February 21, 2021 MEETING MINUTES NOTES OKLAHOMA ORCHID SOCIETY

Green Growers Presentation was given by Jason Downing, Ph.D., Orchid Biologist at Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden, presenting “The Million Orchid Project.”

Meeting started at 2:05pm 

I Call to Order by Jana Butcher

II Introduction of Guests and New Members 

A. New guests were Jennifer Sirop , Rich Ackerman, and Gerritt Stryker, all from Fort Lauderdale Orchid Society.

III Approval of Minutes from last meeting. Approval today 2/21/2021.

IV Treasurers Report.

A. Allen gave a treasurer’s report verbally and noted that few expenses were incurred due to the weather and Covid.

B. Allen Koch also mentioned that he needs to know how much money to transfer into the checking account for the orchid sale in May 2021 at the Will Rogers Garden Center. He will be given an estimate on the cost of sale plant purchases by the planning committee.

V Old Business

A. Jana Butcher reported that Burrel Gambel called her and expressed his sincere appreciation for the “drive by birthday celebration”.

B. Post card selection results for the October 2021 SWORGA show was a Dracula by Doug Needham. Four entries were posted for voting. The show theme is ” Bewitched by Orchids” and will be posted on the OOS website and on Facebook.

VI New Business- None

VII Announcements

A. Mike Friday will give a class on greenhouse construction on Sunday February 28th from 1 to 3pm in the great hall at the Will Rogers Gardens Exhibition Center.

B. Johnita Turner announced that the contract with the garden center is up for renewal and she will be receiving the contract for signatures.

C. Kansas Orchid Society cancelled their orchid show this year due to venue needed for covid public health activities.

Auction (If Having One )-None

VIII Reports 

  A. Green Growers Recap -not given

  B. Great Plains Judging Center-did not meet

  C. AOS Representative

  1. Members of AOS were sent an email stating they were having a virtual AOS meeting; check the AOS website for details.
  2. Allen Koch announced that there were some questions regarding our donation to AOS for their centennial event and he will clarify the questions and report back.

  D. SWROGA

  1. Kansas Orchid Society cancelled their show for 2021. The Directors meeting will be done via Zoom.

  E. Orchid Digest Representative- no new information

  F. OK Garden Council (Meets Sept-May)

  1. Carolyn McCabe reported that their meeting discussed trees and it was interesting. Carolyn noted Zoom etiquette which was to mute yourself if environmental noises were present and to leave the video if getting up etc.
  2. Carolyn McCabe announced the there is a Flower show in MidWest City this coming weekend at the Ruby Atkins Center from 1-4pm and it is horticulture related.
  3. Festival in the Park will be May 15th, 2021 at Will Rogers Garden Center.
  4. Johnita Turner asked for a co-chair for the Festival in the Park and that the co-chair be the next chairperson of the festival in 2022. Keith Warren volunteered to help co-chair this year.

  G. Conservation 

1.Mike Friday reported that the Craine Fly orchids he planted on his property from the donated North Carolina plants seem to be surviving.

  H. Upcoming Show / Sale 

  1. The plant sale will be continued as planned on May 1st at the Will Rogers Garden Center.
  2. Keith Warren will teach a class to the public at the May 1st sale.

   I. Other reports

  1. Our post card for the OOS show will be sent to the AOS and SWROGA by Doug Needham.

IX Program – Vice President Introduces Topic/Speaker

  1. Carolyn McCabe introduced Jason Downing who presented “The Million Orchid Project” in Florida. He is associated with the Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden who has created an orchid conservation program in many parts of Florida. The goal was to engage interest in all segments of society with orchids for beautification while replacing native and lost orchids through poaching, etc. The project has been extremely successful using crowd sourcing and volunteers for the science, seed banking, propagation, genetics and orchid plantings. The information and presentation was excellent. There were 12 attendees. Jason Downing’s email is JDOWNING@FAIRCHILDGARDEN.ORG for questions or concerns.

X Show and Tell

  1. Orchids were presented by Doug Needham, Keith Warren, Jana Butcher, Claire Garrett, Gabriel Guerrero, Rich Acherman, and Carolyn McCabe.

XIV Adjournment Time  4:07