Go Inside the Gorgeous Orchid Show at the New York Botanical Garden

The show took two weeks to put together but months of cultivating to make sure the buds bloomed at the same time, said Marc Hachadourian, Director of Nolen Greenhouses for the New York Botanical Garden.

Orchids are found all over the world and in all different cultures, from Japanese to Chinese to Greek.

“There are a little bit of horticultural acrobatics to get these gorgeous orchids, hundreds of them, on this enormous orchid chandelier,” said Hachadourian.

The orchid’s pollination habits—they only specialized reproductive parts and only one pollen mass/one chance at “procreation”—fascinate researchers. “There are orchids that do such bizarre things as mimic the female of a species of bee and trick the males into mating with the flowers to get them to pollinate them,” said Hachadourian. “It’s like they push the edge of science, almost to science fiction.”

Orchids are unlike any other plant. “There are orchids that attach themselves to tree branches,” said Hachadourian. “The idea that an orchid is so difficult and delicate, but really can hang off the branches in the tropics and bloom makes them seem like they’re extreme plants.”

This is one of the hanging orchid arrangements that gives the exhibition its Chandeliers name.

This is the Cymbidium, otherwise called Golden Boy.

Orchids are the largest family of flowering plants. Some range from 1/16 of an inch and can grow to more than 25 feet tall.

Each orchid is staked to make sure it grows tall and straight. This usually happens after the orchid reaches one foot in length.

There’s a reason orchids are so expensive, explained Hachadourian. “An orchid can take on average three to four years from seed to bloom. There’s a lot of time and effort to get that plant up to the size needed.”

Last week we wrote about the Orchid Show at the New York Botanical Garden (NYBG), but perhaps you haven't been out to see it yet. Don't worry, we have you covered. Here are some excellent photos showing some parts of the show. If you like the photos, it is well worth a trip to see the orchids in person.

A spectacle of orchid species beckons the eye upward during this year's Orchid Show, a breathtaking presentation spotlighting the aerial beauty of this iconic flower through hanging baskets, colorful living columns, and the centerpiece: a huge star-shaped chandelier overflowing with hundreds of plants. Stroll beneath dozens of suspended designs in the tropical ambience of the Enid A. Haupt Conservatory, with an expanded display for its 13th year that fills the Rain Forest Galleries and beyond with flamboyant color and intoxicating fragrance.

This year's Orchid show is only running until April 19th with tickets including access to the rest of the garden starting at $20 for adults, children under 12 for free.

via InStyle

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New York Botanical Garden

Matt Coneybeare

Editor in Chief

Matt enjoys exploring the City's with his partner and son. He is an avid marathon runner, and spends most of his time eating, running, and working on cool stuff.

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