About Us

About Us

Purpose
History
Membership
Local Growers
Executive Officers
Honors and Awards and Recognition
Meetings: when and where
Map to location
Annual Events

Network forum for orchid hobbyists in Southern California

The purpose of the Orchid Society of Santa Barbara is to provide opportunities where orchid growers, hobbyists and those who are just curious can get together to share their knowledge, learn from one another about the cultivation of orchids, and learn from outside experts invited as guest speakers. The Orchid Society of Santa Barbara also has an educational mission in the community. Members provide demonstrations of potting techniques, and act as docents or guides at the Santa Barbara International Orchid Show for the benefit of the general public. The Orchid Society maintains a joint project with the Santa Barbara Zoological Gardens where several Laelia anceps donated by members are maintained high in the olive trees lining a promenade in the Zoo. We foster a spirit of cooperation with local commercial growers and jointly strive to share the beauty and uniqueness of orchids with our community.

History
The Orchid Society of Santa Barbara was founded in 1965, and incorporated as a non-profit corporation. It is an affiliate of the American Orchid Society (AOS).

Membership is open to any individual or organization interested in helping to fulfill the goal of the Society. Current membership represents all levels of interest and knowledge, ranging from owners of commercial orchid-growing businesses to professionals and amateur growers. An annual membership fee of $30 is assessed to help defray administrative expenses.

Links to local growers

Santa Barbara Orchid Estate (805) 967-1284

Cal Orchid (805) 967-1312

Gallup and Stribling Orchids Visitors Center (805) 684-9842

Bill Robson (805) 568-3777

Orchids of Los Osos (805) 528-0181

Executive Officers	President: Frank Methmann Vice President: Todd Wenderski Secretary/Newsletter: Heidi Kirkpatrick Treasurer: P. J. Sanderson Membership & Mailing: Robin Hamlin Directors: Khosrow Sadegian, Angela Watt, Randall Umland
Board Members	Jeff Thompsonl Bryan Davis Josh Davis Dick Swain Carol Rogers
Honors, Awards, and Recognition	Al Svoboda Sandra Tillisch Svoboda Carole Cowan Don Brown Paul Gripp Leo Holguin

Meetings are held on the 2nd Wednesday of every month at 7:30 p.m. at the Louise Lowry Davis Center, at the corner of Del La Vina and W. Victoria Streets (1232 De La Vina Street, Santa Barbara, CA. [See map below]

Meetings usually feataure a guest speaker on orchid culture. Display tables are set up for members' plants. Tthere is a raffle table of plants. Other orchids are available for purchase through a silent auction. There is a questsion-and-answer session with local expert, Paul Gripp. Refreshments are served after the main presentation. This setting provides an opportunity for members to consult with experts, converse with each other, and check out books and/or videos from the group's library.

Map and instructions to get to the Louise Lowry Davis Center Corner of De La Vina and W. Victoria Streets
101 Northbound	101 Southbound
Exit Carrillo Street, turn right. Go 4 blocks NE to Chapala and turn left. Go 4 blocks until you see the Unity Shoppe on the left. The parking lot entrance is just before the Unity Shoppe building on the left. The Davis Center is at the far end of the lot.	Exit Mission Street, turn left. Go NE to De La Vina Street and turn right. Go several blocks SE and turn left on Victoria St. Immediately look for the parking lot on the right hand side.

ANNUAL EVENTS

Annual Fall Orchid Show - gallery 1
[Plus a 2nd gallery of Paphiopedilums and Phragmepediums in show]

The Orchid Society of Santa Barbara will be hosting a Fall Orchid Show for 2010 on November 27-28, 10-3:30 pm at the Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History at 2559 Puesta del Sol Road in Santa Barbara. Many flowering orchid plants were on display from members, other orchid societies and commercial growers. The show will include both Society judging and AOS judging of awarded plants of special merit. Several vendors will be present selling plants and growing supplies. The Society will also sell plants to raise funds for activities and for administrative needs. Lectures and demonstrations were given during the weekend show. Museum admission includes admission to Orchid Show.

We hope to see you there in November, 2010!

Theme: Orchids Run Amok!

Santa Barbara International Orchid Show

The awards from the 2008 SBIOS are on the web site – www.sborchidshow.com

The International Orchid Show has been held for 60 years. It is held in the spring (March or April) at the Earl Warren Showgrounds in Santa Barbara. It attracts more than 5000 visitors. Our Orchid Society participates by designing our Society display booth to enhance each year's show theme.

For show information call (805 967-6331 or (805) 682-3044 or write to 1096 N. Patterson Avenue, Santa Barbara, CA 93111 (USA). Earl Warren Showgrounds is located off Highway 101 at the Las Positas Road exit, Santa Barbara, California.

Annual Picnic and Holiday Potluck

Every summer members and friends of the Orchid Society of Santa Barbara get together for a picnic at the beautiful Santa Barbara Orchid Estate. In addition, members come together for a festive potluck during the month of December.