The Orchid Show Warms Up
Posted in Around the Garden, Exhibitions, The Orchid Show on March 9 2012, by Matt Newman
Much ado about the weather this week. Yesterday was a mid-spring day borrowed straight from early May, sending most of our office staff into ecstatic fits. I’m all but convinced one or two of us were out on the grass, belting out celebratory verses from The Sound of Music. Today it’s a bit cooler, of course. But with the warm sun and a promise of picturesque afternoons for Saturday and Sunday, winter seems all but out the door.
The dogwood is blooming, the crocuses are bright, and the Orchid Show is settling into the groove for its second big weekend. This is the perfect opportunity to hop a subway train to the Bronx and treat yourself to Patrick Blanc’s Vertical Gardens. But even if orchids aren’t your thing (a rare condition, albeit understandable), the schedule is packed with activities to suit.
Saturday, March 10
Bird Walk — 11 a.m.
Meet at the Reflecting Pool in the Leon Levy Visitor Center
Search for the many songbirds, raptors, waterfowl and other avian creatures that call the NYBG home. Bring your binoculars and walk the Garden grounds with our seasoned bird expert, Debbie Becker, looking for the species that live here year-round as well as those migrating through. Her expertise tells us that we might even begin seeing the return of native spring migrants in the coming week. With the owls out and about for diurnal hunting, and a growing family of Red-tailed Hawks patrolling the trees, you’re sure to see something on the wing.
Orchid Q&A
Enid A. Haupt Conservatory; 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
Shop in the Garden; 1:30 to 4:30 p.m.
Ask away! Roaming Garden docents and orchid experts are available to answer all of your orchid questions and to help you choose the right plant for your home. Peruse our large collection of exotic orchids in the Shop in the Garden–you might just end up catching the obsession yourself.
The History and Mystery of Orchids — 1 and 3 p.m.
In the Ross Hall
With more than 25,000 species growing on six continents, orchids fascinate and touch the lives of people in every country and culture. This series of presentations and demonstrations takes you on a journey around the world of orchids and shows you how to grow and care for them at home. Visit the jungles of Costa Rica, the vanilla farms of Mexico, and other exotic locales–all without the need for a passport.
Flower Arranging with Orchids — 1 p.m.
Join floral designer Trish O’Sullivan as she demonstrates how to incorporate the beauty and elegance of fresh orchids into home and party design. Learn how to float orchids on leaves in glass, and to create the latest trends in orchid design.
Orchid Care Demonstration: Aerial Orchids — 3 p.m.
Orchids are the acrobats of the plant world, able to perch on the tips of branches and tumble down the sides of trees. Join Sonia Uyterhoeven, Gardener for Public Education, for a glimpse into the lives of orchids while learning how to successfully grow them.
A Season in Poetry — 4 p.m.
In the Conservatory Green School
Celebrate the season with renowned poets Star Black, Dave Lucas, and Patrick Phillips, each reading classic favorites as well as their own work at one of the largest botanical gardens in the United States. Co-presented with The Poetry Society of America.
Orchid Evenings – 6:30 to 9 p.m.
In the Enid A. Haupt Conservatory
Enjoy a signature cocktail while viewing the Orchid Show and its thousands of spectacular flowers. Elegant beauty and the excitement of live DJs combine to create one of New York City’s most romantic date destinations. Your Orchid Evenings ticket includes a complimentary cocktail and special offers from our outstanding partners, including some of New York’s best restaurants (see below). Shop in the Garden will be open throughout the evening offering a variety of exotic orchids, so you can take home a piece of the magic!
Non-Member $30/Member $20 (Adults 21 and over) Includes one complimentary cocktail. Advance tickets recommended. Choice of 6:30 and 7:30 p.m. entrance times.
Support provided by: Dylan’s Candy Bar
Sunday, March 11
Orchid Q&A
Enid A. Haupt Conservatory; 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
Shop in the Garden; 1:30 to 4:30 p.m.
Ask away! Roaming Garden docents and orchid experts are available to answer all of your orchid questions and to help you choose the right plant for your home. Peruse our large collection of exotic orchids in the Shop in the Garden–you might just end up catching the obsession yourself.
The History and Mystery of Orchids — 1 and 3 p.m.
In the Ross Hall
With more than 25,000 species growing on six continents, orchids fascinate and touch the lives of people in every country and culture. This series of presentations and demonstrations takes you on a journey around the world of orchids and shows you how to grow and care for them at home. Visit the jungles of Costa Rica, the vanilla farms of Mexico, and other exotic locales–all without the need for a passport.
History of the Orchid: From Chinese Art to the Victorian Era — 1 p.m.
Since the time of Confucius, orchids have been revered for their beauty. Depicted in Chinese art and the objects of obsession in the Victorian-era, the legends and lore surrounding orchids are almost as diverse as the plants themselves. Join Marc Hachadourian, Curator of Glasshouse Collections, on a journey through the fascinating history of orchids that has made them one of the most popular cultivated plants in the world.
Orchid Care Demonstration: Aerial Orchids — 3 p.m.
Orchids are the acrobats of the plant world, able to perch on the tips of branches and tumble down the sides of trees. Join Sonia Uyterhoeven, Gardener for Public Education, for a glimpse into the lives of orchids while learning how to successfully grow them.
Ongoing Children’s Programs
Outdoor Nature Explorations: Little Landscapes
Everett Children’s Adventure Garden — Weekdays 1:30 to 5:30 p.m.; Weekends 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Growing tiny worlds in a jar is the latest craze in the gardening world, though terrariums have been around for ages. Look closely at a wide array of artistic and scientific terrariums, and create your own rocky, mossy, or floral world in a jar to take home. Use a microscope to take a closer look at some of the featured terrarium specimens such as moss, lichens, and rocks.
