Orchid Guild March Meeting

The New Mexico Orchid Guild usually meets at 1:30 PM on the second Sunday of the month at the Albuquerque Garden Center, 10120 Lomas Boulevard Northeast.

Please join us on Sunday, March 10th when we will welcome our special guest, Tomas Bajza.

An orchid lover and addict Tomas originally came to the USA from the Czech Republic and settled down in hot tropical Miami, Florida. He adored orchids during his teenage years, but at that time there wasn’t many to see in his country. Even though he’s been living in Florida and surrounded by orchids for so many years, He started growing orchids in Florida from 2008. He started with the usual grocery store selling orchids, like Phalaenopsis and Dendrobiums, slowly adding some Cattleyas and Vandas since these were the orchids that everyone in Florida grows. All of these were large orchids and mostly hybrids. 2010 was the first time Tomas had ever seen a miniature orchid. He had no clue that such a thing even existed! He fell in love immediately and ordered a few. When they arrived, they were even smaller than he ever imagined. That was it, he was bitten by a “huge” miniature orchid bug. He is a very stubborn grower and does not listen to anything, like the word “impossible”. He likes all orchids, but has a huge amount of love for cold to intermediate growing species. He was told by many growers that due to the hot climate in Florida that these types of orchids could not be grown. Through extended research, reading and being active in different orchid boards and orchid groups, He’s learned tremendously and became an advance grower for miniature orchids. He has been very fortunate with meeting and becoming friends with many international orchid growers and nursery owner.

All are welcome. Bring a friend!

Orchid Guild February Meeting

The New Mexico Orchid Guild usually meets at 1:30 PM on the second Sunday of the month at the Albuquerque Garden Center, 10120 Lomas Boulevard Northeast.

Please join us on Sunday, February 11th when we will welcome our special guest speaker Ron Midgett from New Earth orchids in Santa Fe.

Ron Midgett began growing orchids in 1969 in the orchid-rich environment of Southern California. Since then, he has grown orchids in many different regions of the US and in the Caribbean for 3 years.  Currently, he resides in Santa Fe, New Mexico.  He is a breeder with an emphasis on Cattleyas, Paphiopedilums, and Oncidinae.  Several cultivars from his crosses have received AOS awards.  Ron has originated and registered over 100 Cattleya crosses as well as hybrids in other genera such as Oncidinae and Paphiopedilum.

In 1990, Ron founded the New England Orchid Company in Franklin, MA.  In 2003, he moved his orchid business to New Jersey and changed the name to New Earth Orchid Co., aka New Earth Orchids.  In 2010, New Earth Orchids was moved to Santa Fe, NM. 

In addition to Ron’s activities in the orchid business, he has been very active in the local orchid societies wherever he lived. This includes serving as an officer, chairing orchid shows, and running the New England Orchid Fair for 3 years. Before leaving New Jersey, Ron founded the Jersey Highlands Orchid Society.  

Ron is an accredited AOS judge currently serving in the Rocky Mountain Region.  He serves as chairperson for AOS judging for the New Mexico Orchid Guild Shows.  In 2011, Ron was invited to participate in judging the Taiwan International Orchid Show.

Ron has authored articles published in Orchids and in the Orchid Digest.  He was given the prestigious Ernest Heatherington award from the Orchid Digest for his article, “Beyond Sc. Beaufort—A 25 Year Odyssey in Cattleya Breeding”.  Ron feels a special honor in receiving this award because Ernest was one of his first mentors. 

Ron has spoken in many venues across the country. He has been an invited speaker three times to the prestigious Cattleya Symposium held each summer in Florida. He has done speaking tours in New England, Central Florida, Mid’ Florida, California, and The Texas Circuit.

November 12th Meeting - NM Orchid Guild

Please join the New Mexico Orchid Guild on Sunday, November 12th at 1:30PM in person at the Albuquerque Garden Center or on zoom to view an American Orchid Society webinar presented by Greg Allikas and entitled Introduction to Orchids and their Culture. This is an excellent program for those new to growing orchids and for more advanced growers.

The presentation will be followed by open discussion for questions led by a group of NMOG growers.

• Bring your blooming orchids for show and tell

• Sales table plants from Island Sun Orchids

• Great raffle

• Snacks to share are always appreciated

• BRING A FRIEND !
  

Email: Orchidsinabq@gmail.com for the zoom link