Annual Orchid Symposium

Join us for two days filled with all things orchids! There will be guest speakers talking about various topics related to orchids, several vendors will have orchids available for sale, and there will be food trucks and music! There is no charge to visit the vendor booths, but a ticket is required for the presentations. Cost: $20 for Edison Ford members; $25 for non-members.

Participating vendors include Blue Pagoda, Jim N-I Orchids, Bello Tropicals, Hang-a-Pot, Krull Smith, Palmer Orchids, Pelican Coast Orchids/Amore Orchids, Red Hawk Nursery, Smiley’s orchids, So Orchids, Sunland Orchids, and Tropiflora. The Garden Shoppe will be open all day, and the Southwest Florida Orchid Society will be on site to answer questions.

Saturday, October 14
•9:30-10:30 a.m. – Former Art Teacher and Edison Ford Instructor, Jim Hopton, will teach how to prepare a hypertufa (cement-like) mount for displaying orchids.

•11 a.m. – noon – John Hampton will present “My Favorite Orchids” and how to read an orchid tag.

•Noon – 1 p.m. – “Ask the Expert” table will be open, so bring your questions to our orchid specialist, Michael Spelta.

•1-2 p.m. – Stan Grigiski will present tips & techniques for displaying orchids in and around the home.

•2:30-3:30 p.m. – Debbie Hughes, Edison Ford Director of Horticulture will talk about which orchids are best suited for tree mounting, and how to mount them.

Sunday, October 15
•9:30 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. – Anita Singh; Orchid floral design demonstration

•11 a.m. – Noon – Mickey Carnell, Owner of Blue Pagoda Orchids will present “Introduction to Orchids.”

•Noon – 1 p.m. – “Ask the Expert” table will be open, so bring your questions to our orchid specialist, Michael Spelta.

•1-2 p.m. – Renowned botanical artist, Aaron Apsley of Aaron Apsley Artworks, and illustrator of Hortus Curious, will present “The Art of Capturing the Orchid in Watercolor.”

•2:30-3:30 – Jim Davison of Jim-N-I Orchids will present “Brasavola Star of the Show.”