The Avid Gardener: Escape to the Orchid Show

The Central Pennsylvania Orchid Society will hold its 54th annual Orchid Show at Penn State’s Snider Ag Arena this Saturday from 1 to 6 p.m. and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. This promises to be an ideal escape for the first weekend of spring with tropical colors in abundance.

The event is always a big draw for both novice and seasoned orchid collectors and a place to appreciate the graceful beauty of this diverse plant family of roughly 30,000 species. It is also a great resource for information.

While browsing of the exhibits is one of its main joys, there are also other highlights. One is the demonstration and repotting of orchid plants from 3 to 4 p.m. Saturday and 2 to 3 p.m. Sunday. A second is the photographer’s hour from 9 to 10 a.m. on Sunday.

“We have orchid shows every year now for over 50 years,” said John Dunkelberger, the head judge of this year’s show and a long-time member of the American Orchid Society. “We were one of the early societies in Pennsylvania outside of Philadelphia.”

An especially big draw for orchid collectors are the many on-site vendors from Pennsylvania and several surrounding states which sell high quality orchid plants and supplies. These experts can pair beginners, as well as serious collectors, with the best choice of plants for a particular growing environment.

Last year I purchased a phalenopsis-type dendrobium with lovely purple blooms, as well as some potting medium. The plant came with a novice culture sheet from the American Orchid Society explaining the water, light, temperature, fertilizer and growing tips for success. I am happy to report that it was a great fit — one year later the plant has thrived in my sunny curtain-filtered exposure.

“We will have vendors there from around the northeast,” Dunkelberger said, “so if you’re thinking of buying something, talk to the vendor and he’ll tell you how to grow it.

“One of the things about orchids now is that they have become relatively inexpensive compared to what they were 40 or 50 years ago. You should view them like you would an arrangement. You can buy a beautiful plant, in bloom, for $30 — what you would pay for an arrangement. But in two weeks, the arrangement will be dead. The orchid will be still blooming for a month or two and then you have a chance to see if you can grow it.”

For those who would like online guidance, the American Orchid Society also offers tips in a video, “Orchid Care for Beginners” on its www.aos.org website. Memberships to this well-respected society are available at the show, whether attendees are growers or not. Dues are $10 per year per person or family; $7 for students. Last year’s brochure invited prospective members and the public to regular meetings of the society, held at 2 p.m. on the second Sunday of each month (except in May) in Room 123, Headhouse 1, behind the Tyson Building on the Penn State Campus.

“We have a meeting every month on campus,” Dunkelburger said, “and anyone is welcome. There are plants at every meeting and we discuss them. Of course, every month is different because there are different types of plants every month.”

As expected, numerous show awards are presented each year by highly-qualified American Orchid Society judges who travel around the United States and beyond, judging and attending shows of all sizes. One coveted award is the American Orchid Society Bronze Show Trophy, awarded for the best exhibit regardless of class. Twenty additional awards for individual plants and exhibits are given.

Parking and admission for the show are free.