An organization of orchid societies dedicated to the preservation of orchids
ORCHIDS, ORCHIDS, AND MORE ORCHIDS!!!!
WELCOME TO The mid-america orchid congress
Who We Are
Our History
Our History
We are an organization dedicated to the preservation of orchids in their natural habitats, the propagation of orchids by seed and cuttings, the development of new and better plants through breeding, and providing information to growers who subscribe to our principles.
Our History
Our History
Our History
Since 1949, the MAOC has sponsored six North American Judging Centers, and supported regional orchid shows of our member Societies.
Our Purpose
Our History
Our Purpose
The purpose of the Congress is to effect relationships among the Orchid Societies in Mid-North America and Canada by meetings advancing the knowledge and appreciation of orchids.
A WEBINAR WITH CARSON WHITLOW "A wORLD OF CYPRIPEDIUMS"
A little about carson whitlow
BIO
Carson E. Whitlow
Carson became interested in orchids in 1958 when he was a sophomore in college. The following years he worked on the weekends and summers repotting orchids for a firm in Springfield, Illinois. After graduating in 1960, Carson went to Santa Ana, California to work for the prestigious firm of B. O. Bracey and Company. A year later, he changed his direction and entered upon a career in government service with the Orange County (California) Health Department. Career-wise, he has been an administrator in public health since that time, changing in 1988 to highway safety from where he retired in 2005. Educationally, he has a Bachelors of Arts degree in education and mathematics (1960) from Blackburn College, Carlinville, Illinois, and a Master of Science of Public Health degree in biostatistics (1973) from the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina.
After leaving the Bracey firm, Carson established his own collection, mostly of blue Cattleyas, with which he undertook hybridizing in association with Fred A. Stewart, Orchids, in San Gabriel, California. From 1964 thru 1969, he produced in excess of 60 blue cattleya hybrids, many of which are still in collections, arising from the original seedlings or as mericlones. Many are used as basic parents in today's blue Cattleya breeding.
In 1973, with his move to central Iowa, Carson took a distinct change in direction, working with the hardy terrestrial orchids, primarily the Cypripediums and Calopogons. His worked resulted in the first registered artificial hybrids of Cypripedium in 1987 and Calopogon in 1991. He continued to hybridize these genera and built a small business, Cyp. Haven, as retail outlet for his work. His business closed in 2009. However, he does continue to hybridize blue cattleyas and white paphs and provides the seed to other growers to offer.
In 1995, Carson's interest in the internet and an easier means of finding orchid related sites on the world wide web brought about the birth of "The Orchid Mall," which today has become the definitive index site for orchids on the internet. In addition, the "unClassified Ads" offers everyone an opportunity to share their plants and/or find things they are looking for.
Carson's hybrid work is recognized throughout the world. He has published over 30 articles in U.S. and European journals. He has been giving presentations on his breeding and propagation for over 30 years, throughout the United States, Canada, and in Scotland at the 14th World Orchid Congress in 1993. He is truly a world-class hybridizer, author and speaker.
Carson is available for presenting several programs to Orchid, Garden, and Rock Gaden groups, usually only for travel expenses (see Presentations). Though he can often schedule on short notice, it is best to contact him well in advance of your expected program date. He is willing to stay with members of the groups to whom he is speaking to reduce costs. His wife and partner, Lorna, often accompanies him on his trips. Speaking costs are the usual travel costs.
HOPE YOU COME!!!--AUGUST 23-25
THE MAOC WILL HOLD OUR MEETING IN DAYTON IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE MIAMI VALLEY ORCHID SOCIETY AND THE GREATER CINCINNATI ORCHID SOCIETY, AND THE AOS MEMBER MEETING, COMPLETE WITH SPEAKERS, A SHOW, AND A TON OF VENDORS. The 2024SHOW WAS A WONDERFUL SUCCESS.. JUST A WONDERFUL OPPORTUNITY TO SHARE YOUR ORCHID TALES, TALK TO OTHERS WITH SAME INTERESTS. ORCHIDS WILL BE JUDGED!!! MARK YOUR CALENDARS FOR THIS YEAR 2025 EVEN BETTER. WE WILL BE HOSTING WITH THE AMERICAN ORCHID SOCIETY MEEETING OF THE MEMBERS!!!
DID YOU KNOW?
SPRING MEETING TROPHIES
SPRING MEETING TROPHIES
SPRING MEETING TROPHIES
- THE MID-AMERICA TROPHY--MOST OUTSTANDING EXHIBIT BY AN MAOC AFFILIATED SOCIETY
- HENRY C. HOLMES AWARD--BEST ONCIDIUM ALLIANCE PLANT IN SHOW
- DELBERT LOWELL JACKS AWARD--BEST SPECIMEN PLANT
- THE FL STEVENSON AWARD--BEST PLEUROTHALLID ALLIANCE PLANT
- FOX VALLEY AWARD--BEST CYPRIPEDIUM ALLIANCE PLANT (Plant w/highest AOS Award or best of class if no AOS award.
SPRING MEETING TROPHIES
SPRING MEETING TROPHIES
Ordering Show Tags
SPRING MEETING TROPHIES
FALL MEETING TROPHIES
Order from Lois Cinert @george.cinert@att.net, 630-739-1068. Please note we have had a price increase. Send check for $35.00 post paid, made out to Mid American Orchid Congress for 500 tags to
Jeanne Rhinehart
Treasurer, MAOC
6222 LeRoy Place
Cincinnati, OH 45230
FALL MEETING TROPHIES
FUNDING ORCHID CONSERVATION
FALL MEETING TROPHIES
- THE MID-AMERICA TROPHY--MOST OUTSTANDING EXHIBIT BY AFFILIATED SOCIETY
- THE CLIFFORD AND VIVIAN WALTERS AWARD--BEST ONCIDIUM ALLIANCE PLANT IN SHOW
- RAYMOND MCCULLOUGH AWARD--BEST EPIDENDRUM OR ENCYCLIA IN SHOW
- CHRISTINE M. CHOWNING AWARD, BEST ANGRECOID SPECIES
- DELBERT LOWELL JACKS AWARD--BEST SPECIMEN PLANT
FUNDING ORCHID CONSERVATION
FUNDING ORCHID CONSERVATION
FUNDING ORCHID CONSERVATION
THE MAOC FUNDS VARIOUS ORCHID CONSERVATION EFFORTS AROUND THE COUNTRY, ESPECIALLY THE MIDWEST AREAS. THE WHEELER ORCHID COLLECTION AND SPECIES BANK AT BALL STATE UNIVERSITY IS JUST ONE OF THE RECIPIENTS. THE NORTH AMERICAN ORCHID CONSERVATION CENTER HELPS HARVEST SEED FOR THE ORCHID SEED BANK IN THREATENED AREAS. IF YOU HAVE A PROJECT THAT YOU THINK WE COULD FUND, CONTACT CHAIR: BILL MORRISON
FUNDING SPEAKERS
FUNDING ORCHID CONSERVATION
FUNDING ORCHID CONSERVATION
THE MAOC FUNDS WORLD CLASS SPEAKERS AT ITS MEETINGS, AND ALL WHO ATTEND ARE INVITED TO HEAR ALL ABOUT ORCHIDS. TOM MIRENDA, FRED CLARKE, DENNIS WHIGHAM OF THE NAOCC, LEON GLICENSTEIN, ORCHID BREEDER AND SPEAKER, ARE BUT A FEW OF PREVIOUS SPEAKERS.