January 2024 - Carol Beule

Carol BeuleWe are delighted to welcome Carol Beule from Holllywood Hills to our society as our first speaker of 2024. Carol will talk on ‘Sarchochilus’ a wonderful compact species from Australia that does well in our Southern California climate. While Sarcochilus can be grown in a greenhouse, they can easily grow alongside cattleyas and any other outdoor growing orchids in our area. The species have been extensively hybridized to produce Sarcos in a variety of colors and sizes and, as such, they are perfect additions to every orchid enthusiast’s collection. Most are compact but they also can develop into large specimen plants. Carol will discuss how to grow Sarcochilus and share her extensive knowledge of this interesting class of orchids. 

Carol is a shared speaker with our sister society, SDCOS, who will give a talk on ‘Lycastes’ on Tuesday evening, January 2 at 6:30 pm in Balboa Park should any of our members desire to attend in person or participate on Zoom.

Carol has grown all species of orchids since purchasing a home at the base of the Hollywood Hills 25 years ago, and it has been her quest to discover which orchids will thrive in the unique climate she has in the San Fernando Valley and the surrounding communities. In the search to find the perfect plant for her growing area, Carol now grows Neofinetia (Vanda) falcata, Paphiopedilum, Phalaenopsis, Cattleya, Laelia, Dendrobium, Lycaste, Asian Cymbidiums and Rossioglossum orchids on her patio and in two small greenhouses.

Carol is a Fully Accredited American Orchid Society Judge, the 1st VP of the Orchid Society of Southern California, and is on the committee that creates the Society’s display for the Hunting-ton’s annual October Orchid Show. Carol has grown orchids for 28 years and grows orchids in two small greenhouses and outside in her yard in Studio City, CA.

When Carol retired, she started making ceramic pots for Japanese/Korean/Chinese orchids including Neofinetia (Vanda) falcata, Asian Cymbidiums and other small orchids. You can view Carol’s exquisite pots on her website.

Carol recently wrote an article for the American Orchid Society monthly magazine on the pots used to display Vanda falcata in Japan and the US. 

The article was illustrated using some photos taken by her and other OSSC members.  The 1st part was started in February of 2022, and continued in the July and August 2022 issues of Orchids. The articles include many beautiful pictures of Neofinetia falcatas and related orchids.