Note: This event has already taken place. If you are interested in learning about current and upcoming Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden Events, click here.

When: Friday, March 9, 2012 - Sunday, March 11, 2012 from 9:30 AM to 4:30 PM

Fairchild's 10th Annual International Orchid Festival!

Choose from over 10,000 orchid plants from vendors from around the world.

Explore the wonder of orchids during our garden workshops and walking tours.

Marvel at rare orchid species in the American Orchid Society juried show, presented by the Orchid Society of Coral Gables.

Visit the elegant Orchid Tea Room for an energizing spot of tea and dessert.

Enjoy wonderful food and live entertainment.

Download a pdf of the Orchid Festival Program

View a photo gallery of previous Orchid Fesitvals

Follow this event on Facebook

Lectures

Friday, March 9, Corbin A

12:00 p.m.                              Intro to Orchid Culture
                                                 Jill Sidran
1:00 p.m.                                Intro to Orchid Culture
                                                 Betty Eber
2:00 p.m.                                Orchid Diseases and Their Control
                                                 Bob McMillan, Ph. D.
3:00 p.m.                                Intro to Orchid Culture
                                                 Jim Davison

Saturday March 10, Corbin A

11:00 a.m.                              Intro to Orchid Culture
                                                  Ernie Barham
12:00 a.m.                              Intro to Orchid Culture
                                                 Melana Davison
1:00 p.m.                                Orchid Polination 
                                                 Tom Mirenda
2:00 p.m.                                Repotting,Orchid Care
                                                 Alex Lamazares
3:30 p.m.                                Cultivo de Orquideas
                                                  Betty Eber 

Sunday March 11, Corbin A 

11:00 a.m.                              Intro to Orchid Culture
                                                 Martin Motes Ph.D.
12:00 p.m.                              Intro to Orchid Culture
                                                 Melana Davison
1:00 p.m.                                Cattleya Culture
                                                 Phillip Iloo, Stel-mar Gardens
2:00 p.m.                                UFL Orchid Pests
                                                 Catharine Mannion, Ph.D.
3:00 p.m.                                Cultivo de Orquideas
                                                 Ruben Sauleda Ph.D. 

Orchid Extravaganza (Friday, Saturday and Sunday)

In the Rainforest  

11:30 a.m.   Walking tour of the rainforest featuring our wonderful orchid
                      display. Georgia Tasker will lead the tour on Saturday and Sunday.

1:30 p.m.     Walking tour of the rainforest featuring our wonderful
                      orchid display. 

Orchid Plaza (All Day) Located in the Rainforest
Enjoy interactive discussions on the natural history of orchids and growing tips.

Tropical Fruit Pavilion (All Day)                                    
Take a journey through the beautiful and aromatic world of the vanilla orchid.
See what's in season in our Edible Garden.

Conservatory (All Day)
Marvel at our beautiful orchid display.  

OrKids (in the Edible Garden)

Children and adults alike can learn through fun, interactive, hands-on activities about the diversity of plant animal pollination relationships. Find out how plants seduce, trick and reward a huge diversity of animals to visit them and get pollinated. 

There will also be a diverse group of live plants that kids can observe closely with magnify lenses and microscopes. 

Young children can also select their favorite pollinator and color an orchid “Pollinator Mask”.

Enjoy Storytime with Miami-Dade Public Library on Saturday,  March 10 at 11:00 a.m., 1:00 p.m. and 2:00 p.m.

Bike Valet

Green Mobility Network will be here Saturday and Sunday offering their unique bike valet service at the South Gate. Bike and $5! If you walk or ride your bike to Fairchild, you will receive $5 off the admission price for adults and $2 for children. It's our way of thanking you for contributing to conservation.

Yoga

Rina Yoga will be providing free yoga near our Butterfly Garden on Sunday of the Orchid Festival.

Sunday, March 11
Yoga for Adults 10:30 a.m. to 11:15 a.m.
Little Rina Yogis 1:30 p.m. - 2:00 p.m.

The Orchid Tea Room

The Veranda and Ballroom of the Jean Ellen DuPont Shehan Visitor Center is the site of the Orchid Tea Room, open daily during the Orchid Festival. Come and enjoy tea and live music. Guests will be served scones, savories and desserts, as well as several choices of tea.

Tea service 11:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.

Cost per person is $27 for members, $37 for non-members and $17 for children 12 and under.
For information or reservations, please call Marnie Valent at 305.663.8059.

Become a sponsor today!

Admission: Free for Fairchild Members and children 5 and under.

Non-members: $25 for adults, $18 for seniors 65 and up and $12 for children 6-17. 

Eco-discount: If you walk, ride your bike or take public transportation to Fairchild, receive $5 off admission for adults and $2 off admission for children. Members, remember to bring your Rewards Card to earn your gift passes! 

Military Discount: We are pleased to offer active military personnel free admission. In addition, admission for spouses is $20 and children $10. Please present Military IDs.