Welcome to the Conejo Orchid Society
Bl (L. latona X B. digbyana)
Grown by Bill Gunning
Mary Gerritsen, Ph.D.—Masdevallias, Gems of the Orchid World
Our speaker for November is Mary Gerritsen, Ph.D. who will be talking on “Masdevallias, Gems of the Orchid World,”Mary is an independent biotechnology consultant who has been growing orchids (mostly species) on and off for more than 30 years, and since relocating to the San Francisco Bay area in 1997 started to a collection of small cool growing miniature species such as Masdevallias, Porroglossums, Lepanthes and other assorted tiny gems. She also has a second intermediate greenhouse, filled with larger species such as Angraecoids, Dendrobiums, Oncidiums, Laelias, Phalaenopsis and Bulbophyllums. She loves to see orchids growing in situ, and has made it her mission over the last few years to see as many as possible, with trips to see and photograph orchids (and other flora as well) in Canada, many parts of the USA, Mexico, and countries in Central America (Costa Rica, Panama), South America (Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Venezuela), South East Asia (Borneo, southern and southwestern China, Sulawesi, northern Thailand, Papua New Guinea), western Australia, Europe (Crete, Cyprus, Germany, Mallorca, Rhodes and Sicily) as well as South Africa and Madagascar.
She is the co-author of several botanical books: “Masdevallias, Gems of the Orchid World,” “Calochortus, Mariposa Lilies and their Relatives,” “A Compendium of Miniature Orchid Species,” “A Bay Area Guide to Orchids and their Culture,” and the “American Orchid Society Guide to Orchid and their Culture,” with fellow San Francisco Orchid Society Member and well-known photographer, Ron Parsons.
Mary frequently lectures to orchid societies in the San Francisco Bay area, and on occasion, nearby Southern California, Oregon, Nevada, Arizona, and sometimes even further afield (Missouri, Kansas, Canada). She is on the board of directors of the Orchid Digest, the chief operating officer and treasurer of the Orchid Conservation Alliance, and is also a member of the American Orchid Society, the San Francisco Orchid Society, the Peninsula Orchid Society, and the Pleurothallid Alliance.
Hello COS Members and Visitors…
Mission Statement
The objectives of the COS shall be to stimulate an interest in the collection, culture and appreciation of orchids; to foster and encourage culture, growing, hybridization and preservation of native and hybrid orchids; to disseminate information by exhibits, lectures and publications.
Zygopetulum Evensong Grown by Jan Danciger
Zygopetulum Evensong Grown by Jan Danciger
Zygopetulum Evensong Grown by Jan Danciger
The Conejo Orchid Society (COS) was formed to provide a setting where orchid devotees could meet to share their enthusiasm and knowledge, assist one another with orchid culture, and learn from guest experts. What we all have in common is a love of orchids and a desire for orchid knowledge.
Cattleya Pacavia Grown by Gayle Brodie
Zygopetulum Evensong Grown by Jan Danciger
Zygopetulum Evensong Grown by Jan Danciger
Members are encouraged to bring their blooming plants for display and judging. In addition there are refreshments, and a raffle of beautfiul plants at each meeting.