AboutOrchids

Ask locals in the San Francisco Bay Area where it’s the foggiest, and many will say Pacifica. The town that Dave and I have called home for over a dozen years even has an annual Fog Fest. Blowing in from ocean, the fog is fascinating and beautiful, even when it arrives on a chilly wind. It creates the perfect conditions for cool-growing orchids like Masdevallias.

Many people are surprised that these orchids grow and flower outdoors here. Our cooling fog seems to replicate their cloud-forest homes in Central and South America. Last month, we had warm temperatures and almost no fog, which is unusual spring weather for us. It seems to reflect warming patterns that are already very noticeable. Fortunately, the fog has returned for the past couple weeks, and it’s keeping the Masdevallias happy. But as our climate continues to heat up, these are some of the orchids which will be affected most.

Check out previous posts about these gorgeous Masdevallias:

• Masdevallia veitchiana
• Masdevallia coccinea (white)
• Masdevallia coccinea (yellow)
• Masdevallia coccinea (pink)
• Masdevallia chaparensis
• Masdevallia coriacea

In 1897 London, the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) hired an artist to document award-winning orchids in detail. Nelly Roberts became the first orchid artist for the RHS, and would go on to hold the job for 56 years. She left a legacy of thousands of exquisite, botanically accurate paintings. Before she died in 1959, she had been lauded with awards and orchids named for her, but was mostly unknown outside the British orchid world. Fortunately, there has been a growing recognition of her superb talent and important contributions. Her home and grave have received historical markers, and art shows have been devoted to her work. Many of her illustrations are depicted in the book The Orchid: From the Archives of the Royal Horticultural Society.

To learn more, check out these earlier posts:
– Hidden Stories of Groundbreaking Women: Orchid Illustrators
– Enduring Beauty – Orchid Portraits of the RHS

Orchid lovers are gathering this month for a wide variety of events on six continents. Many shows and sales are timed for Mother’s Day on May 10th, which is the biggest orchid holiday in the USA.

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Enjoy an online visit to the Smithsonian’s orchid collection. Their website includes photos, 3D images, care info, news about conservation efforts, and more. The 3D images are quite remarkable, and allow users to explore fascinating flowers in great detail, and from every angle.

The Smithsonian works in collaboration with the US Botanic Garden. Revisit these posts from 2024, Capital Orchids at the US Capitol, and More Photos from the US Botanic Garden.

In addition, check out the videos below about the Smithsonian’s orchids. Online or in-person, it’s definitely worth your time.

Tour of First Lady orchid collection, Smithsonian Gardens

Virtual Tour of the Smithsonian Gardens’ Orchid Collection

Artificial Intelligence is in vogue nowadays. It can be helpful, but it makes it tougher than ever to know what’s real and what’s not. That includes orchid photos. There are fake AI orchids all over. Actual orchids are beautiful and amazing enough. Phony AI photos go overboard, like slathering paint on a peacock. I guarantee that all photos on AboutOrchids are genuine. These blooms are from our spring garden.

If I ever decide to put AI orchids on this site, they will be clearly labeled. And I will probably be making fun of how silly they look. Otherwise, these pictures are the real thing.

Check out previous posts about these outdoor orchids:

• Masdevallia veitchiana
• Caucaea phalaenopsis
• Cymbidiums
• Masdevallia coccinea alba
• Sarcochilus hybrid
• Epidendrum
• Zygo

From Emu Plains to Vero Beach, orchid events are happening in every corner of the globe. They’re great opportunities to enjoy incredible flowers, buy plants, take photos, talk with experts, and connect with local orchid societies. Take advantage of April’s opportunities near you.

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Like the rest of the US Southwest, the SF Bay Area is heading into the equinox today with a heatwave. High temperature records have been broken all week. For this first day of spring, here are more photos from the recent Pacific Orchid Expo, when temperatures were reasonable.

The diversity of the orchid world is always on great display at San Francisco Orchid Society shows, from big blooms to little blossoms, from rare species to the latest Phal hybrids, and from vivid color mash-ups to green flowers which match the leaves. They’re some of nature’s most brilliant gems.

San Francisco’s Pacific Orchid Expo is always packed with stunning orchids. This year’s show featured incredible displays with fantastic floral variety. In addition to wonderful sights and scents, it was a pleasure to chat with friendly orchid lovers, old friends, and vendors with great orchid expertise. I’m still sorting through our pictures, so check back soon for more.

With spring events in the northern hemisphere, and autumn events in the southern hemisphere, March is a busy month. Shows, expos, festivals, sales, auctions, and talks are happening on five continents. Dresden, Germany hosts the World Orchid Conference on March 26-29. Also known as the “Orchid Olympics,” this large conference and show takes place every three years.

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The Pacific Orchid Expo is coming! San Francisco’s big event begins with a special opening gala on Thursday, February 26th. The show and sale run from Friday, February 27th to Sunday, March 1st. In Golden Gate Park, the County Fair Building at 9th Avenue and Lincoln Way will be packed with incredible blooms, vendors, and orchid lovers with mouths agape. Check out these spectacular sights from last year as a preview of what to expect. Discounted tickets are on sale now.