Watch Courtney do the Show Table on Zoom
Come to one of our meetings!
Courtney Hackney gives culture tips from the Show Table
SAOS Resources for events, newsletters and library
If you are just learning to grow orchids, check the Beginners tab
Culture pages address orchid growing basics and different orchids
Having a problem? Info in the Problems section can help
Month by month advice for growing orchids
Beautiful orchid pictures, if only we could include their fragrance!
April 7: OnLine Show Table
Courtney Hackney in CyberspaceWe are going to have a virtual show table presentation on Zoom on April 7th at 7 pm. Courtney will weave his stories about our blooming orchids in an online presentation. High res pictures of blooming orchids sent in by March 29th are included.
All members will be sent an invitation link to their email address. We included instructions in the April newsletter. Click here to sign up for a free Zoom account.
May 5: Potting & Mounting Orchids
Tony Millet, Bonnet HouseTony rescheduled his trip to St. Aug to the May meeting, where he will be showing us his special methods of mounting and repotting orchids, with emphasis on techniques and the use of different materials including cork, driftwood, plaques, baskets and mounts. Proper sterilization of tools will also be discussed in order to limit spread of virus to your collection.
When: Tuesday, May 5, 6:30 pm
Where: Memorial Lutheran Church
Enter Hall from Back Parking Lot
3375 US 1 South
SAOS News and Activities
Coronavirus Update. We are going to have a virtual meeting online on our April meeting date. All other April scheduled events have been moved to May.SAOS Items for Sale. Potting mix, slotted clay pots, fertilizer, plant tags... Click for more info.
Renew Your Membership. The dues are $20 for an individual or $30 for a family if paid by check (mail c/o Linda Stewart, 1812 Diana Drive, Palatka 32177), or for an extra dollar use the PayPal links here.
Individual Membership Family Membership May 17 Picnic and Orchid Sale. We’ll be enjoying barbecued hamburgers and hot dogs at our annual picnic. Bring a side dish to round out the meal and your liquid libation of choice, and join in the fun. George Hausermann with EFG Orchids will join us and have orchids, tropicals and supplies to sell! Please email or call (436-5618) Events Veep Dianne know if you plan on attending so we can be sure to have enough hamburgers and hot dogs for you.
Monthly Meetings
Members Choice. Our April Members Choice is Pomatocalpa spicatum, a delightful plant grown by Linda Stewart and a gift from her brother Steve Hawkins. This cute little vandaceous species has bright yellow, small, long lasting flowers on branching inflorescences. It is one of the odd little vandaceous plants that enjoys shadier conditions. Terry selected this plant as the Members Choice from the images sent in for Courtney's virtual show table presentation.Monthly Meetings. We meet on the first Tuesday of each month. The meeting begins with a plant sale followed by a review of the show table plants and presentation by an orchid expert. The meeting closes with a plant raffle where members can expand their collections. It's fun and informative for growers of all levels. Join us, visitors and guests are always welcome!
Culture Class. We have a beginners culture class before the main meeting, starting at 6:15. In May, Tom will do a demonstration on making wire products like rhizome clips.
Ace Repotting Clinics. The first Saturday of the month from 9 am til noon, February through October, St. Augustine Orchid Society members are available to talk with you, answer questions and help you repot orchids.
Cultural Tips for Orchid Growers
Bob Scully's Month by Month Orchid Growing:
April in St. Augustine. This is one of the most exciting months of the year, filled with an abundance of flower spikes emerging. It's the beginning of the long growing season... read moreDr. Courtney Hackney Tips, Redux:
Size Matters Size really does matter… at least with respect to orchid growing. The size of the medium in which you place your orchids, the size of the pot, and even... read moreDr. Martin Motes Notes:
Progress of the Season. February has been both warmer and wetter than usual. Several cold fronts lingered and produce extra moisture but not overly cold temperatures for more than a few nights... read moreOrchids in April. Far from the cruelest, April is the kindest month to South Florida orchid growers. The weather in April is definitely settled into warm, even deliciously hot... read more
Culture Article by Sue Bottom:
Styrofoam. The woke may hate Styrofoam due to its persistence in the environment, but it can be repurposed by orchid growers in many different ways. Most commonly... read moreJoin or Renew Your Membership
The St. Augustine Orchid Society is a dynamic group of orchid growers having all levels of experience, from those who just brought their first orchid home to those with overflowing greenhouses. All members have one thing in common. We love to share our experiences, our knowledge and our orchid divisions with other orchid growers. Come to one of our meetings so we can get to know each other. If you would like to join, you can complete this interactive form.Join the Club or Pay Your Dues
The dues are $20 for an individual or $30 for a family if paid by check (mail c/o Linda Stewart, 1812 Diana Drive, Palatka 32177). For an extra dollar, you can pay using the PayPal links below.Individual Membership
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Catasetum Competition Grow
Fred Clarke sent us 20 plugs for the raffle table in January 2019. We are going to have prizes for the first one to bloom this hybrid, the one with the nicest flower, and the best grown one. Here's more information about the cross and how to grow catasetums.
Jim Roberts Deflasking Project
At our August 2019 meeting, Jim Roberts of Florida SunCoast Orchids showed us how to deflask orchids and pot them up in either plug trays or compots. Five caretakers are nurturing them until they grow up to a size where they can be planted individually.