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!
September 15: Virtual Show Table
Courtney will Zoom into Cyberspace to weave his orchid stories on September 15th at 7 pm. All members will be sent an invitation link to the Zoom presentation.
Oct 6: Orchids Adapt to New Homes
Our very own Linda Stewart will talk about her orchid growing experiences at three Florida homes: the atrium of her townhouse in Plantation, the greenhouse in Palatka and backyard growing in her forever Palatka home. She will talk about the problems she encountered at each location and the solutions she hit on to grow her lovely species and hybrid orchids.We are limiting attendance to those that have preregistered, here's the sign up link. If more than 50 people try to sign up, you will be notified the meeting has been closed to new registrants.
George Hausermann of EFG Orchids will be joining us, hosting the sales table. He will be selling plants as well as providing raffle plants. We will have our normal raffle at the end of the meeting. Friends and guests are always welcome!
When: Tuesday, September 1, 6:30 pm
Where: Memorial Lutheran Church
Enter Hall from Back Parking Lot
3375 US 1 South
Virtual Show Table. For the time being, we will not have our traditional show table presentation at the meetings. If you want to share images of your beauties in bloom, send high res pictures to info@StAugOrchidSociety.org. We'll include the pics in the newsletter and Courtney's mid-month Virtual Show Table presentation. Here's a link to Courtney's August Virtual Show Table presentation.
SAOS News and Activities
October 3 Repotting Clinic. 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. Starting in September, we are relocating our repotting clinics to the pavilion behind the Memorial Lutheran Church.When: Saturday, October 3, 9 am- noon
Where: Memorial Lutheran Church
Pavilion Across from Back Parking Lot
3375 US 1 South
Turn west at the blinking light across from the new fire and police station on US 1 and drive around to the back of the church.
Keiki Club. Our beginners programs include culture classes, monthly repotting clinics, a mentoring program along with Keiki Club road trips and growing area tours.
September 20 Growing Area Tour. We'll talk about fall preparations at the Schimmel's. Enjoy the cooler fall weather, and use this time to get your orchids ready for their winter rest. Get their winter home prepared, and then spend some quality time with your orchids removing spent sheaths and drenching the pots to eliminate the creepy crawlers. We will talk about the cold hardiness of different types of orchids so you can develop your plan for the winter months.
Where: Bob and Yvonne's Home
702 Wilkes Court, St. Aug 32086
When: Sunday, September 20, 1 - 3 pm
Monthly Meetings
Members Choice. Our September Members Choice is Laeliocattleya Mishima Flash grown by Leslie Brickell. This hybrid between Starting Point and Melody Fair is a beautiful semialba cattleya with the WOW factor.Become a Member. The dues are $20 for an individual or $30 for a family... Click for more info.
Monthly Meetings. We meet on the first Tuesday of each month. The meeting begins at 6:30 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. Prior to the pandemic, we had a beginner's culture class at 6:15 before the main meeting begins. We resumed our physical meetings in July, but attendance has been limited. We hope to resume culture classes in 2021 once we have bid the virus adieu!
SAOS Items for Sale. Potting mix, plant tags, and more. Click for more info.
Covid Considerations. Everyone has been schooled on the guidelines on social distancing during the pandemic. With a maximum of 50 people, four people can space themselves about 6 ft apart at each of the large 8 ft diameter circular tables. Bring you face mask for when you are in close proximity to another member. Hand sanitizers and multiple cleaned pens will be available at the Welcome Table, Sales and Silent Auction Tables.
Cultural Tips for Orchid Growers
Bob Scully's Month by Month Orchid Growing:
September in St. Augustine. The welcome transition to fall is upon us. Once the temperature and humidity mediate, you’ll notice many of your plants putting on a second growth spurt... read moreDr. Courtney Hackney Tips, Redux:
Fall Preparations. Fall officially arrives this month as do cool nights. If you haven’t noticed yet, the days are also getting shorter and the sun has moved considerably from its trek North... read moreDr. Martin Motes Notes:
Progress of the Season. August started out decidedly on the wet side which was particularly unfortunate in the wake of a very wet July. Thankfully, August has ended on a dry note... read moreOrchids in September. September looms as the only truly dismal month in South Florida. Even without the prospect of the unspeakable 'H' word, September disheartens since it is easily the dampest... read more
Culture Article by Sue Bottom:
Bifoliate Catleyas - C. tigrina. If your orchids do not bloom much during the heat of the summer, you might consider adding some bifoliate cattleyas to your collection. There are small varieties... 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
Family 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. The summer growths are maturing now and you may start to see some of the oldest leaves drop.
Best Grown. Glo MacDonald won the best grown casetum award at the September 2020 meeting. She won a Ctsm. Sue Bottom she had been coveting, red with a fimbriated lip.
Best Flower. Send pictures of your catasetum in bloom to info@StAugOrchidSociety.org for entry into the best flower contest. Fred Clarke will judge the photo submittals in November 2021 during his trip to St. Augustine.
Culture Tips Here are some of Fred Clarke's culture tips for the season.
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.