Orchid Society Marks 35 Years

Consider Windward Orchid Society a sanctuary for wilting flowers and their bewildered keepers.

“We were growing some, and we were killing more than we were keeping alive,” joked longtime club member and Kailua resident Jane Marcum.

New member Linden Hansink found herself in a similar bind. When her mother-in-law died, Hansink inherited her collection of orchids.

“I had the time and I had the interest that I wanted to find out how I could keep these guys alive,” she recalled. “That was my main goal — just to keep them alive and maybe get one to bloom.”

Both women went to WOS’ annual orchid show — Marcum more than 10 years ago and Hansink just last year — and found their flower-tending redemption there.

“We found it to be a wonderful group of people who were so willing to share their knowledge of raising orchids with everyone else,” said Marcum. (She and husband Larry joined the club together.)

Monthly meetings consist of guest speakers, workshops, orchid contests, refreshments and general camaraderie.

But the main event is still the society’s annual orchid show, this year held March 20-22 at S.W. King Intermediate School Armory from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday.

The theme is “35th Anniversary & Still Growing,” and the event features an abundance of orchids on display and for sale, educational sessions (including specialty seminars on cattleya and honohono orchids) and more. Admission is free, but donations are welcome.

There’ll be something for everyone at the show, the women affirm.

“It’s a great thing for anyone who’s new at orchids, to hear what ‘experts’ have to say about them, and answer questions and so forth,” Marcum said. “That’s probably the greatest thing about the show.”

Hansink praises the big sale.

“You can buy orchids for really, really good prices, nothing like what you’d spend for something at (the store),” she affirmed. She’s found orchid plants for as little as $3 at the show.

For more information on the show and the club, visit windwardorchidsociety.org.