SF Bay Area Orchid Geeks

[Nhala]

Hey Everyone, sorry I haven't been on very much lately. I recently moved back up to the Bay Area from Southern California, and I've been transitioning back to life at home with the parentals. Happy to report all my orchids have transitioned nicely as well, they seem to be loving their new spot on my bedroom window sill.

But now to what really prompted me to seek you all out again . I've been wanting to join an orchid society for a while now, and today I got the perfect excuse. I was over my aunt's house touring her garden when I noticed what I believed to be a cattleya plant. She told me that I was right, and she also showed me the plant next to it which she said was also an orchid, but I'm unsure of the type. My aunt confessed that she didn't really like either of the plants, but didn't have the heart to toss them out since they were gifts from a now deceased friend. However, she asked if I would take them off her hands and I gladly agreed. She has been neglecting them for years (and it shows) but she says they still continue to bloom. I think they're screaming to be repotted/divided, but, both plants are beyond my expertise (I really only have learned about phals and paphs).

The orchids are somewhere around 15years old, and I'm looking for help to divide and repot them. I would gladly share some of the divisions with anyone who might be able to help me. So is anyone willing to help or know of an orchid society in the bay area that I can receive help from and how I should contact them? I'm situated in the East Bay, but don't mind traveling if it means I can get expert help .

(I'm having trouble uploading pictures of them , I'll try again later though)

[sunshine]

Pictures would definitely help. Joining an orchid society is an excellent idea. By joining you may find someone to help you divide/repot those and maybe even do a swap

Remember orchids in the wild get no care so these orchids probably felt right at home and were happy.

[Dendian]

Here you go:

San Francisco Orchid Society

I went to one of their shows two years ago - WOWZER!!!! Would have liked to go back - but no time or money this time.

The people I met at the show were very nice and helpful. I live too far away to join - but they invited me anyways


Oooooh - they have another show coming up in September - too bad I can't go to that one either! DRAT!

[kip]

If you can manage to get those pictures posted, I'm sure there's plenty of people here who can help you.
There's a few orchid societies in the bay area that you might want to check out:
San Francisco Orchid Society (San Francisco)
Orchid Society of California (Oakland)
Marin Orchid Society (San Rafael)
Peninsula Orchid Society (San Mateo)

[koshki]

Kip, thanks for posting this. I've sent the info for the OSC to my daughter...hey, it's ok if we try to promote this addic...I mean hobby for others, isn't it?

[orchids4me]

What par of the east bay are you in ? These a place fishmom tried to have me join her to go near me in concord meets once a month at the water soething place lol sorry I can't remember the name but its on concord ave I believe it the water utility. The. Orchid group I think reflect Mt diablo over here so it has diablo in the name. I never got to go because I work on thursdays and they holld the meeting once a month on thur. Contact fishmom she can give you more info.

[kip]

forgot about that one:
Diablo View Orchid Society (Concord)

[Nhala]

I don't understand why I can't add photos. I've tried different browsers, and different internet connections. I'll try adding them to facebook and then linking the album...

[Nhala]

Facebook

Hopefully this works...

[Phalkiller]

its works! i'm inexperienced but just wanted you to know that the link to facebook works

[Fishmom]

Nhala, kip and orchids4me are correct, you would be most welcome at the Diablo View Orchid Society. If you click on the link that kip provided, you will see that the Sept. meeting is actually on a Friday, the 9th. This is not the usual day, which is indeed Thursday.