Month: September 2022

Do you ever wonder why everyone keeps calling violet-colored orchids blue? Rob Shepherd will present a modern perspective on the coerulea color form in Phalaenopsis based on two decades of experience. Rob, who is the owner and hybridizer of Sapphire Dragon Orchids in California, started growing orchids in 1984 in Tyler, Texas when he was 11. For years, he had a large mixed gen­era orchid collection but over time zeroed in on Phalae­nopsis. Rob is working to make coerulea hybrid­izing more predictable, successful and to push the boundary of quality coerulea hybrids. We will have our usual orchid raffle and table judging. Join us!

Orchids 101 will meet in the greenhouse at 2pm. Lorna will be talking about naming orchids and their general care.

Our December meeting will be our 2nd auction of the year. Proceeds from our auctions help raise funds for our annual Orchid Show and Sale in March. Look over your orchids – are some ready to be divided? Do you have some you’d like to switch out for something new? Clean them up and bring them to donate to the auction – then be prepared to have fun as you collect some new orchids!

Cecily Maciejeski, owner of Cedarwood Orchids and Ornamentals in Huntsville, TX, will be presenting a program on the process of judging and awards granted by the American Orchid Society. As part of the program, our Dallas Judging Center judges will hold an official judging event. If you have one or more plants that you’d like to bring for judging, clean them up and bring them with you!

Cecily has been growing orchids in Texas since 1998 and is an associate judge with the AOS, occasional society speaker, and lifelong learner. She has been breeding Cattleyas but has plans to expand to certain Oncidiums as well. Come and see how orchids are judged and learn about what judges look for in awardable plants!

Orchids 101 will be at 2pm in the greenhouse – Charlie will be leading the discussion.