Dear Friends, I hope that you are staying warm and well this frosty February.  I have been back in the States a full 24 hours now after a 10-day, action-packed trip to Japan.  I feel almost normal.  Almost.  But I have to tell you, the trip was very fruitful in terms of plants and pots […]

It’s Christmas time which you might have noticed if you have been to any store since the day after Halloween.  I hope that your holiday plans are all going well and your orchids are enjoying a little down time over the winter.  I am still collecting pre-orders for Japan, so feel free to send those […]

Specimen plants are so named because they are worthy of special recognition or a place of honor in order to be better seen.  The word “specimen” comes from the Latin root “spec-” which means “see” or “look.”  “Spec-” gives us other common words like “spectacles” (the better to see you with, my dear) and “spectacular” (looking […]

Many of you have expressed interest in the traditional hand painted Japanese pots that we carry.  We have many, but it is hard to catalog them all properly with prices, names, etc.  In an effort to allow you to at least see some of what we have, I am just posting the pictures here.  Also […]

Neo lovers are fortunate to collect plants that are relatively safe from bugs and disease.  Compare them to Phalanopsis, for example, and Neos are like Superman!  I have noticed, however, that there are a few varieties of Neos that seem to be more susceptible to problems.  I thought that sharing the names of these more […]

A hybrid is cross between two species.  Generally, Mother Nature disapproves of hybrids–species that are dissimilar genetically may be able to exchange gametes (eggs and sperm), but often they will not produce viable offspring.  Plants tend to be much better able to hybridize than animals, though, and in the process we can see a phenomenon […]

This month I have been traversing Ohio giving talks about the wonders of Japanese orchids.  So far I have visited Cincinnati (my mom’s hometown) and Columbus (home of one of my alma maters), and found that both local societies have great people and are very gracious hosts.  This week I travel to Cleveland to speak to […]

It’s happening–the flowers are coming, and it all starts with a spike.  First it peaks out from the leaf margin, then it grows, and you get to count actual buds.  Finally, they open!  The room is filled with the intoxicating scent of vanilla and citrus, and the plant, already beautiful, is further decorated by those […]