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.