A celebration of orchids
The Orchid Society of Western Pennsylvania (OSWP) will hold its annual orchid show from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. March 17 and from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. March 18 at Phipps Garden Center, 1059 Shady Avenue, Pittsburgh. The show is open to the public and admission is free. Voluntary donations at the door are appreciated.
This year’s theme, “A Celebration of Orchids,” captures the variety, beauty and quantity of the orchids displayed. Visitors will be inspired as they view the varied exhibits displaying hundreds of blooming orchids at their finest.
Society volunteers and expert orchid growers will be on-hand to answer questions about orchid cultivation, and free educational seminars will be held throughout both days of the show.
An hourly raffle of plants and orchid-related items will be held.
One of the most popular features of the show is the sales area, where guests can purchase orchids from a wide range of vendors brought in from all over the eastern United States. Many plants are perfect for the casual grower. A large selection of rare and unusual orchids will also be available.
A repotting table, where visitors will watch and learn as their orchid plant is repotted by an OSWP member, will once again be featured. For pots under six inches, the cost for repotting is $5. The cost for larger specimens will be determined on a case-by-case basis. There is a limit of two pots per customer.
Members staffing the table will be happy to provide recovery suggestions for plants that are not thriving.
Photographers may visit from 9 to 10 a.m. Sunday, before the show opens to the public, so there will be clear access to the exhibits.
The orchid show is part of OSWP’s educational mission and has been a well-attended event.
For more information about the Orchid Society of Western Pennsylvania, visit www.oswp.org. For show-related questions, contact Gary VanGelder at 412-638-9756 or Sheila Nathanson at 412-343-9457.