Jack Zhu is an orchid hobbyist from the Los Angele area in California. He grows many varieties of orchids, focusing on Asian cymbidiums. Jack is also very interested in the culture and history of Asia cymbidium. Jack is currently an Accredited Judge in AOS Pacific South Judging Region and has more than forty AOS awards for Asia cymbidium.

Title: The form and color of Asian cymbidium

With more than one thousand years of cultivation history, the Asian cymbidium community has developed some unique appreciation criteria for Asian cymbidium, including several major flower forms. These appreciation systems are very different from the AOS point score system. Understanding these differences, we could appreciate more the beauty of Asian cymbidium. 

During the talk, Jack will go over the flower forms and colors of various Asian cymbidiums. Within each category, he will present multiple examples, especially with plants from his own backyard. In the end, Jack will briefly go over the leaf variegation of Asian cymbidium, which is another important aspect of Asian cymbidium. 

Our ever popular Summer BBQ is a great time to get together with your FCOS friends. Share pot luck favorites, win prizes for Show and Tell entries, donate plants for our raffle and bid on silent auction orchids, Tillandsias and supplies.

This subset of the Pleurothallid Alliance has long been beloved by orchid growers; however, I hear the refrain, “I can’t grow them” way too often.  You would be surprised at the success the average grower can have under “normal” growing conditions.  I will talkabout what makes these two genera so attractive, how to grow them in intermediate to warm conditions, and some great species to try if you are still hesitant. Dr. Kristen Uthus Of New World Orchids will entertain us with this fascinating discussion. www.newsorldorchids.com.

Five Cities Orchid Society will participate in this fun filled day at the Botanical Garden. A range of orchids will be will be available for purchase and FCOS members will be available to provide answers to your orchid growing questions. Check www.slobg.org for updates.

Join Five Cities Orchid Society on a journey through the world of orchids. From historical illustrations to contemporary artists learn how modern orchid breeders are applying artistic principles to create amazing new hybrids. We will share growing techniques and show the diverse range of easy to grow orchids for windowsills and even backyard gardens.

Join FCOS for a lively orchid talk at St. Peter’s by the Sea Episcopal Church in Morro Bay. Learn what orchids need to thrive and bloom and what orchids grow best in our coastal climate - whether it be on your windowsill, in your backyard or under lights. Learn the simple techniques to get your Trader Joe’s moth orchid (Phalaenopsis) to grow and re-bloom as well as the many other easy to grow orchids you should try.

Fred Clarke returns as one of our most popular speakers. Aussie Dendrobiums are notable for their tolerance to both warm and cold conditions making them ideal candidates for outdoor growing on the Central California Coast.

Peter started growing orchids over 40 years ago, but then stopped due to school and starting a career.  It wasn't until about 20 years ago that the orchid "bug" came back and he is now heavily involved once again!  He is an accredited judge with the American Orchid Society, and a hybridizer of mini-catts.  He enjoys meeting with other orchid enthusiasts, and can often be found at various orchid shows and societies around the country.

Due to limited growing space, Peter likes to specialize in miniature orchids, both species and hybrids, and has received numerous AOS awards.  His interests in orchids include Dendrobiums, Angraecoids, and Neofinetias.  He is also known as "Mr Sophronitis" as he has a passion for growing and collecting them.  He maintains a collection of a several thousand orchids at his home in Southern California in 3 small greenhouses, outdoors, as well as an offsite greenhouse.

A Wine and Orchid Evening"

hosted by

MEA Wine (John Merrick Owner/Winemaker) and

Five Cities Orchid Society (FCOS)

MEA Wine

4405 Traffic Way, Atascadero, CA. 93422

Thursday February 27, 2025 6:00-7:30

Appetizers, Wine Tasting, Learn about Orchids (and take home a blooming orchid)

Click for Tickets $20

For more information, contact Lillian Burns 805-459-9873 (FCOS Board Member)

Roberta Fox is an expert grower of a wide range of mostly orchid species in her Orange County, CA backyard. Utilizing lath and shade structures, Roberta will share her growing knowledge and cultural practices. Roberta publishes a monthly blog of locally grown orchid species -click here to see the latest.

This is a Zoom meeting.

Get into the Holiday Spirit with your FCOS friends and bid on some extraordinary orchids in our silent auction. Always an enjoyable event. Times and date are approximate, please check the Dec. newsletter for updated information. Download the silent auction bid sheet HERE.

Join owners Chris Howard and Michael Jenne as they showcase a wide range of blooming orchid species and hybrids at their Grover Beach shop. Have your orchid questions answered by members of Five Cities Orchid Society who will be at the shop. There will also be orchids for sale - recent comments have been heard by shop visitors , “that can’t be an orchid….is it?” Chris reports strong sales this past weekend have necessitated more inventory to prepare for the mini-show on Saturday the 19th. Here’s your chance to take home an easy to grow and bloom slipper orchid (Paphiopedalum) or perhaps a “dancing lady” Oncidium with a long lasting spike of yellow flowers.

Several of our FCOS members will discuss how they grow their orchids and some of the do’s and dont’s they’ve learned through the years. This will be an interactive Zoom discussion, so get your questions ready. Please note this is a West Coast Zoom event and times are Pacific Time Zone

FCOS member Eric Holenda takes us on trip to Switzerland, a most unusual location to find orchids. Eric has traveled the world to see and photograph orchids in the wild. His past presentations on “Dancing Lady” orchids (Oncidiums) and a visit to the Amazon basin during high water season were filled with useful orchid growing information. Join us for this most interesting journey to Switzerland. Please note this is a West Coast Zoom event and times are Pacific Time Zone

Tim Culbertson will talk about the exciting new varieties of Zygopetalums and hybrids being developed by plant breeders including Fred Clarke of Sunset Valley Orchids. Tim will show some amazing photos of both species and hybrids. Best of all, since this is an in-person Saturday meeting he will have Zygopetalums for sale. Please check the August newsletter for specific times for Tim’s presentation and sale. Please note this is a West Coast Zoom event and times are Pacific Time Zone

Join us for a pot luck lunch, silent auction of donated member plants and good times for all. Times are approximate, please check the June newsletter for updated information.

Join FCOS as we discuss orchid growing basics at Cambria Nursery during their Enchanted Fairy Garden Celebration. We will display blooming orchids, provide growing recommendations and discuss the benefits of belonging to Five Cities Orchid Society. A great opportunity to visit Cambria, see old friends and recruit new FCOS members. Please check the Cambria Nursery website for current information about this event.

Join us for a fun filled day in Carpenteria. Joe Ambriz always has an amazing collection of orchids, succulents and air plants, all at very reasonable prices. Specific times and details will be posted in the May FCOS newsletter. Lunch will undoubtedly be at the Padaro Grill followed by a visit to one or more additional orchid growers.

Workshop: Getting to Know Your Roots

The Five Cities Orchid Society is excited to announce a workshop on Getting to Know your Roots and Orchid Repotting.

We will have demonstrations in repotting Epidendrums, Dendrobiums, Phalaenopsis, Cymbidiums, and Sarcochilus. This is also an opportunity for you to add some orchids to your collections.

The event will take place on April 13, 2024, at 1 pm at the Planted Parlour in Grover Beach. The worskshop is $10 for FCOS members, non members $20, registration is required due to limited space. All attendees will receive a free Orchid seedling that you can pot and grow.

We have acquired the famous Mtssa. Shelob 'Okika' named after the evil spider in JRR Tolkien’s the Lord of the Rings. (Pictured below)

We also have several seedlings of Wils. Space Mine 'Red Rendevous'. Both of these are rewarding plants to grow, requiring medium light levels. You can take your pick of either plant and we will offer any left over plants for sale.

Sign up!

Join FCOS at Nipomo High School for this multi-location event. Plant nurseries from the area are open to the public and sales benefit the CCGGA’s scholarship program. Orchid sales by FCOS courtesy of CalCoast Orchids.

UNFORTUNATELY THIS EVENT HAS BEEN CANCELLED DUE TO RAIN

Join FCOS as we sell Phalaenopsis and other orchids at this plant and art lover’s event. Always a fun day meeting plant enthusiasts and shopping for art and native plants.