Orchid Sale and Symposium set at Edison, Ford estates
The Edison and Ford Winter Estates in Fort Myers will hold its annual Orchid Sale and Symposium on Oct. 9-10 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Horticulturists, orchid growers and representatives from the Southwest Florida Orchid Society will give presentations on growing and caring for orchids. Several orchid growers will have orchids available for sale, including rare and native species. The presentations will take place outdoors, under the oak trees.
The presentation schedule is as follows:
Oct. 9
• 9:30 to 10:30 a.m.: Little Known Orchids and Why You Should Be Growing Them; Debbie Hughes, horticulture director at Edison Ford
• 11 a.m. to noon: My Favorite Orchids for Southwest Florida; John Hampton, past president of the Southwest Florida Orchid Society
• 1 to 2 p.m.: Orchid Mounting Demonstration; Gary Murza, president of the Southwest Florida Orchid Society
• 2 to 3:30 p.m.: Orchid Pests & Diseases and What to Scout for During the Year; Gary Murza, president of the Southwest Florida Orchid Society
Oct. 10
• 11 a.m. to noon: Intro to Orchids; Mickey Carnell, owner of Blue Pagoda Orchids
• 1 to 2 p.m.: Putting Orchids in the Trees; Debbie Hughes, horticulture director at Edison Ford
• 2:15 to 3:15 p.m.: How to Grow and Re-flower the Orchid I Just Bought; John Hampton, past president of the Southwest Florida Orchid Society
The authors of the book, “Compendium of Orchid Genera,” will be on site and signing books. Wesley Higgins will sign on Oct. 9 and Peggy Alrich on Oct. 10. Representatives from the Southwest Florida Orchid Society will be available to answer orchid-related questions. Additional vendors, including Blue Pagoda Orchids, Jim & I Orchids, OFE Orchid Supplies, OrchidsAmore, Orchid Jewels, Red Hawk Nursery, RF Orchids, So Orchids, Sunland Orchids and Tropiflora will sell orchids and orchid supplies.
A limited number of garden carts will be available; attendees are encouraged to bring their own. Food and beverage vendors will have refreshments available for purchase, and live music will be provided.
The Garden Shoppe will also be open. A large selection of ornamental plants and orchids will be available, along with fruit trees, butterfly plants, herbs, succulents, rare exotics and Florida natives. Many of the flowering trees and shrubs in the botanical gardens are available for purchase. Wind chimes, fountains, ceramic flower pots and garden art are also available.
Orchids have a long history with the estates. They were Mina Edison’s favorite plants and she displayed many of them in her garden, attached to trees so they could grow as she saw them in the Everglades. Today, visitors can view many orchid species throughout the 20 acres of botanical gardens. Following in Mina’s footsteps, horticulturists continue to attach orchids to trees all around the site.
Daily admission for the presentations is $15 for non-members or $10 for members — cost does not include tours or admission to the museum, lab or riverside of the property.
For more information or tickets, visit EdisonFord.org.