Category Archives: Meetings

June 2 at 7:00 p.m. Speaker: Michael Sinn
Topic: Orchid Hunting in Venezuela

Born in Venezuela to German parents, Michael Sinn became fascinated with orchids at the age of twelve when he took over the care and culture of his mother’s extensive collection of Cattleyas and Oncidiums. He grew up hiking the jungles of South America, whenever possible, in search of Cattleyas in their natural habitats. Using his degree in civil engineering from Universidad Metropilitana in Caracas, Michael worked as a contractor for four years in the Venezuelan Amazon State. The work afforded himopportunities to further observe habitats but, more important, he came to understand the urgency for conservation. He spent much personal time teaching local people how to pollinate the orchids, impressing upon them the need to let the plants remain in their natural habitat.

Michael’s instincts drew him toward breeding Cattleyas and Laelias, eventually starting his own nursery. By 2003, Michael and his growing family moved to Florida where he opened his nursery business, Canaima Orchids, which he continues to develop. Through his excursions over the years to habitats in Brazil, Colombia and Venezuela, Michael’s vision remains constant: to conserve native species by producing the finest cultivars of Cattleya species possible. Orchid connoisseurs turn to him for superior seedlings and divisions.

Michael Sinn is a widely recognized top quality breeder, honored with numerous international awards. A writer, popular lecturer, and Certified Judge with the American Orchid Society, he serves as  Judging Chairman for the Venezuelan  Orchid Association (A.V.O.).

Michael Sinn is the owner of Canaima Orchids, 6635 Sim Barco Road, Palmetto, FL 34221, Ph. 941/773-2940  Visitors are always welcome at the greenhouses & showroom. Facilities are available for holding luncheon meetings & demonstrations. Canaima Orchids is open to the public Saturdays only, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Weekdays by appointment.  www.canaimaorchids.com

The Venice Area Orchid Society (VAOS) is an affiliate of the American Orchid Society. It was founded in 1962 to foster and preserve orchid growing, to provide a forum for orchid exhibition, and to share the knowledge and experience of growers and hobbyists.

Our mission is:

• to encourage, organize, and support educational activities among its members
• to develop and extend knowledge of the cultivation and hybridization of orchids, and
• to promote the conservation and protection of native species.

The VAOS is one of the largest orchid societies on the west coast of Florida with close to 300 members. Our annual show and sale held the first weekend in February, attracts more than 4000 people and is widely regarded as the most popular orchid show on Florida’s west coast.   AOS accredited judge’s travel from nationwide to participate in our show, our largest fundraising event of the year.

The VAOS has an active membership and maintains a strong awareness of community responsibilities. Members participate in planning and hosting our regular monthly meetings as well as our annual show and sale. Our annual show brings visitors from surrounding areas that contribute to the local economy in numerous ways, including dining and entertaining. The VAOS Scholarship Program grants $3,000 annually to Venice High School students specializing in science.

VAOS Monthly Meetings – The VAOS meets on the first Wednesday of each month at 7:00 pm at the Venice Community Center, 326 South Nokomis Ave., Venice, Florida.  We start with a brief business meeting and announcements of upcoming events, following by a speaker presentation, refreshments, plant table presentation and raffle. The speaker will often bring plants available for sale at the meeting. Guests are welcome to attend.

Meeting Program – Speakers are invited to present on a variety of topics ranging from orchid culture to how to prepare your plants for display. Most speakers include power point presentations or demonstrations and will bring plants to sell at our meetings.  The VAOS has been fortunate to bring in some of the most authoritative experts in orchids – topics are always informative and focused on our south Florida growing conditions.

Refreshments – Following the speaker’s program, we take a refreshment break.  All members are encouraged to bring in treats that may include homemade sweets, crackers and cheese, fruit or snacks for the refreshment table. Coffee and sodas are provided. The refreshment break offers a great opportunity to mingle with and get to know other members.

Plant Table – Members bring in their blooming plants to share and display on the plant table. Plants of all varieties and sizes are always evident and provide helpful insight into how others grow.  A judging team comprised of three members designated at the beginning of each meeting select and award first place, second place and third place ribbons. Ribbons are also awarded for Best Species, Member’s Choice and Speaker’s Choice.

Following the refreshment break, the lights are set up and each plant is presented and described by an expert grower and the speaker. They discuss the heritage of the plant, characteristics, attributes and culture and the member-grower may offer suggestions on how they grew their plant. This part of our meeting is always extremely informative, providing culture advice and plant background information.

Raffle – Every monthly meeting ends with a plant raffle.  Members and often the speaker bring in plants and plant divisions and raffle tickets are sold. This is a great way for members to share divisions of their plants or to give away plants they no longer wish to keep. This is also a great way to expand your collection. All donated plants and divisions should be healthy, pest-free and labeled with the name of the plant. Proceeds from the raffle support VAOS activities.

Library – The VAOS maintains a comprehensive collection of orchid books, publications, videos and journals available for members to borrow. The portable library is set up at the back of the room. Members may check out books for a month, returning them at the next meeting.  Book and journal donations to the library are always appreciated.