💚 New Episodes every Sunday 💚
Welcome to Orchid Talk, the podcast for anyone who’s ever fallen in love with a bloom — whether it was a $9.99 supermarket Phalaenopsis or the crown jewel of your 1,000‑plant jungle. If orchids spark your curiosity, fuel your obsession, or completely take over your home… you’re in the right place.
Hosted by Mandy, a passionate grower with a soft spot for the strange, the rare, and the wonderfully weird, Orchid Talk brings the entire orchid universe to your ears.
Each episode features a special guest grower — from hobbyists to world‑class collectors — as we dig into culture techniques, share hard‑earned tips and tricks, and take deep dives into the quirks and charms of different orchid genera.
And because every grower has questions (yes, even the pros), we wrap up with a listener Q&A, tackling everything from root rot mysteries to light‑level dilemmas. Send in your questions and we’ll get them answered on the show.
Fun, nerdy, and full of plant‑powered joy — Orchid Talk is your new weekly dose of orchid inspiration. Tune in and grow with us 🌿
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Episode 7: OrchidTalk is Back! The Great Catasetum Disaster of 2026.
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I'm back! Let's catchup on all the growing (and mistakes) of the 2026 growing season in my own backyard! I talk about the Catasetum Sun burn of Spring 2026, the cultural requirements and unique flowering habits of the catasetum alliance.
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🔗Show Links🔗:
Guide to "Semi-Hydroponics" PET Catasetum growing by Stephen Van Kampen-Lewis (http://youtube.com/watch?v=yxHSGIjhea0)
The C. purpurata Fma. Carnea that I bought from Krull Smith (Not Sponsored) (https://www.krullsmith.com/p-2271-cattleya-purpurata-f-carnea-treated-1718.aspx)
The Catasetum Alliance Catalog from Sunset Valley Orchids (Not Sponsored) (https://www.sunsetvalleyorchids.com/htm/offerings_catasetinae1.html)
Resources/Growers that we mentioned:
Catasetum Culture Guide by Fred Clarke (https://www.sunsetvalleyorchids.com/htm/culture_catasetinae.html)
Cattleya Culture Guide by Fred Clarke (https://www.sunsetvalleyorchids.com/htm/culture_cattleya.html)
K-Lite Fertilizer - First Rays (https://firstrays.com/k-lite-orchid-epiphyte-fertilizer/) (Not Sponsored)
OrchidRoots - Look up your Hybrids! (https://orchidroots.com/)
American Orchid Society - Orchid Culture Sheets (https://www.aos.xn--org%20%20culture-sheets-te3n/)
🌿🌿
Please Review and Rate this Podcast - Have a Question/Comment? Email me @ Orchidtalkpod@gmail.com
🌸Follow OrchidTalk on instagram! (https://www.instagram.com/orchidtalkpod?igsh=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ%3D%3D&utm_source=qr)🌸
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8 Mar 2026
Episode 6: Growing Phragmipediums with Morgan Jameson
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On the sixth episode of OrchidTalk, I sit down with Morgan Jamesson. Morgan shares how she got into orchids, her collection of phragmipedium orchids, how to grow them and her advice from an orchid hobbyist to another.
🌿🌿
🔗Show Links🔗:
Guide to "Semi-Hydroponics" growing for Orchids - First Rays (https://firstrays.com/semi-hydroponic-culture/general-semi-hydroponics-information/)
Morgan's Beast of a plant! (Phrag Chuck Acker) (https://www.slippertalk.com/threads/collection-updates.59001/post-789876)
Morgan's Ruth Morrow (https://www.instagram.com/p/DVcln43EaMu/)
Growing Slipper Orchids (Phragmipediums and Paphiopedilums) indoors - AOS (https://secure.aos.org/media/Content-Images/PDFs/Phrag_home_culture.pdf)
Morgan can be found at:
Morgan's Slippertalk (https://www.slippertalk.com/members/morja.149212/) Profile
Morgan's Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/p/DVcln43EaMu/)
Resources/Growers that we mentioned:
K-Lite Fertilizer - First Rays (https://firstrays.com/k-lite-orchid-epiphyte-fertilizer/)
OrchidRoots - Look up your Hybrids! (https://orchidroots.com/)
American Orchid Society - Orchid Culture Sheets (https://www.aos.xn--org%20%20culture-sheets-te3n/)
🌿🌿
Please Review and Rate this Podcast
🌸Follow OrchidTalk on instagram! (https://www.instagram.com/orchidtalkpod?igsh=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ%3D%3D&utm_source=qr)🌸
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.
1 Mar 2026
Episode 5: The Wonderful World of Maxillarias with Eric Sauer (River Valley Orchids)
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On the Fifth episode of OrchidTalk, I sit down with Eric Sauer from River Valley Orchids. Eric shares how he got into orchids, his collection of Maxillaria orchids, how to grow them and his orchid adventures down in South America.
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🔗Show Links🔗:
Some of Eric's Awarded Phragmipediums - Facebook, Cincinnati Judging Center (https://www.facebook.com/groups/888437784583428/posts/9378646642229124/)
Photos and Cultural information on Maxilliaria tenuifolia, the Coconut Orchid - AOS (https://www.aos.org/maxillaria-alliance/maxillariella-tenuifolia)
Maxillaria, an unfinished monograph, Book by Eric Christenson - ResearchGate (https://www.researchgate.net/publication/341950095_Maxillaria_an_unfinished_monograph)
Book Review of Eric Christenson's Maxillaria monograph - AOS (https://www.aos.org/orchids/collectors-items/book-reviews/maxillaria-an-unfinished-monograph)
Eric can be found at:
River Valley Orchids (https://www.rvorchids.com/)
Eric's Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/ericsauer9/)
River Valley Orchids Facebook Page (https://www.facebook.com/rvorchids/)
Invite Eric as a speaker to your local orchid society - AOS Speaker Center (https://www.aos.org/community/speaker-center/eric-sauer)
Resources/Growers that we mentioned:
New World Orchids (https://newworldorchids.com/)
American Orchid Society - Orchid Culture Sheets (https://www.aos.xn--org%20%20culture-sheets-te3n/)
🌿🌿
Please Review and Rate this Podcast
🌸Follow OrchidTalk on instagram! (https://www.instagram.com/orchidtalkpod?igsh=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ%3D%3D&utm_source=qr)🌸
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.
22 Feb 2026
Episode 4: Growing and Breeding Novelty Phalaenopsis with Cody Mathers (Zenith Orchids)
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On this fourth episode of OrchidTalk, I sit down with Cody Mathers from Zenith Orchids. Cody shares how he got into orchids, his collection of novelty phalaenopsis orchids, how to grow them in the freezing plains of Saskatchewan, and orchid breeding from a hobbyist prospective.
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🔗Show Links🔗:
Phalaenopsis Penang Girl - OrchidRoots (https://orchidroots.com/display/summary/orchidaceae/100054272/)
Phalaenopsis micholtzii - Internet Orchid Species Encyclopedia (https://www.orchidspecies.com/phalmicholtzii.htm)
Phalaenopsis lueddimanniana - Internet Orchid Species Encyclopedia (https://www.orchidspecies.com/phallueddimanniana.htm)
Cody can be found at:
Zenith Orchids Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/zenith_orchids/?hl=en)
Resources/Growers that we mentioned:
Peter Lin / Big Leaf Orchids (https://bigleaforchids.com/?srsltid=AfmBOopGAt8bPnD82bhibzhn3Q_vQvinzoEeDBh3GK51BQ2EqZNe1ngy)
Orchidex (https://orchidex.org/)
American Orchid Society - Orchid Culture Sheets (https://www.aos.xn--org%20%20culture-sheets-te3n/)
🌿🌿
Please Review and Rate this Podcast
🌸Follow OrchidTalk on instagram! (https://www.instagram.com/orchidtalkpod?igsh=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ%3D%3D&utm_source=qr)🌸
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.
18 Feb 2026
Bonus Episode: Cattleya Bow Bells - The Bells That Wouldn't be Silenced
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On the third bonus episode of OrchidTalk, I dive into the history of Cattleya Bow Bells— shaped by war, loss, resilience, and the quiet determination of growers across three continents. It is a hybrid born in the shadow of bombed greenhouses, carried across oceans, preserved in distant sanctuaries, and woven into the fabric of modern cattleya breeding.
🔗 Show Links below🔗
Link to purchase the book that inspired this story time (https://chadwickorchids.com/content/classic-cattleyas-book) / The Classic Cattleyas by AA and Arthur Chadwick
Link to the Cattleya Bow Bells Article by Chadwick and Son's Orchids (https://chadwickorchids.com/content/bow-bells-revolution)
Link to Sandra's Garden - Flowers Fit for a Queen (https://sandrasgardenblog.wordpress.com/tag/black-flory-orchid-nursery/)
Link to Virtual Orchids - Cattleya Bow Bells 'July' (https://www.virtualorchids.org/vj-exercise-interactive-zoom-meetings/vj-exercise-interactive-zoom-meeting-september-2021/cattleya-bow-bells)
Link to SlipperTalk Thread on C. Bow Bells 'Purity' FCC/AOS by NESlipper (https://www.slippertalk.com/threads/cattleya-bow-bells-purity-fcc-aos.54441/)
Link to AOS Article on Cattleya breeding influences (https://www.aos.org/hereditary-influences-of-the-cattleya-alliance)
Link to Cattleya Culture Guide (AOS) (https://www.aos.org/orchid-care/care-sheets/cattleya-culture-sheet)
🌿🌿
Please Review and Rate this Podcast
🌸Follow OrchidTalk on instagram! (https://www.instagram.com/orchidtalkpod?igsh=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ%3D%3D&utm_source=qr)🌸
Want to be on the show? Have a question? Feedback? Email me: orchidtalkpod@gmail.com
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.
15 Feb 2026
Episode 3: Growing Cloud Forest Miniature Orchids with Luis Ortiz Jordan
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On this third episode of OrchidTalk, I sit down with Luis Ortiz Jordan, who leads the curation of the McKee Botanical Gardens orchid collection. Luis shares how he got into orchid, his collection of cloud forest miniature orchids, how to grow them and the species he discovered in Puerto Rico.
🌿🌿
🔗Show Links🔗:
McKee Botanical Garden (https://mckeegarden.org/)
Luis's FCC/AOS Cattleya walkeriana (https://www.instagram.com/p/DQXcBq-kczfBh6y9GOcjMXC6Sr_EVO9nx6vnps0/?img_index=1)
Luis's New Orchid Species Publication - Eurystyles luisortizii (https://www.researchgate.net/publication/351233923_A_NEW_SPECIES_OF_EURYSTYLES_ORCHIDACEAE_IS_EXPOSED_BY_A_FIERCE_HURRICANE_IN_PUERTO_RICO)
Luis can be found at:
The Orchid Cabinet Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/theorchidcabinet/)
Luis's LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/luis-m-ortiz-jordan-msem-81b39b152/)
Resources/Growers that we mentioned:
American Orchid Society - Orchid Culture Sheets (https://www.aos.xn--org%20%20culture-sheets-te3n/)
🌿🌿
Please Review and Rate this Podcast
🌸Follow OrchidTalk on instagram! (https://www.instagram.com/orchidtalkpod?igsh=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ%3D%3D&utm_source=qr)🌸
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.
11 Feb 2026
Bonus Episode: Cattleya dowiana - Sunshine, Yellow Fever, and the Golden Queen
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On the second bonus episode of OrchidTalk, I dive into the golden yellow (fever) of Cattleya dowiana— the large flowered yellow Cattleya, with a bright, sunny nature immediately lights up every room or greenhouse that they are in.
🔗 Show Links below🔗
Link to purchase the book that inspired this story time (https://chadwickorchids.com/content/classic-cattleyas-book) / The Classic Cattleyas by AA and Arthur Chadwick
Link to the Cattleya dowiana article by Chadwick and Sons (https://chadwickorchids.com/content/cattleya-dowiana)
Link to AOS Article on Cattleya breeding influences (https://www.aos.org/hereditary-influences-of-the-cattleya-alliance)
Link to Cattleya Culture Guide (AOS) (https://www.aos.org/orchid-care/care-sheets/cattleya-culture-sheet)
🌿🌿
Please Review and Rate this Podcast
🌸Follow OrchidTalk on instagram! (https://www.instagram.com/orchidtalkpod?igsh=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ%3D%3D&utm_source=qr)🌸
Want to be on the show? Have a question? Feedback? Email me: orchidtalkpod@gmail.com
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.
8 Feb 2026
Episode 2: Growing Wind Orchids (Neofinetia/Vanda falcata with Carol Buele
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On this second episode of OrchidTalk, I sit down with Carol Buele, a Emmy-winning costume designer and American Orchid Society accredited judge. Carol shares how she got into orchid, her lasting love with Japan and Neofinetia falcata (the famed wind orchid) and how she grows her collection in the San Fernando Valley.
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🔗Show Links🔗:
2025 Fuukiran Meikan Board (with English explanations): 2025 Meikan Board (https://drive.google.com/file/d/121KJKbSjFMARBynjyixNtH-rgLH9ciPX/view?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTAAAR1lLa6-R0r3C6I0mLW4ejxPKBUTH7EAh11xxwZxpELJ0X5CPukt8977wJw_aem_YrDlZeY3FwPWSXQHPb0PTg)
Japan Fuukiran Society (https://fukiran-official.jp/)
American Orchid Society Article on Growing the Wind Orchid (Neofinetia falcata) (https://www.aos.org/explore-orchids/vanda-alliance/neofinetia-falcata)
Carol can be found at:
Carol's Website: FirstHouseFurnishings (http://firsthousefurnishings.com/)
Carol's Etsy Store: NishibachiByCarol (https://www.etsy.com/shop/NishibachibyCarol?ref=shop-header-name&listing_id=4419858749&from_page=listing)
Carol's AOS Page: Carol Buele - Speaker Center (https://www.aos.org/community/speaker-center/carol-beule)
Resources/Growers that we mentioned:
Peter T. Lin / Diamond Orchids (https://www.diamondorchids.com/)
Peter Lin / Big Leaf Orchids (https://bigleaforchids.com/)
American Orchid Society - Orchid Culture Sheets (https://www.aos.xn--org%20%20culture-sheets-te3n/)
🌿🌿
Please Review and Rate this Podcast
🌸Follow OrchidTalk on instagram! (https://www.instagram.com/orchidtalkpod?igsh=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ%3D%3D&utm_source=qr)🌸
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.
4 Feb 2026
Bonus Episode: Cattleya labiata: The Lost Queen of a 71‑Year Botanical Drama
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On the very first bonus episode of OrchidTalk, I dive into the wild, true story of Cattleya labiata — the orchid that launched Victorian orchid mania, vanished for 71 years, and reappeared thanks to a bug collector who wasn’t even looking for orchids. It’s a story time packed with botanical drama, misidentified specimens, forgotten directions, and the orchid that became a queen.
🔗 Show Links below🔗
Link to purchase the book that inspired this story time ( https://chadwickorchids.com/content/classic-cattleyas-book) / The Classic Cattleyas by AA and Arthur Chadwick
Link to the Cattleya labiata article by Chadwick and Son Orchids (https://chadwickorchids.com/content/cattleya-labiata)
Link to AOS Article on Cattleya labiata (https://www.aos.org/the-showy-cattleya-queen-of-the-orchids-beginners-handbook-xv)
Link to Cattleya Culture Guide (AOS) (https://www.aos.org/orchid-care/care-sheets/cattleya-culture-sheet)
🌿🌿
Please Review and Rate this Podcast
🌸Follow OrchidTalk on instagram! (https://www.instagram.com/orchidtalkpod?igsh=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ%3D%3D&utm_source=qr)🌸
Want to be on the show? Have a question? Feedback? Email me: orchidtalkpod@gmail.com
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.
1 Feb 2026
Episode 1: Growing Slipper Orchids Indoors with Kevin Chen from W.W. Botanicals
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On this very first episode of OrchidTalk, I sit down with Kevin Chen, the grower behind Wilshire and Western Botanicals and a beloved figure in the SoCal orchid community. Kevin shares his very first orchid, his highest AOS awarded plant, and growing slipper orchids (paphiopedilums) indoors in LA.
🌿🌿
🔗Show Links🔗:
Picture of Kevin's Paphiopedilum sanderianum (instagram.com/p/DKDeUHwSuGj/?igsh=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ==)
Picture of Kevin's Awarded flower Paphiopedilum Regine Plows 'Alien Superstar' AM/AOS (https://www.instagram.com/p/DGJ-bMyv4c6/?igsh=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ%3D%3D)
Picture of a Sibling of Cattleya Warscewiczii coerulea 'Marquesa de Yolombó' x self. (https://www.instagram.com/p/CtX4a3WOrN_/?igsh=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ%3D%3D)
Kevin can be found at:
W.W. Botanicals instagram (https://www.instagram.com/w.w.botanicals?igsh=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ%3D%3D)
W.W. Botanicals Etsy Shop (https://www.etsy.com/shop/wilwestbotanicals/?etsrc=sdt&utm_source=ig&utm_medium=social&utm_content=link_in_bio&fbclid=PAZnRzaAPp52hleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBzcnRjBmFwcF9pZA8xMjQwMjQ1NzQyODc0MTQAAae7HpzrF4Jzmf5Mzh20xG7OdTh3d_PD0m0HV2GnyjoxX9oOpGH6bO1V7sWieA_aem_S2r8x5n_xF79Tcbyqf-QRg)
Resources/Growers that we mentioned:
Fred Clarke / Sunset Valley Orchids (https://www.sunsetvalleyorchids.com/)
Rusty Exotics (https://rustyexotics.com/)
William Green / MyGreenPets (https://mygreenpets.org/)
Stephen Van Kampen-Lewis (https://www.youtube.com/c/stephenvankampenlewis)
SlipperTalk Forum (https://www.slippertalk.com/)
American Orchid Society - Orchid Culture Sheets (https://www.aos.org › culture-sheets)
🌿🌿
Please Review and Rate this Podcast
🌸Follow OrchidTalk on instagram! (https://www.instagram.com/orchidtalkpod?igsh=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ%3D%3D&utm_source=qr)🌸
Want to be on the show? Have a question? Feedback? Email me: orchidtalkpod@gmail.com
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27 Jan 2026
Coming Soon - OrchidTalk
Welcome to Orchid Talk, the podcast for anyone who’s ever said, “I’ll just buy ONE orchid”… and then somehow ended up with a jungle. In this trailer, Mandy gives you a sneak peek into the wonderfully chaotic world of orchid growing — from supermarket Phals to rare species that cost more than your rent. Expect laughs, plant confessions, wild orchid facts, and a whole lot of blooming enthusiasm. If you’re ready to learn, laugh, and maybe accidentally start a massive collection, hit play and let the orchid madness begin! 🌿
If you have an orchid related question that you want answered, send me an email, at orchidtalkpod@gmail.com
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.
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