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When most
people think of orchids, they envision large showy, delicate,
exotic flowers hanging from a moist limb on a large tree in a
dark tropical forest or an expensive flower in their local flower
shop. The orchids envisioned might
look like one
of those shown on the right. Interestingly many
orchids are small and quite a few of the species are rather
un-showy. The diversity of orchids in fact is huge, as the orchid
family is the largest of all flowering plant families. 
To be exact there
are over 30,000 orchid species occurring on every continent.
Although orchids are found in cold regions the majority are
native to moist, tropical environments.
The Virgin Islands certainly qualify as a tropical destination
but are there native orchids growing here? Yes there are and in
fact there is an Orchid Society on St. Croix that has existed for
many years!
The St. Croix Orchid Society was organized about 35 years ago by
a group of individuals who loved plants, especially orchids and
who were interested in educating the community about them. The
principle ambition was to expose the St. Croix community to the
wonder and beauty of orchids. Today some founding members are
still active and the society has over 60 members.
The group meets
on the last Sunday of each month, except in December and
Thanksgiving weekend. At each meeting members are educated about
orchid care and there are demonstrations in repotting,
fertilizing and keeping plants healthy. The society’s big event
is the Orchid Show each February but the participants do
participate in conjunction with other garden related events. In
March the St. George Village Botanical Garden has a Flower
Festival which the Orchid Society participates in by conducing
Orchid sales and having workshops for the community on caring for
plants and orchids. The Botanical Gardens host an Orchid house
which society members assist in maintaining.
The Orchid Society's main annual event is a fantastic
showcase of
orchids. And this year the St. Croix Orchid Society will once
again grace St. Croix with the beauty of orchids at the 33rd St.
Croix Orchid Society show, “Rhapsody of Orchids”. This wonderful
event will be held next month at the American Legion Hall in
Christiansted, St. Croix. Come and see the great displays of
flowers. Learn about orchids. Buy orchids or even win a live
orchid plant!
