Matt Critton/The LanternAward-winning orchids were on display and for sale at the Franklin Park Conservatory this past weekend during Central Ohio’s Orchid Society Show.The Franklin Park Conservatory hosted the Annual Orchid Show and Sale Saturday and Sunday. Hosted by the Central Ohio Orchid Society each fall, the show features artistic arrangements and ribbon awards.
Conservatory visitors viewed orchid displays, spoke to judges about the nuances of orchid species and purchased plants for their gardens. Each display was creatively arranged with a theme. Hybrid plants, which have two different parents that were cross-bred, were displayed with both parents to show the genetic variations.
“They are very dramatic flowers,” said Tom Bell-Games, a member of COOS.
Bell-Games said growers in the society who live in Hocking Hills have tons of orchids growing on their property.
Members who came to sell their orchids or visit with friends gave each other gardening tips.
“We have a diverse
“A lot of us hand-make our wares to sell plants in, like my concrete pots, and it’s interesting to see the different cross-breeds people have come up with,” said David Sayer, a garden artist and member of COOS.
Judging was done on two levels. In the first round of judging, the best of each class was selected. At the second level, plants were compared to American Orchid Society standards.
“As for the AOS awards, some years you give a lot out and some you don’t give any away,” said Russ Vernon, a judge for AOS. “Sometimes the quality isn’t there,”
Judges take their tasks seriously, he said. They need to be knowledgeable and to understand plant shape, color, genealogy and classification.
Society members are already planning for their international event in the spring.
“The orchid bug has bit us,” Sayer said. “It starts with one orchid and turns into a bit of an obsession. But it’s fun, not just a foolish addiction.”
Amy Hoover can be reached at [email protected]
