My name is Kristen, and I am an addict.
Dr. Glenn C. Lehr
Dr. Glenn C. Lehr passed away Monday, April 2, after a long struggle with a chronic illness. He will be remembered always for his buoyant spirit, his limitless generosity, and his sense of adventure. He was an Air Force navigator, a pioneering dentist, and an orchid entrepreneur, but that says nothing of the man behind […]
Questions about Neofinetia falcata (fukiran)
Dear Friends, I just received an email that is chock full of questions the new fukiran (Neofinetia falcata) grower wants answers to. I looked over my old posts and realized that the last time I wrote a post aimed at newcomers was back in 2014. It’s time for a new update! First, for basic culture […]
Fall Sale!
Fall Sale: It’s fall! Okay, here’s the bad news you already know: the days are getting shorter and temperatures are getting lower. But don’t despair because with those shorter days comes Christmas, and then… SHOW SEASON!! In preparation, I bought a lot (I mean a WHOLE lot) of plants this year. I like to […]
Summer Growing Update
Dear Orchid friends, I have been remiss on writing you. My excuse: overscheduling! Between Kevin and I, we did 13 shows between mid-January and the end of March and I gave seven additional talks on top of that. I also spent an incredible week in Texas (five flights in seven days) at the beginning of […]
Poneorchis is here!
*****SHIPPING THIS WEEK ONLY**** Poneorchis graminifolia is a terrestrial orchid from Japan. Like Habenaria, it grows from a small tuber that pops up in the spring and dies back in the fall. Grow it in a well-drained mix such as African Violet mix or a mixture of seedling bark and sphagnum moss. When it pops up […]
Happy New Year!
Happy New Year! It’s 2017, and this year is already flying by. Last year ended with a long trip to see family and friends in Virginia and Ohio. Now it’s time to prepare for the upcoming show season. We are still adding more show and talk dates even as I type. We stand now at […]
Summer 2016: Cool Growing Orchids
Dear Orchid Friends, I am sorry to see that summer is drawing to an end. While I should be glad the kids are back in school, it makes me sad. The days are getting shorter, too, which means that before we know it Christmas will be here. And then the new year and then next summer. […]
Sophronitis Special: Yellow for Spring
Sophronitis coccinea Easter Special: Yellow for $100 These are beautiful plants fresh from Tokyo Orchid Nursery, possibly the best hybridizers of Sophronitis in the world. Sophronitis coccinea is a unique combination of small plant and enormous flowers. These flowers that catch your eye from across a room, even in the midst of other flowers. The typical S. coccinea is […]
Illinois Orchid Society Spring Show and Sale
Bring the whole family out to enjoy the Chicago Botanic Gardens inside and out. The Gardens tops off their month-long orchid show with this last weekend of orchid displays and sales hosted by the Illinois Orchid Society. Feast your senses on a stunning variety of shapes, sizes, colors, and smells, and then treat yourself to an […]