The Hilo Orchid Society welcomes renowned orchid specialist Guillermo Salazar to its monthly meeting from 2-4:30 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 9, at the Kamana Senior Center.
The Hilo Orchid Society welcomes renowned orchid specialist Guillermo Salazar to its monthly meeting from 2-4:30 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 9, at the Kamana Senior Center.
Salazar will talk about the hidden treasures of El Salvador and the rich orchid diversity of that country, highlighting the top species that can be grown on Hawaii Island.
Salazar was born in Miami but grew up in El Salvador, where he started collecting orchids at age 9 and became the youngest member of the San Salvador Orchid Society. He returned to Florida for college and graduate school, receiving a master’s degree in environmental horticulture from the University of Florida.
He is a private landscape designer, an adjunct faculty for Miami Dade College and landscape superintendent for the city of Miami Lakes.
Salazar is an American Orchid Society student judge, board member of several orchid societies and a Florida master gardener. He has published several orchid articles for South Florida and international magazines. His special interests in orchids are Angraecoids, Bulbophyllums and rare and miniature tropical species.
The meeting is free and open to the public. Doors open at 1:30 p.m. for “talk story.” Each meeting includes a fabulous display of blooming orchids grown by members and discussions.
The senior center is located at 127 Kamana St. in Hilo. For more information, visit the HOS website at www.hiloorchidsociety.org.