Orchid society’s annual show moves to Mt. Lebanon
For the first time in decades, the Orchid Society of Western Pennsylvania’s annual show will be at a different location.
Because of renovations planned for the usual venue, the Phipps Garden Center in Shadyside, the 2019 edition is taking place at the Artsmiths of Pittsburgh, 1635 McFarland Road, Mt. Lebanon. The free event, which has the theme “The Art of Orchids,” is scheduled from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. March 16 and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. March 17.
Free classes:
- Expanding Your Growing Area: Orchids Under Lights, 11 a.m.
- Slipper Serendipity: Growing Paphiopedilum and Phragmipedium Orchids, noon
- Orchid Care 101: Ask the Expert, 1 p.m.
- Cattleya Karma: Beginner’s Guide to Growing Cattleya Orchids, 2 p.m.
- Orchid Diversity: A Cross-section of the Orchid Family, 3 p.m. Saturday only
Vendors:
- J&L Orchids
- Marlow Orchids
- Marriott Orchids
- New World Orchids
- OSWP Society Sales
- Roberts Flower Supply
- Wade’s Orchids
- Windswept in Time Orchids
- Woodstream Orchids
“When they see the space, I think that everyone will be very pleased. It’s almost too good for us,” Mt. Lebanon resident Sheila Nathanson, who is co-chairing the show, joked. “It’s beautiful.”
Demetria Marsh, the other co-chairwoman, also is looking forward to the show occurring at the new spot, to which the orchid society was invited by Artsmiths owner Kate McGrady.
“We’re hoping to really get the people in the South Hills more involved,” she said. “And being at Artsmiths is such a wonderful opportunity for them to see the facility and to see the artists’ works, which they can buy.”
The orchid show will feature 15 exhibits of the flowering plant, of which there are between 20,000 and 30,000 species, and more than 200,000 hybrids, worldwide. Nine vendors are participating, and free classes addressing various aspects of orchids are scheduled throughout both days.
At 9 a.m. Sunday is a special opportunity for photographers to take pictures prior to the day’s activities.
Orchid growers can bring their plants to the show for repotting by society members, at a cost of $5 for an average-sized container.
“It’s a little intimidating, I think, for some people who’ve never done it before,” Nathanson said. “They have a couple of plants and they know they need something, but they don’t want to make a mess. They’re afraid they’ll break it.”
She is conducting the class “Cattleya Karma: Beginner’s Guide to Growing Cattleya Orchids” at 2 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.
“It has, generally speaking, big, tough leaves,” she said. “The plant, itself, usually doesn’t look like much, but the flowers are phenomenal.”
Marsh’s class is “Slipper Serendipity: Growing Paphiopedilum and Phragmipedium Orchids,” at noon both days.
“I will be talking about culture for the orchids that have the pouches,” she explained. “The most commonly grown are the ‘paphs’ and the ‘phrags.’ They still need about the same kind of requirements as all the other orchids, but just maybe a little bit different potting media, a little different watering stuff, and for some of them, a little bit different light.”
The so-called “slipper” varieties are her favorites, but she’s interested in all types of orchids.
“There’s always something else to learn,” she said. “I’ve been doing this for 43 years, and I’m just learning how to grow these little guys in a condominium. I used to grown in a greenhouse and then in a basement that was all fixed up for them, and now they’re on window sills Downtown.”
The Orchid Society of Western Pennsylvania, which was organized in 1954, has about 120 members today.
“Orchid people are – the first word that comes to mind is ‘crazy’ – better, maybe, to say passionate,” Marsh said. “It’s wonderful to be part of a group of people who are interesting in their own right but also have this common interest and are willing to work to further the knowledge of those things.”
For more information, visit www.oswp.org.