ORCHID COLLECTION | Demystifying Orchids

A prize-winning display from the 2011 show. Photo by Lisa Blackburn.

The Southland Orchid Show is coming! In an attempt to educate the public on the strange and mysterious side of orchids, the Southland Orchid Show committee has named this year’s show “Orchid Mystique.” From orchid displays to vendors from all around the world, this is a show you do not want to miss. Notable vendors and exhibitors setting up in the Botanical Center include Andy’s Orchids, which is known for the motto “Orchids on a Stick,” and Cal-Orchids, which will bring its world famous Epidendrums.

The Southland Orchid Show committee has been partners with The Huntington since 2005, the year they first brought their show to this venue. The committee made its start in 1958, when it brought together seven separate societies from Southern California to join forces to create one large show. The very first show was held at the Los Angeles State and County Arboretum in Arcadia in 1959.

Orchids are not confined to what you see at your local grocery store or home improvement center. Many people do not realize that orchids are the largest family in the plant kingdom. With orchids growing on every continent except Antarctica, new species are being found every day. Orchids can be as small as half an inch and can be as large as 40 feet tall!

In addition to attending the show, you can listen to two orchid talks on Saturday, Oct. 20, at 1 and 3 p.m. There will also be a roundtable discussion on Sunday, Oct. 21, from 2 to 4 p.m. The show will be open Friday, Oct. 19, from noon to 4:30 p.m., and on Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 20 and 21, from 10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Entry to the show is included with Huntington admission.

UPDATE:The talks on Saturday, Oct. 20: 1 p.m., Suki Nax on Repotting Orchids; 3 p.m., Daniel Geiger on Orchid Photography. On Sunday, Oct. 21: 11:30 a.m., Harry Phillips on Orchid Mounting; 2-4 p.m., Growers Roundtable.

Brandon Tam is The Huntington's orchid specialist.