Spring at the SF Botanical Garden

Abutilon, Flowering Maple, San Francisco Botanical Garden, Strybing Arboretum, Golden Gate ParkPurple flowers, San Francisco Botanical Garden, Strybing Arboretum, Golden Gate ParkLeucospermum Scarlet Ribbon, Pincushion flower, San Francisco Botanical Garden, Strybing Arboretum, Golden Gate Park

Pond trees, San Francisco Botanical Garden, Strybing Arboretum, Golden Gate ParkLayia platyglossa, yellow white Coastal Tidytips flowers, San Francisco Botanical Garden, Strybing Arboretum, Golden Gate ParkTree Fern with new growth at top, San Francisco Botanical Garden, Strybing Arboretum, Golden Gate Park

The San Francisco Botanical Garden is bursting with new growth after a rainy winter. Covering about 55 acres (22 hectares) of Golden Gate Park, the garden is always full of life. During a recent visit, there were lots of spring blooms, __and everything from tree ferns to giant redwoods were sporting new greenery.

Sequoia sempervirens, Coastal Redwood Tree with double trunk, Redwood Grove in San Francisco Botanical Garden, Strybing Arboretum, Golden Gate ParkLeucospermum tottum hybrid, Pincushion flower bud ready to open, San Francisco Botanical Garden, Strybing Arboretum, Golden Gate ParkClematis flower, San Francisco Botanical Garden, Strybing Arboretum, Golden Gate Park

Large Gunnera leaves trees, San Francisco Botanical Garden, Strybing Arboretum, Golden Gate ParkWisteria vines flowers, San Francisco Botanical Garden, Strybing Arboretum, Golden Gate ParkRhododendron occidentale, Western Azalea flowers, California Azalea, San Francisco Botanical Garden, Strybing Arboretum, Golden Gate Park

Also known as Strybing Arboretum, the garden has separate climate zones for native Californian plants, Mediterranean climate plants, succulents, cloud forest plants, __and other subtropicals. For local gardeners, the entire area is a perfect showroom for the vast range of choices in our mild climate. Near the main entrance at 9th Avenue and Lincoln Way, there’s a gift shop which sells some of these plants. The SF Botanical Garden is a great place to visit any time of year. Explore more online at the SF Botanical Garden website.

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Stinky Orchid Shuts Down Smithsonian Greenhouse

Its flowers resemble maggot-infested meat, __and its scent has been compared to “a thousand dead elephants rotting in the sun.” Meet the orchid species Bulbophyllum phalaenopsis, which attracts carrion flies as pollinators.

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When You’ve Killed Your Weight in Orchids

There’s a saying that you become an orchid expert when you’ve killed your weight in orchids. Some people wince in horror when I repeat that, but orchid lovers usually just laugh __and nod. Growing orchids means sometimes making mistakes __and killing plants. I’ve grown them for over 25 years, and earned my expert status a very long time ago. Fortunately, my mortality rate is far lower than it once was.

Cattleya cernua, aka Sophronitis cernua, miniature orchid species, grown indoors in San Francisco, CaliforniaOncidium strictum, aka Symphyglossum sanguineum, orchid species, grown outdoors in San Francisco, CaliforniaComparettia macroplectron, orchid species flowers with water drops, grown indoors in San Francisco, California

Red Cymbidium, orchid hybrid flowers, grown outdoors in San Francisco, CaliforniaOberonia toppingii, miniature orchid species with tiny flowers, grown indoors in San Francisco, CaliforniaCyrtochilum macranthum, aka Oncidium macranthum, orchid species flowers, grown outdoors in San Francisco, California

These photos are all orchids I’ve killed. Many are older plants which are long gone. In fact, a few of these photos are a dozen years old. Some died because I watered too much or not enough, forgot to repot, or let pests get out of control. Others died for reasons beyond my control, like raccoon damage, or having a short lifespan. Most importantly, I’ve tried to learn from each of them, even if it was only about the limits of the growing conditions I could provide.

Ponerorchis graminifolia, Grass Leaf Orchid, aka Orchis graminifolia, miniature orchid species flowers, grown outdoors in San Francisco, CaliforniaCycnoches barthiorum, orchid species flower, grown indoors in San Francisco, CaliforniaSedirea japonica, orchid species flowers, Japanese name: Nago-ran, grown outdoors in San Francisco, California

Bulbophyllum pardalotum, miniature orchid species flower, grown indoors in San Francisco, CaliforniaPolystachya zambesiaca, orchid species flower, grown indoors in San Francisco, CaliforniaEpidendrum orchid hybrid, orange yellow flowers, grown outdoors in San Francisco, California

Now, don’t get the idea that I used to run some type of orchid slaughterhouse. I have orchids which have thrived for decades, despite this visual record to the contrary. Whether beginner or expert, all growers need to continue learning. With tens of thousands of species and countless hybrids, orchids are an endless field of knowledge. There are always more mistakes to make, and more orchids to kill.

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Rare Orchid Discovery Halts Aussie Racers

Rare orchid populations have stopped plans for an Australian race park. Orchid lovers found Leafless Tongue Orchids near the planned track. That’s pitted nature lovers against racing fans, but local officials have stated that the building plans had many flaws, including the fact that the area is home to lots of endangered species. The Leafless Tongue Orchid, Cryptostylis hunteriana, is one of many strange Australian plants. It’s a terrestrial found only near the country’s southeastern coast. With no leaves to photosynthesize, it’s believed to draw nutrients from fungi __and decaying leaves. The orchid has been classified as vulnerable __and is protected by Australian law.

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Ground Orchids Bloom in Tough Spots

Spathoglottis, or Ground Orchids, are staples of the tropics. They’re sturdy enough to serve as landscaping plants in shopping plazas, like these orchids on the island of Kauai.  Grown alone in pots, or in flowerbeds with other tropicals, they make gorgeous displays.

Yellow Spathoglottis, Ground Orchid flower, l scaping plant in shopping center in KapaPurple Spathoglottis, Ground Orchid flowers, l scaping plant in Poipu Shopping Village, Kauai, HawaiiYellow pink Spathoglottis with raindrops, Ground Orchid flowers, l scaping plant in Coconut Marketplace in Kapa

These terrestrials are easy to keep in the tropics, but hard to grow elsewhere. They need lots of direct sun, warmth, water, __and fertilizer to bloom. For tropical gardeners, __and others with warm greenhouses, there are several species and an ever-expanding number of hybrids to choose from. Many can become large plants, but there are smaller varieties available, too.

White Spathoglottis flower, McBryde Garden, Koloa, Kauai, Hawaii, National Tropical Botanical GardenClose up of yellow pink Spathoglottis with raindrops, Ground Orchid flower, l scaping plant in Coconut Marketplace in KapaPurple Spathoglottis, Ground Orchid flowers, l scaping plant in Poipu Shopping Village, Kauai, Hawaii

The next photo below shows the only one in this post that’s not part of commercial landscaping. The bloom belongs to a wild plant next to a desert stream in Waimea Canyon. The Philippine Ground Orchid, Spathoglottis plicata, has naturalized in Hawaii. Surviving in a hot, dry environment, it’s demonstrating the same toughness that allows its relatives to thrive in a concrete planter near a parking lot. For gardeners in the tropics, Ground Orchids can provide great blooms for tough spots.

Philippine Ground Orchid, Spathoglottis plicata, flower bud seedpod, orchid species naturalized in Hawaii, growing wild alongside a stream next to Waimea Canyon Drive, Kauai, HawaiiYellow Spathoglottis, Ground Orchid flowers, l scaping plant in Coconut Marketplace in KapaYellow pink Spathoglottis, Ground Orchid flower, l scaping plant in Coconut Marketplace in Kapa

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The Orchid Mantis Is Not a Flower

Orchid mantises mimic flowers so well that their lunch flies right to them! Check out two great videos showing these stealthy little predators —

Learn more about orchid mantises in this earlier blog post.

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April Orchid Shows

From Alberta to Maui, from Florida to Queensland, there’s a good chance that an orchid show is nearby this month. Don’t miss these amazing opportunities!

April 1 – 2
Sonoma County Orchid Society Spring Show, Santa Rosa Veterans Memorial Building, 1351 Maple Ave., Santa Rosa, California
April 1 – 2
Central Coast Orchid Show & Sale, South County Regional Center, 800 W. Branch St., Arroyo Grande, California
April 1 – 2
Tropical Plant Society of Modesto Show & Sale, Stanislaus Union School, 1931 Kiernan Ave., Modesto, California
April 1 – 2
Orchid Society of Highlands County Show, Bert J. Harris Jr. Ag Center, 4509 George Blvd., Sebring, Florida
April 1 – 2
Genesee Region Orchid Society Spring Show & Sale, Rochester Museum & Science Center, Eisenhart Auditorium, 657 East Ave., Rochester, New York
April 1 – 2
Central Pennsylvania Orchid Society Show, Snider Ag Arena, Penn State Univ., Park Ave., University Park, Pennsylvania
April 1 – 2
Houston Orchid Society Show & Sale, Museum of Natural Science, 5555 Hermann Park Dr., Houston, Texas
April 1 – 2
Central East Texas Orchid Society Show & Sale, Tyler Rose Museum & Gift Shop, 420 Rose Park Dr., Tyler, Texas
April 1 – 2
Central Ohio Orchid Society Spring Show & Sale, Franklin Park Conservatory, 1777 E. Broad St., Columbus, Ohio
April 1 – 2
Desert Valley Orchid Society Show & Sale, Berridge Nurseries, 4647 E. Camelback Rd., Phoenix, Arizona

April 1 – 2
Spokane Orchid Society Show & Sale, Vicki’s Garden Center, 2100 S. Inland Empire Way, Spokane, Washington
April 1 – 2
Cherry City Orchid Society Show & Sale, Bonaventure of Salem, 3411 Boone Rd. SE, Salem, Oregon
April 1 – 2
Utah Orchid Society Spring Show, Red Butte Garden, 300 Wakara Way, Salt Lake City, Utah
April 1 – 2
Brisbane Orchid Society Show, Mt. Gravatt State School, 1263 Logan Rd., Mt. Gravatt, Queensland, Australia
April 1 – 2
Exposición de Orquídeas de Primavera, La Sombra del Sabino, Av. Revolución 45, Barrio San José, Tepoztlan, Morelos, Mexico
April 2
North East of England Orchid Society Show, Bowburn Community Centre, Bowburn, County Durham, UK
April 7 – 8
Englewood Area Orchid Society Show & Sale, Englewood Methodist Church, 700 E. Dearborn St., Englewood, Florida
April 7 – 9
Orchid Society of Alberta Fair, The Enjoy Centre, 101 Riel Dr., St. Albert, Alberta, Canada
April 8
Central Orchid Society Spring Show, Perton Civic Centre, Church Rd., Perton, Wolverhampton, UK
April 8
Thames Valley Orchid Society Spring Show, Hare Hatch Sheeplands, London Rd., Hare Hatch, Reading, UK
April 8
North of England Orchid Society Monthly Meeting & Show, Community Hall, Manchester Rd., Rixton with Glazebrook, Warrington, Cheshire, UK
April 8 – 9
Sacramento Orchid Society Spring Orchid Show & Exotic Plant Sale, Scottish Rite Temple, 6151 H St., Sacramento, California
April 8 – 9
Collectors Plant Fair, Hawkesbury Racecourse, Racecourse Rd., Clarendon, NSW, Australia
April 8 – 9
Eastern District Orchid Society Autumn Show, Bayside Uniting Church Hall, 420 Wondall Rd., Manly West, Queensland, Australia
April 8 – 9
Orchidofolie, Pavillon Envirotron, Université Laval, 2480 boul. Hochelaga, Quebec, Canada
April 9
West Cornwall Orchid Society Spring Show, Camborne Community Centre, South Terrace, Cambourne, Cornwall, UK
April 9 – 15
Exposición Internacional de Orquídeas, Claustro El Carmen, Univ. del Cauca, Calle 4 No. 3-56, Popayan, Cauca, Colombia
April 13 – 15
Maui Orchid Society Easter Show, Maui Mall, 70 E. Kaahumanu Ave., Kahului, Maui, Hawaii
April 14 – 15
Queensland Orchid Society Autumn Show, Brisbane Botanic Gardens Auditorium, Mt. Coot-Tha Rd., Toowong, Queensland, Australia
April 14 – 15
Bribie Island Orchid Society Show, The Orchid House, 156A First Ave., Bribie Island, Queensland, Australia
April 15
Solihull __and District Orchid Society Spring Show, Arden School, Station Rd., Knowle, West Midlands, UK
April 15 – 16
Flamingo Gardens Orchid & Bromeliad Show, Flamingo Gardens, 3750 S. Flamingo Rd., Davie, Florida
April 15 – 17
Les Journées de l‘Orchidée, Salle Polyvalente, 6 Rue Aunes, Villeneuve Sur Bellot, France
April 21 – 23
Sacajawea Orchid Society Show, Gallatin Valley Mall, 2825 W. Main St., Bozeman, Montana
April 21 – 23
Pan American Orchid Society Show, RF Orchids, 28100 SW 182 Ave., Homestead, Florida
April 21 – 23
Orchidee dal Mundo, Centro, Monte Porzio Catone, Italy
April 22
Hinckley & District Orchid Society Spring Show, Stoke Golding Club, 42 Hinckley Rd., Stoke Golding, Warwickshire, UK
April 22
Redlands Charity Autumn Orchid Show, Donald Simpson Centre, 172 Bloomfield St., Cleveland, Queensland, Australia
April 22
Bourse aux Orchidées, Centre Civique Kapelleveld, 10, av. Albert Dumont, Brussells, Belgium
April 22 – 23
Gold Coast Cymbidium Growers Spring Show & Sale, Community Activities Building, 1400 Roosevelt Ave., Redwood City, California
April 22 – 23
Oregon Orchid Society Spring Show & Sale, Ambridge Event Center, 1333 NE MLK Blvd., Portland, Oregon
April 22 – 23
Calcasieu Orchid Society Show, Good Shepherd Episcopal Church, 715 Kirkman St., Lake Charles, Louisiana
April 22 – 23
Vero Beach Orchid Society Show & Sale, Riverside Park, 3001 Riverside Park Dr., Vero Beach, Florida
April 22 – 23
Tulsa Orchid Society Show & Sale, Tulsa Garden Center, 2435 S. Peoria Ave., Tulsa, Oklahoma
April 22 – 23
Central Indiana Orchid Society Spring Show, Garfield Park Conservatory, 2505 Conservatory Dr., Indianapolis, Indiana
April 22 – 23
Ottawa Orchid Society Show, RA Centre, 2451 Riverside Dr., Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
April 22 – 23
Dublin Orchid Fair, Teak House, National Botanic Gardens, Glasnevin, Dublin, Ireland
April 22 – 23
Exposition Internationale d’Orchidées, Maison de la Commune, Rue Camille Pariat, Feurs, France
April 28 – 30
Exposición de Club de Orquídeas de Puebla, Univ. Popular Autónoma del Estado de Puebla, Calle 21 Sur 1103, Barrio de Santiago, Puebla, Mexico
April 28 – May 1
Exposition-Vente Internationale d’Orchidées, Jardin des Plantes, 114 ter, av. des Martyrs de la Résistance, Rouen, France
April 29 – 30
West Shore Orchid Society Show, Strongsville Rec Center, 18100 Royalton Rd., Strongsville, Ohio
April 29 – 30
Toronto Artistic Orchid Association Show, Center for Immigrant & Community Services, 2330 Midland Ave., Toronto, Ontario, Canada
April 29 – May 1
Deep South Orchid Society Show, Coastal Georgia Botanical Gardens, 2 Canebrake Rd., Savannah, Georgia
April 30
Darlington & District Orchid Society Show, Raby Castle, Staindrop, Darlington, County Durham, UK
April 30
L’ami des Orchidées, Foyer Culturel, Rue Wilmet, Montigny Le Tilleul, Belgium
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