The Malibu Orchid Society garnered four major show awards for its Malibu-inspired display at the 61st Annual Santa Barbara International Orchid Show, March 24-26. This year’s theme, “Orchids in Paradise,” inspired Malibu resident Birute Anne Vileisis and floral designer Caroline Howse to design their award-winning entry based on a fanciful depiction of Paradise Cove.
The 150 square foot display, with more than 200 orchids of every hue and color grown by members of the society, received the Eliot F. Haberlitz Trophy for the Best “Theme of Show,” the Fred A. Stewart Trophy for the Best Display of any size by noncommercial societies or organizations, the Best Display 100 square feet or more among orchid societies, and the coveted Orchid Digest Show Trophy for the most meritorious orchid exhibit covering 30 square feet or more. The Stewart award included a $500 prize.
“The exhibition was truly a group effort and we had a lot of fun doing it,” Vileisis said. “On Monday, a crew went up to the Earl Warren Fairgrounds to set up the scaffolding for the tropical cloud backdrop and sculpted a huge mound of earth into a pathway leading to Paradise Cove. On Wednesday, members set in the orchids and put the finishing touches on the exhibit.”
The display had a beautiful Malibu sky flanked by tall palm trees and greenery loaned by Nagel Nursery of Malibu.
The Malibu Orchid Society meets on the third Tuesday of every month, except December, at 7 p.m. at the Women’s Club, 901 Haverford Ave. Pacific Palisades. Speakers and culture sessions on how to grow orchids are featured at the meetings and members bring in blooming plants for monthly judging.