The icy weather outside during the weekend didn’t keep the flowers from blooming inside.

More than 600 rare orchids took root at the MSU Plant and Soil Sciences Building for the Annual Orchid Show and Sale hosted by the Greater Lansing Orchid Society.

“I am surprised we’ve had a really good turnout considering the weather,” society member Gus Kienitz said.

But the 18th annual event brought many orchid growers and enthusiasts to see elaborate flower displays, purchase their own plants or learn more about orchids.

The show, which has been held at MSU for the past 10 years, is one of the largest in the midwest.

“There’s a lot of people who just come because it’s beautiful,” said Theresa Henderson, another society member. “(Orchids) are just enjoyable and they make you feel good.”

And Lynn O’Shaughnessy, who won an award for her orchid exhibit, said there are advantages to holding the event at MSU’s conservatory in the Plant and Soil Sciences Building.

“Very few shows are held in a conservatory like this,” she said. “The light and the humidity provide better conditions.”

The show featured a wide variety of orchids, which compose the largest family in the plant kingdom.

They are found on every continent except Antarctica and range greatly in size, color and growing conditions.

Their prices can range from $6 to as much as $3,000.

Though orchids are often believed to be too delicate and expensive, orchid growers say it’s well worth their time to care for them during the long-growing process.

“There’s not many plants you can spend $25 on and have in bloom for six months,” Henderson said.

And with more than 30,000 different species, many growers say orchids can become an addictive hobby.

“You can never learn enough about orchids,” Henderson said. “And there’s something for everyone.”

Orchid judges, such as Marilyn Lee, study for seven years before they can become certified. Judges evaluated each of the orchids entered in the show, considering rarity, color, shape and cloning potential.

Lee said there were a high number of American Orchid Society awards granted this year, along with the show’s own ribbon and trophy awards.

“As more and more people get interested, you get better plants coming in,” she said.

Lorraine Ciesinski of Taylor Orchids, a commercial orchid vendor in Monroe, Mich., said increasing numbers of beginners have shown interest in orchids.

But quality orchids are still not widely available at general merchandise stores, Ciesinski said.

“There’s not a comparison in quality and that’s unfortunate because people buy them and they die,” she said. “Then they become discouraged.”

Sarah Dickinson, a botany and plant pathology junior, said she usually goes to local plant shows whenever she can.

“I’ve never seen a lot of these flowers in real life,” she said. “So I’ve learned quite a bit.”