Western Massachusetts
Welcome to the Amherst Orchid Society
Growing and sharing the beauty of orchids in Western Massachusetts — through monthly meetings, our annual Show & Sale, and a community that genuinely loves these remarkable plants.
Our mission
“The Amherst Orchid Society is dedicated to the promotion, cultivation, and conservation of orchids — a friendly place to share knowledge and a deep passion for these unique plants.”
September 13th • Sunday
Guest Speaker
Christopher Satch: The Orchidist
Christopher Satch is a Professor at the New York Botanical Gardens, as well as the CEO and Founder of NYC Plant Help, a horticultural consultancy for indoor and outdoor growers in the greater New York area.
Having been featured on NPR, the Wall Street Journal, Architectural Digest, and more, Christopher breaks down the science behind growing plants and explains how plants grow in human-understandable terms. Having specialized in plant physiology and pathology, you can ask him any orchid growth, flowering, or culture question, and he will know the answer.
He is a member of the AOS Education/Tech Committee, has participated in the rewrite of the care and culture sheets for AOS, and grows over 200 plants on windowsills, in terrariums, and more in his tiny Manhattan apartment. His favorite orchids are Cattleya species, Catasetiinae, Miltoniopsis, Lepanthes, and anything else that’s either odd or fragrant.
What's Blooming
Upcoming Events
June 7
Hosted by Marc Gray
Kick off the summer with fellow members at Marc Gray’s place — bring a dish, bring a bloom, and enjoy the season together.
July 12
Hosted by Joe
A summer pot luck picnic at Joe’s. Share a favorite dish and swap stories from the greenhouse and windowsill.
Annual • Spring
Hosted by AOS
A celebration of orchids in full bloom — exhibits, judging, vendors, and rare plants for sale.
Since the 1980s
ABout the Society
Rooted in the Pioneer Valley since the early 1980s.
Formed in the early 1980s as a non-profit, the Amherst Orchid Society has grown into a vital regional resource for orchid growers of every level. We meet on the 2nd Sunday of most months for talks from regional experts, show-and-tell, and Q&A — and host an annual Show & Sale judged by the American Orchid Society.
Join us
Become a member of a society that loves orchids as much as you do.
Annual membership includes meeting access, the newsletter, raffle entries, and the warm welcome of a community of growers across Western Massachusetts.