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.”
May 17 • Sunday
Special Notice • May Meeting
Meeting moved to May 17 — the weekend after Mother's Day.
Please note our May meeting will be held on Sunday, May 17 (one week later than usual) so members can spend Mother’s Day with family.
Guest Speaker
Christian Lesage — Connecticut Orchid Society
“Let’s Talk About Orchid Viruses: Prevention and Detection — A Collector’s Approach to Virus Management.”
Christian is President of the CT Orchid Society and Estate Greenhouse Manager at Rock Cobble Farm in South Kent, CT, where he tends a collection of more than 800 orchids. A Cornell-trained horticulturist, he’ll walk us through identifying CymMV, ORSV, and other common orchid viruses — and the practical habits that keep a collection clean.
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.