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April is National Orchid Month
By Hilda M. Morrill
 We have just one orchid plant in our home. Amazingly, we’ve had it for a couple of years now – and I haven’t killed it – yet. It’s presently in bloom, even as I type, and has been for many weeks, in its original little plastic pot. Everyone who sees it comments on how beautiful it is.
It was a gift from the Massachusetts Horticultural Society to guests of the 2005 New England Spring Flower Show Preview Party. I’m embarrassed to say that I don’t even know what type of orchid it is.
My friend Ellen Zachos has written a book, “Orchid Growing for Wimps…” (Sterling Publishers 2002), that has been very well received by aficionados and newbies alike. I look forward to learning more from Ellen about these intriguing plants.
A few years ago I received information from the American Orchid Society about National Orchid Month and I’d like to share some of it with you.
Founded in 1921 by a small group of orchid enthusiasts, the Society has grown into the largest special-interest horticultural organization in the world. On April 7, 2001, in commemoration of its 80th anniversary, the Society designated April 2001 as the first National Orchid Month.
The primary objective of the designation was to promote recognition of the emergence of orchids as a significant crop and a popular hobby in the United States. The naming of the month was designed to raise awareness for orchids nationally.
Lee Cooke, the executive director of the organization said, “With the opening of our new International Orchid Center in Delray Beach, and the celebration of our 80th year, we were proud to proclaim April as National Orchid Month. In the future, we hope to work with businesses of every type, orchid growers, schools, the cultural community, and the general public to ensure that each year more and more people become exposed to the beauty and variety of orchids.”
Some facts about orchids: Yes, vanilla is an orchid. With little effort, homeowners can grow their own vines for pleasure and even coax their plants into flower.
More and more designers are using flowering orchids to impart sophisticated style to tony interiors. There is an orchid for practically every interior design situation and lighting exposure in homes and offices.
And, of course, what woman of a certain age doesn’t have memories of that special orchid corsage from a prom so many years ago, or Easter, or Mother’s Day?
Oh, oh . . . I lied! I do have more than one orchid in my home. Some of them are dried and pressed in a scrapbook from half a century ago. How could I have forgotten?
(For information on membership, orchid-related topics such as orchid education, research and conservation, orchid shows and events, plant-care suggestions, and more, visit the American Orchid Society’s Web site at
www.orchidweb.org, or call the International Orchid Center at 561-404-2000.)
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