Meet the Ocho Rios Orchid Society
Promoting the love and care of orchids
A GROUP of five ladies, in 1992, formed what is today known as the Ocho Rios Orchid Society, a nonprofit organisation with a knack for all things orchids. Stronger now with 30 members, the group’s mission is to foster and promote the love and care of orchids.
“We help members become knowledgeable and proficient in growing orchids and we provide education at our monthly meeting,” says Pam Chong, president of the society.
The group is affiliated with the American Orchid Society and travels the world to go to shows and purchase a variety of orchids. According to Chong, “We have travelled to Panama, Thailand, Singapore, Malaysia, Hawaii, Bali and Miami to shows, as a group, and we purchase orchids and ship them back.” A SUPER PLANT
But why orchids, you may ask. For starters, the plant is considered to be the most exotic in the world and carries a certain durability that almost gives it superpowers.
“They can grow in the smallest spaces,” said Chong. “They don’t grow in dirt or take a lot to grow. We want to dispel the myth that they are hard to grow. These plants are imported from far, far away, and to travel from so far it usually takes one or two weeks in transit and they go through the airport and they arrive in good condition.
“If you have your little apartment as a young person and you want to grow orchids, they are very durable and grow in a variety of spaces,” said Chong. BECOMING A MEMBER
“The society is based in Ocho Rios but we have members from Kingston and the surrounding areas. We meet on the second Sunday of every month at a member’s house, where we have the opportunity to admire their plants. We have an educational talk and enjoy refreshments,” Chong said.
An applicant has to be sponsored by an existing member of the club but the president of 17 years in total and founding member, Chong, insists that the group is always open to taking on new members.
To contact the society, call 1-876-899-9482. The group is currently gearing up for its highly anticipated ‘Orchids on the Blue’ event at Grizzlys Plantation on Sunday, February 10, beginning at 10 a.m. Admission is $1,000 general, children are free. With your ticket purchase, you could walk away with the gate prize of a weekend for two at Couples Sans Souci Hotel in Ocho Rios.
See you there!