Oklahoma Orchid Society 2010 AOS/SWROGA Spring Show and Sale
Clarion Meridian Hotel & Convention Center
737 S. Meridian
10 a.m.-5 p.m. Friday and Saturday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Sunday
Full registration, $109; viewing, $5
427-2133
It's been 21 years since the Oklahoma Orchid Society has played host to an American Orchid Society-sponsored event, but this week, hundreds of varieties of orchids will be on display at the Clarion Meridian Hotel & Convention Center, 737 S. Meridian.
The flowers are harder to grow in Oklahoma than coastal states, so the local group has devoted the past four years to organizing a show that would meet the American Orchid Society's high standards for a national convention, said Johnita Turner, Oklahoma Orchid Society event chair. Working with other orchid groups in the region, the Oklahoma group expects more than 200 visitors from other orchid groups to register and attend the local convention.
British orchid author Joyce Stewart will lecture Thursday on how to grow better orchids. More than a dozen vendors and 30 orchid exhibits will available for public viewing, which is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday. Visitors must register to attend the speaker series, Turner said, adding that new and less expensive orchid varieties have helped the flower become more popular in Oklahoma.
"Orchids are kind of like potato chips: You can't just have one," Turner said. "That's how we started. There was a little old lady who had a few orchids in the corner of the room, and she was telling me how easy it was and how to grow and how to not overwater, and then pretty soon, I wanted one. Now, I have dozens."
Admission to only view the orchids is $5. Full registration is $109 and includes all speaker events. For more information, call 427-2133. "LeighAnne Manwarren
