Everything's coming up orchids at new flower shop in Los Gatos
By Shari Kaplan
From cold and wet in the winter to hot and dry in the summer, Los Gatos goes through a natural range of seasonal extremes. But there's one place in town where the climate is constant.
Like a protected greenhouse, the interior of My Orchids is cozily warm--but not hot. The temperature and the humidity are both carefully controlled to remind its living merchandise--hundreds of delicately beautiful orchids--of their ancestral homes in the rainforest.
The orchids sold by Phil and Jennifer Ha in their shop, however, were grown in California. Their supplier is Dr. Won Yoo, a close friend who holds a Ph.D. in botany and has taught at the university level. At one time, Phil Ha says, Yoo was also an adviser with the department of agriculture in his native Korea.
Some 2 1/2 years ago, Phil Ha says, Yoo started up an orchid farm in Oxnard, and has been growing and selling the epiphytes--or air plants--ever since. "He really loves his orchids; they're like his babies," Phil Ha says of the tender loving care for which Yoo is known.
"I love orchids, too--they're such beautiful flowers. I told him: 'You grow them, and I'll sell them!' He's a scientist, not a businessman, so I thought, why don't we do it together?" adds Phil Ha, a member of the American Orchid Society.
On Feb. 9, that's exactly what the Has did, when they opened shop across from the Town Plaza. Among their wares are three of the public's favorites: dendrobiums ("spray orchids"), phalaen opsis ("moth orchids") and cattleyas ("corsage orchids"). Other varieties include paphiopedilums ("lady's slipper orchids"), cymbidiums, oncidiums and denpares. Colors are equally varied and include white, pink, magenta, peach, yellow, brown-and-white and brown-and-yellow.
Rounding out the merchandise are decorative pots that can be used for transplanting orchids, along with a handful of paintings and sculptures. Customized orchid arrangements are also available.
My Orchids, 22-B S. Santa Cruz Ave. Hours are Sunday and Monday, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. and 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. on all other days.
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Los Gatos, California Since 1881
