Federal shutdown endangers orchids

You can add orchids to the long list of things endangered by the federal shutdown. Yes, I said orchids. The National Capital Orchid Society has been staging a huge show and sale — one of the largest on the East Coast — over Columbus Day Weekend for the past 65 years. But this year’s event may have to be moved at the last minute or canceled altogether if the shutdown keeps the U.S. National Arboretum closed.

The free three-day event features thousands of exotic orchids on display and for sale, with orchid experts aplenty on hand to dish out advice on how to successfully care for one of nature’s greatest wonders. It’s scheduled for next Saturday, Oct. 12, through Monday, Oct. 14, at the arboretum…if it’s open. For up-to-the-minute info, visit the society’s website.

But the rose show will go on

Kathryn George of Gaithersburg writes: “About 14 years ago, a garden report on WTOP announced the dates for that year’s Potomac Rose Society Fall Show. It sounded like fun, so I went, came to join the society, and now request that you announce the 75th Annual Potomac Rose Society Rose Show, which will be held next Saturday and Sunday the 12th and 13th at Merrifield Garden Center’s Fair Oaks location in Fairfax.”

Our pleasure, Kathryn. (You almost make it sound like it’s also our fault, somehow