SOS Mentoring Program
Sarasota Orchid Society (SOS) Mentor/Mentee Program allows those who have been a member, in good standing, for more than 6 months and have had a chance to attend several monthly meetings and taken advantage of Roy Krueger’s monthly “How to Grow Orchids” sessions.
How We Do It
Our Mentoring Coordinator, Randy Brodsky (randybrodsky@sarasotaorchidsociety.org) will pair newer members/novice orchid growers, aka mentees, with one of the experienced SOS growers who will act as the mentor. The mentees will be given a packet of information covering the growing habits for the more common orchid genus such as Cattleyas, Dendrobiums, Oncidiums, Phalaenopsis, etc. They will then meet once at the mentor’s home to see and discuss how the mentor grows their orchids. The mentor will also review the materials and websites that are in the mentees’ information package and on the SOS website. The mentor will then meet once at each mentee’s home to see how they grow, offer suggestions and answer any questions. Total time involved should be less than 4 to 5 hours.
Our Intent
Our hope is that the mentor becomes an additional resource for our new growers as well as a key provider of feedback for topics to be covered during the “How to grow orchids” sessions that Roy Krueger conducts prior to the regular monthly meeting. This is a program for all of us to learn how to be more successful orchid growers.
Information
How to Buy an Orchid by Ned Nash – http://www.aos.org/orchids/orchid-care/what-should-i-look-for-when-i-buy-an-orchid.aspx
FAQ’s from AOS – https://www.aos.org/AOS/media/Content-Images/PDFs/FAQ_novice.pdf
Orchid Care – http://www.aos.org/orchids/orchid-care.aspx
Orchid Culture Articles by Sue Bottom – https://staugorchidsociety.org/culture-monthly-sue.htm
Cleaning Clay Pots – https://sarasotaorchidsociety.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/CleaningClayPotsbySueBottom.pdf
Culture Sheets for Common Orchids- http://www.aos.org/orchids/culture-sheets.aspx
Orchid Diseases and Control – https://staugorchidsociety.org/PDF/OrchidDiseaseControl-ResponsebySueBottom.pdf
Orchid Shows and Judging – http://www.aos.org/orchid-awards-judging.aspx
St. Augustine Site Map – List of all of their resources! https://staugorchidsociety.org/site_map.htm