General Meeting:  Gin Gan
Orchids of Southeast Asia 

Member Gin Gan  was born on Java Island (Indonesia), eight miles from a rainforest, where he spend his younger years observing the flora and fauna in the foothills of a live volcano.  Since he was always interested in the wildlife of the rainforest, especially Orchids, after graduating from high school he entered the Biological Faculty in the University and studied Botany and Zoology for 2 years.  He then moved to Germany and studied Mechanical Engineering.  In 1969 he immigrated to the USA and was employed in the Aerospace Industry, retiring in 2002.   

In the States he pursues his interest in growing Orchids whenever time permits and now, in his retirement years, is able to dedicate  more time to growing his diverse collection of Orchids and to travel to observe Orchids in their native habitats.  Thus his talk on Orchids of Southeast Asia is based on his extensive knowledge of and personal experience with the orchids of the region. 

How To:  Stuart Shim
Organic Orchid Growing Methods from Asia

Stuart Shim, Senior Consultant, Y.K. Flora, Inc., will discuss organic orchid growing methods widely-employed in Japan.  Attendees will receive a complimentary sample of HB-101, an organic plant growth enhancer, popular among orchid growers and bonsai masters. 

Plant Opportunity Table

The plants this month are selected from member and vendor contributions. 

 July Speaker

Our July speaker will be Bruce Kidd discussing Pest Control. 

More on the AOS Website.  There is a great new forum where you can ask orchid questions, show photos of your blooming beauties, read other orchid society newsletters or just chat about orchids.  There is a blog for orchid societies as well as one for judges - anyone can participate, you do not have to be an AOS member to be on the forum.  You only have to register which makes it a little more civil than some web forums. 

Greg Allikas is working on the web site and he keeps it full of exciting orchid information as well as beautiful photos.  If you don't see the link to the forum on the home page then go to the "Orchid Information" link and you'll see it.  The web site still has the latest information on orchid shows as well as AOS Members’ Meetings.  There are new "How-To" videos showing everything from how to pot a keiki to what a virused plant looks like.  You can also purchase AOS books at the site and pay for your AOS awards.  At the bottom of the Home Page is a link to the Affiliated Societies Page where you can find out all there is to know about AOS Affiliated Orchid Societies, such as what the benefits are and how to use them.