Treasurer’s Report Carl Burnham reported that we have a balance of $2,429.37 in our account. Membership dues are payable from September through June of each year. If you have questions about your dues, please contact Carl. Dues are still $15.00 for an individual member and $25.00 for a household membership.

Old Business:

New Hampshire Orchid Society Show (February 12, 13, and14, 2010) at the Radisson Hotel in Nashua, NH. Bob Cleveland thanked everyone who helped with the show this year.

Skillin’s Open House Set for last weekend of the month (March 27^th and 28^th, 2010) at Skillin’s Greenhouses in Falmouth. Contact Bob to sign up for selling divisions of plants. 10% is to go to the Society. (Secretary’s note: Unfortunately, this show was not held, having been canceled a couple of days prior to the open house, which was actually the weekend of the 20-21st.)

Next Month’s Program Chuck from Oak Hill Gardens in Dundee, Illinois, will cover the topic, “Orchids From A to Z.” Please do not bring any plants to sell at the meeting next month as a courtesy to Chuck. He will be selling plants from his greenhouses. You can also pre-order plants from him from his website. There will be a discount and he will bring them with him to the meeting. www.oakhillgardens.com (847) 428-8500.

Wiscassett Garden Club Mike Kaplan reported that he had a call from the Wiscassett Garden Club. They would like one of us to talk to their group about growing orchids inside your house. Please let Mike know if you are interested in speaking to this group.

Annual Elections Elections are coming up and it is quite possible that you will be contacted by the Nominating Committee. They will be calling several members and will inquire into their willingness to serve with our slate of officers for next year. Please give this some serious consideration if you receive such a call.

•••••••

Program Long-time member, Steve Perkins presented a lovely and informative slide show regarding his September, 2009, trip to Borneo in search of all things orchid. Steve noted that September is actually not the optimal blooming season in Borneo for orchids, however he did manage to see quite a few which were in flower. Borneo is in Tropical Malaysia and abuts Indonesia, so it is half Malaysian and half Indonesian. The climate is tropical and equatorial. Steve and his wife went to Sabah, which has extremely high humidity. The trip there took them twenty-four hours from Maine by airplane. They traveled from Portland, Maine, to Seoul, Korea, and then on to Kota Kinabalu, where they stayed. Steve noted that the cost of the trip was almost entirely the plane fare because, once you get there, everything is very inexpensive. The plane fare was not inexpensive, but the food and housing cost him almost nothing. The language spoken there is primarily Malay, but tribal languages and Chinese are also spoken. Curiously, they did not meet any other Americans the whole time they were there.

The entire village where they stayed was Muslim. There was no running water. There were strangler figs everywhere. They dined on the area’s excellent fruit, which was amazing and very delicious, although some varieties were a bit strange. Steve noted that these were the happiest people he had ever met. Steve observed that people of all economic strata in Borneo had flowers growing in their yards.

Steve reported that the trip was actually an eco-tour, in which they helped to plant (reforest) trees. The main source of revenue in Borneo is palm oil. Unfortunately, these palm oil plantations are deforesting Borneo.

Steve then described for the group all of the interesting things he and his wife saw, learned about, and did while in Borneo. Some of them are…..

They visited an orangatan preserve, saw the massive ironwood trees, hand-sized spiders, pit vipers, arboreal snakes, orchids which were actually growing on top of an outhouse, crabs which live in the rain forest, large and slow flying Tree Nymph Butterflies, the very colorful Stork Billed Kingfisher (a bird), and cobras which were brought in to the palm oil plantations to keep the rodent population down.

They also climbed Kinabalu, which is 13,435 feet high. It took them two days to get to the top, where the temperature was only 32 degrees. It was a challenging climb, but well worth it.

There are 800 plus species of orchids which grow around the mountain. Begonias and impatiens were everywhere too. Some of the orchids were lowland species, which like hot and humid conditions, and others were highland species, which prefer humidity and temperatures which cool down to thirty degrees at night.

Treasurer’s Report Carl Burnham reported that we have a balance of $2,889.19 in our account. Membership dues are payable from September through June of each year. If you have questions about your dues, please contact Carl. Dues are still $15.00 for an individual member and $25.00 for a household membership.

Old Business:

New Hampshire Orchid Society Show (February 12, 13, and14, 2010) at the Radisson Hotel in Nashua, NH. The Maine Orchid Society will have a display and will compete for awards at this year’s show. Many of the plants on tonight’s show table will be exhibited at this event. Show set-up will be Thursday morning. We will have an all-black display except for the plants. After the show, the plants will be brought back to their owners’ choice of either Bob’s house in South Portland or Woodsprite Orchids for pick up during the following week (third week of February). Program information, times, directions, etc., can be found at www.nhorchids.org Cost is $10.00 for adults, $6.00 for seniors, and $8.00 for students with I.D. Parking is free.

Secretary’s note: the NH Show was truly beautiful this year. If you missed it, it should be posted on the NH Orchid Society web site soon.

Skillin’s Open House March 27^th and 28^th, 2010 at Skillin’s Greenhouses in Falmouth. The Society will set up a booth in our usual location. Blooming plants will be needed for the display, as well as plants and/or seedlings to sell. A sign-up sheet is going around for people to staff the booth and talk with prospective members and people who are curious about orchids. There is still time to sign up. Please contact Bob Cleveland to volunteer.

Insurance Carl Burnham reported that our insurance is now due. We have a different company this year and the charge is $250.00. There are lots of crazy exclusions and, of course, fine print. Carl will be sure to pay it, nonetheless.

Future Programs Tonight will be Kevin Kearns, who will speak to us about pests and diseases; the March program will be Steve Perkins with slides of his recent Borneo trip; in April we will have a speaker from Oak Hill Gardens in Illinois to discuss general orchid growing topics; in May we will hold our annual vendors’ auction; and in June will be the annual seedling night.

New Business:

Carl Burnham reported that we raised $73.00 with our raffle last month. This money was raised to be donated to the American Orchid Society, as we had voted in a previous meeting. Carl will send them a check in that amount. We raised this unusually large amount due to Eric’s generous donation of numerous plants. Thank you Eric!

Show Table There were many lovely blooming orchids on the show table, which Bob Cleveland reviewed for the group. Many of these will be put into the New Hampshire Orchid Society Show next weekend, where they will compete for awards from the judges.

Plant Sale Kevin Kearns announced that there will be a plant sale May 13^th and 14^th at the Morrison Development Center in Scarborough.

Program “Insects & Diseases” presented by long-time society member, Kevin Kearns, who is an experienced grower and has operated greenhouses for many years. Kevin’s excellent presentation covered problems and their solutions in relation to mealybugs, hard scale, soft scale, aphids, squirrels and mice, spider mites, slugs and thrips. He also discussed diseases caused by fungus, bacteria and viruses. Kevin advised the group to pay attention to sanitation and cultural requirements of plants. Poor cultural practices cause the plants to become stressed and, thus they are more susceptible to these problems. He passed out some really good hand-outs to the group, and advised, “learn your pests.” Kevin discussed the various chemical agents available to growers and recommends that we bear in mind the consequences of what products we use, to handle them carefully (read labels), don’t mix up more than you need each time, and don’t dump them down the drain. We learned that the labels on the chemicals for the varying toxicity levels are (from least toxic to most toxic): “Caution,” “Warning,” and “Danger.” If you were wondering, the “LD dose,” as in “LD50,” listed on the label is how much of the product is needed in order to kill 50 rats. Kevin noted that when you notice your plant has a problem, you should look for the simplest problem first.

Treasurer’s Report Carl Burnham reported that we have a balance of $2,883.45 in our account. If you still have not paid your dues for the current year, now is the time. Also, please pass in the update sheet with your current contact information. Dues are still $15.00 for an individual member and $25.00 for a household membership.

Old Business

New Hampshire Orchid Society Show (February 12, 13, and14, 2010) at the Raddison in Nashua, NH. We will be planning our display table for this event beginning right away with a call for ideas. Members are encouraged to send any ideas or suggestions to Bob Cleveland via e-mail. Once we have come up with a design for the display, we can build the necessary forms and props. If anyone has orchids blooming in early to mid-February, we would love to borrow them for the display. Let’s show the New Hampshire growers what we can do in Maine!

Program information, times, directions, etc., can be found at www.nhorchids.org Cost is $10.00 for adults, $6.00 for seniors, and $8.00 for students with I.D. Parking is free.

New Business

New MEOS Logo A member brought up the fact that we have been using the same brochures and logo for a really long time and maybe it is time to update that with a fresh new logo for the Society. A discussion about using the Showy Lady’s Slipper instead of our current logo followed. John Mattor reported that he has photographs of the Showy Lady’s Slipper which we could use. We could still incorporate an outline of the state of Maine on our brochures, but just update it. It was felt that we might get rid of the old brochures which have two images of the logo in them. They have served us well. The idea of developing an 8 ½ x 11” poster was also discussed. Ideas were called for from the group.

Future Programs for MEOS Meetings Kevin Kearns will be coming in February with a program for the Society. John Mattor would also be able to do a demonstration during a future meeting about how to plant native orchids.

Tonight’s Program After the group dined on the wonderful and tasty dishes brought in by the members, Bob Cleveland presented a lovely slide show with some beautiful orchids he saw recently at an orchid show out of state.

A big THANK YOU to Jim and Marie Vollkommer for setting up for the pot luck dinner and for the clean up afterwards. The room looked very festive indeed.

Raffle Some lucky members got to go home with new plants courtesy of the monthly raffle. Show Table Bob Cleveland reviewed the lavish show table containing blooming orchids which our members have grown. Some highlights of the show table included an Epidendrum Yoko Yoko Hama with tiny, beautiful flowers; a Paph. Niveum species, the ever-popular Dendrobium Nobile, a Dendrochylum; Dendrobium Angel Baby, which was fragrant with numerous white blooms; and even a Colmanara Wildcat which was once rescued from Home Depot, and now sports some sixty beautiful blooms!

Treasurer’s Report Carl Burnham reported that we have a balance of $2,582.52 in our account. The dues for the current year are now due. Please get your payment in to Carl as soon as possible, along with the update sheet with your contact information. Dues are still $15.00 for an individual member and $25.00 for a household membership.

Old Business

President Bob Cleveland announced that he is lining up the programs for the meetings this spring. In April Bob is pursuing a speaker from Connecticut. In May we will have the annual Vendors’ Auction, and a Seedling Night will follow in June. Bob also reported that Steve Perkins recently went on a trip to Borneo and will put together a power point presentation for an upcoming talk for the group. The November meeting will be a potting demonstration by Ulla Jurrisen and maybe Jan too, of Kelley’s Korner Orchid Supplies. The December meeting will be a small slide show by Bob Cleveland and the annual holiday pot luck dinner.

New Business

Speaker Marie Peck suggested that we may be able to get a speaker who has recently authored a book.

Swap Night John Mattor brought up the idea that we might want to consider having a “swap night” rather than an auction next time. Maybe we could charge a little fee to register and swap plants so that the Society could get a little income from it.

Orchid Show Bob Cleveland stated that the Massachusetts Orchid Society will hold a fall show during Halloween weekend in Boylston, Mass. Bob will be leaving at 9:00 a.m. Saturday morning. Contact him if you would like to car pool down. The show runs Thursday through Sunday. The theme is “Bewitched by Orchids.”

Show Table President Bob Cleveland reviewed the show table which contained some lovely blooming orchid plants members had brought in to show. Some of the orchids on display tonight were a Dendrochilum Magnum which had been grown in a sunroom, a Bick Mack, a Ma Bell, a lovely Masdevalia, a Mini Laelia, a Phragmipedium species, a very fragrant LC named Secret Love, and a Cattleya with vivid, fragrant magenta blooms.

Annual Members’ Auction A spirited auction followed with members taking turns auctioning off five plants from their own collections at a time. Members selling plants were able to raise a little cash and make room in their greenhouses or windowsills for new acquisitions. Members buying the plants were able to increase their collections at an affordable price. Many good deals were made with a small portion of the proceeds going to the Society.

Raffle Tonight’s raffle included several plants, orchid baskets and even a Swiss knife suitable for greenhouse use.

In 2010 the Cape & Islands Orchid Show will be relocating to Hyannis due to the fact that Sea Crest Resort & Conference center will be closed for a complete renovation. So we will be at their sister facility in Hyannis “The Resort & Conference Center at Hyannis” a 52 acre resort, has it’s own 18 hole golf course Twin Brooks.  It is located behind the Melody Tent at the West End rotary, 35 Scudder Avenue, Hyannis.

http://caios.org/

Oct. 30th (1-5pm) & Oct. 31st – Nov. 1st (10am-5pm), 2009
Tower Hill Botanic Garden

http://massorchid.org/

Treasurer’s Report Carl Burnham reported that we currently have a balance of $2,512.23 in our account.  The dues for the 2009-2010 year are now due.  Please get your payment in to Carl as soon as possible, along with the update sheet with your contact information.  Dues are still $15.00 for an individual member and $25.00 for a household membership.

Old Business

President Bob Cleveland called for old business and it was noted that there was none.

New Business

Upcoming Orchid Shows Bob Cleveland announced that the Massachusetts Orchid Society will hold a fall show during Halloween weekend in Boylston, which is just outside of Worcester.  He noted that the grounds of the facility are stunning and it is a really beautiful place.  Perhaps some of us could carpool down there?  There is also a Cape Cod Orchid Show – Orchid Harbor, which is held by the Cape & Island Orchid Society.  Webmaster Suzie Massey will post it on the Society’s website for anyone who is interested.

Refreshment List Marie Vollkommer circulated the refreshment sign-up sheet at the meeting.  December’s meeting will be pot luck, so that month is not on the list.  If you would like to bring refreshments to one of the upcoming meetings, please contact Marie to sign up.

This Year’s Schedule Bob Cleveland is working on the program for the coming year.

He may be able to get a speaker for the April meeting.

Tonight’s program will be a slide show by John Mattor.

October’s meeting will be the Member’s Auction (with a five plant limit per person, please)

November’s meeting will be a potting demonstration by Jan and Ulla Jurrisen of Kelley’s Korner Orchid Supplies. They will cover media and pot choices and product recommendations.  They will also bring merchandise with them, however members can always pre-order what they want and they will bring it to the meeting, saving shipping costs.

Kevin Kearns will also give a talk next year on a topic which has yet to be determined.

Show Table President Bob Cleveland took us on a tour of tonight’s show table and pointed out each one of the plants the members had brought in.  Among them were a mini Phalaenopsis, a huge Phragmipedium, and a Paphiopedilum with four blooms.  A large and absolutely gorgeous Laeliocattleya cross which Bob Cleveland had developed himself was outstanding.  Some of the orchids were very fragrant as well.  Even the plant display stands used were notable, especially the ones fashioned out of ordinary drain pipe and floor drains which had been painted black by Bob Cleveland. Bob reported that he had acquired the materials during a recent Home Depot shopping trip in their plumbing department.  The home-made stands cleverly elevated the orchid plants to various heights and allowed their pendulous blooms to be displayed to full advantage.  Who knew ordinary plumbing fittings could be so elegant?

Raffle A raffle was held, with thirty beautiful orchid plants going to various lucky members. Slide Show The slide show was produced and presented by member and past president John Mattor, who regularly gives talks on orchids to various groups and organizations.  John had visited the Bronx Botanical Garden Show in New York last year and brought back many beautiful slides.  He noted that that particular show is done for mass effect rather than for the viewing of individual plants.  The show was put together by a noted Brazilian designer, who has mastered the “shock and awe” technique.  According to John, the show was “magnificent.”  John also noted that at the time he visited the show it had already been up and running for six weeks and he did not find a single dead or wilted bloom anywhere.  That is truly amazing given the huge number of plants at the show.  Also included in the slide show were a few slides from John’s recent trip to the Native Orchid Conference in the UP of Michigan.  The slides featured the Coral Roots, which have no leaves and no chlorophyll in mid June when they bloom.  Also the Showy Ladies’ Slipper is richly colored and can be found right here in Maine.

General Announcements

Next Month’s Meeting will be the Member Auction.  Please bring five plants to auction off if you desire and also bring lots of money and invite your friends and neighbors.

On-Line Group Suzie Massey has a great on-line chat group set up for us.  Don’t forget to check it out on Yahoo.  All MEOS members are welcome to join in, chat, post your orchid photos and have fun.  If you need to have your invite re-sent, please contact Suzie at info(AT)phoenixmassey.com.

Respectfully submitted, Suzanne Hamilton, Secretary

Treasurer’s Report
Carl Burnham reported that we are “still solvent” and currently have a balance of $2,418.23 in our coffers.

Old Business

Library
Marie Peck pointed out that one member still has a book outstanding from the library.  All books should be returned to the library before summer break.

Orchid Sale
Steve Perkins told the attendees that he is moving to a new house which does not have a greenhouse.  He is selling plants still and has lots of paphs for sale.  He is only able to keep a few plants and still has about 100 left to sell.  Please contact him if you are interested.  Prices are really good.  Contact Steve:  by email: sperkins14@myfairpoint.net and by phone: 442-9899 and 730-3262(cell)

New Business

Annual Dues are due again at the September meeting (Monday, September 14th at 7:00 p.m.)  Dues are still $15.00 for an individual member and $25.00 for a household membership.

Non-Profit Status
Treasurer, Carl Burnham reported that our annual report has to be filed with the State of Maine.  It was due June 1^st and we haven’t received the form from the state, so have not filed it.  Apparently, due to the budget cuts, the State did not mail them out this year.  The state has assessed a $25 penalty for late filing.  They now have Carl’s e-mail address and will send the forms via e-mail to him in the future.

Outstanding Bill
Carl Burnham also reported that there is one additional bill still outstanding.  It is from one of the vendors who sent us plants for the annual auction.  There was an additional fee for shipping because the plants were worth more than had been thought.

Newsletter
Ulla Jurrisen congratulated News Editor Vickie Tottle for the outstanding job she has been doing on the monthly newsletter.  She suggested that the meeting date, time and place be added to future newsletters for the convenience of the members.

Show Table
President Bob Cleveland reviewed tonight’s show table and noted that members had brought in a nice variety of plants in full bloom.  Among them there was a spectacular masdevallia, several paphiopedilums, and a mini phaleanopsis.  John Mattor even brought in a non-orchid from the milkweed family.  It was a true oddity and he just had to show it to the group.

Raffle
A quick raffle was held, with several members winning hydroponic pots which were donated by Bob Cleveland.  While not suitable for most orchids, he noted that phragmipediums would be appreciative of these pots.

Slide Show
The slide show, “Orchids of Mexico” by the American Orchid Society (AOS) was shown.  Even though the slide show was produced many years ago, it was still beautiful and interesting.  There are almost 700 species representing 80 genera which come from Mexico.  There are 125 species of Mexican epidendrums alone.  Among the rich and varied orchids from Mexico, are the beautiful swan orchids, which the group was pleased to learn about.

General Announcements

Last Meeting
Tonight’s meeting was the final meeting of the Maine Orchid Society (MEOS) 2008-2009 year, which runs September through June.  We will take a break from meetings during the months of July and August so that we may all spend time outside in our gardens and perhaps do a bit of orchid related travel if we are lucky.  The next meeting will be held the second Monday in September at 7:00 p.m.at St. Anne’s Church.  Be sure to put it on your calendar now so you don’t forget!  And don’t forget to send in your dues or bring them to the next meeting along with a couple of your fabulous blooming orchids for the show table.

On-Line Group
Suzie Massey has a great on-line chat group set up for us.  It is up and running through Yahoo.  If you need to have your invite re-sent, please contact Suzie at infoATphoenixmassey.com.  This orchid chat group is fun and interesting and everyone is encouraged to join in, chat, and post your orchid photos.

Respectfully submitted, Suzanne Hamilton, Secretary