Maybe this is a stupid question

[Bulbofett]

Originally Posted by DeaC

I've only been a member for 3 yrs. and am now a Trustee along with 3 others and its been on the job training but fun and informative. Many members do bring in their own plants for auction but we also have a raffle table at our monthly mtgs. for such donations-brings in a bit of revenue gives buyers a chance to try something new. My desire for plants is varied but I now know what I can't grow so it limits what I'll buy...champagne taste,beer barrel pocket,ya know. Oh to win the lottery!

I know exactly what you mean! There was someone in my town who won a $200,000 lottery yesterday. They asked her what she was going to do with it, and I kept thinking how many orchids that would buy me in addition to a glass greenhouse lol.

I found out that SVO plants will be up for auction. I almost died and went to heaven when the president e-mailed me that. Catasetums have become my favorite orchids. I can't wait to buy some for reasonable prices!

[DeaC]

The word "reasonable" means different things to different people! During our auction some 2 yrs ago,I outbidded a fellow for a Catt. mounted. I was pretty sure it had to be special since he was so persistent. I'm still trying to get a bloom in my unsophisticated ways! But let us know what you get & good luck!

[Bulbofett]

Originally Posted by DeaC

The word "reasonable" means different things to different people! During our auction some 2 yrs ago,I outbidded a fellow for a Catt. mounted. I was pretty sure it had to be special since he was so persistent. I'm still trying to get a bloom in my unsophisticated ways! But let us know what you get & good luck!

Oh, what Catt? The orchid club had a raffle last year in which something similar happened. There was a native SC orchid, and of course, everyone put a ticket in the box to win it. It is the only epiphytic orchid that grows here. One gentleman looked like he had just gone to Chuck E Cheese, he had so many tickets . He put all of his tickets in that box, and didn't even win it!

[isurus79]

The plants at our auctions always seem to go for amazingly low prices! I bought a mature but rough looking Phrag. Memoria Dick Clements for $3. Not too shabby.

[Ray]

At my first society auction, I outbid a guy for a huge phrag. When I repotted it not much later, I gave a division to that guy - we're both happy.

[DeaC]

Originally Posted by Bulbofett

Oh, what Catt? The orchid club had a raffle last year in which something similar happened. There was a native SC orchid, and of course, everyone put a ticket in the box to win it. It is the only epiphytic orchid that grows here. One gentleman looked like he had just gone to Chuck E Cheese, he had so many tickets . He put all of his tickets in that box, and didn't even win it!

It's C.aclandiae 'Blue Sky' HCC/AOS x C.aclandiae 'Gulfglade' AM/AOS . Haven't had blooms yet but lots of new stuff growing. I don't find catts easy but the few I have really love outside in the summer. Blue Sky was a bit of an investment for me and I always want a return on my money!

[NYCorchidman]

We get plants from vendors who are willing to give away for our auctions.
I hear it's getting more and more difficult to get plants, which is sad because the auction is a main fund-raiser for the society to be able to go on.

I also donate quality plants, but not many to prevent others from getting upset. Some people with all the good intention to help out for the good cause bring plants that are not in great conditions, and telling them no sometimes hurt their feelings.
So it's sort of unspoken rules not to accept plants from members, but there are very few exceptions.

The society is not that active, which is sad as well.

It's nice to hear how active other groups are doing.

[silken]

So how did the auction go? Did you get some good deals?

[Bulbofett]

Originally Posted by silken

So how did the auction go? Did you get some good deals?

I actually made a separate post about it. I need to stop doing that, and just make updates lol. So much easier! I didn't get as great deals as I thought I was going to get.

I got the plant I went there for which was Ctsm. Vroni, and I also picked up a NOID Cattleya. It was a division from a really well known grower who recently passed. In fact, most of the plants at the auction were from his greenhouse. I couldn't pass it up for $3 even if it was a NOID. I'm sure it will be beautiful when it blooms, and I hope to take it back to the society for an ID once it blooms.

[Bulbofett]

Originally Posted by NYCorchidman

We get plants from vendors who are willing to give away for our auctions.
I hear it's getting more and more difficult to get plants, which is sad because the auction is a main fund-raiser for the society to be able to go on.

I also donate quality plants, but not many to prevent others from getting upset. Some people with all the good intention to help out for the good cause bring plants that are not in great conditions, and telling them no sometimes hurt their feelings.
So it's sort of unspoken rules not to accept plants from members, but there are very few exceptions.

The society is not that active, which is sad as well.

It's nice to hear how active other groups are doing.

We're actually not as active as you might think. I will definitely be running to be a board member. I think there are many events the club could attend to raise funds, get out in the community, educate about the native orchids, etc... that they just don't take advantage of.

The club meets every other month, and not at all in the winter months. I see the way that other clubs run things, and think there are many improvements to be made. Running to be a board member I'd hope to bridge the age gap a little bit, and make the club more active.