Members of the St. Croix Orchid Society have a serious case of the “orchid bug” which may be contagious for people prone to oohing and aahing at the sight of these distinctive, varied flowers. Folks can catch the “orchid bug” after attending the 42nd annual show that opened Friday at the University of the Virgin Islands Great Hall.
There were tiny yellow and brown oncidium; large, ruffled purple and white cattleya; and chartreuse, cream, and yellow striped brassa orchids, to name a few of the hundreds in 33 displays. The theme for the show is “Orchid Wedding.”
More than 100 different classes were judged, so quite a few orchids were sporting blue ribbons. The national judges from the American Orchid Society (AOS) and Puerto Rico Orchid Society (PROS) spoke highly of the show.
“The show is really improving and getting better every year,” Maria Tereasa Ramirez, a judge from AOS and PROS, said. “I see improvement in the culture and quality of the flowers.” She added the quality of the flowers compares to international award winners.
Pearline Claxton won the American Orchid Society Best Exhibit award for her display named “Wedding in the Wild.”
Claxton explains one of the things judges look at is the flow of color. She started her design with large white orchids centered in the top and at the back of her foliage and flower display. Flowing down to the left, she placed placed orchids in shades of pale yellow to bright orange. And on the right, the flow went from pale pink orchids to shades of dark purple.
Claxton says she has a passion from deep within for her orchids. She says the feelings she has for orchids started more than 20 years ago when she bought her first orchids from Woolworth’s. She adds this is her third time winning the best exhibit award.
Edna Hamilton took the Best in the Show award for her large dendrobium phalaenopsis that had large showy white and magenta flowers covering nine long spikes. Hamilton, president of the society, says her orchids are like her children.
She says putting on the show is a lot of work, but it pays off and St. Croix put together a great show. She adds the orchids this year have been beautiful because of the cool nights.
Some members of the society insist the “orchid bug” barely begins to describe their interest.
“Oh my goodness I’m so addicted to orchids,” Ann Marie Andrews, society member says. “Orchids light up my day.”
Jeanette Fabio and Doris Gardine were honored for their years of service and contributions to the success of the society.
Vendors from Puerto Rico had boxes full of orchids for sale in bloom and little green shoots. There is a raffle for a still-life painting of orchids in a delft blue vase by Betsy Campen, a well-known local artist. The show is also held to attract new members to the society.
“When the orchid bug gets hold of you it’s hard to get rid of,” Cathie Armstrong-Moore, in charge of society membership said, as she talked to perspective new members.
The mission of the society is to acquire and disseminate the knowledge or the culture of orchids, both native and hybrid, and to exhibit orchids at least once a year to the public to promote interest in this hobby and preserve native plants. For more information about the society call Hamilton at 340-514-5349. The UVI Extension Service helped sponsor the show.
The show continues Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
