Masquerade of Orchids

We just can’t get enough of them - orchids, the fragrant, exotic symbol of the Islands. We use the colorful blossoms to adorn homes, yards, hotels, businesses and people, even tropical drinks. We buy them for special occasions as well as for everyday pleasure.

members.

Most of these clubs have members who have been involved for decades, but don’t let that intimidate you - they not only have an enormous amount of knowledge on the subject, but they’re ready and willing to share that knowledge. You can learn how to grow, nurture and even hybridize your own orchid plants. And according to Wong, it’s not only fun, it’s very rewarding.

“I have been involved maybe 40 years,” says Wong, “since the first world orchid conference was held in Hawaii at the Academy of Arts. I remember us setting up a display, and that was my first involvement with the orchids. I was more in the background, it was my husband, Edward, who just loved working with the Honolulu Orchid Society, and he was one of the founders of the Aiea Orchid Society.”

Wong maintains the beautiful “orchid wall” at the Kahala Mandarin Oriental Hotel and at the new Kahala Nui retirement complex. She not only cares for the orchids on display, she also grows them.

“I just bring whatever is blooming in my yard,” she says modestly. “It’s a nice way to get extra cash, and I’m enjoying it. I see all the people walking up the stairway (at the Kahala Mandarin) smiling, you know, flowers just make you smile. I think orchids are for sharing. I mean, what good is it to grow an orchid and just look at it. That’s why I enjoy doing what I do, because every time we’re taking out the old plants and putting on the new plants, people just come and marvel, and they think that I’m such a good grower, and I say no, I’m only taking care, the man above is the one.

“I think it’s more rewarding than selling your plants. I used to cut the flowers and take them to the florist, and they used them for bouquets and funeral wreaths. But nobody comes up to your face and says, ‘oh, how beautiful.’ And it’s so easy to grow. Just join a club.”

The Honolulu Orchid Society Inc., a nonprofit organization, meets at 7:30 p.m. on the second Wednesday of each month in the Lanakila Elementary School cafeteria. Visitors are always welcome. www.honoluluorchidsociety.org; e-mail: .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

The Honolulu Orchid Society presents “Masquerade of Orchids,” 66th Annual Orchid Plant and Flower Show at the Neal Blaisdell Exhibition Hall, Friday, noon-8 p.m., Saturday, 9 a.m.-7 p.m. and Sunday, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Admission is $2 for presale tickets from a club member; $3 at the Blaisdell Box Office.

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