"Bill Tippits foray into the world of orchid cultivation... ... in 1980...
the Galveston native... set up a tiny greenhouse for the 200 plants he collected. In 1991, the petrochemical engineer turned software developer at Exxon formed his own company, Olympia Orchids. When Tippet retired in 1994 and moved to Friendswood, his business plan took root. ... plunked a 1,600-square-foot greenhouse and laboratory in the middle of his back yard. There, he immersed himself in the world of hybridization... His hybrids... have won more than 60... awards from the American Orchid Society... In Texas, there are 43 naturally occurring orchid varieties, but they have... little value to the commercial orchid world. ... Tippit... estimates that he has created some 400 hybrids. ... works with... phalaenopsis... an offshoot of his business he started in 1996, through which customers pay him to create a new hybrid and name it after a loved one. The names are registered with the Royal Horticultural Society in England... To pass muster with the horticultural society, the orchid name cannot be longer than 27 letters or more than three words and cant be considered risqué. The fee for his namesake orchid service is $350, plus another $50 for packaging and shipping of four plants and a name certificate. People came out of the woodwork when I started, and I couldnt make the hybrids fast enough, said Tippit. I have one order now from a guy wanting a new hybrid named for his ex-girlfriend. He wants her to come back. (smile...)" URL: http://news.galvestondailynews.com/story.lasso?ewcd=0abfb388183f7e0e&; *************** Regards, VB _______________________________________________ the OrchidGuide Digest (OGD) [email protected] http://orchidguide.com/mailman/listinfo/orchids_orchidguide.com
