AboutOrchids

Starting today, March 2nd, and running until April 22nd, the New York Botanical Garden offers the best of the vast, exotic orchid family. With more than 3000 orchids on display, visitors can enjoy a slice of tropical rainforest in the Bronx. Curator Marc Hachadourian explains how the lush spectacle will change over the weeks: “As certain flowers will fade, we’ll replace them with new ones and throughout the duration of the show the color pallet, the types of orchids that are here will actually change and evolve as some plants go out of bloom and other varieties come into bloom.” That sounds like a great reason for repeated visits, in case you need it. The event includes orchid care demos, Q&A sessions, talks, tours, and more. Enjoy the preview video below.

March brings orchid shows to every corner of the globe. These events offer chances to see incredible flowers, take photos, connect with local orchid societies, and add to your collection.

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This year’s Pacific Orchid Expo highlighted the merging of cultures with an “East Meets West” theme. Golden lion statues fronted the large pavilion, and guarded 150,000 orchid treasures inside. Coinciding with San Francisco’s famous Chinese New Year Parade, and the end of festivities for the Lunar New Year, it felt like these orchids were part of a larger celebration.

It was a celebration, indeed, of Phals, Cymbidiums, Zygos, and many more. And did I mention that Dave and I both bought new cameras recently? This show was the first big test for mine, and I’m happy to say that it passed with flying colors. In this post, the first two photos above and the middle one in the last row come from my camera. The rest are his skillful eye. Most of the pictures on this blog are Dave’s.

Fitting for San Francisco’s cool, foggy climate, cool growers abounded in many great displays. Unfortunately, my camera skills aren’t good enough to take the glare off the middle photo below. It shows the specially air-conditioned case for the more delicate cool growers, like Draculas and other Masdevallia relatives. It was all more than worth the price of admission. Check back here again for additional photos from this reliably amazing event.

There’s still one more day to catch the Pacific Orchid Expo here in San Francisco. This spectacular event runs through Sunday, February 24, and features 150,000 orchids at Fort Mason’s Festival Pavilion. Below, you’ll find just a small taste of the marvels at the country’s largest orchid show. They might make you change your Sunday plans.

Dave and I both came home with lots of great shots. I’ve started sifting through them and I’ll be sharing more, so stay tuned!

The Philippines is ready to declare an orchid as its new national flower. Known in the local language as Waling-Waling, Euanthe sanderiana is a member of the Vanda family, and is often called “the Queen of Philippine flowers.” Since this beautiful orchid is endangered, its new status will enable the Philippines to take more conservation measures for its benefit. It will join the existing national flower, a type of jasmine known as Sampaguita, as a symbol of pride across the country.

The large, attractive flowers of this striking species help make it a popular hybrid parent. With this new emblem, the Philippines will join other countries which have orchids as national symbols, such as Singapore, Belize, Costa Rica, Guatemala, Honduras, Panama, Colombia, and Venezuela.

Prepare to be amazed at the upcoming 61st Pacific Orchid Expo. The country’s largest orchid show debuts Thursday evening with a preview gala, and is open to all from Friday through Sunday. Fitting for San Francisco, with historically strong ties to Asia, this year’s theme is “East meets West.” Below I’ve posted a few photos from recent years’ shows to whet your appetite. Tickets are available at the door, or online at the San Francisco Orchid Society’s website.

The Marin Independent Journal details the highlights of the big event. In line with this year’s theme, it includes tips for feng-shui decor with orchids. I’ve excerpted a few of the tips below; the article includes more.

Display a pot of sunny yellow orchids on the kitchen counter to ensure your family’s health and happiness.

One of the most important areas to place an orchid is at your desk or workspace. This is considered a “fortune site” and is believed to bring wealth and prosperity.

Use white orchids anywhere in your home, whether it be a bathroom or office, since white is the most versatile feng-shui color bringing a crisp, clear and fresh energy to the space.

Orchids are considered a four-season flower, which are thought to be especially lucky. For those who can’t grow actual orchids, just displaying pictures of orchids around your home is said to infuse your home with blooming energy, bringing prosperity, good luck, wealth and harmony.

If a beautiful orchid gift is making you worry about caring for it, take heart. Despite their difficult reputations, most orchids are as easy as other common houseplants. With the basic care tips below, some orchids can stay in bloom for months.

• All orchids need high humidity. Dry air wilts flowers, damages leaves, and attracts pests. Raise humidity levels by keeping the pot raised on pebbles above a tray of water, grouping plants together, using a spray mister, or running a cool-mist humidifier.
• Try to identify your orchid. Then you can learn its specific light, temperature, and water needs. You don’t need to figure out its exact name, only its orchid family. Phals, or Moth Orchids, are the most common varieties sold, so start with them. If you can’t identify your orchid, use these basic care tips.
• You’ll eventually need to remove ribbons, wrapping paper, or decorative containers if they block holes in the bottom of the flower pot. Orchid roots need good air flow and water drainage. They’ll quickly rot if left sitting in water.
• When it’s time to water, use room temperature water, and thoroughly soak the potting media. Let the water drain completely out of the pot.

Unable to garden over winter? As Valentine’s gifts, or simply to escape the cold, orchids are great winter solutions. Even if you don’t have much room for indoor plants, there’s always space for one of the many cool growing orchid varieties. Examples of cool growers include the small Oncidium in the first picture, the large pink Cymbidium in the middle, or the tall purple Epidendrum in the final shot.

Cool growers are comfortable with daytime temps of 50°- 70°F (10°- 20°C) and a nightly temperature drop. Despite their cool nature, they still manage to create very tropical displays. Many types can stay in bloom for months, lasting until spring lets you outside again in your garden. Less well known than their warm growing relatives, cool growers can survive in drafty rooms as long as humidity is good. They’re easier to transport in cold weather, lessening the challenge of a wintry trip home from the store. (Always keep them out of freezing temps, which can ruin flowers or kill plants.) These cool growing orchids ensure that you don’t need to miss out on winter blooms.

Kew Gardens celebrates four weeks of Orchids. Running February 9 – March 3, the world’s preeminent botanical garden showcases “a sea of exotic orchids” in the Princess of Wales Conservatory near London. Kew’s extensive orchid collections fill the festival with lush, tropical beauty. Besides offering a great escape from dreary winter weather, the event provides a romantic backdrop for Valentine’s celebrations. Tickets can be purchased in advance online.

Kew is also offering “Orchids for Beginners,” a one day course on February 20 which covers orchid care basics. Space is limited for the class, so register before it fills up.

Can’t decide which orchid to choose for your valentine? With tens of thousands of orchid varieties, it can be a monumental task. Fortunately, AboutOrchids is here to help. Below are three common types which will find their mark like cupid’s arrow. Happy orchid shopping!

• Phals, or Moth Orchids, are the most popular orchids sold. With good humidity and watering, their flowers may last for months. The first photo above shows a yellow and purple Phal hybrid, one of many colors and patterns available.
• Oncidiums, or Dancing Lady Orchids, are another popular group. These have masses of flowers which can last for weeks. Many have hues of yellow. In the middle photo, Oncidium Sharry Baby sports dozens of purple, pink, and white blooms which smell like chocolate.
• Cymbidiums, like the hybrid in the final photo, are often sold as single flowers in corsages and boutonnieres. They come in a wide range of colors and patterns. Healthy plants can hold multiple flower spikes, each with a couple dozen of these prized blossoms. Cymbidium flowers may last for months if plants are kept in a cool, humid environment.