A thousand blooming exotic orchids will descend upon Rutgers University's New Brunswick campus as Rutgers hosts the largest and oldest orchid show in New Jersey, showcasing extraordinary orchids originating from all over the world and grown by hobbyists and experts from the tri-state area.

The North Jersey Orchid Society, NJ's largest and oldest orchid society, will hold its 54th annual show and sale from 12-5 pm Jan. 13, from 10 am - 5 pm Jan. 14 and from 10 am - 4 pm Jan. 15 at the Rutgers University Douglass Student Center.

With approximately 25,000 known species and more than 250,000 hybrids, orchids are the largest family of flowering plants on the planet. Orchids are found on nearly every continent and in a surprising range of environments from the Everglades of Florida to the cloud forests of South America.

The show will feature nearly a thousand blooming orchids originating from all over the world of all shapes, sizes and colors of the rainbow.

Renowned orchid vendors will be on site selling plants and supplies.

Admission to the show is free. Parking is free but registration online is required.  Check www.njorchids.org for a list of vendors and parking registration information.