Fairgrounds wild about orchids

Annual Fascination of Orchids show moves from South Coast Plaza to the Orange County Fairgrounds this year. Sixty international vendors are expected to be on hand. The location may have changed, but the fascination remains the same.

“If you were a bug, wouldn’t you love this? I would,” self-described orchid fanatic Susan Hamilton said Wednesday while setting up her flowers for this weekend’s Fascination of Orchids international show.

After more than a decade at South Coast Plaza, the world famous show has relocated to the Orange County Fairgrounds. Organizers said they miss the ambience of the shopping center but hope the increased space will allow the shop to keep growing.

For a $3, one-day pass, visitors will be able to view orchids from more than 60 international vendors and attend workshops on caring for and exhibiting orchids.

“The first thing we should do is make you sign a disclosure because we can’t be responsible for your addiction,” joked event organizer Tony Glinskas.

Hundreds of orchid fanatics are expected to descend on the show, billed as the largest orchid exhibition in United States.

Everyone at this year’s show has favorite orchid facts.

Glinskas claims there are more than 30,000 types of orchids, most of which exist in tropical rain forests.

“And they have orchids on every continent in the world except Antarctica,” Hamilton said.

“Um, excuse me,” Glinskas cheerfully interrupted. “They just found one there.”

“Oh really?” Hamilton said, surprised. “I’ll have to change my spiel.”

This year’s show is a chance to check out rare orchids from dozens of countries, but organizers plan to include a focus on growing orchids here in Orange County.

“The area from Santa Barbara to San Diego is one of the finest places for growing orchids in the world,” Glinskas said, adding that orchids thrive in regions near the ocean with fluctuating temperatures and plenty of sunshine.

For those looking for orchid house plants, Glinskas recommends the Phalaenopsis, or moth orchid, and the Paphiopedilum, commonly referred to as the slipper orchid.

In terms of outdoor orchids, Glinskas recommends Cymbidiums; a durable plant that thrives when given plenty of sunlight.

A common mistake many new orchid enthusiasts make is trying to place the flowers in soil -- a big no-no, Glinskas pointed out. Orchids do require water, but they shouldn’t sit or soak in soggy areas. In fact, water should be able to drain freely and the plant allowed to dry before being watered again. Orchids should be planted in loose “mediums” such as bark or coconut chips or even stone, so that the roots get plenty of air circulation, he said.

“Balance is the vital goal,” he said. “If the temperature or light are increased, so must air circulation, water and fertilizer. When light levels and temperatures drop, reduce water and fertilizer.”

Orchids appeal to many because of their simple nature, Hamilton said. Once correctly planted and placed, the flowers usually thrive on their own.

“They don’t need us, we need them,” Hamilton said. “I couldn’t survive in the jungle. They propagate, they divide, they make war. I would be dead in an hour.”

IF YOU GO

* WHAT: Fascination of Orchids

* WHEN: Today from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

* WHERE: Orange County Fairgrounds

* COST: $3 for one day; $5 for an unlimited weekend pass

* INFO:(949) 293-309520060210iug472ncKENT TREPTOW / DAILY PILOT(LA)Andy Phillips of Encinitas prepares his orchid display for the opening of the Fascination of Orchids exhibition at the Orange County Fairgrounds. 20060210iug47mncKENT TREPTOW / DAILY PILOT(LA)The orchid hybrid Phalaenopsis Brother Sara Gold is one of the plants on display at this weekend’s orchid exhibition.