The Tucson Orchid Society is made up of hobbyists and growers who have a passion for orchids. They meet regularly throughout the year, and they also hold an annual orchid show and sale.
This year, the “Fiesta de las Flores” Orchid Show and Sale will be held on Saturday, March 7, and Sunday, March 8, at the Mesquite Valley Growers Nursery.
The orchid society was founded in 1972 by a group of orchid growers who wanted to share their experiences with growing the plants in the Southwest. The organization has been holding the show and sale for the last 36 years.
“It was founded by some really interesting growers here in Tucson, who were pushing the edge of orchid horticulture out here in the desert. A lot of people didn’t think it was even possible. But folks like Ron Coleman really proved that they could. He wrote a book on the terrestrial orchids, the indigenous orchids of Arizona. Most people don’t realize that we have orchids that are indigenous to Arizona,” said Bob Johnson, president of the Tucson Orchid Society.
Proceeds from the sale go to the orchid society.
The average price for plants is between $25 to $45.
During the event, attendees will have a chance to purchase different varieties of orchids.
“There will be a wide range of species at the show. There are thousands of species of orchids in the world. Predominately, you’re going to see Cattleyas, Phalaenopsis, Dendrobium, Slipper Orchids…. There will be a broad variety, big ones, tiny ones, wet ones, dryish ones. They’re amazing. Orchids grow in every environment known on Earth except Antarctica,” Johnson said.
The plants available for sale come from Arizona, Hawaii, California and Florida.
Members also bring other types of plants to sell, such as Calla Lilies and Anthuriums.
The nursery, which will be open during the sale, also offers a wide selection of plants.
Along with plants, shoppers can also find other items they will need, such as orchid potting mixes and pottery. Orchid-themed artwork will also be available for purchase.
Members of the orchid society will be on-hand to answer questions about growing orchids in a desert climate.
Johnson said every year during the sale, they get a mixture of shoppers who already own orchids and those who are new to owning them.
“A lot of people are intimidated by growing orchids, but the reality is that they’re fairly easy to grow. Particularly species like the Phalaenopsis, the Moth Orchids, the Dendrobiums, they grow quite readily here in Tucson, so as long as you don’t overwater or underwater. You’ve got to hit that sweet spot… Choose good-looking plants from good source and enjoy. Realize that sometimes it doesn’t work. Then you say, ‘Okay, what went wrong?’ And you try again,” Johnson said.
Johnson said the most common mistake plant owners make with orchids is overwatering them.
“They’ll grow out on a tree limb somewhere with their roots out in the air…Once they get wet, they dry out pretty quickly. That’s what most people don’t understand. They keep watering, watering, watering, thinking they’re this tropical plant. They are a tropical plant, but they’re growing on a tree out in the breeze. So, they get wet, and they dry out again. That’s what you have to let them do,” Johnson said.
For the show, society members will also be creating orchid displays and bringing plants to be judged.
American Orchid Society judges will be onsite, scoring the plants and displays.
“Oftentimes, there are strict measurements made of petal size, width of the total flower, flower count. All of those things count towards the judging. Then, when you get to the higher ends of the judging scores, the 80s to 100, what they call the CCES, the certificate of cultural excellence awards, those incorporate the whole plant. How well is the plant grown? Is it balanced? Is it presented well? Are the leaves intact and in good shape?” Johnson said.
The orchid society will also be giving out their own ribbons for the best displays and best plants in their species.
“We’re a friendly group, so for the most part we’re just trying to excel at what we do. I would there’s a friendly competition amongst us to make a good display and make good-looking flowers,” Johnson said.
The orchid society meets the third Wednesday of every month at the Gem and Mineral Society building, 3727 E. Blacklidge Drive.
During these gatherings, they often host special speakers, who bring plants to sell.
Members share tips and growing technique with each other and showcase orchids they have been growing.
The society also holds an annual plant auction and greenhouse open houses.
The organization currently has a membership of about 80 people.
The group works with and supports other orchid societies, including the Desert Valley Orchid Society in Phoenix. This group usually creates an orchid display for the Tucson show.
At the show, orchid growers can find out more about joining the Tucson society. They can also join online or during monthly meetings. Membership fees are $20 a year.
Johnson said that plant owners can benefit from being part of the society.
“There’s a wealth of information. People here have been growing for decades, and they know how to do it,” Johnson said.
Society members different setups for growing orchids, including in greenhouses, in terrariums and under lights.
Some longtime members have been doing it for over 25 years.
There are some orchid collectors who seek out very rare orchids, which can be expensive.
“It is not unusual to pay $300 to $500 for some of the more rare types of Cattleyas. Those you are mostly going to get from private growers and custom orchid houses. They can cost several thousands of dollars for some of the rarer ones,” Johnson said.
Johnson has been part of the orchid society for about 15 years. He has also held the titles of treasurer and vice president.
He is a longtime orchid hobbyist who started growing the plants back in the 1980s in Massachusetts. His late wife was a doctor, and he was a nurse. When they moved out West to live on the Navajo reservation with 42 orchids, all of the plants died.
“It was just too dry, too cold. I didn’t really mess with them much again until I had left nursing, and I had started a vineyard and a winery out in the Chiricahua Mountains. The guy who was my accountant at that time is one of the orchid society’s longest members. His name is Wes Addison. He was an orchid grower and breeder. I would go into his office to do my books, and he’d have all these beautiful Phalaenopsis sitting around. I asked him one day, ‘What’s the deal with the orchids?’ And he goes, ‘Oh, I grow them and breed them…’ I went over and saw his setup and his greenhouse. I was hooked back into it… Once I let go of the vineyard, I built myself an 18-by-24 greenhouse here on the West Side and started growing here in earnest about 12 years ago,” Johnson said.
His greenhouse is made up mostly of orchids, with some other tropical plants added to the mix. He adds new orchids every couple of months.
Johnson spends a lot of time in his greenhouse. He said it has been a refuge for him, especially during tough times in his life.
“It helped me to recharge. It still does that for me. I like being in there, and I think it’s mentally stimulating. It’s something I enjoy. So, I put a few hours a week into it,” Johnson said.
Tucson Orchid Society “Fiesta de las Flores” Orchid Show and Sale
WHEN: 9 a.m.to 5 p.m. Saturday, March 7, 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Sunday, March 8
WHERE: Mesquite Valley Growers Nursery, 8005 E Speedway Boulevard, Tucson
COST:Free admission
INFO: orchidsocietytucson.org