The holidays are behind us for another year and it is time to look forward to another growing season.

Before we do that, however, it is only proper to take a moment and reflect upon the happiness and good feelings we just experienced. To the 50 some members and guests who attended our annual holiday party, a good time was had by all. To Maryanne and Ray Hazen for hosting us, our heartfelt thanks. To those of you who couldn’t be with us, we missed you.

My thanks also to the person to whom I was talking about growing Yucca plants. I talked about so many things to so many people that I can’t remember who it was.  Imagine my surprise and delight a day or so later when I found a healthy and happy yucca in an 8” pot sitting on my door step. Thank you whoever you are!!

Showtime is coming the first weekend in January. Sharon Kinkaid is our show chair and she needs all of your plants to show. Your hands and help are also needed to make our exhibit in the Sarasota show a success.

Please drop clean and named plants off at Roger Millers the Wednesday before the show (Jan. 4). Call Sharon with any questions. We will meet at the Sarasota Civic Auditorium on Friday morning at 9:00AM for set up.

We are now at the height of the winter blooming season, so hopefully we will have a nice array of colors and varieties.

Our January meeting will feature splitting and repotting plants. Hopefully we will all get an early start on our spring tasks and get everything repotted so we don’t break any new growth or roots. We’ll also try to have potting materials and time- release fertilizer for sale at the meeting.

Our February meeting will feature Nancy Logsdar, an AOS judge from Tampa who will speak on mounting plants.

Remember to protect your plants from the coming cold. It really will get cold some time this winter. Hearty Catts and Oncidium can take 40 degrees, but many of the tenderer plants need some protection. Take care.

Happy Growing! Roy