Zuma Canyon Orchids was founded in 1971 by Dr. James McPherson and Amado & Maria Vazquez.  Dr. McPherson's love of plants and his association with the Vasquez family, who were at the time growing for the Arthur Freed  Orchid Co. down the street, grew into a life long friendship that eventually turned into Zuma Canyon Orchids.

After 20 years or so of association, Doctor McPherson passed away, and Jean McPherson, his wife, continued as a partner of Zuma Canyon Orchids.  About 5 years ago, Jean retired and Zuma Canyon Orchids fell under the umbrella of the Vazquez family.  We continue to operate, we have received many accolades, and we represent approximately 50 years of experience from Amado Vasquez, and another 40 years of experience from Maria Vasquez, who ran the lab.

George Vazquez has been growing orchids for about 30 years, is an accredited orchid society judge, and served in various positions on many committees for 17 years at the American Orchid Society. George Vazquez retired when he was on the executive board, last serving as secretary of the A.O.S.  During the last few years, when he was on the board, they founded what now is known as the permanent location in the new headquarters of the American Orchid Society.

We are very proud of the American Orchid Society, and what they are accomplishing today. We are equally proud of the International Phalaenopsis Alliance(I.P.A.).

I.P.A. is interested in promoting phalaenopsis, and in the pursuit of excellence they just completed the new phalaenopsis book by Eric Christensen which has been regarded as a monumental effort in compiling all the new species, defining all the categories, and showing us the pictures and the regions where they come from.  Great thanks to both the I.P.A. and Eric for the continuing efforts in the excellence of promoting phalaenopsis. 

Zuma Canyon Orchids has a lot of years of experience in growing phalaenopsis and we hope that if you have any problems, or if you are looking for any information, that you will not hesitate to contact us.  We will be more than happy to assist you in any way that we can.

It is easy for us to say that in the last past 50 years;  Amado, George and Maria have been involved in receiving,  both at Arthur Freed and at Zuma Canyon Orchids, well over 800 A.O.S. awards and at least 8 or more F.C.C. gold medals at world orchid conferences.