What Is the San Diego County Orchid Society (SDCOS) Website?

Updated

sdorchids.com is the official website of the San Diego County Orchid Society (SDCOS), a local orchid society based in San Diego, California. The site serves as the organization's public hub for meeting announcements, orchid show details, membership information, and educational resources. It is aimed at orchid growers and enthusiasts in the San Diego area, as well as members who need to register plants, volunteer for shows, or stay current on society events.

What the Site Covers

The homepage functions as a notice board for the society's activities. Based on the site content, the main areas are:

  • Meetings — held every first Tuesday of the month in Room 101 of the Casa del Prado in Balboa Park, open to the public. Each meeting includes a culture class (starting 6:30 PM) and a main presentation (starting around 7:30–7:45 PM).
  • Orchid shows — the society runs seasonal shows with plant sales, exhibits, and judging. The Fall Show is a two-day event at Casa del Prado, Balboa Park.
  • Member participation — plant pre-registration forms, show schedules, and volunteer sign-up links for members (non-members are also invited to help).
  • Newsletter — linked for more detailed meeting and speaker information.
  • Donations — a donation option is listed on the site.

Key Details for Visitors

Item Detail
Organization San Diego County Orchid Society (SDCOS)
Meeting location Room 101, Casa del Prado, Balboa Park
Meeting schedule First Tuesday of each month; public welcome
Meeting format Culture class 6:30 PM; main presentation ~7:30–7:45 PM
Fall Show dates Saturday, October 24 (noon–6 PM) and Sunday, October 25 (10 AM–4 PM)
Show location Room 101 and Patio A, Casa del Prado, Balboa Park
Show admission Free
Plant sales Saturday sales begin at 10 AM, two hours before the show opens
Plant check-in Friday 2–7 PM or Saturday 8–9 AM

How to Use the Site

If you want to attend a meeting: No registration is needed — meetings are open to the public. Check the homepage or newsletter for the current month's speakers and topics, then arrive at Casa del Prado in Balboa Park on the first Tuesday.

If you want to exhibit orchids in a show: Members (and invited non-members) pre-register blooming plants using the linked forms — a Word file is preferred — and consult the show schedule PDF to find the correct section and class. Plants are checked in on the Friday afternoon or Saturday morning before the show.

If you want to volunteer: A volunteer sign-up link is provided on the homepage. Volunteers receive redeemable coupons as a thank-you.

If you want to join or donate: The homepage includes join and donate options. Note that some events — such as the December Holiday Party — are reserved for members and their guests and are not open to the public.

What to Keep in Mind

  • The site is a volunteer-run society page, so event dates and details can change; confirm against the newsletter or flyer links before traveling.
  • The Holiday Party requires sign-up to receive a gift plant and is members-only (one guest per member).
  • The site lists PayPal among its payment options, but specific membership fees or donation amounts are not stated on the homepage — check the join page or contact the society for current costs.

For anyone in the San Diego area interested in growing orchids, the site is a practical starting point: it tells you when and where to meet, how to show your plants, and how to get involved.