South Florida Orchid Society

John Odom — Odom’s Orchids

John Odom graduated from the University of Florida with a BA in agriculture. John worked in citrus management for Cassens Grove Service in the Indian River area for twelve years and then went to work for Rohm and Haas in agricultural sales for twelve years.  He then joined Ocean Spray Cranberries and retired after twenty years.

What started as a small back yard business grew to more than 90,000 square feet of greenhouse. Odom’s Orchids, Inc.is one of the top retail shippers in the United States. Odom’s has many types of orchids, but the Cattleya orchid is John’s absolute favorite! He has a lab and do many of our own crosses, always looking for that special flower that no one else owns!

For years, John was involved in teaching beginners orchid classes and various talks at orchid societies, and garden clubs. John’s enjoys orchids so much that he wanted to share knowledge with other growers; that started the annual Odom’s Cattleya Symposium. The symposium, which is now in it’s sixth year, is recognized as one of the premier events in the orchid world.

Odom Orchids has been a supporter of our Annual Shows for many years. Odom Orchids is only a 2 1/2 hours drive north of the Miami area and is very easy to find

John’s topic tonight is “Best Catts of 2013 from each Judging Center.”

Odom Orchids will kindly be providing plants for our raffle table
and will also have plants for sale!

There will be no silent auction this month.

• 7:00PM Doors open. Plant judging registration begins.
• 7:30PM Plant registration ends. Plant judging begins.
• 8:00PM Program begins.

If you are bringing plants for judging, please have them registered by 7:30PM. No plants will be accepted for judging after that time. This allows our judges time to properly evaluate your plants and also allows them to enjoy the main program with you.

Remember to have your plants cleaned and properly presented. They should be free of debris, insects, spider webs, etc. Although not absolutely necessary, leaves should be wiped with either Leafshine or a little milk and water solution. This makes for a much better presentation and will show when the plants are photographed.

Carlos A. Cahiz

Carlos A. Cahiz is the oldest son of Carlos and Teresa Cahiz. Carlos was born in Valencia, Venezuela. He went to the University of Kansas where he graduated in 1989.

Carlos joined the family business, OFE Orchid Supplies in 1990, and has been with the company since. One of his first test as manager was to deal with the devastation from Hurricane Andrew.

OFE Orchid Supplies Showroom

He has recently been more involved with the local orchid community, and has been on the board of the South Florida Orchid Society for the last 6 years.

Carlos shares his West Kendall Miami home with his wife Amanda and their son. They share their home with various adopted dogs, birds, and turtles.

With a small orchid collection of around 300 plants, Carlos favors any plant that produces a nice fragrance, or has unusual characteristics.

His growing philosophy can be distilled into two thoughts: (KISS) Keep It Simple Son. And,
Learn to look and listen to your plants. They will tell you, and show you what they like.

Carlos’ lecture will be “A brief explanation of the more popular orchid products and other choices available for South Florida orchid growing.”

OFE International Orchid Supplies will be providing plants for our raffle table this month

We will also be voting on our proposed slate of officers and board members for the upcoming year. It’s important that all members attend and cast their vote.

In addition our SFOS judges will be present to look your plants over for ribbons and possibly other awards. And, of course, we’ll have plenty of refreshments.

Remember, guests are always welcome at our meetings!

Paul and Mary Storm, “The Fantastic Variety of Schom Hybrids”

Paul and Mary Storm are hobbyists who have a passion for anything “SCHOMBO” and their nursery in Sarasota, Florida holds what is believed to be the largest collection of Schombo-Laelia and Myrmecophila species and hybrids anywhere.

Paul and Mary are proud that they have been at the forefront of the increasing popularity of Schoms and Schom-Hybrids for almost twenty years. Paul and Mary intend that their programs are entertaining as well as informational and they invite the audience to interact with them.

Paul was a featured presenter at the Mid-America Winter Orchid Conference in Ohio a few years ago, as well as at the Symposium on Orchid Species sponsored by the Coalition on Species at Fairchild Gardens in Miami, the Merritt Huntington Symposium, and the Orchid Extravaganza in Aruba/Curacao.

Paul is the botanical author of several RHS accepted nothogenera and the RHS Registrar has created Stormara, Paulstormara , and Marystormara as new orchid genera. In addition, a few orchid nurseries and hybridizers have registered schombo-hybrids after Paul in honor of Meke Aloha’s “Schombo-Mission”

The Storms will provide plants for our raffle table as well as having plants to sell.

(There will be no members auction this month)

Visit their website at (www.mekealohaorchids.com) to see photos of their plants and to pre-order.
(Please note: Cash and checks only, No credit cards.)

Yvette Cano began her affinity with Everglades National Park as a young student; today she is the Education Specialist for the park’s environmental education program and supervises the very program that she was a part of as a student. Following her true passion, Yvette started her career as an elementary school teacher and after 13 years in the classroom she had the opportunity to take the teaching outdoors, a dream come true!

Born and raised in South Florida, Yvette has a very special place in her heart for everything Florida, especially the outdoors. Today, she will showcase that passion as she shares the value of Everglades National Park, its priceless biological diversity, and the importance it all serves to the people of South Florida.

Yvette Cano