Tuesday, May 17, 2016 OSMT Meeting

7 pm Presentation: Epiphytes in the Concrete Jungle or “Growing Orchids in Urban Spaces” (refreshments at 6:30 pm)

Location: Cheekwood Botanical Gardens – directions, 1200 Forrest Park Drive Nashville Tennessee 37205

After many trips through the cloud forests and rainforests of Central and South America, Michael Riley set out to free his epiphytic plants from the constraints of their proverbial horticultural pots. The “epi” in epiphyte, became “upon” the walls of his New York City apartment where he grows a multitude of orchids, begonias, bromeliads and most anything else that finds this a comfortable place to “hang out”.

Michael Riley has been interested in horticulture and growing plants for over  sixty years. The real challenge came when he moved from Indiana to New York City and faced the trials and tribulations of a brownstone backyard, community gardens, window boxes, street tree pits, trough gardens, fire escapes, rooftops and indoor light gardens.

He attempts to grow anything and everything; again and again. Michael is a member of the Manhattan Orchid Society and works with his friends at the Ecuagenera nursery (www.ecuagenera.com) in Ecuador, exhibiting and selling orchids and other tropical plant material worldwide. He has served The Gesneriad Society as its President and has been Business Manager for over 30 years.

Many of us growing orchids do so in our homes with or without grow lights. Michael will be sharing his tips, tricks and useful suggestions for the rest of us trying to be successful with orchids indoors. If your orchids need you to learn about creating the best indoor environment of light, optimal temperature, humidity, water and fertilizer combinations, then please plan to attend. You’ll leave the meeting learning from Michael, how orchid’s native to growing on trees adapt and thrive in the urban landscape of New York City. Adapting those lessons learned will greatly improve your orchid growing ability indoors here in Nashville.

The OSMT is grateful to Molly and Rickey Schneider for suggesting a joint program with the Tennessee Gesneriad Society during his visit to Nashville.