TIDEWATER ORCHID SOCIETY

NEWSLETTER SEPTEMBER 2009

Next Meeting: August 30, 2PM, Old Dominion University Webb Center Cafeteria: Ernie Gemeinhart of Enlightened Orchids. Ernie is an AOS judge and grows under lights in his suburban Chicago home. His presentation is entitled Building Your Paphiopedilum Collection Wisely Ernie will discuss ideas growers may consider to get the most bang for their buck and growing space while still having diversity in their Old World slipper orchid collection. Alternatives to difficult yet popular species and hybrids, species and hybrids to watch for when searching for certain floral traits, and things to consider when purchasing Paphiopedilums will be discussed as well. General culture differences between the sections of Paphs will be discussed. This is a fast-paced, information-packed lecture. Ernie will be bringing some plants to sell. To ensure that you get the plants you want, you can preorder from his website.  

President’s Message

            Members, we are starting up again after our summer hiatus and we will have a wonderful year ahead with lots of opportunities for education, adding to our orchid collections, having fun times at our social events, revisiting old friends, making many new ones and hopefully exhibiting our wonderful orchids for others to enjoy.

            Remember that the next meeting date is Sunday, August 30th at 2:00 PM. This is one week earlier than the normal first Sunday of the month due to Labor Day. Lori Delbridge, our new Vice President, has a great speaker lined up for this meeting.

            Our show and judging table has always been an excellent showpiece for our society as well as being one of our greatest opportunities for education. I encourage each member to show plants each month, have them judged (if you want to) and possibly have them commented on by one of more knowledgeable members. Due to time constraints we are not always able to comment on every plant especially when we have lots of plants and/or long presentations but rest assured we all like seeing what other members have in flower. Please continue to support our show table!

            I look forward to serving the TOS but remember it takes more than the officers and board to make a viable society. It will take the time, efforts and willingness to volunteer for committees by all the members to make this a memorable year for TOS.

            In fact we are in great need to have someone volunteer to take on the chairmanship of the Membership Committee. This is a very important committee for our society and Mitzi Lipford has done an outstanding job for the last several years but is stepping down from this position. If someone could please volunteer and call me (233-8237) it would be greatly appreciated. Mitzi will bring in all the materials to this next meeting and would love to show the new chairman what needs to be done and pass along the materials she has available.

            Remember that dues are due for this next year so please pay as soon as you can so we can provide an updated membership list to you. To those of you who have already paid, many thanks.

Ken Peterson

President

Programs

October 4, Donated Plant Auction

November 1, Frank Slaughter, AOS Judge, will speak on the development of the AOS website.

December 6: 5PM Holiday Party