Orchidmania at Botanical Garden’s Orchid Fest

On Saturday, February 22nd, the Naples Annual Orchid Show and Sale at the Naples Botanical Garden kicked off the week-long Orchid Fest. Continuing till Friday, February 28th, the Garden’s horticultural staff will show the public the Ins and Outs of orchid care and preservation. They have demonstrations starting at 10 AM every day about water regimen, methods of mounting orchids, essential orchid care and also highlights and history of orchids. 

The theme of this year’s event is “Wild About Orchids,” and it celebrated week-long. There were displays of prize-winning orchids with a gathering of orchid experts and growers to answer questions. Additionally, orchid vendors offered large selections of orchids for sale.

Even if you are just an average orchid enthusiast, it was easy to get carried away and join the “orchid mania. It is like falling in love. There is a certain emotional rush or obsession as an orchid lover pursues a certain type of orchid. They’ll spare no expense to add one to their collection. 

The wild world of orchids with its beauty and rarity has been fascinating collectors for centuries. According to Orchid historians, the magnificent flower appeared 200 million years ago but has now spread from the equator to the Arctic Circle. In Asia, the great philosopher Confucius was known to have kept orchids in his room and wrote poems praising their fragrance.

Did you know that the family Orchidaceae is home to more than 25,000 documented species of orchids and scientists are adding more every day? Scientists believe that there are more species yet to be discovered in the tropical areas of the world and horticulturalists are hybridizing the flowers to create new species and making them more available to the general public.

Orchids come from diverse habitats and not all orchids are rainforest natives. Minnesota’s state flower is the pink and white lady slipper, the Cypripedium Reginae, and it is State protected.

Orchids are everyone’s favorite – so which ones are your favorites? 

1. Phalaenopsis (fail-eh-NOP-sis) orchid – also known as “moth orchids,” is very popular and known for being easy for beginners to grow. “Phals” stay in bloom for a very long time with a graceful arching spray of good size blooms of all colors. This is the one you buy at your local supermarket.

2. Cattleya (CAT-lee-ah) orchid also called the corsage orchid. Many of them have delightful fragrances and come in all sizes and colors and can be recognized by their symmetrical flowers.
3. Dendrobiums are tall and stately with a graceful spray of flowers and some have delicate fragrances and are easy to mount on tree trunks.
4. Vanda are very popular because of the rainbow of colors and frequency of blooms. Many of the species have fragrant flowers that are long-lasting. They are often seen growing in baskets with their roots hanging down in mid-air.
5. Paphiopedilums or Lady Slipper has a special appeal for many orchid enthusiasts. It is sometimes called the “ultimate houseplant” for their ease of growth in the home.
6. Oncidium or The Dancing Lady orchid has brilliant sprays packed with flowers, yellow, tricolor or red raspberry that smells like chocolate and resembles dancing ladies. 

Did you know that Vanilla comes from an orchid? Vanilla planifolia is known as the “orchid of commerce.” It was first used by the Aztecs to flavor chocolate. Vanilla beans are the dried seed pods of this orchid.