The Gulf Hills Garden Club Presents The 2016 Gulf Coast Orchid Show

2016 Gulf Coast Orchid Show

The Gulf Coast Orchid Society presented the Gulf Coast Orchid Show, held on January 29-31, 2016 at the Gautier Convention Center in Gautier, MS.

I went to the show and I am so glad that I did.

2016 Gulf Coast Orchid Show

When I was a bit younger I was not overly thrilled with orchids.  I looked at them and said to myself, "OK, so whats the big deal about orchids".  It was not until I went to my first orchid show a number of years back that I was able to see first hand why there is such a romance about growing orchids.

Cattleya Maxima

The diversity! The Color! The spectacular beauty! And last but not least, the shear joy of getting them to bloom.  Some orchids are just flat out hard to get a bloom out of and others are a bit easier. All of these factors make these plants so interesting and desirable for me! Oh, I could gush on and on, but I will not. 

Cattlianthe Tutankamen "Pop"

Over the years I have had a few plants here and there.  Some did well, but most did not. I had a big Cattleya plant that bloomed like crazy for me in New Mexico in a windowless bathroom. Explain that one, Bloomed every six to eight weeks for almost two years.

The ones that I now have are  basically rescue plants, one of them has bloomed the last two years, but the others just stare at me and seemingly mumble things at me and nothing else. 

2016 Gulf Coast Orchid Show

At the 2016 Gulf Coast Orchid Show I was once again plummeted into the incredible, diversity of the orchid world.

Renanthera Storiei

This show was a small show, but was so well done that I have to give it five stars out of five. from the moment I walked into the door and was greeted by the lovely garden club women and all the wonderful free literature about orchids I knew that this was going to be a good one.

Rhynchomyrmeleya, "Dan O Neil"

 When I entered the main room I was over whelmed by the breathtaking color and splendor of all of the plants that had been so attractively arranged. All the plants were clearly identified with well written labels.

Rhynchostylis Gigatea

 There was so much good lighting that it made photography absolutely fool proof!
There were a number of really great vendors set up and I of course left with a fluorescent dark yellow Laeliocattleya "Gold Digger"!

Laeliocattleya "Gold Digger"

So, remember not to over look orchids as a bold source of interest for your home and garden!

Yours,
Michael W. Moses,
Gulf Hills Garden Club

Gulf Hills Garden Club May Meeting Update

May Meeting Update

Kudos to Towana and her committee for a wonderful meeting with lots of good food prepared by them and all our members. I doubt any of us went home hungry!  Towana has agreed to host our May 2016 Installation of Officers meeting.

Priscilla presented the Life Time Membership Award to one of our long time members.  We were disappointed that she was unable to attend the meeting but she was very touched to have received this award.  Watch the Ocean Springs Record for the press release from Mary Ann.

On the recommendation of the Board the club voted to establish a new Club Award, Outstanding Gardner of the Year award.  This award will be passed on each year to the new recipient by the current award winner.
Criteria for this award:  Exemplifies the Purpose of the Gulf Hills Garden Club to educate, stimulate the interest and love of gardening, encourage civic beautification and to protect native flora.  And participates in club projects.
Selection:  Board of Directors
Presentation:  May Garden Club Meeting each year

Brick Pre-sale Survey Results
Priscilla presented and distributed a “pre-sale” order form.  She explained that the Brick Committee needed an idea of the number of bricks club members wanted to buy.

Year Book Report:  Mary Ann determined our club theme for this year to be Water.  The programs for meetings will be about water and flowers.  She and Jeanette are busy updating addresses, emails and other information in the current yearbook.  She or Molly will be calling you to verify your information, again.  Dickie will be sending an email to everyone with the names of hosts and committee for each meeting.  Year book completion date is Aug. 5, back from the printer and ready for our first Book Signing meeting in Aug. 

Membership Report:  Mollie has agreed to hold a Membership Coffee for potential new members.  If you have someone you would like to invite to attend this event, give her a call.  She needs to know this information before she can set a date.  Call her ASAP with your names.

Next Meeting:  Yearbook Signing, August 21, 4:00 pm, Heavy Hors d’oeuvres and Wine will be served.

      A red Epiphyllum ackermannii - Orchid Cactus in full bloom.
This image has nothing to do with this post, but it sure does 
look good!