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HOTOS October Meeting: Hybrids 101
October 7, 2025 @ 6:30 pm – 9:00 pm
Are you ready for a quick class on orchid hybrids?
Join us as Jay Balchan, past president of the American Orchid Society, presents “Hybrids 101”.
We will learn some important concepts of hybridization, including the idea of dominant and recessive characteristics and polyploidy… and very little about the process of hybridizing.
We will also examine many different plant tags and decode all the information that can be understood just by looking at a tag on a plant you are thinking about buying. So, don’t be late for this class!
If you are interested in joining us on Zoom, please send your request to hotos.austin@gmail.com at least 24 hours in advance.
Speaker Bio: Jay Balchan started growing orchids about 30 years ago when he moved from New Jersey to Houston. His first orchid was a standard phalaenopsis from Home Depot. Being a “plant person”, Jay figured this plant was perfect for the humid outdoor climate of Houston. After three days of Houston rain, the plant he placed on his porch had turned to mush. He promised to learn more and figure out what was done wrong. After visiting local vendors that were in business back then, he discovered the world of orchids. He vividly recalls his first Houston Orchid Society (HOS) meeting and seeing all the amazing plants brought in by members. According to Jay, HOS has a very active newcomers group, and through that, his ties to this hobby were really solidified. Over the years, Jay has served in all of the leadership roles of the HOS and also many in the American Orchid Society (AOS) including president of both.
