Please join us for our next meeting on Sunday, August 1, at UNCC. Our guest speaker will be Carl Tilson. Lunch begins at noon, followed by the meeting at 1. Visitors are welcome and expected!

Carl Tilson is a graduate of the University of South Carolina and has been growing orchids as a hobby since 1990. His undergraduate degree in biology included several botany classes that ultimately influenced his interest in native orchids. In the many years since graduating he has collected many hardy native orchid plants and attempted to propagate them from seed and division. He has tried many species and hybrids and learned orchid horticulture from the experience. Currently he is finishing his Masters Degree in Biology at Clemson University while teaching biology and human anatomy and physiology at Dutch Fork High School in Lexington SC.
Over the years Carl has grown and propagated many species and hybrids including species from the following genera: Cypripedium, Calanthe, Calopogon, Bletilla, Bletia, Habenaria, Galeris, Orchis, Platanthera, Spiranthes, and many others. His current work has focused on inter-generic hybrids with hardy terrestrial orchids. Growing hardy terrestrial orchids is now a possibility for both the devoted gardener and the well informed novice. Many species fit superbly in our climate and do well with little or no care once established.
Carl will present the first of his two part introductory presentations on hardy orchids in the garden and offer some plants for sale to help your hobby take off.

Some ROADS on campus are being repaired and may NOT be completed by Aug. 1 – perhaps John Denti can keep in touch and let you know the final status. You cannot get to the Greenhouse the usual way – Mary Alexander is all torn up.

Folks should come in the front entrance to campus off NC 49, go straight through the traffic circle, then follow the yellow “Greenhouse detour” signs to get here. DIRECTIONS: Go thru the traffic circle for one block, turn left; go 2 blocks to stop light, turn right onto Cameron. Go 2 blocks to Craver Rd, turn right. That will bring you up to the greenhouse.

If you come in off I-85 (exit 46) and come to campus on Mary Alexander Rd., you will have to turn right onto Cameron at 4-way stop; then go to Craver and turn left. FOLLOW THE YELLOW SIGNS.

If you try to come in off Mallard Creek Church Rd, off the Interstate, or off John Kirk Rd., you will not get here.

One can also come in the South Entrance off NC 49 before the Main Entrance. That is Cameron and will bring you around to Craver Rd where you turn right to get to Greenhouse. FOLLOW THE YELLOW SIGNS.

The gate should be up as usual. 

Sun., August 1: Carl Tilson speaks on native orchids

Sat.,Sept.11: NCPOS fall auction held at Carolina Orchids

Sun., Oct. 3: George Hatfield speaks on cymbidiums