San Francisco Orchid Society
SFOS is a California non-profit 501(c)(3) Corporation
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Greg Lum Floral Design Demonstration Tuesday, April 7th @ 7:00 PM
In college, he became an active member of the Student Chapter of The American Institute of Floral Design (SAIFD) and applied for membership to AIFD when he was 25, and became an accredited member of AIFD just after receiving his Bachelors’ of Science Degree in Environmental Horticulture. Greg's passion for floral design has led him to work in a variety of areas of the floral industry, including as a freelance designer for a wholesale florist and floral supply warehouse, to retail flower shops and garden centers, as well as for the USDA as an APHIS Agriculture Plant and Flower inspector at the San Francisco International Airport. Since becoming an AIFD Certified Floral Judge in 2016, he has had the opportunity to judge several design competitions as well as to serve as an Evaluator for the Professional Floral Designer aptitude test, for those designers applying for membership, at the annual AIFD National Symposium. In an effort to help with floral needs throughout the community, he donates time to the SF Recreation and Parks Department and the Chinatown Rotary Club. He also serves as the Vice President to the Floral Artists of the Bay Area, and helps provide quality design programs throughout the year. Greg has been published in several industry magazines in the US and Internationally. In 2018, he published a book called "Asian Allure" in collaboration with several well-known designers. In 2020 his design work was again published in a book called "The Art of Floral Design." Currently his floral design passion has led him to the art of performing Magic. Come check out his presentation to find out how mixing the two art forms has led him to presenting design programs in a different, fun and unusual way!
Next Meeting: 7:00pm Tuesday, April 7th 2026 at SF County Fair Building (in the Rec Room AND via Zoom (ID#:2093634933; PW:SFOS2026) See page 3 for more details Show & Tell submissions: Send photos by Monday April 6th by 8 pm to: info@orchidsanfrancisco.org Welcome New and Returning Members: Reymond Alcordo, Tyler Ather, Lillian Bautista, Peter Baxter, Nan Bleck, Shannon Brownlee, Joseph Centoni, Anna Chai, Lucas Chandler, James Cilia, David Cozzi, Amy Davidson, Annelise Devore, Andrea DeVoto, Denise Estrella, Charlie Evans, John Floyd, Sylvia Gery, Fatima Gutierrez, Beth Haiken, Andria Hernandez, Nicole Heyward, Kimberly Hooks, Sasha Ivanoff, Lena Kaufman, Mersedeh Kheradmand, Tegan Kmcak, Jennifer Knight, Arthi Krishna, Eliza Lai, Tegan Malone, Adair McClatchy, Isabelle Meegan, Allison Merrell, Ruth Miller, Milan Moffatt, Leah Mollat, Ivan Nenov, Wendy Nicholls, Mey Ocali, Evelyn Oltman, Kathryn Palazzoto, Irene Patton, Giovanni Poli, Janice Richards, Joyce Richards, Venus Rose, Jessica Samorano, Lynn Sheene, Jennifer Berry, Andrea Siegel, James Stein, Sarah Stein, Jon Stofer, Katherine Stofer, Holly Taylor, Jason Thompson, Madelene Todel, Valdete, Amy Vongthavdy, Elizabeth Warner, Jose Wen, Elisa Williams, Douglas Wright 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 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 / Show Committee Meeting: scheduled for Monday, March 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.
Greg Lum, AIFD CFD, EMC, CSFA - is a native of San Francisco. He recalls watching his Aunt create beautiful orchid corsages for family events, always hoping to be able to someday create corsages like hers. When his mother would bring home artificial floral designs, he would study them, and learn how they were assembled. As a 12 year old, his science project was to collect seeds and categorize them by the different types, which he planted and bloomed, nurturing his love for flowers and designing, and entered his first floral design competition just before entering high school.
Dear SFOS Family, I have good news and bad news. The bad news: our homes are now dangerously low on counter space after everyone "just browsed" the vendor hall. The good news: it was absolutely worth it. The 2026 Pacific Orchid Expo was, in a word, extraordinary — and in two words, your fault (in the best possible way). We welcomed more than 6,000 attendees this year. That's 6,000 people who left with a deeper appreciation for these remarkable plants — and, in many cases, a car full of them. It happened because of YOU: the members who hauled tables, checked for stickers at the doors, arranged flowers at 8 a.m., answered the same question about watering schedules seventeen times with a smile, and showed the world why the orchid community is unlike any other. Beyond the blooms and the buzzing crowds, your efforts made something truly meaningful possible: we raised enough to fund speakers from across the country for the next 12 months. Our monthly programs will be richer, more inspiring, and more diverse because of what you helped build at this expo. Thank you — sincerely, deeply, and with a gratitude that no number of Zootrophions could adequately express. With gratitude and admiration, Derreck
At the corner of 9th and Lincoln, next to the SF Botanical Garden
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.
1199 9th Ave, San Francisco, CA 94122
Golden Gate Park
Musicians (Gabriel Martinez-Santibanez, flute, Charlene Bashore, violin, Justin Genziano, viola, & Teera Price, cello ) on stage at POE 2026 Preview Night.
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!
Tips for the Virtual Meeting on Zoom We host our meetings in a "hybrid" format (both in-person and using Zoom)to maintain access for those who prefer the virtual format. PLEASE use the SFOS Zoom weblink and 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 us more time to prepare)! The Zoom link to join the meeting is: https://zoom.us/j/2093634933 Zoom password: SFOS2026. PLEASE make sure to turn off the computer speakers to avoid static feedback. if you call in on the phone . Missed a meeting or just want to go back and see it again? We record the meetings and post them via our SFOS YouTube Channel along with other content on our Members Only website .
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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!
A message from our President
POE 2026 EXHIBIT WINNERS American Orchid Society (AOS) Show Trophy Diablo View OS & Orchid Society of California Orchid Digest Trophy Jason Douglass & Ron Norris Best Interpretation of Show Theme D&D Flowers Best Exhibit By Individual/Group or Visiting Orchid Society 1st Place: Diablo View OS & Orchid Society of California 2ndPlace: Marin Orchid Society 3rd Place: BA Pleurothallid Alliance
PACIFIC ORCHID EXPOSITION 2026 MAJOR TROPHY WINNERS Number of plants entered for ribbon/trophy judging: 281 BEST PLANT IN SHOW LC Amethystella ‘Bon’s Blue’ Exhibitor: Ken Jacobsen BEST SPECIES IN SHOW Dendrobium papilio ‘Vistamont’ Exhibitor: Golden Gate Orchids BEST SPECIMEN PLANT IN SHOW Laelia jongheana ‘Nick Burnett’ Exhibitor: Tom Pickford BEST MINIATURE PLANT (under 8") IN SHOW Coelogyne uncatum Exhibitor: Susan Anderson BEST CATTLEYA ALLIANCE IN SHOW LC Amethystella ‘Bon’s Blue’ Exhibitor: Ken Jacobsen BEST CYPRIPEDIUM ALLIANCE IN SHOW Paphiopedilum Emma Decker ‘Teresa Hill’ Exhibitor: Chaunie Langland BEST PHALAENOPSIS ALLIANCE IN SHOW Phalaenopsis Rome Exhibitor: Nancy Garcia von Kriegenbergh BEST ONCIDIUM ALLIANCE IN SHOW Odontoglossum cristatum ‘Cavalier’ Exhibitor: Jason Douglass BEST CYMBIDIUM IN SHOW Cymbidium Khan Fury Exhibitor: D&D Flowers BEST PLEUROTHALLID ALLIANCE IN SHOW Stellis species Exhibitor: Jan Anderson BEST DENDROBIUM IN SHOW Dendrobium papilio ‘Vistamont’ Exhibitor: Golden Gate Orchids BEST MISCELLANEOUS GENERA IN SHOW Coelogyne multiflora Exhibitor: Bill Weaver BEST ORCHID SHOWN FOR FOLIAGE IN SHOW Cymbidium sinense ‘Ta Shih Mun’ Exhibitor: Bill Weaver BEST NON-GREENHOUSE-GROWN PLANT IN SHOW Laelia Brazilian Tangerine x Seagulls Exhibitor: Shu Wen Loo
POE 2026 CULTURAL AWARDS (5) 1 Laelia jongheana ‘Nick Burnett’ by Tom Pickford 2 Dendrobium papilio ‘Vistamont’ by Golden Gate Orchids 3 Odontoglossum cristatum by Jason Douglass 4 Cymbidium lowianum by Jennifer Leung 5 Pterosylus curta ‘Yuen Hee’ by Ken Jacobsen
Justin Aguilar Millie Aguilar Reymund Alcordo Kari Alexander Jan Anderson Susan Anderson Grace Andrade Elisha Andoniah Heidi Arno Paul Asente Cristina Ashba Loren Bialik Brandon Bierlein Andrea Bink Nan Bleck Sarah Bodary-Winter Boomer Boomer Margaret Boomer Diane Bond Edith Bourbin Paul Bourbin Lane Bourn Sherry Bridygham Steven Brown Barbara Butler Athena Carroll Samantha Carroll Theodis Carroll Carl Carter Derreck Carter-House Donna Chan Lily Chan Yong Chan Erica Chang Lily Chang Michelle Chang Susie Chen Peter Chianchiano Li Chou Amy Chung Ann Chwang Rhiannon Croci Lee Dedini Phyllis Deets Armando DeLoeria Karina Domingo Jim Donoso Polina Dorfman-Su
AOS Judges Tyler Albrecht Carol Beule Diane Bond Mary Bui-Pham Ramon de los Santos Glenn Finch Loretta Franklin James Heilig Ken Jacobsen Carol Klonowski Japheth Ko Virginia Kristo Chaunie Langland Marlyn Lee Howard Liebman Kaiju Lyu Lynne Murrell Edouard Peltier Garcia Jose Rodriguez Paul Sheetz Carol Zoltowski
Sandy Sumano Jacquiline Tabor Ben Thai Joe Torres Nancy Tristan Marni Turkel Todd Unnerstall Hans Usman Debra Vails-Qualters Kay Vee Elizabeth Velasco Oscar Vera Amy Vongthavady Nancy Walia Raj Walia Connie Wan Jerry Wang Jennifer Wang Thomas Wang Samuel Wantman Diane Ward Bill Weaver Jim Wert Diane Winters Ada Wong Ricky Wong Katrine Wong Lina Woo Lan Wu Ting Xu Sam Y Marilyn Y. Zhendi Yan Lindsey Yee Wilhelm Yee Richard Yep Alan Yip Christina Yip Teri Yip Audrey Young-Tarter Nancy Yu Melinda Yuen Polina Zapreyeva Kathleen Zierolf
Wei kian Ng Norma Ng-Yep Naoko Nojiri Ron Norris Wylla Nunez Karen Olson Patricia Olson Justin O'Neill Sarom Orque Miguel Padilla Sharon Palmisano Ron Parsons Fe Partosa-Tenenbaum James Pearsall Belen Perez Lisa Perla Tom Perlite Vincent Pietromartire Maria Pitt Charlene Ploss Shruti Police Jen Poulakos Pierre Pujol Faye Rabino Christine Raher Venk Reddy Britteney Reynolds Janice Richards Joyce Richards Julie Roberts-Phung Keith Robinson Ned Rote Cynthia Salazar Javier Perez Sanchez Briana Schwizer Jeanie Scott Nicole M Senegal Tina Shaffer Urvi Shah Sandy Sherwin Adam Schindler Paula Shiu Stephen Shotland Doreen Sinha Greg Smith Helen So Jeanie Sorensen Mark Sullivan
Nathan Draper Kelsey Dripps Twila Ehmcke Charlie Evans Jason Feinberg Michael Flanagan Jon Fong Nellie Fong Loretta Franklin Kevin Freeman Jon Fong Kathy Fong Leufaka EDDIE Peltier Garcia Nan Garcia von Kriegenbergh Roberta Gee Lizzy Gee Anna Geiger Mary Gerritsen N Goodwin Ace Gray Mary Gregoriev Sherry Gu Grace Guo Susan Gutierrez Bob Hamilton Jeff Harris Jeff Harter Dave Hermeyer Ayesha Heza Dexter Hodes Myouna Holmes George Horton Nana Hsu Yolanda Huang Eric Imperiale Ken Jacobsen Aditi Jagannathan Andrew Jameson Gwen Joe Renate Johnson Krista Kaasik Natasha Kanhai Paul Kasemsap Joseph Kautz Kathy Keller Samantha Keller Todd Kennedy Mark Khoo
THANK YOU to all of our POE Volunteers
Jessica Krakow Yujin Kim Kay Klumb Japheth Ko Carmi Kuivenhoven Tanya Lam Nancy Lan Chaunie Langland David Larkin John Leathers Foon Lee Lisa Lee Jen Lee Jenny Lee Stephanie Leung Jennifer Leung Susan Leurey Christy Li Kimberly Liang Philip Liang Kimilyn Lim Derek Lincoln Shu Wen Loo Andrea Lopez Darice Lowe Denise Lucero Caryn Lucido Joseph Ludwig Ron Ludwig Amy Lui Ann Hue Ly Doug Lym Jagruti Mahante Barbara Marcum Robert Martinez Ed McLean Sharon McCray Sean B Meehan Stuart Menaker Maureen Merrigan Gary Meyers M Miranda Kerry Mitchell Kim Mitchell Valerie Mountain Isabela Nanca Dan Newman Amanda Nicklow
POE 2026 Best theme exhibit trophy winner by Dennis Olivas, D and D Flowers.
SFOS 2026 Board Nomination Slate
2026-2027 Non-elected Board members: Past President: Derreck Carter-House Show Co-Chairs: Jeff Harris / Carm Kuikenhoven Membership Co-Chairs: Heidi Arno, Doug Hunter & Mary Blackburn Newsletter Editor: Rhiannon Croci
Meet the Candidates:
2026-2027 Officers President:Stuart Menaker Vice-President:James Pearsall Secretary:Carm Kuikenhoven Treasurer/CFO:Yujin Kim 2026-2027 Directors: Alan Yip Sharon Palmisano Rhiannon Croci Keith Robinson
Dr. Stuart Menaker is a retired family physician and incoming SFOS President-Elect for 2026-2027 Prior to being at UCSF Dr. Menaker was a Family Physician and Medical Director of Business Development for the Palo Alto Medical Foundation. He did Family Medicine specialty training at the University of Wisconsin at Madison, received his MD from Baylor, undergraduate training at Michigan State University, as well as Masters of Medical Management from the Marshall School of Business at USC. Stuart has been an avid orchid hobbyist since he bought his first orchid in 1991 and recently downsized his collection when he moved to San Francisco from the Peninsula, where he had a greenhouse. Shortly after joining SFOS in 2018, Stuart began helping lead fundraising efforts so that we can grow the Pacific Orchid Exposition show as well as other society activities; Stuart served as a Member of the SFOS Board from 2020 - 2025.
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 March 9, 2026 (biographies for continuing members are hyperlinked to their names.
Keith Robinson has been a member of the San Francisco Orchid Society (SFOS) the past 3 years, a long-time volunteer at SFOS events, and is looking forward to serving as a board member as an enthusiastic supporter of orchid research, education, conservation, and exhibition. He enjoys growing orchids at home and appreciates the remarkable diversity of species and hybrids cultivated by Bay Area orchid enthusiasts. Keith is a California licensed landscape architect with more than 35 years of professional experience in landscape architecture, sustainability, and enterprise strategic planning. Throughout his career he has led large multidisciplinary teams and guided long-range program development, policy initiatives, and strategic planning efforts focused on environmental stewardship, pollinator habitat, and sustainable landscapes—interests that align closely with the botanical diversity and conservation values celebrated by the orchid community and which are key to the mission of the San Francisco Orchid Society. In his free time, Keith enjoys traveling, gardening, and hiking, and exploring botanical gardens and natural landscapes around the world. He also enjoys visiting orchid nurseries and botanical collections during his travels and connecting with fellow growers who share an appreciation for orchids and other exotic plants.
James Pearsall’s love of orchids stems from a childhood in South Florida spent wandering his grandmother’s orchid collection. After moving to North Carolina, his attempts to recreate that tropical feeling by overwintering plants in his bathroom (with mixed success) eventually led him to seek the help of his local Asheville Orchid Society. Joining at age 13, James quickly became involved with society events and attended his first orchid show in 2016 when Asheville hosted the American Orchid Society’s spring meeting. Since then, helping with orchid shows and events has allowed him to connect internationally with orchid growers and given him opportunities to travel and learn about orchid cultivation. In 2017, James spent time at Ecuagenera in Ecuador, working in laboratories and greenhouses during the week and searching for orchids in their native habitats on weekends. In 2018, he traveled to Suwada Orchid Nursery, helping care for one of Japan’s oldest orchid collections. In 2019, he returned to South Florida to work on the Million Orchid Project at Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden under Dr. Jason Downing, where he climbed trees and conducted micropropagation to help reintroduce native South Floridian orchids. James later attended Stanford University, where he graduated with a B.A. in English and an M.S. in Earth Systems. He also worked at the Stanford Farm, where he helped with pest management, flower arranging, and the occasional tomato taste-test. Now based in San Francisco, James continues to enjoy growing orchids in small rented spaces and is particularly fond of Paphiopedilum and Phragmipedium species. He is excited for the opportunity to serve as Vice President of the San Francisco Orchid Society and looks forward to helping with events while continuing to learn from fellow orchid enthusiasts.
Keith Robinson Candidate for Director
James Pearsall Candidate for Vice President
Dr. Stuart Menakker Candidate for President
Laura Juszczak Paph. Big Island Green x Jeff Newman
Dave Hermeyer Laelia finckeniana Kennedy
Jeff Harris Cymb sinense ‘He Zhi Hua’
Jeff Harris Clowesia Afterglow
Laura Juszczak Phal. Chingruey's Goldstuff '520' peloric
March 2026 Show and Tell
Sharon Palmisano Masdevallia xanthina
Board meeting called to order: 7:07 pm Attendance:(absent board members in parentheses) Derreck Carter-House, Yujin Kim, Carm Kuivenhoven, Alan Yip, Sharon Palmisano, Heidi Arno, Jeff Harris, (Peter Chianchiano), Non-Board Members in Attendance: Keith Robinson, Cyril Santilliano, Paul Kasemsap, Dave Hermeyer, Phyllis Deets, Bill Weaver, Miguel Padilla, James Pearsall Approval of Minutes of February 9, 2026 BOD Meeting February 9, 2026 - Final Minutes Yujin Moved, Jeff Seconds, unanimously passed. Officer’s Reports President's update: Derreck 1. Propose adding to next year’s budget - Donation in kind, similar to the SF Conservatory of Flowers, to the California Academy of Science rainforest exhibit. We could start with $500 per show. Tim Wong to be contact. Will table until there is a a new donation policy / request form in place. 2. Casper Curto, Lake Merritt Board member, has requested we donate to an AIDS memorial garden being constructed in Lake Merritt. The SF Bromeliad society, the Hillside Garden Club and others have already made a donation. Keith created a donation policy/form. Will table until there is a policy in place. Treasurer’s report: Yujin February 2026 finance report budget review. Jeff moved to approve the finance report; Alan seconds, and motion unanimously approved. VP’s update: Derreck for Peter Need plants for April Opp Table Derreck Carter-House will contact Brookside. Newsletter editor update: Jeff for Rhiannon All newsletter content due by the 15th of each month. Jeff H covering as newsletter editor for April Newsletter Membership Chair update: Heidi 75 members and guests in the room for the February Meeting and 31 people on Zoom; Welcome to all new and returning members since February meeting: Reymond Alcordo, Tyler Ather, Lillian Bautista, Peter Baxter, Nan Bleck, Shannon Brownlee, Joseph Centoni, Anna Chai, Lucas Chandler, James Cilia, David Cozzi, Amy Davidson, Annelise Devore, Andrea DeVoto, Denise Estrella, Charlie Evans, John Floyd, Sylvia Gery, Fatima Gutierrez, Beth Haiken, Andria Hernandez, Nicole Heyward, Kimberly Hooks, Sasha Ivanoff, Lena Kaufman, Mersedeh Kheradmand, Tegan Kmcak, Jennifer Knight, Arthi Krishna, Eliza Lai, Tegan Malone, Adair McClatchy, Isabelle Meegan, Allison Merrell, Ruth Miller, Milan Moffatt, Leah Mollat, Ivan Nenov, Wendy Nicholls, Mey Ocali, Evelyn Oltman, Kathryn Palazzoto, Irene Patton, Giovanni Poli, Janice Richards, Joyce Richards, Venus Rose, Jessica Samorano, Lynn Sheene, Jennifer Berry, Andrea Siegel, James Stein, Sarah Stein, Jon Stofer, Katherine Stofer, Holly Taylor, Jason Thompson, Madelene Todel, Valdete, Amy Vongthavdy, Elizabeth Warner, Jose Wen, Elisa Williams, Douglas Wright Old Business: SF CFB sound system evaluation / upgrades completed & we paid $1700 to Andrew Roth of Roth Audio Design; got SF Succulent and Cactus Society (SFSCS) to split the cost with us (they paid us $850 on Feb 25) - so it only cost us $850. Follow up from approved increase in our yearly in-kind donation this fiscal year to SF Conservatory of Flowers (CoF) from $1500 to $3,000 worth of orchids from the Orchid shows. (Jeff) SFCoF nursery specialists bought $1543.68 worth of plants at POE 2026, so have a remaining balance of ~$1460 to spend at OITP 2026. Board requested Jeff to schedule an opportunity for private viewing by SFOS members as well as some public donation acknowledgement & signage be added. jeff@orchidsanfrancisco.org to follow up with a conservatory of flowers. Nomination Committee - (Jeff) assembling 2026 / 2027 officer / board slate for election at the May Members’ Meeting. 2026-2027 Officers: President: Stuart Menaker Vice-President: James Pearsall Secretary: Carm Kuikenhoven Treasurer/CFO: Yujin Kim 2026-2027 Directors: Alan Yip Sharon Palmisano Rhiannon Croci Keith Robinson 2026-2027 Non-elected Board members: Past President: Derreck Carter-House Membership Co-Chairs: Heidi Arno, Doug Hunter & Mary Blackburn Newsletter Editor: Rhiannon Croci Show Co-Chairs: Jeff Harris/ Carm Kuikenhoven (working on new procedure manual with documentation of show committee / subcommittee lead roles and responsibilities) New Business: Awaiting a proposal to increase our yearly donation budget more generally (to CCSF EH&F program or other educational programs, to OCA or other conservation programs, and to SF CoF / GGGP or other local gardens, orchid society programs) to achieve <$5000 net profit per fiscal year going forward. Jeff will create a sub committee to help with creating the budget proposal. Aiming for budget proposal by May 2026 meeting. Discussion/decision on updating the web site and membership system. Jeff working offline with John Rushworth (our web master) to make these changes. Public Comment: none Next Combo Board & Show Committee Meeting: Monday - April 13th at 7:00 pm on Zoom Meeting transitioned from Board to Show Committee at (7:40 PM) Respectfully submitted by Carmi Kuivenhoven
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SFOS Board Meeting Minutes - March 9th Meeting
ORCHIDS IN THE PARK 2026 is right around the corner ... July 25th & 26th ... more details soon
Board Minutes, Continued from page 14
Board Minutes, Continued from page 15
Members of Orchid Digest get $100 off OCA EcoTours at the time of registration
Coming in May ... "Skills Session Spectacular" 6 local experts doing 15 minute demonstrations in the auditorium on a variety of practical orchid care topics like repotting, mounting, virus testing ...
Month
Day
Speaker
Topic
April 2026
7
Greg Lum
Floral Design
May 2026
5
Local expert panel
Skills Session Spectacular
June 2026
2
Erica Hannickle
Easy DIY Orchid Cabinet
July 2026
Derreck Carter-House
Zootrophion phylogenics
August 2026
4
Tim Culbertson
Holcoglossum
September 2026
1
Sevan Suni
Orchid bees/pollinators
October 2026
6
Thanh Nguyen
Paphiopedilums
November 2026
3
Phillip Hamilton
Oncidiums
December 2026
N/A
HOLIDAY PARTY
OCA Orchids in the Wild Ecotours for 2026 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
SFOS 2026 Speaker Schedule
Interested in building an orchid carousel? Check out Dexter's video on Building OrchidCarousels 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
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
Members of OrchidDigestget $100 off OCA EcoTours at the time of registration
1 year subscription (4 issues) $39.00
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
Donate to SFOS Unrestricted Support to our efforts in general or more specifically in EDUCATION and/or CONSERVATION
SHOPPING FOR A NEW GREENHOUSE? SFOS Referred buyers can get $250 discount and Sturdi-Built will make a $250 donation to SFOS.
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
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
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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
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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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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.
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