2026 Calendar
Please check back often for the latest information on our meetings, shows, judging opportunities, and more.
2026 MONTHLY MEETINGS
JANUARY 25 **CANCELLED DUE TO WEATHER**
Featured Speaker: Scott Elliott
Topic: An Overview of Catasetinae and How to Grow Them
The Memphis Orchid Society is excited to welcome Scott Elliott of Maneki Hill Orchids as our January guest speaker. Scott will present an engaging and informative talk on Catasetinae—a fascinating group of orchids known for dramatic flowers, seasonal growth habits, and rewarding blooms. Whether you’re new to orchids or a seasoned grower, you’ll come away with practical tips and insights you can use right away.
Plants Available for Purchase
Scott will bring a fantastic selection of orchids for sale at the meeting, including:
- Catasetinae – large, blooming-size plants (no seedlings!)
- Mini-Cattleyas – most are also blooming size
- Additional specialty orchids may be available
Preorders Available (Members Only)
- 10% off
- Free delivery to the meeting
- No sales tax
Website: https://www.scottelliottdaylilies.com/maneki-hill-orchids.html
Note: The website cannot process preorder discounts—email Scott directly. If you don’t see what you’re looking for, ask! Many plants are not listed online.
About the Speaker
Scott Elliott has been growing orchids since the 1960s and once maintained a collection of over 5,000 orchids. He even spent a year living in the Amazon, collecting Colombian and Brazilian orchids.
In 2020, Scott partnered with Sue Hill to form Maneki Hill Orchids, now home to approximately 15,000 orchids, specializing in:
- Cutting-edge mini-Cattleyas
- Exceptional Catasetum hybrids
- Bulbophyllum species and other compact orchids
Scott is also highly accomplished in the plant world, earning national recognition for his work in both orchids and daylilies, including multiple Awards of Merit and prestigious lifetime achievement honors.
FEBRUARY 22
Featured Speaker: American Orchid Society Webinar
Topic: Brassovola — species and select hybrids
We’re excited to feature a full American Orchid Society (AOS) Webinar presentation on Brassovola — species and select hybrids.
These elegant, often fragrant orchids are favorites for their starry blooms and easy-growing nature. Come ready to learn from one of the best educational resources in the orchid world.
Orchid Auction to Follow!
We’ll wrap up the meeting with an orchid auction — a fantastic opportunity to add something new and exciting to your collection.
MARCH 22 * NEW RESCHEDULED DATE*
Featured Speaker: Scott Elliott
Topic: An Overview of Catasetinae and How to Grow Them
The Memphis Orchid Society is excited to welcome Scott Elliott of Maneki Hill Orchids as our January guest speaker. Scott will present an engaging and informative talk on Catasetinae—a fascinating group of orchids known for dramatic flowers, seasonal growth habits, and rewarding blooms. Whether you’re new to orchids or a seasoned grower, you’ll come away with practical tips and insights you can use right away.
Plants Available for Purchase
Scott will bring a fantastic selection of orchids for sale at the meeting, including:
- Catasetinae – large, blooming-size plants (no seedlings!)
- Mini-Cattleyas – most are also blooming size
- Additional specialty orchids may be available
About the Speaker
Scott Elliott has been growing orchids since the 1960s and once maintained a collection of over 5,000 orchids. He even spent a year living in the Amazon, collecting Colombian and Brazilian orchids.
In 2020, Scott partnered with Sue Hill to form Maneki Hill Orchids, now home to approximately 15,000 orchids, specializing in:
- Cutting-edge mini-Cattleyas
- Exceptional Catasetum hybrids
- Bulbophyllum species and other compact orchids
Scott is also highly accomplished in the plant world, earning national recognition for his work in both orchids and daylilies, including multiple Awards of Merit and prestigious lifetime achievement honors.
APRIL 26
Featured Speaker: Mark Mills, MD
Topic: The Hadrolaelias – Small Plant, Big Flowers
Join us for an exciting evening with our own Mark Mills as he presents: “The Hadrolaelias – Small Plant, Big Flowers”
Don’t let their size fool you—Hadrolaelias pack a serious punch when it comes to stunning, oversized blooms and vibrant color. Mark will walk us through what makes these compact orchids so special, how to grow them successfully, and why they deserve a place in every collection.
About the Speaker
Mark is both a Memphis Orchid Society member and an American Orchid Society Student Judge, bringing both passion and expertise to this presentation.
Bonus: Orchid auction at the end of the meeting—don’t miss your chance to take home something new!
Refreshments will be served.
MAY 24
Featured Speaker: Claude Hamilton, formerly of Hamlyn Orchids, Jamaica
Topic: Broughtonia and Their Use in Breeding
Join us for a special evening with internationally recognized orchid expert Claude Hamilton as he presents: “Broughtonia and Their Use in Breeding”. Claude will share his decades of experience working with Broughtonias and their hybrids, discussing their unique characteristics, breeding potential, and the important role they have played in orchid hybridizing and conservation.
About the Speaker
Claude Hamilton has been growing orchids for more than sixty years and is a former President of the Jamaica Orchid Society. He has served as an Accredited Judge with both the Jamaica Orchid Society and the American Orchid Society and has lectured and judged in more than 34 countries.
Claude is widely known for his orchid hybridizing work, particularly involving Broughtonias, Brassavola, Encyclia, Myrmecophila, and Laelia species and hybrids. His hybrids have earned more than 400 AOS awards. Alongside his wife Elizabeth, he founded Hamlyn Orchids Ltd. in Jamaica in 1983, where orchids were propagated from seed and exported worldwide for decades.
Following his retirement and move to the United States in 2024, Claude continues hybridizing, judging, lecturing, and operating an orchid laboratory in Central Florida.
Refreshments will be served.
JUNE 5-7 - ANNUAL SHOW AND SALE
Founded in 1955, the Memphis Orchid Society began its annual show and sale in 1977 in Downtown Memphis - it migrated to the Memphis Botanic Garden in 1985. Here orchid enthusiasts can explore a wide variety of stunning blooms from top vendors and browse exquisite orchid exhibits from local and regional growers. Don’t miss the re-potting station, where you can learn techniques to keep your orchids thriving.
Facebook: Facebook.com/MemphisOrchidSociety
Days & Hours
Friday, June 5: Noon-5pm
Saturday, June 6: 9am-5pm
*ribbon judging 10am-Noon, limited exhibit access
Sunday, June 7: 11am-4pm
Location Memphis Botanic Garden 750 Cherry Road
Vendors
Ecuagenera
Offers over 8,000 plant species and hybrids, bringing the beauty of Ecuador’s flora to life.
Windy Hill Gardens
Offers top quality Phragmipediums, Paphiopedilums, Mexipediums, and Bulbophyllums.
Stones River Orchids
Offers a premier selection of Phalaenopsis, showcasing vibrant colors and exquisite varieties.
Marble Branch Farms
Offers a diverse selection of rare and unusual orchid species and hybrids, known for exceptional quality and unique finds.
Maneki Hill Orchids
Offers miniature Cattleyas, Catasetum hybrids, and a variety of mounted orchids.
Timbuktoo Orchids
Offers a wide selection of orchids and companion plants, featuring varieties perfect for beginners and collectors alike.
JUNE 28
June 28 Mark Mills. “Orchids 101”
JULY 26
Arthur Chadwick. “Large Flowering Cattleya Species.” Chadwick Orchids. He will
bring preordered plants.
AUGUST 23
Melissa Garner. “Orchid Sex.” MOS member, AOS judge and orchid breeder.
SEPTEMBER 27
Our Annual Plant Redistribution event, formerly the Swap. Time to pass on divisions
or other orchids before the deep fall. Plants will have suggested donations amounts for the benefit of our society.
OCTOBER 25
Tim Culbertson. “A Baker's Dozen of Easy Paph. Species.” SVO Paph. partner,
among many other hats. He will bring plants to sell and or preorders.
NOVEMBER 15 - Silent Auction & Holiday Party
TBD
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MONTHLY ORCHID JUDGING
MOS member Melissa Garner is an accredited judge for the American Orchid Society and visits the judging center in St. Louis regularly.
If you have an orchid you would like to have considered for AOS judging, please contact Melissa to find out when she is going and to coordinate plant drop-off and pickup.
