Author: luanne betz

September 12, 7:30 PM meeting will feature Thanh Nguyen from Springwater Orchids. He is from Melbourne, Florida and is a great friend to FLOS, donating plants for our annual auction and participating in our show! He has been an orchid grower for over 25 years and is specializes in paphiopedilum hybridizing. This is your chance to learn more about paphs and to add some unique and fascinating ‘chids to your collection.

Click here for meeting location and driving directions.

October 16, 2016 meeting to be at Scott Peplin’s.

To confirm your attendance call: 954-261-1966.

Our annual orchid auction takes place in October.  As always, expect unique, rare and exotic specimens to add to your collection! This promises to be a night of fun, fierce bidding and satisfaction as you go home with your coveted prize.

The auction starts at 7:00PM. Registration starts at 6:30.. Come early to register, inspect plants, and plan your bidding strategies!

Here are some tips for FLOS members: 

While you’re repotting, think about donating a division to FLOS. The proceeds from our auction go to reducing the cost for the holiday party. Remember we will be getting plants from vendors but we also need your participation.

 Donate healthy, pest and disease-free, named divisions. Bare root or potted.
 Include a picture of the orchid in bloom, if you can. (One of your own or one from the internet. Just Google the name for an image.)
 If you can’t get a picture, tell us what it looked like, such as “ Big white Cattleya with yellow lip” or “Blooms in winter around the holidays”
 Do you have extra pots or supplies that are taking up room in your grow area? One person’s trash is another person’s treasure!

All monies raised help underwrite member functions like the holiday dinner, rambles and preview party.

Many thanks to vendors who supply fabulous plants to supplement those donated by FLOS members:

• Carmela Orchids
• EFG Orchids
• H&R Nurseries 
• Kodama Orchids
• Miranda Orchids
• Orquideas Del Valle
• R&R Orchids 
• Roger Hammer 
• Bonnett House
• B&L Orchids
• BluLlama 
• Carib
• Henington Farms
• Mickey’s Orchids
• Miller’s Way Orchids
• Orchid Acres
• RF Orchids 
• Soroa
• Whimsy Orchids
• Adamson’s Orchids
• Amazonia
• Dan and Margie Orchids
• Krull Smith
• Mac’s Orchids
• Quest Orchids
• Red Hawk Nursery
• Springwater
• OFE

Click here for meeting location and driving directions.

Brian Monk from Blu Llama Orchids will be our November speaker.

Brian started growing and hybridizing orchids in his backyard, but this has expanded to 4,000 square feet of greenhouse space. He will grow anything green, but focuses on his hybridizing projects, which include the development of multi-floral white and pink Paphiopedilums, warmth tolerant red Oncidinae and a standard pink Cattleya with an all white lip. Brian pursues photography as well and won awards during the 2007 Miami International Orchid Show and the 2008 World Orchid Conference.

Brian spoke to FLOS in 2012 and revealed one of his many secrets for growing orchids: “Grow or Die”.  In other words, figure out what works best for your conditions and stick with it. He recommends “weeding out” collections annually as it  takes the same amount of space, effort and supplies to grow poor quality orchids as good quality orchids.  So mark your calendar for one of two excellent months for this chore, October (FLOS Annual  Auction) or January (FLOS Annual Show).

The program starts at 7:30 p.m.

Click here for meeting location and driving directions.

Our annual Holiday Party will be held on December 11th at the Tower Club in downtown Fort Lauderdale. Enjoy a relaxing evening together with your FLOS friends. The Tower Club has a fantastic view and it should be a great time for all.

28th Floor, Regions Bank Building
One Financial Plaza
100 SE 3rd. Ave
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301

We hold this Holiday Party instead of a regular meeting in December. Everyone gets an orchid!

Pricing $TBD.

December 11, 2016

• Open bar 6:00 – 7:00
• Dinner and dancing 7:00 – 10:00
• From 7 to 10, wine, beer and sodas will be provided and other drinks may be purchased at the bar. (Credit cards only, no cash)

Ginny Salus is our party organizer.

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From Federal Highway – At Broward Boulevard, go west to Southeast Third Avenue (the first street light) and turn left. Make another left on Southeast Second Street (the first street light.) Turn left into the second driveway to access parking.

Parking: Because it is a Sunday we can use the Regions Bank lot. The bank lot entrance is the immediate right after the intersection on SE 3rd Ave and Broward Blvd, in the Financial Plaza. The main entrance doors are to the right of the parking lot.

The Tower Club phone will be manned the night of the party if anyone needs help: 954-764-8550

Jose Esposito from Soroa Orchids will be our January speaker, discussing Cattleya culture.

Soroa Orchids is located at 25750  SW 177th Ave Homestead, FL 33031 and is a great spot to visit. Beautiful grounds and spectacular orchids! The front entryway full of AOS Award plaques tells you to prepare for a special experience. 

The program starts at 7:30 p.m.

Click here for meeting location and driving directions.