Location: Venice Community Center (Doors open at 6:45pm) 

Ti & Henry of Florida Orchid House

Presenting – Soft Cane Dens

We are a certified nursery located in Central Florida with focal points set on distinctive, uncommon species and new hybrids. We founded Florida Orchid House with a goal in mind – growing exotic beautiful plants and providing a reliable way to make our plants accessible to hobbyists and growers across the States. Our passion has driven us from the beginning, and continues to drive us into the future. We know that every plant counts, and strive to make your entire shopping experience as rewarding as possible!

Greenhouse Location – 23820 69th Ave E. Myakka City, FL, 34251

www.floridaorchidhouse.com

Location: Venice Community Center (Doors open at 6:45pm)

Presenting: Vandas

Rafael Romero, Plantio La Orquidea, was born in Caracas, Venezuela and graduated as a biologist from the Universidad Simon Bolivar. He began working with orchids in 1986 with his father in law, Henrique Graf, owner of Plantio La Orquidea, the largest orchid nursery in Venezuela. Together with his wife Tina, Rafael started the laboratory at Plantio La Orquidea in 1986 where they produce the species and hybrids for which they are known. They moved to Sarasota in 2003 and started their nursery where they established a good sample of the species and hybrids produced in Venezuela as well as adding interesting species and hybrids from around the world.Rafael will be sharing his knowledge and experiences as well as answering questions and will have a great selection of his orchids available for sale. Plantio La Orquidea is one of our fine local growers and is located at 3480 Tallevast Road in Sarasota.

Location: Venice Community Center (Doors open at 6:45pm)

The Speaker will be Dr. Tatiana Arias

Presenting: What she and Selby Gardens is doing for Florida orchid conservation.

Award-winning botanist  joined the staff of Selby Gardens in November 2021 as an orchid researcher. An innovative scientist who earned a Ph.D. at the University of Missouri, Arias comes to Sarasota from her native Colombia, where she has been leading a research lab focused on orchid genomics, horticulture, and conservation.

Dr. Arias is a classically trained botanist who has kept up with modern methods. Her interest in pursuing novel approaches to science is refreshing. Tatiana brings to us a passion for orchids as well as broad connections to the botanical world and to the Andes, where the greatest region of orchid diversity is found.

Arias, has more than 15 years of experience working in plant sciences. She has been honored by the World Academy of Sciences and The Colombian Academy of Sciences, among other professional achievements.

“I am passionate about and committed to diversity in academia,” Arias said. “This position presents an exciting opportunity to do top-notch orchid science research in an environment of other accomplished scholars.”

Marie Selby Botanical Gardens provides 45 acres of Bayfront sanctuaries connecting people with air plants of the world, native nature, and regional history. For more information visit  selby.org.