Meetings – Page 12 – Venice Area Orchid Society

Meeting: February 5th, Speaker: Mike Owens Topic: Orchids of the Fakahatchee

Posted on 01/18/2014 by cwood2010

Mike Owen has been Fakahatchee Strand Preserve State Park biologist since 1994. His primary focus is collecting data relating to the survival, distribution and reproductive habits of the native and exotic animals, as well as plants like the ferns, orchids, peperomia and bromeliads (some, such as the ghost orchid, which are extremely rare). Mike will be sharing his experiences and insights as well as photos of this beautiful and unique environment.

With help from park staff and other supporters, he documents and studies fluctuations of water levels, fire and weather events, the effects of exotic species invasions, topography and the importance of maintaining the biological diversity of this area, which includes the greater Everglades and Big Cypress ecosystems. He continues to contribute greatly to the scientific knowledge of the area, most of which had never been documented before. He offers visitors an introduction to the many wonders of the region and is famous for his guided swamp walks which delight visitors from around the world. Mike Owen photo

Growers Meeting December 12th, 2013

Posted on 08/12/2013 by tmkellogg2010

Thursday, December 12th Growers Clinic: 7:00 PM at the Venice Community Center (room in back of bldg).

Orchid Growing Made Easy – Open discussion about your concerns – watering, light, fertilizer, repotting, pests.

Bring a plant that concerns you for advice from “Dr. Jimmy”.

Meeting Wednesday November 6th at 7:00 p.m.

Posted on 10/25/2013 by tmkellogg2010

Speaker: Ted Kellogg
Topic: Orchid Names from Lan to Lorenara

Ted needs no introduction, having contributed to our society for many years and currently serving as Immediate Past President and Webmaster. He is an active AOS judge and has been growing orchids and sharing his knowledge and experience for nearly 50 years.

Recorded orchid names have existed for over 2500 years. Through these years, the names people give orchids have continually changed. Ted will give a brief history of how we got to the names we use today. He’ll define and illustrate the ways names of orchid species and hybrids originate and are changed. Examples of commonly grown genera will be illustrated. Ted will address the reasons for the recent changes in orchid names and what the orchid pot name tag at a big box store really means. The intent of his presentation is to help both new and more experienced orchid growers understand the nature of orchid names.

We had planned to hold a Members’ Market at our monthly meeting on Wednesday, November 6, where members would have the opportunity to sell their orchids and supplies.

Due to a lack of participants, with members perhaps wanting to hold their orchids for the upcoming show season, we reluctantly had to cancel the planned event.

In its place, two of our members and one of our local growers will be selling orchids and orchid-themed items as below:

Carol Marcus will be selling cards, art and other items perfect for holiday giving. Carol created the beautiful poster for our 2014 “Orchid Paradise” Show and Sale which was featured in our November newsletter.

Jane Camarota will have a selection of purses for sale with the proceeds benefitting the Orchid Boutique.

Plantio La Orquidea will be selling orchids for those members who were unable to visit their huge orchid sale last weekend. A number of our members went to the sale and reported that they were dazzled by the quality, huge selection and excellent prices.