The annual gathering of the Southern California Orchid Society is this weekend. We are members of the South Coast Botanical Gardens and since our facility is host to the event, we plan to attend today. All I can say is the show and the orchids and flowers on sale last year were breathtaking. I took this shot last year. Click the image for the large view.
I’ll be posting today’s pictures here later.
The flower concession at our local supermarket had a special on Phalaenopsis orchids this weekend. I put this beautiful spotted Phalaenopsis in the shopping cart and it now sits with our exotic tropical plant collection on the kitchen counter under the skylight.
This Phalaenopsis Orchid has nice reddish-pink color in it’s labellum and column (I had to look up orchid’s anatomy for those names, but it’s the little colorful thingy in the middle). The color reminds me of the color of salmon steak, flamingos or a coral reef. I took this picture in the hothouse of our local garden center.
Cymbidiums became popular in Europe during the Victorian era. One feature that makes the plant so popular is the fact that it can survive during cold temperatures (as low as 7°C or 45°F). Orchid hobbyists in temperate climates appreciate the fact that they can bloom in winter, when few other orchids are blooming.
Only a few Cymbidium species are commonly grown in nurseries, due to the popularity of hybrids. Most are to be found in botanical gardens or in their ever shrinking natural habitat.
These were in the hot house orchid section at the garden shop last weekend.
Don’t let its delicate appearance fool you. This exotic, graceful orchid is among the most hardy of houseplants. These plants are commonly referred to as “Moth Orchids” and are considered among the easiest of the orchid family to care for as well as the most recognizable. The long-lasting flowers bloom perfectly for up to three months. The flowering intervals vary with each plant, and you may be treated to a bloom as often as twice a year. Phalaenopsis have become one of the most popular variety of orchids because of their low maintenance and delicate balance of poise and elegance.
We picked up this beauty yesterday at our local garden center. There are three blooms and more on the way.
We made a run to the local garden shop to get some home and garden supplies last week. While we were in the hothouse, I snapped this image of this very nice white Phalaenopsis Orchid.
Well, this is another lovely specimen featured as my pick for the prettiest orchid seen in the hothouse this week.
