MEDIA RELEASE

“Orchids, Small and Tall” is the theme of the free 29th Kona Daifukuji Orchid Club (KDOC) show and sale Sunday, July 17 at the Daifukuji Mission Hall.

Kona’s oldest orchid club will offer attendees complimentary refreshments, plus an orchid boutonniere corsage — while they last.

Time is 8 a.m.-2 p.m. with a 10 a.m. performance by the Daifukuji Mission’s taiko drummers. The Sakura Musical Ensemble provides easy-listening entertainment on keyboard and flute.

Guests will be treated to an elaborate display of blooming cattleya, cymbidium, dendrobium, phalaenopsis, miltonia, vanda and more — all owned by club members.

A center exhibit will showcase miniature orchids atop lush ferns. Though smaller in size, miniature orchids are prized among collectors for their dainty charm, flower power and mounting capability.

Got growing questions? Veteran members will staff a Question-and-Answer Booth where attendees can get expert advice on caring for orchids.

The club boasts eight charter members who each have been growing orchids at least 29 years at different Kona elevations.

In addition to the informative educational displays, the annual event offers an outdoor sale of high-quality orchid species and hybrids.

The Kona Daifukuji Orchid Club is West Hawaii’s oldest orchidaceae organization with a mission to learn and foster orchid culture and promote fellowship among orchid collectors.

The club meets the second Wednesday of every month at the Daifukuji Soto Mission Hall on Hwy. 11 at mile marker 114, just north of Kainaliu.

Miniature greenhouse

In addition to a large array of colorful blooming orchids, an award-winning miniature orchid greenhouse will be showcased.

Featured in the prestigious American Orchid Society Bulletin, the miniature “Fantasy Greenhouse” measures 29 by 26 inches and is constructed to doll-house scale: one inch equals one foot.

See 130 “true-to-life” teeny plants, 94 of them are orchids representing 28 different genera.

With technical guidance from her late husband, Rick, KDOC member Rose Stout of Kealakekua created the miniature greenhouse over a seven-month period in 1989.

Plants were meticulously made from fimo, a craft clay, and the display includes a potting shed, “outside” planting beds and landscaping.

The colorful display has garnered awards by the American Orchid Society, the Greater New York and Central New York Orchid Societies and the Massachusetts Orchid Society.