Phipps to host ‘Orchid Extravaganza’
The Orchid Society of Western Pennsylvania will hold “An Orchid Extravaganza” March 18 and 19 at the Phipps Garden Center in Pittsburgh.
The Orchid Society of Western Pennsylvania will hold its annual Orchid Show from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. March 18 and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. March 19 at the Phipps Garden Center, 1059 Shady Ave., Pittsburgh.
This year’s theme is “An Orchid Extravaganza,” and captures the variety, beauty and quantity of orchids displayed in the show. Visitors will be treated to varied exhibits displaying hundreds of blooming orchids at their finest. Society volunteers and expert orchid growers will be available to answer questions.
One of the most popular features of the show is the sales area, where visitors can purchase orchids from vendors throughout the eastern United States. The selection offered is vast, and many of the selections are perfect for the casual grower, but there also is a large choice of the rare and/or unusual.
The show also will feature a repotting table, a popular feature that OSWP started last year in which visitors can watch and learn as their plant is being repotted. Cost is $5 per orchid, and includes bark and a six-inch or under plastic pot. Members staffing the table also can provide, at no charge, some recovery suggestions if the plant is not doing so well.
The show also includes plant raffles and free educational seminars ranging from beginner to specialty topics. Educational classes will be held as follows in the library of the Phipps Garden Center:
• 11 to 11:45 a.m. – “Miltoniopsis: Tips for More Advanced Growers,” presented by Demetria Marsh of OSWP.
• Noon to 12:45 p.m. – “Orchids for Terrarium/Vivarium: Building Your Own Mini-Rainforest,” Jim Marlow of Marlow Orchids.
• 1 to 1:45 p.m. – “Orchid Photography: How to Permanently Capture your Orchids,” James Yamber of OSWP.
• 2 to 2:45 p.m. – “Expanding Your Growing Area: 33 Years of Just One More Orchid,” Timothy Choltco of Harbinger Orchids.
• 3 to 3:45 p.m. – “Orchid MD: What Ails Your Orchid,” Josh Hagen of OSWP.
• 11 to 11:45 a.m. – “Miniature Orchids: Fitting in a Few More,” Edgar Stehli of Windswept in Time Orchids.
• Noon to 12:45 p.m. – “Warmth Tolerant Masdevallia: Growing the Queens of the Andes,” Wade Hollenbach of Wade’s Orchids.
• 1 to 1:45 p.m. – “Orchid Care 101: What to Do with That Orchid I just Bought? – Nancy Kline of OSWP.
• 2 to 2:45 p.m. – “Confessions of an Orchiholic: 35 Years of an Orchid Obsession,” Carolyn Bolton of OSWP.
Admission is free, although donations are appreciated.
For more information about the show, orchids and the Orchid Society of Western Pennsylvania, visit www.oswp.org. For show-related questions, call Gary VanGelder at 412-638-9756 or Shelia Nathanson at 421-343-9457.