Tuesday, January 17, 2023
OSMT Meeting in person at Cheekwood Botanic Gardens (Zoom/Online will be available)

7 pm CST: Ed Merkle – “Cattleya Culture”

Location: In Person @ Cheekwood Botanical Gardens – directions, 1200 Forrest Park Drive, Nashville Tennessee 37205.
Online Attendance: (In Person @ Cheekwood and Online via ‘Zoom’)

Ed started growing orchids in 1977 when he purchased a white Cattleya orchid while attending college. They became an instant passion and his collection quickly grew to many dozens. He attended some our OSMT meetings and shows in the early 1980s before taking a career cross country. He and his family moved back to Nashville in 1996 and he and Lydia have been OSMT members ever since. They currently host the annual OSMT picnic and auction at their home. Ed’s backyard greenhouse houses a varied collection of over a thousand orchids, most of which are now Cattleya including some of his own hybrids.