When and Where Does the San Diego County Orchid Society Meet?

Updated

The San Diego County Orchid Society (SDCOS) holds its regular monthly meeting on the first Tuesday of each month in Room 101 of the Casa del Prado in Balboa Park, and the meeting is open to the public. The culture class begins at 6:30 PM, and the main presentation starts around 7:30–7:45 PM. The next regular meeting listed on the site is Tuesday, October 6, 2026.

Meeting Details at a Glance

Item Detail
Frequency Every 1st Tuesday of the month
Location Room 101, Casa del Prado, Balboa Park
Public access Open to the public
Culture class Starts 6:30 PM
Main presentation Starts 7:30–7:45 PM
Next listed meeting Tuesday, October 6, 2026

What Happens at a Meeting

Each meeting follows a two-part format, so you can arrive for either portion depending on your interest:

  • Culture class (6:30 PM): A practical growing-focused talk. For the October 6, 2026 meeting, Todd Ruth presents on Breeding Predatory Mites to Fight Pests.
  • Main presentation (7:30–7:45 PM): A featured speaker talk. For the same meeting, Lou Jost presents Why are orchids so diverse? Clues from the distribution of Andean miniatures.

The site directs readers to the society's newsletter for further details on each meeting.

One Exception: The December Meeting

The December meeting is not open to the public. It is the SDCOS Holiday Party, reserved for members and their guests (one guest per member). That gathering starts at 6 PM with appetizers, the main course at 6:30 PM, and the presentation at 7 PM. If you are planning a first visit, choose a regular monthly meeting rather than December.

Related Events Worth Knowing

  • Fall Show: Saturday, October 24 (noon–6 PM) and Sunday, October 25 (10 AM–4 PM), in Room 101 and Patio A of the Casa del Prado, Balboa Park. Admission is free, and plant sales on Saturday begin at 10 AM, two hours before the official opening.
  • Plant check-in for the show: Friday 10/23 from 2–7 PM or Saturday 10/24 from 8–9 AM. Members (and non-members) are invited to pre-register blooming plants using the linked forms and show schedule; volunteers receive redeemable coupons.

Before You Go

Confirm the current month's meeting on the SDCOS website or newsletter, since speaker topics and any schedule changes are announced there. The location is fixed at Casa del Prado, Room 101, in Balboa Park, and regular meetings require no membership to attend.