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From the Presidents Potting Bench…

Dear members and orchid enthusiasts,

Happy New Year from the Five Cities Orchids Society (FCOS)! We hope you had a wonderful holiday season filled with joy and happiness. We have some exciting updates and events to share with you.

First and foremost, we are thrilled to announce the launch of our online store! You can now purchase merchandise with the FCOS logo, including hats, shirts, sweaters, mugs, and tote bags. Visit our online store to browse our collection. Buy your hats and shirts now to get them for our Orchid show in February.

We would like to express our heartfelt gratitude to all the volunteers and donors who made our holiday party and orchid auction a tremendous success. Your generosity and support are truly appreciated. Thank you for contributing food, orchids, and your time to set up and clean up. We couldn't have done it without you!

We are also excited to share the new orchid talks schedule for 2024. You can find the complete schedule on our calendar. Make sure to mark your own calendars and join us for these informative and engaging sessions.

Save the date for Orchid Fest 2024, which will be held on February 3rd and 4th, 2024, at Nipomo High School. This is our biggest event of the year, and we need a lot of volunteers to make it a success. Please use Signup Genius to sign up as a volunteer.

The entry fee for Orchid Fest is $5. You can purchase tickets online but current members and volunteers get in for free.

Orchid Fest will feature eight orchid vendors, stunning orchid displays, informative demonstrations, delicious food, and AOS Judging. It promises to be an unforgettable experience for all orchid lovers. Make sure to mark your calendars and be a part of this extraordinary orchid event!

Zoom Business Meetings Beginning January 16, 2024, 7 pm-8 pm, FCOS will continue our additional Zoom meeting to discuss business-related items, fundraisers, and planning the orchid show. If you've been looking for an opportunity to participate in the planning of Orchid Society events, this is the place to be. All Board of Directors are encouraged to attend! Log on to the monthly Zoom link to join this discussion:

Orchid Fest 2024 We are gearing up to plan an Orchid Show at Nipomo High School on Feb 3-4, 2024 (SAVE THE DATE). We need a lot of member involvement to pull this off.

Click here for our first of several Orchid Fest promotional videos.

Join FCOS FCOS offers a range of exclusive benefits to its members, including access to industry-leading resources, networking opportunities, and events. To learn more about becoming a member and accessing these benefits, visit the Member Benefits page on our website. Here, you will find all the information you need to understand the value of an FCOS membership and how to join our community. Don't miss out on this opportunity to take your orchid growing to the next level - become a member of FCOS today!

Once again, Happy New Year from FCOS. We look forward to seeing you at our upcoming events and sharing our passion for orchids. Stay connected with us for more updates and announcements.

Best wishes,

Jeff Parham, President

The Five Cities Orchids Society (FCOS)

Phragmidependium Noirmont (Longifolium ‘ Woodstream’ AM/AOS

X Mem. Dick Clements ‘Rojo Grande’). I obtained this from Asbells Orchids about 3 years ago. It’s planted in bark and I leave it at the cooler end of the greenhouse under LED lights. It’s on its 2nd bloom but has a 3rd flower bud developing.

Grown by Jeff Parham, Los Osos, CA.

Phragmipedidum Lous Love, this a hybrid that was just released last year by Woodstream Orchids. Its s minature Phragmipedium but has a surprisingly good sized flower. This is cross between Phragmipedium Manzur la Aldea × Phragmipedium lindleyanum. And it genetic makeup is basically 50% Phrag. lindlleyanum and 25% Phrag. Besseae and 25% Phrag. Schlimii.

Grown under LED lights in a cool greenhouse by Jeff Parham in Los Osos, CA.

Laelia anceps “Judy’s Flair” x Laelia anceps alba ‘Bulls Variety’

I bought this as a flask about 4 years ago from Carter and Holms and grew it in semi-hydro with hydroton. It grew lots of leaves and was root bound and despite looking extremely healthy, it didn’t bloom. I moved this under the LED Botanicals ‘spike producer lights’ and this year its got 2 flower stalks. This is the first time it’s bloomed. Grown by Jeff Parham in Los Osos. CA.

Orchids blooming in the front yard. There’s a Dendrobium kingianum, a Cymbidium and an Epidendrum growing together and flowering. The Epidendrum has been in flower since last June and the Dendrobium kingianum has been in bloom the last couple months. Makes a nice colorful orchid area in the frontyard. Grown by Jeff Parham in Los Osos Osos, Ca.

FCOS Orchid Talks 2024

The Five Cities Orchid Society Presents:

Gayle Brodie: "Thinking Outside the Pot"

Thursday, January 11, 2024

7:00 PM 8:30 PM

Gayle put this talk together because she saw so many growers having problems because they chose the wrong pot. Gayle will show that there is a perfect pot for every root ball, but most of the time you won’t own it. Therefore, she will show how to adapt the best pot you have to make it the perfect pot, and also encourage viewers to consider unconventional choices for your pots.

Gayle Brodie started growing orchids over 20 years ago and is an accredited judge with the American Orchid Society. Her collection is housed outdoors and in a 8' x 12' greenhouse, and she has received 24 AOS awards in nine different genera and also Best Orchid In Show at the 2017 Santa Barbara International Orchid Show. She has been a very active board member and officer of the Conejo Orchid Society for over fifteen years and has volunteered weekly in the orchid greenhouses at the Huntington Library for the past eleven years. She lives in Thousand Oaks with her husband Steve, happily retired from her career as a CPA.

CLICK HERE: Join Zoom Meeting

Meeting ID: 823 5543 5739

Passcode: 204435

🎄 Holiday Party 🎄

Our Holiday Party and silent auction was a huge success. Great food, lots of orchids and a good time was had by all!

What’s Blooming Now - a few photos from our members and friends

Cymbidium elegans,or or the elegant cymbidium is a cool growing species from South West China.

Cymbidium elegans forms pedulous sprays of 35 or more flowers colored in white and yellow. The flowers are fragrant but don't open fully.

Grown by Michael Jenne, the Planted Parlour, Grover Beach, Ca. photography by Chris Howsrd.

Chelonistele sulphurea is awarded with an 81 point AM awarded to Briggs Hill Nursery (Bart and Helene), our old friends in Oregon who no longer are in business. We bought the plant from them and have divided it numerous times...it grows like a weed and blooms like clockwork

Grown by Michael Jenne, the Planted Parlour, Grover Beach, CA. photography by Chris Howard

Epidendrum hugomedinae is a cool growing epiphyte. obtained from Andys’ Orchids.

It is a unique orchid species native to Colombia. Its striking appearance makes it a sought-after choice among orchid enthusiasts. This orchid features clusters of small, intricate flowers with vibrant colors ranging from orange-red to deep pink and fragrance. The flowers are borne on tall, arching stems, creating an eye-catching display. Epidendrum hugomedinae requires bright, indirect light and well-draining growing medium to prevent root rot. Adequate humidity and proper air circulation are important for its overall health.

Regular watering and occasional fertilization during the active growth period can contribute to successful cultivation. This orchid's captivating appearance and relative ease of care make it a popular addition to orchid collections.

Grown by Michael Jenne, the Planted Parlour, Grover Beach, Ca. photography by Chris Howard

Dendrochilum magnum A high elevation species from the Philippines. Magnum says it all, as this is the largest of the Dendrochilum species!

The flowers of this orchid have a very unique aroma that fills the room, and can be described as a slightly sweet fragrance with a hint of all spice. The flowers last from 2 to 4 weeks and are very prolific.

Grown by Michael Jenne, the Planted Parlour, Grover Beach, Ca. photography by Chris Howard

Laelia anceps var Coerulea (dwarf) “wicked sinn”

Grown by Kristie Wells outside in Los Osos,Ca.

Epidendrum Nocturnum, mounted, fragrant at night. Grown by Ron Hardy in Gig Harbor, WA.

Bulbophyllum pardalotum is a miniature sized, cool growing epiphyte. It's an interesting Bulbophyllum - very floriferous almost year round (when it's happy). But the flowers close each day around 1pm. The picture above is about 75% open. They open back up in the morning.

Grown by Michael Jenne, the Planted Parlour, Grover Beach, Ca. photographed by Chris Howard

Stenoglottis

Grown by Michael Jenne, the Planted Parlour, Grover Beach, Ca. photography by Chris Howsrd.

Cymbidium, unnamed. Grown by Michael Jenne, the Planted Parlour, Grover Beach, Ca. photography by Chris Howsrd.

L. anceps roeblingiana x Gigas #1 from Joe Ambriz (also purchased on one of the FCOS field trips. Grown in a mixture of bark and large perlite, outdoors in Los Osos by Kristie Wells.

Another edition of Laelia anceps. Apple iPhones came out with an interesting function last year. You can select the main image of your photo and separate it from the background. Yay technology!!

Tiny flowers: Liparis plicata, the Bhutan Liparis. Found in Assam India, eastern Himalayas, Bhutan, Myanmar, Laos, Cambodia, Yunnan China, Vietnam, Borneo, Java, Lesser Sunda Islands, the Philippines, Sumatra and Taiwan, Ryukyu Islands and Japan in humid, mossy, mixed and coniferous forests and primary highland cloud forests at elevations of 1000 to 2300 meters as a miniature sized, cool to cold growing terrestrial [Java], lithophyte or epiphyte [Philippines]

Grown by Michael Jenne, the Planted Parlour, Grover Beach, Ca. photography by Chris Howard

Cymbidium tracyanum is a cool growing species aka. Tracys Cymbidium.

Grown by Michael Jenne, the Planted Parlour, Grover Beach, Ca. photography by Chris Howard

An intergeneric hybrid from Gallup and Stribling, Carpenteria, CA. Perfect colors for the Holiday season. Growing in a net pot inside a clay pot with medium bark and perlite media. Allowed to dry thoroughly between watering. Grown by Ed Lysek

Cymbidium (Red Beauty x Coraki #1 x Autumn Crisp #5) Grown in bark outdoors in Los Osos by Jeff Parham.

A close up of the Gallup and Stribling intergeneric. Ed Lysek

Cattleya perciviliana ‘Jewel’ is an impressive color variant of this Christmas blooming Cattleya. This orchid is very temperature tolerant and grows well for me in a range of media from LECA (Hydroton clay pellets) to large Orchiata bark/large perlite in a square net pot to one division mounted on an oak branch. The one thing to avoid is damp cold conditions around the roots - keep the roots dry in winter with occasional misting on warm sunny days. Ed Lysek

Blc. Brassy Gold ‘Camano Autumn’ ACC/AOS

Grown and bloomed by Ron Hardy, Gig Harbor, WA.

Brassavola Little Stars

Grown and bloomed by Ron Hardy, Gig Harbor, WA.

Dendrobium - This flower always makes me think of Hawaii.

And it is very easy to grow. I don’t have to go

to Hawaii to enjoy it. I have made many leis with

my granddaughters. The plants are very resilient.

Everyone needs at least one or two in their

collection. Judy Scheithauer

A little closer look at the flowers of Judy and Chuck’s Dendrobium.

Cym. Celedon ‘Kathleen’

A good outdoor grower for our area.

Grown by Chuck and Judy Scheithauer

Cym Celedon ‘Kathleen’

The flowers on this plant are

quite lovely. It grows outside

until it spikes and then we

bring it into the greenhouse.

Chuck and Judy Scheithauer

Paphiopedalum acmodontum grown by Eric Holenda.

A’na Sa’tara of Essence of Orchids states, “Another lovely slipper orchid from the Philippines, Paphiopedilum acmodontum is a warm grower, extending to elevations of 1000m. Its name is derived from the unique “point” in the center of its pouch, resembling a tooth. Paphiopedilum acmodontum is a member of the Section Barbata.

This species blooms in late spring, with long-lasting flowers of two months or so. We grow it in our warm room with other mottled leaf Paphiopedilum; nighttime lows are about 62F (16C) in winter and daytime highs in the summer reach the mid 80s (29C). Humidity of 50-70% keeps all of the Paphiopedilum happy.”

Potenaria Lots of Spots x Naomi’s Delight is aptly named. Eric Holenda

Anguloa Minerva Eric H.

Lc. Happy Marriage ‘Harmonious’ is well named for when your spouse asks you…”Does our orchid collection really need one more orchid?”

Rlc. Tainan Gold ‘Golden Oriole’ AM/AOS Eric H.

Phaleanopsis Valley Dew Eric H.

Vuyl. Celtic Sun ‘Maya’ Eric H.

Odcdm. Everglades Elegance ‘Nancy Lee’. HCC/AOS Eric H.

Cym. tracyanum is an early blooming Cymbidium with a faint, fruity fragrance. It is grown by several FCOS members. This one is grown by Eric. H.

Barkeria lindleyana Eric H.

Barkeria orchid care is not very difficult, but quite specific. It can grow in pots, hanging baskets or mounted on slabs, but the latter two are much more preferable, given the fact that Barkeria orchids have long, thick, epiphytic roots which require a lot of air. Temperatures should be cool to warm, with intermediate as optimal temperature. Light levels should be bright, something like as for Oncidiums and bifoliate Cattleyas. Waterings should be ample in the summer, when the plant is actively growing, with lots of applied fertilizers. In winter it has strict dormancy. When leaves are dropped, the plant should be given bright light and no water at all, until the new growth is seen in spring. It can shiver and look completely lifeless, but it is ok and the part of its adaptation to long dry periods at its native habitat. (https://lookingafterorchids.com/barkeria-orchids/)

A nice white Phalaenopsis Eric H.

Did I pay my FCOS 2023 Membership? Click HERE to see if your name is on our Paid Members List. Thank you for all who have paid their 2023 Membership dues.

Membership Benefits and How to Join FCOS

• The FCOS Newsletter emailed every month. Keep up to date on FCOS activities, enjoy entertaining and informative articles, and orchid culture tips. Sign up for FCOS newsletter.
  

• Monthly Zoom talks from local and worldwide Orchid Experts.
  

• Opportunities to bid on beautiful and quality orchids at our silent auctions and on-line auctions.
  

• Network with amateur and advanced collectors and commercial growers.
  

• Receive a select invitation to our Holiday Party/Summer Picnic and Auctions.
  

• Participation in our annual Orchid Fest Orchid Show and Sale.
  

•  Create orchid displays for The Huntington Botanical Gardens International Orchid Show/The Santa Barbara International Orchid Show.
  

•  Invitation to exclusive FCOS Field-trips to out of town vendors and events.
  

• Click to download a copy of the FCOS Membership Form.
  

• Membership dues are $30 per year for an individual or family ($25 if payment received by Feb 1, 2024).
  

• Make your check payable to Five Cities Orchid Society, PO Box 1066 Grover Beach, CA 93483.
  

• Please include your completed membership form with your payment.
  

• Thank You for becoming a member of the Five Cities Orchid Society.
  

Payment by Credit Card with an FCOS-BetterWorld Account

If you wish to pay for your membership by credit card, you will need to establish an account with the FCOS processing service BetterWorld. Establishing an FCOS-BetterWorld account will also enable you to participate in FCOS on-line orchid auctions as well as paying for your membership dues. 

Click here to create an FCOS-BetterWorld account and pay for your membership by credit card.

A Lifetime Individual Membership is available for a one-time donation of $500. Your generous donation enables FCOS to attract quality speakers, create content rich newsletters and most importantly helps finance one of the largest regional orchid shows in the western U.S. You can submit your lifetime membership payment by check using the FCOS Membership Form or by credit card by clicking this link: FCOS-BetterWorld Lifetime Membership Donation of $500.

FCOS Garage Sale

Send an email to Jeff Parham, Chris Ehrler or Ed Lysek and include an image of your item, a description, price, and your contact info. We'll include your info in our next monthly newsletter if there is space. FCOS assumes no responsibility for payment, taxes, etc. We ask the items be orchid or plant related. FCOS is not taking a commission or participating in any other way

Watch this space!

links to Social media:

Facebook, Youtube and Instagram

(Click on the icon below)

The Five Cities Orchid Society (FCOS) is proud to announce its dynamic social media presence. With over 3k followers on Facebook, members post their stunning orchid pictures almost every day. FCOS also has an active YouTube channel where members showcase their greenhouses, share tips on growing orchids, and highlight what's currently in bloom. Additionally, FCOS is on Instagram, where members can post pictures, ask questions, and connect with other orchid enthusiasts. As an FCOS member, you have free access to all these social media outlets. Don't miss out on the opportunity to participate in these engaging platforms. Also, don't forget to check out the garage sale section in this newsletter, where you can sell or trade orchid-related items with other members. Lastly, we encourage you to send in pictures and letters to the editors, as it provides us with functional information to share with the community. Join FCOS today and take advantage of all the exciting opportunities it has to offer!

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Five Cities Orchid Society 2023 Board of Directors

(Click on name to contact by email)

Jeff Parham, President

Ed Lysek, Vice President

Eric Holenda, Treasurer

Michelle Ralston, Secretary

Chris Howard, Anne Bachmann & Lillian Burns, Directors at Large

Linda Hauss, AOS Liaison

Jeff Parham, Show Chairman



Chris Ehrler, Past President

Orchids are really great!