Annual Summer Workshop, August 9, 2025
This year’s Annual Summer Workshop, to be held Saturday, August 9, will focus on the topic “Orchids That Grow Well in the South (And That You Don’t Find at the Grocery Store).” An all-day event from 8:30am to 4:30pm, the workshop will be held at The Black Lab, 4100 Montrose Boulevard, in Houston.
A Friday night social for all attendees with the speakers will take place at 6pm at Father Ted Baenziger’s residence. Registrants will receive an email with more information.
The workshop will focus on three orchid varieties that grow well outdoors in our unique Southern Gulf Coast climate: biofoliate Cattleyas, Catasetinae, and Bulbophyllums. Speakers include Fred Clarke of Sunset Valley Orchids in California; Bill Thoms, author of Bulbophyllums; the Incomplete Guide from A to WHY?; and local Houston-area growers who will share their own insights into growing these orchids locally.
In addition to the classes there will be AOS judging, plant and book sales, and a silent auction. Lunch is included in the $65/person registration fee, and AOS judging will be held during the lunch break. Please use the form below to register. You may register for the workshop using a credit or debit card by scrolling down. If you prefer to pay at the workshop, please send an email to Don Ghiz with your intention to attend so that we have an accurate head count for lunch.
Workshop Agenda—
Orchids That Grow Well in the South
(And That You Don’t Find at the Grocery Store)
| 8:30 am | Registration and social |
| 9:00 am | Opening remarks: Stephen Gallagher |
| 9:05 am | Introduction of speakers: Don Ghiz |
| 9:15–10:00 am | Speaker: Fred Clarke, “Spotted and Splashed Cattleyas” |
| 10:00–10:15 am | Break |
| 10:15–11:00 am | Speaker: Bill Thoms, “Bulbophyllum Culture’ |
| 11:00–11:15 am | Break |
| 11:15 am–1:15 pm | Lunch, AOS judging, silent auction, sales |
| 1:15–2:00 pm | Speaker: Fred Clarke, “Catasetinae Species and Their Cultivation” |
| 2:00–2:15 pm | Break |
| 2:15–3:00 pm | Speaker: Bill Thoms, “General Orchid Culture” |
| 3:10 pm | Silent auction ends |
| 3:20–4:00 pm | Culture panel discussion and Q&A |
Please note that the venue for the workshop has been changed to The Black Lab at the University of St. Thomas, 4100 Montrose Blvd., Houston, Texas 77006. Parking on Montrose is limited, but attendees may park on the side streets and along Yoakum, the street behind Montrose. Please see the interactive map of the university. The black dot at #10, on the far right, is the location of the venue. Click on the black dot to view a photo of the building.
