January 11th, 2010
American Orchid Society…Delray Beach…Florida…Education, Conservation, and Research…
When I called the American Orchid Society (AOS) in Delray just a few days ago, I was not sure if they were even open. The talk last February was that this wonderful place was going to close. But, no, they told me that they are still open for business and doing well.
I have great pictures of my visit to AOS. It is an uplifting kind of place. Nothing better than the site of these orchids to wipe any blah days.
Let me tell you that the American Orchid Society is 85 years old. “The Mission of the AOS is to promote and support the passion for orchids through education, conservation, and research.”
This is the world headquarters of the AOS. The address is 16700 AOS Lane, Delray Beach, FL 33446. Tel. is 561-404-2000 and e-mail is TheAOS@aos.org. For directions, please visit the website www.aos.org and click on contact and you will find it there. It is very easy to find, whether you are coming from north or south on I-95, or the turnpike.
You really will lose yourself in these enchanting gardens. Everything is so natural, just like it should be and you will see rare orchids growing just like they would in their own habitat. 
As you come into the greenhouse, which is very large, you will start experiencing the sites and smells of these wonderful orchids. Their colors are magnificent. And so many shapes and sizes. I took so many pictures; my descriptions will do no justice. 
I only know a tiny bit about orchids. My neighbor, Pam, in Delray is an orchid aficionado and she has given me a few. Her garden is gorgeous and pretty much always in bloom.
The AOS has tours available, including lunch and learning programs. For reservations please call the number above mentioned. The gardens are open Mondays through Sundays from 10 until 4:30 p.m.
Please note that on Wednesdays there will be an Orchid Doctor on site to “diagnose” sick plants from 10 a.m. until 11:30 a.m. On Saturdays and Sundays the Orchid Doctor will be in from 1 p.m. until 4 p.m.
Garden tours are Saturday at 10:30 until 12:30 p.m. or by appointment.
On Saturday, January 16th from 10 a.m. until 12:30 p.m. there will be a class called The Real Basics of Growing and Blooming Orchids. The instructor will be Ron McHatton, AOS Director of Education and Chief Operating Officer. He will teach you that orchids are not that hard to grow, once you understand what they require. This might be a good opportunity for anyone that appreciates these flowers to learn to grow their own or at least take care of the ones you might have already. For registration, please call SusanWayman at 561-404-2031.
Please visit the AOS website because it has so much information, regarding events, classes, support, and orchid information.
Hope you like the pictures. The colors look great especially at this time of the year when at the Delaware Beaches and Ocean City, Maryland everything is pretty much the same color.
See you…
Tags: Activities, botanical gardens, Delray Beach, Florida, orchids, Things to do at the beach, What to do at the beaches
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