I have been growing orchids since 1979 and have lectured to orchid societies in the United States and in Canada.  I joined the Manhattan Orchid Society in 1980 and I am also a member in the North Jersey Orchid Society and the Ramapo Orchid Society. 

 I started growing Phalaenopsis on windowsills 46 years ago.   Several years later I started using baker’s racks with fluorescent lighting for growing Paphiopedilums.  I am growing in Orchidariums for over 27 years and these days I grow almost exclusively in my three Orchidariums..  My collection contains warm to hot growing Dendrobiums, Bulbophyllums, Phalaenopsis and miniatures from other genera.  My lecture ‘Growing in an Orchidarium’ is a Power Point presentation.  I explain many aspects of growing in an enclosed confined area.  Topics include sanitation, watering, feeding and Orchidarium environmentals.  This talk also includes mistakes to avoid and illustrates the mechanics of growing in an Orchidarium.  Actual photographs are used to illustrate my setups. Also, included are Power Point animations depicting some facets of the mechanics within the Orchidiarum environment.

 I am photographing over 60 years and enjoying photography every minute.  I was asked to photograph awarded plants for the American Orchid Society’s Northeast Judging Center in 2009 and today I continue to photograph for that judging center.  Within my Power Point lecture ‘Myths and Secrets of Orchid Photography’ I explain equipment, techniques for lighting & staging, digital limits for your equipment, debunk myths about choosing your equipment, some techniques to save money and some secrets for getting better photographs.  Upon request with some lead time, I can structure the talk for beginners or successful amateurs or advanced photography.  Otherwise, the presentation covers a little from each level of proficiency.