Next Meeting is on Thursday, March 19^th, 7:30 pm -10:00pm

Pleasant Hill Community Center
 320 Civic Dr. - in the McHale Room

Carol Klonowski will talk about South African Orchids and the 21st World Orchid Conference in Johannisburg, South Africa

Carol Klonowski has been growing orchids since the 1980's when a friend in Berkeley, California, gave her a cattleya 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 passion ever since. 
She can recall going to monthly meetings at OSC and DVOS where orchid legends such as the late Frank Fordyce and Dick Emory would be available to answer the many questions an eager hobbyist could ask.  

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 an Accredited Judge with the American Orchid Society, California Sierra Nevada Judging Center. 

This talk covers the recent 21st World Orchid Conference in Johannesburg, South Africa, and gives an overview of this most unique country's orchids. From the well-known Disas to rarer but no less interesting Bartholinas, and from fynbo, mountainside and savannah habitats. We will explore why South Africa was chosen as the host nation for this prestigious event.

In addition, Carol will offer a preview of the next WOC in Guayaquil, Ecuador, and offer reasons why everyone should plan to attend.