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Harry
Phillips: "MOUNTED ORCHIDS FACTS AND
FANTASY"
Harry
Phillips was born in San Diego, California on July 9, 1953.
His Father taught him to appreciate plants at an early age. In
January of 1963 Harry’s brother Andy (of Andy’s Orchids
fame) was born, and six years later is when it all started.
They were both exposed to exotic plants and flowers at an
early age, but when Andy became interested and latter obsessed
with orchids, Harry some how resisted becoming involved with
them for as long as he could. He assisted Andy in his passion
by building his first two green houses, and Andy would reward
him with a hybrid that was in bloom, tell him to bring it back
when it goes out of bloom, and exchange it for one in bloom.
Well this would only last about a year until he decided that
he wanted to keep one and get it to re-bloom, the beginning of
the end.
In 1986
Harry, with his soon to be wife Leslie, moved with Andy and
his orchid collection to Encinitas, California. Being
constantly exposed to all of Andy’s orchids was beginning to
have an effect on Harry. Shortly after, Andy left for four
months to Costa Rica, and placed Harry in charge of the
collection. When Andy returned he found that Harry had not
killed too many plants and managed to become even more
addicted. Andy now, feeling more confident about leaving his
orchid collection under Harry’s care, began to plan a
cycling trip through South America which ended up lasting two
years. After that it was all over for Harry, he was completely
addicted to orchids.
Harry
assisted Andy part time, with the beginnings of Andy’s
Orchids, for over 10 years while holding a fulltime job to pay
the mortgage, going full time about 8 years ago. His passion
in orchids are in the Genera Sobralia and Elleanthus, but you
ask him at any particular time of the year which is his
favorite orchid, and it will most likely be the one or ones in
bloom at that time. He has traveled in Mexico and Ecuador
viewing orchids in the wild. Harry believes that growing
epiphytic orchids the way they grow in nature is best and the
orchids seem to agree. He will share with you his experiences
with growing mounted orchids, and would like to dispel the
fantasy that growing mounted orchids is difficult.
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The
plant table will be provided by Andy's Orchids
Dinner
with the speaker will be at Pasta
Pomodoro at
5:30 pm in downtown Pleasant Hill
45 Crescent Drive, Pleasant Hill, CA 94523
Tel 925-363-9641
If you would like to attend please call Eileen Jackson
at 707-642-5915 or email Jackson.eileen@att.net
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