Little Flower Business

From Gardening to the Rabbit Hole of Orchids

Susan FairbairnJune 17, 2026June 17, 2026

Gardeners are always looking for ways to get new plants. In most horticulture, propagation falls into two simple categories: asexual and sexual, meaning cuttings or seed respectively.In orchids, however, the usual rules no longer apply.

Australian orchids, growing orchids, orchid mounting

Cymbidium canaliculatum: Australia’s Remarkable Native Orchid

Susan FairbairnJune 14, 2026June 14, 2026

Discover the fascinating world of Cymbidium canaliculatum, Australia’s remarkable native Boat Orchid. From its quirky Victorian history to its love of hollow eucalyptus trees, this tenacious beauty is unlike any other orchid. Learn how to grow and care for it, explore five fun facts, and find out where to buy one.

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Brassavola nodosa: a compact Beginner Orchid

Mr AIJune 7, 2026June 7, 2026

Brassavola nodosa: a compact Beginner Orchid

Far North Queensland, growing orchids, pests and disease

Spot the Difference: Is Bacterial or Fungal Rot Killing Your Orchids?

Susan FairbairnJune 4, 2026June 4, 2026

When a dark spot or sudden rot appears on a leaf, panic often sets in. For Australian orchid growers, the stakes are incredibly high.

Far North Queensland, growing, Horticulture, keikis, Orchid Artistry & AI Chats, Phalaenopsis

How to Propagate Phalaenopsis Orchids Using Keikis — A Complete Guide

Susan FairbairnMay 10, 2026May 11, 2026

Learn how to propagate phalaenopsis orchids using keikis. Discover how keikis form naturally, how to use keiki paste correctly, the best time to apply it, and what success rates to realistically expect.

Far North Queensland, growing orchids, Habenaria, Orchids, tropical flowers

Cultivating Warm-Growing Habenaria Orchids: A Practical Guide for Growers

Mr AIApril 23, 2026April 23, 2026

The genus Habenaria is a diverse and fascinating group of terrestrial orchids, prized for their intricate flowers and seasonal growth…

Far North Queensland, growing orchids, Orchids, Vanda

Growing Vanda falcata in the Tropics: Adapting a Cool-Climate Orchid to Warm Conditions

Susan FairbairnNovember 7, 2025November 7, 2025

Delicate yet resilient, Vanda falcata—the celebrated Japanese orchid—can thrive in tropical Australia with the right care. Learn how to balance warmth, humidity, and light to suit this cool-climate species, and discover simple techniques to encourage its sweetly scented blooms year after year.

Aerides, Far North Queensland, growing orchids, Horticulture, tropical flowers

Growing Aerides leeana

Susan FairbairnAugust 25, 2025August 25, 2025

A Phillipine treasure Among the many jewels of the orchid world, few are as striking as Aerides leeana. Endemic to the…

Far North Queensland, growing orchids, Horticulture, mounting, mounting orchids, Vanda

Overpotting orchids and why mounting is best

Susan FairbairnJune 4, 2025June 4, 2025

Far North Queensland, growing orchids, Horticulture, hybridising orchids, Orchid breeding, Orchids, trigeneric breeding

Orchid Crosses: should you take the Gamble?

Susan FairbairnApril 10, 2025April 10, 2025

In the colourful world of orchid cultivation, an interesting phenomenon has emerged that of selling orchid crosses and bypassing traditional…

Daily Orchid Pottery Chats: Crafting with AI Insights, Far North Queensland, growing, growing orchids, Horticulture, orchid fertiliser, Orchids

The Importance of Calcium for Orchid Growth: Unlocking the Secrets of this Essential Macronutrient

Susan FairbairnDecember 7, 2024December 7, 2024

As an orchid enthusiast, you’re likely no stranger to the importance of providing your plants with the right nutrients to…

Far North Queensland, growing, growing orchids, Horticultural Artistry & Orchid Pottery Insights, Horticulture, hybridising orchids, mounting orchids, Orchid Artistry & AI Chats, Orchid breeding, orchid mounting, Orchids, trigeneric breeding

Growing Vanda Orchids and Their Relatives (alliance) in Tropical Climates

Susan FairbairnDecember 4, 2024December 4, 2024

The Vanda orchids by Susan Fairbairn and AI Introduction Vanda orchids and their relatives are among the most spectacular orchids…

growing orchids, Horticultural Artistry & Orchid Pottery Insights, Horticulture, mounting orchids, Orchids, pottery, Pottery & Orchid Chronicles

Grow amazing orchids in my handcrafted Orchid Pots n Jewels and Orchid Hugs

Susan FairbairnOctober 27, 2024October 27, 2024

An article about how the craftsmanship behind my pots n jewels and orchid hugs design benefits orchid growth. I am…

growing orchids, Horticulture, hybridising orchids, Orchid breeding, Orchids, Phalaenopsis

Pucker up people–orchids labellum

Susan FairbairnJuly 15, 2024July 15, 2024

The labellum, or lip, is the star of the orchid show. This modified petal is often the largest and most visually striking part of the flower.

diseases, growing, growing orchids, Horticulture, orchid fertiliser, Orchids

Orchid Nutrition: the Potassium Myth

Susan FairbairnJuly 11, 2024July 11, 2024

Rick Lockwood’s groundbreaking 2013 study on orchid nutrition sheds light on the misconceptions surrounding potassium levels in orchid care

Far North Queensland, growing orchids, Horticulture, mounting orchids, Orchids

10 Reasons to use Coconut Fibre for exceptional and beautiful orchids

Susan FairbairnJuly 3, 2024July 3, 2024

Coconut fibre–A game changer for pots and mounts As an orchid enthusiast, I’m always on the lookout for ways to…

Far North Queensland, growing, growing orchids, Horticulture, Orchids

Small orchids — a big obsession

Susan FairbairnJune 20, 2024June 20, 2024

I think I was in my early twenties when my Dad arrived at my house with two orchids; a Cymbidium and a small dainty purple flowered Dendrobium species : kingianum. “You want these?”

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From Forest Floor to Thriving Flora: Nature Paints Your Thumbs Green or how to care for your epiphytic orchid

Susan FairbairnJune 6, 2024June 6, 2024

Nature Paints Your Thumbs Green or how to care for your epiphytic orchid
This has been my lifelong philosophy in caring for plants–not some magical green thumb or any help from the garden fairies. I’m not saying they don’t exist just well….😎

Daily Orchid Pottery Chats: Crafting with AI Insights, Far North Queensland, growing, growing orchids, Horticultural Artistry & Orchid Pottery Insights, Horticulture, mounting orchids, Orchid Artistry & AI Chats, orchid fertiliser, orchid mounting, Orchids

Boost growth and blooms on Epiphytic Orchids with beneficial Compost Tea

Susan FairbairnMay 21, 2024May 21, 2024

Welcome to our comprehensive guide on using compost tea to nurture your epiphytic orchids! If you’re seeking a sustainable, organic…

Far North Queensland, growing, growing orchids, Horticultural Artistry & Orchid Pottery Insights, Horticulture, hybridising orchids, mounting orchids, Orchid Artistry & AI Chats, orchid mounting, Orchids, Tolumnia, tropical flowers

Tolumnia Orchids: Unveiling the Secrets of Vibrant Miniature Blooms

Susan FairbairnMay 20, 2024May 20, 2024

In the world of orchids, where beauty and elegance often come in grandiose sizes, there exists a captivating exception: the Tolumnia orchid.

growing, growing orchids, Orchid Artistry & AI Chats, Orchid breeding, Orchids, Phalaenopsis

Orchid Propagation Unveiled: From Keiki Paste to Natural Elixirs

Susan FairbairnMay 3, 2024May 3, 2024

Orchids, with their intricate blooms and enigmatic charm, captivate plant enthusiasts worldwide. Yet, for many, the art of orchid propagation…

growing orchids, Horticultural Artistry & Orchid Pottery Insights, Horticulture, Orchid Artistry & AI Chats, orchid mounting, Orchids, pottery, Pottery & Orchid Chronicles

OLD MANS BEARD AND ORCHIDS A BEAUTIFUL RELATIONSHIP

Susan FairbairnApril 28, 2024April 28, 2024

by Alex (Ai) idea by Susan Fairbairn Draping Tillandsia, commonly known as “Old Man’s Beard” or “Spanish Moss,” over orchid…

Daily Orchid Pottery Chats: Crafting with AI Insights, Far North Queensland, Horticultural Artistry & Orchid Pottery Insights, Horticulture, mounting orchids, Orchid Artistry & AI Chats, orchid mounting, pottery, Pottery & Orchid Chronicles

Grow epiphytic Orchids in/on ceramic pots for amazing lush growth

Susan FairbairnApril 28, 2024April 28, 2024

Today I started to ponder if any of the minerals in clay were left over after a firing. I wondered…

Far North Queensland, growing orchids, hybridising orchids, mounting orchids, Orchid breeding, Orchids, Phalaenopsis

5 Phalaenopsis orchids with spectacular foliage

Susan FairbairnApril 17, 2024April 17, 2024

Phalaenopsis orchids leaves are large and showy but if you add some silver mottling and/or unusual markings then you’ve got…

Far North Queensland, growing, growing orchids, Orchids

Friends or enemies?– orchid mycorrhizal fungi.

Susan FairbairnApril 9, 2024April 9, 2024

mycorrhizal fungi, are specialized fungi that form symbiotic relationships with orchid roots

Far North Queensland, growing orchids, mounting orchids, Orchid breeding, orchid mounting, Orchids

Tropical orchids in the world

Susan FairbairnApril 9, 2024April 9, 2024

The number of orchid species that live in tropical climates is vast and diverse, as orchids are found in tropical…

growing, growing orchids, mounting orchids, Orchid breeding

7 ways for creating more amazing orchid plants; cheaply and easily — (Keiki)

Susan FairbairnApril 7, 2024July 4, 2024

Keiki propagation In the context of orchids, a “keiki” refers to a vegetative propagation method in which a new plantlet,…

diseases, Far North Queensland, growing, growing orchids, Orchids, pests

How to treat Mealybugs and Scale

Susan FairbairnDecember 31, 2023December 31, 2023

An infestation of scale or mealybugs can be devastating…..

growing orchids, Orchids

Orchid care tips in the winter in tropical climates

Susan FairbairnApril 20, 2023April 20, 2023

Tips for care of your orchids in the winter in tropical climates.

clay leaves, Far North Queensland, growing, growing orchids, mounting orchids, orchid mounting, Phalaenopsis, pottery, terracotta leaves

Mounting orchids in the tropics

Susan FairbairnJanuary 12, 2023April 7, 2024

A growing argument for mounting orchids. Its hard to fathom how much water exists in a tropical environment until you…

Far North Queensland, growing, growing orchids, hybridising orchids, Orchid breeding, Orchids, trigeneric breeding

Orchid breeder Fred Clarke wouldn’t be caught dead without his toothpick…

Susan FairbairnDecember 5, 2022December 5, 2022

Susan Fairbairn caught up with Californian, Fred Clarke, at the Australian Orchid Council Conference (AOCC) 2022 to learn about the latest intergeneric breeding trends using the orchid family: Catasetinae.