Tag: Orchids

Orchids, members of the Orchidaceae family, are flowering perennials and those grown as houseplants often have waxy, face-like flowers, thick stems, and glossy foliage. This diverse plant family…

If you want to make an orchid lover cry, say the words “crown rot” out loud. This phrase instantly conjures up images of collapsed plants, rotten stems, and…

I move my orchids around all the time. As the sun adjusts its position through the seasons, I shift the plants in my home to try and ensure…

Sometimes orchids can seem more like some kind of alien life form than an extremely common flower. Many species are so unusual in the way they grow and…

Neottia nidus-avis The world of orchids is always surprising. Every time I think I’ve seen it all, along comes another unexpected element. I remember the first time I…

Calanthe spp. Never was there such an aptly named plant. The genus name Calanthe combines “kalos,” which is Greek for beautiful, and “anthe,” which is Greek for flower.…

Oncidium spp. (syn. Odontoglossum) Are you up for a growing challenge? Have you mastered the art of raising Phalaenopsis orchids? Then it’s time to check out Odontoglossum orchids,…

Orchidaceae Most of the time when we picture orchids, we think of the epiphytic types that grow clinging to the bark and branches of trees and shrubs. Phalaenopsis,…

Orchids are undeniably fascinating, from their unusual flowers to the strange swollen stems and roots. These swollen stems, which are found on many – but not all –…

Orchids are magical. The ostentatious flowers are tailor-made to attract all the pollinators, with the added bonus of attracting us humans. We gardeners spend so much time cultivating…

If you’re hosting a bunch of orchidists at a dinner party and you really want to stir the pot, ask them for their opinions on pruning orchids. It’s…

When I first started out with orchids, I did what many people do – brought one home from the grocery store, kept it until the flowers fell off,…