Lines Orchids

The orchid career of Oliver Lines spanned almost seven decades and is rich in its color and history, much the same as the greenhouses that he left behind.  Oliver was born in King’s Heath, England on January 28, 1884, and at the young age of fourteen, he became an apprentice gardener in the orchid greenhouses at Highbury, the country estate of the Rt. Hon. Joseph Chamberlain.   During his four years at the estate, Mr. Lines was able to learn the business in gradual steps, and it was at this point where his passion for orchids really ignited.  Mr. Lines described Highbury Estate as “very beautiful estate of about 100 acres, most of which was in formal gardens and small lakes.  It was maintained in perfect condition by a staff of 20 gardeners.  Even the horses that pulled the movers were shod  with rubber boots to protect the perfectly groomed lawns”.  At this point in time, growing orchids was primarily a wealthy man’s hobby, and Mr. Chamberlain was the leading English grower.  It was at Chamberlain’s Estate where Mr. Lines’ competence as a grower was established and a secure foundation for his career was laid.  
After his time serving and learning at the Chamberlain Estate, Mr. Lines worked for R.I. Measures at Chamberwell, England, and then spent the next five years at Westonbirt under H.G. Alexander, followed by six months at Charlesworths.
   In 1910, Mr. Lines decided to move across the ocean to the United States, hopeful that the US would provide his career with new and exciting opportunities in the orchid industry.  During his first four years in the US, Oliver worked on the John Sloan Estate in Lenox, Massachusetts, working under A.J. Loveless, who later became the first secretary of the Amercian Orchid Society (AOS).  Shortly thereafter, in 1914, Mr. Lines was given the opportunity to care for the famous Arthur Cooley collection in Pittsfield, Massachusetts.  During Oliver’s eleven years at Cooley’s Estate, he began hybridizing cattleyas and other allied genera, for which he would later be recognized as one of the best in the business.  The Cooley collection was acquired by F.E. Dixon of Elkins Park, Pennsylvania in 1925.  After a brief stay with J.J Murdock in Larchmont, NY, and with Mrs. W.K. Du Pont in Wilmington, Delaware, Mr. Lines spent the next twenty years with his wife, Annie, and two children, John and Ethel at the Dixon estate.  During these years, Mr. lines exhibited at the American Orchid Society shows and the Philadelphia Flower Show, both where he received notable success and recognition.  
  Eager to put his experience, knowledge, and expertise into a name all his own, Oliver Lines, accompanied by his son, John, established his own business, Lines Orchids, atop Signal Mountain, TN in 1947.
  In addition to founding his own business, Oliver was very involved in the American Orchid Society, serving as both a founding trustee and as a judge.  Because of his service and excellence in character, he was given the Society’s Gold Medal of Achievement in 1945.  When he retired as a trustee ten years later, he was given the honor of receiving a hand-engrossed certificate signed by all his fellow trustees.  During that same time Mr. Lines was appointed as Honorary Vice President, serving in that capacity until his death.
    Mr. Oliver Lines’ orchid career is painted with numerous  certificates from the British Orchid Growers Association, the Orchid Society of Middle Tennessee, and the Mid-America Orchid Congress.  Also notable is the recognition and Gold Medal Honors he received from both the New York and the Massachusetts Horticultural Societies.  The Gold Medal of Achievement he received was for “his skill in orchid culture and his achievements in the development of their hybridization”.   But not only did Oliver Lines leave a lasting impression among orchid growers and hobbyists, even more importantly, he left a legacy of excellence and passion for growing orchids to his son, John Oliver Lines.  
  Born in Pittsfield, Massachusetts in 1917, John Lines never considered any career other than growing orchids. He began his career in 1934 with his father at the Dixon’s estate, working under his father as an apprentice gardener, much the same way that his father learned the trade.  John’s next job took him to Brighton Farms in Linwood, New Jersey in 1938.  After his time at Brighton, John migrated southward to Rivermont Orchids of Signal Mountain, TN. Oliver had arranged for John to work with Clint McDade, one of Oliver’s friends and fellow AOS trustees at Rivermont Orchids. 

  Three years after John came to Signal Mountain, Oliver retired from working at the Dixon’s Estate, and moved southward to be with his son in Tennessee. Shortly thereafter, John and his father established Lines Orchids in 1947. Coupled with much hard work and a commitment to producing the best possible product, it is no surprise that the father and son duo were able to achieve the success they had both envisioned. 

  In the beginning, two small greenhouses, one 10 ft x 90 ft and the other 18 ft by 90 ft, provided enough space for their first large purchase of plants.  The business was known for its successful cultural practices and high quality cattleyas, which were Mr. Oliver Lines’ first love.  Even after his father’s death in 1965, John Lines continued to produce the highest quality cattelyas and phalaenopsis for the Cut Flower Industry. After many years of producing cut flowers, used primarily in the springtime for Mothers’ Day corasages, proms, and other special events, the demand switched from selling cut flowers to selling potted plants.  John concentrated on producing plants for pot-plant enthusiasts, primarily focusing on phalaenopsis and the oncidinae genera.
  In the 1980s, as the demand for cut flowers dropped, potted plants  became increasingly popular due to their delicate blooms and stylish demeanor, as evidenced in the top interior decorating magazines.  Lines’ responded to the changing market by upgrading his collection of large white hybrids to include flasks from John Moses of Wisconsin.  It was John’s goal to produce the best quality potted plant available for the general market, catering to locals and florists alike in the southeast that had a passion for beautiful orchids. John chose only the highest quality white phalaenopsis to begin his hybridizing program in the 1990’s.Today, the  white phalaenopsis dominate about 70% of the sales, while hybrids of different colors have also sparked interest among growers and received recognition by the AOS.  

  Lines Orchids continues to thrive in its original location, atop Signal Mountain, TN where our greenhouses cover an area of 40,000 square feet.  Since John Lines’ recent death in April 2007, Lines Orchids has continued with the third and fourth generations.  Joan Lines  McCandless, who has been working with and under her father since 1991, is  now the owner of the business.  Joan continues to carry on the family tradition of producing and selling only the highest quality orchid plants for both her wholesale and retail customers.  Joan is dedicated to providing her customers with the best service and product that she can provide, and she is joined by her son, Hunter, and daughter, Sarah who are committed to the same principles of integrity, service, and quality that were established by Oliver and John lines.  
  It is our hope that you too will come and be a part of the tradition of growing beautiful orchids that has kept us in business for nearly 60 years.  Come by the greenhouses and experience the over whelming beauty and elegance of orchids for yourself, or call us and find out how you can get the highest quality orchids in your area.  We look forward to our relationship with you.  Happy growing!