Orchid Man in the United Kingdom

Cymbidium: Species of Cymbidium are surprisingly few in number when one considers the tens of thousands of hybrids that have been raised over a period of 100 years, not mentioning the hybrids that have already been lost in the shadows of time and replaced by new ones. Of these 50 or so species widely distributed throughout Asia, it was hardly more than half a dozen from the Himalayan regions of India and Nepal that became the building blocks for the first hybrids, Those once considered to be the main species in this natural genus are Cymbidium insigne , C. lowanium , C. eburneum  and C. tracyanum , all cultivated for their showy flowers. However, once hybrids started to appear, the species became less attractive to growers, who were looking for improved shape and size. The species, once so plentiful, were often disposed of in favour of the new hybrids, until they were hardly represented in collections at all. This is no surprise if we consider that in case of some new hybrids of t...

These flowers are considered by many people to be either bizzare and repulsive or exotic and beautiful, some are even surprised to learn that Paphiopedilum are orchids at all. Often called the Venus slipper or Lady slipper orchids they share many features in common with carnivorous plants that have also evolved to attract insects. The genus is native to Asia and New Guinea, and compromises of 80 agreed by taxonomist species and dozens of natural and man created hybrids. The genus was described and named by Ernst Hugo Heinrich Pfitzer in 1886 who was a German specialist in taxonomy of Orchids. Oddly enough Paphiopedilum are the most widely and hybridized of orchid genera. Some of them come in striking bright colours some have such dark shades they appear black, maudiae type Paphs have beautiful mottled leaves which are a decoration themselves. Care: Paphiopedilum normally grow in the low parts of the forests and jungles in semi shade and require less light than s...

Many time I have heard the name Queens of plants  when referring to phalaenopsis orchids, because of their exotic and alien beauty. Something we can call Zen and peace in the space it inhibits. It's known as the Moth orchid as it resembles a moth in flight, called in short Phal which is the most common reference when speaking with other orchid growers. This native to Southern-east Asian regions orchid genus includes approximately 60 species and hundreds of hybrids, is one of the most popular orchids in trade to-date. It's also the easiest to grow and holds it's flowers for months, from personal experience I know that some hybrids can hold a single flower for more that six months. They come in almost every possible colour, pattern, match; from pure white flowers up to 10 cm in size, by cream, peach, violet, pink, deep reds, oranges to bleached harlequins with ink like spots, kaleidoscope Phals with coloured veins creating beautiful patterns to world orchids with dot patte...

Description: Oncidium orchids, these beautiful plants create a group of over 330 species which each of them represents different traits. By a very odd reason Oxford Botanists together with the American Orchid Society decided that the genus is a genetic dumping ground. It may be only so due to the huge amount of hybrids that were created out of this type of orchids. Now to the good side, the genus was first described in 1800 by Olof Swartz a swedish botanist who was one of the first and greatest orchid specialists who classified over 25 genera we know today. Described first as Oncidium altissimum, which has become the type species. It's name is derived from the Greek word "onkos" meaning swelling to refer to the callus at the lower lip of the flower. The oncidium grows wild in the jungles of Central and South America. In the wild it can be found on trees and in rock crevices, thus it occurs both at the coast and in the mountain. Some refer to the oncidium as the Ti...

Hi everyone my name is Robert, I decides to set up this blog due to my love to plants and especially Orchids; but be aware I am not a specialist in the field nor have any degree. Everything I know either comes (will come) from personal experience or that of others that shared their knowledge with me. Although I may not have huge amount of space or dozens of plants, I do have my one single windowsill and 8 orchids (and one other plant). That's the world to me and I cannot imagine living without my plants. So let's be honest, we surround ourself with plants because we love life. I will be posting about orchid species and hybrids, trying to update between with my own little creations and what life brings. So let's get started.