Coral Gables Orchid Project Gives New Life To City Trees
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CORAL GABLES (CBSMiami) -- Thousands of native orchid seedlings are being planted on trees in Coral Gables in an attempt to further enhance the City Beautiful.
As part of the Million Orchid Project, city crews began planting the first batch of seedlings last week at the Merrick House. Grown by Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden, they will continue to be planted on tree trunks in several other locations throughout the summer, making use of the humid, rainy season ideal for orchid growth.
"This project is well-matched to George Merrick's dream of creating 'a city that is a garden'," said Coral Gables Mayor Jim Cason. "Our already beautiful green landscape will be simply stunning when the orchids are in full bloom."
In 2014, Coral Gables City Commission voted to fund $30,000 for the next five years to reintroduce the native flowers that were once plucked from the trees and sold as potted plants. Orchid populations eventually dwindled to catastrophically low levels, according to the city's press release, which started as far back as the late 1800's.
The community is encouraged to lend a hand and a green thumb to help plant the seedlings every Friday in July and August.
The next planting will occur on Friday, July 22nd, at 8:30 a.m. at Young Park on the northeast corner of Granada Blvd. and Castile Avenue.