Welcome

Welcome to the Sacramento Orchid Society’s website. We hope you find the information here useful. We’ve made some changes recently so please explore the site thoroughly. You can check out our events page for information on upcoming events.

About the Sacramento Orchid Society

The Sacramento Orchid Society was founded in 1947 as an educational organization dedicated to providing information on the cultivation of orchids to the greater Sacramento community.

Members and non-members alike are welcome at our FREE Monthly Meetings that feature expert speakers from around the world, our members Show & Tell which is like a mini orchid show each month, opportunities to buy and sell plants, and a delightful measure of fellowship and good times. You will also find out about upcoming events and opportunities to support our society.

The Society's very active membership grows an almost unimaginable number of orchid species and hybrids on windowsills, patios, in yards, under lights, and in greenhouses.

Orchid Of The Month

October 2025

Nidema boothii

By Greg McDonald

Nidema boothii (syn Epidendrum boothii) is a miniature, epiphytic orchid native to the tropical forests of Mexico, Central America, and the Caribbean, including Belize, Cuba, and Panama. It is characterized by its easy-to-grow nature, with creamy white, sweet-smelling flowers blooming in the spring on a sprawling growth habit. The plant prefers bright, indirect light, intermediate to warm temperatures, and consistent watering, though it benefits from a light rest period in winter.

I follow the basic formula of excellent air flow, humidity 50%-70% and allowing plants to dry out between watering. We are so lucky to live in California as drying out is not an issue. I grow my Nidema boothii mounted and water it daily with additional misting on hot summer days.

Watch the weather and time your days off to water when a cooler day approaches. Use a fogger to maintain humidity on days you do not water. I have an 8’ greenhouse and have a basic deciduous forest set up with bright dappled light morning until noon, good filtered light noon - 4pm and then more bright filtered afternoon light. I find this is excellent for drying your plants out before the sun sets.

I find the rhizomes very interesting and how they dive up and down, twist and meander on my mount.

My orchid started flowering on 9/15/25 and is still in bloom. As a side note, I researched growers in South America having problems with rot while growing the orchids in pots with media. I’ve also seen the plant growing in full sun as well as the deep shade of the forest as an epiphyte.

I purchased my Nidema boothii from Andy’s Orchids and love how easy it is to grow and flower in my conditions! Happy Growing!

Here is descriptive and cultural information on Nidema boothii generated by AI from the internet:

Description

Growth Habit: A miniature, mat-forming, and sprawling plant that is well-suited for growing in baskets or mounted on slabs.

Pseudobulbs: Ovoid to spindle-shaped and slightly compressed, bearing one or two linear leaves.

Flowers: Small, creamy white, and sweetly fragrant, typically blooming in the spring.

Leaves: Linear, rigid, and glossy dark green.

Habitat: Epiphytic (grows on trees) in wet, tropical forests from sea level up to 1,500 meters.

Care and Culture

Light: Provide bright, indirect light, similar to what an orchid would receive in its natural habitat.

Temperature: Prefers cool to intermediate temperatures, with ideal ranges often cited between 65°F (18°C) and 95°F (35°C).

Watering: Water regularly during the growing season, allowing the plant to dry lightly between waterings.

Feeding: Feed with a light, balanced fertilizer during the spring and fall.

Dormancy/Rest: A drier rest period with little to no fertilizer is beneficial in the winter.

Growing Medium: Grow in pots with a medium-grade epiphyte mix, or in baskets or mounted on slabs.

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