AboutOrchids

There are lots of edible orchids besides vanilla. I’ve blogged about chikanda before, a traditional African dish made from orchid tubers. The tubers are ground up with peanuts and chilies, and cooked into a savory loaf. Over the past few decades, chikanda has gone from being a rural famine food to a trendy urban staple. In Zambia’s capital, it’s now sold on city streets, in supermarkets, and in restaurants. This increased popularity among the growing population is devastating the area’s terrestrial orchids. Fortunately, environmental groups are taking action. They are trying to develop varieties which can be farmed to ease demands on wild plants. In addition, they’re creating conservation plans with local communities to better manage their wild resources. If they’re successful, orchids will continue to enrich Zambian meals.

March is a very busy month for orchid shows. Maybe someday there will be one in Antarctica, and I’ll be able to use the phrase “shows on every continent.” Until that day, I have to say “almost every continent.” Take advantage of these great events around the globe.

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Every year, San Francisco’s Pacific Orchid Expo is full of stunning flowers, brilliant colors, and sweet fragrances. This past weekend’s show was another remarkable one, illustrated by these pictures. The exhibits, vendors, raffles, and expert talks are wrapped up for another year, but I still have loads of photos to sort through, so check back soon for more from this magical event.

In conjunction with the upcoming Pacific Orchid Expo, the Orchid Conservation Alliance is hosting a dinner, auction, and talk by Costa Rican orchid expert Steve Kirby on Saturday evening, February 23rd. Ticket availability is limited, and all proceeds go to orchid conservation.

One of the biggest orchid shows in the world happens this weekend in San Francisco. Pacific Orchid Expo 2019 runs from Friday, February 22nd until Sunday, February 24th. The event takes place in Golden Gate Park’s Hall of Flowers, at Lincoln Way and 9th Avenue. There’s also a special opening night gala on Thursday, February 21st. These photos from last year’s event hint at the orchid riches to expect. Buy tickets in advance online for a discount. Don’t miss it!

Happy Valentine’s Day! If you’ve been lucky enough to receive an orchid gift, here are a few tips to help you enjoy your plant and keep it happy.

Identify it – Moth Orchids, like the row of photos above, are the most popular. Lady Slippers are in the second row of photos, and are also perennial favorites. The third and fourth rows of photos include Cattleya, Vanda, Miltonia, and Oncidium varieties. All are available in a multitude of colors, patterns, and sizes, so use pictures as general guidelines, not strict standards. Find more pictures and more tips to help identify orchids here.

Add humidity – Orchids need humidity, which is water vapor in the air. Dry air damages flowers and attracts pests. To increase humidity, group plants together, or put plants in a humid area, like a bathroom or kitchen. Use a cool mist humidifier, or a spray mister. Place flowerpots in trays of shallow water, keeping the pots raised above the water level on a layer of pebbles or an inverted saucer.

Watering – Remove wrapping paper or decorative containers, at least temporarily, if they block the flowerpot’s drainage holes. Soak the plant with room-temperature water, and then let all excess drain out. Don’t block drainage or let the flowerpot sit in water for too long, or the roots may rot.

Add light – Place your orchid in bright light, but keep out of full sun while you’re enjoying the flowers. Many varieties will eventually need some sun if you want them to rebloom.

In a vase – Give orchids the same care as other cut flowers. Put them in lukewarm water, and keep the vase out of direct sun. Change the water every couple of days. High humidity can help the blooms last longer.

With his recent London visit, Dave was able to enjoy some of Kew Garden’s wonders, including the remarkable Temperate House. Dating to 1863, the glasshouse had closed for five years of upgrades and renovations, and reopened last May to much fanfare. It’s the largest Victorian glasshouse in the world, and houses many rare plants which Kew tries to safeguard from extinction.

The Temperate House is 628 feet (191 m) long. During its restoration, workers set up 112 miles (180 km) of scaffolding, replaced 15,000 panes of glass, and used 1395 gallons (5280 l) of paint. With many new, young plants, visitors can easily admire the architectural details of the interior. As its trees grow taller over the years, they will fill the space and obscure some of the views.

Leave the winter cold behind with these spectacular orchid exhibits at acclaimed botanical gardens. Find previous listings for ongoing events here and here.

February 9 – March 10
Kew Gardens in London presents Orchids: Celebrate the Colour of Colombia. Enjoy flora and fauna from one of the most biodiverse places on the planet. See photos from the event’s setup in my earlier blog post.

February 9 – March 24
Chicago Botanic Garden brings you out of the cold and In the Tropics. Warm up with radiant orchid blooms under palm trees in this incredible flower show. On Thursday evenings, savor Orchids After Hours with tropical drinks.

February 9 – April 7
Atlanta Botanical Garden features beautiful orchids and award-winning floral photography in Orchid Daze. The exhibit also includes special Orchid Market Weekends and Valentines in the Garden.

February 23 – April 28
New York Botanical Garden transports visitors halfway around the globe for The Orchid Show: Singapore. Created in partnership with Singapore Botanic Gardens and Gardens by the Bay, the exhibit promises to bring orchid displays to new heights.

From February 9th until March 10th, Kew celebrates the orchids of Colombia. Dave visited the Princess of Wales Conservatory at Kew Gardens last weekend, and saw that even the initial preparations for this event are spectacular. He found remarkable Moth Orchid towers and arches full of brilliant colors.

Colombia is home to over 4200 orchid species, more than any other country in the world. From hot, steamy Amazon jungles to chilly cloud forests high in the Andes, there is incredible diversity. Kew will celebrate Colombia’s flora and fauna with surprises around every corner. Escape London’s winter cold in a warm, tropical display, starting this Saturday.

This month, I’ve found listings for 48 events from 13 different countries. That includes two of the largest orchid shows in the world in Tokyo and San Francisco. Don’t miss these opportunities to immerse yourself in orchids!

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