We invite everyone to join us at our monthly meeting in February. This is a free meeting that is open to the public. There is plenty of free parking. The doors open at 6:00pm and the meeting starts at 7:00pm.

 Our monthly meetings include a world-class speaker, refreshments, a plant opportunity table and our members show-and-tell tables. Our members bring in their blooming plants and each meeting is like a mini orchid show. The members who grew the plants are available to talk about their plants including how to grow them.

 This month, our speaker is Bob Hamilton. His talk will be on "Endangered Hybrids". Here is the discussion of his topic:

Many of today's orchids contain the genome of superior orchid species imported from the tropics, mostly in the 19th and early 20th century. The Victorian orchid craze brought massive numbers of imports to the UK and Europe. From these hundreds-of-thousands, perhaps millions of plants, the best became the parents of today's hybrids. Most of these parents have perished thus their hybrids contain their genetic legacy of superior and unique characteristics. There will never again be significant imports of such superior plants given most of their habitats have been destroyed.

 Regrettably, hobbies in general, orchid growers among them, are in decline. CITES, an Ill-conceived attempt at conservation has put the nail in the coffin for small orchid producers leaving behind only the typical orchids sold in big-box stores. My talk is a visual venture into the past, the present and the future of Andean orchid hybrids and species.

 Additionally, there is AOS judging taking place. If you have an orchid that you believe might be worthy of an award, bring it in between 6:00-6:30pm and the California Sierra Nevada Judging Center will judge your orchid and award it if it merits an award.

 We hope to see everyone there. If you are interested, you can join the society at any of our meetings or events. We would love to have you as a member and look forward to helping you grow better orchids. For more information on the Sacramento Orchid Society, check out our website at https://www.sacramentoorchids.org/