The Temple: One Year Anniversary

This May 1st will be the completion of the Temple's first year. The biggest change is the number of plants inside, mostly by division.

The newly completed Temple last year

A more recent photo

Part of learning to grow in this new environment, was finding the easiest way to cool while using the least amount of energy. This is the north wall. I have modified the left panel to include an automatic vent that opens when the temperature is over 75 degrees.

Close-up photos of the new vent and opening apparatus.

Trip to Cal Orchid and Santa Barbara Orchid Estates

On Friday, April 19th, I re-visited these two establishments. I was one of a handful of customers at both locations, which gave me a nice opportunity to chat with the staff. Everyone at both locations made me feel very welcome.

James and Lauris Rose at Cal Orchid bought this establishment in 1987 after working at Santa Barbara Orchid Estates, where they met and eventually married. Their breeding lines of Reed-stemmed Epidendrums, begun with just five imported plants, has become world famous. It makes my entrepreneurial heart glad to see the phenomenal success of these plants, descended from just two plain species; "weeds" of the Orchid world.

The "Epi's" at Cal Orchid

James Rose was kind enough to give me a "deal" on this plant, a replacement for one I lost in one of the previous Temples. This is Guarianthe (formerly Cattleya) Skinneri 'Casa Luna.' It now hangs prominently in the Temple.

Phalaenopsis hybrids at Cal Orchid.

Various Platycerium species growing along with the Orchids at Cal Orchid.

I also got to meet the four-footed member of the Rose family, Rio, who is an energetic two year old Golden Lab. We wrestled briefly before his attention was diverted to other things.

I then moved on to Santa Barbara Orchid Estate, where I have been going almost 35 years.

I enjoyed my lunch in the tranquil picnic area. Except for the weather, I could have been anywhere in the tropics. In the background, we see large King Palms and Washingtonias.

Adjacent to the Picnic area, specimens of various Tillandsia species can be seen growing in baskets.

Another view of the Picnic area.

One can find many specimen sized plants in the growing area at Santa Barbara Orchid Estates.

Another large specimen from the Cattleya alliance. From the labels lying there, I assumed the staff was about to divide it.

A large Vanilla plant in flower inside the Phalaenopsis house.

Another fine specimen in flower.

Santa Barbara Orchid Estate was opened right after World War II. Many orchid plants had been smuggled out of war-torn Europe and brought to Santa Barbara for its favorable climate. This created a local interest in these plants, thus creating a demand. Cal Orchid also started around that time.

I was impressed at how closely knit the Orchid community seems there. Their local Orchid society has put on the world famous Santa Barbara Orchid Show every year for 75 years, a monumental undertaking. Orchid societies have closed all over the country in recent years, presumably due to lack of interest. The good people of Santa Barbara are an inspiration to us all.

I brought several plants home with me. I will write about those as they come into flower.