International Orchid Show & Sale Blooms at Museum in
Philadelphia, April 12-14, 2013
PHILADELPHIA, Nov. 20, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- For the first
time, an international orchid show will transform the Academy of
Natural Sciences of Drexel University into a spectacular world of
flowers. The International Orchid Show and Sale will be held April
12–14, 2013, in collaboration with the Southeastern Pennsylvania
Orchid Society. The event is free with regular museum
admission.
The orchid extravaganza will feature more than 30 spectacular
exhibits showcasing beautiful, sometimes bizarre, often fragrant,
and always interesting orchids in full bloom. Visitors will marvel
at the unparalleled beauty, complexity and diversity of the world's
largest family of flowering plants, Orchidaceae, the
scientific Latin name.
Arrayed throughout the museum will be more than 1,200 plants
from orchid societies and individuals. These entries will be
evaluated by certified American Orchid Society judges from the U.S.
and Canada. Nearly 25 vendors from
Japan, Malaysia, Taiwan, Brazil, Ecuador, and the U.S. will set up shop and
offer orchid plants as well as growing supplies and related
giftware.
This International Orchid Show and Sale is the largest of its
kind in the U.S. outside Florida
and California. This is the first
time the event will be held at the Academy, the nation's oldest
natural history museum.
"This is a fantastic opportunity to appreciate and enjoy a
vastly diverse array of these exotic plants all in one place," said
Academy President and CEO George W.
Gephart, Jr. "The fascination with orchids dates back
centuries, with some harrowing tales of orchid thieves and species
endangerment."
In addition to the orchid displays and market, there will be
lectures, activities for families, and tours by appointment of the
Academy's world-renowned botanical collection of about 1.4 million
specimens, including about 9,000 orchids.
"This is the first time an orchid show of this magnitude will be
held in Philadelphia," said
Robert Sprague, co-chair of the show
for the Southeastern Pennsylvania Orchid Society, one of 600
chapters of the American Orchid Society. "Moving the show to the
Academy will bring the joy of orchids to an even greater
audience."
Show hours are Friday, April 12,
noon–8 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday, April
13 and 14, 10 a.m.–5 p.m. Visit ansp.org/orchidshow. Group
sales 215-299-1060.
SOURCE Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University