About

Meetings are held on the 2nd Monday night of each month at 7:30 P.M. and are open to all persons interested in orchids. You are cordially invited to attend a meeting as a guest. Should you wish to join, the Membership Committee will welcome your application.

The Fort Lauderdale Orchid Society was Organized in June 1951 with about twelve members. After several meetings in private homes, the Society needed larger space as it grew and held its meeting in the Birch State Park Garden Center. Later, it moved to quarters in the recreation hall of First Congregational Church, and then to St. Anthony’s School. Meetings are now held at Christ Lutheran Church, address 1955 East Oakland Park Blvd. During the early years, the group entered orchid displays in the Federated Garden Club Shows.

Our first show was held in February 1957 in the Atlantic Federal Savings and Loan Building with only members participating. Since that time, shows have been held in various locations in which members, commercial growers and the general public are invited to participate. Individual plants and exhibits are judged by the American Orchid Society judges with awards and trophies offered.

The purpose of the Society is to stimulate interest, provide education and enable exchange of information among those interested in the culture of orchids in all its aspects. In 1983, the Society was recognized by the Internal Revenue Service as a non profit organization, exempt from federal income tax. Donations made to the Society are income tax deductible as charitable gifts.

At each monthly meeting, there are work shop sessions and various speakers who discuss orchids and show slides of many genera and species. Members bring their blooming plants for ribbon judging and there is a plant raffle in which all may participate. Refreshments are provided by the Society and its members.

Our library with over 400 books on orchids is open at each meeting where members may borrow books to take home and study.

Orchid “rambles” are held periodically in which organized groups visit members’ collections or various nurseries around the state.

Our Society was a co-host to the 19th World Orchid Conference held in Miami in 2008.

 2013-2014 OFFICERS AND BOARD OF TRUSTEES