James Furst

Outdoor Orchid Growing and the

Enjoyment of Cultivating Large Specimens

I Love Orchids and I Can Not Lie. I started collecting as a hobby 15 years ago when I stopped at a local nursery and bought a beautiful Catalonia “Why Not” which I call “Little Red” to this date. Like most collectors, I started small and my collection grew too well over 500 completely naturalized orchids, which I care for daily.

I have a High Tech Computing background by trade, but when the pandemic began, I started an Instagram page under the title “Outdoor Orchid Growing by James Furst” (@Mr1st) to expose people to my Orchid Collection and especially my Specimens. I was amazed at the number of persons globally who share the same love for orchids and the outdoors as we do here at the SFOS.

I am so honored to speak with the SFOS and will be discussing Outdoor Orchid Growing in South Florida (Zone 10B) and how I grow Specimen Orchids while taking care of my collection and managing daily life. I will also be showing the group Orchids from my collection as well as Videos of their beautiful growth throughout the year.

James Furst

This months raffle plants will be provided by

Quest Orchids!

We will also be holding a silent auction with all proceeds going to help fund the SFOS

Jim Davison

Jim Davison

“Mounting Orchids on Plaques, Baskets and Trees!”

Jim’s appreciation for orchids stems from his scientific background. Before retiring, he worked as a Nuclear Chemistry Manager at the Turkey Point Nuclear Power Plant

When Jim retired, he and his wife, Melana, opened their own retail nursery, Jim-N-I Orchids. Before Covid, they were doing the show circuit, selling their Florida grown orchids at shows in Florida including Tamiami and Redland.

Fortunately, shows are starting to take place again in Florida so they’re back on the road once again.

Jim is a past President of both the Orchid Society of Coral Gables and the East Everglades Orchid Society. He is also an accredited American Orchid Society judge.

Jim will be sharing all of the various techniques for successfully mounting and growing orchids on a verity of media. This is sure to be an informative as well as enjoyable presentation!

Jim will have orchids to sell and will also be providing plants for our raffle table!

Peter Kouchalakos

Peter Kouchalakos

Landscaping With Terrestrial Orchids

Peter Kouchalakos, along with his wife Clara, are the owners of PCK Orchids and Exotic Plants. Peter is a law school graduate who found his true calling in growing and teaching others to successfully grow orchids and other exotic plants.

Peter Kouchalakos likes to call himself the Johnny Appleseed of orchids. As he told a Miami Herold reporter, “I just want to spread the joy. I’m lucky to get to do what I love and get paid for it.”

We should all be so lucky!

Learn how easy it is to add these orchids to your landscape. With proper care, you too can introduce fabulous ground-growing orchids that add just the right touch to your tropical garden or your pool patio. Peter will talk about the types of garden habitats these orchids require and what you can expect in the way of performance.

This group of garden orchids includes members of the Phaius, Spathoglottis, Epidendrum and Oncidium genera

A variety of orchids will be available for sale after the presentation.
Peter will also provide plants for our raffle table.

Omar Gonzalez

A chemist by trade and botanist at heart. I have found orchid growing a rewarding and enjoyable hobby. Work skills are used and are enjoyable for a change. Solving problems is another aspect I enjoy. I had moved back to Miami from Iowa in 2011 when I met a man that gave me some orchids. Spathoglottis, Vanilla, and Sobralia. It took a while for me to give up on a vegetable garden. Eventually I attended an orchid show before my first trip to Hawaii. I visited Akatsuka, Carmela, and became even more obsessed in Orchids. Upon my return, I started growing seedlings under lights, after a year it was obvious that I needed a big yard. An opportunity to volunteer at the Bonnet House gave me lots of hands on experience in managing a Vandaceaous collection. From then on, I would learn from anyone that would talk to me, seeking out knowledgeable growers, attending society meetings throughout Florida. I would attend every orchid show from Miami to Fort Pierce. Especially if they had lectures. Eventually some growers took a liking to me and they were a pleasure to get to know. All their wisdom was used to make my collection grow and I figure out how. In that time I cannot tell you of how many plants were lost to being a stranger in my own back yard. I have go on to do orchid seed culture, hybrids, as well as caring for collections in private homes or businesses. I enjoy growing a myriad of genera, thanks to Springwater Orchids, Redhawk Orchids, Bill Thoms, Andy’s Orchids, Tamiami Festival, Redland Festival, you get the picture. My hands on experience is extensive with Cattleya, and Vandaceous. I also take care of private collections.

Omar will be providing plants for our raffle table!

Serena Roman, Lady Vanda

Serena Roman

Lady Vanda Orchids is your premier online retailer, specializing in Vanda orchids. We aim to provide the highest quality orchid plants and cultivation education for our customer base. Whether you are a newbie, or seasoned collector, we are here to help guide you and your growing endeavors. In addition to Vandas, we cultivate several other genera such as Paphiopedilum, Phragmipedium, Dendrobium and Cattleya.Customers are welcome to shop our online selection, message us with any questions or request recommendations based on your growing environment and experience.

Find us online at www.ladyvanda.com or in person at OFE Sale Events and other Florida Orchid Shows.

Serena will be speaking this month on Paphiopedilums

She will also be providing plants for our Raffle table as well as having plants for Sale!