Coming up orchids: flowers on show in California

What’s the big fuss about orchids? Yes, they’re elegant, and some (but not all) of them are delightfully fragrant. And they sure do make great gifts. But what is it about the plant that draws an enthusiasm leaving the likes of, say, lilacs and lilies in the dust?

I asked Don Goss, a photographer as well as the publicist for the South Bay Orchid Society, what’s so lovable about orchids, and I didn’t have to listen between the lines to comprehend his sheer admiration for the flora. He has about 200 orchids of his own, and when I called him on Sunday, he was in the midst of his two-hour weekly watering routine.

“If you look at the age of orchids, they go all the way back to the age of dinosaurs,” he started, immediately capturing my attention.

[Pictured above is the grammatophyllum scriptum, a.k.a. the "big daddy orchid." See "An orchid nerd's guide to orchids" for more images.]

Not only have they shown resiliency through the ages, but in the here and now, if they have proper care, their longevity is astounding. “Orchids don’t have a lifespan. If they get the right type of climate and treatment, they will bloom every year (or sometimes twice a year, or some for months at a time) and outlive us,” Goss said.

They are also an eclectic bunch. From the sweet-smelling flowers in the zygopetalum genus to the bulbophyllum phalaenopsis, which smells like rotting meat, the thousands of varieties of orchids come in all styles and forms. There’s an orchid out there for everyone, according to Goss.

But don’t even think about looking for yours at a major chain store (”Who knows how long it has been since it was watered last,” he warned). Instead, head to an orchid show, where you can talk to growers face to face and find a suitable variety to match your tastes and specific environment.

The South Bay Orchid Society hosts its show March 7-8, 2009. Following is a list of links for this and other orchid shows and sales in California that could be worth a flowery day trip or weekender this month or next:

Feb. 20-22
Santa Clara Valley Orchid Society Annual Show & Sale
Westgate Mall, San Jose

March 5-8
Pacific Orchid Expo
Fort Mason Center’s Festival Pavilion, San Francisco

March 7-8
South Bay Orchid Society Spring Show & Sale
Torrance Cultural Arts Center, Torrance

March 13-15
San Diego County Orchid Society’s Annual Show & Sale
Scottish Rite Center, San Diego

March 20-22
Orchid Escape: Annual Santa Barbara International Orchid Show
Earl Warren Showgrounds Exhibit Building, Santa Barbara

– Susan Derby, Special to the Los Angeles Times

[Top photo: Phillip Neslon / For the Los Angeles Times]

[Bottom photo: Corallorhiza striata, a.k.a. the "fungus-among-us orchid."

Credit: Carl Luer / For the Los Angeles Times]

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This entry was posted on Monday, February 16, 2009 at 11:13 am by Susan Derby and is filed under California, Festival, Los Angeles, San Diego, San Francisco, Santa Barbara, Weekend Getaways, Winter. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a comment, or trackback from your own site.