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 03/10/14.

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

May President's Message

What a wonderful beginning for the club’s year! We have had some wonderful outside speakers, another good Annual Auction, and a successful inside program for mounting orchids. Last meeting was lots of fun with Butch Arciaga conducting an open workshop for mounting orchids. Everyone enjoys these workshops, and you learn a lot about how orchids grow by attending. Many thanks to Butch for putting together the workshop, which requires much to get it done. Also, I want to thank those who stayed to clean up. A workshop creates much more mess, and we appreciate those who stayed to put the hall back as we found it.

Just a quick reminder that spring is in full swing and that means you need to get your orchid chores done. Look to see which of your plants needs attention. Repot now if you can. Check your supplies to see if you have everything you need for potting. Also, spray for pests and think about fertilizing your plants. You want your orchids in good shape to take advantage of the warmer days of late spring, summer and early fall.

We received some sad news about a treasured member. Lou Canut passed away from a stroke on April 29. We all miss him. Our thoughts are with his wife, Cecilia, and family. Please see the obituary below.

I look forward to our May meeting, come with a friend and some orchids for the judging tables.

Best regards,
Gary Putnam, President

Lou Canut
1927 - 2013

Augustin Louis Canut, known as Lou by those closest to him, was born in Brooklyn, New York, on April 21, 1927. During his adolescence, he and his family moved out to Los Angeles, California. Lou was a proud veteran, having served in the United States Navy in World War II. After his military service, he had the opportunity to study at UCLA and graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Geology. He later earned a Masters in Business Administration at Pepperdine University in Malibu, California. Lou had a successful career in oil exploration. He started his career working for Texaco; he later became president of Sage Oil, and eventually started Alcoil Exploration, Inc. One of Lou's many passions, along with vintage automotive restoration and racing, was his volunteer work, especially at the Aquarium of the Pacific in Long Beach, California. As an Education Volunteer, he had accumulated countless service hours. On April 29, 2013, Lou died shortly after a stroke at Memorial Hospital in Long Beach, California. He survived by his wife of 61 years, Cecilia; his daughters, Candy and Teri; his grandchildren, Mike, Jenny, Justin, and Courtney; and great-grandchildren, Andy, Ashley, Aiden, Allison, Alan, and Rachel.

"The family requests in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the Aquarium of the Pacific or your choice of charity."

This Obituary and Guest Book are online at: LuybenFamilyD-M.com.

Our thoughts and prayers are with Cecilia and Family. We are so sorry for their loss. Lou Canut was an honored member of our Long Beach Amateur Orchid Society (LBAOS) as well as on the Board of Directors. As VP, my position requires setting the schedule for the meetings, i.e. speakers, workshops, cultural demonstrations. I could always depend on Lou to give his honest opinion on the result of each choice. He wanted down-home, clear-cut, information on how to grow orchids! I am also in charge of the newsletter. He volunteered to write a monthly report on the LBAOS library that he had kindly stored for us. Once he said he would do something, it was as good as done. Each month, he was the first to turn in the “Literary Corner”. Both Lou and Cecilia were cornerstones of our annual auction. They are among those who volunteer for a task, year after year.

My husband, Brian, and Lou had their own relationship. They exchanged books on Alaska and talked about Lou's career and passions. We both admired him so much.

Lou was one of the sweetest and kindest men. He never hesitated to recognize good work or extra effort. He was a gentleman to the core. We feel the loss in our lives and know that Cecilia and family feel a deeper one. May the Lord's peace be with Lou and with all his loved ones.

Tina Wilvers, V.P.

Photos from June Meeting

Dendrobium Cultural Award: Den. Roy Takunaga Grown by Espie Quinn
Cattleya Cultural Award: Slc. Ray’s Ruby x Lc. Trick or Treat Grown by Espie Quinn	Misc. 1st Place: Enc. prismatocarpum Grown by unknown member
Cattleya 2nd Place Award: L. purpuata var. carnea (Brazil) Grown by Susan Brentnall
Species Cultural Award: Epi. parkinsonianum (with a wonderful scent) Grown by Don Goss	Oncidium Cultural Award: Onc. longipes Grown by Kathy Synstelien
Photos by Tina Wilvers