AOS | Report: New Orleans Orchid Society 2008

Dateline New Orleans - 2008 Show

The New Orleans Orchid Society, Alive and Growing!

Two plants within the New Orleans Orchid Society exhibit, designed by Stephanie Nienaber, received AOS awards and the exhibit itself won both the AOS and ODC show trophies. Congratulations ! photo: © 2008 Stephanie Nienaber

Doritaenopsis Fursheng's Mystical Dream 'Come True' received an HCC/AOS for grower Alice Barrios
© 2008 Stephanie Nienaber

Since the catastrophic flooding following hurricane Katrina in August of 2005 members of the New Orleans Orchid Society have often been asked, "So, how is the society doing?" The answer is that the society is very much alive, and thriving. Yes, we lost many members, but we have gained new members since Katrina and the society currently has a healthy roster of almost 70 members.

The officers of the NOOS, like everyone else in the area, evacuated ahead of Katrina's landfall to widely scattered locations. In the chaotic days that followed, the officers slowly reestablished contact with each other. Cell phones and email were invaluable in contacting people, and in getting news. Even before we were allowed to go home, the officers tentatively decided to hold our usual June show in 2006.

NOOS had small and informal meetings in October and November, and the annual holiday social in December of 2005. The following January meetings resumed at City Park. By February the newsletter was being published again. NOOS held its annual show the following June, at the usual location: Lakeside Mall in Metairie, which was mostly repaired by then. The unofficial theme was "The Show Will Go On", and it did. We were not sure what to expect, but attendance was good, and the venders had good sales. People were eager to have something beautiful to look at. Not surprisingly, the society's exhibit had fewer orchids than usual that year, but it was good enough to win the ODC trophy.

Molly Prokop's gorgeous Sophronitis purpurata (syn. Laelia purpurata) received kudos for both its sparkling flowers and superb culture.
© 2008 Stephanie Nienaber

The amount of damage to orchid collections caused by Katrina varied widely, from insignificant to complete loss, as did the damage to property. The worst damage to most collections was caused by heat. Exhaust fans were not running because of power outages. In some cases, the plants were burned because trees that provided shade were ruined, or greenhouse roofs blew off. Surviving orchids have now had almost 3 years to recover, and our members have had time to restock collections.

The 2008 show closed on Sunday, June 1. Society president Ann Roth, also served as show chair. The NOOS exhibit won the ODC and AOS trophies, and best large society exhibit. Four orchids in the NOOS exhibit were considered for AOS awards, and of those 2 received awards. A total of 11 AOS awards were granted to 9 orchids. Rebuilding in the New Orleans area and along the Gulf Coast will continue for years. But the NOOS has moved on, beyond recovery, to have a show that was the best one yet.

Patricia Sander, Past President NOOS
June 10, 2008

Society president, Ann Roth, received an HCC/AOS for the cute hybrid Doritaenopsis Anna-Larati Soekardi 'Bob's Choice'