Massachusetts Orchid Society upcoming events

Alan Koch - Gold Country Orchids - "Mini Vandaceous Species and Hybrids for the Home Grower" (12 May 2026)

Tue, 12 May 2026 23:00:00 GMT

Alan Koch owns and operates Gold Country Orchids where he specializes in miniature and compact Cattleya’s along with miniature species. Alan started growing orchids in 1969 with 3 Cymbidiums given to him by an aunt. While in college he became interested in other orchids and discovered many would grow outdoors in Southern California. He has moved five times as his orchid obsession has led to the need for more growing space. With the last move, he purchased 10 acres of land in Lincoln, California for his 250,000 orchids. He is recognized as an expert in the Brazilian Cattleya alliance and a trend setter in miniature compact and Cattleya breeding. Alan has been published in the Orchid Digest, the American Orchid Society magazine, as well as many International Publications. He has also been published in several proceedings of the World Orchid Conference. He is an internationally known speaker. He is a past member of the AOS Judging Committee, and the Research Committee, as well as an Emeritus Judge and is Training Coordinator for the California Sierra Nevada Judging Center. Alan also served two terms on the Orchid Digest Executive Committee and 3 terms on the Board of Directors, as well as two terms as a Trustee for the AOS.

PRE ORDERS: The deadline for orders is May 1. All orders of 3 or more plants will receive a 10 percent discount and orders over $150 a 20 percent discount. GCO Availability List update Copy.pdf

Cordelia Head of J&L Orchids ~ Program topic and pre-order discounts will be posted in May (09 Jun 2026)

Tue, 09 Jun 2026 23:00:00 GMT

J&L Orchids began as the culmination of the lifelong hobby of Janet & Lee Khun in 1969. The two of them, chemists, had spent their vacations traveling the world and by then they decided to use it to fund their expanding orchid collection and travels. By selling the seedling and hybrids from the plants they collected, they were able to travel to more remote areas and hire helpers to care for the greenhouses full of orchids.

When Janet and Lee retired in 1978, they passed the business on to their three employees: Cordelia Head, Lucinda Winn, and Marguerite Webb. Together they traveled the world to collect and discover many new species and pioneer the art of Masdevallia hybridization. Over the years, they also were invited to talk and judge at many international orchid shows to share their knowledge.

By 2014, though, they began to wind down and put the business for sale. Over the next few years, they started to sell off some of their plants, until the start of 2017, where the Carreno family discovered the nursery and dedicated itself with Cordelia Head to restoring the collection and promote the collective effort in conserving species that would otherwise be lost and forgotten in our rapidly-changing world.

Kristen Uthus ~ New World Orchids TBA (14 Jul 2026)

Tue, 14 Jul 2026 23:00:00 GMT

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 VCU, OSU, University of Michigan, and Eastern Michigan University. The daughter of a plant fanatic, Kristen has been growing orchids for over 20 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, Dendrobium moniliforme, and Sederia japonica, but her miniature selection includes many other small species including Pleurothallids, Bulbophyllums, and Angraecums. Although never entirely up to date, you can check out some of NWO’s offerings at www.newworldorchids.com.

Kristen lives in Manchester, MI, about an hour west of Detroit. She is supported in her orchid pursuits by her husband, Dr. Kevin Wehrly, and her two sons, Henry and Gus.

Program and preorders will follow.