The Arthur and Phyllis Kaplan Orchid Conservatory

Donations towards the endowment of The Arthur and Phyllis Kaplan Orchid Conservatory in Memory of Dr. Arthur Kaplan can be made by mailing a check made out to the Kaplan Orchid Conservatory to:

Old Dominion University
Kaplan Orchid Conservatory C/O Dr. Tim Motley
110 Mills Godwin Building
Norfolk, Va 23529

This $2.1 million structure with almost 3 000 square feet of greenhouse space houses the orchid collection of retired Norfolk physician Arthur Kaplan, a longtime grower of exquisite orchids. With over one thousand orchid plants--and growing-- including more than 275 species in 72 different genera, this is the largest orchid collection in the Tidewater, Virginia area.

The complex consists of six individually climate controlled greenhouses, the display house is over thirty feet high and will eventually contain waterfalls and pools beset with tropical plants and festooned with orchids. Most of the other greenhouse space will be used for propagating the orchids and preparing them for display. The scheduled opening of the display house is 3 April 2008.

In addition to the greenhouses which include one devoted entirely to botanical research, the complex contains a potting area, state-of-the-art environmental controls, and three office/lab complexes for faculty plant research.

This is a signature event for plant sciences at Old Dominion University. In honor of this extraordinary gift, a special course, BIOL 708/808 The Biology and Evolution of Orchids, is being offered Spring semester 2008. The opening of the display house will include a series of events including the annual Natural History Endowed Lecture, The Natural History of Orchids, presented by Dr Ken Cameron of the New York Botanical Garden on 3 April 2008. The following day will be a field trip to see local native orchids.

The orchid family is best known for its spectacular flowers and for the production of vanilla. While there is an intrinsic aura about orchids, the family has little relevance in the daily lives of most people. However, botanically, it is one of the most intriguing and widely distributed families with an estimated 18 500 species in 788 genera, the largest plant family. Faculty, students, and the community at large will benefit from this generous gift.

Dr Arthur S. Kaplan, honorary curator of orchids, in the Kaplan Conservatory.

Orchid of the month

Calopogon pallidus at Old Dominion University’s Blackwater Ecologic Preserve, the only known site in Virginia. Once listed as extirpated, this pine savanna species flowers in response to prescribed burns. It does not flower every year.

Kaplan Conservatory Staff

Timothy J Motley, J Robert Stiffler Associate Professor of Botany and Horticulture, Director

Arthur S Kaplan, Honorary Curator of Orchids

Stephen Urick, Director of the Kaplan Orchid Conservatory

Troy Savage, Student Worker

For further Information contact the Director at tmotley@odu.edu or call 757 683 3610

Opening Hours

The Exhibit Greenhouse is open Monday through Friday from 10 AM to 2 PM, and at other times by appointment (contact Stephen Urick at surick@odu.edu for arrangements).

Links

Tidewater Orchid Society. Meetings are held the first Sunday of the month at ODU.

About this Site. . .

We plan to display a native or cultivated orchid each month on this site as well as a listing of what is currently blooming. Please email your suggestions to lmusselm@odu.edu or tmotley@odu.edu.