Essence of Orchids

Orchid Images, Growing Areas, and Orchid Culture Notes from from the collection of A'na & Paul Sa'tara

Cymbidium

Finding the “right light”: growing areas and the art of orchid placement

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What's the "right light"? Optimal light intensity for different genera and species of orchids has been an ongoing question and quest of our orchid culture. Over the years, I have continually experimented and refined the placement of orchids indoors under LED grow lights, and outdoors in several … [Read more...] about Finding the “right light”: growing areas and the art of orchid placement

A Triumph of Beauty: 10 exceptional alba orchids of 2020

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  This unique collection of orchid photographs emerges from a very unique year of orchid growing: 2020.  That probably says enough for most people to understand. In addition to the human-related dramas of the year, we experienced some extreme weather to add to our orchid growing … [Read more...] about A Triumph of Beauty: 10 exceptional alba orchids of 2020

Cymbidium Devon Elf ‘Everglades’

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We know that autumn is coming when Cymbidium Devon Elf 'Everglades' begins to spike.  This late summer to early autumn bloomer (August-October, usually) is a favorite first of fall Cymbidium, after Cymbidium madidum and Cymbidium canaliculatum (and their hybrids, such as Cymbidium Mitzi and … [Read more...] about Cymbidium Devon Elf ‘Everglades’

Cymbidium Early King ‘James’

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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’

Cymbidium Mary Green

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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

Cymbidium tracyanum fma. album

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Some growers have wondered whether the album form of Cymbidium tracyanum truly exists ... but seeing is believing.  While I had previously found several photographs online, I was still intrigued and wondering what this division would look like when it finally bloomed.  The orchid surely did not … [Read more...] about Cymbidium tracyanum fma. album

Cymbidium tracyanum

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Cymbidium tracyanum is an ubiquitous orchid in outdoor and cool-growing collections in central California, but rather uncommon in other parts of the US and world.  When I have posted photographs on Twitter, this species often draws attention as many orchid growers have not seen a plant … [Read more...] about Cymbidium tracyanum