January 2026 Message from the President

January 2026

Happy New Year everyone!  

This past Sunday we had our first meeting of the season.  Turnout was lower than usual but understandable being so close to New Years Day.  We'd hoped to be able to move it to the following weekend but the senior center wasn't available.

I personally want to thank those who attended for sitting through my talk on orchid judging.  I tried to keep it informative but not coma inducing!   There were some great questions and follow up discussions.  As promised I'm providing a list of sites I mentioned in case you ever get curious about some of your orchid babies and want to learn a bit more.  Don't hesitate to reach out my myself, Karen Timko or Barb Putko if you have any questions about orchid judging!

Also, as I mentioned at the meeting, the public is always welcome at the monthly AOS judging sessions.  The Northoro, MA location is only about an hour from Hartford.

I also provided the most current statistics from our fundraiser table survey.  We've only received 44 responses so far but they break down as follows:

If you have not done so already you are encouraged to share your preferences and any suggestions you may have.  Fundraiser Table Survey

Yesterday's fundraiser table (about 35 or so items) included items from the top 5 categories.

IT'S SHOW TIME!!    

Our next show is the Cape and Islands Orchid Society show in Hyannis, MA, so we'll be looking for your plants and your help.  If you can help with transporting plants and/or supplies to set up (Thu 1/22) that would be HUGE.  Since it is a long drive, the society will cover the cost of an overnight at the host hotel, but you must be able to help transport plants and supplies.  Please contact Barb Putko, Away Show chair, if you can help out (bwputko@gmail.com).  Remember, if you help with set up and stay over, you can clerk during judging Friday morning and enjoy a wonderful lunch.

MEMBERSHIP DUES ARE DUE!  You must renew by end of February at the latest.

Links to Orchid Websites - 

* If you want to look up your plant's "ancestry" (the plant needs to have a label) checkout https://orchidex.org/.  You can enter the plant name and you'll get a family tree.  Knowing your plant's background can help with understanding the growing conditions it requires.

* If you are an AOS member, click on your account and OrchidPro will be in your list of options.  You can look up your named plants to see what kinds of awards that species or hybrid may have won in the past.

* Other websites - 

   Plants of the World Online - https://powo.science.kew.org/  Here you can look up orchid species.

   International Orchid Registry - https://apps.rhs.org.uk/horticulturaldatabase/orchidregister/orchidregister.asp  Here you can look up hybrids to see when they were registered and what the parent plants are.

--

Ginna Plude

President - Nutmeg State Orchid Society (NSOS)

December Message from the President

Season's Greetings all!  

November seemed to go on extra long and yet here we are already in the second week of December!

If you weren't there this past Sunday you missed a wonderful Holiday Party.  It was a bit disappointing to have quite a few no-shows but those who attended had great food, great company and, I hope, a great time.   I don't think anyone went home empty handed from the enormous fundraiser table either!

As we wrap up 2025 the board would like to thank everyone who volunteered their time, energy and donations to society events, whether it was our spring show, the picnic, the holiday party or other events your participation is what makes this all work.  Special thanks to departing chairs Lori Macgowan (membership) and Jeanne McDermott (fundraiser table) and to Alan Stauch (fundraiser "plant wrangler"),  for all their time and effort.   We'll do our best to fill your shoes.

Looking forward to 2026 - 

    *  We have sister society shows in January (Cape & Islands), Feb (Amherst) and March (NH, with ours 2 weeks later) - Barb Putko, Away Show Chair, NEEDS VOLUNTEERS to help with set up and/or take down.  Please reach out to Barb (treasurer@nutmegorchids.org) for details if you think you might be able to help.  The show dates are listed on our website.

    *  The fundraiser table will still be at every meeting, but it may look a bit different.  We do not have a volunteer yet to take over the coordination of the table so we're going to experiment a bit.  We'll likely have a greater focus on member donated plants, orchid supplies and the like, filling in with purchased plants as needed.  Please keep an eye out for a survey so we can get your input on what you would like to see or not see as part of the monthly table.

Lastly, now that we're heading into winter, keep any eye on your plants' water needs.  Some orchids need dry or minimal water rest periods.  Over-watering a plant that is not in active growth can rot the roots.  Fertilizer should be limited as well if not in active growth.

On behalf of the entire board I want to wish all of you a happy and healthy holiday season, a time to enjoy the company of family and friends!

Suggestions?  Ideas??  Please don't hesitate to reach out to the board at boardofdirectors@nutmegorchids.org.

MOS Show News

Congratulations to Ginna Plude & Barb Putko on their awards at the MOS Show.

Ginna's Comparettia micrantha was awarded the John E Stacy Award for Best Oncidium.

Barb Putko received the Derosa Trophy for Most Artistic Design under the Exhibits: Orchid Society category.