Meet the Team
Bill
How did you first get into orchids?
I first was exposed to orchids through my grandfather, who would deliver them from wholesale growers to local florists. I often saw them as a child, but didn't start growing my own until high school and it has been an addiction ever since!
What are your favorites?
My main passions are in the Paphiopedilum and Phragmipedium species, although Phalaenopsis species and their novelty hybrids also hold a special place in my heart.
How do you grow?
The majority of my personal collection and plants for sale are now grown under lights and include an array of species and hybrids of various genera, majority of which being Paphiopedilum and Phragmipedium.
What are you currently working on?
My current projects include:
- Expanding my Orchid hybridizing program within Paphiopedilum, Phragmipedium, and Phalaenopsis with an emphasis on color and compact plant size.
- Beginning a new hybridizing program for African Violets
- Formulating a new water-soluble fertilizer for orchids, aroids, and more!
- Testing new formulas for improved germination and growth of orchid seeds
- Testing Phalaenopsis stem propagations
Ralph
Ralph has been a hobby grower with a personal collection mostly made up of Dendrobium and various Jewel orchids. He wants to expand his collection with more miniatures that can easily grow in a terrarium/vivarium as his next project.
Theresa
Theresa is the newest face you may see within our team- she is new to the orchid scene after keeping various houseplants over the years, but she is diligently working to learn how to grow them and help others too!
Dr. Bill's Orchids currently has memberships/affiliations with the following orchid groups/societies:
Illinois Orchid Society (IOS), a non-profit orchid society serving the greater Chicagoland area
Orchid Digest, an organization dedicated to orchid education and conservation