No Passport Required: Come Take A Trip to Brazil's Orchid Cliffs at Tampa Orchid Club's August Meeting, Tomorrow
- 29 minutes ago
- 2 min read
Pack your curiosity, not your suitcase. Tomorrow, Tuesday, August 25th, the Tampa Orchid Club is taking a trip to Brazil. No flights, no jet lag, just a slideshow and a guide who's spent decades getting the real thing.
Francisco Miranda of Miranda Orchids is joining us to talk about the genus Laelia in Brazil, and if you've never seen where these orchids actually grow, get ready for a surprise. Forget the image of orchids tucked safely in a shady jungle canopy. Brazil's Laelias are rupicolous, meaning they grow wild on bare, sun-blasted granite cliffs and mountain outcrops. These are tough, weather-beaten plants that have adapted to conditions most orchids would never survive, and the payoff is some of the most vividly colored blooms in the whole orchid world.
Francisco is uniquely qualified to be our tour guide. Born in Rio de Janeiro, he holds a degree in biology and has specialized in orchid taxonomy since 1981. His master's thesis was actually written on this exact group of plants. He's published two books and numerous scientific papers on Brazilian orchids, and he still leads regular field expeditions across Brazil in search of new species. Since 2000, he's run Miranda Orchids in Florida, focused on Brazilian species and the Cattleya alliance. In other words, this isn't a talk by someone who has read about these habitats. It's a talk from someone who has climbed the cliffs to find them.
Come see the places, the plants, and the photos. And maybe pick up a few tips on what it takes to grow these Brazilian beauties yourself.
Meeting Details:
When: Tuesday, August 25. Doors open at 9:30 AM; meeting starts at 10 AM
Where: Northdale Park, Tampa (get directions)
Additionally, the meeting will include the monthly bloom table, a giveaway drawing, a silent auction, and our potluck lunch. Bring a dish or dessert to share!
Important To Note:
Darwin's Orchid Depot will not be available this month. He will be out of town.
Guests & Visitors Are Welcome
Guests and visitors are always welcome, member or not. If you've been thinking about joining the Tampa Orchid Club, this is a great meeting to come see what we're all about. Experience a great presentation and meet some of our members. Or join in advance by submitting your new member form and paying your dues today.
Save The Date
The 2026 TOC Orchid Expo Is Coming Up.
Mark your calendars for October 3–4 at Northdale Park for a full weekend of blooms, vendors, and orchids judged by the American Orchid Society. Admission is $8, with all proceeds supporting TOC. We're looking for volunteers and trophy sponsors ($30) — reach out to Cheryl Crilly at cents4me@aol.com or 813.244.7564 if you'd like to help.
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