Summer is in full swing and we hope this newsletter finds all of you are doing well, and hopefully having some summer fun! Seems like this time of year is when our board of officers and our membership is scattered out and about adventuring and traveling. I just came home from a weeklong trip to New Mexico where we visited Santa Fe, Taos and Albuquerque. Had an incredible trip overall and it was great to get away for a bit. Even had a chance to visit with Ron Midgett at New Earth Orchids in Santa Fe. Ron was here about 3 years ago speaking to our society and reminded me just how much he enjoyed his visit here. He reminded me that when he spoke to our society we were gearing up to host the AOS and their national spring meeting in conjunction with our Orchid festival. This feels like it was many years ago, but evidently not.
Read MoreHoping you’re all having a wonderful, adventurous summer! Usually our flowering orchids are slowing down in these hot months, unless of course you’re like me and growing a summer blooming collection. For many orchids this is a great time to be re-potting, re-establishing your plants and focusing on your vegetative growth. Take your paphs and phals for example, these guys will grow like weeds if you are watering, feeding and taking proper care of them. I used to put everything outdoors in the summer months, so long as everything was shaded heavily and protected from the weather and insects. Consider taking your orchids outdoors to a covered patio or a deck/porch for the long, hot days and see what kind of exciting new growth you have on your plants before the chilly nights come this fall.
Read MoreThis is it folks! This Sunday is our last meeting before the Asheville Orchid Festival and we have a lot to cover with you. Found out all the details at the meeting and sign up for your place to volunteer. We do have a treat for you by way of a brand new program presented by none other than our most recent WNCOS Vice President, Bob Hydzik. Bob has put together a wonderful and educational presentation on awarded cattleya orchids.
Read MoreEven though it’s not feeling much like winter, we’re still months away from spring and now 8 weeks away from installation of the 2019 Asheville Orchid Festival ‘An Orchid Expedition’. Several of us have been very busy over recent weeks as we nail down our vendors, exhibitors and associated details for this huge event. While we always have an incredible orchid festival, one objective I’ve got this year is to expose as many people as possible to our love of orchids.
Read MoreThe WNCOS had another wonderful year in 2018, and we’re counting on yet another action packed and exciting new-year here in greater Asheville. A wonderful, year ending celebration was enjoyed by everyone in attendance recently at our annual holiday social. Thank you so much to our gracious hosts, Axel and Catherine. We had a tremendous turnout and thoroughly enjoyed ourselves in their beautiful home, a perfect ending to an exciting year. The food spread was strong, and that growler of homebrew was divine! I hope I wasn’t the only one who found that on the bar.
Read MoreDecember Holiday Social rescheduled for 12/16/18
Well everyone, as I write this month's newsletter to you with great anticipation of this looming winter snowstorm, all I can say is I am sorry. This is our 2nd year in a row whereas we've had to cancel and postpone/reschedule our annual holiday social.
Read MoreHappy fall everyone! Fall arrived, even though our foliage isn't quite as spectacular as we are accustomed to having here in WNC. Seems like in just a few short days many of our leaves have come down.
Read MoreWell, last month I thought I had mentioned my observation of fall arriving early. Now it seems like we can't shake off the summer heat, and our leaves aren't yet showing much color. I am ready for the fall season, and I hope you all are too. We are so fortunate to live in such a beautiful part of the country, hopefully we will still have a gorgeous fall leaf season.
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