Katie began her unexpected foray into
science as a direct result of her love and
admiration for orchids.
The ghost orchid is by
far the most well-known
Florida native, but it is
merely one of Florida’s 99
native orchid species. It
is by no coincidence that
the Florida butterfl y orchid
is considered to be the
showiest of the natives,
producing small, pretty
fl owers, although it is grown
primarily for its fragrant
blooms.
The spider orchid is
known for its proliferation
of spikes covered with
small, white spider-like
fl owers. Spider orchids are one of the easiest
terrestrial orchids to grow once they are
established, but they can be diffi cult to grow
from seed.
Many species, such
as the ghost orchid,
are threatened
or endangered.
It is imperative to
procure native plants
from a reputable
source and to never
collect them from
the wild.
There are notable
differences when
selecting between
orchid species and
hybrids. Species
generally bloom
once a year,
whereas hybrids
can bloom several
times per year.
Choosing orchids
that are native to an
environment similar
to the one in your
own backyard is ideal for most of the 29,000
different types found here in Florida.
”Education, conservation, and research” is
68 GASPARILLA MAGAZINE • July/August • 2021
the governing motto at the American Orchid
Society. Founded in 1921, the organization
has been the orchid growers “go to”
resource for all matters of
orchid tending.
The American Orchid
Society is currently
headquartered in Coral
Gables, at the Fairchild
Tropical Botanic Garden.
Membership at the AOS
totals more than 10,000
orchidists, with 600 affi liated
orchid societies worldwide.
Local orchid society meetings
are a great way to introduce
orchid enthusiasts to the
fascinating world of orchid
growing.
Meetings often feature a
The Ghost Orchid
program, orchid sales, education sessions
and provide the opportunity for members
to discuss culture and facilitate plant
exchanges.
“The Native Orchids
of Florida” by Carl
Luer is a must read
for every orchid lover
in Florida. This book
is considered by
many Floridian orchid
purveyors as the
quintessential manual
for discovering the
interesting ways that
certain orchids use to
achieve their goal of
reproduction in the
wild.
Contrary to popular
belief, orchids are not
diffi cult to grow. Many
orchids like Cattleya
and Phalaenopsis
thrive in the heat and
humidity of Southwest
Florida. Orchids
typically prefer partial
shade or fi ltered sunlight and should be
protected from cold temperatures. Orchids
need a 15-20 degree difference between