Our Mission

To contribute educational information on orchids that can be understood and used by orchid growers everywhere!

Our Motto

The more you know -The better you grow.

Our Activities

The New Mexico Orchid Guild (NMOG) provides ongoing "orchid education" throughout the year. New Mexico's premier orchid organization regularly meets at the new location:  The Bureau of Land Management 435 Montano Road, NE Albuquerque, NM   87107 and other locations that feature greenhouses, atriums, and other orchid growing environments usually on the first Sunday of the month (except July). Each year, NMOG hosts special events such as an annual Spring show, a greenhouse tour, field trips, and lecture series featuring a variety of orchid topics. Whenever guest speakers are featured the meeting location is usually changed to: The Education Building Rio Grand Botanic Gardens 2601 Central Avenue NW Albuquerque, NM  87104 Monthly newsletters will feature selected orchid genera, orchid history, habitat information, culture requirements, and information about controlling pests and diseases. Color photos accompany the articles and Show and Tell winners are included for all to enjoy. Monthly, members have the opportunity to expand their blooming orchid collection. Don’t live in New Mexico?  You can still be a member and receive the outstanding newsletter complete with color pictures as well as receive all the privileges included with NMOG membership!

As a registered nonprofit 501(3)c organization, donations are gladly accepted and deductible to the full extent allowed by law. Contact Us to make donations.

Our Origin...By M Merrell

In 2001, Diann O’Neill founded her vision, the New Mexico Orchid Guild (NMOG).

 NMOG focus is: “orchid education”.

Diann married into her “orchid addiction” but didn’t really realize the passion until after the “Grand Lady”, Margaret “Peggy” O’Neill, died in 1986. Diann was given the remainder of the orchid collection and the orchid library in 1987. This incredible orchid library was Diann’s foundation and introduction to her orchid knowledge. A portion of Peg’s library was donated to the Great Plains Judging Center.

In 1950, Peg O’Neill CO-founded the New Mexico Orchid Society. It dissolved after 53 years of service. She was also active in South West Regional Orchid Grower’s Association (SWROGA), American Orchid Society (AOS), and Orchid Digest Corporation (ODC). Accredited as an AOS orchid judge on her 59th birthday, she served in numerous positions in the American Orchid Society. Peg, a very outspoken and well educated individual, became the first female vice-president of AOS. She was invited to Thailand to judge at the 11th World Orchid Conference. She had “orchid friends” all over the world.

Peg always focused on orchid education and spreading the “orchid bug”. She introduced many individuals to orchids and always bestowed an orchid to all who visited her greenhouse.

Now Diann, following the path of her mother-in-law, became an accredited AOS judge in 1997 and founded the New Mexico Orchid Guild in 2001.

There are eight orchids which honor the O’Neill Family.

Our Board Members

President
Steve Fischer

Vice President
Dr. Joanne Bodin

Secretary
Debby Lieberman

Treasurer
Keith Mead

Director Emeritus
Don Church

Adrienne Carroll

Nona Church

Jane Cole

Barbara Smith

Lillian Zilius