read what one couple had to say
| on May 17 & 18, 1997 5000 orchid lovers passed through the gate at the Fruit & Spice Park in Homestead, Florida for the first Redland International Orchid Festival. All went home happy. |
Unlike traditional orchid shows held in Florida the lack of restraints typically imposed by exhibit installation allowed vendors to concentrate on what they could bring to sell rather than what they needed to exhibit. This was apparent in the broad selection of plants available. You could find blooming plants of the numerous Aerides and Rhynchostylis species that flower at this time of year, Phalaenopsis of every color... Paph, Cattleya and Oncidinae hybrids and a rainbow of Vandaceous hybrids and species.
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decisions, decisions, decisions...
the only limit was your billfold and offerings were available for every budget
Steve Champlin of Floralia unpacks bareroot Brazilian species. This is the only practical way to ship foreign plants. Not only was he able to bring ample plants for the Festival but pre-orders from people who sent fax or e-mail requests. The South American vendors offered many unusual species rarely seen in the states. |
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A brief shower Saturday morning gave us the opportunity to get to know one another better as we took shelter under vendors' tents. A little rain isn't going to stop real orchid folk and shopping resumed as the shower faded to a drizzle.
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offered visitors an opportunity to learn from the experts. Programs ranged from culture of specific genera to the habitats of the Brazilian bifoliate Cattleyas, all were entertaining and encouraged audience interaction. below: Gene Johnson talks about the genus Psychopsis...the butterfly orchids |
Shopping for classic hybrids or unusual species was most visitors' priority but this was an AOS Judged event. The award entries tent was the first stop for many - six plants receieved AOS awards.
student judge, Arlene Maguire, takes the measurements of an awarded Paphiopedilum
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Go to an orchid show in a mall and you usually end up eating generic fried stuff for lunch.
Not so here Authentic Cuban cuisine featuring lechon, carne asada, black beans & rice...
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