Orchid Club Meetings

The Gulf Coast Orchid Alliance orchid club will meet from 6:30 to 8:30 PM on May 15, June 19, July 17, August 21, September 18, October 16, November 20, and December 18 at the Naples Conference Center, 1455 Pine Ridge Road, Naples. Most meetings include an orchid expert or vendor as guest speaker, approximately 100 blooming plants of different varieties brought by members for judging and awards, opportunities to take orchids home, and light refreshments. Guests are welcome to attend the monthly meetings with free admission or to join for $40 and receive club benefits that include free orchids several times a year. For more information, visit GulfCoastOrchids.org or text 239-269-6389.

May 15 – Stephanie Webb from Sunshine State Vanilla in Tampa will discuss Vanilla orchids, which produce the bean used in foods, beverages and other consumer products. Vanilla grows in Florida. Webb will share tips and tricks for growing Vanilla and harvesting and curing the beans.

June 19 – Club members will participate in a hands-on orchid activity focusing on repotting and mounting orchids. Guests are welcome.

July 17 – The club hosts its annual “Orchid Bingo” event with orchids as the bingo prizes. The evening includes a summer picnic featuring potluck dishes brought by members. Guests are welcome.

August 21 – Thanh Nguyen, owner of Springwater Orchids in Melbourne, will discuss successful orchid growing in Florida and bring plants for sale.

September 18 – The club hosts its annual Orchid Auction with more than 200 plants donated by members, including rare and unusual species and hybrids not for sale anywhere.

October 16 – Avid orchid collector Courtney Hackney, emeritus professor of biology and the former director of coastal biology at the University of North Florida in Jacksonville, will discuss his book “American Cattleyas: Species and Outstanding Clones That Define American Hybridizing.”

November 20 – Program TBA.

December 18 – The club hosts its annual holiday party with a potluck dinner.