu to Seattle to Brisbane to Guatemala City, orchids are beloved around the globe. Check out these events, and also check with your orchid society for local shows, auctions, and seminars.
The Swamp Helmet Orchid, Corybas carsei, is the tiniest and rarest Corybas orchid in New Zealand. There are only a few hundred remaining in a very small patch of land within their wetland homes. Fortunately, scientists have joined forces to save them. The Department of Conservation has been working for decades to protect the endangered population. Scientists are studying the plants, despite challenging weather and the COVID pandemic. With their improved understanding, they hope to increase the orchid’s numbers, conserve the species in botanic gardens, and reintroduce plants within their former range. Follow researcher Carlos Lehnebach’s blog for future updates.
The Northern California coast is usually warmest in autumn. The summer fog eases, and lets the sun shine through. In Pacifica, the warmer weather has arrived on schedule, and that’s reason enough to celebrate today’s equinox with some gorgeous blooms. They’re only photos from an old orchid show, but they fit the seasonal cycle quite nicely. As the days shorten, these incredible flowers stay luminous. Happy equinox.
Our Pacifica garden is finishing up the summer with radiant orchids. There are lots of great colors, small blossoms and large, and a swelling seedpod on my Prosthechea. It must be have been pollinated by a busy little Anna’s Hummingbird. The fruit has been growing for over two months already, its wilted flower still hanging below, as orange as ever. I’m not sure how much longer it will take to mature, but it’s fascinating to watch.
These orchids have been reliable bloomers for years. Our garden on the foggy Northern California coast seems a fine substitute for a tropical mountain cloudforest. Cymbidiums, Masdevallias, Coelogynes, and Cochliodas represent the cool growers which flourish outdoors here. They endure lots of wind, occasional heat waves, slugs, bugs, and pesky raccoons. Even the miniatures, like those shown in the final row of photos, are tougher than they appear. They seem far too fragile to survive our blustery weather, but I pot them up securely so that they don’t blow away, and they thrive in our garden.
Florida’s ongoing Million Orchid Project has been succeeding. Community groups, schools, and businesses, like the Lehigh Acres company highlighted in the news story below, are tying native orchids to trees. They hope to restore some of the state’s lost natural beauty, missing due to decades of habitat destruction and poaching. Run by Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden in Coral Gables, the Million Orchid Project has been supplying the lab-grown seedlings. It’s modeled on Singapore’s success in restoring its own native species. To be part of the Million Orchid Project, South Florida locals can purchase seedlings of several varieties. They include easy instructions to tie them to trees, and to help them survive and thrive.
