The Long Beach Amateur Orchid Society (LBAOS) is a non-profit organization formed to promote appreciation of orchids and to provide a source of information, education and support for both novices and experts.

LBAOS members range from dedicated hybridizers and growers with hundreds of orchids to beginners who just want to keep a few plants alive. Knowledge and mistakes are shared with a great sense of humor. It's always nice to know that "the expert" kills a few plants, too!

Our monthly membership meeting is free, and visitors are always welcome! Monthly meetings include expert guest speakers, a plant opportunity table, and a friendly judging of members' orchids for continued growth and knowledge. Orchid culture demonstrations are given by experts and timed to the seasons. Please see our "Meeting Info" for more details.

An exciting plant auction takes place annually. Orchids from our members' gardens, as well as orchids donated from our vendors, are auctioned to the highest bidder. Over the years, some very sought after plants have made their way to the auction tables! We just completed a very successful 2013 auction. Our next auction is scheduled for 03/9/15.

The plant opportunity table each month and the yearly auction are great ways to obtain orchid plants at a very reasonable price.

April President's Message

Our 2014 annual Auction turned out to be a wonderful evening and very success-ful. With over 300 plants, many of which were in bloom, we had a great diversity of orchids. The turnout for that auction was also high, good plants and good people makes for good results. I am very pleased that we raised a record amount for our club this time. If you attended, thank you, and if you purchased, special thanks for making the evening such a special one.

Of course the auction just does not happen. It takes planning and work. Here I want to honor Tina Wilvers who plans and oversees the preparation for our auction, - she does a splendid job. So many members to thank, too many to write down, and I will save most thanks for the April meeting.

Here is an idea of what goes on. Members attend Board meeting for direction and assignments. We need outreach to growers, newspapers and other organizations. Members need to pick up plants, label and log them in, care for them and bring them to the auction. There are members who purchase plants and donate them for the auction, and members who donate their own plants for the auction. Flyers and banners need to be posted. For the evening, we need refreshments, greeters, cashiers, auction registers, and a membership person present. We need to set up and clean up the hall. We also need a plant holding area set up, runners for han-dling auction plants, scribes to help the auctioneers, and auctioneers. Also we had a supply and plant table to man. You get the idea - all these members deserve a loud and big thank you for their hard work and time spent for our club.

It was a most successful auction that will allow our club to improve and try new ideas. In my 9 years as President, this was our best auction, and I again thank you all!

Best regards,
Gary Putnam

Photos from May Meeting Dendrobium Cultural Award: Den. loddeigesii Grown by Gen Gundersen Vandaceous Cultural Award: Ascf. Cherry Blossom 'Pink Panther' Grown by Nancy Wask Misc. Cultural Award: Lycaste Alan Salzman Grown by Butch Arciaga Paphiopedilum Cultural Award: Paph. (philippinense x Prince Edward of York) Grown by Gary Putnam Cattleya Alliance Cultural Award: Lc. Trick or Treat Grown by Espie Quinn Cymbidium Cultural Award Cym. Sweet Devon Grown by Butch Arciaga Photos by Tina Wilvers