Category: Speakers

Orchid Society of Santa Barbara Meeting – February 11, 2026, 7:30 pm. 

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“Santa Barbara International Orchid Show Grand Champion Cymbidiums”

This Month’s Meeting:  Santa Barbara International Orchid Show Grand Champion Cymbidiums, presented by Jim Sloniker

Setting the stage for next month’s 78th Santa Barbara International Orchid Show (SBIOS), American Orchid Society Judge Jim Sloniker will present an overview of Grand Champion Cymbidium Award winners. 

Since the 1950s and continuing today, orchid nurseries along the south coast of California have been instrumental in producing these highly awarded cymbidiums. Although the standards for judging the prize winners have adapted to evolving esthetics over the years, many of the most prized flowers continue to be bred and grown here.  The winners have been selected by judging experts at each show for nearly 80 years of cymbidium orchid hybridizing.  The Samuel B. Mosher Trophy is given to the Grand Champion Cymbidium which recognizes the most superior cymbidium in the show.

Cym (Beautiful Orphan x Big Strike) ‘Macho Macho Man’. 2025 SBIOS Grand Champion Cymbidium winner, exhibited by Cal-Orchid.

2026 Membership Dues
Annual membership fee is $40 for individuals, $50 per household.  Due in January, pay no later than March.  See Treasurer Angela Watt during the meeting.

Are you interested in being more involved with the OSSB? 
We are seeking candidates for President and Vice President (includes Program Chair).  Please contact PJ Sanderson for more details:  pj-sb@hotmail.com or see her at the meeting.

Meeting refreshments
Remember to sign up to bring in light refreshments and beverages to each monthly meeting.  Please see Hospitality Chair, Richard Hughes during the meetings.
February:  Nancy Augustine
Mar:  (no meeting)
Apr:  Leslie Jones
May:  We need volunteers!
Jun:  We need volunteers!

Location Reminder
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 Orchid Events
March 20-23, 2026, Santa Barbara International Orchid Show ‘Orchid Escape’.
Held at Earl Warren Showgrounds in Santa Barbara.  Display setup on 18 March (Wed) and Orchid Judging on 19 March (Thurs).  Be sure to check out this year’s show website that captures some highlights of last year’s show (and watch for some familiar faces!):  sborchidshow.com

Orchid Society of Santa Barbara Meeting – January 14, 2026, 7:30 pm. 

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“Oncidium Intergeneric Orchids – A Survey”

This Month’s Meeting: 
“Oncidium Intergeneric Orchids – A Survey” is presented by Arthur Pinkers

Our January 2026 meeting will be an in-person presentation by AOS Judge Arthur Pinkers on oncidium intergeneric orchid hybrids.  Intergeneric hybrids are crosses of plants of differing genera.  Warm growing intergeneric oncidiums are very popular because of their beauty and ease of culture.  Arthur’s presentation discusses the relationship between warm growing genera of this group and their hybrids.

Oncidiopsis Bizarro ‘Sun Downers’, AM/AOS 86 pts

2026 Membership Dues
Annual membership fee is $40 for individuals, $50 per household.  Due in January, pay no later than March.  See Treasurer Angela Watt during the meeting.

Are you interested in being more involved with OSSB? 
We are seeking candidates for President and Vice President (includes Program Chair).  Please contact PJ Sanderson for more details:  pj-sb@hotmail.com or see her at the meeting.

Meeting refreshments
Remember to sign up to bring in light refreshments and beverages to each monthly meeting.  Please see Hospitality Chair, Richard Hughes during the meetings.

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 Orchid Events
January 17, 2026, 10:00 am-6:00 pm, Slipper Orchid Symposium & 70th Paphiopedilum Guild Meeting.
Hosted by the Orchid Digest and The Huntington and held at the Huntington in San Marino.  Speakers, Vendors, Silent Auction Book Sales.  More information and registration:   orchiddigest.com
March 20-23, 2026, Santa Barbara International Orchid Show ‘Orchid Escape’.
Held at Earl Warren Showgrounds in Santa Barbara.  Display setup on 18 March (Wed) and Orchid Judging on 19 March (Thurs).  More information and registration:  sborchidshow.com

Orchid Society of Santa Barbara Meeting – November 12, 2025, 7:30 pm “Growing Specimen Plants” by Sandra Svoboda

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This Month’s Meeting: 
“Growing Specimen Plants by Sandra Svoboda”

Our November Orchid Society of Santa Barbara meeting will be an in-person presentation by our own Sandra Svoboda of her American Orchid Society (AOS) Webinar, originally broadcast on September 23, 2025.  Sandra is an AOS Past President and AOS Judge.

Sandra will explore the latest AOS awards for culture, the CCE (Certificate of Cultural Excellence), and present orchid plants that earned this highest honor for their grower/owner. She will also give us tips on how to cultivate orchids to specimen size.

CCEs are awarded to the exhibitor of a well-flowered specimen plant of robust health. The plant must have been in the care of the exhibitor at least 12 months immediately prior to the award and must score at least 90 points on a 100-point scale for culture. Growers receiving this award represent the highest level of orchid culture.

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 Orchid Events

Nov 8, Sat, 10:30-7:00:  2025 Cattleya Orchid Symposium in San Marino, CA. 
The Huntington and Orchid Digest present the inaugural 2025 Cattleya Orchid Symposium.  Lectures by experts, 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. Full details and online registration:  2025 Cattleya Symposium

Nov 7, 8, 9, Fri-Sun:  Santa Barbara Nursery Fall Open Houses – Look for 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
Open Fri 9-4, Sat 9-4, Sun 9-4
Website:  Cal-Orchid

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

Orchid Society of Santa Barbara Meeting – February 12, 2025, 7:30 pm

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“Coelogyne, My First Love”

Our February meeting will be a live presentation by AOS Judge and award photographer Arthur Pinkers on the genus Coelogyne.

Speaker

“Coelogyne, My First Love” by Arthur Pinkers

There is a long association between romance and flowers, especially orchids.  Our speaker Arthur Pinkers will share his experiences with these natives of southeast Asia and their gorgeous flowers.  The genus Coelogyne is very diverse, and Arthur will explore some of the warm and cool growing species, their culture and some of the hybrids that are commonly available.  These wonderful plants can provide very showy specimens on relatively small plants and should be a part of everyone’s collection.

Arthur Pinkers has been an orchid enthusiast since he was sixteen and now has more than forty years of growing experience. He grew up in the Seattle area and graduated from Washington University Bellingham where he studied Chemistry and Biology.  Arthur is an AOS judge and has served as an officer for many orchid societies and is one of the photographers for the Pacific South Judging Center. Though he has an interest in a wide variety of orchids, botanicals are a special draw to him for their diversity and charm. 

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

Santa Barbara 77th International Orchid Show “Exotic Gardens”

Earl Warren Showgrounds, 3400 Calle Real, Santa Barbara CA.  Open to the Public:  7-9 March, 9 am to 5 pm

You are invited to participate in Ribbon Judging:  6 March, starts at 9 am. Ribbon judges work in small teams awarding ribbons to orchids entered for judging at the show.  At the Santa Barbara International Orchid Show, the ribbon judging focus is on education and fun!  There are so many reasons you should participate, even if you are brand new to orchids!

No experience is necessary!  Your will work with a small group of hobbyists led by an American Orchid Society (AOS) Accredited Judge who will teach you all that you need to know to vote for the best orchids.  Beginners and novices are totally welcome and strongly encouraged to join! 

You will learn so much about orchids!  Your AOS judge will teach you all about the qualities of all the orchids your team evaluates and answer all your questions.  The judging team process is very interactive, and you are encouraged to participate fully.  However, if you are more comfortable observing quietly, that is fine too. 

You will see the orchids and displays in prime condition and without crowds.  The orchid show is not open to the public on judging day.  You will see the plants and displays at their freshest and very best.

Lunch is available for ribbon judges.  The Santa Barbara International Orchid Show is sponsoring these events for ribbon judges in order to support both experienced hobbyists and welcome novices to the world of orchids.  However, you must register in advance at: https://sborchidshow.com/register-to-judge/  If you register BEFORE WEDNESDAY, FEBRURY 19, you can purchase lunch there for $10.

You will meet new people.  Ribbon judges work together in small groups.  Take time to talk with your teammates and meet people from other areas and orchid societies.  It is easy to make new friends who share your orchid passion.

You will have fun!  What could possibly be better than a whole morning of orchids with kindred “orchidaholics” in beautiful Santa Barbara?   

Remember to register in advance at https://sborchidshow.com/register-to-judge/

Orchid Society of Santa Barbara Meeting – January 8, 2025, 7:30 pm

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“Dendrobiums of New Guinea”

Our January 2025 meeting will be a virtual trip with AOS Orchid Judge Carol Klonowski to see dendrobium orchids in New Guinea.

American Orchid Society Webinar by Carol Klonowski – recorded on June 15, 2023

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.

James Rose

We have recently been made aware of the passing of James Rose of Cal-Orchid.  He and his wife Lauris Rose co-owned Cal-Orchid nursery here in Santa Barbara.   When available, the Orchid Society of Santa Barbara website will include additional information regarding this sad event.

Orchid Society of Santa Barbara Meeting – October 9, 2024, 7:30 pm

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A Colombian Orchid Adventure

American Orchid Society Webinar by Ron Parsons – recorded on November 5, 2020

September Meeting

The Orchid Society of Santa Barbara moved our monthly meeting location to Maravilla Senior Living Community starting in September.  Many thanks to Sandra Tillisch-Svoboda for coordinating the space and to Jerry McRoberts for helping her, and to other society members for providing homemade refreshments.

Bryce sends particular thanks to Daniel and Chris Geiger for bringing a splendid group of species orchids for show and tell, making our first meeting at Maravilla a complete success.

October Meeting

Keeping on the theme of beautiful Masdevallia orchids as presented by Sandra in September, in October we will take a virtual trip to see the orchids of Colombia with renowned author and photographer Ron Parsons.  Join us for a webinar from the American Orchid Society (AOS) by Ron Parsons on his orchid travels in Colombia.

Ron Parsons has been growing orchids for nearly 49 years and has been interested in the species for most of that time. He loves to photograph orchids and other flowers whenever he can and does so as often as possible. Ron has more than 100,000 digital images, most of which are of orchids, and still retains a slide library that exceeds 100,000 botanical images. He has presented more than 500 talks on various botanical topics and has nearly 6500 published photos.

Ron has co-authored four books on botanical subjects, all with Mary E. Gerritsen. The first two, published by Timber Press, are Masdevallias, Gems of the Orchid World and Calochortus, Mariposa Lilies and their Relatives. Their third book, a two-volume set, A Compendium of Miniature Orchid Species was published by Redfern Natural History Productions in January 2014. In 2019 The American Orchid Society Guide to Orchids and their Culture was released and is in its third printing. They have recently completed a fifth book, a much-revised second edition of A Compendium of Miniature Orchids Species. It is now in four volumes with 3100 photos (1800 of those are new), including those of more than 500 species not in the first edition. The set was released in early October 2021.

If you want to learn more about Masdevallias as presented in September by Sandra Tillisch-Svoboda, here are the references.

The AOS hosts seminars on a wide range of orchid topics that are available online to AOS members and to the public at https://www.aos.org/