Orchid Friends Are Forever

For more than forty years, the Houma-based Terrebonne Orchid Society has been cultivating a friendly, helpful, and open community around a shared passion for these beautiful flowers.

The Terrebonne Orchid Society was established in September of 1987 by the late Houma resident and horticulture enthusiast Mr. Ashley. The club was started based on a local love of orchids, and a desire to build a community in which orchid owners could ask friends for advice on their plants and display their prize blooms. The club currently has about thirty members, with two of the original founding members still active in the club. 

Beverly Matherne, widow of the late Ashley Matherne, has been an active member of the Terrebonne Orchid Society for almost 30 years and recalls her late husband Ashley’s infectious love for the plants. “He had what I can only describe as a God-given talent,” said Beverly fondly. “He was a hybridizer, which means that most of what he did was focusing on breeding orchids to create new types. Through this process he was able to make some incredibly unique new types of orchids. It was through watching him work that I fell in love with orchids myself. His work was truly special.” Ashley was nationally recognized hybridist and received two First Class Flower (FCC) Awards by the American Orchid Society for his species of orchids. This is the highest award presented by the American Orchid Society, as winning blooms must score a 90 or above on the 100-point scale. 

While people such as Ashley showed their orchids competitively, the Terrebonne Orchid Society is not solely focused on competitive work. “Our society is really a group of close friends who get together to talk about our experiences and share our passion for these beautiful plants,” said member Denise Mitchell. Denise has been a member of the Terrebonne Orchid Society for five years, but became invested in growing orchids years earlier while living in Texas. “When I retired from my career in nursing, a friend of mine gifted me an orchid. He said, ‘Denise, you are going to need a hobby to keep you busy in retirement,’ and I didn’t quite see myself getting involved in it. In just a few years, I went from owning five orchids to almost 200,” Denise said as she gestured to her personal greenhouse, overflowing with dozens of different orchids. “It is addicting. Having a community to share that with is really special, whether you are interested in showing your orchids competitively or just talking with friends about your experiences.” 

Whether participants are involved in the society in a leisurely or more serious way, The Terrebonne Orchid Society offers lots of opportunities to become involved in a larger community of orchidists. The Houma-based group is part of the American Orchid Society, and local members often have the opportunity to travel to different states across the country to attend and present in orchid shows. “We plan whole trips to go visit other orchid society shows,” said Denise. “They are a lot of fun for our members and we always look forward to them.” The local club is a host to these shows as well, and the society is looking forward to a big one– The Terrebonne Orchid Society Show and Sale that will take place on Friday, March 24th (11 a.m. – 8 p.m.), Saturday, March 25th (11 a.m. – 8 p.m), and Sunday, March 26th (12 p.m. – 6 p.m.) at the Southland Mall, 5953 W Park Avenue, Houma.

“Members of our society and other orchid societies from Baton Rouge, New Orleans, Mississippi, Lafayette, Texas, and other places will all be attending the show,” said Denise. “We will have judges from the Houston Orchid Society coming as well to award prizes. People in attendance can expect to see all kinds of rare, common, and absolutely beautiful orchids from all kinds of orchidists.” The Terrebonne Orchid Society Show and Sale is open to the public free of charge. If attendees are interested in purchasing an orchid at the show, there will be vendors with orchids for sale. 

After a tour of Denise’s personal greenhouse and a look at the process of growing and cultivating different types of orchids, the two society members emphasized the importance of the club to them and their effort to expose their society to the community. “We are always looking for new members,” said Beverly. “Everyone has something different and unique to bring to the table. We always love when new people come to our meetings. Everyone is welcome, whether you want to ask advice, or to show an orchid, or just meet new people– if you want to join, just show up!” The Terrebonne Parish Orchid Society meetings are held every second Tuesday of the month at the Terrebonne Parish Public Library Main Branch. Membership to the society is entirely free.

“This society is special to us,” said Denise as Beverly smiled and nodded. “After all– orchid friends are forever!”

For more information about the Terrebonne Orchid Society and upcoming show, reach out to Denise Mitchell at denise.mitchell123@gmail.com.