David Toyoshima: Big flowers on “small” plants (compact catts)

David Toyoshima has been an avid orchid grower since he was a child. When he was seven, his mom bought him a small, seeding-sized cattleya plant. In middle school, he saved up enough money to buy a small, 6’ x 8’ greenhouse. With weekend trips to Stewart Orchids in San Gabriel, and with the help and mentorship of legendary orchid man, Ernest Hetherington, David started to amass the beginnings of a cattleya collection. One of his first heirloom orchid was Cattleya Bow Bells “Patterson’s” given to him by Ernest.

In high school and college, David worked part-time at Stewart Orchids (San Gabriel) and on occasion, Stewart/ArmRoy Carpinteria. He was an AOS student judge and continues to be a member of the American Orchid Society after forty plus years.

He is a two term  (total of 6 years) as a Trustee for the AOS. He is the former chair of the AOS PR Committee. David is also an heirloom cattleya consultant to the Huntington Botanical Gardens.

David is a veteran advertising creative director (35 years) and has worked in Los Angeles and Chicago on blue-chip clients like McDonald’s, Budweiser, and American Honda.  
He is currently an adjunct professor at CSULB teaching advertising and graphic design.
David continues to enjoy his cattleya collection—most, if not all, heirloom and historically significant plants.