Orchids are a type of flowering plant that is adored by everyone. Their flowers have such varied shapes, colors and sizes that there is always something everyone falls in love with.

If you want to see some real beauties, you can attend a local Orchid Show while you’re on the island. There are number of Orchid Societies here in Puerto Rico, and they each have an annual orchid show & sale, typically in the Spring.

The vendors at these shows are usually local growers, though most growers import plants from Hawaii. Occasionally, a society will invite an “off-island” grower to sell at their show. Considering that those outside sellers have to ship all their plants, pay airfare for their representatives, and put themselves up in a hotel, their prices are surprisingly competitive. Some of the best buys at these shows are from the out-of-town growers.

If you stop in at an orchid show, and you find a plant that you simply must have, you’ll be happy to know that the USDA allows the transport of orchids into the US mainland without any problem, since orchids are not grown in soil. So you buy an orchid today, and take it on the plane to enjoy in your own home!

From March 6 until March 9, 2008, the San Juan Orchid Society is holding their Festival de Orquideas just outside of San Juan at the Coliseto Pedrin Zorilla. The hours are 9:00am - 8:00pm Thursday through Saturday, and 9:00am - 6:00pm on Sunday. There are about 10 orchid vendors (from Puerto Rico, Hawaii and Brazil), beautiful orchid displays, live music, and orchid card seminars (in Spanish). The vendors do speak English. The cost of admission is about $7.50, including tax.

From May 1 until May 4, 2008, the Orchid Society of the East of Puerto Rico is holding their show in the Belz Factory Outlet Mall, in Canovanas. It’s going to be in the wing near the movie theaters. If you’re planning a trip to the rain forest, it will be really convenient for you since you will pass it on the way to the El Yunque. The mall is located at the intersection of Route 3 and Route 66. This is a smaller show and sale, but it will be free of cost. it will be open during Mall hours.

There are also orchid festivals in Mayaguez later this spring and in the Fall. We’ll post those dates once we find out about them.