Wednesday June 2nd, 2021 – 7:00pm. Zoom opens at 6:30.

Presentation  “Orchid Recovery Program”

 Dr. Lawrence (Larry) W. Zettler earned his B.S. degree from the University of Florida (1987) and Ph.D. in Plant Physiology from Clemson University (1994).  In 1996, he established Illinois College’s Orchid Recovery Program that enlists the help of undergraduate college students to conserve rare species throughout the world.  He has worked with 100+ undergraduate students studying rare orchids in the Midwest, Florida, Hawaii, Cuba, and Ecuador.  During 2012-2017, he collaborated with researchers from the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew to conserve rare orchids of Madagascar.  He is currently studying rare orchids in the Western Pacific (Republic of Palau) with researchers at the Smithsonian Environmental Research Center.  He has authored/co-authored 50+ peer-reviewed scientific publications, three book chapters, and illustrated two books in color including Dragonflies of North America (Scientific Publishers, 2000).  His research with students has been publicized on media outlets including National Public Radio, Huffington Post, Radio Havana Cuba, Honolulu Star-Advertiser, CBS Miami, and National Geographic.  In February 2020, he was invited by the U.S. Postal Service to speak at the unveiling of the native orchid postage stamps.  He and his wife, Dr. Elizabeth Rellinger Zettler, and their daughter, Audrey, enjoy quiet home life in Jacksonville, Illinois with their menagerie of pets and plants.  

Wednesday May 5th 2021 – 7:00pm. Zoom opens at 6:30. 

Presentation “Famous growers and their orchids”

Jeff Bradley has been an avid grower of classic Catteyas and to some degree, historic Phalaenopsis, since the age of eight, when his father built his first greenhouse. Jeff had the most unusual childhood, as his godparents, the late Mr. and Mrs. Alfred J. Proebstle of Brazoria, Texas, took him under their wing at a very early age, and introduced him to many of the great orchid legends of the past. Mr. Proebstle was a founder of the Houston Orchid Society and an early trustee of the AOS with one of the premier Cattleya collections in the country.

Jeff traveled across the United States and abroad with the Proebstles absorbing as much of the historical facts on famous orchid plants and their growers. His passion for orchid history has never waned, rather it has intensified through the years and he has remained in close contact with the descendants of the great orchid legands.

Jeff’s Cattleya collection is nothing short of historic. He maintains three greenhouses of over 3000 classic Cattleyas and some Phalaenopsis, all of which have been significant to the historical aspects of orchid growing in both the United States and Europe. He maintains one of the most extensive collection of historical photographs, catalogue and correspondence on the celebrated orchid growers of the past.

Wednesday, April 7th  2021 – 7:00pm. Zoom opens at 6:30                     

Zoom Presentation : A Few Encyclias to Enjoy

Jim has been growing orchids over 25 years in climates ranging from cold Minnesota to hot SW Florida. In 2001, Jim moved to Florida with a small collection of plants and the dream of operating an orchid nursery became a reality. He grows his beauties in three gutter connected greenhouses encompassing 10,000 square feet of growing space. As always, he strives to grow and sell the best quality orchid plants and to build a lasting reputation in the industry as one of the very best.

Florida SunCoast Orchids stands for orchid quality, variety and commitment.

Zoom Presentation : A Few Encyclias to Enjoy – A good introduction to the encyclia species that are easily grown in Florida and some of their notable hybrids. Probably the best program for species identification and includes many good hybrids with those species that do well for us here.