Natural light, humidity and moisture accompanied orchids of all colors and sizes, filled the Plant and Soil Science Conservatory this past weekend.

The Greater Lansing Orchid Society, or GLOS, hosted the 32nd annual Orchid Show and Sale featuring free educational workshops highlighting the maintenance and care of orchids.

In addition to classes, orchid photography and art was displayed, and an open marketplace was hosted for hundreds of orchids.

Secretary of GLOS and President of The Mid-America Orchid Congress Doris Asher judged the show.

More than 200 entries were submitted into the Orchid Show and Sale, Asher said.

As a young child, Asher’s fascination with the plant stemmed from her mother maintaining orchids. Later in life, Asher’s husband, a genetics professor at MSU, also became intrigued by the plant.

“Many people don’t know the species of orchids because of the genetic mutations,” Asher said. “Peculiar forms of the plant modifies itself to get pollinated.”

Orchids are examples of survival of the fittest and the Darwin’s theory of evolution, Asher said.

Genetic mutations, a modified lip that turned into a pouch for example, is how an orchid genetically mutates itself.

Asher joined GLOS the first year it formed in 1977. Thirty-eight years later, GLOS has more then 100 active members with varying levels of orchid-growing experience.

Art vendor Suphattra Joy Sloup featured homemade clay orchids at the show.

Sloup was pregnant with her first child when she and her husband were vacationing in Asia and they came across the art of clay orchid sculptures.

The couple took their interest to an art class and together learned about the details.

“His first project was better than mine,” Sloup said.

Sloup’s business took off when she gave her first completed clay orchid to her mother-in-law. Soon after, every woman in her friend group wanted a sculpture.

Sloup has a unique appreciation for the hobby, allowing her to contribute time to her projects while still maintaining a family.

“I love it,” Sloup said. “I can stay at home doing this and take care of children.”

After 10 years experience in the business, Sloup can duplicate anything.

“My friends give me (live) orchids and ask me to make them,” Sloup said.

Originating from a couples art class, Sloup has expanded the hobby to her entire family.

“My daughter knows how to make them,” Sloup said. “She grew up with me making them.”

With a degree in computer science from Thailand, her native country, Sloup doesn’t see herself as artistic.

“I am one girl, with one movement,” Sloup said. “I just tried and if I can do it, everyone can.”

However easy she believes it is, Sloup feels a connection with creating the clay orchid sculptures.

“Orchid was a part of life,” Sloup said. “It’s sensitive, you can’t challenge it, it’s complicated.”