The St. Croix Orchid Society, Inc. Show “Orchids Thrive in ‘25” Opens Friday

By Linda Morland
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Beautiful and fragrant white and yellow Cattleya orchids are on display with the winning ribbon during the 2020 show. (Source Photo by Linda Morland)

The Great Hall at St. George Village Botanical Garden on St. Croix will provide a spacious and historic venue for the St. Croix Orchid Society’s (SCOS) 53rd annual orchid show and sale.

“Orchids Thrive in ’25,” honoring Michelle Thurland-Martinez, will open on Friday from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m., continue on Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Admission is $5. Children under 12 are free with an adult admission.

Along with jewel-toned orchids of many varieties to be shown, three fabulous orchid vendors will offer a wide array of orchid plants to choose from:

  1. Aly Gia Dai Orchids from Puerto Rico
  2. E Orchids from Puerto Rico
  3. Kimberly Orchids from St. Crox

    Thomas Kash, a St. Croix Orchid Society member presents “Growing Orchids Using Semi-Hydroponics” to an interested audience. This was one of 5 workshops offered during the three-day show. (Source Photo by Linda Morland)

 

Three workshops will be offered in the Great Hall East Gallery:

Saturday:

10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.

Orchids in the Landscape: SCOS Board President Angie Ortiz will present a hands on workshop for those who would like to learn how to select and mount orchids in their gardens.

2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Repotting Workshop: Michele Thurland-Martinez will assist in the often daunting task of repotting. Michelle will help with choices of  proper growing mediums and the correct pots.

Sunday:

10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.

The St. Croix Bonsai Society will give a demonstration on the intriguing art of bonsai.

The show is registered with the American Orchid Society (AOS) and will be judged according to its criteria. The plants and blooms in the show will be measured against worldwide AOS standards. Each variety of orchid has clear criteria set out in the judging handbook to determine how it will be rated. Judging will take place on Friday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. The public is invited to watch the process.

Grand Champion of the 2019 Show, awarded for the most outstanding orchid in the show, won by exhibitor Luther Edwards and grown by Jan McBean is the Epidendrum ciliare. This plant is often called The St. Croix Christmas orchid. (Source photo by Linda Morland)

Guest judges from The American Orchid Society will be:

  1. Dr. Julio David Rios
  2. Jose Fernandes
  3. Egardo Pauneto

Angie Ortiz, president of the SCOS, said, “This year’s raffle gifts are fabulous. The featured prizes include the show’s theme painting by artist Toni Lance, a two-day stay vacation provided by The Landing Beach Resort, jewelry by Crucian Gold, two decorated/hand-painted bottles with twinkle lights provided by Sandy Radczenko, and orchids from our vendors!”

Brilliantly colored Cattleya orchids are prize winners at the St. Croix Orchid Society 2023 show. (Source photo by Linda Morland)

The drawings will be held at 2:30 p.m. on Sunday. Winners do not have to be present.