150 Plus Orchid Varieties at Orchid Auction, Aug 10

Celebrate the true essence of summer by beholding—and buying—one of nature’s most beautiful florals. Nature Coast Orchid Society will host its 2024 Annual Auction on Saturday, August 10. Doors open at 11 a.m. for viewing, and the auction begins at noon at the Krueger Center, 392 Beverly Ct., Spring Hill. This auction is open to the public; there is no admission fee, and free parking is available for this event.

“We’ll have at least 150-200 orchids on sale of so many species and varieties,” said Matt Riesz, president of the Nature Coast Orchid Society.

Furthermore, Riesz says these orchids bloom in their beauty, individuality, exemplary quality and variety. “These orchids were grown by our members, and some we acquired from professional growers throughout the state,” he said. “We have far more, in terms of number and varieties, than you would see at big box stores.”

For more than two decades, Riesz says, the auction—along with an annual organizational orchid show—has served as a centerpiece of the orchid society’s activities calendar.

“This is our biggest fundraiser,” he said. “Last year, I estimate that we raised at least $12,000.”
These funds serve to further the primary mission of this nonprofit 501(C)(3) society, which is “to educate people about orchids, offering information about the types of orchids, colors, what to do when they bloom and how to care for them.”

“The auction supports our programs, speakers, and our annual show, event hall rental, our general needs,” said Riesz.

The auction itself also serves to further this mission, as the event will—via a detailed listing of available orchid varieties posted on the orchid society’s website—empower guests to make informed decisions regarding the exact orchids that they plan to bid on at the event. Plus, the orchid growers on hand to sell their blooms will also be available to grow the knowledge of those in attendance by answering their questions about selecting and caring for the perfect orchids for their personal gardens.

“The number one question I get is, ‘How do I grow my orchids?'” he said. And’ How do I keep them alive?’

Riesz asserts that most orchid varieties are indeed easy to grow—and that’s only one asset of this magnificent bloom. The most popular varieties include the vanda, the bulbophyllum, and the dendrobium.
The orchid is the seventh most popular flower across the United States. It ranks among the oldest flowering plants known to humankind, having been grown for about 100 million years. Talk about looking good for one’s age! In addition, orchids often play starring roles in the grand decor scheme of weddings, formal parties, and other occasions.

“Orchids are beautiful, and they bloom in virtually every color of the rainbow—except true blue. If you see one colored true blue, then the flower has been dyed,” Riesz said. But you’ll find white, yellows, reds, pinks—just about every color.”

Riesz explains that orchids bloom in 25,000 varieties, many of which will be represented at the Nature Coast Orchid Society’s 2024 Annual Auction. Cash and credit cards will be accepted at the auction; see www.naturecoastorchidsociety for more information.