September 1 Meeting - Show 'Em Where You Grow 'Em
Sue Bottom with St. Augustine Orchid Society Members
    In summertime, the growing is easy. St. Augustine Orchid Society members sent in pictures of their summer and winter growing areas which have been pulled into a presentation, to be used as a forum for discussion.
    This time of year, tropical storms can cause problems, so we will talk about storm preparedness and response. We will focus on fall preparations for winter and how members grow their orchids during the cold weather. This should be an interactive discussion with SAOS members providing their insights to the group.
    Members are invited to bring plants for sale at the meeting. 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, September 1, 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 often rescheduled 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!

Plant Clinic at Ace Hardware, 9 am to 1 pm

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, September 1, 9 am to 1 pm
Where:   Ace Hardware on US 1 South
3050 US Highway 1 South, St. Augustine 32086

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.

Keiki Club - Summer Vacation

We schedule monthly Keiki Club meetings during the spring after our orchids rouse from their winter rest. We talk about watering, fertilizing, repotting, and other growing issues. We finish up with the Picnic and Orchid Swap in April. Now it is time for our summer vacation. Keep watering and fertilizing your plants and watch for pest and disease issues. SAOS members are available at the repotting clinics at Ace Hardware on the first Saturday of the month all summer long if you have any questions or problems. The Keiki Club will reconvene in October for a talk about fall preparations and the winter cold hardiness of different types of orchids. We’ll have field trip opportunities to the Gainesville Orchid Society Show and EFG Orchtoberfest. Then it will be time for our orchids to rest while we celebrate the holidays!

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.

Some Cultural Tips for Orchid Growers

Bob Scully's Month by Month Orchid Growing:
August in St. Augustine. August is the hottest month so be prepared to work diligently to ensure sufficient air circulation. Spray water on the floor, benches and outer surface of clay pots one or more... read more

Dr. Courtney Hackney Tips, Redux:
Collecting Orchids. Few orchid hobbyists are able to contain themselves when it comes to purchasing new orchids. The fever gets even worse for us “old timers” who really get into one group of orchids or... read more

Dr. Martin Motes Notes:
Progress of the Season. This July has been predictably normal. Afternoon showers and thunderstorms have arrived with their cooling rains most afternoons, providing the opportunity... read more
Orchids in August. July and August are the two most similar months in South Florida. Most of the advice on watering, disease and pest control in last month's calendar still apply but subtle changes... read more

Culture Article by Sue Bottom:
Adaptations to Epiphytic Lifestyle. There are some terrestrial and semi-terrestrial orchids that grow in soil and leaf litter, but many orchids moved up the tree canopy during their evolutionary history... read more

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

Donate to the SAOS
We have assembled lots of information on the website to help you grow the happiest and healthiest orchids. Help us maintain this orchid cultural database with your financial support! The SAOS is a Section 501(c)(3) not for profit organization so all donations are tax deductible.