We all enjoy Courtney's review of all the plants on the show table. He somehow manages to weave a story about commonalities in hydridizing, habitat, etc. and gives plenty of orchid cultural information.
    AOS Judge Eric Cavin from the Jacksonville Orchid Society will follow Courtney's talk with a short discussion of what American Orchid Society judges look for when giving cultural and flower quality awards, the differences between ribbon and award judging, etc. Then Courtney and Eric will select some potentially awardable plants from the show table, talk about their desirable qualities and how the flower presentation might have been improved. There will be plants available for sale on the sales table.
    Bring your flowering orchids to exhibit on the Show Table. We will have our normal raffle at the end of the meeting.

Date and Time: Tuesday, April 2, 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!

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, April 6, 9 am to noon
Where:   Ace Hardware on US 1 South
3050 US Highway 1 South, St. Augustine 32086

April 28 Keiki Club - Picnic and Orchids

  We’ll be enjoying barbecued hamburgers and hot dogs at our orchid picnic. Bring a side dish to round out the meal and your liquid libation of choice, and join in the fun.
  If you have extra divisions or a plant or two you want to share or sell, bring them and see what you might be able to get in trade. If you don't have plants to barter with, cash works. We may have a few plants to auction too!
  Please let Events Veep Dianne know if you plan on attending (436-5618) to ensure there is a hamburger and/or hot dog for you.

Where:   Memorial Lutheran Church
3375 US 1 South, St. Aug 32086
When: April 28, 4 - 6 pm

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.

Bob Scully's Month by Month Orchid Growing:
March in St. Augustine. Signs of spring abound with an abundance of emerging flower spikes and buds. The flush of spring growth will follow soon so plan your repotting program which should... read more

Dr. Courtney Hackney Tips, Redux:
Plant Labels. A is for apple, B is for boy. Does that sound familiar? Most of us have long forgotten that we started with the basics when we learned to read. Many new Orchid... read more

Dr. Martin Motes Notes:
Progress of the Season. February has been a dream for our orchids. With day temperature in the upper 70's and lower eighties and night temperatures in the sixties... read more
Orchids in March. Whilst March never comes in like a lion in South Florida, occasionally it slinks in like a bob cat. Frost is not unheard of in the first few days of the month... read more

Culture Article by Sue Bottom:
Soluble Salts. Good quality water is the “holy grail” for orchid growers. The better your water, the better... read more
Plus articles on Rainwater Collection and Reverse Osmosis

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

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.

In March: You should see the beginning of a new growth at the base of the larger pseudobulb this month, and soon afterward you will see tiny roots forming at the base of the new growth. The roots are seeking out moisture, and dry conditions now will encourage the formation of a well developed root system. Once the roots have reached the bottom of the pot and the new growth has unfurled and is 3 or 4 inches tall, it will be time to start watering. Until then, patience!