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All Things Orchid at the Botanical Gardens

All Things Orchid at the Botanical Gardens

In January 0f 2024, the Botanical Gardens hosted our first ever Orchid Exhibit. We got off to a pretty snowy start, but after the plows cleared the streets, our visitors couldn’t get enough of the beautiful blooming flowers. Everyone loved it so much that we couldn’t help but bring it back this year! Our team of horticulturists is ecstatic to share this fan-favorite exhibit with our visitors. Orchids are one of the most beloved plants for their gorgeous colors, shapes, and exposed roots. The exhibit is made up of over 2,000 orchids from both our permanent collection as well as additional orchids that came from growers around the country. Many of these plants braved the winter cold traveling to us from Ohio, Florida, and even Hawai’i! From January 23 to March 9, see wonderful orchid displays, featuring thousands of extraordinary epiphytes. This year, we made sure to add new types of displays to make sure your experience is as unique as the orchids around you. Here’s what you can expect to find this year during our Orchid Exhibit.

Orchid Arches

One of the highlights of last year’s exhibit was our orchid arches. These metal trellises, covered in chicken wire and moss, were home to dozens of orchids in our Palm Dome. This year, we have even more arches to help fully immerse you in our exhibit. Surround yourself with orchids and experience the wonder of these tropical flowers from every angle. The three orchid arches make for a great photo op with friends! Did someone say #Selfie?

 

Hanging Kokedama

Kokedama, the Japanese word for, “moss ball,” refers to the practices of planting orchids and other types of plants in a sphere of soil and moss. These fascinating, floating orbs were one of the most interesting features of last year’s Orchid Exhibit, so you’ll be sure to see lots of new ones of all different shapes and sizes this year! Are you interested in bringing a kokedama home with you? Or maybe you’re tired of being stuck in your house this winter? On March 22, from 2-3pm, learn how to create your own, custom kokedama during our Kokedama Workshop. These beautiful displays make the perfect addition to your home and will put an exciting and unique twist on your decorative plants. 

 

Watercolor Orchids

Perhaps the most exciting addition to this year’s Orchid Exhibit is the inclusion of Watercolor Orchids! These unusually colored orchids have been manipulated by horticulturalists and growers to produce different colored flowers. Many of these striking hues are not anything like what you’d find in the wild! Watercolor orchids can be created from almost any orchid that produces white flowers. To create this effect, colored dye is carefully injected into the stem of the plant. The dye is a special, water-based formula that does not harm orchids; they treat this dye just like any other water in its system. The dye gradually makes its way through the stem to the flower, and in as little as 24 hours new colors start to appear on the bloom! The flowers will retain the dye through the end of their current bloom cycle. These whimsical orchids are sure to put a smile on your face this winter. Which one will be your favorite? Teal, bright blue, green, purple or multi-color?

 

Orchids After Dark

See the beautiful blooms of our Orchid Exhibit after the sun sets during Orchids After Dark! Hundreds of magical lights will guide you through our twelve greenhouses, bathing our orchid displays in brilliant colors. This limited-time event is the perfect way to warm up after a long day at work or school. Bring a friend, your family, or a date and experience the magic of the Botanical Gardens. See the Orchid Exhibit in a whole new light and enjoy a cozy evening in our warm conservatory.

 

Orchid Fest

If you thought our Orchid Exhibit was spectacular, just wait until you experience Orchid Fest! This year, Niagara Frontier Orchid Society’s Orchid Show will be the grand finale to the Orchid Exhibit, nearly doubling the number of orchids you’ll see. All-things-orchids will be at the Botanical Gardens and reimagined like never before. Featuring award-winning orchids, special displays and showcases, alongside vendors and orchid experts, this is a must-see for orchid lovers, exhibit goers, and especially photographers! This special celebration of all things orchid runs from February 28 to March 2. Join us during Orchids After Dark on February 28 and March 1, or during the day on March 1 and 2.

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