Japanese Orchid: The Small and Mighty. Presented by: Dr. Kristen Uthus 
Japanese orchids are not typical in the orchid world as they are often collected for their leaves rather than their flowers. In her talk “Japanese Orchids: the Small and Mighty,” Kristen will speak about what makes Japanese orchids stand out in a crowd and why Neofinetia falcata may be the easiest of all orchids to grow.
Dr. Kristen Uthus studied both plant and animal ecology and evolution at Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) and the Ohio State University (OSU). She then taught biology and ecology at several colleges including VCU, OSU, University of Michigan, and Eastern Michigan University. The daughter of a plant fanatic, Kristen has been growing orchids for over 20 years, sometimes more and sometimes less seriously. In April 2013, however, she began working with Dr. Glenn Lehr, the previous owner of New World Orchids, one of the first people to introduce Japanese orchids to the American market. After a short time, he offered her the business, and she fulfilled a lifelong dream of making orchids a full-time commitment by purchasing NWO from Dr. Lehr in January 2014.
Although she enjoys growing many varieties of orchids and other plants, miniatures remain her passion—the weirder the better. New World Orchids specializes in Japanese species including Neofinetia falcata, Dendrobium moniliforme, and Sederia japonica as well as Asian Cymbidium species, but her miniature selection has been expanding to include other small species including Pleurothallids, Bulbophyllums, and Angraecums. Although not ever entirely up to date, you can check out some of NWO’s offerings at www.newworldorchids.com.