NYBG Orchid Dinner 2017

February 10, 2017

If you’re in the New York City area February 18 through April 9, I encourage you to stop by The New York Botanical Garden for their annual Orchid Show.

Known as the nation’s largest exhibit of its kind, this year’s show is entitled “Thailand”, home to over 1,200 native orchid species. You’ll be amazed at the garden’s transformation of the Enid A. Haupt Conservatory showcasing beautiful orchids from around the world. Earlier this week, I attended The NYBG’s annual Orchid Dinner in the Grand Ballroom of The Plaza. I love this event and try to fit it into my schedule every year. The dinner included stunning table centerpieces created by 25 of New York’s leading designers. As you will see in these photos, each centerpiece is full of color and creativity. Proceeds from the event benefit The NYBG’s orchid research collection, which helps to maintain the highest horticultural standards of orchid conservation.

The event also allowed attendees the chance to purchase beautiful orchid specimens for their own personal garden collections during a pre-dinner sale. The rare orchids are hand-picked by Marc Hachadourian, the orchid curator at The NYBG - you'll love the plants I brought home. Enjoy these pictures.

: There are more than six thousand orchids in the Garden’s permanent collection. This Orchid Dinner kicks off their 15th annual Orchid Show. This centerpiece was presented and donated by Paris Forino Interior Design. Oscar Mora of Oscar Mora Floral Art & Design worked on it. His work has been featured in both Martha Stewart Living and Martha Stewart Weddings magazines.

: This elegant centerpiece was designed and donated by Drake/Anderson.

: This centerpiece, with its bold use of bright pink and lush green foliage, was presented by Lewis Miller Design.

: This lovely white centerpiece was by Robin Henry Studio.

: Table number-5 was filled with stunning spotted orchids in a presentation by Polux Fleuriste.

: This table scape included a topiary shaped figure from Thailand, and was cleverly produced and donated by Rajni Alex Design.

: This beautiful centerpiece was by Randall Gibeau Design LLC.

: These colorful orchids look so dramatic on the geometric black and white tablecloth.

: This one is a simple yet sophisticated presentation of white orchids in a brass vessel by Hilary Pereira.

: This centerpiece was created and presented by Byron C. James.

: This is the other side of Byron’s display.

: This pretty yellow orchid centerpiece was made by The Mini Rose Co.

: This one is by John Oetgen of Oetgen Design Inc. All the centerpieces were filled with such vibrant orchids.

: A gorgeous fan of orchids adorned this table by Villanueva Designs for Louis XIII.

: The bottle of cognac was beautiful a touch.

: This was Kapito Muller’s tropical spring table centerpiece with plates by my friend, and designer, Bunny Williams.

: This exotic orchid centerpiece was by Richard Mishan Design.

: The famous French crystal company, Baccarat, celebrated orchids with this gorgeous floral shower.

: The upside down crystal glasses each held an orchid plant.

: Bill Brockschmidt and Courtney Coleman chose lovely white orchids and a whimsical spring scene with butterflies for their fresh, nature themed table.

: This colorful table was presented by the design group Cullman & Kravis.

: Kathryn Ivey Interiors created this large and eye-catching centerpiece.

: William Yeoward Crystal designed and donated this graceful design and selection of orchid specimens.

: A fun palette of pinks and whites topped this table by Shelley Johnstone Design.

: This urn of red orchids was created by Shaun Smith.

: This gold palm centerpiece was designed by Eddie Ross for ATGStores.com.

: FlowerSchool New York, the premier institution for floral education and arranging, provided this centerpiece.

: And, this one was by Lindsay Coral Harper.

: At the rare orchid sale, I purchased three wonderful plants. This one is called Cymbidium Midnight Tracey ‘Moonwalker’. Cymbidiums need a constant supply of moisture, with more during spring and summer. In winter, it should be kept barely moist. These orchids prefer maximum light but not full sun, as leaves can get sunburned.

: I just love these stunning bronze blooms – everyone at the dinner admired it.

: This is called Oncostele Hilo Firecracker. Oncostele should be kept in medium to bright light. It also prefers warmer conditions – ideally, temperatures between 80 and 85 degrees Fahrenheit during the day.

: It’s another stunning orchid with its stems of red colored flowers. When watering, it should be thorough and the medium should be dry at least half way through before watering again.

: This pink one is Rhyncholaeliocattleya Mount Hood ‘Orchidglade’. Watering these plants once a week to once every 10-days is usually sufficient for larger plants. Bright light from an east or west window is best.