At Massachusetts Orchid Society show Nov. 2 – 4
Published November 1, 2018
By GAIL LOWE
NORTH READING — Passing through the front door of town resident Robert “Bob” Richter’s home brings visitors to a veritable wonderland.
The interior space contains common living areas as well as separate rooms for his computer servers, piano and model trains. From all outward appearances, Richter never met a hobby he didn’t like.
And outside the home there is more — specifically, a greenhouse on the 1.3-acre property where Richter grows orchids in astoundingly beautiful shades of purple (his favorite), pink, yellow, apricot and white. There are 3,000 orchid plants growing in his greenhouse, some of which are aromatic with the scent of cinnamon.
And now, Richter will exhibit his homegrown orchids at the Massachusetts Orchid Society’s World of Orchids Up Close and Personal show from Friday, Nov. 2 through Sunday, Nov. 4 at the Sons of Italy, 117 Swanton St., Winchester.
AWARD-WINNING orchid-grower Bob Richter and his wife Marcia inside a greenhouse on their 1.3-acre property where temperature control is paramount to successfully growing the storied plants. (Gail Lowe Photo)
Approximately 2,000 people from all over New England are expected to attend and participate in workshops and purchase orchids.
All of the orchid societies support each other’s shows so growers will come from Massachusetts, Cape Cod and the Islands, New Hampshire and Maine. Vendors will also be on hand to sell plants and display orchid-related items. Many people will be there to answer questions and help improve the success of orchid growing.
Participating vendors include The OrchidPhile, Piping Rock Orchids, Andy’s Orchids, Bob Cleveland Orchids, Cold Brook Pottey, Cornstarch Flowers by Jai, Grace Emporia – Apparel, Kelley’s Korner Orchid Supply, Marlow’s Orchids, New World Orchids, J&L Orchids, Fair Orchids and Janelle Delicata.
Spending the better part of an afternoon with Richter and his wife Marcia provided insight into his unusual hobby and the man himself. He loves to talk about growing orchids, listen to soft jazz that comes over an internet jazz station and interact with Sadie, the couple’s golden retriever. There’s another pet besides Sadie — a white and gray cat named Charlie Parker “The Birdman,” of jazz fame. Richter said the cat often leaves “trophies” at his owners’ feet.
As a rule, orchids are not easy to grow, but that’s part of the allure for Richter.
“I love a challenge — anything different is worth doing,” he said.
The orchids he grows have names that would stump even the best spellers: Phalaenopsis, Bulbophyllum and Paphiopedilum orchids are but a few. Easier to spell orchids include Vanda and Lady Slipper Orchids. He has them all in his greenhouse.
Richter said he became interested in growing orchids 35 years ago, and over time he has received multiple ribbons for “Best Vandaceous” and other outstanding orchids. The bundle of ribbons he has won are proudly displayed in his greenhouse.
He also owns more than 300 books on orchids, some of which are dated to the 1800s. One is an original copy of “Darwin’s Work on the Fertilization of Orchids.”
Richter said there are 35,000 species of orchids in the world on every continent, with the exception of Antarctica, at every elevation below the tree line. When they are grown in homes and greenhouses, they must mimic the environment where they came from. With that in mind, Richter must make sure that the greenhouse is kept at certain temperatures day and night. He also must be precise when watering and feeding the plants. Orchids, he said, grow in jungles and in deserts and every environment in between. There’s very little about these magnificent flowers he doesn’t know.
In the next few days, the Richters will be with many others who grow orchids at the Massachusetts Orchid Society’s show. Who knows? Maybe he’ll learn something new.
Showtimes are Friday, Nov. 2 from 12:30 to 5 p.m., Saturday, Nov. 3 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday, Nov. 4 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission is $10. There is no admittance fee for Massachusetts Orchid Society members and children under age 10. A door prize will be part of the festivities.
