Question
HI! That is amazing that you have 800 & some orchids!! I am fairly new to orchids, i have around 20 or so... but am an orchid addict so i do actually have more on the way (blushing a little, with a devilish smile) haha! I was wondering if you could advise me on a local orchid society? i live in North Carolina, in the piedmont region... about halfway between Greensboro & Charlotte, in Salisbury. I am also kinda interested in Orchid Shows in the near future? They can be slightly farther away, as they are not as frequent. And also if you knew of any Nurseries in the nearby area? Thank you so much in advance for your time and effort! It is very much appreciated

I would also like to suggest to anyone who might be reading this... that i have found a WONDERFUL orchid resource... they have every kind of advice/ topic on orchids, and if you can't find it, or it's specific to you, just post a picture, and a question, and many experts (other orchid addicts) will respond! its called Orchid Board, and the website is www.orchidboard.com I hope this is helpful! it truly has been for me... and it is free, and everyone is so so very friendly! i actually just discovered it a couple months ago & you don't have to join or anything to read it, you can find all kinds of info without having to join, the only reason you might wanna join is to post new threads (that you start) & pictures for something specific, or for private messages

Answer
Thank you Mary Linn.  the American Orchid Society (AOS) lists 8 AOS affiliated orchid societies in North Carolina. All I have is E-mail contacts but, by using those, you can find out where they meet.  Four such contacts are: North Carolina Piedmont Orchid Society ([email protected]); Triad Orchid Society ([email protected]); Triangle Orchid Society ([email protected]); Western North Carolina Orchid Society ([email protected]). Many orchid societies host orchid shows so the society contacts should also be able to give you info for the shows. Most shows are in the spring.  You may want to consider joining the American Orchid Society (AOS) ([email protected]).  They have a very informative website and publish a monthly journal called "Orchids". The journal is in full color and has many educational articles. I agree that "The Orchid Board" is an excellent source for information and advice.

The two commercial growers in North Carolina with which I have some familiarity are Owens Orchids LLC (www.owensorchids.com) and Seagrove Orchids (www.seagroveorchids.com). If you can get to Newberry, South Carolina, there is longstanding orchid nursery that I can recommend called Carter and Holmes (www.carterandholmes.com). I have visited with that family several times over the years and it is always a rewarding experience.

My experience is that orchid people are a very friendly lot.