Meetings and special events
2025
Information about upcoming events is updated as we get new information. AOS is the American Orchid Society.
Our monthly meetings are usually on the third Wednesday of the month. Doors open at 6:30 PM and the meetings start at 7:00 PM. Look for different dates in May, November and December.
Jan. 15, 2025, 7:00 PM. David Edgley will talk about Enjoying Novelty Phalaenopsis. “What are “novelty” Phalaenopsis and why are they so popular? What makes them special and different from standard Phalaenopsis? Discover the incredible variety of colors and patterns that make these wonderfully fragrant orchids so desirable. Learn how to grow them better as they provide you with ever more summer flowers year after year.”
Jan. 16, 2025, 2:00 PM. AOS orchid regional judging at the Prince of Peace Lutheran Church, Room 12, 3641 N. 56th St, Phoenix, AZ 85018.
Feb 19, 2025, 7:00 PM. Jay Balchan will talk about “How to read an orchid label and know what the orchid flower is going to look like (sort of).”
March 1 and 2, 2025. Orchid show: The Fiesta de las Flores at the Mesquite Valley Growers Nursery. It’s our annual AOS judged orchid show and sale where we will have orchid displays, plants for sale and orchid judging. Have questions or want to swap stories on how to grow orchids? Come on by! We’ll have Tucson Orchid Society members available to talk about their favorite ways to rebloom orchids! Free admission. Orchid displays will be set up by 10:00 on Saturday. Hours: Saturday 9 to 5, Sunday 9-3:30.
March 1, 2025, at 9:00. AOS orchid regional judging at Mesquite Valley Growers Nursery in Tucson.
March 19, 2025, at 7:00 PM. Allen Black will talk about Brassavola nodosa crosses and the results of a 30 year hybridizing program.
April 5 and 6, 2025, at 10:00 AM. Orchid show in Phoenix. The Desert Valley Orchid Society have their spring AOS judged show and sale at Berridge Nurseries 4647 E. Camelback Rd., Phoenix, AZ. Free admission. Check dvos-az.com for more details.
April 16, 2025, at 7:00 PM. Peter T. Lin of Diamond Orchids will speak about “Favorite Fragrant Orchids”.
April 19, 2025, at 10:00 AM AOS orchid regional judging at Mark D.’s house in Tucson.
May 14, 2025, at 7:00 PM. We meet a week earlier this month. Tim Culbertson will talk about “20 Great Paphs for Every Collection, detailing 20 of my favorite species and hybrid Paphs that are easy to grow and bloom, with a discussion of Paph culture.”
May 15, 2025, 2:00 PM. AOS orchid regional judging at the Prince of Peace Lutheran Church, Room 12, 3641 N. 56th St, Phoenix, AZ 85018.
June 18, 2025, at 7:00 PM. We have expert local growers talk about growing in Tucson. Topics and speakers to be determined.
June 28, 2025, at 10:00 AM. AOS orchid regional judging at Mark D.’s house in Tucson.
July 16, 2025, at 7:00 PM. We have expert local growers talk about growing in Tucson. Topics and speakers to be determined.
Aug. 20, 2025, at 7:00 PM. We have expert local growers talk about growing in Tucson. Topics and speakers to be determined.
Sept. 17, 2025, at 7:00 PM. Philip Hamilton from Brendan Orchids will speak with the topic to be determined.
Sept. 18, 2025, at 2:00 PM. AOS orchid regional judging at the Prince of Peace Lutheran Church, Room 12, 3641 N. 56th St, Phoenix, AZ 85018.
Oct. 11, 2025, Saturday, at 10:00 PM. AOS orchid regional judging at the Prince of Peace Lutheran Church, Room 12, 3641 N. 56th St, Phoenix, AZ 85018.
Oct. 15, 2025, at 7:00 PM. Carol Klonowski will speak with the topic to be determined.
Nov. 12, 2025, a different day than usual. Our annual fund-raising auction. Open to members of Arizona orchid societies and their guests.
Dec. 2025, date to be determined. The meeting is usually an open greenhouse and Christmas potluck. Please check the members’ newsletter for more information.
2024
Wednesday, Jan. 17, 2024, 7:00 PM. Francisco Miranda of Miranda Orchids will talk about “Brazilian Orchid Habitat in the Coastal Region”.
Wednesday, Feb. 14, 2024, 7:00 PM. We meet a week earlier this month. Fred Clarke of Sunset Valley Orchids will talk about “Becoming an 80 Percentile Grower”.
March 2 and 3, 2024 – Orchid show: The Fiesta de las Flores at the Mesquite Valley Growers Nursery. It’s our annual AOS judged orchid show and sale where we will have orchid displays, plants for sale and orchid judging. Have questions or want to swap stories on how to grow orchids? Come on by! We’ll have Tucson Orchid Society members available to talk about their favorite ways to rebloom orchids! Free admission. Orchid displays will be set up by 10:00 on Saturday. Hours: Saturday 9 to 5, Sunday 9-3:30
Wednesday, Mar. 20, 2024, 7:00 PM. Carol Klonowski from the Orchid Society of California will talk about Phalaenopsis – latest breeding trends from Taiwan.
March 23 and 24, 2024. – Orchid show in Phoenix: The Desert Valley Orchid Society have their annual AOS judged show and sale at Berridge Nursery in Phoenix. Check dvos-az.com for more details.
Wednesday, Apr. 17, 2024, 7:00 PM. Dave Sorokowsky’s topic will be “Don’t Fear the Slippers”.
Thursday, Apr. 18, 2024, 2:00-6:00 PM Orchid outreach judging at the Prince of Peace Lutheran Church Preschool, Room 12 at 3641 N 56 St, Phoenix, AZ 85018. Contact the Desert Valley Orchid Society for more information.
Wednesday, May 15, 2024, 7:00 PM. Manny Aybar will speak about the orchids of Peru.
Thursday, May 16, 2024, 2:00-6:00 PM Orchid outreach judging at the Prince of Peace Lutheran Church Preschool, Room 12 at 3641 N 56 St, Phoenix, AZ85018. Contact the Desert Valley Orchid Society for more information.
Wednesday, June 19, 2024, 7:00 PM. Karla V. from the TOS and DVOS societies will talk about growing tolumnia (equitant oncidiums).
Wednesday, July 17, 2024, 7:00 PM. Kevin K. will talk about his recent trip to of Taiwan’s annual orchid show and the World Orchid Conference for double the orchid fun in one place. The tentative title is “I went to the Taiwan International Orchid Show and You Can Too”.
Wednesday, Aug. 21, 2024, 7:00 PM. Wes A. of the TOS society will talk about “The yin and yang of growing orchids in the desert.” Water, air, humidity, growing media, temperature and light are a balancing act to establish a good orchid environment.
Wednesday, Sept. 18, 2024, 7:00 PM. Peter T. Lin will talk about Epidendrum, Prostechea, Encyclia. Learn about the many different species and some of their culture requirements. He’ll also talk about hybrids.
Thursday, Sept. 19, 2024, 2:00-6:00 PM The AOS orchid outreach judging will be at a different location this month: Madison Church, 6202 N. 12th St., Phoenix, AZ 85014. Contact the Desert Valley Orchid Society for more information.
Wednesday, Oct. 16, 2024, 7:00 PM. Thomas Mirenda’s topic will be “A true Botanical Biodiversity hot-spot: the Fabulous Orchids (and other marvels) of southwestern Australia”.
Thursday, Oct. 17, 2024, 2:00-6:00 PM Orchid outreach judging at the Prince of Peace Lutheran Church Preschool, Room 12 at 3641 N 56 St, Phoenix, AZ85018. Contact the Desert Valley Orchid Society for more information.
Saturday, Nov. 2, 2024, starts at 2:00 PM. The AOS orchid outreach judging will be at a different location this month: Madison Church, 6202 N. 12th St., Phoenix, AZ 85014. Contact the Desert Valley Orchid Society for more information.
Wednesday, Nov. 6, 2024, 6:00 PM. Our annual fundraising auction. Open to members of Arizona orchid societies and their guests.
The December meeting is usually an open greenhouse and Christmas potluck. Please check the members newsletter for more information.
2023
Wednesday, Jan. 18, 2023, 7:00 PM. Dan Newman of the Hanging Gardens will speak about Maxillarias.
Wednesday, Feb. 15, 2023, 7:00 PM. Kim Feddersen from Fair Orchids will talk about vanda culture.
March 4 and 5, 2023 – Orchid show: The Fiesta de las Flores at the Mesquite Valley Growers Nursery. It’s our annual orchid show and sale where we will have orchid displays, plants for sale and orchid judging. Have questions or want to swap stories on how to grow orchids? Come on by, we’ll have Tucson Orchid Society members available to talk about their favorite ways to rebloom orchids! Free admission. Orchid displays will be set up by 10:00 on Saturday. Hours: Saturday 9 to 5, Sunday 9-3:30
Wednesday, March 15, 2023, 7:00 PM. Ross Hella from Deerwood Orchids will talk about miniature paphiopedilums.
Wednesday, Apr. 19, 2023, 7:00 PM. Art Chadwick from Chadwick Orchids will talk about large Cattleya species.
Wednesday, May 17, 2023, 7:00 PM. T.J. Hartung from the Vallarta Botanical Gardens in Mexico. www.vbgardens.org He will talk about vanilla orchids. Updated 5/15/23.
Wednesday, June 21, 2023. 7:00 PM. Bob J. and Peter P. of the Tucson Orchid Society will talk about special techniques for growing Vandas in Tucson.
Wednesday, July 19, 2023, 7:00 PM. Mark D. of the Tucson Orchid Society will talk about orchid nomenclature. It is very helpful to learn about how orchids are named and what the names can tell you about growing your orchids.
Wednesday, August 16, 2023, 7:00 PM. Several TOS members, including Kaye E., Gina T. , Sid H., and MaryAnn A. will talk about growing indoors in windowsills and under lights. Here’s your chance to learn about growing indoors by experienced local growers. There will be short presentations with lots of time to answer questions.
Wednesday, September 20, 2023, 7:00 PM. Ramon de los Santos will speak about Notable Orchids of the Philippines.
Wednesday, October 18, 2023, 7:00 PM. Marc Hachedourian will speak about “Growing great Paphiopedilums: How to grow great paphs from species to specimens”.
Wednesday, November 1, 2023 at 7:00 PM. Our annual fundraising auction. Come early to check out the plants. Note the special day – this is the first Wednesday of the month. Open to members of Arizona orchid societies and their guests.
Wednesday, November 15, 2023. No meeting today. It was replaced by the Nov. 1 auction.
Saturday, November 18, 2023 at 10:00. AOS outreach judging event and plant sale by the Desert Valley Orchid Society in Phoenix. Please check their website for more details.
The December 2023 meeting (on Wed., Dec 20) is replaced by an open greenhouse and Christmas party on Dec 10. Open to members and their guests. Please check the members newsletter for more information.
2022
Wednesday, Jan. 19, 2022, 7:30 PM. Jason Fischer of Orchids Ltd. will talk about Phragmipediums. The meeting will be in person. Masks are required.
Wednesday, Feb. 16, 2022, 7:30 PM. Dottie Woodson of D&B Orchids will talk about Pests and their control.
March 5 and 6, 2022 – the Fiesta de las Flores in person! It’s time for our annual orchid show and sale where we will have orchid displays, plants for sale and orchid judging. Have questions or want to swap stories on how to grow orchids? Come on by, we’ll have Tucson Orchid Society members available to talk about their favorite ways to rebloom orchids! Orchid displays will be set up by 10:00 on Saturday. Hours: Saturday 9 to 5, Sunday 9-3:30
Wednesday, March 16, 2022, 7:30 PM. Dave Sorokowsky on Paphiopedilums.
Wednesday, Apr. 20, 2022, 7:30 PM. Arnold Gum on tetraploid Cattleya skinnerii in Costa Rica.
Wednesday, May 18, 2022, 7:00 PM. New time! Doors will open at 6:30 and the meeting starts at 7:00 PM. Norman Fang from Norman’s Orchids will talk about Harlequin phalaenopsis and culture.
Sunday, May 22, 2022, 4:30 PM. 50th year anniversary celebration at the Tucson Botanical Garden.
Wednesday, June 15, 2022. 7:00 PM. New time! Doors will open at 6:30 and the meeting starts at 7:00 PM. A discussion of potting media and a repotting demonstration.
Wednesday, July 20, 2022, 7:00 PM. Our regular meeting is replaced by an open greenhouse and potluck on July 23 for members only. Details will emailed to members.
Saturday, July 23, 2022, 6:00 PM. An open greenhouse and potluck for members only. Details will be emailed to members.
Wednesday, August 17, 2022, 7 PM. We will have several presenters discussing different aspects of orchid culture. Bring your questions and any plants you wish to discuss. This meeting is open to any subject you wish to discuss, so we depend on your participation.
Wednesday, September 14, 2022, 5 PM by ZOOM. Note the special day and time. This will be an extra meeting with Tony the Vandaman in Florida. We will NOT meet in person. Subject will be announced when available.
Wednesday, September 21, 2022, 7 PM. Carol Beule on Sarcochilis at our regular meeting place.
Wednesday, October 19, 2022, 7 PM. Denis Olivas, subject to be announced.
Wednesday, November 2, 2022 at 6:30 PM. Our annual auction. Note the special day and time – this is the first Wednesday of the month.
The December 2022 meeting is usually an open greenhouse and Christmas potluck. Details to be determined. Check the members newsletter for more information.
2021
Thursday, Jan. 21, 2021, 6:30 PM. Peter Lin (Diamond Orchids) presents “Brassovolas and their hybrids”. ZOOM meeting.
Wed., Feb 2, 2021, 7:00 PM. Zoom chat about “How to grow orchids indoors, Part 2.” ZOOM meeting.
Thursday, Feb. 18, 2021, 6:30 PM. Ron Parsons (flowershots.net) presents “The Genus Dendrobium”. ZOOM meeting.
Wed., Feb 24, 2021, 7:00 PM. Zoom chat about “Growing orchids outdoors”. ZOOM meeting.
Wed., Mar. 3, 2021, 7:00 PM. Zoom chat about “Open discussion”. ZOOM meeting.
Thursday, Mar. 18, 2021, 6:30 PM. Carri Raven-Riemann (orchidPhile) presents “Growing Orchids in Moss”. ZOOM meeting.
Sat., Mar. 20, 2021, 9:00 – 12:00. Orchid sale/swap/give away open to TOS and DVOS members only. In person. See details in the society newsletter.
Sat., Mar. 27, 2021, 6:30 PM. Zoom chat about the virtual orchid show at orchidsocietytucson.org. The show has entries from both the Tucson Orchid Society and the Desert Valley Orchid Society in Phoenix. ZOOM meeting.
Sat., April 10, 2021. Desert Valley Orchid Society sale, open to the public. 9:30 AM to 1:30 PM. In person at the Prince of Peace Lutheran Church, 3641 N. 56th Street, Phoenix. Please go to https://www.facebook.com/DesertValleyOrchidSociety/ for more information.
Thursday, Apr. 15, 2021, 6:30 PM. Dave Sorokowsky (Paph Paradise Orchids) presents “Don’t fear the slippers!”. ZOOM meeting.
Thursday, May 20, 2021, 6:30 PM. Ray Barkalow (First Rays LLC) presents “Understanding Orchid Nutrition”. ZOOM meeting.
Wednesday, June 16, 2021, 7:00 PM. Wes Addison will lead a question and answer talk.
Wednesday, July 21, 2021, 7:00 PM. Wes Addison will talk about his new greenhouse, the new technology he’s trying and about how well his plants are responding to the new space.
Wednesday, August 18, 2021, 7:00 PM. Peter P. and Bob J. of the TOS society will share what they have learned about growing Vandas and other Vandaceous species here in the desert. They have figured some things out and would love to share their appreciation for these wonderful orchids.
Wednesday, Sept. 15, 2021, 7:30 PM. Alan Koch of Gold Country Orchids will present “Understanding the Brazilian Cattleya Alliance”. The meeting will be in person and on Zoom, although the Zoom meeting is only available for members.
Wednesday, Oct. 20, 2021, 7:30 PM. Peter Lin will be our speaker on Compact Vandaceous Species and Their Hybrids. The meeting will be in person and on Zoom. Check your newsletter for the Zoom link. Masks are required.
Wednesday, Nov. 10, 2021, 6:30 PM. SPECIAL DATE AND TIME! It’s our annual orchid auction which is open to members of the TOS and DVOS orchid societies. Check the newsletter for more details. Masks are required.
The December 2021 meeting will be an open greenhouse and Christmas potluck on Dec. 19 from 12 to 3. Check the members newsletter for more details.
Last updated 1/4/2025