The San Marino Garden Club recently held its January meeting in the Barth Room at the Crowell Library, where Brandon Tam, orchid specialist at the Huntington Library, shared his extensive knowledge of the flower, including its history. Tam, a trustee of the American Orchid Society, has been with the Huntington since he was 16 years old and over the past nine years has increased the Huntington’s collection from 2,000 orchids to more than 10,000 — one of the largest in the United States. His presentation on caring for orchids and growing them outdoors was enjoyed by all at-tendees. Tam highlighted the importance of water, light, temperature, air flow, fertilizing, repotting and the use of steriliz-ing tools, pesticides and bark.
The club also welcomed new member Karen Montella.
The next program will be at 10 a.m. Tuesday, Feb. 12, in the Fastnow Room of the Hill-Harbison House. Tim Lindsay, curator and director of the Virginia Robinson Gardens, will lead a discussion of the creative use of California native plants as a substitute for lawns.
