Next Meeting, March 6th, 2024 at 7:00pm                                                     

The Speaker will be: Rick Belisle

Presenting: Welcome to the VAOS

Rick Belisle has been growing orchids since 2009 when, in a meeting of the Newcomers of Venice, he heard, during a presentation by our own Carol Wood, that “orchids offer you the opportunity to have color year round.” Intrigued by that statement, he approached Carol and she, after some discussion, suggested he come to the next VAOS meeting.

At that meeting, he joined the Venice Area Orchid Society to learn more about orchids and how to grow them. Now, after many trials and tribulations,he has approximately 100 orchids in his collection.They include Dendrobiums (his personal favorite!), Cattleyas, Oncidiums, Catasetums, Stanhopeas, and a few Phaleonopsis.

He is an active member of the VAOS, is the Mentoring Program Coordinator for the club, as well as the Director of Education, Training and Outreach. He has taught classes on orchids and orchid care in orchid shows and to orchid clubs, garden clubs, and to many other service clubs. During our annual Show and Sale he is our Master of Ceremonies, welcoming our guests, reading off the hourly raffle winners, and teaching our classes.

His presentation will be not only for new members, but also more “seasoned” members, who might just wonder (or forget!) exactly what it is we, the Venice Area Orchid Society, are all about. The discussion will cover the Who, What, Where, How and When of all that we do…and the list, after putting it all together, and as you’ll see, is quite extensive!

Orchid Envy will have plants for sale at the meeting

The EAOS show is normally held in March each year at the Ann & Chuck Dever Regional Center in Englewood.  Hurricane Ian damage repair delays have forced a venue and date change this year:

Set up: Thursday February 22nd, 10am – 5:30pm

Show: Friday February 23^rd, 10am – 5pm

Show: Saturday February 24^th, 10am – 5pm

Take Down: Saturday February 24^th, 5pm – 6:30pm

Location: Tringali Community Center, 3460 N. Access Rd., Englewood

Because this is a much smaller facility,  EAOS, SOS and VAOS will put in  6’ x 5’ table top displays this year and there will be no AOS judging. EAOS hopes to return to their larger venue next year.

VAOS members are encouraged to enter their blooming plants to support our sister society and to help our VAOS display team put in a quality display.  While plant registration is not required, we do request that you submit your plant name via email so that  we can prepare a display label for your plant.

Email your plant name in advance between February 19 – 21 to PlantReg@VAOS.org 

Bring your plants to the Tringali Community Center on Thursday, February 22^nd, by 10am

 Alternatively, you may drop off your plants by Wednesday February 21^st 6pm: Kristin Shaw, 1541 Poinciana Rd., Venice 34293. Leave by front door.

We will delivery your plants to the show and return them to you on Sunday or you can pick your plants at the show site Saturday at 5pm. Contact Kristin to coordinate.

Plants should be cleaned, staked, free of pests and disease and labeled with both the plant name and the owner’s name. Flowers should be in prime condition to last through the weekend show. Please water your plants thoroughly.

If you are able to help with display set up on Thursday or take down on Saturday please contact Kristin Shaw, VP Displays   email: disp@VAOS.org