David Schaffter grew up in Dade County and was exposed to the tropical wonders of this area at an early age. Camping and fishing during his childhood years, David has an appreciation for the beauty of the flora and fauna found in South Florida.

While in elementary school, he took such an interest in birds from his camping trips that he could identify most local birds by their sight and sound. He even had a pet pigeon that would follow him to school!

The orchids started when David's mother volunteered at Fairchild Tropical Gardens and brought home a wide variety of exotic plants to land­scape their property. One day she brought home an orchid with its large lavender flowers and wonderful scent. It must have stayed in bloom forever! This tropical plant fascinated him since it wasn't like a normal plant that grew in the ground, but attached to trees and grew as an epi­phyte. As David grew up, she con­tinued to bring home exotics from the Garden, so their property became lush with strange and exotic tropical plants. He took an inter­est in the care and planting of whatever she brought home.

After David received a degree in Ecology from University of Florida , he returned to South Florida and his interest in tropical plants grew. His mother suggested he accompany her to an evening class in Orchid Culture. From then on, he found an interesting hobby that has blossomed into a small business. Joining and participating in local orchid clubs, David met new friends and furthered his knowledge of the orchid family. He volunteered in orchid shows, exhibiting and judg­ing, and is a past-president of East Everglades Orchid Society.