March 5 Mtg - Tolumnias, the Equitant Oncidiums
Daryl Venables, Tezula Plants

   Daryl will talk to us about Tolumnias, those petite plants with brightly colored flowers that used to be called Equitant Oncidiums. The key to growing Tolumnias is understanding their natural habitat, growing on twigs where they are exposed to bright light and air movement. Moisture is provided by high humidity and by daily rain showers or heavy dews. Due to constant air movement by the trade winds, plants never remain wet for long. Daryl will share all his cultural hints and tips.
    He has acquired quite a large collection and he will have many offerings for us from his breeding efforts. Feel free to preorder from his website for delivery at the meeting.
    Bring your flowering orchids to exhibit on the Show Table. We will have our normal raffle at the end of the meeting. Friends and guests are always welcome!

Date and Time:  Tuesday, March 5, 6:30 pm
Where:   Watson Realty, Conference Room by Back Parking Lot
3505 US 1 South, St. Augustine

We normally meet on the first Tuesday of each month. January and July meetings are often rescheduled to accommodate the holidays. 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!    
Here's a video of one of our meetings!

February 17 Keiki Club - Growing Area Tour

Susan and Doug grow their orchids on a screened porch and under a pergola in summer, setting up portable greenhouses in winter. Winter is always a challenge for those without a greenhouse. See how others grow their orchids meet the challenge of winter cold weather. We'll also demonstrate how to find information on the SAOS website. Parking is limited to street parking so carpooling and parking in the pool parking lot are encouraged.

Moderators:   Susan and Doug Smith
Where:   Susan and Doug Smith's Home
148 Sarah Elizabeth Drive, St. Johns 32259
When: Sunday, February 17, 1 - 3 pm

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.

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, March 2, 9 am to noon
Where:   Ace Hardware on US 1 South
3050 US Highway 1 South, St. Augustine 32086

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.

Some Cultural Tips for Orchid Growers

Bob Scully's Month by Month Orchid Growing:
February in St. Augustine. Spring is around the corner. Order your potting supplies early to make sure they are not sold out when it's time to repot. Observe plants (including companion... read more

Dr. Courtney Hackney Tips, Redux:
January Observations. Each fall, fire ants slip quietly somewhere into the back of my greenhouse and take up residence. Usually, I do not notice them until I pick up a pot... read more

Dr. Martin Motes Notes:
Progress of the Season. January began both drier and warmer than usual to the delight of our orchids and ourselves. The month ended wetter and somewhat colder than is typical... read more
Orchids in February. Despite the bloom on the avocados and the burgeoning new leaves on the live oaks, February is not spring in South Florida. Danger of freeze continues... read more

Culture Article by Sue Bottom:
Orchids Month by Month in 2018. Terry is always taking pictures of something, including the greenhouse. Sometimes it’s frogs, lizards and snakes and sometimes... 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

Catasetum Competition



Fred Clarke sent us 20 plugs of this new hybrid, Ctsm. Portagee Star 'Brian Lawson's Sunrise' x Ctsm. lucis and they were distributed to raffle ticket winners at the January meeting. 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.

You should have potted up the seedling in a 2 or 3 inch pot in January. Many fill the bottom third of the pot with Styrofoam peanuts and then wrap the plug in high quality long fibered New Zealand sphagnum moss, interlayering and top dressing with timed release fertilizer. The moss can be moist, but don’t water the catasetum yet!

Keep the plant in a spot where you won’t accidently water it and wait for the new growth to begin in early spring. You want the new growth to have well developed roots, and the root system is encouraged in its search for moisture. Once the new growth has unfurled and is 3 or 4 inches tall, it will be time to start watering. Patience!