CAL ORCHID
My first destination was Cal Orchid. This weekend's open house was a collaboration between this nursery and Santa Barbara Orchid Estate. The couple who bought this place in the early eighties have developed it into the thriving business that it is today.
The entrance is at the end of a cul-de-sac in a residential area. I felt very welcomed by the owner's dog as it came to greet me. Parking was a bit of a challenge on such a busy weekend.
One type of plant this nursery is famous for is the Sobralia. This hybrid flower is very showy on plants that are about 4 feet high.
These are small orchid seedlings growing under some Staghorn ferns. Each Orchid capsule contains millions of seed, so the possibilities are endless. Cal Orchid offers many other interesting plants besides Orchids.
As the seedlings grow, they require more room. These panoramic shots do not do the experience justice. Besides only being two-dimensional, I cannot convey the humidity, temperature and fragrance wafting through the houses.
Some Orchids thrive outdoors in Santa Barbara. One can also see additional growing space behind the retail houses.
EPIs
Cal Orchid is famous all over the world for its hybrid reedstem Epidendrums.
Originally experiments were tried in Japan between two species:
Epidendrum Ibaguense and
Epidendrum Radicans
These two species were beautiful in their own right, but the new hybrids are more compact with larger flowers and come in every color of the rainbow.
Cal Orchid now has an exclusive line of these exciting plants, some of which are now used as landscape plants in tropical areas of the world.
Here is a link to Cal Orchid's Epi page:
THE SANTA BARBARA ORCHID ESTATE
I have been going to the Santa Barbara Orchid Estate for over 30 years. In spite of that, my jaw drops to the ground with each new visit. In fact, one of their kind employees offered her assistance when seeing my gaping jaw and glassy eyes.
This nursery is one of the last Orchid retail establishments in the continental US. It lies adjacent to Cal Orchid near the ocean, creating an ideal microclimate similar to areas of the Hawaiian Islands.
The ample parking area is part of the shabby charm of the place. This laid-back atmosphere surely must have been designed on purpose to create a burning desire in visitors to take a part of this back home with them.
The handmade sign is reminiscent of signage in rural areas on Maui, posted by natives that reads ,"Haole, go home!!!!" The welcoming environment here at Santa Barbara Orchid Estate has the opposite effect.
Plants with Laelia Anceps in their background thrive in full sun here.
This was the weekend for Laelia Purpurata hybrids. Large specimens such as this one are located all over the nursery.
Another specimen in front of a large Yucca. It could look like a Hawaiian Pandanas plant without corrective lenses.
More Laelia Purpurata hybrid specimens.
This little pathway made me reflect on my drinking days. Back then, I would be transported by scenes like this. Having been sober several years now does not change the effect this has on me.
A Dollar Eucalyptus juxtaposed against palms.
A panoramic view of the central courtyard.
This place uses ordinary items in an extraordinary landscape. The clay pot pillars add a nice touch.
Large Orchid specimens growing directly on the trees.
The Vanda house. Vandas are epiphytes from southeast Asia. They love for their roots to dangle free of baskets or pots.
Several shots of the growing areas out back.
This specimen Dendrobium was marked "sold."
This scene could have been taken anywhere in the Orchid growing world. The young employee, who was obviously North American, told me he had been working there 3-4 years. This large order was being purchased by a Filipina lady. She was serving as hostess, telling newcomers where to get in line. She didn't want to lose her spot!
ISLAND TROPICALS, Carpenteria, Ca.
My last stop before heading home was this place. It is living out its third incarnation as "Island Tropicals". They sell a wide array of outdoor nursery plants, pots and other garden items. Indoors they have an array of nice looking Orchids and Bromeliads, none of which are labeled.
Forty years ago, I started my first Orchid collection of three plants here when the place was Armacost and Royston Orchids. I took a group photo of family on that day in 1977 in front of this oak tree. Half the people in that photo have died.
Armacost and Royston was eventually bought out by Stewart's Orchids of San Gabriel, California and became Stewart's Carpenteria location. I patronized both places throughout the eighties into the late nineties. Stewart's finally sold this location and their prime land in San Gabriel to developers and moved their operation to Mississippi. The company went out of business after hurricane Katrina destroyed everything.
This oak tree is the only thing left here from the old days.
NEW ADDITIONS TO THE TEMPLE
Epis from Cal Orchid:
Pacific Maitai 'Planter's Peach'
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Pacific Contrast 'Peach Dazzler'
Pacific Punch 'Purple Fizz'
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Pacific Dragon 'Neon Purple'
Pacific Challenge 'Big Mango'
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Pacific Beauty 'Victorious'
In addition, I bought a Cattleya Bicolor seedling, a piece of Vanilla vine and a Dendrobium keiki from Santa Barbara Orchid Estates.
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