Send pics of what's in bloom
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!
November 3: Bingo for Orchids
We're going to have some fun on election night... and play Bingo for Orchids! We'll sell bingo sheets in groups of 10 for $10 so you will have a chance to win some of the great orchid prizes we have assembled (click to view prizes). We'll have some laughs, vote for our slate of 2021 officers and get you home in time to watch all the election returns! Friends and guests are always welcome!When: Tuesday, November 3, 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 October Virtual Show Table presentation.
Covid Considerations. Everyone has been schooled on the guidelines on social distancing during the pandemic. 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.
SAOS News and Activities
Trial Silent Auction. We're trying something new, an online silent auction. You have to register with the 32Auction site to bid, and you can pay when you pick up the plant at the November meeting or at Sue and Terry's. The auction is open now and closes October 30th. Here's the auction link. If this works, we may conduct part of our Christmas auction online so everyone will have an opportunity to bid.2021 Calendars. Terry prepares a SAOS calendar each year featuring the Member's Choice orchids from the Show Table. You can email us to order a calendar or use the PayPal link below. We'll deliver calendars at the December meeting. Calendars are $15 each or 2 for $25 if paid by cash or check, $16 each if paid with PayPal. If you want to order more than one or you want us to ship a calendar to you, email us and we'll send you a custom invoice.
February 6 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 relocated our repotting clinics to the pavilion behind the Memorial Lutheran Church.
New Growers. Our beginners programs include culture classes, monthly repotting clinics, a mentoring program along with Keiki Club road trips and growing area tours. Keiki Club get togethers and road trips are finished for 2020. We'll let you know when we're ramping up in the early spring.
Monthly Meetings
Members Choice. Our October Members Choice is Brassolaeliocattleya Dora Louise Capen 'Lea' AM/AOS grown by Sue Bottom. This hybrid inherited its dramatic flares from both of its parents, Moscombe and Toshie Aoki.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.
Cultural Tips for Orchid Growers
Bob Scully's Month by Month Orchid Growing:
October in St. Augustine. We usually receive our first cold snap around Halloween, so if you are growing outdoors, this is the time for you to make your winter preparations. Check your winter structure... read moreDr. Courtney Hackney Tips, Redux:
Temps for Orchids. One of the most frequently asked questions is “What temperature does this orchid like?” Many catalogs specify a temperature for species offered for sale usually classifying them as... read moreDr. Martin Motes Notes:
Progress of the Season. Although overall this September has been wetter than usual, the pattern of rain fall has been particularly fortunate. Early September was exceptionally dry, offering... read moreOrchids in October. October is a month of change in South Florida. If the Romans had lived here where we do, they would have named this month for their two faced god Janus. Usually around... read more
Culture Article by Sue Bottom:
After the Cull. Culling your orchid collection to remove the weak sisters is a difficult concept to adopt as your routine practice. It seems natural to want to nurture that ailing orchid back to health... 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
Newsletter Subscription.
Not from St. Augustine? Sign up for a $6 annual on-line subscription. We'll deliver our newsletter packed with advice right to your in-box.Donate to the Nonprofit SAOS
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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.