Flower Power: Orchid Overflow at Showgrounds

Folks who aren’t fanatical about orchids may not realize it, but the Santa Barbara International Orchid Show is a very big deal. The show’s longevity is a big part of that – it’s been nearly eight decades since its first iteration in at the Montecito Grange Hall in 1945, and the SBIOS has ensconced at Earl Warren Showgrounds since the rotunda building opened in the early 1960s – when the showground’s namesake was chief justice of the Supreme Court. 

The show is as prestigious as was Chief Justice Warren himself. Growers, breeders, and others travel from far and wide to marvel at the magnificent displays and gape at amazing arrangements, consult with The Orchid Doctor and gardeners about plant questions, watch demonstrations, learn more about the flowers and shop at Vendor Hall to bring home beautiful varieties. 

That’s why 8,000 people came out for last year’s SBIOS, the first time it was held in three years due to the pandemic. 

“It went like gangbusters,” exclaimed Lauris Rose, President of Santa Barbara International Orchid Show. “There was just so much pent-up demand for us to come back.” 

Due to high-tech laboratory techniques that make possible the cloning of a wide variety of orchids at mass marketable prices – every grocery store in town now sells a variety or two – the plants’ popularity has exploded. But Rose, who is also co-owner of Cal-Orchid, Inc., on More Mesa – one of the largest and oldest orchid nurseries in the area – explained that the show offers an opportunity for everyone to see the latest hybrids, cross-breeds and more in the world of orchids, representing a larger sampling of the more than 30,000 varieties in the world, all of which fascinate both collectors and the merely curious. 

“We’re always trying to grow better forms of species – as is the whole orchid community. People jump at the chance to be able to come to Santa Barbara and see something different, not just orchids with trainer wheels,” she said. 

Many of her colleagues, large and small, are among the exhibitors and vendors at the show. This gives attendees access to the experts for advice
and suggestions. 

“You’re not dealing with salesclerks,” Rose said. “These are people who own the nurseries. They can tell you about growing conditions and give you guidance for care.”

There are many ways to experience the show over the long weekend, March 7-10, including a yoga and sound bath night on Thursday, “Orchids After Dark” on Saturday night, and more. Visit https://sborchidshow.com for details and tickets. 

Kings & Strings

Doublewide and salty, that’s how I like my music. Last summer’s “Local Vibes” concert at Elings Park paired the classic-rock conglomerate The Doublewide Kings with the Bren School-formed boundary-busting bluegrass band Salty Strings. The performance was transcendent, despite power failures and a freak five-minute thunderstorm. It’s not likely such shenanigans will repeat, and the two bands aren’t actually sharing a bill again, but they are sharing a stage at SOhO, albeit on successive nights. The Kings will concentrate on one of their favorite classic rock heroes, covering Creedence Clearwater Revival in both acoustic/dinner and electric/dance sets on March 8. Salty Strings, most of whose members have moved away so gigs are much more rare, also play both formats. They go completely acoustic – as in unplugged and unamplified – at their favorite outdoor spot on the bluffs at Douglas Family Preserve just before sunset on March 8 – which means you can still see Doublewide at SOhO later on that evening. Salty Strings then plugs in for more at SOhO on March 9, when local bluegrass compatriots Down Yonder
open the show.