Orchids in the Garden Showcases Prize-Winning Displays

It was all about orchids at the Naples Orchid Society’s Orchids in the Garden exhibit held on February 21-23, 2025 at the Naples Botanical Garden. 

Kapnick Hall featured exhibits of prize-winning orchids representing many species and hybrids. According to the Naples Orchid Society (NOS), American Orchid Society judges gave out awards for outstanding single plants for best in show in a variety of classes. Blooming orchid plants and cut flower arrangements competed for ribbons and awards. It was only mid-morning and the hall was already packed with visitors vying to check out their favorite orchids.  

Orchids are a popular plant and enthusiasts were out in full force. Here are some of the more common types of orchids – though they are far from being ordinary! 

Cattleya orchids are fondly referred to as the “corsage orchids” – women used to wear them as a floral accessory for formal events. They are also known as the “queen orchid,” with their showy and scented large blooms as wide as four inches across. According to the NOS, there are more than 46,950 cattleya hybrids registered. 

Vanda Orchidsare a standout with large five-petal blooms that can be as wide as four inches in diameter. Vandas come in vibrant colors, including white, orange, burgundy, pink, or mixed. But the real star is the aerial roots that hang down in stringy formation. Keep them happy and you’ll have a happy vanda! 

Phalaenopsis orchids are one of the most common and the kind you find in your local food market and even at your hardware store. Their flowers look like moths in flight. Their name “phal” meaning moth and “opsis” in Latin meaning appearance. Usually sold with a single flower spike with a spray of large colorful blooms, Phalaenopsis looks stunningly elegant and lasts for several months!  

Phalaenopsis has been successfully grown for the mass market and is a year-round favorite. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, in 2020,the Phalaenopsis is the most popular flowering potted plant in the United States, outselling poinsettias with over 37 million plants sold. 

The orchid vendors on the Performance Lawn were selling beautiful, ready-to-take home orchids along with much-needed orchid supplies. The vendors expertly answered many questions and suggested easy-to-care species for the novice. The Lawn was a one-stop orchid market, thanks to the collection from Krull-Smith Orchids, Mac’s Orchids, Odom’s Orchids, Bredren Orchids, Springwater Orchids, OFE International - Orchid Supplies, and Bactra Orchid Benches.  

I overheard someone asking Mac’s Orchid if they had a black orchid and were shown an orchid that “looked black” and is supposed to bloom during Halloween. According to researchers, plants bloom in all colors in nature except for black. Black beauty is rare in green life. Orchids that produce black-looking flowers are actually dark blue or purple and, from a distance, reflect a black shade. 

There was a demonstration on how to grow vanilla bean orchids(Vanilla planifolia). Vanilla bean is a climbing orchid and many gardeners are wondering if they can grow them at home and harvest vanilla beans from it. Plant experts say yes, but to produce seeds from which vanilla is harvested, hand pollination is required. It makes for a fun science project. Think of this the next time you are enjoying a scoop of vanilla flavored ice cream – the flakes of vanilla came from the vanilla orchid beans.