It all started with the purchase of one single pseudobulb in 1991. Novice grower, Jerry Kessler grew his Cymbidium Pauwelsii for two decades resulting in an AOS Certificate of Cultural Merit in 2013. In 2018, Jerry was awarded the prestigious Certificate of Cultural Excellence which is the organization’s highest honor to a grower or collector for the cultivation and flowering of a plant.

In March 2021 at the NHOS show, ‘Kessander’ had 43 inflorescences and 1.170 flowers. The plant was 7ft. in diameter and 8ft tall.  After 31 years the plant was getting too large and difficult to manage.  Jerry had to decide on what would become of “Kessander.”

Jerry’s presentation will be the story of “Kessander” from her humble beginnings as a pseudo bulb to her arrival at the prestigious Huntington Library, Art Museum and Botanical Gardens in San Marino, California. This is an adventure sure to entertain all those who grow and cherish their orchids.