USA: Thousands of exotic, colourful flowers blossom at the New York International Orchid Show

New York's Rockefeller Center overflowed with colour on the first day of the 27th New York International Orchid Show. Hopeful exhibitors from all over the U.S.A. as well as from Colombia, Brazil, the U.K. and Taiwan, come to attend the show. Noisy activity filled the exhibition area as some sixty judges perused plants in the initial stages of the judging process, termed the ribbon judging. Flowers, some 50,000 of them, are judged in various categories -- plants are touched, examined and even smelled at times. The judges have specific criteria by which they judge the flowers, according to Gerry Cassella, an orchid judge with 40 years of experience. "We judge to see rarity, beauty, culture," said Cassella. Once winning orchids have been chosen in each category, judges convene to choose the best orchid in show. The competition is tough and the prize-money worthwhile. Said Orchid Show President, David Horak, "The best orchid in show that's chosen by all the orchid judges, it's a five thousand dollar prize, so there's a lot of competition at stake." Orchids are often considered temperamental and difficult to grow successfully, but Horak explained that the hybridization of species makes the plant not only affordable, at an average of around 20 to 25 U.S. dollars (USD), but also enables the flowers to survive quite easily. Visitors to the show will have an opportunity to view and purchase the many orchids on display in the shopping concourse at Rockefeller Center. Foreign grown plants are often very popular with enthusiasts because they are not available in the U.S.A. and can only be bought once a year at the orchid show. Roberto Agnes, a grower from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil has been coming to the show for more than 10 years and enjoys the collegial spirit of the event. "I love being here in New York City and I get a opportunity to see all my friends, all the other orchid growers, whom I only get to see once a year when we're here at the orchid Show in New York," he told Reuters. Another Latin American grower, Juan Carlos Uribe from Colombia explained why he loves growing orchids. "The orchid is the national flower of Colombia so we always thought of the orchid as a special plant to have. And once you start and get into the hobby or business, it's an endless quest for the rare plants and that's lovely," he said. The 27th New York International Orchid Show runs through April 22, 2007.

ITN Source | April 21, 2007

Tags:. .judged. .competition. .foreign. .considered. .tough