This was my sixth year in a row attending the Orchid Show at the New York Botanical Garden (see my photos from 2017 / 2016 / 2015 / 2014 / 2013). The show changes subtly each year, but I appreciate that it doesn't change too much. We went on Saturday, which was the first really nice day of the year—in the 70s and sunny—and it seemed like every single person in the city was outside. We had to wait in line just to get into the conservatory, which was a first, but the orchids are worth the wait.

It's surreal to me that I'm coming up on my five-year New York anniversary and I'm becoming very protective of the traditions that I have made over these years. My uncle is usually in town for the orchid show and it did feel a bit wrong to go without him, but I can't bear to miss it.

The variety of orchids will never cease to astound me and my respect for nature grows each time I visit the garden. I feel like an expert by now on the orchids at the show—here are the ones that smell like chocolate, there are the ones that look like slippers—but of course I know very little about plants. I've killed nearly everything I've tried to grow on my own, so I'm happy to just be a spectator.

Spring has just now arrived, so most of the garden is behind in its bloom schedule. The cherries, which are usually just about reaching their peak at this time are just beginning to bloom, so it was nice to be able to spend a few hours surrounded by so many orchids at their peak. The cultivation and collection of orchids is a fascinating world, and if you have even a passing interest in the subject I highly recommend reading this book.

I don't know if I'll be able to make it to the orchid show every single year, but there's a comfort in knowing that no matter how bleak the winter gets, spring will always come early to the greenhouses of the New York Botanical Garden.

New York Botanical Garden
2900 Southern Boulevard
Bronx, NY 10458-5126
The Orchid Show is open Tues-Sunday, 10am-6pm until Sunday, April 22nd

Orchid Show 2018