South Florida has its own special forces. They’re organized, mission-driven and spread out across the front lines every week. Their assignment? Orchids.

Meet the Orchidteers.

At Flamingo Gardens in Davie, this volunteer force has transformed a single mounted orchid into a collection of thousands blooming across the 60-acre property.

“We have over 5,000 orchids mounted here and we started with 1 — and now we’re over 5,000,” said Lucy Matos Lodato, Flamingo Gardens’ Chief Orchidteer.

Their battlefield stretches from tree trunks to winding garden paths, where volunteers spend each week mounting, protecting and rehabilitating orchids throughout the grounds.

Before the work begins, the group gathers to talk strategy. Then they fan out across the gardens, each heading to a different section with a mission to tend the collection.

“We’re really a community of orchid lovers that come together for the purposes of making flamingo gardens an orchid destination. It’s conservation. Education. And community,” Lodato said.

Some volunteers head into the gardens. Others report to the facility where newly arrived or struggling orchids are cared for before returning to the landscape — part headquarters, part hospital for plants.

“I’ve been growing orchids for decades so it’s, like, fantastic to work on something special like that with other people that have that interest and learn more,” said Cindy Ransing, who joined the group in January.

Every Orchidteer has a different story about what first drew them to the flower. Some are lifelong growers. Others are beginners looking to learn. What connects them is a shared appreciation for the plant — and for the people who care for it alongside them.

“First of all, it’s beautiful. Breathtaking. It’s more like the orchid teaches you how to grow it. The orchid is in charge. You have to make it happy, what does it need?” Lodato said.

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