Asheville Orchid Festival Prep meeting and WNCOS Member, Bob Hydzik presents a brand new program on Cattleya Species and FCC awards!

How exciting! This meeting the Society will take a field trip to one of our favorite orchid growers' greenhouses at Looking Glass Orchids. Russ Bolt, owner of Looking Glass Orchids, is an amazing orchid grower and breeder and his greenhouses are absolutely beautiful. Russ specializes in paphiopedilum orchids and other varieties of orchid rarely found in big box stores.  

Jim France is an orchid enthusiast and grower based on Dayton, Ohio. At Oakwood Orchids, France specializes in more unique and rare varieties of orchids, such as a wide variety of Bulbophyllum and Lycaste. France also especially enjoys supporting the needs of individuals who wish to grow orchids without a greenhouse. WNCOS is very excited about his visit. Details on his presentation subject TBA!

This August WNCOS will have the immense pleasure of again hosting Fred Clarke of Sunset Valley Orchids. Clarke has over 40 years experience growing orchids and is a world-renowned specialist in hybridizing, perhaps best-known for his pioneering work with Catasetum intergeneric hybrids resulting in "the blackest flower ever witnessed," Fredclarkeara After Dark. More details on Clarke's presentation topic to come!

The July meeting will feature Paul Storm of Meke Aloha Orchids in Sarasota, Florida. Storm is considered throughout the world as a leading expert on Schomburgkia orchids, which have recently been reclassified as Laelia and Myrmecophila orchids based on genetic data and morphological characteristics. Storm will be discussing these fascinating plants and their changing classifications with our members!  

Paul will be bringing some "First Release' Schom Hybrid easy-to-grow and bloom seedlings but they will only be set up to accept cash or checks.

Sergio Garcia from Olompali Orchids in Bolinas, California will be guest speaker at the June meeting. Garcia is a lifelong orchid enthusiast and an expert on cattleya orchids who dedicates his time (and business) to improving species and creating hybrids with the objective of creating the future's award winning orchids. Garcia will be sharing his knowledge with us with a special presentation on Laelia purpurata and its varieties.

The May meeting will take place early in lieu of Mothers' Day and will feature guest speaker Art Chadwick from Chadwick & Sons Orchids of Richmond, Virginia. Chadwick is a respected Cattleya expert and will be giving a very special presentation on First Ladies and their Cattleyas!