Presentation#1: Thursday, April 16th at 3:00PM
Part I: The Fever: Petals of Power: A Cultural and Horticultural History of the Orchid
Why has a single family of plants driven humanity to madness, theft, and some of our greatest scientific breakthroughs? Join us for a chronological exploration of the orchid’s enduring grip on human culture and science. We will travel from the ink paintings of the Chinese literati and the medicinal gardens of Ancient Greece into the frantic, high-stakes era of Victorian “Orchidelirium,” where orchid hunters risked life and limb to satisfy a global fever.
This session uncovers the stories of the people, the politics, and the passions that transformed these exotic blooms from rare botanical treasures into modern icons of mass-market cultivation. We will conclude by looking at how modern technology and conservation efforts are working to protect these diverse species for the future. Discover the legacy of the plant that remains our most timeless symbol of beauty, luxury, and botanical wonder.
Presentation#2: Friday, April 17th at 3:00PM
Part II: The Method: Beyond the Ice Cube: Mastering the Art and Science of Orchid Care
Forget the myths and the “lucky” thumbs; successful orchid growing is all about understanding the biology of the plant. In this session, we break down the four pillars of orchid culture: Media, Hydration, Nutrition, and Climate. We will explore why “soil” is a dirty word in orchid circles, how to read your plant’s leaves to know when to water, and how to balance temperature and fertilizer to trigger those spectacular blooms year after year.
Workshop (Presentation#3): Saturday , April18th at 11:00AM
Part III: The Hands-On: The Great Escape: A Step-by-Step Orchid Repotting Workshop
Is your orchid outgrowing its home, or is the media looking a little “tired”? Repotting is the single most important skill for long-term orchid success. In this hands-on workshop, we’ll move beyond the fear of “breaking the plant” and learn the tactile art of rejuvenation. We will cover how to safely remove an orchid from its pot, how to perform “root surgery” to remove dead tissue, and the proper techniques for settling a plant into its new environment without transplant shock.
