AboutOrchids

Scientists have identified evidence of the oldest orchid fossil on record. Preserved in amber between 45 and 55 million years ago, a tiny gnat is carrying a tinier bundle of orchid pollen. “We probably shouldn’t say this about a plant, but orchids are very smart” laughed George Poinar, Jr., entomologist at Oregon State University, and lead author on the newly published discovery. It’s likely that orchids first evolved in the Cretaceous Period, blooming alongside the dinosaurs, and they’ve been enticing pollinators for tens of millions of years.

Glasgow to Honolulu, Rio to Oakland, Auckland to Memphis, orchids are celebrated internationally. These events often feature exhibits and plant sales, and also include talks and tours by experts.

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The San Francisco Botanical Garden is bursting with new growth after a rainy winter. Covering about 55 acres (22 hectares) of Golden Gate Park, the garden is always full of life. During a recent visit, there were lots of spring blooms, and everything from tree ferns to giant redwoods were sporting new greenery.

Also known as Strybing Arboretum, the garden has separate climate zones for native Californian plants, Mediterranean climate plants, succulents, cloud forest plants, and other subtropicals. For local gardeners, the entire area is a perfect showroom for the vast range of choices in our mild climate. Near the main entrance at 9th Avenue and Lincoln Way, there’s a gift shop which sells some of these plants. The SF Botanical Garden is a great place to visit any time of year. Explore more online at the SF Botanical Garden website.

Its flowers resemble maggot-infested meat, and its scent has been compared to “a thousand dead elephants rotting in the sun.” Meet the orchid species Bulbophyllum phalaenopsis, which attracts carrion flies as pollinators.

There’s a saying that you become an orchid expert when you’ve killed your weight in orchids. Some people wince in horror when I repeat that, but orchid lovers usually just laugh and nod. Growing orchids means sometimes making mistakes and killing plants. I’ve grown them for over 25 years, and earned my expert status a very long time ago. Fortunately, my mortality rate is far lower than it once was.

These photos are all orchids I’ve killed. Many are older plants which are long gone. In fact, a few of these photos are a dozen years old. Some died because I watered too much or not enough, forgot to repot, or let pests get out of control. Others died for reasons beyond my control, like raccoon damage, or having a short lifespan. Most importantly, I’ve tried to learn from each of them, even if it was only about the limits of the growing conditions I could provide.

Now, don’t get the idea that I used to run some type of orchid slaughterhouse. I have orchids which have thrived for decades, despite this visual record to the contrary. Whether beginner or expert, all growers need to continue learning. With tens of thousands of species and countless hybrids, orchids are an endless field of knowledge. There are always more mistakes to make, and more orchids to kill.

Rare orchid populations have stopped plans for an Australian race park. Orchid lovers found Leafless Tongue Orchids near the planned track. That’s pitted nature lovers against racing fans, but local officials have stated that the building plans had many flaws, including the fact that the area is home to lots of endangered species. The Leafless Tongue Orchid, Cryptostylis hunteriana, is one of many strange Australian plants. It’s a terrestrial found only near the country’s southeastern coast. With no leaves to photosynthesize, it’s believed to draw nutrients from fungi and decaying leaves. The orchid has been classified as vulnerable and is protected by Australian law.

Spathoglottis, or Ground Orchids, are staples of the tropics. They’re sturdy enough to serve as landscaping plants in shopping plazas, like these orchids on the island of Kauai.  Grown alone in pots, or in flowerbeds with other tropicals, they make gorgeous displays.

These terrestrials are easy to keep in the tropics, but hard to grow elsewhere. They need lots of direct sun, warmth, water, and fertilizer to bloom. For tropical gardeners, and others with warm greenhouses, there are several species and an ever-expanding number of hybrids to choose from. Many can become large plants, but there are smaller varieties available, too.

The next photo below shows the only one in this post that’s not part of commercial landscaping. The bloom belongs to a wild plant next to a desert stream in Waimea Canyon. The Philippine Ground Orchid, Spathoglottis plicata, has naturalized in Hawaii. Surviving in a hot, dry environment, it’s demonstrating the same toughness that allows its relatives to thrive in a concrete planter near a parking lot. For gardeners in the tropics, Ground Orchids can provide great blooms for tough spots.

Orchid mantises mimic flowers so well that their lunch flies right to them! Check out two great videos showing these stealthy little predators —

Learn more about orchid mantises in this earlier blog post.

From Alberta to Maui, from Florida to Queensland, there’s a good chance that an orchid show is nearby this month. Don’t miss these amazing opportunities!

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Among the Hawaiian Islands, Kauai is the last refuge for many of the state’s endangered native flora and fauna. They face threats from invasive species, habitat loss, pollution, and climate change. With human help, however, some are recovering and rebounding. During our recent visit, it was a joy to see that many people on the island were working to protect and preserve these rare species. For example, the Hawaiian Monk Seal, dozing in the third photo below, was accompanied by nearby beach volunteers to prevent anyone from disturbing it.

For eons, Hawaiian animals and plants were isolated on the world’s most remote island chain. As the rest of the world has arrived over the past few centuries, native species have faced threats which they had never known. Since many are endemic (found only here,) if they disappear from Hawaii, they’re extinct forever. Sadly, some are already gone. Fortunately, lots of groups like National Tropical Botanical Garden are working to protect Hawaii’s remaining natural heritage.

These photos were taken at McBryde Garden and Kilauea Point National Wildlife Refuge on Kauai, except for the Hawaiian Monk Seal photo, which was taken at Lawai Beach on the island’s south shore. All of the animals and most of the plants in these photos are threatened with extinction. We’ve never seen any of Hawaii’s three native orchid species, but we’ll keep trying. They’re all very rare and endangered, and conservation efforts for them are continuing. To learn more about Hawaii’s threatened species, explore facts sheets from the state’s Division of Forestry and Wildlife.