Cool new look and my favorite spring blooming orchids

Well spring is here and what better time to share with you my favorite spring blooming orchids, that is orchids that bloom in march during the transition period between winter and summer and something about an equinox too... Ok, here are some beautiful photos of spring blooming orchids. Per your requests, I am including the name of each orchid. I forgot to do that in earlier posts and there is nothing worse than seeing a beautiful orchid flower and not being able to see the name. Then you have to post on your favorite social site and ask but you don't want to look like an amateur so you never find out the name of the orchid. :( Happy spring and enjoy.

Phalaenopsis Nobbys Amy

Dendrobium speciosum (yellow flower type)

Lc. Purple Cascade "Fragrant Beauty"

Dendrobium Nestor Nagata

Burr. Castle Issa Hilo Bay

Bllra. Lunatic Fringe "Orchid Isle"

Blc. Taiwan Queen "Golden Monkey"

Phalaenopsis Sogo David

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...

Valentine's Day Orchids

What is the most commonly gifted gift plant on Valentine's Day? That's easy, orchids! I remember a time, not so long ago, when orchid plants were mysterious and incredibly exquisite. It is not the orchid that is changing (although you can find orchids at your local florist), it is me. Orchids continue to intrigue people, especially those that like high style and enjoy an exquisite gift. So I ponder, why are orchids the most popular gift plant or what is it about orchids that make them so exquisite. Ok, I'll write about that!

In case you don't know, orchid plants are higher level plants that have existed way back since the dinosaurs. Many are air plants that live off the air you and I breathe to survive.


This makes them special plants indeed. Since orchids are not extinct and have survived for millennium, they have become highly evolved. Many advances in orchid breeding and growing have created an abundant supply of orchid plants such as phalaenopsis, cattleya, oncidium alliance and the new intergeneric orchids from Hawaii.

Your first look at an orchid sparks intrigue and you are beckoned by the orchid flower to take a closer look. You may find the orchid is not fragrant. Most orchids do not have a scent, but many are fragrant! Now you know why orchid plants are so popular.
Next, orchid plant gifts are very exquisite. I guess 'exquisite' is the best word to describe a gift orchid. Imagine the look on their face, when they open the box and inside find a perfectly wrapped orchid. Barring the orchid box is not smashed by FedEx, USPS, or UPS - the recipient receives a living, blooming orchid plant with instructions on how to care for it. With proper care, many orchids can last a lifetime.

You smile at the beautiful blooms and think, what kind of plant is this? You discover it's an orchid and your big smile widens. All your worries disappear as you ponder how special you are to be the recipient of a gift orchid on Valentine's Day.

Winter Orchids - More About Winter Orchids

One of the best things about orchids is that you can find blooming orchids year round. At this time of the year, the most popular orchid houseplant, Phalaenopsis, is blooming. These plants have long graceful inflorescences (stems) holding large flowers. They will last up to four months under good household conditions and are a real bargain when compared to other blooming plants or cut flowers. The flowers come in a variety of colors from white, pink, purple, red, orange, and yellow.



Another winter favorite is the Cymbidium orchid. These cheerful plants will flower for around two months in a variety of colors
and sizes. They come in a variety of colors from white with colored lips, through the oranges and reds, and lavenders. They have been bred for years and it is possible to find almost any color or color combination that you wish. The standard size will produce inflorescences of approximately 3 feet or, or 90 centimeters; the compact and miniature plants are somewhat smaller and the inflorescences only one or two (2) feet or 30-60 centimeters. They are very popular on the west coast in the United States and are often used in outdoor plantings in the northern part of the state where there are cool but not freezing temperatures. My favorite variety to brighten up a dull January is the lemon yellow varieties with up to 15 flowers on an inflorescence.

Many Oncidium Alliance plants are now blooming with a profusion of small flowers that will move in a breeze. Their fanciful name, Dancing Ladies, describes exactly how the flowers look as they move. They come in an amazing variety of sizes and colors for all decorating needs and will last for about a month. One of the most interesting of these is the Psychopsis orchid which looks like a big butterfly at the end of its stalk. They are bright yellow with orange striping. Another interesting member of the Oncidium family, Tolumnia is a tiny plant which will fit into any space. They need a fair amount of sun to bloom, but are long
lasting and very showy.



Another winter flowering orchid is the Paphiopedilum or Lady Slipper. You would never guess that they are in the orchid family when you first see them. They have a large dorsal (top) petal, two side sepals and a slipper shaped lip after which they are named. They come in colors ranging from green through the darkest purple. Some have but one flower on an inflorescence, while others are multi-floral or have more than one flower on an inflorescence. The flowers are very long lasting and the plants will grow in low light situations making them very popular for windowsill growers.

So, brighten up your January and February with one of these blooming orchids and chase away the winter blues!

Winter Orchids

What do you call orchids that bloom in the winter? Winter orchids! or winter blooming orchids... I like winter orchids better. That's why I am going to write about winter orchids and tell you what I think makes them so special.

First of all, as we all know, it's cooler in the winter. Inside the orchid greenhouse is not so hot yet with temperature controlled greenhouses, the ambiance (is that the word) of the greenhouse feels very mild. In other words, it's not so hot! Orchid flowers enjoy heat (but not too hot) and the warmer they are the faster they bloom. When it's cooler, the orchid flowers seem to bloom for months. Some orchids have stayed in bloom for nine months. Wow! And it's cooler in the greenhouse. :)


Next, the bright colors of the orchid flowers contrast starkly with the grey of the winter sky. Things do get a little gloomy in winter, but the color of blooming orchids can take your breath away! You can't help but smile coming in from the winter, into a greenhouse filled with blooming orchids.
Lastly, winter orchids come in all sizes but none as beautiful as cymbidiums. In California, our cymbidium orchids bloom big time. With so many new color varieties now available in the cymbidium orchid family, you can't help but select a beautiful plant that will last for a life time is properly cared for.
I like winter orchids because they stay in bloom for a long time, come in every color of the rainbow and can put a smile on an angry person and lastly, cymbidium orchids are in bloom in winter, woohoo!