My name is Ken Peterson and I live in Virginia Beach, Virginia, USA. I have been growing orchids since 1967. I grow all kinds of orchids in a 21' x 28' gothic arch greenhouse which was built in 1973. It needs new fiberglass but other than that it is still in great condition.
I grow and have grown many types of orchids, species and hybrids, here and in Florida where I lived for 16 years. I worked for the AOS for four years as the Awards Registrar from 1984 - 1988. I am a Senior Judge for the AOS. I used to do lectures for orchid societies but have retired due to health reasons. I am still very active in the Tidewater Orchid Society located here in Southeast Virginia.
Over the years I was able to travel to South and Central America both as a judge and as an orchid collector. I have met many fantastic orchid people over the years and it is the people as well as the orchids themselves that make this such a wonderful hobby.
Hi Ken, I am new here too. Couldn't help but notice old familiar names that Oscarman was mentioning. Any of you remember Rivermont Orchids? My first orchids came from there and they actually allowed me to roam the place for entire days at a time when I was eight or nine years old. I bet we could get into some great nostalgia here.