Going to the show

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One of plants to be found at Santa Barbara Estate is the Schomburgkia Undulada. (Carlos Chavez / LAT)

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The orchid family is the largest in the plant kingdom, with more than 30,000 species. Santa Barbaras orchid nurseries have a stunning variety of plants, beyond the usual types you might find at the supermarket. They include, from top left, the Masdevallia, Lycastes and Paphiopedilum; bottom left, Cymbidium Mighty Tracey #1., some Epidendrums and Paphiopedilum Maudiae, also known as Ladys Slipper. (Carlos Chavez / LAT)

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Some of the largest orchids growers, Santa Barbara Orchid Estate and Cal-Orchid Inc. are in Goleta Ca., offering plants that can be grown both in- and out doors. One of the plants is the Paphiopedilum. (Carlos Chavez / LAT)

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Founder of Santa Barbara Orchid Estates Paul Gripp walks through one of the rolls of orchids for sale at the nursery. (Carlos Chavez / LAT)

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Paphiopedilum- Maudiae type just watered at Cal-Orchid Inc. (Carlos Chavez / LAT)

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orchids (Carlos Chavez / LAT)

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orchids (Carlos Chavez / LAT)

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orchids (Carlos Chavez / LAT)

March 15, 2007 12 AM PT

What: Santa Barbara International Orchid Show, one of the world’s largest events of its kind. More than 50 exhibitors plus workshops and cut-flower displays, including what organizers say is the largest assemblage of specimen orchids ever shown in the U.S.

When: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday through Sunday.

Where: Earl Warren Showgrounds Exhibit Building, Highway 101 at Las Positas Road in Santa Barbara.

Admission: $8 to $10; children 12 and younger are free.

Information: (805) 969-5746 for show organizers, (805) 687-0766 for the showgrounds or www.sborchidshow.com.

— Lili Singer