National Orchid Garden in Singapore

Walt Off, owner of Waldor Orchids in Linwood, is re-creating the National Orchid Garden in Singapore, which has been breeding orchids since 1928. Besides a large bamboo pavilion, bronze gazebo, and waterfall, he plans a 15-foot "orchid tree" and more than 1,000 phalaenopsis, cattleya, and vanda orchids grown in Florida, Hawaii, and Linwood.

URL: http://www.philly.com/inquirer/magazine/20100225_A_budding_world_view.html

Enjoy,
Steve
1888Orchids.com

Green Orchids

I must have been Irish in a past life because I like everything Irish, except the excessive drinking and especially the color green. You don't have to drink a lot on St. Patrick's day to know that green is a beautiful color. Just about everything that grows is green. When it dies, it turns brown. Green is a symbol of life and with St. Patrick's Day right around the corner (Wednesday, March 17), what better time to time to show off my favorite green orchids?
Green orchids are beautiful because the hue of the green within each orchid varies. But the tone is a lime green color that appears to glows.

Make 'em Smile With a Birthday Bouquet of Orchid Flowers

Cut orchids are a great birthday gift because the flowers last a long time and they are very beautiful.

I made it a goal to always have flowers on my kitchen table. So I can tell you first hand that cut orchid flowers are very long lasting. Cut orchids like dendrobiums will drop all the flowers or they may shrivel on the flower spike. You simply pinch the dead flower from the flower spike.
The tip of the flower spike will still have buds. Do not remove these and you have a challenge to see the buds become flowers. With proper care, the buds will continue to flower allowing the flower stem to stay blooming for months. I have seen cut dendrobium orchids in a glass vase for months.

Not only do cut orchid flowers last long, they are exotic. Probably the best word to describe an orchid is exquisite. So cut orchid flowers are exquisitely exotic flowers. Just being around a bouquet of cut orchids make you feel special.

Celebrate a birthday with something different - cut orchid flowers!

Celebrate a Birthday with a Fragrant Orchid

Here are photos of some of my favorite fragrant orchids that make thoughtful birthday gifts.

My Favorite Red Orchdids

Valentine's Day is right around the corner so there is no better time (other than Christmas) to write about my favorite red orchids. Orchids that produce red flowers can be hard to find which makes them even more alluring. Whenever I see the color red in the greenhouse, I am magnetically drawn to the flower. That is why I am going to write about my favorite red orchids.

The first orchid that I love is Burr. (stands for Burrageara) Living Fire Glowing Embers. It's a fairly common intergeneric orchid but I think its still a special orchid plant. I am always intrigued by the silvery color of the foliage. 1888Orchids.com normally offer this orchid in a four inch growing pot but I have seen Burr. Living Fire "Glowering Embers" as a specimen plant with multiple flower spikes and it looks amazing with all the red flowers. The bright red flowers are always a treat and beckon the admirer to take a closer look.
Next is Blc. Chia Lin Shinsu, the large flowering cattleya. The flowers are red that can be described as very dark papaya. The flowers glisten with a diamond dust sparkle that makes you smile. The silvery, diamond dust affect on the flowers dampens the color somewhat which makes you wonder what color it really is. The flower is very fragrant that smells like bubble gum.

Another favorite red orchid is Dtps. Taida Salu "Alisan" prdouced by Taida Horticultural. I don't know why this orchid has not won an award as it is both hardy after it finishes blooming and produces a profusion of flowers when in bloom. The characteristic branching flower spike ensures the orchid plant will produce a profusion of orchid flowers. A closer look at the flower reveals that the color red overlays yellow. The orchid plant continues to look fuller and prettier every year that's why it's one of my favorites.


I also like, and I am sure you will agree, Slc. Wendy's Valentine "June" The foliage is compact and the flowers are bright red with a bright yellow center. The fact the orchid is named Slc. Wendy's Valentine "June" and it is in bloom right now, hint, hint Valentine's Day is right around the corner...

Not just for the poor man, red epidendrums are the orchid to cherish. With proper care, these orchids will last a lifetime and reward the orchid lover with cluster of orchid flowers. I am from California and I like epidendrum orchids because they will grow outside, some in full sun.
I can't tell you about my favorite red orchids without mentioning my favorite red cut orchid flowers! Drum roll please... its Red Azima Orchids
Here are photos of some of my other favorite red orchids...