At our first meeting of the 2026-27 season we welcome Dr. Martin Motes, an expert in Vanda hybrids who will talk to us via Zoom about Compact Vandas. He will illustrate that the choice of parents with the right plant architecture produces highly desirable hybrids in a wide range of colors. These hybrids are much better suited to temperate growing conditions than the large standard hybrids in which V. sanderiana is predominant which is a key to growing these lovely orchids in our homes.
Martin Motes is a second generation orchidist who has been growing orchids in Florida for 65 years. He is president of Motes Orchids, a major producer of vandas. His hybrids have received scores of American Orchid Society awards including five FCC’s and three Awards of Quality. Additionally, numerous of his hybrids have been recognized by the Royal Horticultural Society, World Orchid Conferences and in other international judging venues. He is an accredited AOS judge. The AOS annual award for best Award of Quality or Award of Distinction is named in his honor. Dr. Martin’s frequent articles have appeared in The Kew Bulletin, The South Florida Orchidist, The Orchid Digest, The Orchid Review, The Malayan Orchid Review, Orchids and elsewhere. He is the author Vandas, their History, Botany and Culture, Florida Vanda Growing and The Genus Vanda.
As it is the first meeting of the season, there will also be several announcements; the Year -End Financial Statements will be presented with the Treasurer available to answer questions. Members, please make sure you have read them before the meeting.
The meeting will be a hybrid meeting. We will have the usual Show Table, raffle and refreshments with a break to chat with our “Ask Me Anything” experts. Members, please bring your plants to the show table by 1:40 pm to allow time for judging. If you are feeling unwell, please join us via Zoom.
