Negros Occidental Orchid Society: A Showcase of Flowers

Bacolod City beams with smiles, faux or real, plastered on the people's faces when October comes. It is during this time when people feel abundant and blessed, despite whatever situation they are in. This is the Masskara Festival, a fitting tribute to the times when people bravely faced the difficult times after the sugar industry hit rock bottom and the batang Negros became a worldwide news phenomenon.

But the festivities and the pageants aren't the only ones that took the center stage this season. Much of the beauty and credit may be attributed to the silent revelry that the flowers of Negros had during the 10^th Orchid Show and Exhibit.

Entitled Orchid Celebration, the members of the Negros Occidental Orchid Society flaunted their wonderful collection of exotic orchids and the best were recognized in the awarding ceremonies. But the NOOS is not just about growing orchids. Founded in 1983 by Julita Benedicto, the better half of the late Roberto S. Benedicto, the society is all about the preservation of the orchids species, especially those that are endemic to the island of Negros. There is a growing concern for the degenerating ecosystem and every plant and animal life that comes with it. And as the forests are denuded, all the plants that seek cover under the foliage are also gone. At the same time, there are orchid vendors who go to the mountains and bring down orchid plants from the wild, and as people from the lowlands buy them, they realize that these flowers are not suitable for the hot city climate. Thus, these hapless plants are thrown away. As this practice proliferates, many orchid plants are losing their kind, and there are already a number that have become extinct. They only remain in the memory of orchid lovers or in books, if ever these were documented.

Mrs. Benedicto said that the challenge is now on the shoulders of the current generation to preserve the orchid species for the appreciation of "our children and the children to come. Orchid species, especially those that grow in the wild, are decreasing mostly because of human carelessness. So if we don't do our share now, there will come a time that there will be no more orchids to appreciate." The Orchid Show working committee chairwoman, Mrs. Socorro Monfort, echoes this appeal, as she said that although the show is also "for the appreciation of orchid lovers, young and old alike, we also would like to bring awareness of orchid conservation to everyone."

Aside from the orchid show, the members who are experts in their respective fields gave lectures on different topics, such as growing cattleyas and vandas, orchid breeding and tissue culture, orchid fertilization, orchid artistry, and organic fertilization and composting.

Spectators were also allowed to buy plantlets of orchids and other ornamentals from the different booths. The exhibitors already experienced tremendous sales in the first few days of the show. Much of the displays were already sold out halfway through the show. This just goes to show that there's a real and solid market for ornamental plants, as even the busiest of people would like to maintain a pot or two of flowers in their own homes-a sort of psychological therapy to see a beautiful bloom at the end of a lousy day. For those who have extra time and space, you may opt to grow any plant species and get to earn some extra bucks. You may also want to specialize your garden to specify your target markets. Just remember, ornamental plants and flowers are not just for appreciation, they sell.