May 2nd meeting with Jim Roberts, speaker

Florida SunCoast Orchids “What’s Wrong with this Picture” is the topic for Jim Roberts’ May 2nd presentation. Jim was our presenter in September of 2010 and was received so well that many members asked for him to return. His topic will be a refresher course on pests and problems of orchid plants and what to do about it and is oriented to the beginner and intermediate grower.

Jim is the owner and operator of Florida SunCoast Orchids which is located near Myakka City, FL. He has a 10,000 square foot greenhouse on five acres of land where he grows Cattleya, Phalaenopsis, Dendrobium, Vanda and Encyclia orchids. The greenhouse is only open by appointment but you can find Jim and his plants at 15-18 orchid shows a year around the state and at local markets in Sarasota. He specializes in growing Cattleya and Encyclia hybrids, flowering in 4-inch and 6-inch flowering pots and baskets. Larger and smaller sizes are available.

Jim is also a hybridizer and has created such beauties as Suncoast Sundrops and Florida Stars. “I strive to grow and sell the best quality orchid plants for all our customers, and to build a lasting reputation in the industry as one of the very best.”

Jim and his wife and kids live in the Sarasota area and have lived in Florida since 2001.

Please check out the website for beautiful pictures, lots of information and ordering plants on line. www.floridasuncoastorchids.com.

Meeting Wednesday August 1st

Meeting:  Wednesday, August 1 at 7:00 p.m.

Speaker:  Louis Del Favero,

Louis Del Favero Orchids, Tampa

Topic: “Growing Species”

Louis Del Favero received a V. Rothchildiana from a family friend for his 12th birthday. In 1968 he began working for Jungle Orchids after school, weekends and summers. They imported tree fern and orchids from Guatemala. A year later he established Louis Del Favero Orchids in Miami. It was also during this time that he took a collecting trip with Fred Fuchs to British Honduras (now Belize) and Honduras. After that trip, Louis was consumed by a desire to view orchids in their native habitat. This started 20 years of traveling to Mexico, Central, South America and the Caribbean.
In 1981 Louis moved to his current location in rural Tampa where he used his extensive contacts to continue importing specie orchids from their native countries.
He and his wife Bonnie have more than 13,000 s.f. of greenhouses open to the public of which approximately 50% are warm tolerant species, and the other half is comprised largely of Encyclias, Dendrobiums, Oncidiums, and compact to large flowered Cattleyas with an emphasis on fragrant orchids.

Venice and Englewood Societies Combine Summer Meetings

The Venice Area Orchid Society and the Englewood Area Orchid Society will combine their meetings this summer. Englewood AOS will host the July 9th meeting at Christ Lutheran Church, beginning at 6:30pm. The speaker will be Michael Polen and his topic: “Alternatives to Using Pots for Orchids”.

 VAOS will host the August meeting on Wednesday August 1st at 7pm at the Venice Community Center.  Louis Del Favero of Louis Del Favero Orchids in Tampa will speak on “Growing Species”.

 Members of both societies are invited to bring orchids for the show table. Guests are welcome!