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Santa Barbara, CA – Orchids

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orchids-santa-barbara-2 orchids-santa-barbara-1 Often called the “American Riviera”, Santa Barbara has an ideal climate for growing orchids. In fact Santa Barbara now produces more orchids then any other region in the country.

Exotic orchids soon became popular and were heavily planted in the Montecito and Hope Ranch estates. After World War II the oil baron Samuel Mosher spent 1.5 million on breeding orchids at his Dos Pueblos Orchid Company. His breeding grounds provided young plants for other growers who would often times pay up to tens of thousands of dollars for rare varieties. Today the prices have dramatically dropped due to the cloning of many orchids and various laboratory techniques.

Every year Santa Barbara hosts the International Orchid Show at the Earl Warren Showgrounds located at the intersection of the 101 freeway and Las Positas Road. Many orchid dealers come to this show both domestically and internationally. Some local nurseries that are usually not open to the public exhibit their orchids and are open to the public for tours of their greenhouses.

You will be amazed to see the large number and variety of orchids displayed. People come from all over the world to see the diversity on display and showcase their own orchids. The main pavilion houses seemingly thousands of orchids both from private and public growers. These are judged and then awarded prizes.

During our last show we overheard one gentleman discussing his ownership of more then 4000 orchids. He said that he only bought three orchids at this particular show. Like any other passion it can border on obsession 🙂 Prices at the show range from 10 to over 100 dollars, with most orchids in the range of 15 to 45 dollars. Orchids were originally introduced to Santa Barbara around the early 1900’s when wealthy industrialists came to enjoy the spa resorts. Many of these people fell in love with the climate (its not hard to do) and they commissioned world class horticulturists to plant orchids in their elaborate gardens.

Upcoming shows:

  • March 12 – 14, 2021
    More to be posted soon!
  • This annual event is must visit for orchid lovers and collectors.
     
    For more info about the Santa Barbara International Orchid Show visit: www.sborchidshow.com
 

The hours for these shows are: Open Friday at 10AM until 8PM, Saturday from 9AM until 8PM, and Sunday from 9AM to 5PM. Admission is $14 general/adults, with discounted tickets given for seniors and students with an ID. Children under 12 accompanied by an adult are free. Group rates are available for the purchase of 25 tickets or more.
 

Various regional orchid growers or those present at the International Orchid Show are:

  • Cal-Orchid, Inc. is located in a residential neighborhood about a minutes drive from their orchid neighbor, the Santa Barbara Orchid Estate. Address is appropriately 1251 Orchid Dr. This nursery ships orchids around the world.

    This family owned nursery was established in 1987. Parking is very limited on their narrow driveway/road. Note the American Budhist Meditation Temple next door. A small pathway leads past a few Avocado trees and other lush vegetation. You may see orange robed monks walking here.
     
    They offer a wide range of orchids and maintain an active breeding program. Check out their once a year open house in early November. Phone Number is (805) 967-1312. They are open on Monday through Saturday from 9AM until 4PM. Visit: www.calorchid.com



  • Gallup & Stribling Orchid Visitor Center is open 7 days a week from 830 to 5pm daily. They are the largest wholesale orchid grower in the United States and have been in business for over 50 years. The scope of their operations comes into focus when you visit the property. Extensive greenhouses run for long distances in all directions. They provide orchids to the mass market and provide wholesale services.
     
    Compared to the rest of their operations, their visitor center is rather small (yet is still fairly large) containing many different types of orchids. They also sell freshly grown produce – at the time of our visit avocados, lettuce and some other veggies were for sale. They are located at 3450 Via Real in Carpinteria (just off of the 101 freeway). For more information about this orchid farm please call Phone Number (805) 684-9842 or (805) 684-1998 or visit their web site: www.gallup-stribling.com


  • santa-barbara-orchid-estate Santa Barbara Orchid Estate is our personal favorite. We have been here many times and have purchased a number of orchids over the years. They have several large greenhouses and a few smaller ones. Their selection is good, featuring over 1000 different species. They were founded in 1957 and specialize in growing outdoor varieties.
     
    Beware of picking the tangerines on their tangerine tree that grows at the entrance. The fruit is always orange in color but is the most sour fruit that we have ever eaten. It stays sour all year long. WE think they planted that certain variety out in front of their greenhouses on purpose! They are located not far from the campus of UCSB at the appropriately named 1250 Orchid Drive. Phone: (805) 967-1284; they are open all year round. Their hours are Monday through Saturday from 8AM to 4:30PM and Sunday from 11AM to 4PM. For more information please visit their website: www.sborchid.com


  • Westerlay Orchids are located just off of the 101 freeway at 3504 Via Real in Carpinteria (just down the road from Gallup & Stribling’s orchid operations). The visitor center here is setup like what you would possibly find in an Asian based orchid visitor center (and we have visited a number of orchid farms in parts of Asia). Nicely decorated, the focus being on orchids but other tropical flowers represented, photography, a liberal use of wood in the design and other cute products (such as dry plants contained inside light bulbs).
     
    The owners originally immigrated from the Netherlands to Carpinteria and started growing roses. Today they have expanded significantly since their first operations – and now own 21 acres of greenhouses (their wholesale orchid market is a big part of their business). Closed Sundays.

    For more information, visit: www.westerlayorchids.com



Orchid Show Photographs



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