The Genesee Region Orchid Society (GROS) is a non-profit organization of orchid enthusiasts located in Rochester, NY, but with members from all over the Upstate NY region. We have over 200 members and meet once a month from September through June. GROS is affiliated with the Our Next Meeting: Monday, Mar. 8, 2010
“Guatemala Orchid Safari"
Epidendrum stamfordianum var. alba, Guatemalan species.
Grower: Windswept in Time. Shown at the GROS Spring Show, April, 2009.
Terry Kennedy of Orchids in Our Tropics returns to the GROS in March from her greenhouse in Vandorf, Ontario. With thousands of orchids, Terry and her husband Doug have created a bit of a tropical oasis in the midst of frigid Canadian winters. Terry will be taking us on a virtual "Guatemala Orchid Safari," with pictures and tales of that orchid-rich country. In fact, Guatemala's national flower, "La Monja Blanca," (the "White Nun," after the way the flower resembles the headpiece of a nun's habit) is an orchid: Lycaste virginalis.
Terry is an accredited judge with the American Orchid Society. She is vice-chair of the American Orchid Society Toronto Judging Centre in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The Toronto Judging Centre is the first AOS judging centre outside of the United States. In fact, Terry has traveled to Guatemala several times in her capacity as an AOS judge.
The Kennedys have exhibited orchids in numerous shows from coast to coast, winning many show trophies, AOS quality and cultural awards and countless other orchid honors. They will be bringing plants to sell at the meeting.
We'll be taking Terry and Doug on our own Dinner Safari in the wilds of Henrietta at Chili's Grill & Bar, 100 Marketplace Drive, prior to the meeting. If you'd like to join us (everyone pays for his or her own dinner), please contact our Program Chairwoman, Diana Polle.
Orchids 101 - 6:00 p.m. - Mar. 8, 2010
The Genesee Region Orchid Society, Inc. has always been an advocate of orchid education and this year is no exception! As the Director of Education for GROS, I want to update the members on our new series, Orchids 101. This program replaces the former GROS Beginners Meeting, and will take on a new, exciting format this year.
- 3/8 topic: Basic Orchid Culture - Kim Hober
- The doors open at 6:00 p.m. and the formal Orchids 101 meeting will begin at 6:15 p.m.
- Following a 30-minute presentation on an orchid topic, the group will discuss any plants, problems, topics, or questions that growers might have.
- Orchids 101 will conclude at 7:00 p.m., which will allow plenty of time to socialize or purchase plants/raffle tickets prior to the main orchid meeting that begins at 7:15 p.m.
You don’t have to be new to orchids to come to Orchids 101! We can all learn something new - and a refresher course is never a bad idea. We would love to have more advanced growers at Orchids 101 to contribute their comments and experience. All are welcome.Send me an E-mail with any suggestions, comments, or concerns. I look forward to an interesting year ahead, full of orchids! - Jeremy Bechelli
Our Meetings
Our regular meeting night is the first Monday following the first Sunday of each month. We occasionally change the meeting date as our schedule requires, but we always list the correct date well in advance both on this website and in our monthly newsletter.Our meetings are open to everyone without charge - feel free to attend and find out what our Society is all about!
Meetings typically consist of a brief business meeting to conduct our club's routine activities, a special presentation on an orchid subject, an orchid raffle (2 tickets for $1), and a Show Table where members can display their flowering plants for everyone to see. For more information, call our President, Paul Batz at at 585-356-0999.
Meeting Location & Agenda
Adult Senior Lounge, Jewish Community Center, 1200 Edgewood Avenue, Rochester, NY.
- "Orchids 101" Meeting 6:00 p.m.
- Social "Hour" (free-form schmoozing) 7:00 - 7:15 p.m.
- Main meeting begins at 7:15 p.m.