New York Botanical Garden's Orchid Show

Never choosing to be out done by Philadelphia, the New York Botanical Garden has scheduled its spectacular Orchid Show for March 2- April 22.  And spectacular this show really is!   Of course, I may be biased because I love orchids thus, botanistix.  I think these shows are an entertaining and beautiful form of 'carrot dangling' all Northerners need to get them through  to the warmth of the Spring months.  I say, whatever works!  If you are anywhere even close, I highly recommend this unique  extravaganza of colors and textures all encompassed in orchids.

SHOW DETAILS

Each year, this eagerly anticipated exhibition displays thousands of orchids in the country’s largest curated show featuring orchids.  In 2013, The Orchid Show dramatically transforms The New York Botanical Garden’s landmark Enid A. Haupt Conservatory into a lush rainforest.

In a local nod to how many orchids grow in the wild, Hurricane Sandy storm-damaged trees from the Garden's grounds will be incorporated into the show as a design element. Nearly 300 of the Garden’s specimen trees were either uprooted or otherwise destroyed. 

Upon entering the show, you will first encounter a stand of giant bamboos immersed in a sea of mist that camouflages the entrance to this exotic world. Tall canopy palms, ferns, and tropical trees support woody vines that crisscross from trunk to trunk, arching downward with their precious burden of fascinating flora.  Orchids, aroids, ferns, bromeliads, and epiphytic cacti are among the species that hang overhead. Costus, Calathea (prayer plants), Cymbidium (Asian corsage orchids), Philodendron, and bananas grapple across the forest floor competing for every available inch of space.

In the main feature of the display, rocky outcroppings dominate, large palms protrude, and orchids thrive alongside ferns and aroids. A large pool in the center is fed by waterfalls. Two large canopy trees barren of leaves, dripping with Spanish moss and full of epiphytes, hang over the pool. Natural arbors saturated with vandas (rainbow orchids) and dendrobiums (cane orchids) nestled between Davallia and Asplenium ferns line the far path. 

About Designer Francisca Coelho

Francisca Coelho graduated from the Garden’s School of Professional Horticulture and began her career at the Garden 30 years ago, rising through the ranks to her current position of Vivian and Edward Merrin Vice President for Glasshouses and Exhibitions. Tropical plants and aquatics are her areas of horticultural expertise.

Coelho was deeply involved in the restoration of the Conservatory from 1993 to 1997 and continues to take the lead in the restoration and preservation of this landmark structure and the development and display of its Living Collections. She leads Conservatory exhibition-related planning and implementation for the Garden and is known for her plantsmanship and design skills in developing, planting, and maintaining the permanent plant galleries and the high-profile seasonal shows.

Orchids at the Garden

There are more than 7,000 orchids representing 3,075 taxa (different types) in the Garden’s permanent collection. The New York Botanical Garden has orchids from all over the world, including Australia, Africa, South America, and Madagascar. Because the Garden is committed to orchid research and conservation, our scientists study the botany and ecology of orchids; what they discover is useful to conservation work that will ensure the future of these extraordinary plants in nature.

The Garden’s resident orchid expert is Marc Hachadourian, Manager of the Nolen Greenhouses for Living Collections. With more than 15 years of commercial and specialized horticultural experience, he supervises the care of the botanical collections, including the extensive orchid collection and exhibition plants in the Nolen Greenhouses.

Events and Programs

Orchid Care Demonstrations

Saturdays and Sundays (and Mondays, April 1, 22), 2 & 3 p.m.

This series of hands-on demonstrations shows you how to grow and care for orchids at home. Topics vary each weekend and cover the most frequently asked questions on subjects such as Potting and Dividing Orchids, Basic Orchid Care, and Fragrant Orchids.

Music from the World of Orchids

Saturdays and Sundays (and Mondays, April 1, 22), 1 & 3 p.m. See a list of the performers.

Orchids fascinate and touch the lives of people in every country and culture. Enjoy a wide variety of music from around the world--different artists play popular tunes from a featured country each weekend—to complement your visit. Cuba, India, Brazil, and Portugal are among the countries included.

Roaming Orchid Experts

Saturdays and Sundays (and Mondays, April 1 & 22), 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Throughout the Enid A. Haupt Conservatory

Roaming Garden guides highlight parts of the permanent collection and special exhibition to add insight to your experience of The Orchid Show.

Orchid Care Q&A

Saturdays and Sundays (and Mondays, April 1 & 22), 2-5 p.m. In Shop in the Garden

Gardening and orchid experts share their best secrets and explain the simple steps to healthy plants as they help you choose the right plant for your home.

Tuesday Talks

Tuesdays, 11 a.m. & 1 p.m. Meet in the Palms of the World Gallery in the Conservatory

Before entering The Orchid Show, get an introduction to the biology of orchids in a brief, informal presentation by a Garden guide.

Guided Tours

Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays, 2:30 p.m. Meet in the Palms of the World Gallery in the Conservatory

Tour The Orchid Show with an expert guide who will provide an in-depth look at rare and extraordinary orchid specimens.

For Children: Little Landscapes

Tuesdays - Fridays, 1:30-5:30 p.m.; Saturdays & Sundays, 10 a.m.-5:30 p.m. in the Everett Children's Adventure Garden

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.

Special Lecture: Adders' Mouths and Ladies' Tresses: The Colorful World of Native Orchids

NEW DATE! Sunday, March 3, 4 p.m. In the Ross Hall

The Torrey Botanical Society presents David Taft, Chair of Conservation Committee of the Greater New York Orchid Society, and Supervisor of National Park Service Gateway National Recreation Area as speaker at its first talk of the year. Find out what makes an orchid an orchid, what the "orchid mystique" is all about, and why we should care about the preservation of plants and wild spaces in and near our cities. Orchids are stand-outs even in the best habitats, and it still surprises some that they are neither exclusively tropical nor tender hothouse darlings. In fact, many can be found growing throughout our temperate, heavily developed northeast. It is easy to dismiss the increasingly fragmented, troubled, pockets of woodlands, wetlands, and other natural habitats which persist even in our most urbanized areas, but orchids and other botanical riches can still be found in many. Mr. Taft's interest in native orchids has lured him into beautiful, outlandish, terribly disturbed, and sometimes simply ridiculous "wild spaces" throughout the northeast--some of which actually do occasionally harbor orchids. Join him in this refreshing survey of our native orchid species.

Events and Programs

Orchid Care Demonstrations

Saturdays and Sundays (and Mondays, April 1, 22), 2 & 3 p.m.

This series of hands-on demonstrations shows you how to grow and care for orchids at home. Topics vary each weekend and cover the most frequently asked questions on subjects such as Potting and Dividing Orchids, Basic Orchid Care, and Fragrant Orchids.

Music from the World of Orchids

Saturdays and Sundays (and Mondays, April 1, 22), 1 & 3 p.m. See a list of the performers.

Orchids fascinate and touch the lives of people in every country and culture. Enjoy a wide variety of music from around the world--different artists play popular tunes from a featured country each weekend—to complement your visit. Cuba, India, Brazil, and Portugal are among the countries included.

Roaming Orchid Experts

Saturdays and Sundays (and Mondays, April 1 & 22), 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Throughout the Enid A. Haupt Conservatory

Roaming Garden guides highlight parts of the permanent collection and special exhibition to add insight to your experience of The Orchid Show.

Orchid Care Q&A

Saturdays and Sundays (and Mondays, April 1 & 22), 2-5 p.m. In Shop in the Garden

Gardening and orchid experts share their best secrets and explain the simple steps to healthy plants as they help you choose the right plant for your home.

Tuesday Talks

Tuesdays, 11 a.m. & 1 p.m. Meet in the Palms of the World Gallery in the Conservatory

Before entering The Orchid Show, get an introduction to the biology of orchids in a brief, informal presentation by a Garden guide.

Guided Tours

Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays, 2:30 p.m. Meet in the Palms of the World Gallery in the Conservatory

Tour The Orchid Show with an expert guide who will provide an in-depth look at rare and extraordinary orchid specimens.

For Children: Little Landscapes

Tuesdays - Fridays, 1:30-5:30 p.m.; Saturdays & Sundays, 10 a.m.-5:30 p.m. in the Everett Children's Adventure Garden

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.

Special Lecture: Adders' Mouths and Ladies' Tresses: The Colorful World of Native Orchids

NEW DATE! Sunday, March 3, 4 p.m. In the Ross Hall

The Torrey Botanical Society presents David Taft, Chair of Conservation Committee of the Greater New York Orchid Society, and Supervisor of National Park Service Gateway National Recreation Area as speaker at its first talk of the year. Find out what makes an orchid an orchid, what the "orchid mystique" is all about, and why we should care about the preservation of plants and wild spaces in and near our cities. Orchids are stand-outs even in the best habitats, and it still surprises some that they are neither exclusively tropical nor tender hothouse darlings. In fact, many can be found growing throughout our temperate, heavily developed northeast. It is easy to dismiss the increasingly fragmented, troubled, pockets of woodlands, wetlands, and other natural habitats which persist even in our most urbanized areas, but orchids and other botanical riches can still be found in many. Mr. Taft's interest in native orchids has lured him into beautiful, outlandish, terribly disturbed, and sometimes simply ridiculous "wild spaces" throughout the northeast--some of which actually do occasionally harbor orchids. Join him in this refreshing survey of our native orchid species.

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Founding Sponsor: 

Philadelphia International Flower Show March 2-10

Each year the illusion of Spring arrives in the NE with the always spectacular,  Philadelphia International Flower Show (March 2- 10.)  If attending, prepare for the British Invasion as the culture and horticulture of the United Kingdom takes center stage.  Can't you just see all of the English roses done in proper arrangements but en masse? (even I know a simple Botanistix would be inappropriate here!) It almost makes me want to take a quick trip to the cold, (usually rainy in March) city of Philadelphia.  Coming back to my senses here in sunny & warm  Naples, I guess I will run over to the Naples Botanical Garden to satisfy my horticultural yearnings. The years I attended this show,  I was convinced Spring was 'just around the corner.'  Most times that was not to be, but it made the remainder of Winter more bearable.

So many cities do wonderful flower shows at this time of year.  I will do some investigating and detail some of the more popular ones in the coming months.  Please let me know if your city is hosting a great show this Spring/Summer.

“Brilliant!”

The 2013 Flower Show glows with the majestic beauty and creative genius of Great Britain, and is inspired by centuries of British culture, culminating in the urbane design of modern-day London.

“Brilliant!” takes visitors from royal palaces to the dark and foggy streetscapes of Jack the Ripper. The whimsy of the Mad Hatter’s tea party, the coziness of a country cottage, and the refinement of a manicured cricket club will all come together for a whirlwind tour of the UK.

The show-stopping central feature of the 2013 PHS Philadelphia Flower Show focuses on London and its influence in the modern world. A fabulous display of English roses and a horticultural interpretation of royal palace gates will open to an allée of regal birch trees, leading to the show’s centerpiece: a sculptural, digitally enhanced rendition of Big Ben. Keep an eye on that clock, there’s more than meets the eye!

Each year the Show's centerpiece is designed by Sam Lemheney, Flower Show director, in partnership with GMR Design and with support from Barb King and Valley Forge Flowers. For the second year the team at Klip Collective is designing and installing the audio/visual component of the Central Feature. 

Free daily lectures and presentations range from flower arranging,
container gardening, landscaping and gardening on your deck, to pest control, Ikebana, growing orchids and much more. National and local gardening authors, celebrities and experts discuss a broad range of horticultural topics including how-to tips for your flowers, yard and vegetable gardens. Look below for a complete schedule (subject to change).

Highlights for 2013 include:

Mark Lane, MVO, is Gardens Manager for The Royal Household. Mark began working at Buckingham Palace in 1979 and was appointed Head Gardener in 1992. He also judges for both the Royal Horticultural Society and London in Bloom.

Raymond J. Evison, OBE, VMH, is a nurseryman, lecturer, author, photographer, and founder of the Guernsey Clematis Nursery, who has introduced more than 100 clematis species cultivars.

Melinda Myers is a nationally known gardening expert, television/radio host, author, and Birds & Blooms columnist with more than 30 years of horticulture experience. She has written many gardening books, including “Can’t Miss Small Space Gardening,” and hosts the nationally syndicated “Melinda’s Garden Moment” segments.

Barbara Damrosch, called the “queen of organic growers” by the New York Times, is one of the nation’s most respected garden experts and writers. She is the author of “Theme Gardens” and “The Garden Primer,” and writes a weekly column for the Washington Post called “A Cook’s Garden.”

The best in the business have created floral arrangementsand lush landscapes that uplift the British theme.

Each year Flower Show exhibitors, representing the best talents in the floral and landscaping fields, create full-scale displays that delight more than a quarter million visitors.

Many of these exhibitors have spent decades perfecting their craft, which often includes forcing a great variety of plants into bloom in time for the Show. Exhibitors spend an average of 18 months preparing their displays. With only nine days to show off their talents, each company or organization must pull out all stops to be considered the very best.

If you are in the NE, this is a win, win.  If not, its off to the Naples Botanical Garden and complaining about the sunburn!

Valentine's Day Dessert - Sinful Dish without the "Sin"

There is a new concept trending in the world of food.  You may have heard it, "Gluten-Free".  Currently, more and more people are finding they are gluten intolerant.  Foods that contain any kind of wheat based grain are out of the picture.  That doesn't leave a lot of options for a great Valentine's Day Dessert....or does it?
The recipe below is Gluten, Dairy, Soy, Corn. Egg, Sugar and Grain Free.  That's a mouthful in itself!
Cherry Almond Hand Pies are sweet without the sugar, moist without any butter and are perfectly personally sized.  They freeze well, and if you choose, you can even make one large pie instead.

For Valentine's Day this year if you have given up desserts, gluten, sugar, etc. - maybe this dessert will be the perfect ending to your Feb. 14th.  Enjoy!

Cherry Almond Hand Pies
Recipe from: www.RealSustenance.com

Grain Free Pie Crust

2 Tsp Whole Psyllium Husks
 1/8 Tsp Xanthan OR Guar Gum (optional- see note above)
 1/3 Cup of Warm Water.

1 3/4 Packed Cup of Blanched Almond Flour
 1/2  Packed Cup Starch (Tapioca, Arrowroot or Potato)
 3/4 Tsp Salt (I like to use 1 tsp in savory recipes).
 1/2 Tsp Baking Soda
 1 Tbs of additional water.
1.In a small cup or bowl combine the Psyllium, Xanthan and 1/3 Cup of Water. Mix and set aside for a few minutes so that it can thicken.
2.In the bowl of a food processor combine the Almond Flour, Starch, Salt and Baking Soda. Process to combine. Add the thickened Psyllium Mixture to the food processor. Turn on high and process- then add the last Tbs of water and combine until dough becomes a thick ball. It should be just slightly sticky and hold together really well. * If your dough is at all crumbly add a little bit more water ( 1 tsp at a time) until it starts to hold firmly together.*
3.Remove dough from food processor. Place between two sheets of parchment paper and roll out thin. (Note: the crust will get thicker while baking).  Once rolled out, flip the sheet of dough over the pie pan. Optional:  Tuck the edges of the crust under themselves and Crimp or Flute (Use whatever technique suites your fancy.).
4.If baking the shell empty: then bake at 350 for 18-22 minutes. (Note the crust is not going to get much color as it bakes- you will know its done when the outside is firm.  If you wait until it browns then it will  end up hard as a rock.


Cherry Almond Filling:

1 /2 Cups Frozen Cherries (Or fresh pitted)
 3 Tbs Water
 2 Tbs Xylitol (Or other natural sugar of choice to taste)
 1 Tsp. Almond Extract
 1/2 Tsp. Vanilla Extract
 1 1/2 Tsp Starch (Tapioca, Arrowroot, Potato or Cornstarch)
1.Make one batch of my Grain Free Pie Crust recipe. Set aside the dough to make the filling.
2.Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
3.In a saucepan combine all of the filling ingredients. Whisk and heat until thickened.
4.Using two sheets of parchment paper roll out the pie crust. Using a circle cutter (Biscuit cutter, or the top of a wide glass) Cut the dough into circles. I cut mine at a 4 inch width.  Spoon a heaping Teaspoon into the center of a circle of dough. Cover with a second circle and then use a fork to pinch and seal the edges.
5.Carefully place the mini pies on a cookie sheet lined with parchment. (Optional: Brush each pie with a little beaten egg to give the crust some golden color.)  The crust will be just fine without the egg- if you choose to skip this step.
6. Bake 12-15 minutes.

Yields 10 mini hand pies. Store room temperature in a sealed bag or container or freeze for another day.

My sister is gluten intolerant and I know she will be trying the recipe soon.  Please let me know who does try it and what the opinion is.  If I am not fussing with my orchids or Botanistix I am usually in the kitchen.  This is a good recipe to take us all back to the kitchen  for Valentine's Day.  Enjoy!