©2008 Sally Robertson

Hard Working Orchids Are One of the Best Eco Friendly House Plants
Working Night and Day to Keep the Air you Breathe Clean

Many people grow orchids as houseplants because of their breath-taking beauty and elegance. But these plants are not only beautiful decorations; studies have shown that orchids are one of the best eco-friendly house plants working night and day to keep your air clean.

Different from most plants, some orchids such as Catteyas and  many Dendrobiums have modified their respiration in the same way as Cacti and many succulents. Energy from the sun is stored as organic acids during the day, then used to fix carbon at night, releasing oxygen in the process. They do this so they don’t have to exchange gasses during the heat of the day and lose excess water. Through this natural process, these orchids use carbon dioxide, release oxygen at night rather than during the day as most plants do. Orchids also reduce air pollutants and facilitate the air purification processes which continue throughout the night. Orchids and the other pollution reducing houseplants, such as the Spider Plant reduce the amount of particulate matter and volatile organic compounds (VOC) in the air.  Orchids in the home thus have health benefits (beyond soothing the soul) since VOCs are a major cause of respiratory problems, headaches, and more.

Some orchid species have even higher environmental value. In Dr. B.C. Wolverton's Book "Eco Friendly House Plants," the Dendrobium orchid is listed as one of the top 20 plants to be considered the most useful in removing chemical vapors.

To learn more about orchids’ air-cleaning functions and their benefits to the greater environment, visit one of the three most prestigious orchid shows in the
United States, the San Francisco Orchid Society’s 2009 Pacific Orchid Exposition. More than 150,000 orchid flowers throughout the world will be displayed in educational exhibits and sales booths, offering orchid enthusiasts a unique opportunity to look into the close relationships between orchids and its surrounding environment, as well as to learn more sustainable cultivation techniques.

WHO
The San Francisco Orchid Society (SFOS)

WHAT
The 57th Annual Pacific Orchid Exposition, “Green…With Envy”

WHERE
Fort Mason Center’s Festival Pavilion

WHEN
March 5-8, 2009

• Gala Benefit Preview, Thursday, March 5, 2009, 6:30-10:00 p.m.
• Friday, March 6, 10:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m.
• Saturday, March 7, 9:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m.
• Sunday, March 8, 10:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.

COST
Preview Night: $35 in advance / $40 at the door, General Admission: $12 in advance/ $14 at the door, Seniors: $8 in advance / $10 at the door,
Kids 12 & Under Free when accompanied by an adult (except at preview night)

INFO
Call  650.548.6700

For sponsorships, groups tours and media contact, The Larose Group, LLC, Frances Larose at flarose@prmagic.com