San Francisco Orchid Society
SFOS is a California non-profit 501(c)(3) Corporation
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Brandon Tam Stanhopea Tuesday, September 2nd @ 7:00 PM
Brandon Tam is the Associate Curator of the Orchid Collection at The Huntington and oversees one of the largest orchid collections in the United States and one of the most diverse species collections in the world, which has grown from 2,000 to over 10,000 plants in the past decade. He manages over 3,600 unique varieties, representing 280 genera, 2,200 hybrids, and 1,500 species. Brandon is responsible for the day-to-day horticultural operations, including acquisitions, propagation, conservation, and supervision of over 40 orchid volunteers. He is also tasked with coordinating numerous public and educational events, such as orchid shows, judgings, and conferences. Brandon began managing the collection when he was 16 and has been with The Huntington for over 16 years.
Next Meeting: 7:00pm Tuesday, Sep 2nd, 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 Sep 1st 8 pm to: info@orchidsanfrancisco.org Welcome new members: We had 51 new members join us at Orchids in the Park. See page 4 for their names. 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 14 Next Board Meeting: Next meeting scheduled for Monday, September 8th 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
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.
Sue Abe Andrea Bink Stacy Boehmig Marilyn Chan Mary Chin Gloria Cortes Emily Costello Michael Flanagan Lauren Goetsch Samantha Hopper George Horton Amee Jaiswal Jay Jimenez Chad Kam Miranda Ku Tony Lee Edgar Littleton Tomas Machuca-Grebe Eric Shane McClain Sarah Medina Juhi Nagpal Vicki Nahrung Huy Nguyen Reza John Nogare Sue Nogare Livia Ondi Justin O'Neill Marissa Pagador William Park Stephanie Patchett Maria Pitt Tom Russell Miranda Shuba Tara Thomas Melinda Tran Michelle Tran Mary Tran Tracy Tran Khushru Wadia Joanna Wakefield Carolyn Wang David Willoughby Jeff Wincek Ben Witzke Corine Woo Anita Wu Lan Wu Ting Xu Erica Yang Maya Zerangue
WELCOME! New Members from August
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!
March 26-29, 2026 Dresden, Germany
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ORCHIDS IN THE PARK 2025
Month
Day
Speaker
Topic
September 2025
2
Brandon Tam
Stanhopea
October 2025
7
Carol Klonowski
Cyrtochilum species
November 2025
4
Nick Rust
Habenarias
December 2025
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
Join Now!
SFOS 2025-2026 Speaker Schedule
Dave Hermeyer Yamadara Clarissa Caguan
Jeff Harris | Paphiopedilum pinocchio
Judy Zhu
Dave Hermeyer Dendrobium thyrsiflorum
Show and Tell August 2025 Meeting
Jeff Harris Tolumnia Jiaho Rose Fantasy Rose
Dave Hermeyer Laelia purpurata v striata
Jeff Harris | Sobralia violacea
Jeff Harris | Phal Lioulin Hot Lip
Dave Hermeyer Rhyncholaelia digbyana
Jeff Harris Cattleya Tahoe Rose Rubicon
Board meeting called to order: 7:03 pm Attendance:(absent board members in parentheses) Derreck Carter-House, (Peter Chianchiano), Yujin Kim, Carmi Kuivenhoven, Alan Yip, Sharon Palmisano, Geoff Harris, Rhiannon Croci, Heidi Arno, Jeff Harris Members in Attendance: Paul Kasemsap Approval of Minutes of July 7, 2025 BOD Meeting July 7 Boardmeeting Minutes - DCH Yujin Moved, Rhiannon 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 Yearbook: Add your OITP pictures here: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1j_Lg_CKCwYZrR24Zrw_POu95MLnSTBwO?usp=drive_link Zootrophion Project, trouble getting primers. Treasurer’s report: Yujin July 2025 finance report budget review Derreck moved to approve the finance report; Rhiannon seconds, and motion passed unanimously. VP’s update: Derreck to follow up with Peter - quick update on his behalf Member Outreach Team Update: Paul K. Pilot Online Workshops Planned Speakers for upcoming Meetings (see page 8 of this newsletter) Membership Chair update: Heidi 33 people in Zoom, 70 in the room. 52 New Members: See page 4 of this newsletter Thanks to Paul K. for inspiring a new member campaign. Newsletter editor update: Rhiannon. All newsletter content due by the 15th of each month. Presidents Message Other Announcements: Old Business: 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) 2026 POE Garden Solicitation: We provide money to bring Public Gardens to events, in response they provide a display or set up a table at our event. Discuss budget for public gardens (Sonoma, UC Berkeley, UC Davis, SF State) for sponsorship of up to $500 per society, with a maximum of $2000 per year. A note: This is beyond the current incentives for displays is a $150 stipend for setting up a non-member creative display. Interested organizations should solicit treasurer for funds, Show chair to approach organizations to establish policy Organization should respond with how the money was/will spend 2025 likely not to occur as the lack of staff prevented them from accepting the offer. Pilot New Member Project: Discuss budget for fostering membership promotions during OITP & POE. Used first for the display, then given to new members (Note: This brought around 48 new members from POE this year) Expect OITP 25-50 plants Provide plants through the member’s meeting in the next meeting $10-20 per plant - ~$1,000 expected budget for OITP, cap at $5,000 annually. Derreck moved to approve the Pilot Program Budget; Rhiannon seconds, and motion passed unanimously. New Business: Dates for 2026 venue rental requests sent in - board informed / no feedback to change these dates. Besides 1st Tuesdays each month in Rec Room, requested Auditorium for Dec for holiday party POE 2026 - Thurs Feb 26 - Sun Mar 1 OITP 2026 - July 25-26 Paul K requests we staff an SFOS info table at Dahlia Show Aug 16-17 (a few folks tentatively volunteered to help staff) Next Combo Board & Show Committee Meeting: Monday - September 8th at 7:32 pm on Zoom Meeting transitioned from Board to Show Committee at (7:32 PM)Respectfully submitted by Carmi Kuivenhoven.
SFOS Board Meeting Minutes - August 11th Meeting
Board Minutes, Continued from page 12
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
Check out seasonal orchid care tips from AOS here.
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.
AOS webinars in September. 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)
Pacific Central Judging Center hosts 2 monthly – The first Tuesday evening (9/2/25), during the regular SFOS monthly meeting at the Hall of Flowers, Golden Gate Park AND the third Saturday (9/20/25), 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 (9/3/25) 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 (9/21/25) 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.
Happy Orchid Growing to all! Lynne Murrell Your AOS Representative
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
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
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 2 year subscription ( 8 issues) $75.00
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
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
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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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