February 4 - Restoring Native Orchids
Mike Sands, Tangled Roots Nursery
Mike will speak about the repopulation of native orchids and other epiphytes in Palm Beach County. In the past, native orchids were ripped from trees by the thousands, this along with habitat loss, brought the native orchid population to dangerously low numbers. Mike and his partners are passionately invested in bringing them back to healthy numbers and restoring the orchid paradise that once graced Florida’s wild spaces – who knows, maybe you can help by growing native orchids in your own yard!
Originally from New York, Mike moved to Wellington when he was 17 months old- making him almost a native Floridian! He currently resides in Loxahatchee Groves with his wife Ashley and daughters Fallon and Lily. His residence is home to a wide variety of plants, including his collection of orchids that number around 700. Mike grows his orchids in both pots and mounted. He said his friends say he has his own “private nursery” that includes-among other things- bonsai, houseplants, terrariums, and vegetables.
Mike is the current President of the Tropical Orchid Society. Together with his colleague Will Gurney, they have started a project to re-establish native orchids in the Village of Wellington, a project the Tropical Orchid Society is helping to support.
When: February 4, 6:30 to 9 pm
Where: Memorial Lutheran Church
Drive around to the back entrance
3375 US 1 South, St. Aug 32086
Not from St. Augustine?
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