Formerly Orchid Lovers Club of Spring Hill
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Goals of The Club. Our aim at Nature Coast Orchid Society is to give orchid lovers an opportunity to share orchid culture and care experience, while educating and entertaining in a social and practical way. The prime objective is to acquaint our members with the diversity of orchid species and encourage the acquisition of rare and endangered varieties for preservation and enjoyment of future generations. Next meeting will be January 19, 2019 with Norman Fang as our guest speaker. Even before 1988, when he received his degree in Ornamental Horticulture from California State Polytechnic University in Pomona, Norman Fang was already immersed in orchids. While still a student, he managed the Raymond Burr Orchid Collection on campus. Two scholarships to study plant tissue culture also allowed him to study under Dr. Murashige at the University of California and Dr. Tanabe at the University of Hawaii.
In 1986, he started his renowned nursery, Norman’s Orchids, based in both California and Taiwan. His parents, brother and sister soon joined him in the company as it grew, and he wisely was the first to secure the domain name of www.orchids.com. Exhibiting at shows across the US, he has received more than 400 American Orchid Society flower quality awards and 20 AOS Show Trophies. In addition, he was honored in 2005 with the Distinguished Alumni Award from the School of Agriculture at Cal Poly in Pomona. As the second youngest judge to become fully accredited, Norman has traveled around the world to judge orchid shows, from Asia to South Africa, from Canada to South America. In 1996, with Paul Bechtel, he initiated AOS Judging at the Taiwan International Orchid Show and since then has served as the AOS Judging Coordinator for the show. He has also long served as the AOS Representative for the Taiwan Orchid Growers Association. As a result of these relationships, he has been instrumental in bridging the license agreement with TOGA and the Taiwan Paphiopedilum Society to include their award records in Orchids Plus. As a former Vice President of the American Orchid Society and having also Chaired their Development Committee, he is currently serving on their Public Relations Committee. In addition to these AOS volunteer activities, he’s a Founding Member and Regional Director of the International Phalaenopsis Alliance, currently celebrating its 25th year! As an active member of several affiliated societies, Norman is a sought-after guest speaker for society meetings, shows and conferences. He generously supports Judging Centers, societies and the AOS with generous financial, scholarship and plant donations. Monthly meetings are held at the VFW Post 8681 at 18940 Drayton Street in Spring Hills. The Post is on the corner of Drayton Street and County Line Road, on the Pasco side.
We encourage anyone in the tri-county area around Spring Hill to come and visit one of our meetings. We meet the 3rd Saturday of each month at 1:00 pm. You don't need a reservation, just show up at any meeting for a free visit. You will find the Nature Coast Orchid Society a wealth of information You may be an experienced grower or just have a curiosity about orchids, either way you will find the club to be fun, helpful, friendly and educational. In addition to regular monthly meetings, with knowledgeable speakers, the Club sponsors tours of tri-county growers and over night travel to international shows, greenhouses and lectures. We also have a yearly orchid Festival, a Christmas Luncheon, an orchid Auction and an annual picnic. Click Here for: INFORMATION ON MEMBERSHIP |
Pictures compliments of Delia Dunn
