Dotty and Berry Woodson have grown orchids since 1973. The Woodsons live and grow orchids in Fort Worth, Texas. With 5,000 square feet of greenhouses, the Woodsons have a large collection of orchids, ferns and carnivorous plants, but mainly orchids. Berry hybridizes Phalaenopsis and has registered over fifty hybrids that have won many local and national awards. In 1976, the Woodsons received their first American Orchid Society award, a 79-point HCC and CCM on a bellina violacea. They named the clone 'D & B' and have used the 'D & B' clonal name ever since.

In 1973, we started with a 10-foot by 12-foot freestanding greenhouse made out of redwood and fiberglass. Within a year, we doubled the size of the greenhouse and built a 10-foot by 14-foot lean-to greenhouse. The next year, we cut the 12' by 20' greenhouse down the middle, moved the walls 15 feet apart, and added a new roof. * WARNING * This hobby is very contagious. Are you really sure you want to proceed?

We purchased our first orchid at a garage sale. Berry immediately went to the library and checked out every book about orchids. In the back of one of the books was a 'Send for Free Catalogs' list. We sent off for every catalog. Large beautiful colored catalogs soon arrived. After looking through the catalogs, we had a 'want' list so long; we knew we were in big trouble. Our first mail order purchase was Paphiopedilum sukhakulii.

Berry's most recognized hybrids include Phalaenopsis Dotty Woodson, P. Vladamir Horowitz, P. Franz Lizst, P. Amber Woodson, and P. Deborah Moncrief. Berry has registered 58 Phalaenopsis hybrids with the Royal Horticultural Society. Nine of Berry's registered hybrids have received recognition from the American Orchid Society. We have won many ribbons and awards at local orchid shows, including the AOS Show Trophy for the Most Outstanding Exhibit. Berry's registered hybrids have been used twenty-seven times to create other hybrids. Berry is actively incorporating Taiwan Phalaenopsis into American breeding stock, which he has been collecting since 1973.

The Woodsons are members of the American Orchid Society, International Phalaenopsis Alliance, Orchid Digest, Fort Worth Orchid Society, Greater North Texas Orchid Society and Southwest Regional Orchid Growers Associations. Both Dotty and Berry are past presidents of the Fort Worth Orchid Society. Dotty lectures about The History and Mystery of Orchids, Growing Orchids, Orchid Pest and Diseases, Phalaenopsis, Native Texas Orchids, Phragmipediums, and gives orchid workshops/demonstrations.

In 1997, the Woodsons build a 3,000 square foot commercial greenhouse at 5608 Boat Club Road in the Lake Worth area, 15 minutes northwest of downtown Fort Worth. The 2,000 square feet of greenhouses in the Woodson's back yard were full and shaded too much by a few magnificent live oak trees.

It is a great pleasure to share the orchid collection with interested groups. We look forward to your visit. Email to make an appointment. Berry Woodson is a political science professor at Tarrant County College and Dotty Woodson is the Horticulture County Extension Agent for Texas Cooperative Extension.

The lovely one-acre garden next to the greenhouse includes antique roses, water gardens, carnivorous plant bogs, vegetables, herbs, and perennials.