The hot, humid temperatures of Southwest Florida are the closest one can get to “tropical”
in the United States, which is a factor in many people’s decision to move here. Humans
aren’t the only ones who thrive in this climate, though: Many plants, such as the orchid,
can easily live here in comparison to other places in the country.
This fl ower, known to be a symbol of high respect and love to the Japanese, and known as
a symbol of fertility and sexuality in Greek mythology (Orchis, the son of a satyr and a nymph,
was turned into an orchid after his death), has thousands of varieties. Some are small and
nondescript, while others are large, bold, exotic true testaments to the wonder of nature and
creation.
If you’re new to the orchid scene, they can be fi ckle
creatures, and you need to learn their wants and needs.
While orchidists in other states have to constantly cater to the
humidity and temperature needs of these plants, we have
a saying here in Southwest Florida – “If an orchid isn’t doing
well where you have it, just stick it in a palm tree and watch it
grow.”
Orchid afi cionados agree that beauty is not always
in the eye of the beholder, especially when it comes to
the widespread family of fl owering plants known as the
Orchidaceae.
Although, some may fi nd Florida’s native orchids less eyecatching
July/August • 2021 • GASPARILLA MAGAZINE A
than commercially-grown tropical orchids, native
orchids provide a unique element to garden landscapes
throughout the state, and for Gasparilla Island resident Katie
Caldwell.
“One day someone suggested that I might enjoy growing
orchids. I had no idea at the time that it would ignite a passion
for biology in me,” she said.
By Tonya Bramlage
Photos by Dusty Hopkins, Tonya Bramlage,
Katrina Hatch & submitted