Oct 082024
 

Yolanda Cuesta: Creating Orchid Planters!

Yolanda Cuesta pic

Yolanda Cuesta

Yolanda Cuesta graduated from Florida International University (FIU), in 1986.

Though her passion for orchids started much earlier, in 1983. Cattaleyas and their species, were considered her favorites. Her passion for collecting orchids, would eventually lead her to start hybridizing, around 1984. Her overall goal in breeding was creating compact Cattaleyas with art shades tones.

Quest Orchids open up in Horse Country, in 1994. Quest currently grows Cattaleyas and many other varieties of orchids, even including Vandas. They can be located off the Turnpike, on exit 23. There hours of operation are Tuesday-Saturday, 9:30 am – 5 pm.

 

Yolanda will also be providing plants for our raffle table!

Quest Orchids Logo pic

Sep 122024
 

Extreme Heat & The Tree Canopy

Jane Gilbert

 Chief Heat Officer & Director of Urban & Community Forestry,
Miami-Dade County

 

Jane Gilbert Picture

Jane Gilbert

As Miami-Dade County’s first Chief Heat Officer, Ms. Gilbert works across departments and cross-sector partners to address the increasing health and economic risks associated with extreme heat.

Prior to joining the County, Ms. Gilbert served as the City of Miami’s first Chief Resilience Officer for four years.  As CRO, Ms. Gilbert led the climate and urban resilience strategy development and implementation for the City of Miami and, in partnership with Miami-Dade County and City of Miami Beach, for the greater Miami region.

Prior to her public sector work, Ms. Gilbert managed The Miami Foundation’s civic leadership agenda on sea level rise, Wells Fargo’s philanthropy and community affairs in South Florida and served as the Executive Director for 3 nonprofits in Greater Miami.

Ms. Gilbert holds a BA in Environmental Science from Barnard College and MPA from the Harvard Kennedy School of Government.

Ms. Gilbert, and the work she’s doing here in Miami-Dade County is featured in the September/October 2024 issue of the Smithsonian Magazine.

Please join us on Wednesday, September 18th, 2024 at 8:00PM for what promises to be an interesting and informative lecture.

Plants for our raffle table are being provided by
Soroa Orchids!

Aug 182024
 

James Furst: Orchid Growing in the Age of Social Media: A blooming Community!

James Furst Photo

James Furst

 

In Today’s digital age, orchid enthusiasts are flourishing alongside their flowers. Social media has revolutionized the way we share, learn, and connect over our passion for orchids. Join me where I showcase a vibrant online community where growers swap tips, showcase their blooms, and inspire each other to new heights. Let’s dig in and explore the fascinating world of orchid growing in the age of social media!

 

 

I Love Orchids and I Can Not Lie. I started collecting as a hobby 15 years ago when I stopped at a local nursery and bought a beautiful Catalonia “Why Not” which I call “Little Red” to this date. Like most collectors, I started small and my collection grew too well over 500 completely naturalized orchids, which I care for daily.

I have a High Tech Computing background by trade, but when the pandemic began, I started an Instagram page under the title “Outdoor Orchid Growing by James Furst” (@Mr1st) to expose people to my Orchid Collection and especially my Specimens. I was amazed at the number of persons globally who share the same love for orchids and the outdoors as we do here at the SFOS.

I am so honored to speak with the SFOS and will be discussing Outdoor Orchid Growing in South Florida (Zone 10B) and how I grow Specimen Orchids while taking care of my collection and managing daily life. I will also be showing the group Orchids from my collection as well as Videos of their beautiful growth throughout the year.

Please join us on Wednesday, August 21st, 2024 at 8:00PM for what is sure to be an interesting and informative lecture.
Jul 042024
 
Omar Gonzalez Picture

Omar Gonzalez

Omar Gonsalez

A chemist by trade and botanist at heart. I have found orchid growing a rewarding and enjoyable hobby. Work skills are used and are enjoyable for change. Solving problems is another aspect I enjoy.

I had moved back to Miami from Iowa in 2011 when I met a man that gave me some orchids: Spathoglottis, Vanilla, and Sobralia. It took a while for me to give up on a vegetable garden. Eventually I attended an orchid show before my first trip to Hawaii. I visited Akatsuka, Carmela, and became even more obsessed in Orchids.

Upon my return, I started growing seedlings under lights, after a year it was obvious that I needed a big yard. An opportunity to volunteer at the Bonnet House gave me lots of hands on experience in managing a Vandaceaous collection. From then on, I would learn from anyone that would talk to me, seeking out knowledgeable growers, attending society meetings throughout Florida. I would attend every orchid show from Miami to Fort Pierce. Especially if they had lectures. Eventually some growers took a liking to me and they were a pleasure to get to know. All their wisdom was used to make my collection grow and I figure out how to make them thrive through trial and error. In that time I cannot tell you of how many plants were lost due to being a stranger in my own back yard. I have gone on to do orchid seed culture, hybrids, as well as caring for collections in private homes or businesses. I enjoy growing a myriad of genera, thanks to Springwater Orchids, Redhawk Orchids, Bill Thoms, Andy’s Orchids, Tamiami Festival, Redland Festival, you get the picture. My hands on experience is extensive with Cattleya, and Vandaceous. I also take care of private collections.

Come hear me share the monsters divided, finding the best conditions for orchids, the pests and diseases and many other topics if time allows.

Lessons Learned: Wisdom from Growers and Orchid Growing. The hands on approach to orchid growing. Many failures and long awaited bloom teach more than we knew beforehand. I will share a presentation that will give some practical orchid care guidance.

Omar will be speaking tonight on the genus Encyclia.

Omar will also be providing plants for our raffle table as well as having plants to sell

Please join us at Pinecrest Gardens on Wednesday, July 17th at 8:00PM for what is sure to be an interesting and informative presentation!

Jun 152024
 

South Florida Orchid Society cordially invites all Members and Visitors to attend the 2024-2025 INSTALLATION CEREMONY of the SFOS Board Executive Officers, Directors, and Special Directors to be held on Wednesday, June 19, 2024 at 8:00 pm at PINECREST GARDENS.

AWARDS will be presented this evening by the SFOS Judging Chair to Members in several categories for plants they submitted during the 2023-2024 year.

SPECIAL CERTIFICATES of RECOGNITION will be awarded to SFOS Members for their VOLUNTEER SERVICE during 2023-2024.

There will be no SFOS Certified Judging this evening, but Members are encouraged to bring in their blooming plants to display in the room and share with the guests.

A Buffet Reception will be held for everyone’s enjoyment. The Theme this year will be “PICNIC IN THE PARK” and it is suggested that Members bring in their favorite “Picnic Type” hors d’ouevres, fruit and cheese and meat platters, macaroni and potato salads, chips, desserts and beverages to serve during the Reception.

We look forward to seeing everyone at this SPECIAL EVENT recognizing our AWARD WINNERS, and joining us in thanking our VOLUNTEERS for their service to SOUTH FLORIDA ORCHID SOCIETY.

Sincerely, The South Florida Orchid Society Board of Directors

 

May 112024
 
Mark Margolis

Mark Margolis

Mark Margolis: Catasetems

I am a retired Dade County Public School science teacher. Taught 35 years in this community, married, with a daughter soon to graduate college. About forty years ago, I started taking an interest

in orchids, and then subsequently became obsessed with the Catasetum family. I am a backyard hobbyist and over the years, have acquired roughly 1000 catasetem babies. I started to take my plants for judging and began another journey in growing orchids.

I have now received about 140 awards, including two FCC’S. I enjoy spreading the news about my favorite plants, talking to many societies, local and around the country.

For my talk, I am going to explain the latest information on growing this exotic, misunderstood, easy to grow group of orchids.


This months raffle plants are being provided by Soroa Orchids!

Apr 102024
 

Lou Lodyga

The History of Unifoliate Cattleyas

 

Lou Lodyga

Louis (Lou) Lodyga started growing orchids at an early age in Southwestern Michigan.  His first orchid was Cattleya mossiae, which is a big favorite! In 1968, he started as manager of Black River Orchids in South Haven, Mi., which specialized in mostly species.

Since there were no orchid societies on the western side of Michigan, he started the Dunes Orchid Society in 1969, which was also in South Haven, Michigan. In that same year, Lou entered the American Orchid Society Judging Program along with the owners of Black River Orchids, out of Saint Louis, MO. Judging center.

In 1979, he moved to Miami, FL., to manage the orchid section of Jones & Scully, near Miami International Airport. After the Miami World Orchid Conference in 2008, the nursery moved to the Homestead area.

In 1990, Lou started as a plant inspector with the Division of Plant Industry at Chapman Field, Miami. He eventually progressed to Supervisor, and finally as Regional Administrator, retiring in 2012.

Lou is an original member of COS, which started in 1990, has served as president several times, and is currently secretary.


The plants for our raffle table are being supplied by Carmela Orchids!

Mar 172024
 

The Economic and environmental impact of Miami Dade Heat

 Jane Gilbert, Chief Heat Officer,
Miami-Dade County
Jane Gilbert Picture

Jane Gilbert

As Miami-Dade County’s first Chief Heat Officer, Ms. Gilbert works across departments and cross-sector partners to address the increasing health and economic risks associated with extreme heat. Prior to joining the County, Ms. Gilbert served as the City of Miami’s first Chief Resilience Officer for four years.  As CRO, Ms. Gilbert led the climate and urban resilience strategy development and implementation for the City of Miami and, in partnership with Miami-Dade County and City of Miami Beach, for the greater Miami region.  Prior to her public sector work, Ms. Gilbert managed The Miami Foundation’s civic leadership agenda on sea level rise, Wells Fargo’s philanthropy and community affairs in South Florida and served as the Executive Director for 3 nonprofits in Greater Miami.  Ms. Gilbert holds a BA in Environmental Science from Barnard College and MPA from the Harvard Kennedy School of Government.


Raffle Plants for this months meeting are being provided by Lady Vanda!

 

Jan 122024
 

Serena Roman, Lady Vanda

Serena Roman Picture

Serena Roman

Lady Vanda Orchids is your premier online retailer, specializing in Vanda orchids. We aim to provide the highest quality orchid plants and cultivation education for our customer base.

Whether you are a newbie, or seasoned collector, we are here to help guide you and your growing endeavors. In addition to Vandas, we cultivate several other genera such as Paphiopedilum, Phragmipedium, Dendrobium and Cattleya.Customers are welcome to shop our online selection, message us with any questions or request recommendations based on your growing environment and experience.

Find us online at www.ladyvanda.com or in person at OFE Sale Events and other Florida Orchid Shows.

Serena will be speaking this month on the Cultivation of Paphiopedilum, and Phragmipedium orchids in South Florida.

She will also be providing plants for our Raffle table as well as having plants for Sale!