AboutOrchids

Lovers of North American native orchids won’t want to miss the Native Orchid Conference. This year’s event is happening July 26-30 at the Smithsonian Environmental Research Center in Edgewater, Maryland. The annual conference features lectures and field trips to see native orchids in the wild.

Online, you can find Everything You Need to Know About North American Native Orchids at Gardenista. The article includes great photos and conservation info, too.

Don’t miss Orchids in the Park this weekend!  The SF Orchid Society’s summer show and sale is happening Saturday & Sunday, July 21 – 22, at the Hall of Flowers in Golden Gate Park. These photos are a small sample of the incredible sights from last year’s event (see more from last year here and here.) Whether you’re interested in the latest hybrids or the strangest species, this is the place to find them. In addition to the show, there will be lots of vendors, care demos, raffles, and more. Buy tickets online or at the door. Don’t miss it!

For many people, life has changed on Hawaii’s Big Island since Kilauea’s latest eruption began in May. Among the property damage, the Honolulu Star Advertiser highlights an orchid business which lost greenhouses and plants. Other growers in the area have also been affected. Besides the threat of flowing lava, volcanic gases can be dangerous for both people and plants. Watch the video below for more.

Ruth Bancroft Garden in Walnut Creek, California is packed with incredible cacti and succulents. As my mother-in-law said, “This garden just screams OUCH!” Spines, thorns, and barbs abound, along with stunning flowers, brilliant leaf colors, and striking plant forms. The 2.5 acre (1 hectare) public garden features thousands of drought tolerant plants, from tiny succulents to tall trees.

Walnut Creek is about 30 miles (48 km) inland from San Francisco, but many climate zones away from the cool, foggy coast. Hot, dry summers are the norm, with little or no fog. The area can be +35°F (+19°C) warmer than the coast, with days over 100°F (38°C) in summer and autumn. It’s not suitable for most orchids, but many orchids are also succulents. We spotted a blooming Epidendrum in a shaded area, shown in the final photo below.

Ruth Bancroft was a walnut farmer’s wife who became fascinated with succulents. She started acquiring plants, skillfully designed her garden, and became an expert in low-water, or xerophytic, gardening. Ruth Bancroft died in 2017 at the age of 109, a quarter century after her creation had opened to the public. The incredible collection she built is thriving, and continues to inspire plant lovers who don’t mind screaming OUCH! See more with The Bold Dry Garden: Lessons from the Ruth Bancroft Garden.

Orchid events are happening from San Francisco to Sweden to South Australia this month. Don’t miss these great opportunities to enjoy incredible flowers, take photos, talk to experts, and buy orchids.

Read the rest of this post »

Illegal trade in wild orchids threatens many species with extinction. The first global study of the topic has been conducted by the IUCN Orchid Specialist Group’s Global Trade Programme. Orchids are being over-harvested from the wild for ornamental, medicinal, and food uses. Many are disappearing. In addition, endangered plants don’t receive as much attention as endangered animals, so they get less conservation assistance. The study names priorities to address these problems, such as conducting more research, encouraging the legal orchid trade, taking steps to reduce illegal trade, and advocating for more resources.

In this turbulent world, it can be easy to forget that there is beauty everywhere. Yes, it’s a cliché, but it remains true. And if you can’t find beauty in your immediate vicinity, then you can certainly find it in these orchid photos. Let nature’s restorative powers work their magic. Happy solstice.

Which ones are Butterfly Orchids? Well, they all are. These very different plants have each been dubbed Butterfly Orchids, and that can be confusing. Common names vary, and that’s why scientific names are so important. With scientific names, everyone in the world can know they’re talking about the same plant. Common names are great for common use, and for avoiding long Latin words.

Butterfly Orchids may refer to the Psychopsis genus, like the row of photos above. Their large, showy flowers always impress. These spectacular warm-growers are Oncidium relatives.

Butterfly Orchids may also refer to the Sarcochilus orchids in the next two photos below. That’s their common name in their native home, Australia. Florida’s famous Ghost Orchid, in the final photo, is sometimes called a Butterfly Orchid as well.

Species in the large genus Platanthera, native to much of the Northern Hemisphere including the USA and Canada, are all nicknamed Butterfly Orchids. I’ve even heard people call Phals “Butterfly Orchids,” rather than their more popular name, Moth Orchids.  Wikipedia’s list includes many more varieties sharing this same common name.

Check out 11 orchid flowers that look like animals, including humans, at Looseferspeaks.com. Bee Orchids, Monkey Orchids, and Flying Duck Orchids earn their names honestly. There are also Moth Orchids, Dancing Lady Orchids, and more. They all appear to stretch the definition of what a flower can be.

When Dave and I moved to Pacifica a few years ago, our new home had a very sad front lawn, dead but for the weeds. Over time, we’ve put in a garden full of succulent plants and drought-tolerant natives. This spring, it’s full of life, with lots of colorful blooms, and a steady parade of visiting birds, bumblebees, and admiring neighbors.

Since we’re close to the ocean, strong winds and some salt spray limit our plant choices. However, there’s still plenty to grow by the coast. Three native California species are in the previous row of photos. California Poppies, Giant Coreopsis, and tasty Beach Strawberries all do very well here.

All of these are low water plants (except for the orchids from the back garden in the final two photos. I had to throw a couple orchids into the post.) The African Daisies are in bloom most of the time. Sage, Sea Lavender, and Iris flower in the spring, along with many of the succulents. Besides the wind, gophers are our biggest problem. Despite the obstacles, we’ve built a colorful, drought-tolerant seaside garden.