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BRYN MAWR, PA (March 21, 2007) - When the Philadelphia Flower Show came to town; Gail Sklar, Assistant Professor and Coordinator of Disability Services at Harcum College (www.harcum.edu) earned two blue ribbons in the novice division for her lovingly-grown orchids.
During three days of intense judging, Sklar won multiple mentions and awards. On the first day, she earned a second-place, a third-place, and honorable mention. On the second day of judging, Sklar was awarded with a blue and honorary mention. On the final day of judging, she took home a blue and second-place prize. Considering that orchid growing is Sklar's hobby - combined with the fact that orchids are very difficult to cultivate - you have one justifiably proud exhibitor.
"I was so thrilled because I was finally promoted from the novice division," said Sklar. "Raising orchids is hard work, but it's also pleasurable work - and it plays off visually."
Sklar took a liking to orchids early on, and with an extra nudge from her husband, she set up a greenhouse that is covered today in bursts of orchids; African violets; bromeliads; and even tree frogs. "You have to know all types of growing environments that orchids like and you must have the ability to replicate that environment," said Sklar. Capturing several wins previous to the elusive blue ribbon at the Philadelphia Flower Show, Sklar's ambitions in raising orchids extends beyond winning ribbons. Last year, she single-handedly developed the business, "Orchid Help Is Here!" to aid aspiring gardeners with difficulties in orchid-growing. "I give orchid growing lessons, repot orchids for clients, and house-sit them while their owners are away," said Sklar. "I am experimenting in semi-hydroponics; a recently-developed method used in growing some orchids." Sklar obtained a Master's Gardener certificate from Penn State, Delaware County, and is determined to win a "Best Grown" and an American Orchid Society award in the near future.
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