-
Phalaenopsis bellina
Several orchids jumped into my car at the Santa Barbara International Orchid Fair this year. The event was hosted by Santa Barbara Orchid Estate, but it’s not just an open house. Many vendors from around the world brought orchids with them and sold them at this event. Two of the orchids that followed me home were […]
-
Brassavola nodosa
Since I put it in this current location in my balcony, my little Brassavol nodosa orchid has been blooming non-stop. Aptly nicknamed, the flowers of “Lady of the Night” perfume the air at night to attract pollinators. Quite frankly, its fragrance reminds me of strong chemical cleanser. But I am not its target, the moths […]
-
Brassavola cucullata
I did a rough count of my orchids the other day and found that I have about 50/50 species to hybrid ratio. For some reason, the species are the ones that are blooming for me recently. This species, a Brassavola cucullata orchid, is sending me some love currently. This one is more or less a […]
-
Orchid Territory
In August’s meeting at the Newport Habor Orchid Society, we were fortunate to have Dr. Martin Motes and his wife Mary Motes of Motes Orchids as speakers. Dr. Martin Motes is a renowned grower and hybridizer of vanda orchids. So naturally, Motes Orchids in Florida sells mostly vanda alliance orchids. Before every orchid society meeting each month, […]
-
Orchid names
Occasionally I received questions from readers about identifying orchids or making sense of nonsensical tags. Yesterday I received another such question, which I think would be helpful for some beginner orchid growers. The reader bought a plant with a tag that says “(Caurantica x Bro Sanuinea)Red”. Let’s break down the different parts: “Caurantica” should actually be […]
-
Fascination of Orchids
The Fascination of Orchids show is a twice-a-year event in Santa Ana, CA. It used to be only once a year inside the oh-so-fabulous South Coast Plaza. It was huge and extremely crowded with the center orchid display going up to 30-, 40- feet high. Although I never counted, I think it might have close […]
-
Aerangis splendida
I expect a very orchidful house this year. Several weeks ago the temperature dropped unseasonally. Although the temperature returns to normal, my orchids already got the signal – it’s time to send out some spikes. It’s going to be a month or even two before some of them become flowers. In the meantime, I do have a […]
-
Red Beard Orchid
What is funny-looking orchid! This is one of the reasons I love orchids – there are plenty of bizarre ones out there, and their appearances have something to do with their survival/pollination. Found on Mr. Honorio Sarmiento’s Facebook page. “Calochilus paludosus, the Red Beard Orchid or Red Beardie is a small Australian orchid found. Not a particularly […]
