Orchids: A Flower With Power

Fans From Around The World Flock To New York City Show

(CBS)  This story was written by CBSNews.com's Gina Pace

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Thirty years ago, Nancy Meares received a orchid as a housewarming gift, and within a week, she had bought 25 more.

"The more orchids you buy — and you will, because it is obsessive-compulsive behavior — the more you learn," said Meares, who lives in the Washington, D.C. area. "I had to move out of the condo to buy a house to build a greenhouse, and then another greenhouse. It's the kind of behavior that lasts a lifetime."

Meares' obsession — she estimates she owns about 700 orchids — has turned into an expertise. She now travels the country judging orchid shows, critiquing plant's in categories such as form, color, and arrangement.

On Thursday, she judged the 26th Annual New York International Orchid Show, which runs through Sunday. The show features intricately designed displays set up on the ice rink at Rockefeller Center. Between 50,000 and 70,000 plants from all over the world are on display or for sale, and last year it drew 200,000 visitors, making it the largest orchid show of its kind in the country.

"We're one of the premier shows in the world not just because of our size," said David Horak, chairman of the orchid show and president of the Greater New York Orchid Society. "People will see orchids here that they won't see at other shows in the country."

The stakes are high for those who are competing. Not only is there $15,000 in prize money, but the winners are recognized for years of work — most orchid plants need to grow for seven years before they even flower.

"It's like a beauty contest," said orchid expert and Manhattan Orchid Society member Patti Lee. "To win best orchid in show, that's tremendous. It's like dogs winning best in show at Westminster."

Lee, originally from Hawaii, hated orchids growing up because she had to help her mother fertilize and water the plants. But when she was 9 years old, she went with her mother to a nursery and saw a butterfly orchid.

"It freaked me out," said Lee, now 65. "It looked like a butterfly hovering over a plant."