February 11, 2019 – John Romano

John Romano will be our February speaker, with a program on genus Dendrobium. The dens’ native range spans from India all the way to New Zealand.  Many are popular and grow well in South Florida.

John started growing orchids in 1979 at the age of 13. He worked at Waterloo Gardens, Inc in Exton, PA and Gilberties Garden Center in Deleware County, PA. In 2002, got hired at JEM Orchids in Delray as their grower and worked there until 2005. John is a member of Coalition for Orchid Species, FOG,  and Newbie FOG groups on Facebook. He runs the Sobralia group and the Dendrobium species group on Facebook as well as the Let’s Talk Orchids group and hosts the Youtube show. 

In addition to his accomplishments as an orchidist, John is a licensed healthcare provider, licensed as a massage therapist, specializing in sports/athletic massage and pain management in 1986 first in PA, then licensed in FL in 2005. President for Broward County chapter of the Florida State Massage Therapy Association in 2009–2014 and the current state 2nd vice president. He teaches continuing education for healthcare providers in MPS Therapy, Pain management, Medical massage and Aromatherapy. He was selected as one of the top 10 therapists internationally by the Madison Ave’s Who’s Who in 2009; selected as a member of the International Sports Professionals Association for outstanding work on professional athletes in 2010; and selected as an official therapist for the 2012 Olympics in London.

Location and Directions

Credits

Photo: Rich
Biography: Coalition for Orchid Species

March 11, 2019 – Phillip Hamilton

Phillip Hamilton will be our March speaker, with a program called “Broughtonia’s and Their Hybrids.” It is an introductory talk about this underrepresented genus.

Philiip is the owner of Bredren Orchids in Apopka, Florida. He received scholarships from Fort Lauderdale Orchid Society in 1996 and 1998 when he was studying orchids at the University of Florida.

Welcome back!

Location and Directions

Illustration: Wikimedia Commons. CC BY-SA 3.0

April 15, 2019 – Kristen Uthus

PROGRAM

tbd – lots of great choices!

BIOGRAPHY

Dr. Kristen Uthus studied both plant and animal ecology and evolution at Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) and the Ohio State University (OSU).  She then taught biology and ecology at several colleges including VCU, OSU, University of Michigan, and Eastern Michigan University.  The daughter of a plant fanatic, Kristen has been growing orchids for over 20 years, and in 2014 she fulfilled her dream of making orchids a full-time commitment by purchasing NWO.

Although she enjoys growing many varieties of orchids and other plants, miniatures remain her passion—the weirder the better.  New World Orchids specializes in Japanese species including Neofinetia falcata, Dendrobium moniliforme, and Sederia japonica as well as Asian Cymbidium species, but her miniature selection has been expanding to include many other small species including Pleurothallids, Bulbophyllums, and Angraecums.  Although not ever entirely up to date, you can check out some of NWO’s offerings at www.newworldorchids.com.

Kristen lives in Manchester, MI, about an hour west of Detroit.  She is supported in her orchid pursuits by her husband, Dr. Kevin Wehrly, her two sons, Henry and Gus, and a veritable menagerie of lovable animals.

In our September meeting, Judy Bailey (AOS Judge) will present a workshop on how to prepare plants to be judged.

Location and Directions