Author: moflo

Orchid Society of Santa Barbara Meeting – October 8, 2025, 7:30 pm. “New Directions in Zygopetalinae by Tim Culbertson”

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This Month’s Meeting

Our October meeting will be an AOS webinar on Zygopetalinae breeding that was originally presented on January 5, 2023.

Tim Culbertson, noted hybridizer and AOS Judge, introduces us to Zygopetalums and the major genera that are being used to bring new and exciting hybrids to the orchid world.

Location Reminder
We are now meeting at Maravilla on the 2nd Wednesday of the month, except March and August. 
Directions:  From Calle Real, enter Maravilla and bear left.  On the right is a lawn with a flagpole.  The meeting rooms are to the left of the lawn with a flagpole.  To park, continue to drive around a loop that will lead you to the parking lot.  Additional parking is available to the right as you drive in, any parking space without a number is available. 
Meeting Rooms:  AOS Judging in the Galleria Room, Orchid Society in the Valencia Room.
OSSB on the web:  Orchid Society of Santa Barbara

Upcoming Nearby Orchid Events

Oct 16-19, Thu-Sun:  Volunteer at the Huntington Orchid Show,1151 Oxford Road, San Marino CA
Oct 16, Thu:  Ribbon Judging, starts at 9 am.
Oct 17-19, Fri-Sun:  Plant Hotel, Info Desks, engagement with the public.
Note:  Registration is required online for volunteering and social.  Website:  https://signup.com/go/zLvXJPh

Oct 17-19, Fri-Sun, 10am-5pm:  Huntington International Orchid Show and Sale,1151 Oxford Road, San Marino CA
Orchid show, shop orchid plants and related items.
Website:  Huntington International Show and Sale

Oct 18, Sat, 7-8:30pm:  World Premiere of “Orchidées”, translating orchid DNA sequences into music accompanied by time‑lapse footage of blooming specimens from The Huntington’s orchid collection. 
Attend in person (in Rothenberg Hall) or via virtual stream online.  (Note:  in-person Sold Out per website).  Free virtual livestream to Orchid Digest members, $10 non-members.  Registration is required online.  This is a Live event.  Website:  Huntington Orchidees

Nov 7, 8, 9, Fri-Sun:  Santa Barbara Orchid Nursery Fall Open Houses – Featuring Laelia anceps and more
Santa Barbara Orchid Estate, 1250 Orchid Drive, Santa Barbara CA
Open Fri 8-3, Sat 8-3, Sun 9-3
Website:  SBOE
Cal-Orchid, 1251 Orchid Drive, Santa Barbara CA
See website (Home tab) for details
Website:  Cal-Orchid

Nov 8, Sat, 10:30am-7:00pm:  2025 Orchid Digest Cattleya Symposium, 1151 Oxford Road, San Marino CA.
The Huntington and Orchid Digest present the inaugural 2025 Cattleya Orchid Symposium.  Lectures by experts Art Chadwick, Fred Clarke, Pepe Portilla and David Toyoshima, orchid sales, happy hour with an auction and dinner. 
Registration deadline is Oct 31 to receive the member rate of $99 for in-person registration, $59 for additional guest dinners, $40 for virtual presentations.  Registration is required online.  Website:  2025 Cattleya Symposium

Note:  The OD Cattleya Symposium is on the same weekend as the Open Houses, but if you sign up for the virtual presentation, you can watch it later.

Orchid Society of Santa Barbara Meeting – September 10, 2025, 7:30 pm. “Growing Orchids Indoors and in Terrariums” with Chris Satch.

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Our September meeting will be an AOS webinar on growing orchids indoors and in terrariums that was originally presented on April 16, 2025.

Location Reminder

We are now meeting at Maravilla on the 2nd Wednesday.  Directions:  From Calle Real, enter Maravilla and bear left.  On the right is a lawn with a flagpole.  The meeting rooms are to the left of the lawn/flagpole.  To park, continue to drive around a loop that will lead you to the parking lot.  Additional parking is available to the right as you drive in, any parking space without a number is available.  Meeting Rooms:  AOS Judging in the Galleria Room, Orchid Society in the Valencia Room.

Orchid Society of Santa Barbara Meeting: August 10, 2025 at 12:30 pm at SBOE

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Celebrate summer with the Orchid Society of Santa Barbara Picnic at the Santa Barbara Orchid Estate, located at 1250 Orchid Drive.

The August meeting is on Sunday, August 10th at 12:30 pm.  This meeting will be a Summer Potluck Picnic and Silent Auction at Santa Barbara Orchid Estate!

A great time to relax with your orchid friends amongst the summer blooming orchids at beautiful SBOE! 

Potluck
It’s time to flex your culinary muscles and bring your favorite picnic food:  Main Course, Side Dish or Salad, and Dessert.  Also bring your own plate, utensils, and beverage. If you forget, there are usually enough to go around.  SBOE will provide tables and chairs.

Silent Auction
In addition to great food, there will be a Visual Feast of donated orchids at a Silent Auction!  Please bring a few of your spare amazing plants and be prepared to bid!  Proceeds will go to the Society. 

Note: AOS Orchid Judging will be held at 7:00 pm on Wednesday, 13 August at Maravilla.

Orchid Society of Santa Barbara Meeting – July 9, 2025, 7:30 pm, “The Fabulous Orchids of Southwestern Australia”

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Our July meeting will be a virtual trip with AOS Orchid Judge Tom Mirenda to see the orchids of Southwestern Australia.

American Orchid Society Webinar by Tom Mirenda – recorded 16 May 2023

This month we will take a virtual trip via the American Orchid Society (AOS) webinar “He Came from the Land Down Under” to see the orchids of southwestern Australia as documented by Tom Mirenda in September 2022.  September is spring in Australia when the area around Perth is an orchid wonderland.

You may recognize Tom’s name as the author of “Tom’s Orchid Checklist” in the AOS monthly “Orchids” magazine.  Tom has been working professionally with orchids for over three decades.  He is a former AOS trustee and is a past chair of the AOS Conservation Committee.  He is an AOS accredited judge in the Hawaii Center.  Our Orchid Society has been fortunate to have Tom speak to us in person and via Zoom in the past.

Information

Follow-up to June Meeting – Orchid Mounting on Cork-Oak Bark

In response to your questions during the June meeting on where to obtain cork-oak mounting bark, Daniel Geiger will bring various sizes of cork-oak pieces to the July meeting that you can purchase by weight (cash only).

Location Reminder

At Maravilla on the 2nd Wednesday of the month (except March and August). 
Directions:  From Calle Real, enter Maravilla and bear left.  On the right is a lawn with a flagpole.  The meeting rooms are to the left of the lawn/flagpole.  To park, continue to drive around a loop that will lead you to the parking lot.  Additional parking is available to the right as you drive in, any parking space without a number is available. 
Meeting Rooms:  AOS Judging (7:00 pm) in the Galleria Room, Orchid Society in the Valencia Room.

Upcoming Orchid Events

July Orchid Sales at Nurseries:  Santa Barbara Orchid Estate https://www.sborchid.com/ open July 18, 19, and 20, Cal-Orchid https://www.calorchid.com/ open July 18 and 19 only (closed Sunday July 20).
August Potluck (no meeting):  Summer Potluck Picnic and Silent Auction on a Sunday.  Details TBD.
September Meeting:  At Maravilla on September 10.  Details TBD.

Orchid Society of Santa Barbara Meeting – June 11, 2025, 7:30 pm, Orchid Repotting Demo

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Our June meeting will be a live demonstration of orchid repotting by Phil Watt (and others)

“Orchid Repotting Demo“

Regular repotting of your orchids gives them the boost they need to continue to grow and bloom.  Over time, potting media breaks down and roots can become root-bound or die.  Repotting allows fertilizer and oxygen to reach the roots and prevent root rot and disease.

OSSB member Phil Watt is an orchid expert with decades of experience growing and repotting orchids.  He has spoken to thousands of people during his demonstrations and talks during the annual Santa Barbara International Orchid Show.  Phil will share his tips and tricks to help you successfully repot your orchids at home.

Location Reminder

At Maravilla on the 2nd Wednesday of the month (except March and August). 
Directions:  From Calle Real, enter Maravilla and bear left.  On the right is a lawn with a flagpole.  The meeting rooms are to the left of the lawn/flagpole.  To park, continue to drive around a loop that will lead you to the parking lot.  Additional parking is available to the right as you drive in, any parking space without a number is available. 
Meeting Rooms:  AOS Judging (7:00 pm) in the Galleria Room, Orchid Society in the Valencia Room.

Upcoming Orchid Events

July Meeting:  At Maravilla on July 9.  Details TBD.
July Orchid Sales at Nurseries:  Santa Barbara Orchid Estate https://www.sborchid.com/ open July 18, 19, and 20, Cal-Orchid https://www.calorchid.com/ open July 18 and 19 only (closed Sunday July 20).
August Potluck:  Summer Potluck Picnic and Silent Auction on a Saturday or Sunday.  Details TBD.
September Meeting:  At Maravilla on September 10.  Details TBD.

Orchid Society of Santa Barbara Meeting – May 14, 2025, 7:30 pm

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“Fragrant Orchids”

Our May meeting will be a live presentation by T.J. Hartung on fragrant orchids.

Maxillaria tenuifolia

Fragrant Orchids by T.J. Hartung

What is your favorite scented orchid?  Join us to learn more about this alluring aspect of orchids.

T.J. is a retired computer systems specialist and systems analyst. He designed computers and wrote computer software to manage hotels. His love for orchids began when he lived in Southern California and started growing Cymbidiums in his yard. For quite a few years, every secretary in the company where he worked received, anonymously, a Cymbidium blossom on Valentine’s Day.

Since retiring to Mexico, he has been rescuing orchids from downed trees and broken limbs before they are eaten by animals or washed down the streams and rivers into the sea. Much of what he knows about orchids he has learned in the laboratory of the great outdoors. The rest comes from online research and numerous books on the subject.  He is on the board of directors of the Vallarta Botanical Garden. In recent years he has given talks to orchid societies in the US, Canada, England and Scotland. He became a Mexican citizen about 20 years ago.

Information

2025 Membership Dues Reminder: Annual membership fee is $40 for individuals, $50 per household.  Due in January, pay no later than March.  See Angela Watt during the meeting.

Location Reminder: We are now meeting at Maravilla on the 2nd Wednesday.  Directions:  From Calle Real, enter Maravilla and bear left.  On the right is a lawn with a flagpole.  The meeting rooms are to the left of the lawn/flagpole.  To park, continue to drive around a loop that will lead you to the parking lot.  Additional parking is available to the right as you drive in, any parking space without a number is available.  Meeting Rooms:  AOS Judging in the Galleria Room, Orchid Society in the Valencia Room. OSSB on the web:  Orchid Society of Santa Barbara

Upcoming Orchid Events: The annual local summer orchid sale weekend will be July 18, 19 and 20.

Meeting Tonight – April 9, 2025, 7:30 pm

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Join us for Heidi Kirkpatrick’s presentation on the history of SBIOS Grand Champion Cymbidiums and a chance to take home orchid plants.

SBIOS 2025 Grand Champion Cymbidium:  (Beautiful Orphan x Big Strike) ‘Macho Man’

There will be an “opportunity table” of plants donated by vendors after the Santa Barbara International Show. A big Thank You to Phil Watt for keeping the plants alive and well in his growing area since the show.

Orchid Society of Santa Barbara Meeting – April 9, 2025, 7:30 pm

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“Portraits of Cymbidium Excellence: Grand Champion Cymbidiums of the Santa Barbara International Orchid Show”

Our April meeting will be a live presentation by Heidi Kirkpatrick on the cymbidiums awarded Grand Champion at the Santa Barbara International show.

This year’s Grand Champion cymbidium was awarded to Cal-Orchid for (Beautiful Orphan x Big Strike) ‘Macho Man’.  Note:  The plant’s parent names are listed in parentheses followed by the cultivar name in single quotes.

SBIOS 2025 Grand Champion Cymbidium:  (Beautiful Orphan x Big Strike) ‘Macho Man’

“Portraits of Cymbidium Excellence: Grand Champion Cymbidiums of the Santa Barbara International Orchid Show” by Heidi Kirkpatrick

A survey of winners at the Santa Barbara International Orchid Show, Heidi’s presentation provides an excellent overview of almost 80 years of trends in cymbidium hybridizing. Learn about the evolving standards of beauty in prize-winning cymbidiums, along with tales of the hybridizers and exhibitors who brought the winning plants to the Show.

Heidi Kirkpatrick is the plant registrar and historian of the Santa Barbara International Orchid Show. She is a past editor of the Cymbidium Society of America Journal and sometime contributor to Orchids and Orchid Digest. She began growing orchids while living in Maryland in the 1990s and was delighted to discover that orchids grow really well outdoors in Santa Barbara! Heidi has been a member of OSSB since 1998.

Orchid Society of Santa Barbara Display 2025

A big ‘Thank You’ to everyone who provided plants for the society display, participated in setting up the display (led by designer Phil Watt), manned the sales booth (led by Angela Watt), and volunteered their time for a myriad of other tasks at the show this year.  

OSSB Display Show Awards

Best Species Cymbidium – Show Trophy, Cymbidium tracyanum – Exhibited by Phil  and Angela Watt

Best Red Cattleya – Ronna & Eric Hoffman Trophy, Slc. Jewel Box ‘Dark Waters’ – Exhibited by Lance Schroder

A complete listing of 2025 Show awards and 1945 to 2025 Grand Champion Cymbidiums is on the SBIOS website:  https://sborchidshow.com/awards/

2025 Membership Dues

Annual membership fee is $40 for individuals, $50 per household.  Due in January, pay no later than March.  See Angela Watt during the meeting.

Location Reminder

We are now meeting at Maravilla on the 2nd Wednesday.  Directions:  From Calle Real, enter Maravilla and bear left.  On the right is a lawn with a flagpole.  The meeting rooms are to the left of the lawn/flagpole.  To park, continue to drive around a loop that will lead you to the parking lot.  Additional parking is available to the right as you drive in, any parking space without a number is available.  Meeting Rooms:  AOS Judging in the Galleria Room, Orchid Society in the Valencia Room. OSSB on the web:  Orchid Society of Santa Barbara

SB International Orchid Show

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The Orchid Show is nearly here!

The 77th Santa Barbara International Orchid Show “Exotic Gardens” will be held at Earl Warren Showgrounds Friday-Sunday, March 7, 8, and 9, 2025, 9:00 am-5:00 pm.  Complete information on the show is on their website SBIOS.

Note:  The March 5, 2025, the OSSB monthly meeting and AOS Judging are Cancelled.

Want to see the orchids at their freshest before the doors open?  Here’s how:

OSSB Display Setup:  Wed, March 5, 9:00 am-1:00 pm.  Bring your orchids in for the Society Display.  Assist Display Designer Phil Watt with installing the display.  From lights to theme props, and of course orchids of all descriptions, you get to experience setting up an orchid display and insider’s access to the exhibit hall.

Phil has asked members to bring plants and lights.  We need plants!!  Do you have something in bloom?  Clean it up and bring it in on Wed, March 5, 9:00 am – 1:00 pm.  He will be at the show starting at 9:00 am to receive plants.  The earlier the better so he has an idea of where to place them in the display.  The cutoff time is 1:00 pm, to allow time to write the labels and place them.

Ribbon Judging:  Thurs, March 6, arrive before 9:00 am.  Be an Orchid Judge during the Ribbon Judging session.  A team effort, ribbon judging lets you get to know the details of exhibits and the orchids on display as you hunt down the judging entries for your expert evaluation.  Your team will be led by an experienced judge who will explain what to look for in the best orchids.  Registration BEFORE WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 19 is required.  Register online:  https://sborchidshow.com/register-to-judge/.  Lunch is available for ribbon judges for $10.

OSSB Sales Booth:  Fri, Sat and Sun, March 7, 8, and 9, 9:00 am-5:00 pm, JOIN US to staff the Society sales booth in the Sales hall.  We really need everyone in the Society to help cover all 3 days for a couple of hours minimum.  For some, while shows are nice, Shopping is the real thrill.  We will have plants donated by members.  Bring your divisions and spare plants to the sales booth before 9:00 am on Friday for this once-a-year fund-raising opportunity!

Register Plants:  Got something fantastic to display?  Orchids need to sign up too.  Register your plants for judging via online until 7:00 pm on Tues, March 4 or in person at the show before 6:00 pm on Wed, March 5.  See the Exhibitor Guide on the show website to fill in the plant registration forms.

Volunteer:  Be sure to check out the Volunteers page and sign up to donate a few hours to make this show one of the best in the world.

Visit our local nurseries on the California Orchid Trail!  On the main page of the Show website scroll down for a map and list of orchid nurseries that will be open during show weekend including Cal-Orchid, Santa Barbara Orchid Estate, Gallup & Stribling Orchids, Westerlay Orchids, Ambriz Kingdom of Plants and Orchids Royale (by appointment).  See the show website for full details SBIOS.