The "Catchin' The Blooms at Little Brook" Story

It was an ordinary day.  Sweating profusely from the humidity and heat.  But, the orchids are beautiful with row after row of blooming plants at Little Brook Orchids.  My wife and I made a visit to the greenhouses today after Carol Pyfer, board member at the Parish Resource Center where my wife works, mentioned to her that the majority of the orchids are in bloom and are just beautiful.  

Carol making an arrangement for a customer

Carol and John Pyfer are the owners of Little Brook Orchids at 25 Rider Ave. on the west side of the city of Lancaster, PA. and along with their son Trey manage the day to day operation of the eight greenhouses that are packed with orchids as well as a variety of tropical plants.  Their store also sells supplies for raising orchids as well as repotting services and boarding for customers orchids, tropical plants and large patio plants.  

Fisheye view of the colors in the greenhouses.

 The place was started in 2002 when John, an orchid enthusiast, found he had too many plants to house in his home.  So he bought a 1950s era greenhouse complex and after extensive renovations, opened his business in 2004.  I have made several trips to the greenhouses to buy my wife plants as gifts at various times of the year.  Our living room, which has a wall of 7 foot windows which face the south, but are slightly protected for the constant sun, is the perfect place for her growing collection.  

Deanne watering the blooms at the greenhouses.

Her orchids are also in bloom at present and fill the room with color and excitement telling everyone who enters it that spring has arrived.  Well, today I am having a ball taking photos of some of the beautiful blooms that line the beds of the greenhouses.  

My wife's new addition to her collection.
This orchid is called Newberry Sunshine.

The area where customer's plants occupy the flower beds are roped off from the store's customers to prevent any chance of disturbing those plants and blooms.  I enter the first row of plants and am greeted by Deanne who is one of Little Brook Orchids employees and who is watering the thousands of plants that I am viewing.  The daunting task that she performs must take hours to ensure they all get a taste of the welcome water.  Follow with me as I take you on a tour of some of my favorites located in the greenhouse complex. I have listed the names of the orchids, but don't want to guarantee that I have the correct name, since the tags are lengthy and contain a multitude of information as well as some tags being hard to view due to the humidity and watering of the plants. PS - Click on image to enlarge.

Trick or Treat

Caanan Gold 

Charlie Brown

Black on Night

Blue Robert

Carolina Spotted Mancinni 

Lustra 

Mannini 

Ruffles Scent of a Woman

Vanguard 

Green Valley

Free Spirit Eric

Lunnart Karl Gottling

Evelynn

Pine Ridge Cockshell

Fairy Tail

Red Wanchigo

Sogo Yukindian

Little Brook Orchids has won many honors and awards while entering their blooms in shows though-out the country.  One award winner which they have raised is shown here.  Carol has had another bloom named after her as do many of the growers who raise orchids.  Interesting place to visit, especially this time of the year.  You can also see their blooms and make purchases by visiting their website at: www.littlebrookorchids.com.  It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy.