Category Archives: Meetings

Speaker: Hal Hills  – “Orchid Fragrances”

Harold G. Hills, better known as Hal Hills, received his PhD degree from the University of Miami and has published numerous articles on orchid fragrances and fragrance cycles as well as a taxonomic revision of the genus Dressleria, naming eight of the twelve species in the genus.

Hal will be discussing orchid fragrances, not fragrant orchids, focusing on fragrance collection and analysis, fragrance production, and how fragrances change over the life of the inflorescence. He will also include the effect of changing light on orchid fragrances.

Hal’s presentation is somewhat technical but includes many beautiful photos, particularly of Catasetum, Clowesia and Dressleria. A question and answer period will follow.

Topic: How Plants Are Judged

I was born in Florida but have lived all over–Texas, New York, Alaska, Virginia, Colorado, etc.  My husband, Bill, and I have been orchid hunting in Equador, Brazil, Jamaica, Venezuela, Thailand and Belize.  Together, we have over 96 AOS cultural awards in every major genus and we lost count of the AOS quality awards we have received.  I have won the Riopelle award in 1996 and 2000 for the best miltoniopsis.  I’ve won the AOS Gold Medal for a 100 sq. ft. exhibit as well as the AOS Show Trophy for a tabletop exhibit.  I’ve been an AOS judge for 25 years and served as the Florida North Central Vice-chair for 3 years and the Chair for 4 years.  My most exciting moment was receiving an FCC on a Paphiopedilum Booth’s Sand Lady and while I grow all kinds of orchids, paphs are my first love.

Regards, Doris

Doris will have plants for sale at the meeting. She may be contacted at dukesthoms@verizon.net

Topic: Bulbophyllums

Renowned orchid grower, world traveler and internationally recognized speaker Bill Thoms will be presenting a talk on Bulbophyllums (the largest genus in the orchid world!)
Be prepared to learn more about this fascinating group of plants than you ever dreamed! Bill Thoms and his wife, Doris Dukes, have been growing orchids around Central Florida for more than 40 years and have received almost every award granted by the AOS as well as more Awards for Culture than anyone else in the world, (93 in over 29 genera, including 42 in the bulbophyllum alliance (capped off with a 97 pt. Certificate of Cultural Excellence for Bulb. Sue Blackmore).
Bill is the only person to receive Awards of Quality for Bulbophyllum hybrids as well as receiving the hybridizer’s dream; an Award of Distinction for a new avenue of breeding (a Trias hybrid). Many of his crosses are winning awards around the country. The AOS has just added a yearly award named for him for the best Bulbophyllum exhibited.
The talks are spiced with funny stories and funny associations so whether you grow thousands of orchids, only a few, or none at all, you will have a wonderfully entertaining time and be able to grow anything better. Many of the most important requirements for growing world class plants are made easy to understand and remember.
Don’t miss this great opportunity to learn how to grow these fascinating plants and to hear one of the most knowledgeable, interesting and funny speakers in the orchid world.
Signed copies of his new book, Bulbophyllums; the Incomplete Guide, From A to WHY? will be available for purchase ($44.95, but discounted for the members).

Bill Thoms dukesthoms@verizon.net