San Francisco Orchid Society
SFOS is a California non-profit 501(c)(3) Corporation
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Carol Klonowski Winter Care for Cool Growing Dendrobiums Tuesday, October 7th @ 7:00 PM
Carol Klonowski has been growing orchids since the 1980's when a friend in Berkeley, California, gave her a cattleya and it bloomed out with three big, dark lavender flowers and an intoxicating fragrance. She built an entire greenhouse in her backyard to accomodate the precious plant, which only led her to buy more orchids. Then another friend gave her a giftmembership to the Orchid Society of California and it's been a serious hobby and passionever since. She can recall going to monthly meetings where orchid legends such as the late Frank Fordyce would be available to answer the many questions an eager hobbyist could ask. Carol is currently the President of the Orchid Society of California and a fully Accredited Judge with the American Orchid Society, California Sierra Nevada Judging Center. She is continuing her tenure as a Trustee for the American Orchid Society and writes for Orchids Magazine. Her talk on Winter Care for Cool Growing Dendrobiums aims to encourage hobbyists to grow the many intermediate to cool growing species and hybrids from this large genus, and explains the need for special care during winter months.
Next Meeting: 7:00pm Tuesday, Oct 7th, 2025 at San Francisco County Fair Building (Hall of Flowers) in the Rec Room AND virtual meeting via Zoom (id: 2093634933 password: SFOS2025) See page 3 for details Show & Tell submissions: Send show and tell pics by Monday Oct 6th 8 pm to: info@orchidsanfrancisco.org Welcome New and Returing Members: Diane Winters, Mark Tao, Natasha Kanhai, Robert Schulte, Britteney Reynolds, Ryan Langsdorf, Kim Mitchell, Donna Hayes Monthly AOS judgings: Pac Central JC on the 1st Tuesday night (7pm at SFOS meeting) and on the 3rd Sat morning each month (10am at Filoli Gardens in Woodside); info? contact Sylvia Darr syldarr@gmail.com CA Sierra Nevada JC (CSNJC) judging: 1st Wednesdays at SCOS monthly meetings at Odd Fellows Hall, 1831 Howe Ave, Sacramento. AND on the 3rd Sundays in Lincoln, CA: 8:30 am at Dueling Dogs Brewing Company, 3030 Barrett Park Lane, Lincoln CA. Contact: Lynne Murrell, lynne.murrell@outlook.com More AOS judging details on page 13 Next Board Meeting: Next meeting scheduled for Monday, October 13th 2025. Interested in being more involved with SFOS? Sign up to volunteer! contact: info@orchidsanfrancisco.org On Instagram? Share your IG handles here to be tagged on show and tell photos posted on IG
In-person attendees will have a chance to win plants for the opportunity table raffle! Get a free raffle ticket if you bring food to share at the meeting or a plant for show and tell!
For over 70 years the SFOS mission has been to foster the culture and conservation of orchids and to promote education of its members and the public about orchids. Our goals include: an exchange of information from exhibitions, publications, and the Internet, maintenance of a reference library, and participation in worldwide activities.
At the corner of 9th and Lincoln, next to the SF Botanical Garden
1199 9th Ave, San Francisco, CA 94122
Golden Gate Park
Peninsula Orchid Society Sale & Show
Opportunity Table Want to win orchids? In-person attendees will continue to have many opportunities at the monthly meetings to win some great plants to add to their collection - but you have to be there to win!
October 4-5, 2025 San Mateo Garden Center
March 26-29, 2026 Dresden, Germany
In-person meetings at the Hall of Flowers Join us in-person for meetings at the SF County Fair Building (Hall of Flowers), Rec Room, in Golden Gate Park.
Tips for the Virtual Meeting on Zoom We will continue hosting our meetings in a "hybrid" format using Zoom to maintain access for those who prefer the virtual format. Everyone is encouraged to either use the weblink or download the Zoom app ahead of the meeting to be able to better see and share the video content. For the virtual show and tell, send pics ahead of time to share - email to info@orchidsanfrancisco.org (by no later than the day before the meeting, though sooner is of course better to give Heidi & Kay more time to prepare)! The link to join the meeting is: https://zoom.us/j/2093634933 Zoom password: SFOS2025. Sometimes your PC may not have a microphone and in that case you can still use the computer and monitor and call in on the phone with the phone number - but make sure to turn off the computer speakers to avoid static feedback. We will also continue to record the meetings and post them on our Members Only website via our YouTube Channel - so if you miss a meeting or just want to go back and see it again - it is there - check it out!
24th World Orchid Confernce
There is plenty of free parking on the street, inside the park, and and from the back parking lot, accessible from Lincoln Ave across from 10th Ave. Enter the building from the front lobby or back parking lot. To protect one another, please be prudent and stay away if you're feeling ill. Please bring your plants for the in-person Show and Tell!
The Conservatory of Flowers received a generous donation from the San Francisco Orchid Society. Nursery Specialist Beth McDowell reported the addition of numerous cool-and-warm-growing Paphiopedilums, a variety of rare jewel orchids (such as Nervilia marmorata and Anoectochilus tridentatus), showy warm-growing Coryanthes and Psychopsisselections, and an extension to the Angraecoid collection, including an intriguing Aeranthes orthopoda. This contribution of nearly 100 accessions, including 70 new taxa, will be featured in the coming months. We are grateful to the San Francisco Orchid Society for making this possible. Their continued efforts in orchid conservation and education are an inspiration.
Gardens of Golden Gate Park Mention SFOS Donation
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Month
Day
Speaker
Topic
October 2025
7
Carol Klonowski
Dendrobiums
November 2025
4
Nick Rust
Habenarias
December 2025
2
N/A
Holiday Party
January 2026
6
Fred Clarke
Mini-Cattleyas
February 2026
3
John McCallen
Orchids of Western China
March 2026
Gustavo A. Aguirre
Pleurothallids
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SFOS 2025-2026 Speaker Schedule
Jeff Harris Trichosalpinx chamaelepanthes
Jeff Harris Ceratochilus biglandulosis
Peter Chianchiano Dracula vampira x Dracula chimaera
Jeff Harris Dracula tsubotae
Jeff Harris | Bulbophyllum delitescens
Show and Tell September 2025 Meeting
Peter Chianchiano Brassia nodosa x Brassia acaulis
Jeff Harris Trichoceros parviflorus 'Gold Country'
Judy Zhu Phal. Liu's Berry 'Orchid House'
Judy Zhu Phal. Jihao 'Summer Love'
Jeff Harris Miltassia Charles M Fitch Izumi AM AOS
Dave Hermeyer L. tenebrosa x C. massangeana
Jeff Harris Paphiopedlum micranthum
Judy Zhu Neofinetia falcata Isechabo
Dave Hermeyer L.aelia crispa vinicolo
Dave Hermeyer L.aelia superbiens alba
Judy Zhu Masedallia decumana
Board meeting called to order: 7:02 pm Attendance: Derreck Carter-House, Peter Chianchiano, Yujin Kim, Carm Kuivenhoven, Alan Yip, Sharon Palmisano, Geoff Harris, Rhiannon Croci, Heidi Arno, Jeff Harris Members in Attendance: Keith Robinson Approval of Minutes of August 11, 2025 BOD Meeting August 11, 2025 - Final Minutes Yujin Moved, Jeff Second, Unanimous approval. Officer’s Reports President's update: Derreck Member tool library: (Need a survey to find what tools are needed by society.) Sharon Palmisano to take the lead. Next steps: Create google form submit to newsletter for dispersal, add to meeting announcements Zootrophion Project, received Primers Treasurer’s report: Yujin August 2025 finance report budget review Derreck moved to approve the finance report; Jeff seconds, and motion unanimously. VP’s update: Peter Member Outreach Team Update: Paul K. Reblooming Workshops: Lot of members from OITP, handed out more plants at the last monthly meeting. To send out reminder in newsletter that you can join any time Membership Chair update: Heidi 29 people in Zoom, 80 in the room. 449 Members + 3. 8 New Members during August: Diane Winters, Mark Tao, Natasha Kanhai, Robert Schulte, Britteney Reynolds, Ryan Langsdorf, Kim Mitchell, Donna Hayes SFOS membership has increased by about 23% since January 2025 Newsletter editor update: Rhiannon. All newsletter content due by the 15th of each month. Other Announcements: Old Business: Jeff - Increase youth participation in POE display awards and SFOS in general; Proposal from Eric Imperiale re: collaborative effort with GGGP to access youth and parents via their programs - awaiting follow up GGGP leadership - tabled (post meeting update - informal communication is this type of collaboration is not likely to happen - so would take it off the agenda until someone else wants to lead the effort with another potential partner) New Business: Buy New laptops: One for membership, the old one is not running fast enough. We need current technology. – Heidi Arno added this - Ear mark $1000 for the membership laptop - Derreck Moved, Heidi with Second, Unanimous approval. Public Comment: None Next Combo Board & Show Committee Meeting: Monday - October 13th at 7:00 pm on Zoom - Derreck’s House Next month Meeting transitioned from Board to Show Committee at (7:33 PM) Respectfully submitted by Carmi Kuivenhoven
SFOS Board Meeting Minutes - September 8th Meeting
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Check out seasonal orchid care tips from AOS here.
Pacific Central Judging Center hosts 2 monthly – The first Tuesday evening (10/7/25), during the regular SFOS monthly meeting at the Hall of Flowers, Golden Gate Park AND the third Saturday (10/18/25), at Filoli Historic House & Garden, 86 Canada Road, Woodside CA. Plant entry starts at 10AM. Questions? Contact Sylvia Darr syldarr@gmail.com California Sierra Nevada Judging Center(CSNJC) hosts 2 monthly – the first Wednesday evening (10/1/25) during the regular SCOS monthly meeting at Odd Fellows Hall, 1831 Howe Ave, Sacramento. In Lincoln, CA at Dueling Dogs Brewery, 3131 Barrett Park Lane, on the third Sunday (10/19/25) 9AM. Questions? Contact Lynne Murrell: lynne.murrell@outlook.com
MONTHLY AOS ORCHID JUDGINGS NEAR YOU:
Orchid Wiz is Back! Go to OrchidWiz.com for more information and to purchase it. You do not need to have earlier versions of Orchid Wiz, because 20.0 is a complete, updated version, ready to install. You can get it as a link for electronic download, or on a flash drive.
What are the TWO best things you can do for your beautiful Orchids right now? FEED them weekly, weakly! New growths need nutrients to grow strong and to bloom. Give them plenty of fresh air, either outdoors or with good indoor fans.
Happy Orchid Growing to all! Lynne Murrell Your AOS Representative
AOS webinars in October. Go to AOS’ website to register, so they can send you the link to join. (the red dot indicates it is for AOS Members only)
Board Minutes, Continued from page 11
How do you track your orchid / plant collection? Tried Airtable? Works on all platforms. Free version Link to Jeff’s orchid collection template: https://airtable.com/invite/r/MNzzN8nV
All fields searchable in each entry … Name (Genus species / grex, awards) Have / Died / Want - Location / Division / Donated? Purchase date, source, price? Plant & flower description, potted / mounted, Fragrance? Growing conditions? Pictures of plant & flower Last bloom date / month? Virus test date and results? Free text field for other notes & reference websites
NEED ORCHIATA BARK? Plant'd is taking pre-orders (with full payment of $40), via email Check the bottom of the SFOS resources page for more information on size of orchiata bark **Delivery available (for a fee), and we can set up delivery dates/times individually. Pick up available at the greenhouse in Half Moon Bay, in-store at Plant'd in Four Embarcadero Center, or in San Jose, by appointment only.**
SFOS Membership Roster now available Find it in the members only portion of the SFOS website (requires log in with email & password) What’s there? Names of all are listed and for those who opted in, it also includes email, phone number, and location. Please look at your entry and confirm it is the way you want it. Note that “by accepting and opening this SFOS Roster file, all agree to use it for personal contact only, and NOT share it with others outside SFOS or for any commercial / advertising purposes.” Questions? Please email Heidi at: membership@orchidsanfrancisco.org
hengduanbiotech.net
OCA Orchids in the Wild Ecotours for 2025-2026 Orchids of Zimbabwe, February 3-20, 2026 A first ever for the Orchid Conservation Alliance, a trip to cloud forests of Zimbabwe! We will visit several national parks, see both terrestrial and epiphytic orchids, enjoy a day of birdwatching with an expert guide, travel to Victoria Falls, and experience a one-day safari with the opportunity to see the ‘big five’. Deposits due September 1, 2025. For more information: https://orchidconservationalliance.org/orchids-of-zimbabwe/
Interested in building an orchid carousel? Check out Dexter's video on Building Orchid Carousels to better grow and display your orchids
Images: Copyright 2024 Orchid Conservation Alliance
Join us as a member via the website www.orchidsanfrancisco.org If you are not sure about your dues status, check your email history or just ask! Automated SFOS Membership Dues renewal bills for those who paid online via the website will go out before the 12 month anniversary date. If you want help with this process we can assist you - email us at membership@orchidsanfrancisco.org If you cannot use the online process, you can still mail a check along with your updated contact information to: SFOS Membership PO Box 27145 SF, CA 94127-0145
A Bay Area Guide to Orchids and their Culture This richly illustrated book is tailored specially to the needs of the San Francisco Bay Area Orchid grower, offering detailed orchid culture information along with recommendations of orchids to grow indoors, in cool to warm-intermediate greenhouses or outdoors, with microclimate-specific suggestions for those choosing to grow outdoors. Note that SFOS paid for the cost of printing and SFOS gets 100% of the profits. Written by: SFOS member Mary E. Gerritsen Available directly from the San Francisco Orchid Society for only $20 at: https://www.orchidsanfrancisco.org/ shop.html
Annual Dues* $25: Standard Membership (includes opportunity table access and email newsletters to one person) $40: Household membership (2 or more people) $75: Supporting Membership (includes 2 POE weekend passes*, opportunity table access plus email newsletters) $150: SFOS Patron Membership (includes 4 POE weekend passes*, opportunity table access, email newsletters, one copy of A Bay Area Guide to Orchids and their Culture) $500: SFOS Benefactor Membership (includes a mention in one of the newsletters, as well as all items in the Patron level - donation value of $350 $1,000: SFOS Orchid Circle (includes everything in the Benefactor level as well as a donation towards SFOS conservation and education funds with a donation value of $850 *We can provide a donation acknowledgement letter in lieu of POE tickets. As a 501(c)(3) Non-Profit Organization, SFOS Memberships. Donations can be claimed as tax deductible, but please consult your tax professional.
Dues Renewal You will get an email when it's time to pay
You can help... The San Francisco Orchid Society joins other orchid societies and businesses participating in the 1% FOC campaign by committing to budget 1% or more of our net revenue towards orchid conservation projects. For more information: orchidconservationcoalition.org
Have you joined Orchid Digest yet? As a member of Orchid Digest you not only get a quarterly magazine with amazing high-quality pictures of flowers and plants, but also access to so much more great new and historical content for a reasonable price – while also helping support other orchid conservation and educational programs. Check out the magazine for yourself or as a gift - SCAN THE QR code below with your phone camera to see the website https://orchiddigest.com/
Images: Copyright 2022 Orchid Conservation Alliance
1 year subscription (4 issues) $39.00 2 year subscription ( 8 issues) $75.00
Donate to SFOS Unrestricted Support to our efforts in general or more specifically in EDUCATION and/or CONSERVATION
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Current SFOS Contacts President: Derreck Carter-House (derreck@orchidsanfrancisco.org) Vice President: Peter Chianchiano (peter@orchidsanfrancisco.org) Secretary: Carmi Kuivenhoven (carm@orchidsanfrancisco.org) Treasurer (CFO): Yujin Kim (CFO@orchidsanfrancisco.org) Directors: Rhiannon Croci (newsletter@orchidsanfrancisco.org) Geoff Harris (geoffsharris@gmail.com) Sharon Palmisano (Sharonsplantythings@gmail.com) Alan Yip (ritesofantiquity@gmail.com) Past President: Jeff Harris (jeff@orchidsanfrancisco.org) Membership Chair: Heidi Arno (membership@orchidsanfrancisco.org) Newsletter Editor: Rhiannon Croci (newsletter@orchidsanfrancisco.org) AOS Representative: Lynne Murrell (lynne.murrell@outlook.com) Orchid Digest Representative: Jeff Harris (jeff@orchidsanfrancisco.org) Webmaster: John Rushworth (johnrush@orchidsanfrancisco.org) Show Co-Chairs: Carmi Kuivenhoven (carm@orchidsanfrancisco.org) Jeff Harris (jeff@orchidsanfrancisco.org) Information on open positions and General Inquiries at: (info@orchidsanfrancisco.org)
SFOS Website SFOS - www.orchidsanfrancisco.org
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