San Francisco Orchid Society
SFOS is a California non-profit 501(c)(3) Corporation
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John McCallen Orchids of Western China Tuesday, February 3rd @ 7:00 PM
John is an ecologist, a gardener and orchid grower who loves learning about the ecology and evolution of these fascinating plants in their native environs. His talk will focus on the unique and beautiful orchids of Sichuan, western China including the many endemic species of Cypripedium, as well as other terrestrial and epiphytic gems found in this biodiversity hotspot that he has seen on guided tours with local expert and renowned Slipper orchid propagator Wenqing Perner.
Next Meeting: 7:00pm Tuesday, Feb 3rd, 2026 at San Francisco County Fair Building (Hall of Flowers) in the Rec Room AND virtual meeting via Zoom (id: 2093634933 password: SFOS2026) See page 3 for details Show & Tell submissions: Send show and tell pics by Monday Feb 2nd 8 pm to: info@orchidsanfrancisco.org Welcome New and Returing Members: Paul Asente, Camille Considine, Leslie Goldman, Kathy KellerIan, Ian McAllister, Elly Meisler, James Pearsall, Alvin Boado, Bianca Mascorro, Nancy Tristan Speaker Dinner: If you want to attend the speaker dinner before our monthly meetings, please email peter@orchidsanfrancisco.org by the Friday before our monthly meetings Interested in joining SFOS Board for 2026-2027?: Take a more active part in the running of our society. No experience necessary. Elections will be at May meeting. See page 8 and contact Jeff for more information 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 Next Board Meeting: Next meeting scheduled for Monday, February 9th 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
Hengduan Biotechnology USA LLC is seeking assistance with our limited orchid exports to China. The work involves transporting orchids to the phytosanitary inspection site, picking up required paperwork from the Agriculture office, and preparing the orchids for export, including packing, delivery to the logistics company, and ensuring all documents are in order. We expect this to occur 2–3 times per year, with each export requiring 2–4 days of work. We offer an hourly wage plus reimbursement for expenses such as gas, mileage, tolls, and occasional meals. Contact: Mary Gerritsen meg570@comcast.net
Golden Gate Park
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!
Feb 26 - Mar 1, 2026 SF County Fair Building
24th World Orchid Confernce
73rd Annual Pacific Orchid Exposition
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Wild About Orchids: SCOS Show & Sale
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.
Help Wanted
March 26-29, 2026 Dresden, Germany
Tell us what you think! Potential SFOS Equipment Library
Please complete this short survey about a potential SFOS Equipment Lending Library SFOS Equipment Lending Library Survey
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: SFOS2026. 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!
Creating an equipment lending library supports the Society’s mission to promote orchid growing, education, and shared resources. Many members—especially those new to the hobby—may lack access to specialized tools needed for certain tasks. By lending equipment, the Society could make these expensive or rarely used tools accessible without the burden of individual ownership.
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!
March 28-29, 2026 Veterans Bldg, Santa Rosa
Orchid Obscura: 73rd Pacific Orchid Exposition - Feb 26-Mar 1, 2026 ADMISSION TICKET PRICES: Preview Night (Thurs - Adults Only)(includes weekend pass) $75.00 and Senior / Adult Student Preview + Weekend $60.00 (same price at the door as advance; no advance discount Gala tickets) Weekend Pass (Fri-Sun) excluding Thursday Preview Night ($12 in advance; $15 at the door) Senior / Student Weekend Pass (Fri - Sun) ($8 advance; $10 at the door) 20% advance ticket discount ends on Friday Feb 20, 2026 *All members can enter their email address on Eventbrite as a unique promo code to buy one SFOS member “weekend pass” Fri - Sun for only $5 (Note you will have to remove the default 20% promo code and check out / purchase these $5 tickets separately on Eventbrite) SUNDAY ONLY General Admission (available starting Saturday Feb 28) $10.00 Sunday Only Senior / Student Discounted $5.00 Children 12 and under are free (Friday-Sunday) with a paid adult chaperone
POE 2026 Tickets now available on Eventbrite
All current SFOS Members have the option to sell plants and plant related items at our events, and POE 2026 is right around the corner. PLEASE MARK YOUR CALENDAR with these dates & LET JEFF HARRIS KNOW if you intend to sell at EITHER the live POE 2026 member plant sale (MPS) AND/OR Online Pre-sale. The online presale will start on Friday Feb 13 (for SFOS members first), then made available to the public on Sunday Feb 15, and will end on Saturday Feb 21. Sale plants & plant related items sold will need to come into the venue on Weds Feb 25 or the morning of Thursday Feb 26; sellers should sign up to volunteer a shift to help with MPS. Pre-sale Deadline: please send Jeff your inventory list of plants (plant-related items) with photos by noon on Wednesday Feb 11. Deadline for live MPS price lists to Yujin is Tuesday Feb 24 at 8pm, so she has time to print the barcode stickers and have them ready to put on your plants on Weds at the venue.
If you volunteer, you will get a badge that gives you unlimited entry to the show on Friday, Saturday and Sunday!!!
Sign up to volunteer at POE!
Are you preparing your blooming orchids for display in the SFOS POE 2026 Exhibit? You will need to bring them in on Wednesday Feb 25 AND Please let us know if you are thinking about it so we are prepared to have space and labels for you. Carm is in charge of the assembling the display and Paul is in charge of plant entry.
Can you make your favorite cookies to share with volunteers at POE 2026 (and bring them in on Weds Feb 25 - Sun Mar 1)? Phyllis Deets (pdeets@gmail.com) is organizing it and we need lots of bakers to help feed our volunteers.
Month
Day
Speaker
Topic
February 2026
3
John McCallen
Orchids of Western China
March 2026
Gustavo A. Aguirre
Pleurothallids
April 2026
7
Greg Lum
Floral Design
May 2026
5
Skills Workshop
SFOS 2026 Speaker Schedule
More POE 2026 Help Needed
2026 POE Exhibitor Rules and Awards
Please read and review the rules and award categories if you are planning to show your plants during POE 2026. 2026 Exhibitor Rules and Award information
January 2026 Show and Tell
Peter Chianchiano Cattleya no id
Peter Chianchiano Miltoniopsis no id
Jeff Harris Barkeria whartoniana
Judy Zhu Masdevallia Morning Glory
Jeff Harris Masdevallia Tiger Bay (Golden Tiger 'Angie' HCC/AOS x triangularis 'Golden Gate' AM/AOS)
SFOS 2026 Board Nomination Slate
At the start of the May General Members meeting, we will elect the new 2026-2027 SFOS Board - including the 4 officers (President, Vice President, Secretary and Treasurer/CFO) and 4 Directors. To make an advanced nomination or inquiry for a role on the Board, please contact Jeff Harris Slate of Board Candidates as of January 19, 2026 (biographies for continuing members are hyperlinked to their names.
2026-2027 Officers President: Derreck Carter-House Vice-President: Peter Chianchiano Secretary: Carm Kuikenhoven Treasurer/CFO: Yujin Kim 2026-2027 Directors: Alan Yip Sharon Palmisano Rhiannon Croci Open position
2026-2027 Non-elected Board members: Show Co-Chairs: Jeff Harris / Carm Kuivenhoven Membership Co-Chairs: Heidi Arno, Doug Hunter & Mary Blackburn Newsletter Editor: Rhiannon Croci
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(L) Roberta Fox Dinema polybulbon
(R) Roberta Fox Dendrobium glomeratum
Dave Hermeyer Laelia finckeniana Kennedy
Dave Hermeyer Pot Toshie's Charm
(Above) Roberta Fox Dendrobium rindjaniense
Jeff Harris Vanda tesselata ‘Mimi Palmer’
Roberta Fox Bulbophyllum lasiochilum
Judy Zhu Masdevallia Golden Monarch
Judy Zhu Masdevallia vetchiana
Dave Hermeyer Zygo Debbie De Mello Honolulu Baby
Board meeting called to order: 7:03 pm Attendance:(absent board members in parentheses) Derreck Carter-House, (Peter Chianchiano), Yujin Kim, Carm Kuivenhoven, Alan Yip, Sharon Palmisano, Geoff Harris, Rhiannon Croci, Heidi Arno, Jeff Harris Non-Board Members in Attendance: Keith Robinson, Cyril Santilliano, Paul Kasemsap, Dave Hermeyer Approval of Minutes of December 8, 2025 BOD Meeting December 8, 2025 - Final Minutes Jeff Moved, Rhiannon Second, unanimously approved. Officer’s Reports President's update: Derreck San Francisco Orchid Society 2025 Highlights Print - Derreck Carter-House Add Jeff as Collaborator https://www.mixbook.com/photo-books/interests/san-francisco-orchid-society -2025-40255878?vk=yy1fh1CqPY4WYUtAFGwR Zootrophion updates: Treasurer’s report: Yujin November + December 2025 finance report budget review. Jeff moved to approve the finance report; Derreck seconds, and motion unanimously approved. VP’s update: Peter Fill out an application to add March, May and August member meetings in the Auditorium. Added Auditorium for May, but not available for March, possibly not for August. Membership Chair update: Heidi 53 members and guests in the room for the January Meeting and 13 people on Zoom New Members since the November and December meetings, since there was no zoom and no slides at the December holiday party: Paul Asente, Camille Considine, Leslie Goldman, Kathy Keller, Ian McAllister, Elly Meisler, James Pearsall, Alvin Boado, Bianca Mascorro, Nancy Tristan Newsletter editor update: Rhiannon. All newsletter content due by the 15th of each month. Pre-POE newsletter details Post POE Need President’s message Need Help for April Newsletter - Jeff H. will help. Other Announcements: Old Business: Declined ~$2000 grant proposal for Vanda lamellata Conservation Research from Emily Jefferson from Florida International University - most of the request was a travel grant to do field work in Taiwan - we became aware of an overlapping grant request she made to other organizations (AOS & SDCOS), so awaited follow up from those other organizations before proceeding to make a decision. Update on SF CFB sound system evaluation / upgrades - Jeff met with Jon Schwark of the SF Succulent & Cactus Society to see how they handle sounds in the auditorium for their meetings - and to discuss working together to improve sound in the CFB gallery and auditorium. Jeff was advised to consult with Andrew Roth of Roth Audio Design - Kristen Natoli of Conservatory told me that he is an approved vendor for the city and already does work for them. Jeff met briefly with Andrew Roth on Nov 3 at the CoF to discuss the request - Andrew will get back to Jeff to schedule a time to come do a free high level evaluation with some recommendations and cost estimates - likely in the next few weeks. New Business: New insurance policies are now in place. Form Nomination Committee to build next year’s officer slate before board member election. For future discussion: request for SFOS support of the East Bay AIDS Memorial Garden Public Comment: n/a Next Combo Board & Show Committee Meeting: Monday - February 9th at 7:00 pm on Zoom - Next month at Rhiannon’s. Meeting transitioned from Board to Show Committee at (7:29 PM) Respectfully submitted by Carmi Kuivenhoven
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SFOS Board Meeting Minutes - January 12th Meeting
Dave Hermeyer LC C G Roebling Sentinel
Peter Chianchiano Restrepia guttulata 'Yellow tip"
Phyllis Deets Odbrs Kenneth Bivin Santa Barbara
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
Board Minutes, Continued from page 13
OCA Orchids in the Wild Ecotours for 2025-2026 March 17-24, 2026 Special Pre-World Orchid Conference Orchids of Rhodes Tour Once again we have joined forces with Mariposa tours, with Jon Dunn and Sarah Cuttle as our tour leaders. Springtime in the Mediterranean can be breath taking, with the crystal clear waters of the sea, the gorgeous spring flowers, and a plethora of terrestrial orchids. Enjoy a spring orchid tour before attending the World Orchid Conference in Dresden! Learn More Orchids of the Gargano Peninsula: April 13-20, 2026 Once again we will join forces with our European partner, Jon Dunn of Mariposa Tours. Springtime in the Gargano Peninsula is wonderful, and this adventure won’t disappoint. Enjoy the scenery, orchids and magnificent wildflowers! Learn More Orchids of the Rio Negro: May 22-June 2, 2026 Enjoy a fascinating Journey into the jungles of the flooded Amazon. One of our most popular tours, this is the only way to view the orchids of the Amazon, on a cruise aboard the Otter, a specially designed riverboat. Learn More Orchids of Northern Yunnan: June 14-28, 2026 Travel with the Orchid Conservation Alliance to the incredibly biodiverse province of Yunnan. Well known for its plant diversity, Yunnan alone has over 400 different orchid species, many endemic to the region. Our trip focuses on the Cypripediums, but we will also are likely see species of Cephalanthera, Dendrobium, Holcoglossum, Liparis, Paphiopedilum, Phalaenopsis, Platanthera and Pleione. The trip features incredible scenery, the old town of Lijiang, many different species of flowering rhododendrons, as well as paeonies and too many alpine flowers to count. Learn More Orchids of Colombia: July 22-August 6, 2026 Join the Orchid Conservation Alliance as we travel to one of the most spectacularly biodiverse places on earth, the Andean forests of Colombia. We will have a chance to explore the incredibly rich orchid flora of northern Colombia, visit orchid and bird reserves, tour orchid nurseries and private orchid collections, and attend a world-renowned orchid show in the beautiful city of Medellín. Learn More Orchids of Nepal-A Fall Tour of the Orchid Trail: November 9-17, 2026 Designed especially for orchid enthusiasts and nature lovers, the itinerary highlights epiphytic, terrestrial, and lithophytic orchids across varied habitats, while also providing opportunities to engage with traditional villages, sacred sites, protected areas, and panoramic Himalayan vistas. This tour immediately precedes the V International Orchid Symposium in Kathmandu. https://www.ishs.org/symposium/815 Learn More Chitwan National Park: November 21-24, 2026 This tour, which is primarily wildlife focuses, visits the wonderful Chitwan National Park. This park is famous for its one-horned rhinos, elephants, tigers, mugger crocodiles, numerous bird species, and other Nepalese wildlife. The ancient trees in this park are covered with orchids, so there should be something for everyone. This was planned as a post-tour option of the V International Orchid Symposium in Kathmandu. Learn More
Members of OrchidDigestget $100 off OCA EcoTours at the time of registration
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
1 year subscription (4 issues) $39.00
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
Donate to SFOS Unrestricted Support to our efforts in general or more specifically in EDUCATION and/or CONSERVATION
Interested in building an orchid carousel? Check out Dexter's video on Building Orchid Carousels to better grow and display your orchids
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
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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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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