About Florida Orchid Advisory
Florida Orchid Advisory is a specialized consulting firm dedicated to the thoughtful planning, development, and long-term success of orchid collections, landscapes, and throughout Florida.
We work with private collectors, property owners, institutions, landscape professionals, and commercial clients to provide independent expertise in orchid selection, environmental assessment, collection planning, landscape integration, sourcing and acquisition, and long-term advisory.
Our approach combines practical horticultural experience with science-based evaluation and careful planning. Whether developing a private collection, incorporating orchids into a landscape, sourcing plants for a professional project, or improving an established growing environment, our goal is to provide clear, objective guidance tailored to the site, the orchids, and the client's objectives.
About the Founder
Florida Orchid Advisory was founded by Andrew Whaley, a horticulture professional with years of hands-on experience managing, cultivating, and working with tropical orchid collections in South Florida.
Andrew previously served as an Orchid Specialist at Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden, where his work included the care and management of orchid collections, greenhouse operations, orchid installations, staff and volunteer training, and participation in conservation-focused initiatives including the Million Orchid Project.
That experience provided the foundation for Florida Orchid Advisory: bringing the level of thoughtful planning, environmental evaluation, and specialized orchid knowledge used in professional collections directly to private clients, estates, landscape professionals, institutions, and commercial projects throughout Florida.
Our Approach
Successful orchid collections and landscapes begin with understanding the plants, the environment, and the objectives of the project. Our approach combines specialized orchid knowledge with careful assessment and practical planning to develop recommendations that work for each client and site.
Science-Based
Environmental conditions matter. Light, temperature, humidity, airflow, water quality, and other measurable factors are considered alongside the cultural requirements of the orchids when developing recommendations.
Individualized
Every collection, property, and project is different. Recommendations are developed around the site's conditions, the client's objectives, and the orchids involved rather than relying on a one-size-fits-all approach.
Independent
Florida Orchid Advisory provides objective professional guidance. We advise on species selection, sourcing, placement, collection development, and project implementation without tying our recommendations to installation or maintenance services.
Stewardship-Focused
Our recommendations consider not only immediate appearance and performance, but also long-term plant health, appropriate species selection, responsible acquisition, and the continued development of the collection or landscape.
Put Specialized Orchid Expertise to Work for Your Project
Whether you're developing a collection, incorporating orchids into a landscape, planning a professional project, or looking for guidance with an existing collection, Florida Orchid Advisory can help you determine the right approach.