AboutOrchids

Enjoy these natural orchid wonders to celebrate today’s solstice. So many orchids bloom in this season that they’re the perfect antidote for dark and cold. Inside and outside our home, there are Moth Orchids, Cattleyas, Cymbidiums, and Masdevallias flowering, among others. They certainly inspire me with warmth and tropical beauty. It’s a great way to mark the time of year when we have the least light and the shortest days. It’s also a great reminder that light and warmth will return as soon as the earth swings around the sun.

Botanists in Western Australia discovered two new orchid species while out for a walk. At first, they thought that they were seeing color variations of known orchids. But Caladenia lateritica and Caladenia rosea are new to science. Both are fragrant, and both were found south of Perth near Dwellingup. The area is known as a hotspot of biological diversity, and the discoverers hope that their new finds will save the forests from being cleared.

Also be sure to check out Australian Geographic‘s gallery of incredible Aussie orchids.

National Geographic reports alarming news about the disappearance of wild orchids. Many species are disappearing from their native habitats because wild plants are being poached. In fact, illegal traffickers are so good at hunting rare orchids that scientists often discover new species for sale in a market before finding them in the wild. Some varieties are being wiped out before they can be identified, which is a terrible loss for the planet’s biological diversity.

Cymbidiums adorn much of the California coast. Many varieties bloom in autumn, when orchid lovers can spot them in flowerpots and gardens on the coast of the SF Bay Area. Plants in my and my neighbors’ gardens are currently blossoming in Pacifica, and we’re enjoying another fantastic Cymbidium season.

Many people are amazed that orchids enjoy living outdoors in our cool, foggy climate. Cool-growing Cymbidiums descend from Himalayan plants that enjoy the same mild weather. In fact, without cool nighttime temps, they won’t bloom. There are countless hybrids: large and small, fragrant or not, and some which can handle warmer temps, too.

Even when they’re without flowers, these orchids inspire adoration as their long, narrow leaves gracefully sway in the wind. For centuries, East Asian artists have captured their elegance.

Most of the Cymbidiums in these photos are from orchid shows, but a few are from my garden. And while most bloom in fall, other varieties bloom in winter, spring, and even summer. That guarantees many great Cymbidium seasons.

It may be the slowest month of the year for orchid shows, but there are still events around the world. Many orchid societies hold holiday celebrations or orchid auctions this month, so check with your local group for more info.

An endangered orchid has reappeared for the first time since 1938!  The rare species, Liparis hostifolia, is known as shimakumokiriso in Japanese, and is only found on the Ogasawara Islands bordering the tropics, 620 miles (1000 km) south of Tokyo. It hadn’t been seen in decades, but a specimen was found over the summer, and taken to Tsukuba Botanical Garden. Surprisingly, the orchid bloomed, and scientists are now hoping that they can pollinate it, and bring the species back from the brink. The article includes a good picture of the green and purple flower.

Do you think that all orchids are fussy hothouse flowers? This brilliant Odont orchid lives outdoors all year long on the chilly Northern California coast. Despite heavy rains, strong winds, hail, heatwaves, and mischievous raccoons, it’s a very reliable bloomer.

These flowers look delicate, but they can last three months through winter. This hybrid is Odontoglossum Bic-ross, its name abbreviated from its parent species, Odont. bictoniense and Odont. rossii. Both types survive over 9800 feet (3000 m) elevation in the Andes, so it’s easy to understand why this colorful hybrid is tough, too.

Both of the parent species have been renamed as Rhynchosteles, so that would change the hybrid name also. But I’m still using my old, original nametag, Odontoglossum Bic-ross, for this tough little Odont.

Scientists have published a study in Nature that explains why plant diversity discourages insect pests. Damaging insects love monocultures, large areas planted with a single crop, because they conveniently concentrate nutrients in one place. Diverse plantings have less of what they like, so bugs need to work harder in search of food. As a result, they’re less likely to visit and hang around.

While this research is about farming and not about houseplants, orchid growers may find this complements other natural, non-toxic remedies, like carnivorous plants and beneficial insects. Grow a broad variety of plants instead of a single kind. For example, add some plant diversity to a lawn to battle pests, rather than pouring on toxic insecticides. To learn more, find the full study at Nature.com (requires a subscription.)

San Francisco’s Conservatory of Flowers is so packed with remarkable plants that there’s always more to explore. I’ve already done a few posts about our recent visit, but I still have photos to share. There are plenty more orchids, from brilliant Moth Orchids to bizarre Bulbophyllums.

Although they aren’t orchids, the strange Bat Flower in the next three photos is a great tropical bloom. We’ve seen them at botanical gardens, but often the flowers are past their prime. It’s also challenging to take decent photos of a big, weird, complex blossom. But this time we got good pictures of a fresh flower. I think it looks more like cat whiskers than a bat. What do you see in this fascinating bloom?

With events in every corner of the earth, it’s easy to celebrate orchids. From Santa Barbara to Lisbon, this month features plenty of shows to choose from.

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