Speakers at Our Meetings
In February we had Fred Clarke talk about 'Cycnoches, Mormodes, Catasetums, recent trends.' He showed us the parents and progeny of many hybrids, including between genera.
His talk is on YouTube until March 20 and available to members. Please email us for a link, STOSorchids@gmail.com. Not a member? Join below.
At our March 21 meeting we will have Carol Klowonski enlighten us about the "History of Unifoliate Cattleyas" the quintessential orchids that most people picture when they think about orchids.

Photo - Fred Clarke

Carol Klonowski
Carol Klonowski as been growing orchids since the 1980’s when a friend in Berkeley, California, gave her a cattleya orchid and it bloomed out with three big, dark lavender flowers and an intoxicating fragrance. She built an entire greenhouse in her backyard to accommodate the precious plant, which only led her to buy more orchids. Then another friend gave her a gift membership to the Orchid Society of California and it’s been a serious hobby ever since.
Carol has served as Director, Vice President, and President of the Orchid Society of California for most of the past two decades and is currently a Fully Accredited Judge with the American Orchid Society in the California Sierra Nevada Judging Center.
Cattleya lawrenceana (Flamea) 'Sebastian Ferrell' AM/AOS (84 points) Exhibitor: Ben Oliveros and Orchid Eros
Photographer: Glen Barfield From AOS.com
In Memoriam - Diane Strack
February 19, 2021
Dear Dave,
The past year of the pandemic, which has forced us to be socially distant from family and friends, has been trying for all of us. Thus when people we care about pass away, it touches us even more deeply. The Southern Tier Orchid Society lost two members who dedicated much time and energy to our club’s continued success. In addition to this loss, the considerable planning that had been made for our 2020 show had to be set aside when COVID forced such events to be postponed everywhere. Our 2019 show initiated many changes, such as our new venue at the Roberson Museum and, for the first time, judging of plants and displays by visitors, rather than by teams led by AOS judges. So we were really looking forward to seeing Diane and the rest of the judging panel again but the show had to be cancelled.
Just this week we were informed about the severity of Diane’s illness when we heard the sad news that she had passed away. As long-time members of the Southern Tier Orchid Society, it has been our pleasure to become acquainted with Diane, who has served on the AOS judging panel at our spring show. For almost twenty years, members of our club had the privilege to serve as clerks on her team, and those who benefited most were the newest members, with whom Diane graciously shared her knowledge of orchids and delightful sense of humor.
We wish to share this letter with our membership so that they will know that those of us who have served on her team know that she volunteered her time not only as a certified AOS judge, but also as a caregiver of shelter dogs. We will remember her with great fondness since she was always ready to answer questions, even of the least experienced orchid growers. Our new members will not have a chance to enjoy the experience of serving with her and learning much from her. Because we will miss her, we express our deepest sympathy to on behalf of the Southern Tier Orchid Society of New York.
Sincerely yours,
Paula and Luis Matienzo
Calendar 2021
January 17 Arthur Katz 'Rare and Unusual Orchids'
February 21 Fred Clarke 'Cycnoches, Mormodes, Catasetums recent trends'
March 21 Carol Klonowski, 'The History of Unifoliate Cattleyas'
April 18 Spring Auction (tentative)
May 16 Potting Clinic (tentative)
Summer Recess
August Picnic tentative

Original discovery site of Phragmipedium besseae near Moyobamba, Peru
Photo: Luis J. Matienzo (STOS)
For our Members
Along Route 5N, San Martin Department, Peru
Photo: Luis J. Matienzo (STOS)
Bassia pumila
Photo: Luis J. Matienzo (STOS)
Executive Board
President
Carol Bayles
Vice President
Gail Gunsalus
Treasurer
Jane Trey
Secretary
Ben Cabot
AOS Representative
Bernice Magee
Members-at-Large
Luis Matienzo
Sharon Voorhees
Jean Mint
Committee Chairs
Newsletter Editor
Carol Bayles
Web Master
Carol Bayles
Social Media
Rich Thomas
Librarian
Paula Palmer
Show Chair
Carol Bayles
Program Coordinator
Carol Bayles
Auction Committee
Pete O'Connell
Newsletters

Habitat of Phragmipedium kovachi, undisclosed location,
San Martin Department, Peru
Photo: Pablo Bermudez, Peruvian Orchid Club

Collection of miniatures on a log in situ near Moyobamba, Peru
Photo: Luis J. Matienzo (STOS)
Annual Show
CANCELLED
The Southern Tier Orchid Society, STOS, will be holding an AOS-judged orchid show at the Roberson Museum and Science Center, 30 Front Street, Binghamton, NY on April 25-26, 2020. The show is open to the public from 12-5 each day.
The show will feature displays of beautiful and exotic orchids from STOS, the Central New York Orchid Society (CNYOS) and our vendors:
Main Street Orchids (Michael and Sharon Kauffman)
Wade’s Orchids (Wade Hollenback)
Fair Orchids (Kim Feddersen)
Vendors will have many orchids for sale on both days. There will also be educational exhibits, activities for children, and a raffle for orchids in bloom.
We encourage you to visit the museum while you are there. The orchid show is free, however the museum has admission fees.

