Orchidaceae is one of the largest plant families in the world, and there are 50 orchid species native to New England, from showy lady’s slipper (Cypripedium reginae) to rose pogonia (Pogonia ophioglossoides). While some species are common, many are of conservation concern. This session with Neela de Zoysa on March 22 from 12:30 – 3:30 provides context for understanding native orchid habitats, diversity, and conservation issues. You will learn identification techniques, pollination strategies, and life-cycle stages for native orchids. This class is now offered as a webinar, and is $60 for NPT members, $72 for nonmembers. Register athttp://www.nativeplanttrust.org/events/orchids-new-england/. Please note: We do not make video or audio recordings of classes or programs available after the fact, because we believe education is interactive, with instructors and students building a community and culture of learning. Some programs may be recorded strictly for instructor-training purposes.
At the New England Botanical Garden at Tower Hill’s annual orchid exhibition, get to know the captivating plants that entice pollinators in surprising ways. Allure displays thousands of orchids and artist Kara Walker’s larger-than-life sculptures—orchids paired with the pollinators they tempt. All is fair in love and orchid pollination. Experience the drama of this breathtaking orchid exhibition during daytime hours or through a line-up of special events. Kara Walker is a mixed medium artist out of the central coast of California. She discovered oil painting at 16 years old and started her own business at 20. She spent over 20 years doing high end artisan finishes in home interiors. She recently discovered prop building and set design. This new found passion landed her a spot on the NBC show Making It where she was a finalist. This exposure has broadened her reach and has allowed her to switch her career to freelance prop building and works out of her studio at home. Learn more about her work here.
This exhibit is included with general admission. Tickets can be purchased in advance through our website or in person at the Garden.
Take a break from the stress of the holiday season to enjoy an entertaining and informative afternoon with an orchid expert and come away with an elegant holiday present to give to that special someone on your list or to keep all to yourself.
In a relaxed and convivial session, participants will learn about many aspects of the beloved flower and our endless fascination with it. Orchid history, origins, trivia, fun facts, and basic care instructions are among the topics covered.
In a hands-on activity, all participants create their own “holiday orchid centerpiece”. A supply list is provided which gives ideas for orchid genera, containers and decorations. Detailed instructions on creating the centerpiece will be given at the end of the class. Also provided is a fun holiday orchid trivia quiz for you to look at ahead of time. Answers will be provided at the beginning of the class.
This class will be recorded. This Smithsonian Associates class is taught by Barbara Schmidt. Barb Schmidt has a Bachelor of Science degree in biology and chemistry and a teaching certificate in secondary science. She has been raising orchids for over 17 years, and her orchids have won a variety of awards, including first place ribbons at the Philadelphia Flower Show. She is an active member of the American Orchid Society (AOS) and in 2021 was elected to the AOS Board of Trustees. She is also Vice-Chair of the AOS Education Committee and has spear-headed several projects involving children’s education and orchids. In 2021, Barb received the AOS Certificate of Meritorious Achievement in Orchid Education. Besides maintaining a website at www.basorchidcare.com, Barb is also a regular instructor for the New York Botanical Gardens, the U.S. Botanic Gardens and the Smithsonian Associates Studio Arts Program. In 2019, Barb re-published her first book in color, Orchid Care: For the Beginner Full Color Edition.
On Friday, October 21, 2022, The Massachusetts Orchid Society (MOS) opens its World of Orchids: The Amazon show and sale, through Sunday, October 23rd. Show times are 12:30 pm to 5:00 pm on Friday; Saturday – 10:00 am to 5:00 pm; Sunday – 10:00 am to 4:00 pm at the Sons of Italy Hall, 117 Swanton Street in Winchester.
Hosted by the Society, the annual show and sale will feature more than 20 displays of orchids from national vendors, New England orchid societies and private collectors. Come enjoy the sights and scents of these exotic flowers.
The show will feature something for every level of enthusiast, from beginner to advanced, including tours of the displays, plant raffles, orchid art, plus vendors of specialty orchids and growing supplies. All proceeds help fund the Society, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. Tickets are $10 per person. Society members and children under eight have free admission.
Longwood Gardens in Kennett Square, Pennsylvania, is best known for its stunningly beautiful flower displays, 1,000 acres perfect for wandering, and fountain shows. However, Longwood is much more than just a pretty place to visit: It’s a center for horticultural science.
Orchid expert BarbSchmidt leads a virtual tour of the Longwood Gardens grounds and the newly reopened Orchid House. In addition, she offers a unique behind-the-scenes look at Longwood’s Research and Conservation Division of Horticulture. Schmidt offers an overview of the work being done by the division’s staff, including orchid conservation, plant exploration, management of important Longwood display collections, research in tissue culture, and various aspects of plant breeding.
Orchids are perennial herbs that are native to every continent, except Antarctica. Hardy orchids are commonly those able to survive outdoors in winter. Learn how you can incorporate hardy orchids into your orchid collection and how to successfully grow them in your backyard. The June 15 Smithsonian Associates workshop features a demonstration on how to plant a Cypripedium orchid. The instructor is Barb Schmidt, and the class will be recorded. $30 for Smithsonian Associates members, $40 for nonmembers. Register, and access materials list, at www.smithsonianassociates.org.
Get pro tips on how to care for orchids in less than optimal environments. Barbara Schmidt, award-winning exhibitor at the Philadelphia Flower Show and author of Orchid Care: For the Beginner, will walk you through which orchid genus will fare best in your indoor environment, as well as how to ensure your orchids have what they need to grow and bloom.
If you like, you will also be able to show your own orchids to Barbara via Zoom, so she can help you identify and/or troubleshoot your orchid in its home environment. This special New York Botanical Garden webinar will take place on April 23 from 11 – 1, and is $55 for members, $59 for nonmembers. Register HERE.
Myths abound about how hard it is to care for this ever-popular orchid. Dispel them with plenty of sensible advice on how to treat your phalaenopsis so that it blooms year after year. Light, water, nutrients, repotting, and root care are all key. You’ll gain the confidence you need to make your orchids thrive. This New York Botanical Garden virtual class will take place April 14 from 6 – 8 with instructor Chris Satch. $55 for NYBG members, $59 for nonmembers. Register here at www.nybg.org
Orchids are a beautiful plant that have so many flower varieties. Many of us love these plants but often have difficulty take care of them. In this Tower Hill Botanic Garden orchid workshop on February 26 from 10:30 – noon, Daryl Yerdon will start with the basics of orchid care with an emphasis on repotting. Together you will focus on the importance of proper pot selection and using the correct growing media for your type of orchid or your particular growing conditions. Daryl will also talk about how to water, fertilize and care for your orchids. At the end of the talk Daryl will demonstrate how to repot an orchid and leave time to answer any questions you may have.
In 1996 Daryl Yerdon joined the New Hampshire Orchid Society and purchased his first orchid at the annual show in Nashua, NH. Daryl’s orchid collection has grown from that first orchid to over 500 plants grown in a large greenhouse. In 2009 the New Hampshire Orchid Society awarded Daryl with the Sawyer Family Advanced Grower Trophy recognizing him as an expert grower for the NHOS. Daryl frequently displays his orchids at many local orchid society shows, where several of his plants have received a variety of awards from the American Orchid Society. From 2010 until 2021 Daryl was the owner of Kelley’s Korner Orchid Supplies which was recently sold to a new owner and relocated to Pennsylvania. Daryl grows a wide range of orchids in an 18′ x 28′ Arcadia greenhouse. Based on trial and error his collection has changed throughout the years. At this time the majority of plants are primarily species orchids but with a nice selection of favorite hybrids mixed in. The largest genus in his collection would be dendrobiums, but he grows a wide variety of orchids in pots as well as mounted on various materials. Daryl plans continue growing orchids, displaying them at orchid shows and becoming more active at the Massachusetts and New Hampshire Orchid Society meetings where he can provide his knowledge and expertise to other growers.
$30 Member Adult; $40 Adult (Registration includes admission to the Garden). Register at www.towerhillbg.org
Sarasota Orchid Society’s Orchids in Paradise is being held January 8 – 9, 2022 at the Sarasota Municipal Auditorium, 801 N. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota, FL 34236. Judging is being held on January 7, 2022 at 5:00 PM. The Miami Orchid Society’s Tamiami International Orchid Festival will take place Friday through Sunday, January 14 – 16, at the Dade County Fairgrounds Expo Center, Fuchs Pavilion, 10901 Coral Way (SW 24 St.), Miami. Fort Lauderdale gets into the act on the following weekend with its Orchids Rock event at the The Greater Fort Lauderdale Broward County Convention Center, 1950 Eisenhower Boulevard, Fort Lauderdale. So if you are an orchid enthusiast and plan a Florida trip, check out the details of all three events at www.aos.org
