I recently attended the largest and most magnificent horticulture show I have ever had an opportunity to experience. I have been very fortunate to have attended many horticultural exhibitions around the world. In my opinion, none can compare to the Royal Flora Ratchaphruek, with its sweeping landscapes, held in the northern Thailand city of Chiang Mai. Over two million people, from all over the world, enjoyed the floral gardens and intricate lawn and hedge designs everywhere they looked.            
            The Royal Flora Ratchaphruek 2006 was organized by the Thai government and opened on November 1, 2006 and closed on January 31, 2007. As a world-class horticultural event, the planning and development staff should be extremely proud of their efforts. It appears no expense was spared. There were over 2.5 million plants (2,200 species) exhibited on 200 acres (This is approximately the size of 200 American football fields.). Ratchaphruek in Thai loosely translates to panorama.
            This exhibition was in honor Thailand’s beloved King, His Majesty Bhumibol Adulyadej, to celebrate the 60th Anniversary of His Accession to the Throne and his 80th birthday in January of 2007. The Royal Family’s winter residence is also located in Chiang Mai.
            Besides the horticulture theme, about thirty countries set up exhibits, displaying their culture and gardening techniques. By far the most stunning exhibit was the orchid pavilion. Hundreds upon hundreds of these beautiful plants were displayed in a variety of ways-individually and in small theme scenes. Plus an area showing all the propagation steps required to go from a seed to a magnificent blossoming orchid. Did you know, it takes seven years for a plant to produce its first blossom? I am not certain, but when being propagated in a tissue culture laboratory I suspect this length of time is reduced.
            After living in Thailand for four years I finally saw my first African violets on display at the expo. That is the good news, now for the bad news. Thais love to water everything with sprinklers, almost always by hand. It doesn’t take much of an imagination to predict the outcome of this practice.  Water on the leaves and keeping the crowns wet almost always leads to spotting of the leaves and the development of crown rot.