September 2011 - Paul Gripp

Our speaker for the general meeting on Sept 7, 2011 at 6:30pm will be Paul Gripp from Santa Barbara Orchid Estate.

Here is a description of him from the Newport Harbor Society:

"Revered by his peers for his insatiable interest in all kinds of orchids and once described as “the man” of the orchid industry, Paul Gripp is best known for his association with the Santa Barbara Orchid Estate (SBOE) where he started working in 1957, after earning his BS in horticulture at UCLA. In 1967, he purchased the Estate and built it into one of the foremost orchid nurseries. Though he retired in 1986, he remains active as a Senior Volunteer at the SBOE. Paul and the SBOE are among the world's foremost collectors and propagators of orchid species and hybrids, specializing in outdoor temperature-tolerant varieties.

Paul has held many distinguished offices: President, Cymbidium Society of America; President, Santa Barbara Orchid Show (four times); Member, Research Committee of the American Orchid Society (fifteen years); and a certified American Orchid Society Judge."

This will be a great talk from a legendary orchid grower and speaker. Look forward to seeing you there!