This Month’s Meeting:
“Mastering Paphiopedilum” presented by Bryce Augustine
Our July 2026 meeting will be an in-person presentation by our own Bryce Augustine. Avid lady slipper orchid collector and grower, AOS Judge and OSSB Board Member, Bryce owns and operates Monsoon Flora here in Santa Barbara. He has a life-long interest in the outliers of botanical species growing not only rare orchids, but also cycads, carnivorous plants and caudiciforms. The AOS has awarded 50 Quality awards to his orchids, including two FCCs. His talk will be an introduction to Paphiopedilum orchids.
The range of genus Paphiopedilum as it occurs in nature is from India and southern China through Southeast Asia to the Philippines, New Guinea, and Guadalcanal in the Solomon Islands. They grow at moderate altitudes under dense shade on the rain forest floor or in leaf mold on rock faces and occasionally as epiphytes. Known for their compact form and fleshy roots, often with mottled leaves and a terminal inflorescence of one or a few large flowers. The lip of the flowers is shaped like a pouch, giving rise to its similarity to a slipper and thus they are commonly referred to as Lady Slipper Orchids. The most prized are rare species Paphiopedilum rothschildianum (the “King of Orchids) and Paphiopedilum sanderianum, both named for English orchid specialists.
Paphiopedilum rothschildianum ‘Mighty Kong’, AM/AOS, 84 pts.
Paphiopedilum sanderianum ‘Monsoon’
Our July 2026 meeting will be an in-person presentation by our own Bryce Augustine. Avid lady slipper orchid collector and grower, AOS Judge and OSSB Board Member, Bryce owns and operates Monsoon Flora here in Santa Barbara. He has a life-long interest in the outliers of botanical species growing not only rare orchids, but also cycads, carnivorous plants and caudiciforms. The AOS has awarded 50 Quality awards to his orchids, including two FCCs. His talk will be an introduction to Paphiopedilum orchids.
The range of genus Paphiopedilum as it occurs in nature is from India and southern China through Southeast Asia to the Philippines, New Guinea, and Guadalcanal in the Solomon Islands. They grow at moderate altitudes under dense shade on the rain forest floor or in leaf mold on rock faces and occasionally as epiphytes. Known for their compact form and fleshy roots, often with mottled leaves and a terminal inflorescence of one or a few large flowers. The lip of the flowers is shaped like a pouch, giving rise to its similarity to a slipper and thus they are commonly referred to as Lady Slipper Orchids. The most prized are rare species Paphiopedilum rothschildianum (the “King of Orchids) and Paphiopedilum sanderianum, both named for English orchid specialists.
Upcoming Orchid Events
Cal-Orchid: Famous ‘Summer Hummer’ & Neofinetia falcata Seminar 17-19 July, Fri, Sat & Sun, open 9am-5pm, possible orchid culture classes on Sunday, call them 805-967-1312 if you are interested.
and
Santa Barbara Orchid Estate: Summer Open House 17-19 July, Fri & Sat, open 8am-4pm, Sun open 9am-3 pm. Featuring Cattleya purpurata, tenebrosa, bicolor and tigrina and Encyclias. There will be posters and artifacts on display of Paul Gripp’s life as a boy and his orchid years.
and
Paul Gripp’s Public Memorial: 18 July, Sat, 4-6 pm on the central lawn area of SBOE. Attendees are encouraged to wear their orchid society/plant society name badges. To encourage conviviality, Paul-appropriate refreshments will be served 2-4 pm before the memorial.
August OSSB Potluck & Silent Auction – details to follow. Held at Santa Barbara Orchid Estate. 12 August meeting cancelled.
10th Annual Huntington International Orchid Show, 8 October, Thursday, 12:30pm at the Huntington, 1151 Oxford Road, San Marino, CA, in the Brody Botanical Centre. Orchid displays, AOS judging, vendors.
OSSB Holiday Small Bite Potluck: 9 December, Wednesday, 7:30pm – details to follow. Held at Maravilla.