Zach Copley

Rincon Fairy "Hawk Hill"

Originally uploaded by zcopley.

Since moving into a smaller house I’ve gotten rid of most of my big orchids and only grow miniatures indoors now. But I know big cymbidiums grow really well here outdoors, so I thought I’d give one a try, and I’ve been looking for the right one for our front porch for awhile now.

I had hoped to pick up a cool one at the Pacific Orchid Exposition this year, but unfortunately I was too lame and lazy to go. But there’s a fantastic orchid purveyor at the El Cerrito Plaza farmers market that goes on every Tuesday. This big crazy pink cym just seemed like The Right One, so I snagged it.

It’s official name is, Rincon Fairy “Hawk Hill.” It has billions of flowers on it. I think it must be like ten years old. It’s also ready for repotting into a two-gallon container as soon as it’s done flowering. Maybe some time after May.

As soon as I got it home I had to do a photo shoot on it. Here’s one of the pictures.