The Southern Hemisphere celebrates orchids this month, with lots of shows in New Zealand, South Africa, Brazil, and especially Australia. There are shows in the Northern Hemisphere, too, but you’ll need to dig into this list to find them.
I bought this gorgeous Cochleanthes at an orchid show five years ago, and it has been one of my most reliable bloomers ever since. Its captivating white flowers boast great purple highlights.
This species is native to the Amazon Rainforest, from Brazil to Venezuela, Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru. The flowers appear fragile, but they’re thick and waxy, and can last for months. These sparkling white blooms reach up to 4 inches (10 cm) tall. My orchid books say this variety is very fragrant, but I’ve only detected a light scent from my plant.
With thin leaves, this species needs frequent waterings and high humidity. Keep it in shady conditions, although a little morning sun is ok. Be cautious with repotting, since it has delicate roots. Fertilize weakly, weekly, and an occasional dose of compost will encourage blooming.
To pronounce Cochleanthes, say “coke-lee-ANN-these.” This species has recently been renamed, so it’s now called Warczewiczella amazonica. I can’t figure out how to pronounce that, so I’ll stick with the old name. And I’ll continue to enjoy a colorful little part of the Amazon Rainforest in my home.
The Princess of Wales Conservatory is one of Kew Gardens’ greatest treasures. Opened by Diana, Princess of Wales, in 1987, this enormous glasshouse features 10 different climate zones with extraordinary plant displays. The building itself is a modern counterpoint to the historic Victorian style of the Palm House, located a short walk away.
The conservatory hosts incredible orchid displays, with a room for Tropical Orchids, and a separate one for Temperate Orchids. Most of the orchid photos from my first and second Kew posts were from these areas. There are also desert, rainforest, fern, and carnivorous plant zones.
The largest rooms house the Tropical Desert and the Tropical Rainforest. These photos just scratch the surface of the conservatory’s riches. Learn more about the Princess of Wales Conservatory at Kew’s website, and don’t miss it if you’re in London!
The illegal plant trade endangers many rare plant species, and orchids are prime targets. International agreements prohibit this trade, so what happens when illegally trafficked plants are found and confiscated? The BBC reports that species seized in the USA become property of the government, which places them in a rescue program. Many of the plants are dried or damaged during their travels. More than 80 botanic institutions provide a network to save the endangered varieties.
It’s important to save such plants, not only to protect endangered species, but because the plants themselves may be required in court as evidence of trafficking. And their country of origin may request their return. Eventually institutions such as the US Botanic Garden can incorporate them into their collections – but they are never resold and nobody profits from their commercial value.
Advances in education and technology can slow the illegal plant trade. You can help by pledging to always buy orchids from reputable vendors, and never to buy a plant taken from the wild. Ask if you’re not sure.
The Palm House is a remarkable, historic masterpiece, and also home to a living, tropical rainforest. First opened in 1848, this glasshouse stands as an icon of Kew Gardens. The Palm House’s enormous steel frame holds 16,000 panes of glass. Along with tropical palms, it features many more exotic plants, too.
Orchids hang throughout the Palm House, but only a couple were in bloom during our visit at the beginning of summer. The Cymbidium species in the next photo was one of the orchids enjoying the warmth and humidity. At the end of the next row of photos, a bizarre bloom from a small, tropical tree resembles a jellyfish more than a flower.
The Palm House is a multi-level experience. Staircases lead to an upper walkway with spectacular views of the jungle canopy. The basement level contains aquariums with plants and fish from several marine ecosystems.
Among its lush beauty, the Palm House is home to the world’s oldest potted plant, shown in the final photo below. This cycad palm was originally sent by ship from South Africa in 1773, over 240 years ago. It arrived at Kew in 1775, and was one of the first plants moved into the Palm House when it opened. It’s another one of Kew’s remarkable, historic treasures.
Enjoy these photos from July’s Orchids in the Park in San Francisco. Brilliant orchid colors and strange flower shapes filled the show.
Colorful miniatures competed for my camera with their dinner-plate sized orchid cousins. Flowers with twisted horns like an antelope stole the focus from other blooms with more vivid hues. The diversity always seems endless in the orchid world. Check back soon for more photos.
Orchid shows are truly global, but this month it’s especially obvious: the first five listings below are on five different continents. No matter where you are, orchid shows are great ways to see gorgeous flowers, talk to orchid experts, take pictures, and buy plants for your collection.
Every year, Orchids in the Park puts on an amazing display. This past weekend, the event again filled Golden Gate Park with fantastic orchids. San Francisco’s smaller annual show can’t compare with the Pacific Orchid Expo’s size and spectacle, but it always boasts outstanding and unusual plants. Of course, I especially love the bizarre varieties, which stretch the definition of what a flower can be. Check back soon for more photos from this remarkable event.
London’s Natural History Museum needs your help. The museum has started an Orchid Observers citizen science project, and it’s looking for volunteers to help study how climate change is affecting native British orchids. Scientists have already found that some species have been blooming earlier, consistent with warmer springtime temperatures.
At Orchid Observers, you can choose whether to photograph native orchids, identify the orchid species in the pictures, or transcribe data from online museum specimens. Of course, you need to be in Britain to take photos, but anyone in the world can help examine pictures or plant specimens online.
Check out the video below for more. It includes some spectacular footage of the native British orchid species you’ll be helping.
The San Francisco Orchid Society presents Orchids in the Park this coming weekend, July 25th – 26th. Check out the orchids at the County Fair Building in Golden Gate Park, near the park entrance by 9th Avenue & Lincoln Way. Enjoy orchid displays, vendors, talks by orchid experts, book sales, and raffles. To further whet your orchid appetite, here are a few photos from past events. Don’t miss it!
