“Queen of Orchids” Takes Center Stage at the Botanical Garden in an Exhibition Dedicated to Cattleyas and Mother’s Day

On May 1, 2, and 3, the Orchid House at the Rio de Janeiro Botanical Garden will host the exhibition “Orchids in the Garden,” organized by OrquidaRio. Focusing on the Cattleya genus and its hybrids, the event celebrates the exuberance of tropical flora and serves as a prelude to Mother’s Day celebrations. The exhibition, which brings together collectors and rare specimens, will be open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., offering the public the opportunity to appreciate the visual beauty and intoxicating fragrance of what is considered the “Queen of Orchids.”

A Tribute in Flowers: Pedigrees and Stars in Botany - Unlike any other botanical family, orchids have a rigorous pedigree registry. All hybrids are cataloged at the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) in London, where data such as the names of the “parents,” the date of the cross, and the breeder are recorded. This tradition allows lineages to be traced back to native species.

Held in the week leading up to Mother’s Day, the exhibition highlights the creation of hybrids that immortalize women’s names. The names, chosen to honor family members, friends, or public figures, transform botanical genetics into an eternal tribute. In Brazil, celebrities such as Sister Dulce, Rita Lee, and Ana Maria Braga have already been honored. Supermodel Gisele Bündchen is the only celebrity to have two distinct orchids named after her. In 2006, Charles Suzuki registered the Rhyncholaeliocattleya Gisele ‘Bündchen’, followed in 2009 by Fernando Setembrino’s registration of the Cattleya Gisele Bündchen (a cross between Cattleya Aloha Case and C. amethystoglossa).

Famous crosses such as Cattleya Enid ‘First Lady’ or the golden Rhyncholaeliocattleya Alma Kee will also be on the agenda, reinforcing how these “living jewels” have become the ultimate gift of affection across generations.

Pioneering Spirit in Rio de Janeiro - The recovery of the history of Cattleyas and their hybrids necessarily passes through Niterói. Rolf Altenburg (1909–1991), founder of the Florália Orchid Garden and a lover of classical music, is considered the pioneer of hybridization in Brazil. Altenburg was responsible for registering with the RHS one of the most famous and award-winning Brazilian hybrids to date: the Rhyncholaeliocattleya Pastoral “Innocence.” Named in honor of Beethoven’s Symphony No. 6, the plant has impressed for decades with its white petals and perfect form.

Rolf’s legacy is kept alive by his granddaughter, Sandra Altenburg, who preserves the in vitro propagation techniques that have made Rio de Janeiro a global leader in the cultivation of Cattleyas.

Science, History, and Leisure - In addition to enjoying the flowers, visitors can learn interesting facts, such as the fossil evidence suggesting that orchids coexisted with dinosaurs 15 million years ago. The event will feature sales of seedlings, mature plants, gardening supplies, and workshops for beginners—an excellent opportunity to purchase personalized gifts for Mother’s Day.

Event: Orchids in the Garden Exhibition – Cattleyas and Their Hybrids Edition

Date: May 1, 2, and 3 (Friday, Saturday, and Sunday)

Time: 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM

Location: Orchid House at the Rio de Janeiro Botanical Garden (Rua Jardim Botânico, 1008).

Organized by: OrquidaRio (Rio de Janeiro Orchid Society).

Tickets for the Botanical Garden can be purchased at jbrj.eleventickets.com or directly at the Garden’s ticket offices.