We’re looking forward to our Christmas party and auction where we get to kick back, have fun and spread holiday cheer with our orchid buddies. Hope to see you there!

Our Christmas orchid auction is on our normal meeting night, Tuesday, December 4. We’ll start our social hour at our normal 6:30 pm meeting start time. This will give us a chance to exchange holiday cheer before we hit the vittles.
Bring your beverage of choice. The club will provide the low octane water, iced tea and coffee, but if you enjoy a cuppa with your meal, feel free!
One thing that hasn’t changed is all the good food. Lady Di is planning chicken and pork tenderloin main dishes.
Bring a dish to round out the meal. Salads, potato and pasta side dishes, vegetable side dishes and desserts have been big favorites in years gone by.
We’ll finish up the evening with an orchid auction where you can bid on a nice variety of different types of orchids. We have plants from Ben Oliveros and will post an auction listing to whet your appetite.
We’ll also have 2019 calendars showing all the Member's Choice plants from the show table. Calendars are $15 each or 2 for $25.

When:   Tuesday, December 4, 6:30 til 9 pm
Where:   Memorial Lutheran Church
3375 US 1 South, St. Aug 32086

Some Cultural Tips for Orchid Growers

Bob Scully's Month by Month Orchid Growing:
November in St. Augustine. Short days and cold nights necessitate adjustments for both plants and growers. Reduce water and fertilizer gradually until you reach your winter target... read more

Dr. Courtney Hackney Tips, Redux:
Natural Pest Control. Have you ever considered growing your orchids using natural controls for disease and pests. There are a number of articles in orchid growing magazines... read more

Dr. Martin Motes Notes:
Progress of the Season. October has been drier and warmer than usual. In general, this has been a good thing for our orchids. Typically, in early October, our plants are subject... read more
Orchids in November. In November we can no longer afford to be dominated by the illusion, so easy here at the northern edge of the tropics, that summer will never end.. read more

Culture Article by Sue Bottom:
The Transition to Winter. The shorter day length, less intense sunlight and cooler temperatures typical of fall cause changes to the growth rates of your orchids. Many orchids rest... read more

St. Augustine Orchid Society Happenings:
Gail Marshall puts together the SAOS Happenings so you can find all the orchid events around town. read SAOS Happenings

Keiki Club - On Winter Hiatus

We schedule monthly Keiki Club meetings during the spring after our orchids rouse from their winter rest. We talk about watering, fertilizing, repotting, and other growing issues. We finish up with the Picnic and Orchid Swap in April. After our summer vacation, the Keiki Club reconvenes in October for a talk about fall preparationsand there are field trip opportunities to the Gainesville Orchid Society Show and EFG Orchtoberfest. Now it is time for our orchids to rest while we celebrate the holidays!

The Keiki Club is for our beginning orchid growers. We begin with a short presentation on a timely orchid culture topic and then it’s a free for all to discuss any thoughts or questions you have about growing orchids. Spouses and partners welcome. We look forward to seeing you there!    
Here's a video of one of our get togethers.

Mentoring Program

The mentoring program works in tandem with our Keiki Club, pairing our novice and/or new SAOS orchid growers with an experienced grower. This program allows our mentees to get one-on-one assistance and answers to their orchid growing questions. If you are interested in learning more, email Mentoring Coordinator Susan Smith.

Plant Clinic at Ace Hardware, 9 am to noon

The first Saturday of the month from February through October, St. Augustine Orchid Society members will be available to talk with you, answer questions and help you repot orchids.    
Here's a video of a repotting clinic!

Date and Time:   Saturday, February 2, 9 am to noon
Where:   Ace Hardware on US 1 South
3050 US Highway 1 South, St. Augustine 32086