Keith and Dina Emig – Winter Haven Orchid Nursery, Fun Cattleya Species You Can Grow

Keith Emig’s Orchid Bio Keith’s orchid journey all started with a trip to the dentist where, on the receptionist’s desk, there was a small plant with three leaves and an inflorescence with twenty blooms suspended above in a beautifully presented fashion. When asked, the receptionist replied that the dentist grew this orchid, and he was an orchid hobbyist. This multi floral Phalaenopsis captured Keith’s attention and it was on. Orchid fever is infectious, and all information and practice plants acquirable were obtained and the endless experimentation to better grow and flower these plants was a driving uncontrollable force. As the passion grew, joining our local orchid society and the American Orchid Society opened the orchid world’s secrets. There is no substitute for the company of other infected souls, with whom to share this fever. Soon the passion of combining the attributes of two beautiful plants, by cross pollinating, stimulated the imagination. The flasking case was built and has been a fixture in the kitchen for almost 20 years now. Over 1000 seed pods have been flasked to this point and it seems each season there is some new cross that has more exciting possibilities than anything before. Keith and Dina have now registered plants in the Oncidium, Cattleya, Phaleanopsis, Vanda, and Dendrobium alliances, and have created their own genera (Emigara). In recent years they’ve enjoyed going to judging and seeing everyone’s beautiful plants and bringing their own plants. They’ve been excited to received over 70 flower quality awards, so far, including 9 awards on their original crosses. In August 2024 Keith became a student AOS judge. It has been a great pleasure, for Keith, to have served on the board of directors of the Ridge Orchid Society for over a decade, including at least 7 terms as President. The highlight is the fellowship of the membership and sharing the passion of orchids with the orchid community. Be sure to check out Keith’s article in the March 2017 Orchids magazine (pg 208). It is titled Luck of the Draw. We can be found on social media at fb.com/whorchids and IG.com/wh_orchids

We are excited that Keith and Dina will be sharing their growing knowledge, bringing their plants for our raffle table and selling plants at our meeting.