Thousands of brilliantly colored orchids and the lush tropical setting of a contemporary Brazilian garden await visitors to this year’s Orchid Show in the Enid A. Haupt Conservatory. This year’s exhibition, the 7th annual, is designed by noted Miami-based landscape architect Raymond Jungles. In creating the display he has drawn on his years of work with renowned Brazilian landscape architect Roberto Burle Marx.

Fountains, pools, and colorful mosaics are combined with graceful palms, delicate orchids, bromeliads, and other native plants of Brazil, which are also highlighted throughout the Conservatory.

Don’t miss Chocolate and Vanilla Adventures, where children will discover that vanilla comes from the seedpod of an orchid plant called Vanilla planifolia. Examine vanilla beans with hand lenses and microscopes, and observe live vanilla orchids. Stimulate your senses and enjoy the heavenly scent of fresh vanilla and taste vanilla-flavored products.

Tickle your taste buds with hot chocolate made from a Mayan recipe, and you’ll be surprised to discover that the ancient beverage is quite different from the hot chocolate of today. Come grind, examine, and taste real chocolate seeds and add spices such as chili powder, cinnamon, and vanilla to make a special drink.

You can also learn about Mayan hieroglyphs for “chocolate” and “vanilla,” and record all your findings in field notebooks. The whole family can explore the fascinating history of chocolate and the great cacao tree, Theobroma cacao, or "food of the gods."

Come join the fun!

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Founding Sponsor:
Additional support has been provided by the Karen Katen Foundation