May Meeting – Potting Media Instruction

The May meeting of the Society will take place on Tuesday, May 22nd at 7:00 p.m. and will feature a discussion about orchid potting media by guest presenter Sharon Chaplinsky.  This is a very timely discussion as potting season is certainly upon us!!

April Meeting Announcement

The April meeting will be held on Tuesday the 24th at 7:00 p.m. and will be a hands-on lesson about water quality for your orchids.  Our own Jim & Edith McGrath will lead a discussion about the importance of water quality for successful orchid growth and will bring equipment to help asses your water supply.  Please bring a sample of the water you currently use for your orchids in a clean container or jar.

Repotting Supplies Available from Parkside – Delivered Direct to the March Meeting

Its getting to be that time of year again….if you have already begun re-potting or are just starting your springtime rituals, please see the message below from member Doyle Frank:

Orchid supplies are available from Parkside Orchid Nursery 2503 Mtn. View Dr., Pottsville PA 18942, 610-847-8039.

To order:  Go to www.parksideorchids.com. Go to supplies and make your selection of supplies and then order by phone. Arrange to pay for your supplies. Tell them (John or Tom at Parkside), that Doyle Frank will pick them up.  I (Doyle) will pick them up for you and bring them to the next JHOS meeting. (Saving the buyer the cost of shipping).

OR:  Visit the nursery on the weekends.  Directions: Interstate 80W to 33 South (Snyderville exit). Take 33 S to Int 78 W.  Take 1st exit south to Hellertown 412 S. Follow 412 South for approximately 13 miles to 463 W (light at the intersection) right turn. Go 1/3 mile to Parkside. Time from Blairstown NJ is approximately 1hr and 10 minutes.”

Happy hunting!

Its Orchid Show Season!

This time of year is very exciting for Northeast orchid lovers and collectors as there are many excellent shows to attend in the next few months. Links and information about those shows can be found under the Meeting Topics & Events tab. Anyone interested in carpooling or meeting up at any events is welcome to discuss this at our next meeting on Tuesday, February 28th at 7:00 p.m.

November Meeting Topic – Orchid Pests

A challenge that every orchid grower faces is how to successfully manage their pest problem. Member Doyle Frank will be delivering a very helpful talk to help identify and treat various pests that attack your orchids. Please join us Tuesday, November 29th for this presentation.

May 2011 Meeting Review

Everyone had a good time at our May meeting. The theme was a “Hands on” session of repotting orchids. The presentation began by the discussion of the most “Frequently asked questions” about repotting the plants.
The first question discussed was “Why do I need to repot my orchids?. This was followed by “How do I know when my plant needs to be repotted?” Another five questions were discussed before the actual hands on workshop commenced.
During the hands on workshop everyone repotted a plant that they had brought. A good time was had by all and a few happier orchids went home with their owners!

May Meeting Reminder – Repotting Lesson

Just a reminder to bring in your most challenging problem for our repotting “hands on” workshop next Tuesday, May 24th.  Please bring a pot (pots?) for your plant.  Please water the plant Monday in order to hydrate the roots so that it will reduce root damage that always occurs when a plant is repotted.  Do not forget the raffle plant!!  Dottie McCole will start accepting yearly dues for 2011-2012 this month.