News that saddened me today:

American Orchid Society to close headquarters in Delray Beach

Orchid lovers, collectors and tourists looking for a glimpse of more than 15,000 varieties of orchid at The American Orchid Society greenhouse and gardens will soon have to look elsewhere.

The American Orchid Society, with its headquarters west of Delray Beach, is selling its building and closing the gardens and greenhouse to the public permanently. Longtime supporters of the nationally known, 90-year-old organization say it will be a major loss for the area.

“I’m very disappointed that they have done this,” said Annette Jackson, former president of Delray Beach Orchid Society. “There’s a bitter taste in everyone’s mouth.”

Declining membership and endowments hit by the financial crisis are to blame for the closure, Society President Chris Rehmann said. Going from a robust 30,000 worldwide membership when the building and gardens opened lcoally 10 years ago to about 11,000 was a real hit for the organization.

“I know people are disappointed,” Rehmann said. “We appreciate the effort of everyone in the area who contributed to the success of the building. But in this economy, we found it very difficult to keep it going.”

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Americans are just not into formal horticulture and long term projects anymore, it seems.