05/25/2007

A blooming addiction

Orchid competition, exhibit and sale runs
Saturday and Sunday

By KEVIN WRIGHT

kwright@record-eagle.com

TRAVERSE CITY — Little did Peg Brace know that the orchid her brother-in-law gave her as a simple gift roughly 25 years ago would turn into an addiction.

Since that first plant, Brace has been growing orchids out of a greenhouse attached to her Old Mission Peninsula house.

"I got hooked,” Brace said. "Once you get an orchid to blossom, you want to keep trying.”

Brace hopes a similar feeling envelops others when the Northwestern Michigan Orchid Society hosts its 13th American Orchid Society show at the Grand Traverse County Civic Center Saturday and Sunday.

The event will begin with a judging contest followed by a presentation of the orchids. Twelve American Orchid Society judges will travel to Traverse City to decide the ribbon-winning orchids. Armed with photos of what every type of orchid plant should look like, they compare the orchids at the show with those pictures.

"They try to judge it as it would look in the wild,” Brace said.

The judges, who have had years of education, examine 120 categories of orchids and an additional 10 categories of orchids in use, mostly art work. Blue ribbons are awarded to the top flowers of each class, and a second and third place wrap up the ribbon display. A best in show trophy is also presented at the end of the contest.

Using a numerical system, judges award points for coloring, the size of the blossom, specific markings that certain types of orchids should have and general presentation. If an orchid receives 80 or more points, it is honored with an American Orchid Society Award and the owner gets to name it.

But the thrilling part, at least for Brace, isn't so much the show, but just getting the orchid to blossom.

According to Brace, the flower depends on a unique setting to thrive. Orchids like humidity to hover around 60 percent, bright sunshine, little water and a 15 percent temperature drop from day to night.

"It's exciting seeing blossoms, knowing you've given it enough of what it wants, and then having the patience to wait for it to flower,” Brace said.

Most of the orchids in the show are epiphytes or lithophytes, which can be found growing on trees in tropical regions. The other classification, terresterials, grow naturally in some parts of Michigan and are on the endangered species list.

Brace, who won an American Orchid Society Award with an encyclea orchid she named "Peggy Sue,” said that more and more people have become interested in orchids since retail stores like Meijer and Sam's Club started selling them.

"A lot of people come in asking questions like 'How can I get it to flower again?' ” Brace said.

With increased interest in the hobby, the Northwestern Michigan Orchid Society has informational pamphlets and a repeating video about lady slipper orchids, which grow naturally in Michigan. Vendors will also be on hand to answer questions and sell orchids.

The show will kick off Saturday morning with the judged competition and then open to the public from noon until 6 p.m. On Sunday, hours are 11 a.m. until 4 p.m.