Stop and smell the orchids

District Commissioner Ken Russell, the Coconut Grove Business Improvement District (BID) and botanists from Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden celebrated the installation of 2,000 orchids on Commodore Plaza Wednesday morning. Fairchild had been installing the orchids since Monday.

The beautiful installation will further enhance the experience for visitors on the street. Just walk down the street, you can't help but notice the bight yellow orchids in the trees.

Abigael Mahony, Acting Executive BID Director and Commissioner Ken Russell among the yellow orchids.

It was a nice morning as so many Grovites came out to enjoy the ceremony and see the finishing touches as the orchids were installed, even Channel 10 was there reporting on what seemed to be a totally Grove-like fun morning.

The two-year partnership is part of Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden’s The Million Orchid Project to combat the near-extinction of South Florida’s orchid population. In addition to planting orchids native to Florida, they’re also planting Caribbean orchid species, highlighting rare orchids from the Bahamas to commemorate the Bahamian heritage in the Grove. There will be a total of 20 different orchid species planted, ensuring flowers will be in bloom year-round.

Ken Russell and Dr. Jason  Downing discussing the orchids. 

It's "the right orchid for the right place," said Jason Downing PhD and Orchid Biologist at Fairchild Garden, Jason spoke to the group present about the special program. Jason explained that every tree on Commodore Plaza has orchids now. He said, "The goal of the Million Orchid Project is to place a million orchids all around Miami-Dade County."

Jason went on to say that citizens are driving the conservation actions. It's been 4.5 years since the program started. 

Louis Del  Borrello and Rachel Markel from the BID; Michelle Jacobs; Angel Abreu

Planting, planting, planting. Lots of yellow orchids.