February 20, 2018 Monthly Meeting

THE FEBRUARY MEETING is at the Wakeman Center.

Program: Orchids Demystified! 

With Wendy Oliver, Owner of Frosty Hollow Orchids

ABOUT THE PROGRAM FOR FEBRUARY:
 
Wendy hopes to convince our members that orchids are hardy plants that don’t require coddling and anyone can become an orchid grower. She will give a demonstration of repotting a Phalaenopsis orchid, the one how-to question she receives most from orchid lovers.

ABOUT WENDY OLIVER:

Wendy Oliver has always had a green thumb, particularly with houseplants, but she also enjoyed buying cut flowers. About 30 to 40 years ago (but who’s counting?), she attended the Boston Flower Show and became intrigued with orchids. So, she bought just one plant. Then, she bought more. At first, they were very hard to find.  So, she would buy them whenever and wherever she could. She grew them in a drafty old house that was heated by a wood stove. She became fascinated with orchids and read and read about them. And, she bought more!
 
Finally, she had so many orchids she could not move them and decided it was time to build a greenhouse. An old boyfriend who worked at Donaroma’s helped her build a small “Quonset hut” type greenhouse that was 14’ x 50’. Soon, that was filled!  So, she built a larger greenhouse and decided she had to start selling the orchids.  Thus, Frosty Hollow Orchids was born. Middletown Nursery was her first venue. She also sold some by the side of the road and at the West Tisbury Farmers' Market.  Over the years she acquired private clients who are summer residents of the Vineyard who have her create gorgeous bowls of orchids for their summer homes.  While she still sells at the Farmers’ Market, these clients still make up the majority of her income with orchids.
 
Wendy has participated in many orchid shows over the years including the Boston Orchid Show and others on the Cape. She is a longstanding member of the Cape and Islands Orchid Society. Her favorite orchid is the Angraecum hybrid that is a Vanda-type orchid with lots of tiny white flowers. But, with a smile, she also says that really her favorite orchid is the one she is working with at the time!
NOTE:  Although the address is 67 David Avenue, the best way to get to the Wakeman Center is via Helen Avenue.
IMPORTANT:  
From now until spring,  all meetings will be held at the WAKEMAN CONSERVATION CENTER in Vineyard Haven.  
Parking at the Wakeman Center is limited.  Please carpool.  
For more information about getting to the Wakeman Center, click HERE.
Upcoming Meetings:
The Program Committee have completed plans for monthly meetings our meetings for 2018.  Check HERE to see who else will be speaking in 2018.
 
* PLEASE NOTE:  
Our meetings are open to the public; there is a meeting fee of ten dollars for non-members. 
Any updates and weather-related scheduled changes will be noted here and messages sent via email to members.
2018 Program Committee:
Members:  Chair: Anda Woodward, with Karen Kolb, Kathy Kitsock, Tracie Clark, and Mary Lou DeLong.