Get into the Holiday Spirit with your FCOS friends and bid on some extraordinary orchids in our silent auction. Always an enjoyable event. Times and date are approximate, please check the Dec. newsletter for updated information. Download the silent auction bid sheet HERE.

Join owners Chris Howard and Michael Jenne as they showcase a wide range of blooming orchid species and hybrids at their Grover Beach shop. Have your orchid questions answered by members of Five Cities Orchid Society who will be at the shop. There will also be orchids for sale - recent comments have been heard by shop visitors , “that can’t be an orchid….is it?” Chris reports strong sales this past weekend have necessitated more inventory to prepare for the mini-show on Saturday the 19th. Here’s your chance to take home an easy to grow and bloom slipper orchid (Paphiopedalum) or perhaps a “dancing lady” Oncidium with a long lasting spike of yellow flowers.

Several of our FCOS members will discuss how they grow their orchids and some of the do’s and dont’s they’ve learned through the years. This will be an interactive Zoom discussion, so get your questions ready. Please note this is a West Coast Zoom event and times are Pacific Time Zone

FCOS member Eric Holenda takes us on trip to Switzerland, a most unusual location to find orchids. Eric has traveled the world to see and photograph orchids in the wild. His past presentations on “Dancing Lady” orchids (Oncidiums) and a visit to the Amazon basin during high water season were filled with useful orchid growing information. Join us for this most interesting journey to Switzerland. Please note this is a West Coast Zoom event and times are Pacific Time Zone

Tim Culbertson will talk about the exciting new varieties of Zygopetalums and hybrids being developed by plant breeders including Fred Clarke of Sunset Valley Orchids. Tim will show some amazing photos of both species and hybrids. Best of all, since this is an in-person Saturday meeting he will have Zygopetalums for sale. Please check the August newsletter for specific times for Tim’s presentation and sale. Please note this is a West Coast Zoom event and times are Pacific Time Zone

Join us for a pot luck lunch, silent auction of donated member plants and good times for all. Times are approximate, please check the June newsletter for updated information.

Join FCOS as we discuss orchid growing basics at Cambria Nursery during their Enchanted Fairy Garden Celebration. We will display blooming orchids, provide growing recommendations and discuss the benefits of belonging to Five Cities Orchid Society. A great opportunity to visit Cambria, see old friends and recruit new FCOS members. Please check the Cambria Nursery website for current information about this event.

Join us for a fun filled day in Carpenteria. Joe Ambriz always has an amazing collection of orchids, succulents and air plants, all at very reasonable prices. Specific times and details will be posted in the May FCOS newsletter. Lunch will undoubtedly be at the Padaro Grill followed by a visit to one or more additional orchid growers.

Workshop: Getting to Know Your Roots

The Five Cities Orchid Society is excited to announce a workshop on Getting to Know your Roots and Orchid Repotting.

We will have demonstrations in repotting Epidendrums, Dendrobiums, Phalaenopsis, Cymbidiums, and Sarcochilus. This is also an opportunity for you to add some orchids to your collections.

The event will take place on April 13, 2024, at 1 pm at the Planted Parlour in Grover Beach. The worskshop is $10 for FCOS members, non members $20, registration is required due to limited space. All attendees will receive a free Orchid seedling that you can pot and grow.

We have acquired the famous Mtssa. Shelob 'Okika' named after the evil spider in JRR Tolkien’s the Lord of the Rings. (Pictured below)

We also have several seedlings of Wils. Space Mine 'Red Rendevous'. Both of these are rewarding plants to grow, requiring medium light levels. You can take your pick of either plant and we will offer any left over plants for sale.

Sign up!

Join FCOS at Nipomo High School for this multi-location event. Plant nurseries from the area are open to the public and sales benefit the CCGGA’s scholarship program. Orchid sales by FCOS courtesy of CalCoast Orchids.

UNFORTUNATELY THIS EVENT HAS BEEN CANCELLED DUE TO RAIN

Join FCOS as we sell Phalaenopsis and other orchids at this plant and art lover’s event. Always a fun day meeting plant enthusiasts and shopping for art and native plants.

Gayle put this talk together because she saw so many growers having problems because they chose the wrong pot. Gayle will show that there is a perfect pot for every root ball, but most of the time you won’t own it. Therefore, she will show how to adapt the best pot you have to make it the perfect pot, and also encourage viewers to consider unconventional choices for your pots.

Gayle Brodie started growing orchids over 20 years ago and is an accredited judge with the American Orchid Society.  Her collection is housed outdoors and in a 8' x 12' greenhouse, and she has received 24 AOS awards in nine different genera and also Best Orchid In Show at the 2017 Santa Barbara International Orchid Show.  She has been a very active board member and officer of the Conejo Orchid Society for over fifteen years and has volunteered weekly in the orchid greenhouses at the Huntington Library for the past eleven years.  She lives in Thousand Oaks with her husband Steve, happily retired from her career as a CPA.

Gary Yong Gee [surname Yong Gee] is an Australian born Chinese, and lives in Brisbane, Australia. He began growing orchids around 40 years ago. These days, he maintains a large hobby greenhouse, cultivating Australian native, and exotic species. He has over 100,000 orchid photographs taken on travels to parts of Australia, New Guinea, Asia, Europe, Central and South America, South Africa, and Madagascar, at shows, and in situ.  Gary is an orchid judge with the Australian Orchid Council. He is also a member of several Australian orchid societies, the American Orchid Society, and the Orchid Conservation Alliance.

Gary’s main interest is species orchids. He has contributed an extensive monthly article to the Orchid Species Bulletin, published by the Orchid Species Society, for over 30 years. Gary has also written occasional articles for Orchids Australia, and the Australian Orchid Review; and given numerous talks to various orchid societies. The Vandaceous Orchids supplement to Orchids, Bulletin of the AOS, November 2021, has his article about Aerides. He has a website, which is currently being upgraded, and shows some of his photographs at www.yonggee.name

Orchids of Southwestern Western Australia

Flora in Southwest Western Australia makes up a large proportion of the Australian floral kingdom. Various habitats in the southwest are subject to a mediterranean climate, of cool, wet winters, and hot, dry summers. All orchids in this region are tuberous terrestrial plants that have an annual growth cycle. Several genera (Drakaea, Elythranthera, Pyrorchis) are unique to the region. All have adapted to bushfires that occur naturally in the dry period. Some taxa do not flower unless the habitat is subject to burning, the previous season. Many species have evolved alongside their unique pollinator. Thus, pseudocopulation plays a major role in the pollination syndrome.

Bill Goldner from Woodstream Orchids will introduce miniature and compact Phragmipedium (New World tropical lady slipper orchids) breeding and describe exciting new directions that Woodstream has taken to produce other types of new never-before seen hybrids in an array of colors, shapes, and sizes.

Dr. Bill Goldner is best known in the orchid world as the owner of Woodstream Orchids with his wife Lynn Evans-Goldner. A life-long outdoorsman, Bill’s current mid-life crisis is fly fishing for trout, steelhead, and salmon, a passion he shares with Lynn and their son Zane. Many of the hybrid and cultivar names registered and used by Woodstream Orchids are names of the many places they have fished. 

Now Zane (age 13) is part of the pack which includes golden retrievers Luna and Leo. In fact, at age four Zane and Bill started a jungle cactus and succulent business for Zane. Zane’s Orchid Companion Plants now grows over 100 species of epiphytic cacti (or soft cactus as Zane call’s them). He propagates the cacti from seed and cuttings 

Woodstream Orchids (WSO) is a leading hybridizer and producer of Phragmipediums, Paphiopedilum species, and Epidendrums. They are well known for their innovative miniature Phrag hybrids. They are currently upping their game to include white and yellow Phrag hybrids.

Please email Bill for updated lists of Phrags, Paphs, Non-Slipper Genera, Flasks, Epiphytic Cacti and Epis. Woodstream3@verizon.net

Coastal California, with its favorable climate, is an ideal location to grow hundreds of orchid species outdoors.  This is the story of an experiment to push the limits on what might be possible to grow, with a number of surprising outcomes.  From this talk you’ll learn about some beautiful new species you can grow and some tips/techniques on outdoor growing.

Scott McGregor has been growing orchids since he was 12, when a neighbor gave him a plant.  That plant had a short life, but the hook was set, and he found books and sources for orchid species while growing up in St. Louis.  His collection has changed over time, living in different location around the world, but has always centered around the more unusual species.  Scott grows all his plants outdoors, without a greenhouse, just "adding some water and shade" to what nature provides in Southern California.  He especially enjoys finding new species that grow well in our climate (many are far more adaptable than most people would believe), and now grows over 500 different orchid species, along with cloud forest companion plants such as Heliamphora and epiphytic Utricularia.  He rarely uses chemical insecticides or fungicides, preferring fresh air, beneficial insects and our native tree frogs.  Scott retired from the corporate world a few years ago and stays active on corporate boards and working with non-profit groups that promote science education for kids.  He resides with his family in San Juan Capistrano, California.

This talk is all about Habenaria hybrids and how they are made! Featuring over 45 hybrids and 100 pictures, this a perfect talk for anyone, be it an expert Habenaria-grower or someone who have never heard of the genus before. It begins with a quick summary of the genus’ history and where hybridization began. Next comes a big dive into hybrids with emphasis on how individual species created the hybrids. This makes up the bulk of the talk and has loads of pictures, both species and hybrids. Lastly, we’ll finish up with a thorough discussion on Habenaria culture, placing a large emphasis on the “big-bad dormancy,” which won’t seem big or bad after we finish!

Nicholas is an up-and-coming hybridizer in the orchid community. His orchid passion began in 2015 when a mini-Phalaenopsis was gifted to him. Like a flame to gasoline, this gift quickly pulled him into the diverse world of orchids. Shortly after his interests were formed, he began exploring the culture of several unique genera of terrestrial orchids. He now specializes in Habenaria and other related genera, jewel orchids, Australian terrestrial orchids, and Bulbophyllum. In 2019, this obsession bloomed into a small orchid nursery, RustyExotics Orchids, which he uses to share the wonders and beauty of his work.

Through studying biochemistry and molecular biology throughout college, Nicholas approaches his orchids with the same scientific perspective he uses while working in a research lab. This led to an interest in the entire growth cycle of orchids and the start of his own hybridization program in 2018 which focuses mostly on terrestrial orchids, especially Habenaria. His aim is to use rarely cultivated species and distinct variations of species to create truly exceptional shapes and colors that will pave new directions for unique hybrids.

Enjoy a virtual tour through the regions of the country where laelia’s are found. We promise to show some of the most beautiful areas of Brazil.

Our speaker Francisco Miranda was born in Rio de Janeiro on February 6, 1956. He got his degree in Biology and begun his taxonomic studies in the orchid family in 1981. During the next 4 years, he lived most of the time in Manaus where he studied Amazon orchids and began his Master’s degree. Shortly after returning to Rio de Janeiro, the Master’s was completed on “section Cattleyodes of the genus Laelia” . Since then, the main interest has been on the Brazilian laelias and cattleyas. He is the author of several papers ranging from species descriptions to subjects of growers’ interest in Brazilian, German and U.S. publications. He is also author of two books. Since 2000, he lives in Haines City, Florida, where he operates Miranda Orchids, an orchid nursery specializing on Brazilian species and the Cattleya alliance. He also guides trips to Brazil and frequently visits Brazilian habitats to find new and/or interesting orchid species.

Fred will present a detailed look at the species and latest developments in the breeding and growing of these colorful flowers.

Today Mini and Compact growing Cattleya’s come in many colors and shapes. Learn about the small growing Cattleya species, the important breeding plants and what hybrids are available for the orchid enthusiast. In conclusion we cover the ‘best growing practices’ for cultivations these little gems.

 The presenter will be Fred Clarke of Sunset Valley Orchids in Vista. Fred Clarke has been growing orchids for 42 years and has been hybridizing for 38 of those years. With over 34 years as a professional grower and manager in the horticultural industry, Fred applies these skills at his orchid nursery; Sunset Valley Orchids, located in San Diego, California.

 He is a passionate orchid grower whose curiosity in orchids is broad and varied. Although developing Cattleya hybrids has been his sustaining interest, he is also actively creating new Paphiopedilum and Aussie Dendrobium hybrids plus some others to be named if they work out! His pioneering work in Catasetum intergeneric hybrids led to the development of several notable hybrids, most recently the grex, Fredclarkeara After Dark, which produced “the blackest flower ever witnessed”. This grex has received over 100 awards worldwide with nine FCC’s and thirty AM’s from the AOS judges!

Fred is an Accredited Judge in the Pacific South Judging Region. His plants have received hundreds of quality awards from the American Orchid Society. 

After receiving his degree in biochemistry from the University of Toronto, Dave opted to step outside his chosen field and operated a tropical fish import business for eight years.  Upon returning to school, Dave received a degree in enology and viticulture from Brock University in St. Catharines, Ontario.  While attending Brock, Dave began acquiring orchids one 2” pot at a time and before he graduated, Dave had over 100 orchids.  Winemaking and a passion for orchids prompted Dave to seek a warmer climate in California about one year later.  Dave has been growing paphiopedilums for about 15 years and seriously hybridizing for the past 10 years.  He is an accredited AOS judge and his paphiopedilums have received over 100 awards to date from the AOS and CSA. Many of those awarded plants playing important roles in his breeding program. In 2018 Dave left winemaking in order to focus all of his time running Paph Paradise Orchids.

Chris earned his Master's Degree in Marine Biology in 1976 and since then has worked as an environmental consultant in marine biology and permit compliance issues for a wide variety of clients. Chris and his wife Betsy have lived in Grover Beach since 1976, and they have two sons and two grandsons who also live in the area. Chris’ mom always had cymbidiums in the back yard but she did not grow any other orchids because they were 'too difficult to grow'. Chris purchased his first orchid (a small red one) at the Five Cities Orchid Society (FCOS) show about 20+ years ago, but at some point-in-time it ended up in the compost pile along with a number of others that found their way there through the years. He has been the president of the FCOS three times. For a number of years, Chris along with Jeffrey Thompson (FCOS member) have set up Ecuagenera's display at the Santa Barbara International Orchid Show. His presentation will be a series of photos of a variety of species of the subtribe Pleurothallidinae (pleurothallids) he has taken of his collection, in San Francisco Bay Area greenhouses, at a wide variety of shows, and while orchid hunting Ecuador and Colombia. The presentation will also include cultural information about growing orchids that are in this group.

RSVP needed.  Join is for a no-host lunch on Saturday, February 11, 2023 at 1:30 pm at 1865 Craft House and Kitchen, 1865 Monterey St San Luis Obispo.  RSVP to Jeff by February 7, 2023 at noon so we can have a seat ready for you. We will reserve tables on the patio so we can gather and socialize.  

CalPoly Plant Shop/Greenhouse Repotting Clinic.  Saturday, Feb 11, 2023 at 10:30 am.  Meet with other FCOS members and CalPoly students to help repot orchids/educate students about orchid care.  Bark and pots are provided but please bring any garden implements that you may need: gloves, shears, etc. 

Ron has made two trips to this magical place, the largest of the Greek islands, in search of the vast array of terrestrial orchids found there. The first trip there was also his very first to Europe, spurred by international friends who told him of the diversity and numbers of orchids that could be seen. Having a love of all flowers, he also wanted to see the endemic peony and various tulip species as well as the beautiful scenery and archaeological treasures…he was not disappointed! 

 Ron Parsons has been growing orchids for nearly 48 years, and has been interested in the species for most of that time. He loves to photograph orchids and other flowers whenever he can, and does so as often as possible. Ron has more than 90,000 digital images, most of which are of orchids, and still retains a slide library that exceeds 100,000 botanical images. He has given more than 500 talks on various botanical topics, and has nearly 6500 published photos. Ron has co-authored four books on botanical subjects, all with Mary E. Gerritsen. The first two, published by Timber Press, are Masdevallias, Gems of the Orchid World and Calochortus, Mariposa Lilies and their Relatives. Their third book, a two-volume set, A Compendium of Miniature Orchid Species was published by Redfern Natural History Productions in January 2014. In 2019 The American Orchid Society Guide to Orchids and their Culture was released, and is on its third printing. They have recently completed a fifth book, a much-revised second edition of A Compendium of Miniature Orchids Species. It is now in four volumes with 3100 photos (1800 of those are new), including those of more than 500 species not in the first edition. The set was released in early October, 2021.