All about orchids

By CONNIE NELSON, Star Tribune

Last update: March 4, 2008 - 5:42 PM

All about orchids

If you're interested in orchids -- or need a day devoted to something other than bemoaning the weather -- check out the 2008 Orchid Symposium sponsored by the Orchid Society of Minnesota Saturday. It'll feature heavy hitters in the orchid world, such as Welby Smith, who'll talk about Minnesota's native orchids. It also will include practical seminars on growing orchids under lights and identifying and controlling pests and diseases.

The daylong symposium at the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum in Chaska costs $65, including lunch. For more information or to register, call 952-443-1422.

Early bird garden party

It's way too early to start digging in the dirt, unless you attend one of the garden parties at Gertens. The Inver Grove Heights garden center is hosting planting parties Saturdays in March. The Planting Garden Parties, which cost $65 per person and are held at 2 p.m., include a 14-inch hanging basket, potting soil and a range of annuals so you can plant your own basket. (Completed baskets will be stored in Gertens' greenhouses until they can be placed outside in spring.)

The 10 a.m. Premium Garden Parties cost $85 and include all of the above as well as lunch, product demos and door prizes.

Despite the price tag, the garden parties usually sell out, said Stephanie Fecht, assistant to the general manager at Gertens.

"For gardeners, March just drags on and on," she said. "People are just so antsy to dig in the dirt."

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