Jan. 6 - Behind the Looking Glass
Miniature Orchids Indoors
Luis Manuel Ortiz Jordán, Hobbyist
Luis will talk about how to grow cool growing miniature orchids in Florida.
Every warm climate orchid grower has dreamed of growing plants that are considered impossible to grow because they do not have the right conditions. Luis will present some of his techniques, tips, and tricks to help orchid growers cultivate miniature orchids indoors.
While his collection includes other larger growing genera, his greatest passion lies with cool-growing miniature orchids. Despite the challenges of cultivating them in hot, humid South Florida, Luis embraces the process and enjoys sharing his knowledge, teaching others how to help their own miniatures thrive. Luis is the orchid curator at McKee Botanical Garden. In April 2021, he published a paper on Eurystyles luisortizii, a species he discovered in Puerto Rico. He also serves as a student judge for the American Orchid Society, a role that reflects just how deeply orchids define his world.
When: January 6, 6:30 to 9 pm
Where: Memorial Lutheran Church
Drive around to the back entrance
3375 US 1 South, St. Aug 32086
January 14 - Virtual Show Table
Courtney will zoom into cyberspace at 7 pm to tell us about the orchids pics sent in for the virtual show table. An invitation will be sent to your email address. Here's a link to Courtney's November Virtual Show Table on Rumble and YouTube.If you want to share images of your beauties in bloom for next month, send high res pics by the 26th to staugorchidsociety@gmail.com.
SAOS News and Activities
Questions? Call or text Sue at 904-501-0805 or email staugorchidsociety@gmail.com.Click to join the St. Aug Orchid Society.
2026 Dues. Want to join or renew your membership? It's that time of year! The dues are $20 for an individual or $30 for a family if paid by Zelle (904-501-0805), Venmo (staugorchidsociety under charities) or check (mail c/o Linda Stewart, 1812 Diana Drive, Palatka 32177). For an extra dollar use these PayPal links.
Individual Membership Family Membership Winter Orchid Festival at Krull Smith.
Need help with your orchids? The first Saturday of the month from 10 am til noon, February through October, St. Augustine Orchid Society members are available to talk with you, answer questions and help you repot orchids at the Southeast Branch Library.
Where: Southeast Branch Library
6670 US 1 N, St Aug 32086
When: Saturday, February 7, 10 am - noon
Monthly Meetings
Photo of the Month. Our November selection is Blc. (now Rlc.) Goldenzelle 'Orange Pumpkin' grown and photographed by Suzanne Susko. This hybrid between the well shaped Horace and Fortune is heavily influenced by the dowiana and trianae in its parentage.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!
Where: Memorial Lutheran Church
3375 US 1 South, St. Aug 32086
When: First Tuesday of Month, 6:30 til 9 pm
Not from St. Augustine? Sign up for a $7 annual online subscription. We'll deliver our newsletter packed with advice right to your inbox and you'll help us maintain the quality of our website and newsletter! Culture Notes. Plants will continue to manufacture food during the winter, albeit at a reduced rate. Everything will occur at a slower pace until spring arrives so the need for water and fertilizer is reduced. Indoor growers: pull you orchid away from the window if its leaves are touching the exterior glass. Outdoor growers: keep an eye on the minimum projected temperatures, such as the hourly forecasts by zip code from Wunderground.
Cultural Tips for Orchid Growers
Bob Scully's Month by Month Orchid Growing:
January in St. Augustine. Plants will continue to manufacture food during the winter, albeit at a reduced rate. Everything will occur at a slower pace until spring arrives so the need for... read moreDr. Courtney Hackney Tips, Redux:
Beginner Orchid Growers Orchids are viewed by the public and many new hobbyists as very exotic plants; difficult to grow. There are certainly orchid species that fit into that... read moreCold Hardiness. Most orchids grown by hobbyists are tropical in nature. That term was once thought to mean “hot and steamy” and tens of thousands of orchids imported to Europe... read more
Dr. Martin Motes Notes:
Progress of the Season. After an exceptionally wet start, October has come to an exceptionally dry conclusion. This is blessed relief for our orchids from disease pressure after... read moreOrchids in January. January is somewhat like December but in reverse, with each succeeding day bringing longer hours of sunlight until days are long enough that afternoons... read more
Join 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 Zelle (904-501-0805), Venmo (to St. Augustine Orchid Society under charitities) or check (mail c/o Linda Stewart, 1812 Diana Drive, Palatka 32177). For an extra dollar use the PayPal links below.Individual Membership
Family Membership
Newsletter Subscription
Not from St. Augustine? Sign up for a $7 annual on-line subscription. We'll deliver our newsletter packed with advice right to your in-box.Donate to the Nonprofit SAOS
Donate to the Nonprofit SAOS
Donate to the St. Augustine Orchid Society and PayPal waives all fees. Select the St. Augustine Orchid Society as your favorite charity by clicking this link.Ebay for Charity Add St. Augustine Orchid Society as your favorite charity on eBay today!