SALT LAKE CITY -- Red Butte Gardens had an infusion of extra fragrances and colors this weekend during the annual Spring Orchid Show.
Ann Asman said she has been bitten by the orchid bug—she has about 24 orchids. She said her hobby also includes photographing the flowers, and she said the orchid show, put on by the Utah Orchid Society, brought in some incredible specimens of the flower.
Lyn Pedone, Utah Orchid Society show chair, said the event gives them the opportunity to spread the love of orchids.
“It’s a lot of fun for us to put on and share our love of orchids and our knowledge with the public,” she said.
There are more than 24,000 species of orchids, which makes it one of the biggest plant families other than grasses. The flowers in the family range in color and size, but the one thing they have in common is their fragrance. Orchid show attendee Cass Boren said it’s a fragrance to be desired.
“It smells really pretty when you walk through the door,” he said.
This year’s display showcased hundreds of orchids, which are raised by both professional and novice growers. Growers said the variety and long life span of the flower makes orchids popular.
Asman said she has become somewhat of an orchid ambassador as she helps others cultivate the flower.
“My friends get orchids and they can't seem to get them to grow, and so I end up with their orchids, and plus the ones I buy, and I have a prolific group of orchids right now and they keep blooming,” she said.
