Blooming beauty: Orchid show connects gardeners, enthusiasts
Orchid enthusiast Patti Scholes sums up her affinity for the plants with a quote.
“One orchid is too many, and a thousand is not enough,” she said.
Yes, orchids can be divas of the plant world, but once gardeners understands what makes them happy, they can successfully grow hundreds of them.
Every year, the Platinum Coast Orchid Society offers budding or prospective orchid parents the opportunity to discover the diverse and widespread members of the Orchidaceae family at the group’s annual orchid show. The 59th version of the event takes place May 3 to 5 at Kiwanis Island Park Gymnasium and Annex, 951 Kiwanis Island Park Rd., Merritt Island, just off the Merritt Island Causeway.
Orchid vendors from as far away as Taiwan will tempt attendees with their plants, and additional exhibitors will also offer growing supplies and other gardening products.
“Commercial growers in attendance will have thousands of orchid plants for sale to the general public,” Scholes said.
Enthusiasts will be there to vie for honors with their lovingly grown plants. When competing, orchid owners are also asked to furnish their plant’s parentage, because in the orchid world, just as in so many other endeavors, your lineage matters. Judges additionally look for color vibrancy, shape and how the plant and each flower adheres to standards.
Show hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Friday and Saturday, May 3 and 4, and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Sunday, May 5. Admission is $5 for adults, which includes Saturday lectures on “Growing Scented Orchids” at 10 a.m., a discussion of the Phalaenopsis orchid genus at 1 p.m. and a 2 p.m. presentation on orchid species from Thailand.
According to Scholes, there Is no one right way to grow orchids.
“It depends on your yard and the region where you live,” she said. “Join a local orchid club and get advice.”
Representatives from the Platinum Coast, Brevard, Volusia and Central Florida Orchid Societies will be present at the show, so gardeners can easily connect.
“A courtesy booth will be staffed by members of the Society to dispense orchid growing advice, and a wide range of orchid growing supplies will also be available for sale,” Scholes said.
Frequent drawings for orchids and other prizes provide an added incentive to attend. The show is an American Orchid Society-judged event, with worthy entries receiving certificates or awards from the group.
Proceeds will benefit Candlelighters of Brevard, a nonprofit dedicated to providing emotional and financial support to families of children fighting cancer.
When asked what her favorite orchid is, Scholes replies that it is “the one I’m looking at.” She adds that the hobby can be addictive and that, given the right care and love, orchids will not only stick around for years, but will also reward you with keikis, small plants that begin to grow on the main stem
“That's the wonderful thing about orchids, they are easy to share,” Scholes said. “Most people think orchids are hard to grow, but I have given divisions to my friends, hairdresser, dental hygienist, daughter's friend, all of them not orchid people, and they all constantly send me pictures of their blooming orchids that they just hang in a tree and water occasionally or not.”
For additional information, visit platinumcoastorchidsociety.org or call 321-525-7540.
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This article originally appeared on Florida Today: Orchid you not, these beautiful plants are easy to grow
