San
Diego County Orchid Society Volume 5 Newsletter Distribution - 712 Members July 1999 NOVICE CLASS Ralph Smith will do a talk on Phals...from bottle to pot. THIS MONTH’S GENERAL MEETING This month’s guest speaker, Peter Faletra, PhD. leads a most interesting Orchid Conservation Project right here in our United States. The beauty of this project is that it includes the education of youth and the restoration of critically endangered orchid species indigenous to New Hampshire and Vermont. Peter is a high school science teacher from Lincoln, New Hampshire. He and his students have built their own tissue culture lab in the high school where plantlets are developed for reintroduction to New Hampshire’s White Mountains. Peter is going to tell us about the project. You can read up on the project that was featured in an article in the February 1997 publication of AOS Orchids. Two years ago the SDCOS Conservation Committee took an interest in Peter’s program as a project deserving financial support from the committee. The only letdown is that Peter could not bring his students on this trip. Here is something about Peter and his project: The program we have is involved with the restoration of Cypripedium, reginae, calceolus and arietinum to the state of NH. We have planted about three hundred to the wild and have supplied some regional gardening and orchid groups with plants to grow in "studied" areas for further information on habitat requirements. We have a quite rapid germination and development method of axenic seed culture for C. reginae and are bringing the other species up to this standard. Our tissue culture facility is involved mainly with axenic culture but we also dabble in micropropagation. We have published a developmental study of such in 1998 June issue of Selbyana. We have generated over ten thousand C. reginae seedlings in the past two years. Many of these have been given away and used for research analysis of greenhouse growth conditions and outplanting. Some are lost to contamination and other acts of chaos and God. It is our 4th year and we feel that in the next few years we will have a well sorted out the understanding of all facets of their horticulture and tissue culture. We are rather optimistic at the restoration project’s success. Once again the San Diego Zoo Orchid Greenhouse will provide the plants for our Plant Opportunity Table, mostly Paphiopedilum primary hybrids and some Pleurothallid species. Dear Orchid Friends: July looks like its going to be full of great orchid-related things to do. Bring your plants to the mini-show for some Ooohs & Ahhhs as well as to win ribbons for informal judging. Anything extra you would like to bring to donate to raise funds for our Society is welcome. It doesn’t have to be just orchid plants. I plan to bring lots of cactus divisions and miscellaneous plants I’ve been potting up. The Santa Barbara Orchid Show and the Zuma Canyon Orchid Safari ought to keep us entertained too. Get your reservations for the bus trip soon as they go fast. We welcome our new and returning staff of officers this month. Ready for another great year of membership in the SDCOS? Get your dues to Vivian so you’ll be sure to be included in the Roster published next month. The Del Mar Fair also has some good orchid viewing. While you’re strolling and munching goodies check out how many orchid-related exhibits you can find. And when the Fourth of July rolls around besides the usual apple pie and barbeques how about some of those wild orchids listed in Esther’s column such as: Apple Pie Orchid (Lycaste candida) or perhaps some Chocolate Orchids (Onc. Sharry Baby)…and that’s no Bull Orchid (Stanhopea wardii)!! Of course I still need articles to publish here so grab your pens and send me your orchid musings! Have a fun summer everybody! See you at the meeting Tuesday. Sincerely,
Congratulations and Thanks Here are our newly-elected Society Officers and each one’s responsibilities, as outlined in the SDCOS By-Laws. The Board meets monthly to discuss and to make decisions on issues affecting the society, its budgets and activities. These volunteers work hard to make things run smoothly. Please give them your thanks, but most importantly, give them your help! Fred Weber, President Ben Machado, First Vice President Gary Pierwola, Second Vice President Siv Garrod, Secretary Edith Galvan, Treasurer Directors: Board meetings are held in the room just south of Room 104, the Second Tuesday of each month, and usually last 45 min. to 1 hour. You are invited to attend any Board meeting! Our Society is a large and active one, and we welcome anyone who would like to help us grow and strive towards our stated Mission. If you are interested in serving on the Board, and want to learn how, just ask any of these members, or contact Paul Tuskes, 1999 Nominating Committee chair. Membership Renewal Time! Did you know that being a member of the San Diego County Orchid Society is one of the best values in town? Take a look at some of the benefits that are yours when you renew your membership.... Guest speakers and slide shows Novice Classes Plant displays at each meeting Plant tables Refreshments Extensive orchid library Two Mini-Shows a year Annual Spring Show and Sale Bus Trips coordinated out of town Show Banquet Christmas party dinner and free plant Internet SDCOS Home Page ...and this Newsletter arrives in your mailbox each month! All for $10 a year for an individual, $12 for a couple. What a deal! Please return your membership renewal form as soon as possible Vivian Follmer is preparing a new Membership Roster 1999-2000, for mailing to all members. Your quick reply makes her job that much easier. Come Visit the SDCOS Library Do you know we have our own extensive orchid Library? You’ll find it just through the doors at the far right hand corner of the meeting room, just to the right of the stage. Our Librarian, Ron Velarde, opens it for browsing, checking out and returning books at ‘half-time" during each meeting. You can ask him about a particular book, or just look through the titles. If you find a book you like, check it out with your name and phone number and then bring it back the following meeting. Be sure to bring it back with you, or make arrangements with somebody who is going to the meeting. We don’t want Ron to have to chase all over the county for overdue books! New books arrive throughout the year, so check back to see what has just come in. And if there is a book you’d like to have in our library, tell Ron the title, and he’ll look into ordering it. ORCHID TALK… By Esther Sivila As I told you last month, here are the common names used for some orchids. Maybe you already have heard a few of these, but for those who have not, I hope you enjoy this. COMMON NAME - NAME OF ORCHID Comet Orchid - Angraecum sesquipedale Jewel Orchids - Anoectochilus and Ludisias Scorpion Orchids - Arachnis flos-aeris Lady of the Night - Brassavola nodosa Spider Orchids - Brassia caudata Medusa-Head Orchid - Bulbophyllum medusae Goblin Orchid - Catasetum viridiflavum Tulip Orchid - Cattleya citrina Swan Orchid - Cycnoches chlorochilon Indian Moccasin - Cypripedium montanum Golden Cow’s Horn - Cyrtopodium andersonii Chocolate Orchid - Epidendrum phoeniceum & Oncidium Sharry Baby Mosquito Orchid - Epidendrum diffusum Chatter Box Orchid - Epipactis gigantea Punch and Judy - Gongora armeniaca Rattlesnake - Goodyera pubescens and Pholidota Letter Plant - Grammatophyllum speciosum Deadman’s Fingers - Habenaria bifolia Braided Orchid - Lockhartia The Apple Pie Orchid - Lycaste candida White Nun Orchid - Lycaste Virginale Pansy Orchid - Miltonia Bird’s Nest - Noettia nidus-avis Tiger Orchid - Odontoglossum (Rossioglossum) grande Porcelain Orchid - Odontoglossum kramerii Lily of the Valley - Odontoglossum pulchellum Butterfly Orchid - Oncidium papillo Golden Shower Orchid - Oncidium flexuosum Dancing Ladies - (in general) Oncidiums Lady Slipper - Paphiopedilum (Cypripedium) Dove Orchid - Peristeria elata Nun’s Orchid - Phaius grandifolium Moth Orchids - Phalaenopsis The Bull Orchid - Stanhopea wardii The Trumpet Orchid - Schomburgkia tibicinis The Fly - Trichoceros antennifer You know, I have all these notes about the common names of some orchids, but frankly I have not seen some of the plants. When I come across one, it tickles my curiosity and so I examine the orchid to find out why it is commonly named as such. I wish that I could print some pictures of what these orchids look like, but maybe someday. I hope you like this article, and give me feedback. Send me e-mail at: esivila@hotmail.com, and tell me your suggestions on what you want to talk about orchids. What does an FCC, AM, HCC, and CBR award mean? Next month we will talk about plant awards given by the American Orchid Society. Dates to Remember July 3, 9:00 am July 6, 7:30 pm July 9, 7:30 pm July 13, 7:00 pm SDCOS Board Meeting July 17 and 18 July 21 – Cymbidium Society
Meeting Upcoming Shows July 17, 9 to 5 - July 18, 10 to 4 September 25 and 26 Conservation Corner This month’s article features two talks given at the 16th World Orchid Conference (WOC) in Vancouver, Canada. The theme was conservation of orchids and their habitats. Dr. Isaias Rolando from Peru described the status of orchids there and efforts by Peruvian orchid lovers to conserve their orchid resources. Collecting orchids in Peru began in the 19th century. Many species were shipped away during the early days of "orchid mania" in Europe. Today, widespread habitat destruction overshadows collecting as a threat to orchids. Large areas of forest, including orchid habitats, are being destroyed for agriculture and commercial harvest of timber. In the 1980s, the Ministry of Agriculture developed a plan to protect Peru’s orchid flora. The resulting ‘Regulations for the Conservation of Orchids’ was signed into law by President Fujimori in 1991. This legislation and the publicity surrounding its development and passage have increased awareness about Peruvian orchids and their conservation. Dr. Holger Perner outlined threats to native orchids in China. This nation boasts an orchid flora of about 1000 species, many of which are horticulturally desirable. China is home to at least 18 species of Paphiopedilum, including armeniacum, malipoense, and micranthum. Other genera include Bletilla, Calanthe, Cymbidium, Cypripedium, Dendrobium, Pleione and Vanda. Populations of orchids, particularly the slipper orchids, appear to be restricted to small areas, making them vulnerable to extinction. Over 1.2 billion Chinese inhabit an area smaller than the United States, putting pressure on all of China’s natural resources. Deforestation has led to widespread environmental degradation, including once-pristine countryside where orchids live. Chinese orchids are also threatened by overcollecting. Within China, orchids are widely collected in bloom by vendors who sell them in small regional markets as potted plants or in dried form for Chinese medicines. In addition, many plants are collected to support foreign demands and are exported illegally, eventually reaching buyers in the west, Europe and Japan. Dr. Perner expressed hope that artificial propagation of Chinese orchids will help to conserve native orchid populations. ORCHID CULTURE SHEETS AVAILABLE As a service to its members, the SDCOS is providing a set of Orchid Culture Sheets. Prepared by the American Orchid Society, genera covered include: Catasetum, Cattleya, Cymbidium, Dendrobium, Lycaste, Masdevallia, Miltonia, Odontoglossum, Oncidium, Paphiopedilum, Phalenopsis, Stanhopea, Vanda. Pick up your set at the July meeting. One set per member, please, but you can make as many of your own copies as you like. (Sorry, no mailings. As an AOS member, you can request a set and they will mail them to you at no charge.) My Favorite Orchids Laelia harpophylla Another species from Brazil, Laelia harpophylla, is our topic for this month. So many Brazilian orchid species do really well for me. The ones that do are mainly plants from the southeastern slopes. Many of them tend to grow naturally in harsh climatic conditions which enables them to survive in my greenhouse. Imagine how happy these plants are to be anywhere near my "Fred Weber notorious wet wall"!! Laelia harpophylla is very easy to identify with its 12 to 24 inch terete (pencil-shaped) pseudobulbs topped with one lanceolate leaf with a long tapering point. Four to ten starry, orange flowers are carried on a spike eight inches long arising from the top of the pseudobulb. The three inch flowers do not have a fragrance but the striking orange color makes up for that lack. Although Laelia harpophylla looks similar to several rupicolous Laelias it has different cultural requirements (which make it easier to grow for most of us). It can be either potted or mounted. It prefers a somewhat shady, intermediate to cool environment. It seems like it may do well as an outdoor grower although I haven’t tried it in those conditions. It will appreciate year-round watering with a slight, but not distinct, winter rest. This plant will quickly grow into a beautiful specimen. A few years ago one of these won Best of Show at our spring show. Obviously blooming time is spring!! Pick up one of these somewhere, add it to your collection, and you will say, "WOW", when it blooms! July & August Orchid To Do Checklist...Cattleya Cattleyas this month require careful attention to their watering and fertilizing needs owing to characteristically high temperatures. Evaporative cooling is a must in areas of the country where it is effective. Where it is not (the more humid regions), care needs to be paid to proper venting to keep temperatures within reason. Bottom vents in conjunction with top vents provide enough rising airflow to help keep plants cool. Increased air flow lessens humidity and dries plants out more quickly, necessitating more frequent damping down and watering, in areas where high humidity is not a problem. Higher light and heat indicate more fertilizer. The growths your plants are making now are the source of this autumn, winter and spring’s blooms, so applying adequate fertilizer this month is the best way to ensure future blooms. Higher temperatures and humidity may also lead to fungal or bacterial rot problems, so it is important to closely observe your plants for any early indication of problems. Pests are also at a high point this month for the same reason.Paphiopedilum Cooling and air circulation are especially critical in these two months to prevent stress and avoid disease problems. Watering needs to be closely monitored to ensure that plants do not dry out. Warmer-growing hybrids will be at the peak of their blooming, with attention needing to be paid to staking of spikes. Look for water lodging in growths, which can rot emerging spikes and lead to the loss of the entire growth.Phalaenopsis Most, if not all, potting should be complete by now. This month and next are when these plants achieve their maximum growth. This growth will be that from which they set their spikes for the coming season. The more leaves the plants grow, the better potential for spiking will be realized. Growers in cooler areas such as the Pacific coast have the advantage this call for liberal applications of water and fertilizer. Cymbidium Summer can be the most rewarding season for cymbidiums. Growths should be coming strong now. The leaves of the new growths are best when they are broad and fairly stiff. The color should be a light green to nearly yellow. Early flowering varieties should be showing flower spikes, so move the plants into a cooler area with lower light. For mid-season varieties, lower the dosage of nitrogen to assist in spike initiation.High-elevation Plants For cooler-growing plants, such as masdevallias, other pleurothallids and the like, the next few months will be a challenge. During the hottest times, keep your plants more shaded and be sure to keep the humidity level much higher. Do not let plants dry out. Delay any potting until the weather cools.Laelia purpurata The flowering season of this majestic plant will be coming to an end, presenting a good time to report. As soon as the new roots start to appear, clean off old bark and repot into a clean medium- grade fir bark. Place the plant in a little less light and higher humidity to relieve stress until it is more established, which is about one month after potting..Odontocidium Many of the intergeneric crosses between odontoglossums and oncidiums, such as Odontocidium, Wilsonara and Colmanara, will be blooming now. Take special care to train the spikes for best floral display. Keep plants under fairly shady conditions. Watch for snails and slugs.Vandaceous Genera Plants will be growing quickly now and really enjoying the hot humid days so similar to their native habitat. Watch for pests though, as many of these also enjoy the same conditions as the plants. Check flower spikes so that they can extend unimpeded for the best flower presentation later. SDCOS Board of Directors Meeting REPORTS 1. Last meeting’s minutes were
read and approved. NEW BUSINESS 5. Duncan Werth - Pacific Image had
promised to do graphics and carry the society Web page is
not returning messages. Duncan will look into other
options. The meeting was adjourned 7:40 P.M. Submitted by Siv Garrod. "SERVICE TO OUR MEMBERS SECTION" HELP HOTLINE: The SDCOS offers a service to members who seek cultural information about their orchids. Here are some friendly hobbyists who have a great deal of experience and knowledge about certain types of orchids, and who have kindly volunteered to answer your questions. There are no commercial growers on this list. Cattleyas,
Oncidium/Odontoglossum, and Vandaceous, Greenhouse grown,
West SD county Forrest Robinson - (619) 270-6105
San Diego County
Orchid Society OUR MISSION: These are many of the
hard-working volunteers that keep our Society running.
There are many others with no titles that help these
folks make it happen. You are invited to help. Ask any of
these people how. |