Orchid show returns for 32nd year

The flowers in the annual Orchid Show and Sale at Birmingham Botanical Gardens are going to look a little brighter this year. 

The show, entering its 32nd year, will be in the Gardens’ newly renovated pavilion, and Alabama Orchid Society member Glenn Bryant said one of the biggest changes is better lighting.

“For the first time this won’t be a dimly lit show, I hope,” Bryant said.

The orchid show and sale will be Sept. 16-18 with about five vendors selling flowers and supplies from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday. The event is free and open to the public. Vendors and other area orchid societies also will create displays as part of the annual show, which will be judged privately Saturday morning and then opened to the public after winners are chosen.

Bryant, who has been part of the Orchid Society since 1990, said the displays can range from small tabletop flower arrangements to displays 50 feet in length.

He enjoys “seeing people’s displays, seeing people’s creativity” in the show. 

“There’s always something to look forward to,” Bryant said.

Sharon Ritchie, the Orchid Society president, also said the “beauty and variety” of the orchids in the show and sale is one of her favorite parts. She regularly acts as a clerk for the show judges and said listening to their comments on each display helps her learn more about the flowers.

“I always learn something different with each orchid society meeting we have and with each show,” Ritchie said.

For shoppers who have never grown an orchid before or want to add to their collection, Ritchie said the orchid sale isn’t just a place to purchase a plant. The event will be full of vendors and Orchid Society members with expertise in nearly every area of orchid care and “who’ll talk your ear off if you let them.”

“Other than just the beauty of the show, it’s a great place to get information that I may not have. There’s only so much that you can read on the internet. I think it’s nicer to talk to someone who’s enthusiastic about orchids,” she said.

Learn more about the Alabama Orchid Society by visiting their Facebook page. Go to bbggardens.org for more information about the Botanical Gardens and the annual orchid sale.