NYBG's 18th Annual Orchid Show
Here in New York City, one of the first signs spring is around the corner is the start of the annual Orchid Show at The New York Botanical Garden. I love attending this show every year. Held inside the magnificent Enid A. Haupt Conservatory, it is known as the nation’s largest exhibit of its kind.
“The Orchid Show: Jeff Leatham’s Kaleidoscope” opened over the weekend and runs through Sunday, April 19th. If you’re in the area, please visit. This year’s show is filled with thousands of beautiful and colorful orchids in purple, red, orange, and pink - all displayed through overhead arches, vine-inspired ribbons, mirrored sculpture, and dramatic lighting. Jeff’s floral designs and installations transform each gallery into a unique color experience - just like the turn of a kaleidoscope. Last week, I was able to get an after-hours tour of the show with Marc Hachadourian, Curator of NYBG's Orchid Collection.
Enjoy these photos.
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- Here I am with Marc Hachadourian. Marc and I have known each other for many years. He has been on my television and radio shows sharing his vast knowledge of orchids. He is also the author of “Orchid Modern: Living and Designing with the World’s Most Elegant Houseplants” which was released last fall by Timber Press.
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- The Orchid Show is held every year in the Enid A. Haupt Conservatory, which is a New York City Landmark.
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- Originally constructed in 1902, the steel and glass Conservatory includes a 90-foot tall domed Palm Gallery and 10 attached glasshouse galleries.
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- As the nation’s largest Victorian glasshouse, it is among the grandest indoor spaces in the world. In addition to the Orchid Show, this enormous glass structure is home to a tropical rain forest, a cactus-filled desert, and an ever-changing landscape of flowers and foliage.
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- This Jeff Leatham installation was one of the first we saw. Hundreds of gorgeous vanda orchids and phalaenopsis hybrids surround the faceted mirrored fountain of a vanda flower.
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- Here’s a closer look at the mirrored vanda sculpture fountain.
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- In the water below, floating vanda orchid flowers in the fountain reflecting pool.
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- I always enjoy learning about all the different orchids at this show. This is Vanda Sunanda® ‘Jeff Leatham’ – a vanda named after this year’s orchid show designer.
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- This is Cymbidium Vidar ‘Harlequin’, a peloric cymbidium orchid with extra color on the petals that mirrors the lip. It also has bright green sepals that provide a vibrant backdrop to the bold petal-splash of creamy-white and rich red.
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- This orchid is Cymbidium ‘Apple Green.’ The people of ancient China considered Cymbidium flowers as ‘Lan Hua’, or the embodiment of human perfection. In ancient Japan, the flowers were treasured by royalty and were considered symbols of wealth.
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- There is something to see at every turn. This is called Huperzia squarrosa or a tassel fern. This is a fern relative that grows as an epiphyte, like an orchid, with fuzzy hanging stems. The tassels are stems covered with pale green leaves. As the tassels grow, they cascade making this great for hanging baskets.
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- This is a Golden Barrel Cactus, Echinocactus grusonii. The golden barrel cactus can grow up to 60 inches tall and 36 inches wide. The stem is ribbed and produces prickly yellowish spines and a crown with white-colored woolen hairs at the top.
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- The Echinocactus grusonii is drought tolerant and needs very little care and attention to grow well. When handling, it’s best to use gloves to protect one’s hands from the prickly spines.
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- This purple-blue orchid is called Vanda ‘Royal Blue’. Vanda orchids produce some of the more stunning blooms in the genera. This group of orchids is heat-loving and native to tropical Asia. In their native habitat, vanda orchid plants hang from trees in nearly soilless media, so it is important to mimic these conditions as much as possible when growing them.
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- This is Shunkeara Big Shot ‘Hilo Sparkle.’ This plant produces multiple two-inch blooms that last two to three weeks at a time.
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- We had a little time to walk through the American Deserts Gallery in the Enid A. Haupt Conservatory. Once inside, we saw Golden Barrel Cactus, Echinocereus grusonii, Cereus peruvianus ‘Monstrosus’, and Opuntia. The bamboo was painted a bold blue for an Orchid Show installation.
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- I also spotted this Echeveria ‘Topsy Turvy’ – a succulent with thick powdery blue-gray leaves. It grows in a rosette shape, meaning it has no stems. I have many Echeverias growing in my Bedford, New York greenhouse.
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- This is Cleistocactus icosagonus, or creeping cactus. It loves full sun and well-draining soil. In hot climates, this plant benefits from light shade during the afternoon.
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- Here’s more Echeveria. Echeveria grows well in either containers or warm garden beds. The many varieties and colors of Echeveria plants provide wonderful tones and texture for mixed beds and pots.
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- This is Jeff’s “Rainbow Light” installation adding color and drama to the show. If you’re not familiar with Jeff’s works, he is the creative director for director of George V Hotel and the Four Seasons Hotels in Beverly Hills and Philadelphia. He was awarded the Chevalier Legion of Honor from France in 2014. His work is a combination of his love for flowers and his passion for design.
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- This is a tropical blueberry relative from South America. It is called Cavendishia grandifolia – a species of woody perennial plant of the genus Cavendishia in the family Ericaceae. It is native to Ecuador. Its fruit, commonly known as neotropical blueberries, are edible.
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- We toured the Conservatory after-hours, so here is the sunset through the panes of glass in the Upland Rainforest Gallery.
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- This orchid is called Phalaenopsis ‘Long Pride Joy.’ Phalaenopsis orchids prefer fairly warm climates. The ideal night temperature is 62 to 65 degrees Fahrenheit and daytime temperatures of 70 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit.
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- Cattleya ‘Calm Seas’ prefer to dry out between waterings, and should not be watered more than once a week.
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- This is a Paphiopedilum hybrid. Paphiopedilum orchids are often called lady slippers or slipper orchids because of their unique pouch-like flowers. These specimens are easily grown as houseplants and look wonderful with their striking green leaves.
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- Here is another Paphiopedilum orchid. This one is called Paphiopedilum maudiae. The pouch of a slipper orchid traps insects so they are forced to climb up, collect or deposit pollen, and fertilize the flower.
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- Here’s a view looking up at the gorgeous arches with hundreds of Phalaenopsis orchid blooms.
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- This one is Phalaenopsis ‘Taida Smile’. This orchid has multi-branching spikes that produce several flowers when mature. The spikes generally stay around 12-inches tall, which is great for those who don’t want tall stems.
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- Phalaenopsis ‘Younghome Golden Leopard’ is a hybrid with beautiful peach and salmon-colored flowers and stripes. Phalaenopsis orchids can be grown as indoor plants as long as they get a sufficient amount of light and air circulation.
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- Phalaenopsis ‘Lioulin Peacock’ is an orchid hybrid originated by Huang Gao Ming in 2006. It is a cross of Phalaenopsis Taida Salu x Phalaenopsis Tai-I Yellow Bird.
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- And this bright pink specimen is Epidendrum Mirura Valley. Epidendrums are tough plants and can do well in almost any temperature above 50-degrees Fahrenheit.
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- Many orchids cover this waterfall in the Upland Rainforest Gallery.
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- Marc and I stopped for this fun photo in the Rainbow Light installation. If you’re in the New York City area, the annual Orchid Show at The New York Botanical Garden is a must-see. You will absolutely love it.
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