Greater Akron Orchid Society

04/08/2026

Next Meeting





April 13, 2026

Monday, 6:30pm



Portage Lakes Kiwanis Center

725 Portage Lakes Dr., Akron, Ohio 44319

Start Time: 6:30pm Doors Open: 6:00pm





Topic



Program: Cattleya Relatives, The Miniature Collection

Speaker: Kristen Uthus



----------------------------------------------------------------------------

Each meeting will have a show table in which everyone is invited to bring in their blooming orchids to show off. This is a great way to see what other members are growing and how they do so



New members and visitors are also invited to bring any plants they wish to show or have questions about

----------------------------------------------------------------------------

GAOS April 13 Meeting Info



Dr. Kristen Uthus studied both plant and animal ecology and evolution at Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) and the Ohio State University (OSU). She then taught biology and ecology at several colleges including The daughter of a plant fanatic, Kristen has been growing orchids for over 30 years, and in 2014 she fulfilled her dream of making orchids a full-time commitment by purchasing NWO. Although she enjoys growing many varieties of orchids and other plants, miniatures remain her passion—the weirder the better. New World Orchids specializes in Japanese species including Neofinetia falcata and Dendrobium moniliforme, but her miniature selection includes many other small species including Dendrobiums, Bulbophyllums, and Cattleyas. Although never entirely up to date, you can check out NWO’s offerings at www.newworldorchids.com.

Cattleya Relatives: The Miniature Collection

The genus Cattleya now contains many of its close relatives like Laelia and Sophronitis, but what about those genera that still stand alone? Those plants that fall under the category “Cattleya relatives not listed above” in the show schedule? I will talk about several well-known and some lesser known Cattleya relatives and how to grow them.



Topic



Program: Cattleya Relatives, The Miniature Collection

Speaker: Kristen Uthus







Zoom Meeting Details

Join Zoom Meeting

Topic: GAOS April Monthly meeting
Time: Apr 13, 2026 06:30 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85974925597?pwd=GvHijnIATl2L2DcewbFZ5ztQFTUZgw.1

04/08/2026

03/04/2026

Reminder! Our show is this weekend, March 7-8. See you at the show!
All show info has been updated on our website:
Show Info can be accessed here: https://thegaos.com/show-info

We also have a strong need for volunteers for show setup & food donations, please click the link to sign-up. We are only able to host our yearly shows entirely because of volunteers and we need your help, thank you.

Volunteer Sign Up Sheets: https://www.timetosignup.com/gaosshow2024/sheet/1354145

03/04/2026

Next Meeting





March 9, 2026

Monday, 6:30pm



Portage Lakes Kiwanis Center

725 Portage Lakes Dr., Akron, Ohio 44319

Start Time: 6:30pm Doors Open: 6:00pm





Topic



Program: How to Grow Orchids / Welcome New Members

Speaker: Edgar Stehli



----------------------------------------------------------------------------

Each meeting will have a show table in which everyone is invited to bring in their blooming orchids to show off. This is a great way to see what other members are growing and how they do so



New members and visitors are also invited to bring any plants they wish to show or have questions about

----------------------------------------------------------------------------



GAOS March 9 Meeting Info



We are making our final preparations for our show March 7-8, 2026. Our venue will be Petitti Garden Center in Tallmadge, more details below

Our meeting this month will be all about Orchid basics, how to grow our orchids, and a welcome to New Members. Spring is a great time to acquire new orchids, now we just need the info to keep them alive and thrive. Feel free to bring in any blooming orchids or plants that you have questions about to the meeting.



*** We may have leftover plants from the show that we will bring to the meeting for new members and to new guests. Remainders will be distributed and/or offered for sale ***



Topic



Program: How to Grow Orchids / Welcome New Members

Speaker: Edgar Stehli









Zoom Meeting Details

Join Zoom Meeting

Topic: GAOS March Monthly Meeting
Time: Mar 9, 2026 06:30 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86567512350?pwd=mnzl9l3yhuf6XeNrd0rbRrza6k1iax.1

02/05/2026

Next Meeting





February 9, 2026

Monday, 6:30pm



Portage Lakes Kiwanis Center

725 Portage Lakes Dr., Akron, Ohio 44319

Start Time: 6:30pm Doors Open: 6:00pm





Topic



Program: Native Orchids in Ohio

Speaker: Ken Mettler



----------------------------------------------------------------------------

Each meeting will have a show table in which everyone is invited to bring in their blooming orchids to show off. This is a great way to see what other members are growing and how they do so



New members and visitors are also invited to bring any plants they wish to show or have questions about

----------------------------------------------------------------------------



February Meeting Meeting Info



Welcome to 2026. We are right in the middle of preparations for our show March 7-8, 2026. Our venue will be Petitti Garden Center in Tallmadge, more details below

Our speaker is Ken Mettler and he will be talking on "Native Orchids in Ohio." Ken began growing orchids in 1977 and began finding and photographing orchids in the wild in 1981. Currently residing in the Hocking Hills region, Ken has photographed over two dozen species of wild orchids in and around Ohio. He has always been interested in environmental conservation and conservation education. He has worked in the education department of the Columbus Zoo, served as education program coordinator for the International Society for Endangered Cats, and worked on a research project in the Amazon basin in Peru. He is currently the Special Investigations Manager for the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency. He volunteers for a variety of conservation organizations, including Appalachia Ohio Alliance and the Native Orchid Preservation and Education Society.



Topic



Program: Preparing Your Orchids for the Shows

Speaker: Dave Miller







Zoom Meeting Details

Join Zoom Meeting

Topic: GAOS Feb. Monthly Meeting
Time: Feb 9, 2026 06:30 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83532132123?pwd=VBSbfHojYTuqx47CLLnulJHrJ92bVM.1

01/10/2026

Next Meeting





Jan 13, 2025

Monday, 6:30pm



Portage Lakes Kiwanis Center

725 Portage Lakes Dr., Akron, Ohio 44319

Start Time: 6:30pm Doors Open: 6:00pm



Topic



Program: Preparing Your Orchids for the Shows

Speaker: Dave Miller



----------------------------------------------------------------------------

Each meeting will have a show table in which everyone is invited to bring in their blooming orchids to show off. This is a great way to see what other members are growing and how they do so



New members and visitors are also invited to bring any plants they wish to show or have questions about

----------------------------------------------------------------------------

January 13 Meeting Info



Welcome to the first meeting of 2025. We are right in the middle of preparations for our show March 1-2, 2025. Our new venue will be Petitti Garden Center in Tallmadge, more details below

Our speaker is Dave Miller and he will be talking on "Preparing Your Orchids for The Shows". The talk will cover what needs to be done to exhibit their plants in the show, when the tasks need to be done, and who needs to know about your plants. Dave will also give advice on how to get your orchids looking their very best to increase ribbon potential. Dave will have plants to sell from his orchid collection. We will also be going through all of the info for the upcoming GAOS Spring show, March 1-2, 2025





Topic



Program: Preparing Your Orchids for the Shows

Speaker: Dave Miller







Zoom Meeting Details



For those who would like to join us online please, follow the link below to join the Zoom Meeting



Topic: GAOS Monthly Meeting Time: 06:30 PM Eastern Time



Join Zoom Meeting

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86226616172?pwd=OMUEmqmUMJwRaseUnARWUfzt7emqcX.1