Nicholas Rust

Biography

Nicholas is an up-and-coming hybridizer in the orchid community, seriously growing and studying orchids for about 7 years. His orchid passion arose during the end of high school when a mini-phalaenopsis was gifted to him. Like a flame to gasoline, this gift quickly pulled him into the diverse world of orchids. Shortly after his interests were formed, he began exploring the culture of several unique genera of terrestrial orchids. He now specializes in jewel orchids, Bulbophyllum, Habenaria and other related genera.

Through studying biochemistry and molecular biology throughout college, Nicholas approached his orchids with the same scientific perspective he used while working in a research lab. This led to an interest in the entire growth cycle of orchids and the start of his own hybridization program which focuses on terrestrial orchids, especially Habenaria. His aim is to use rarely cultivated species and distinct variations of common species to create truly exceptional shapes and colors that will pave new directions for unique hybrids