- March 16, 2025
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Kate Fisher looks high and low for orchids.
Photo by Ian SwabyOrchids of many types could be found at the event.
Photo by Ian SwabySarasota Orchid Society president Tracie Cady and event chair Larry Desiano
Photo by Ian SwabyRose Cramer and Rhemy Magedanz browse the orchids.
Photo by Ian SwabyXiomara Spence sniffs an orchid.
Photo by Ian SwabyStephanie Cotton of the Sarasota Garden Club stands in front of the club's display at the event.
Photo by Ian SwabyTina Prizament and Audra Welch browse the pottery on display.
Photo by Ian SwabyBill Fajen of Springwater Orchids talks with Kelly Miller, David Alderfer and Luther Hesse.
Photo by Ian SwabyA plant grows from a conch shell in a display by William Tippit of Apopka, Florida.
Photo by Ian SwabyLynne Bessette and Larry Martinez find an interesting orchid.
Photo by Ian SwabyOrchids spanning a range of colors could be found at the event.
Photo by Ian SwabyMiriam White began growing orchids about two years ago, after she came to Sarasota from Maryland.
“I love orchids,” she said. “I've been growing more and more ever since I got my first one. The weather here makes it so easy to start growing things.”
Nonetheless, she's always eager to learn more at events like the 65th annual Orchids in Paradise show, held Jan. 7-8 at Sarasota Municipal Auditorium by the Sarasota Orchid Society.
“Every time I come to places like this, I always ask for advice,” she said.
Vendors at the event came from across the state, with some including Plantio La Orquidea from Sarasota, Florida Orchid House from Myakka City, Art Stone Orchids & Statuary from St. Pete and driftwood artist William Tippit from Apopka, Florida, while the orchid societies of Venice and Englewood also participated.
The show serves as a fundraiser for the Sarasota Orchid Society, which provides scholarships for high school and undergraduate students in subjects like botany and horticulture. The event’s chair, Larry Desiano, said the show is also about educating the public.
“It used to be we had connoisseurs,” he said. “Now, we have a lot of people that don't really know a lot, and they just want to be able to grow (orchids), and so we focus on the beginners, helping them understand culture, what's unique about orchids, and that they're not hard to grow, they're just a little bit different.”
