Barkeria lindleyana
This easily grown species puts on a show! The whimsical flowers are a vibrant, lavender-pink, and the broad lip sports markings of white and bright magenta. The blooms are produced as plumes on tall, slender stems. This species grows well outdoors, but prefers to be out of winter rains because it is winter deciduous.

Intermediate to Temperatu. September blooming. Species from Central America.
Orchid of the Day: July 23, 2016

Barkeria lindleyana fma. albescens 'SanBar White Cloud', AM/AOS
An award-winning cultivar and uncommon color-form of this beautiful species that ranges from Mexico to Costa Rica. The particular elegance of this unusual color-form is due to the flowers possessing the most delicate tint of pink; so the blossoms often appear white at a distance from fma. albescens, but admire them up-close and you see they are pink! The shapely flowers are three inches tall, and bloom in airy clusters on tall slender stems. Specimen-sized plants can have over 100 flowers per each branching inflorescence!

For best blooming success remember to give this species a Winter "dry rest", which here at the nursery means only watering once every two or three weeks. What to look for: often this species is nearly fully deciduous, and as such can drop all of its leaves seasonally, so watch for the growth of new shoots and roots as a good signal to resume normal watering.

Established blooming-size divisions from out mother-plant.

Intermediate to Temperatu. September blooming. Species from Central America.
Orchid of the Day: August 20, 2023

Barkeria melanocaulon
Lovely, full, lavender-pink flowers held high above the plant on tall and slender, upright to arching stems. The attractive, cane-like foliage is seasonally deciduous, so it is best grown protected from winter rains. An elegant and fairly obscure species from Mexico.

Established blooming-size seedlings. 'Seedlings' are the offspring of pollination; as siblings these may be very similar, yet each seedling is actually unique and no two seedlings are exactly identical in precise color or shape.

Intermediate to Temperatu. June - July blooming. Species from Mexico.
Orchid of the Day: June 14, 2021

Book: AOS Guide to Growing Orchids
Shares the advice of 24 respected orchid horticulturists who explain what is necessary to succeed with orchids. Softback, color pictures.

Book: AOS Guide to Orchids and their Culture
Authored by renowned growers/authors/travelers, Mary E. Gerritsen and Ron Parsons, this book filled with the combinded knowledge of two lifetimes of orchid experience and Ron’s legendary photographs. This book has something for begining hobbyists and advanced growers alike!

Beginners will appreciate the sections about orchid culture, pests, shopping tips, and name tags. More advanced growers will gravitate towards the recommendations for different orchid species to try. This book has a wealth of inspiring, real-life examples from the authors'shared experiences that encompass eight diverse growing areas!

Soft-bound with 246 pages. By Mary E. Gerritsen and Ron Parsons. 2018.


Orchid of the Day: June 17, 2019

Book: AOS Guide to Pests and Diseases
Everything you need to know to identify and control whatever may be ailing your orchid, whether insects, bacteria or fungi. Softback, color pictures.

Book: Diamonds and Disas
By Harold Koopowitz.  2016.  A novel.  Emeritus UCI botanist Dr. Harold Koopowitz transplants his “Orchid Tales” characters from the genre of genteel historical fiction to that of modern action and adventure.  Facing a variety of perils, familiar friends and newcomers race across the South African countryside in search of a new species of Disa.   The fascinating plants, animals, and rocks of Namaqualand are interwoven into the story.   Paperback with 319 pages.   All book proceeds will be donated to the Orchid Digest Publication Fund.

We are so honored that Harold will be the guest author at our 2016 SBOE Summer Open House, July 8-10th. Harold will speak on South African orchids and other plants at 7:30 pm Friday July 8, 2016 at a joint meeting of the Orchid Society of Santa Barbara and the Santa Barbara Cymbidium Society, in Fellowship Hall of Trinity Lutheran Church, located at 909 North La Cumbre Road, Santa Barbara.

Signed books will be shipped after Summer Open House (week of July 11). 
Orchid of the Day: June 23, 2016

Book: Discovering New World Orchids Book
By Steve Manning. Travel back in time to the early days of orchid discovery, collection, commerce, and botanical description. Whether your favorite orchid growers are local, domestic, or international, the stories behind the routes taken by early orchids and their cultivators makes for fascinating reading!

Many first-hand accounts, famous color prints and documents, plus lively text fill each page. The open pages shown above cover Nathaniel Ward and his introduction of "The Wardian Case" as well as a section on Cattleya loddigesii.

Signed and unsigned copies available. 2010. Hardcover. 669 pages.
Orchid of the Day: July 7, 2022

Book: El Rancho Rinconada - Orchid Town
By Louis M. Boyle. 1946. A genuine artifact. Never circulated. Travel back in time to orchid growing in the 1940’s at El Rancho Rinconada Nursery, Ojai, California. Originally published as a promotional and reference book, 70 years later it is a remarkable example of vintage orchid glamor and Western kitsch. The alphabetical list of early Cymbidium hybrids remains useful. The student of early Cymbidium hybridizing will find great interest in the extensive list of unnamed Cymbidium crosses, many of which were never registered, thus providing a broader view of 1940’s Cymbidium hybridizing than the data in the International Orchid Register.
Orchid of the Day: July 30, 2016

Book: From the Hand of God to the Miracles of Orchids
By AOS past president Milton Carpenter. 2012. Part autobiography, part highlights of Everglades Orchids breeding program, part vignettes of orchid friends and others. This engaging 217-page hardbound book contains over 170 beautiful photographs, most of them color, including over 100 images of orchids.
One hardcover book, one Christian music CD, one orchid story DVD. Signed by the author.
Orchid of the Day: June 30, 2016

Book: Of Men and Orchids - Part 1
By Rudolf Jenny. 2015. Each of the 21 chapters presents a fascinating glimpse into orchid history, which is richly brought to life with may historical images and modern photos. 302 pages. We here at SBOE can mail prospective buyers an example copy of the 2-page table of contents. Books can only be shipped to U.S. addresses.
Orchid of the Day: July 9, 2016

Book: Periodicals 1947-77 - Cymbidium Society Newsletter
Even more interesting now than when they were new, these periodicals are a glimpse of the horticultural history of orchids! Discover (or perhaps re-live!) the camaraderie of the orchid scene in Southern California as it was between 1946-1974, the 'golden age' of Californian Cymbidium hybridization and orchid nurseries.

Abundant advertisements of “new seedlings” and “the latest cultivars” from popular nurseries lost to time. Plus much about contemporary orchid growers around the world. Every page will bring a smile to your face, and maybe a nostalgic tear to your eye. Gems of horicultural history.

Limited random issues, each for $10.

Only one, near-complete collector's set for $500.
Orchid of the Day: September 29, 2020

Book: Slipper Orchids of Borneo , Second Edition
By Phillip Cribb. 2014. Building strongly on the first edition, this second edition includes : five additional Phaphiopedillum species and varieties ( inamorii, ooii, rothschildianum var. elliottianum, platyphyllum, and sugiyamamum ), an expanded general discussion of Phaphiopedillum classificarion, a new historical section with biographies of plant collectors and botanists in Borneo, and many new photos and drawings throughout the book. Soft-bound with 160 pages. Signed by the author.
Books can only be shipped to US addresses. For shipping to other countries, order directly from the publisher in Borneo at www.nhpborneo.com
Orchid of the Day: July 5, 2016

Book: The Book of Orchids
The Book of Orchids: A Life-Size Guide to Six Hundred
Species from around the World
By Mark Chase, Maarten Christenhusz, and Tom Mirenda. 2017.

This handsome and informative 'coffee-table'-style book provides a glimpse of wonderfully obscure orchids that most of us might otherwise never see! Beginning with Tom Mirenda's sublime preface, the first 24 pages outline the family of orchids, one of the world's most diverse. Then follow the single-page spotlights featuring a different orchid on each page; in all, 600 entries that include actual-size photographs and geographic distribution.

Each species spotlight gives an overview relaying varying details particular to that orchid, such as cultivation and ethnobotany, fragrance, pollinators, and even scientific significance where applicable. A great feature: the orchids are organized taxonomically so that related orchids are presented together, allowing the reader to appreciate the ingenuity and diversity of orchids.

We are so honored that Tom Mirenda, who has also been a frequent contributor to the American Orchid Society magazine, participated as the Guest Author for this book at our 2017 SBOE Summer Open House!
Hardcover book with 656 pages.

Orchid of the Day: July 8, 2022

Book: The Genus Calanthe
By Dudley Clayton and Phillip Cribb. 2013. A definitive compilation of the 207 species of this lovely pan-tropical "genus". Includes surprising DNA results in the phylogeny chapter by Professor Tomohisa Yukawa. This 411 page, hardbound book contains 92 drawings, 11 color paintings, 273 color photographs, a key, and biographical notes. Signed by Cribb.
Books can only be shipped to US addresses. For shipping to other countries, order directly from the publisher in Borneo at www.nhpborneo.com
Orchid of the Day: July 6, 2016

Book: The Genus Cymbidium
By David Du Puy and Phillip Cribb. 2007. Indispensable volume for Cymbidium enthusiasts and breeders alike. This revised edition includes many more habitat photographs, updated taxonomy (including the results from recent DNA studies), distribution maps, and at least eight new species! Hardcover with 369 pages. Signed by Cribb.
Orchid of the Day: February 7, 2021

Book: Wild Orchids of California
By Ronald Coleman. 2002.
A beautiful, useful, and informative field guide for both armchair and backcountry orchid lovers! One particularly exciting feature of this book is that it contains some amazing photos of in-situ wild orchids in bloom.

There is something thrilling about seeing a genuine wild orchid in nature in our own home state of California, especially when you consider that most are seasonally deciduous and regionally specific!

Describes 32 species in 11 genera, and includes tables of county counts, with 40 pages of color plates. 201 pages of text. Softcover.
Orchid of the Day: July 23, 2022

Brassanthe Sunny Delight 'Maj'
Vibrant yellow flowers on a prolificly growing plant. Another cultivar of this plant received a CCM/AOS award with 900 flowers on 130 inflorescences! From the cross of Brassavola perrinii and Guarianthe aurantiaca. . Temperature Tolerant. May blooming.
Orchid of the Day: April 20, 2019

Brassavola Little Stars
This charming, night-fragrant orchid is an offspring of the species dubbed the "Queen of the Night"! It is a charming primary hybrid between the famed Central American Brassavola nodosa and the prolific Jamaican native, Brassavola subulifolia. It is a lovely balance of the parents: it has larger flowers, like Brassavola nodosa, and a higher flower count, like Brassavola subulifolia; we've seen these produce over six flowers per a spike!

Established blooming-size seedlings. 'Seedlings' are the offspring of pollination; as siblings these may be very similar, yet each seedling is unique and no two are identical in precise color or shape.

Intermediate growing. January - February blooming.
Orchid of the Day: January 12, 2022

Brassavola nodosa
One of the classics for windowsill and beginning indoor growers! This species is beloved for its compact growth and succulent-like leaves, for being resilient and unfussy, and for sometimes blooming more than once a year. The foliage stands about eight inches tall. Blooming in clusters these elegant flowers have pale green tendrils and a showy, cream-white lip.

And if your growing environment is just right then you're in for a treat: this plant is known as "The Queen of the Night", because only in the darkness of night its flowers put forth a beautifully sweet night-fragrance! Darkness of night is a key factor in the scent of the flowers, but environmental humidity and temperature may also affect the scent's potency.

Established blooming-size seedlings. 'Seedlings' are the offspring of pollination; as siblings these may be very similar, yet each is unique and no two are identical in precise color or shape.

Intermediate growing. March - April blooming. Species from Central America & South America.
Orchid of the Day: January 20, 2024

Brassia verrucosa
Here is a particularly prolific blooming variety of this distinctive Central American species! The flowers are approximately 3 inches tall, a soft light green color and a cream-white lip patterned with very dark red markings overall. The sturdy spike habit is very showy. At our nursery this species has always been grown outside under shadecloth where it thrives, even with our Winter coldsnaps down to 28 degrees for 2 hours!

Established blooming-size divisions from our mother-plant.

Temperature Tolerant. May-June blooming.
Orchid of the Day: April 24, 2023

Brassocattleya Amethyst
Elegant blossoms grace this intergeneric primary hybrid, from the cross between Brassavola cullculata and Cattleya purpurata. The sturdy foliage of this resilient plant is of a terete (succulent-like) texture and grows nicely compact.

With slender petals gracefully arching outward these flowers have a range of hues between cream-white and shell pink tints. This cross was fist done in the 1980s, but when we remade it we used an alba-white Cattleya purpurata, accentuating the contrast of the lip markings that come from that parent's lineage; like the seedling pictured above some have bright pink lips.

Established blooming-size seedlings. Seedlings are the offspring of pollination; as siblings they may be similar, yet each seedling is unique and no two seedlings are identical in precise color or shape. There is no way to tell ahead of time exactly which colors and display each seedling will favor. Enjoy the surprise!

Temperature Tolerant. July blooming.
Orchid of the Day: July 7, 2021

Brassocattleya Kuchulu
This 'little darling' (hence, Kuchulu) displays vibrant sunset colors on this remarkable intergeneric hybrid! From the cross between the fiery-colored Cattleya Ateshperest and the elegant Brassavola flagellaris, and what a lovely combination they are! These seedlings have such a wide range of brilliant colors, a sample seen in the photo above: golden yellows, bright orange, crimson hues, and some even have contrsting lips. The sturdy foliage has a terete (succulent-like) texture and compact growth habit.

Established blooming-size seedlings. Seedlings are the offspring of pollination; as siblings they may have some similarities, yet each seedling is unique and no two seedlings are identical in exact color or shape. There is no way to tell ahead of time exactly which colors and display each seedling will favor. Enjoy the surprise!

Temperature Tolerant. July - August blooming.
Orchid of the Day: July 22, 2021

Brassocattleya Mariner Star
These vibrant blossoms are from the intergeneric cross between the elegant Brassavola cullculata and the colorful Cattleya Simplicity. The fine, star-shaped flowers of this perky hybrid range in color between blush-tinted cream and intense magenta, as shown pictured above. The sturdy foliage of this resilient plant is of a terete (succulent-like) texture and grows nicely compact.

Established blooming-size seedlings. Seedlings are the offspring of pollination; as siblings they may be similar, yet each seedling is unique and no two seedlings are identical in precise color or shape. There is no way to tell ahead of time exactly which colors and display each seedling will favor. Enjoy the surprise!

Temperature Tolerant. May and June blooming.
Orchid of the Day: May 9, 2021

Brassocattleya Tidepool Treasure
The colorful blossoms of this intergeneric hybrid resemble little fireworks! Slender petals arch back around the prominent lip: lip color is white or magenta, and the colorful petals have bloomed either in pink hues, or yellow hues. The flowers are usually between 3 and 4 inches across, and the foliage stands up to 14 inches tall. The sturdy foliage has a terete (succulent-like) texture and compact growth habit. From the cross between Cattleya Latona and Brassavola cullculata.

Established blooming-size seedlings. Seedlings are the offspring of pollination; as siblings they may be similar, yet each seedling is unique and no two seedlings are identical in precise color or shape. There is no way to tell ahead of time exactly which colors and display each seedling will favor. Enjoy the surprise!

Temperature Tolerant. July blooming.
Orchid of the Day: July 11, 2021

Brassolaelia Sea Urchin 'Pinkie'
One of our favorite orchids! This softly pink variety has a sweet and subtle fragrance, and a distinctive, pink-edged lip. It thrives even amid outdoor conditions and is very resilient; a rewarding plant that blooms sporadically throughout the year! A primary hybrid between Rhyncholaelia glauca and Laelia anceps.
Recently reclassified as a Laecholaelia.

Established blooming-size divisions from our mother-plant.

Temperature Tolerant. January blooming.
Orchid of the Day: December 27, 2021

Brassolaeliocattleya Bold Ruler 'Summer Magic'
Large, dark lavender-pink flowers with a burgundy-purple lip, and burgundy and yellow venation in the throat. The light fragrance is reminiscent of a rose scent. A very free-blooming 'classic corsage' style Cattleya>. A great Cymbidium companion plant.

Established blooming-size divisions from our mother-plant.

Temperature Tolerant. August blooming.
Orchid of the Day: August 7, 2022

Brassolaeliocattleya Momilani Rainbow 'The Gypsy'
Exceptional color! We have found this multicolor Brassolaeliocattleya to be a terrific grower and bloomer, with a delicate, bright rosy fragrance. A soft peach-yellow with bright yellow and pink splash. Temperature tolerant. Multiple 3.5 inch blooms on the inflorescenses, and the plant stands about a foot tall.

Established blooming-size divisions from our mother-plant.

Intermediate to Temperatu. December - January blooming.
Orchid of the Day: December 29, 2020

Bulbophyllum (longissimum type)
An amazing semi-circular flower arrangement of large, colorful flowers. As is typical of many fragrant Bulbophyllums the scent of this bloom is acrid and musky, rather than sweet or floral. The growth habit of these adventurous plants imparts a tendency to climb around, so they grow best in a hanging basket. . Intermediate growing. June blooming. Species from Thailand.
Orchid of the Day: June 2, 2015

Bulbophyllum acutebracteatum
This unusual, ultra-miniature, crawling-type Bulbophylum is one of our smallest orchids! The vibrant, braid-like inflorescences are one to two inches long with bright orange flowers. . Intermediate growing. July - August blooming. Species from West Africa.
Orchid of the Day: July 26, 2015

Bulbophyllum falcatum type
Wonderful and weird! Those aren't caterpillars, but the flower spikes on this fascinating orchid. Intermediate growing. July - August blooming. Species from Madagascar.
Orchid of the Day: July 25, 2011

Bulbophyllum flabellum-veneris
This compact growing epiphyte from Southeast Asia produces inflorescences with a delightful semi-circular cluster of spotted red flowers. Grows well potted, mounted, or in a basket. Overall height is about four inches tall. Previously known as Bulbophyllum lepidum. Temperature Tolerant. June blooming. Species from South East Asia.
Orchid of the Day: May 25, 2010

Bulbophyllum saurocephalum
It is quite a surprise ,and a sight, to see the unusual inflorescence of this Philippine native extending out from among its tight growth of bulbs and foliage. The individual flowers are very small and have a very light mushroom scent. We let our plants grow over the edge of their pots but many customers have good success mounting them. Intermediate growing. March blooming. Species from Philippines.
Orchid of the Day: April 18, 2020