February 5 Mtg - Cattleyas of the Andes
Gene Crocker, hybridizer at Carter and Holmes

   Cattleyas remain the most beautiful of all orchids. Gene Crocker put together this program for the cattleya lovers at the annual Cattleya Symposium in Fort Pierce. It focuses on Andean cattleya species and some of their notable hybrids.
   For 25 years he has carried on the breeding program at Carter and Holmes started in the 1950's by Bill Carter. Many of his hybrids have been awarded by the AOS. You can preorder from Carter and Holmes, pay them directly and ask that Gene deliver the plants to the meeting to avoid shipping charges.
    Bring your flowering orchids to exhibit on the Show Table. We will have our normal raffle at the end of the meeting. Friends and guests are always welcome!

Date and Time: Tuesday, February 5, 6:30 pm
Where:   Watson Realty, Conference Room by Back Parking Lot
3505 US 1 South, St. Augustine

We normally meet on the first Tuesday of each month. January and July meetings are rescheduled to the 2nd Wednesday to accommodate the holidays. The meeting begins 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!    
Here's a video of one of our meetings!

January 27 Keiki Club - Meet Your Mentor

Our mentoring program pairs experienced growers, acting as mentors, to new growers and growers new to St. Augustine. We will have a meet and greet at Sue and Terry’s to introduce you to your mentor and talk about your goals. Contact us if you would like to join the program as either a mentor or mentee.

Moderator:   Susan Smith
Where:   Sue and Terry Bottom's Home
6916 Cypress Lake Court, St. Aug 32086
When: Sunday, January 27, 1 - 3 pm

The Keiki Club is for our beginning orchid growers. We begin with a short presentation on a timely orchid culture topic and then it’s a free for all to discuss any thoughts or questions you have about growing orchids. Spouses and partners welcome. We look forward to seeing you there!    
Here's a video of one of our get togethers.

Mentoring Program

The mentoring program works in tandem with our Keiki Club, pairing our novice and/or new SAOS orchid growers with an experienced grower. This program allows our mentees to get one-on-one assistance and answers to their orchid growing questions. If you are interested in learning more, email Mentoring Coordinator Susan Smith.

Plant Clinic at Ace Hardware, 9 am to noon

The first Saturday of the month from February through October, St. Augustine Orchid Society members will be available to talk with you, answer questions and help you repot orchids.    
Here's a video of a repotting clinic!

Date and Time:   Saturday, February 2, 9 am to noon
Where:   Ace Hardware on US 1 South
3050 US Highway 1 South, St. Augustine 32086

Some 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... read more

Dr. Courtney Hackney Tips, Redux:
January Observations. Each fall, fire ants slip quietly somewhere into the back of my greenhouse and take up residence. Usually, I do not notice them until I pick up a pot... read more

Dr. Martin Motes Notes:
Progress of the Season. The most delightful of Decembers is blending into a delightful start to January. The day time temperatures in the low 80's and night... read more
Orchids 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

Culture Article by Sue Bottom:
Orchids Month by Month in 2018. Terry is always taking pictures of something, including the greenhouse. Sometimes it’s frogs, lizards and snakes and sometimes... read more

St. Augustine Orchid Society Happenings:
Gail Marshall puts together the SAOS Happenings so you can find all the orchid events around town. read SAOS Happenings

Catasetum Competition



Fred Clarke sent us 20 plugs of this new hybrid, Ctsm. Portagee Star 'Brian Lawson's Sunrise' x Ctsm. lucis and they were distributed to raffle ticket winners at the January meeting. 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.

For right now, you can drop these dormant catasetum plugs in an empty small pot and watch for new growth, or pot them in New Zealand sphagnum moss in a very small pot with styrofoam in the bottom third. Don't water yet! We'll update you with culture tips each month. Here's more information about the cross and how to grow catasetums.