Speaker: Jim Roberts of Florida Suncoast Orchids

Topic: “Flasking” – Orchids grown from seed

One of our most popular presenters, Jim Roberts, will be returning for his third presenta­tion. He will be discussing and demonstrating techniques for the art of growing orchids from seed, a method known as “Flasking” that takes time and patience!

Jim will be bringing some flasks of high quality Cattleya and Encyclia hybrids that contain about 20 – 25 young plants per flask. Some of the flasks that will be for sale are from awarded orchids and start at $100. The general hybrid flasks will start at $35. Perfect for splitting with an orchid ‘growing pal’!

Jim is the owner of Florida Suncoast Orchids, located near Myakka City where he grows Phalaenopsis, Dend­robium, Vanda and his specialties: Cattleya and Encyclia hybrids.

He has three joined greenhouses covering 10,000 square feet. The greenhouses are open by appointment only. Jim exhibits at numerous shows, gives club presen­tations and you can also find his plants at local markets or order them online.

Jim will bring a great selection of orchids grown in this area to sell at the meeting. You can check out his website, www.floridasuncoastorchids.com, for informa­tion, beautiful photos and growing tips. The website is currently under construction, so ordering online isn’t available.

We hope to see you there, supporting one of our few remaining local growers!

Location: Venice Community Center -(doors open at 6:30)

We enjoyed hosting a presentation by Nature’s Relics for our joint meeting with the Englewood Area Orchid Society on August 5^th.

Over the past six years Jesse and Dee Vance have turned their passion for reclaiming old growth Bald Cypress into Nature’s Relics.

Until the late 1800’s much of the lowland area of the Gulf Coast was covered by old growth Bald Cypress forests. It’s the remnants of these forests that become the palette for Nature’s Relics.

The Vance’s uncover the natural beauty of this old, water worn wood, already sculpted over time by nature, providing us with one of a kind orchid mounts and display pieces.

From their orchid growing experience they discovered these Bald Cypress mounts retain moisture longer than other wood mounts. They recommend mounting orchids directly on the wood without Sphagnum moss.

If you’d like to to purchase a Bald Cypress mount, the Vance’s will be back this October at Tropiflora’s Fall Show.

LOCATION: Christ Lutheran Church, Englewood

Speaker: Rafael Romero

Rafael RomeroRafael Romero, Plantio La Orquidea, was born in Caracas, Venezuela and graduated as a biologist from the Universidad Simon Bolivar. He began working with orchids in 1986 with his father in law, Henrique Graf, owner of Plantio La Orquidea, the largest orchid nursery in Venezuela.

Together with his wife, Rafael started the laboratory at Plantio La Orquidea in 1986 where they produce the species and hybrids for which they are known. They moved to Sarasota in 2003 and started their nursery, approximately 10000 sq. ft., where they established a good sample of the species and hybrids produced in Venezuela as well as adding interesting species and hybrids from around the world.

Rafael will be sharing his knowledge and experiences as well as answering questions and will have a fine selection of his orchids available for sale. Plantio La Orquidea is one of our fine local growers and is located at 3480 Tallevast Road in Sarasota.