We are excited to have Russ Vernon with New Vision Orchids coming to Asheville to teach us about the beautiful Odontoglossums. If you don’t have any Odontoglossums in your collection, you should. And now is your chance. Russ will be bringing plenty of orchids to sell at our June 9th meeting. To learn more about Russ and a full life of orchids, read below.

Russ grew up in Cleveland, Ohio.  Early on he had an interest in plants, helping in the yard and growing cacti purchased with his allowance.  His parents and grandparents were all interested in various aspects of horticulture

When Russ was 12 years old, his uncle arrived with 6 orchids saying,”If you can grow those darned cacti, you ought to be able to grow these.”  And a career was launched.

 Russ is a graduate of Ohio State University majoring in horticulture/floriculture.  He has worked for Orchid by Hausermann, A&P Orchids, Ball State University’s Wheeler Orchid Collection and Species Bank, and Jim Davis, the creator of Garfield the Cat.

 In 2004, Russ and his wife Anita started New Vision Orchids.  The company specializes in Phalaenopsis, Odontoglossums and their intergenerics, Miltoniopsis, Cattleyas, and Lycastes.  The biggest area of focus is hybridizing, wholesale and retail sales. Russ also lectures to various orchid societies across the country and conducts workshops on orchid culture.

 Russ is a judge of the American Orchid Society and is past President of the International Phalaenopsis Alliance, and Past President of the Mid-America Orchid Congress and serves on their Conservation Committee.  Russ has also served on the board of trustees of the American Orchid Society.  He and Anita have two daughters.