Author Archives: Jay Loeffler

Wednesday, January 6th 2020 7:00pm. Zoom opens at 6:30.                       

Presentation – Mini-Catts: Delightful Cattleyas in Miniature

Peter Lin started growing orchids over 35 years ago, but then stopped due to school and starting a career.  It wasn’t until about 15 years ago that the orchid “bug” came back and he is now heavily involved once again!  He is an accredited judge with the American Orchid Society, and a hybridizer of mini-catts.  He enjoys meeting with other orchid enthusiasts, and can often be found at various orchid shows and societies around the country.

Due to limited growing space, Peter likes to specialize in miniature orchids, both species and hybrids, and has received numerous AOS awards.  His interests in orchids include Dendrobiums, Angraecoids, and Neofinetias.  He is also known as “Mr Sophronitis” as he has a passion for growing and collecting them.  He maintains a collection of a thousand or more orchids at his home in Southern California in 3 small greenhouses, outdoors, as well as an offsite greenhouse.

No Monthly Zoom Meeting for December.

Venice Area Orchid Society wishes everyone Happy Holidays.

We will resume Monthly Zoom meetings January 6th.

Peter Lin will be our Presenter. Stay Tuned for more Information.

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Wednesday, Nov.4th, 2020 7:00pm. Zoom opens at 6:30.                                                          Presentation – Angraecums and their Relatives for the Home Grower  

Alan Koch owns and operates Gold Country Orchids where he specializes in miniature and compact Cattleya’s. Alan started growing orchids in 1969 with 3 Cymbidiums given to him by an aunt. While in college, he became interested in other orchids and discovered many would grow outdoors in Southern California.

He has moved five times as his orchid obsession has led to the need for more growing space. With the last move, he purchased 10 acres of land in Lincoln, California for his 300,000 orchids.

He is recognized as an expert in the Brazilian Cattleya alliance and a trend setter in miniature Cattleya breeding. Alan has been published in the Orchid Digest, and the American Orchid Society magazines. He has also been published in the proceedings of the World Orchid Conference. He is an internationally known speaker.

He is a past member of the AOS Judging Committee, and the Research Committee, as well as an Accredited Judge and is Vice-chair and Training Coordinator for the California Sierra Nevada Judging Center.

Alan also served two terms on the Orchid Digest Executive Committee and Board of Directors, and is one of the current directors, as well as a Trustee for the AOS.

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