Orchid society’s annual show continues to grow
Several of Grete Holst Evans’ pastel-colored drawings will be featured at the Orchid Society of Western Pennsylvania’s annual show. Evans was one of the founding members of OSWP in March 1954.
One of Grete Holst Evans’ pastel-colored drawings
When Grete Holst Evans encouraged local gardeners who shared her passion for orchids to attend an organizational meeting, she was rather amazed when 125 people walked into Phipps Conservatory.
That was in March 1954.
On March 21 and 22, the Orchid Society of Western Pennsylvania will hold its annual Orchid Show. The theme is “60 Years and Growing … Orchids,” and was inspired by the unexpected discovery of Evans’ pastel-colored drawings of more than 60 varieties of orchids that she had hoped to turn into a portfolio.
Evans, a gifted gardener and accomplished amateur artist, fell in love with orchids as a 10-year-old growing up in the Virgin Islands. After she and her husband, Charles, moved to Mt. Lebanon, she hoped to meet other orchid growers. So, she contacted the American Orchid Society to obtain the names of its members in the Western Pennsylvania region.
Two years after its founding, OSWP introduced its first public orchid show.
Several pieces of Evans’ artwork will be featured in this year’s show, which will be held from 10 a.m. 5 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. March 22 at the Phipps Garden Center, 1059 Shady Ave., Pittsburgh. The show will include orchid exhibits, educational seminars, plant raffles and sales by vendors from throughout the eastern United States and Ecuador. The orchids and exhibits will be judged by a team of certified American Orchid Society judges.
Arlene Ricker of North Strabane Township, whose love affair with orchids began after she received one as a gift from her sister-in-law, will be among the speakers. She will discuss “Getting Your Orchids to Bloom” at 1 p.m. March 22.
Other educational seminars include:
• 11 a.m. – “Growing Orchids at Home – Basic Culture for Beginners,” Georgene Albrecht.
• Noon – “What to Do with That Orchid You Just Bought,” Nancy Kline.
• 1 p.m. – “You Can Grow Slippers in Pittsburgh (Paphliopedilums),” Richard and Norma Raiff.
• 2 p.m. – “Angraecoids: Angraecums and Aerangis,” Edgar Shehli.
• 3 p.m. – “Orchid Photography,” James Yamber.
• 11 a.m. – “Celebrating Your Orchids’ First Birthday,” Dave Miller.
• Noon – “Growing Orchids in Your Windowsill,” Demetria Marsh.
The show is part of the educational mission of the OSWP, which also continues to enchance the orchid collection at Phipps. Admission is free, although donations will be accepted.
For more information about the show, orchids or the Orchid Society of Western Pennsylvania visit www.oswp.org, or call Carolyn Bolton at 412-714-0263.