Saturday, May 16th, 2026 @ 3PM CST: Ed & Lydia Merkle Residence (See OSMT Newsletter for Address)
This beloved annual tradition is one of the highlights of our year — and it’s just around the corner!
We warmly invite all members to the OSMT Picnic and Plant Auction, hosted once again by the generous Ed and Lydia Merkle at their beautiful home and greenhouse. This relaxed, friendly gathering is the perfect opportunity to connect with fellow orchid enthusiasts, enjoy great food, and expand your collection with fantastic plants at excellent prices.
Event Details
- Date & Time: Saturday, May 16th – Picnic begins at 3:00 PM, Auction starts at 3:30 PM
- Location: Ed & Lydia Merkle’s Home
– See OSMT Newsletter for Address –
(Park in the driveway or on a nearby street) - Please bring a lawn chair — seating is limited!
The Orchid Society will provide the main dish and drinks. We kindly ask each member to bring an appetizer, side dish, or dessert to share.
Why You Should Come
This event is more than just a picnic — it’s a wonderful celebration of our orchid community. It’s a chance to:
- Tour Ed and Lydia’s impressive greenhouse
- Catch up with old friends and welcome newer members
- Share plants you’ve propagated or are ready to pass along
- Acquire beautiful orchids from fellow members at very good prices
Our Plant Auction is the society’s largest fundraiser of the year. 100% of the proceeds directly support bringing outstanding speakers to our meetings throughout the year. Every plant you bring helps strengthen our society and enriches our shared passion for orchids.
Newer members — this is a welcoming, low-pressure event designed for mingling, learning, and having fun while growing your collection.
Plant Donation Request
Please look through your collection for healthy plants, divisions, or keikis you’d like to share. The auction is a fantastic way to give back to the group while giving others the opportunity to add exciting new plants to their collections. The more plants we have, the more successful and fun the auction becomes!
Payment: Cash or check only (membership dues for 2026 can also be paid at the event and will be added to your total if you have not paid already).
We can’t wait to spend the afternoon together enjoying good food, great plants, and wonderful company. Your presence and participation truly make this event special! See you on May 16th!
