I want to give a great big thank you to everyone who attended the WNCOS Annual Auction. Once again, it was a huge success, taking in over $2400 for WNCOS. A special thanks to the all the member volunteers who made this possible, with extra gratitude going to our impeccable auctioneer—Randy Latta! Funds raised will support our excellent speakers program and additional member benefits. As a special bonus this year, our vendors supplied us not only with top-notch orchids, but a surplus! Look for some have those unusual extras to show up on this month’s raffle table.

Speaking of our next meeting, I am very excited to be your guest speaker for September. I will be presenting one of my favorite subjects, ‘How I Grow My Phragmipediums’. This talk will cover a little bit of everything, from general culture to some of my latest hybrids. I might even slip a few of my special phrags onto the raffle table.

Please plan to come out on September 13th,  2:00pm at the Ivy Building, 9 St. Genevieve Circle. Come early to socialize and don’t forget you Show-and-Tell bloomers.

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I am very excited about the orchids that will be offered for auction this Sunday August 9th at the Ivy Building, 9 Genevieve Circle, Asheville. Our California vendors really out did themselves by sending some outstanding plants. And, Mr. James Randall from Sotheby's will be making an encore appearance again this year! Viewing will start at 1:00pm and the bidding will start at 2:00pm. All registered bidders will receive one free raffle ticket that you can place in one of ten raffle jars. Each raffle prize will include an orchid and a ceramic orchid pot. Raffle tickets will be drawn throughout the auction. It will be a big help if you come in time to get registered before the auction starts. All methods of payments will be accepted. Here are two links to view the orchids to be auctioned. Click here to view a printable list of plants. Click here to view the PowerPoint slides with images of the blooms. The images are not of the actual plants to be auctioned. If you have any trouble opening the links, let me know (G_Ram@yahoo.com)

So grab a friend or neighbor and head to the Auction on Sunday. Everyone is welcome!!

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I have two messages today. First, the Orchiata bark and Tree Fern Fiber order is here. There is plenty of all sizes…but not unlimited. I’ll take first come first serve orders. An email or a text will secure your wants and needs. You can come by my house, or I can bring some to the meeting on the 12th, this Sunday. The 35L bags of Orchiata is $42 per bag and the Tree Fern is $83 per 40L bag. I just looked on Amazon and the Orchiata is selling for $89 plus tax and the Tree Fern is $155 plus tax. So, get it while it’s hot.

The second message is the New Growers Group will meet at my house this month on July 26th at 2:00pm. I plan to have another plant dividing demonstration. I have some really large plants to divide so everyone should go home with a division. Plus, there will be plenty of opportunities to ask general orchid culture questions. My address is 53 Crowningway Drive, Asheville 28804. My cell number is 828-691-1121. If I don’t recognize your number, I may not answer so leave a message and/or send me a text. If you plan to join us, let me know.

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WNCOS has been on a roll lately, thanks to Nancy Graham who has coordinated such a great run of speakers! And once again, we have another encore performance to look forward to. On July 12th, Stephen Benjamin returns to teach us about ‘Encyclia and Epidendrums’. Stephen has been growing orchids for 60 years and has 50 AOS awards to show for it. It's sure to be a great program, so don't miss it.

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For those lucky members who attended the WNCOS April meeting, renowned Vanda expert Dr. Martin Motes delivered a delightful and in-depth program. For this month’s meeting, May 10, we have another orchid specialist, Eric Sauer of River Valley Orchids. 

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First, I want to welcome all our new members to the WNCOS. Each month we have a smaller informal meeting for all members that might want a little bit more orchid activity. These meetings are open to all members. It’s a great opportunity to ask questions and gain some extra experience. Marion will again be hosting the New Growers Group this month at her home, 224 Creeks Edge Drive, Hendersonville. The group will meet on Sunday April 26th starting at 2:00pm. Please call or text to let her know you plan to attend. 720-256-4560. Have fun!

A reminder that these meetings are open to all WNCOS members that want to learn more about growing orchids.

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Boy oh boy, where do I start! WNCOS knocked this year's Asheville Orchid Festival out of the ballpark, and it’s all because of you. Our members made the event another great success due to contributions of time and energy, a fabulous array of orchids and simply by showing up. Overall show attendance tallied at 3171, plus a great number of youngsters. There were a number of great displays as well this year, including our own, which took home the American Orchid Society(AOS) Show Trophy. I would also like to note a few special individual awards.

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It's time for our WNCOS members to rally—showtime almost! We are strongly encouraging everyone to join us for our next meeting on Sunday, March 8th, to learn more about this year's upcoming Asheville Orchid Festival (March 27-29).. But before we get started on Show Talk, let's have another round of applause for our outstanding member/breeder Mike Mims and his program on Phalaenopsis for our February meeting!"

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