Phalaenopsis amabilis orchid, as white as snow

Phalaenopsis amabilis orchid

Phalaenopsis amabilis orchid

With all the snow we’ve been having, I thought i would post a photo of Phalaenopsis amabilis, an orchid species from Southeast Asia that is in bloom now! It has pristine snowy white flowers, and has been used to breed the standard large flowered white phalaenopsis orchids that have become so ubiquitous. Nevertheless, there is something charming about this species, with its small delicate flowers that are produced in great abundance.

Phalaenopsis amabilis orchid flower

Phalaenopsis amabilis orchid flower


This compact plant is grown and bloomed as a houseplant on a windowsill, not in a greenhouse! Learn more about growing Phalaenopsis amabilis.

I’ve posted a larger photo below!

Phalaenopsis amabilis orchid

Phalaenopsis amabilis orchid

Gloriosa superba seed pod surprise

brillant orange red seeds of the flame lilly

brillant orange red seeds of the flame lilly

Those of you who’ve grown flames lillies (gloriosa superba) will notice that the flowers set pods very easily… The pods are actually quite large and bulbous, and will weigh down the vines seemingly to breaking point. Usually, by [...]

Orchids in Bangkok

Orchids are everywhere in Bangkok..

flame lillies die down

Well, a few weeks ago, I dug up my gloriosa superba(flame lilly) tubers and it seemed they had multiplied in their pot! I wrapped them in a kitchen towel with some dampish peat and then in one of those plastic mesh bags that you buy avocados or clementines in. Remember, these tubers are living [...]

Compact Phalaenopsis make great houseplant

Dtps. Sogo Gotris ‘Sweetheart’

Doriataenopsis Sogo Gotris is a very compact growing phalaenopsis hybrid that produces several short statured flowering spikes with miniature blooms. These types are phalaenopsis orchids are generally known as multiflorals and make great houseplants. Some growers market them as ’sweetheart’ type phalaenopsis.

No matter what you call them, these [...]

Orchids: Oncidium Sweet Ears

Oncidium Sweet Ears is an easy to grow orchid for your windowsill

Tropical ‘Houseplants’ in Bangkok

Freshly cut water lillies

The weekend Chatchuk Market in Bangkok is famous, attracting locals and tourists alike. There are thousands of stalls selling virtually anything you could want, from antiques, to t-shirts; musical instruments to…tropical garden plants and orchids! So on a recent trip to Bangkok, I made the trek to the market. ‘Trek’ [...]

2009 Orchid Show in Washington D.C

Here are a few pictures from the 2009 National Capital Orchid Show and Sale. This event takes place every year at the U.S. National Arboretum in Washington D.C. on Columbus Day weekend and admission is free! Most of these photos are from the Carter and Holmes display as there was sufficient natural light to [...]

Gloriosa superba-a flowering vine true it its name

Glorisoa superba is an exotic lily from Africa that grows like a vine–it will thrive in a sunny window.

Smithiantha-a luxuriant tropical houseplant

Smithiantha- a tropical luxuriant houseplant

Smithianthas also known as temple bells, are related to african violets. The giveaway, is their fuzzy velvety leaves, but that’s where the resemblance ends. People often confuse the intricately patterned and mottled leaves for begonias. In some species, such as the Smithiantha zebrina pictured here, the leaves [...]