This is a special orchid portrait for a special orchid. On the morning of our 10th wedding anniversary, my husband went to the local farmer's market ... and came back with this Stanhopea tigrina in bud. You could imagine my surprise when the trip for cucumbers and oranges turned into a Stanhopea … [Read more...] about Stanhopea tigrina
Cattleya (Laelia) purpurata ‘SanBar Venosa’
The best of our summer orchid blooming comes from the Brazilian Cattleya. While the Cymbidium are mostly in growing-mode, with the exception of the Australian species, the Laelia (Cattleya) species from Brazil are in fine form. Our seasonal temperatures tend to vary considerably now; however, the … [Read more...] about Cattleya (Laelia) purpurata ‘SanBar Venosa’
Cymbidium Early King ‘James’
This orchid combines our appreciation of several Cymbidium qualities: older hybrids and lots of spots. Cymbidium Early King is an "antique" hybrid by today's standards, originating in 1969. It is the cross of Cym. Grand Monarch and Cym. Lucy Moore. The background parentage is 39% Cym. … [Read more...] about Cymbidium Early King ‘James’
Paphiopedilum argus
Native to the Philippines, Paphiopedilum argus is an uncommonly seen slipper orchid that certainly deserves to command more attention. With a flower spike over 24" (60cm) in height, Paphiopedilum argus towers over most of our shelf of mottled leave Paphs. Perhaps this stately gaze is why it was … [Read more...] about Paphiopedilum argus
Sarcochilus ceciliae
A sparkling pink flower in profusion! While Sarcochilus ceciliae is known to be a sequential bloomer, this particular flowering opened the majority of its blooms at once, for a notable display on a small plant. For scale, that's a 4" (10cm) Vanda basket in the photograph. The crystalline quality … [Read more...] about Sarcochilus ceciliae
Cymbidium Mary Green
While this particular cultivar of Cymbidium Mary Green probably would not qualify for a formal flower quality award, she certainly earns her place in heartfelt appreciation for beauty and abundant gold and pink blooms. This orchid was our introduction to Cymbidium devonianum hybrids, a group of … [Read more...] about Cymbidium Mary Green
Dockrillia (Dendrobium) teretifolia — West Sydney variety
We are fortunate to have the first bloom of a seedling of the very rare West Sydney variety of the well-known Australian species, Dockrillia teretifolia (Dendrobium teretifolium). This variety is thought to be extinct in the wild, and was "re-discovered" at Santa Barbara Orchid Estate by a visiting … [Read more...] about Dockrillia (Dendrobium) teretifolia — West Sydney variety
Paphiopedilum gratrixianum
Representing one of the many conundrum of Paphiopedilum taxonomy, this orchid is officially known as Paphiopedilum gratrixianum or Paphiopedilum gratrixianum var. christensonianum. In 2018, however, Harold Koopowitz proposed the separation of this variety into its own species, Paphiopedilum … [Read more...] about Paphiopedilum gratrixianum
