October 2015 - Virginia Orchid Society

The Orchid Keiki
Special Points of Interest:
● October 18th. Meeting: 2:00 p.m. upstairs in the
Meeting Room at Strange’s Garden Center
● “Schombo-Fever Sweeping the Country and Caribbean”
● Myrmecophila and Schombo/Laelia Culture
● Farewell Schomburgkia
Mcp. humboldtii Claude
- Photo by Meke Aloha Orchids
“Schombo-Love 101”
A Presentation by
Paul and Mary Storm
Paul and Mary Storm are hobbyists who have a passion for anything
"SCHOMBO" and their nursery in Sarasota, Florida holds what is believed to
be the largest collection of Schombo-Laelia and Myrmecophila species and
hybrids anywhere. They have presented and shared “SCHOMBO-LOVE” (and
their follow-up programs) in many states around the country as well as Nassau, Jamaica, and Aruba, and
they have been the featured speakers for many of the large orchid Societies in San Francisco, Washington
D.C., San Diego, Miami, Houston, Atlanta, Phoenix, Hilo, etc. Paul and Mary are proud that they have
been at the forefront of the increasing popularity of Schoms and Schom-Hybrids for almost twenty years,
and often comments on their programs have included phrases like "fantastic program", "best program
ever", and a "hit and a hoot" - whatever that means!? However Paul and Mary intend that their programs
are entertaining as well as informational and they invite the audience to interact with them.
Paul was a featured presenter at the Mid-America Winter Orchid Conference in Ohio a few years ago, as
well as at the Symposium on Orchid Species sponsored by the Coalition on Species at Fairchild Gardens in
Miami, the Merritt Huntington Symposium, and the Orchid Extravaganza in Aruba/Curacao.
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Issue
Volume1, 4,
2015 Volume
October
April 2013
Paul is the botanical author of several RHS accepted
nothogenera and the RHS Registrar has created Stormara,
Paulstormara , and Marystormara as new orchid genera. In
addition, a few orchid nurseries and hybridizers have
registered schombo-hybrids after Paul in honor of Meke
Aloha's "Schombo-Mission".
Paul and Mary look forward to sharing 'SCHOMBO-LOVE
101" with the members and guests of the Virginia Orchid
Society and making new friends for Schoms as well as
reuniting with past friends. Plants as well as Orchiata (their
preferred orchid growing media: See page 10) may be preordered from their website Meke Aloha Orchids.com.
Photo by Meke Aloha Orchids
The Storms will bring plants to sell!
(members may not sell plants this month)
Among their selections of Schomburgkias, Myrmecophilas, and Laelias,
they will provide bags of Orchiata bark for purchase.
See their website (www.mekealohaorchids.com) to see photos of their plants and to pre-order.
(Please note: Cash and checks only, No credit cards.)
The Orchid Keiki
President’s Message
Greetings VOS members!
A Kindly reminder: YOUR RENEWAL FORM AND PAYMENT ARE DUE by the end of this meeting
to be included in the roster and on the mailing list.
Here it is October and I am sure I’m not the only one of us still scrambling to get my orchids inside
before they are shocked into the compost heap. Ah, but the good news is: “The Schomburgkias are
coming”! Paul Storm, well known speaker and Laelia-Schomburgkia and Myrmecophila grower will
be our guest this month. Have you checked out his web site mekealohaorchids.com yet? It is
loaded with pictures of plants he has available for pre-order!! So many opportunities to add to your
collection!
The hospitality clipboard sign-up sheet went home with someone else last month along with the
folder with the meeting minutes. Please bring it with you this month. Since I don’t know who signed
up to bring food, consider this a general reminder to bring something if you think you volunteered to
bring something or would like to. I am expecting a good turn out this month. Also, please plan to
arrive early enough to help Bernie unload and set up the hospitality tables or plan to stay a little
longer to help with take down. Even with the elevator, it is a big job and let’s face it; we all partake
of the treats.
The last issue concerns the Holiday Event, December 6 at Belmont Recreation Center, 1600 Hilliard
Road. (Very close to Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden). There will be a free Cattleya seedling for
each person as our gift to you. Are you planning to attend? If so would you be interested in buying
blooming or budding plants? The VOS can buy a couple of dozen plants and sell them at the
Holiday Event. However, if there is little/no interest we will wait for another time. Ask yourselves if
you would be buying plants for your own decoration or to give as gifts? Would you rather have an
opportunity to buy non-blooming member plants and/or divisions? Have you other ideas or
suggestions? I would really appreciate any feedback or opinions you have so the board and I can
plan for the things you want to do.
See you soon,
Daune
Remember
Our New Meeting Location!
Strange’s Garden Center
at 12111 West Broad Street
Virus Test Kits Available for Purchase at our Meeting
The VOS has purchased 35 virus kits that will be available at our
next meeting. Please see Mike Mealy and make your check payable to the
Virginia Orchid Society. Kits are priced @ $5.00 each with a minimum order of 5:
5 for $25.00
2
10 for $50.00
September Show Table Results
Cattleya Alliance Hybrid Standard
Blue:
Red:
Yellow:
Lc. Waianae Sunset (Patti St. Claire)
Blc. Crispin Rosales 'Costa Mesa' AM/AOS (Harry Livesay)
Blc. Anna Balmore ‘Carmela’ (Patti St. Claire)
Cattleya Alliance Hybrid Miniature/Compact
Blue:
Red:
Yellow:
Blc. Little Toshie ‘Gold Country’ AM/AOS (Harry Livesay)
Slc. Circle of Life x Lc. Magic Melody (Harry Livesay)
Blc. Mike Fine (Mike Fine)
Oncidium Alliance Hybrid
Blue:
Aliceara Dianne Dunn (Stan Baker)
Blc. Little Toshie ‘Gold Country’ AM/AOS
Vanda Alliance Hybrids
Blue:
Red:
Yellow:
V. Bicentennial 'Carmela' AM/AOS (Stan Baker)
V. Ascda. Barbara Hanck AM/AOS (Mike Mealey)
V. John De Biase (Stan Baker)
Species
Blue:
Red:
Yellow:
Laelia schultzei var. caura (Stan Baker)
Phal. fasciata (Henry Randolph)
D. auricaltium (Dallas Ingram)
Dendrobium Alliance Hybrids
Blue:
Red:
D. Formidible Yokiko (Mike Fine)
D. Red Bull (Stan Baker)
Fragrant
Blue:
Aliceara Dianne Dunn
L. Splendida 'Orchid Eros x self' (Henry Randolph)
Other Miscellaneous Genera
Blue:
Red:
(Zglm. Rhein Clown x Zgt. Midnight Blue) x Z. Jumping Jack x...(Dallas Ingram)
Pot. Hoku Gem (Henry Randolph)
V. John De Biase
Zglm. Rhein Clown x ….
Phal. fasciata
3
The Orchid Keiki
Schombo-Fever Sweeping the Country and Caribbean!
By Paul Storm
Reprinted with permission from “Orchids,” November 2013: www.aos.org
Officially “Schoms” have been around since 1838 when they were first
described by Lindley in Sertum Orchidaceum (Lindley 1838) with
Schomburgkia crispa as he type species. Myrmecophila, the related but
separate group with hollow pseudobulbs, was first described by Rolfe in
1917 to accommodate four species that didn’t quite fit (Rolfe 1917).
Confusion has continued ever since. The respected and much loved Dr.
Carl Withner, an acknowledged expert in a wide variety of orchid genera,
wrote in “Cattleyas and Their Relatives” – VOL. III that “Schomburgkia is
one of the most perplexing orchid groups with which I have ever
worked” (Withner 1993, p. 13).
Withner was obviously correct as the species in this group have, at
different times, been variously referred to and described as Schomburgkia,
Laelia colombiana (Schomburgkia
Myrmecophila, Cattleya, Laelia, Bletia, and Epidendrum. In addition,
wallisii) - Photo by Jim Martin
many of the individual species have been described by several different
names by various recognized botanists. Some species have been associated with up to 14 different validly
published names. It is no wonder that Carl Withner remarked about this confusing and difficult group!
At the time Withner’s book was published, all of the species within this
group were included in the genus Schomburgkia, which was divided into
two subgenera: Schomburgkia containing the species with solid
pseudobulbs and Chauno-schomburgkia to accommodate those with
hollow pseudobulbs. In 2005, with publication of “Genera Orchidacearum”
VOL. IV, (Pridgeon, Cribb, Chase, and Rasmussen 2006) the familiar
schoms were cleaved: Myremecophila was accepted as distinct and the
remaining species were transferred to the genus Laelia. For purposes of this
article I refer to them as schombo/Laelias in order to differentiate
them as separate from other species in the genus Laelia.
At present, the World Checklist of Selected Plant Families (WCSP; 2013)
recognizes 14 species that I would consider schombo/Laelias. This list of
Myrmecophila christinae
species is accepted by the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) when
- Photo by Marble Branch Farms
registering hybrids and by the American Orchid Society for award
purposes. This group includes: colombiana (formerly known as wallisii), gloriosa (which now includes crispa
and fimbriata), elata, heidii (formerly considered a undulata x rosea hybrid), lueddemanii, lyonsii, marginata,
moyobambae, rosea, schultzei, splendida, superbiens, undulata, and weberbaueriana.
Myrmecophila (Mep.), those with hollow pseudobulbs, includes ten
species: albopurpurea, brysiana, christinae (formerly part of
brysiana), exaltata, galeottiana, grandiflora (formerly part of
tibicinis), humboldtii, thomsoniana, tibicinis, and wendlandii.
Myrmecophila sawyeri was excluded because its botanical
description paralleled that of galeottiana. This concept is currently
considered a hybrid of unknown parents and hopefully future DNA
testing will determine the parents of this "orphaned" hybrid, which
is still admired and marketed.
Laelia (Schomburgkia) lueddemanii
- Photo by Jean Finalle
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One of the fascinating aspects of schombo/laelia and Myrmecophila
species is their ability to hybridize with
almost all of the related species in the
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Schombo-Fever - Continued
Cattleya Alliance. This ability to interbreed creates a fascinating and
myriad variety of hybrids available to collectors and enthusiasts. When
two or more natural genera are combined to create a new hybrid genus,
the new genus is referred to as a nothogenus. Currently, there are 44
nothogenera containing Myremecophila as one of the component
genera. These nothogenera may include up to (currently) five different
Cattleya Alliance genera as components. The larger number of 98
nothogenera involving Laelia reflects the inclusion of many additional
Laelia species other than the schombo/laelias. At this time, these
nothogenera may include as many as seven different genera in the
Cattleya Alliance.
Another intriguing aspect of these hybrids is that many seedlings of the
same cross often appear to be totally different as they bloom because
they display great variety. This novelty creates another wonderful
opportunity for enthusiasts to concentrate on collections of seedlings
of the same parents that display such interesting diversity. More genera
involved in a hybrid increases the genetic combinations which result in
Laelia (Schomburgkia) splendida
increased variety among the seedlings of hybrids with the same
- Photo by Marble Branch Farms
parents. The tremendous variety of Laelia/Schomburgkia and
Myrmecophila hybrids (with their hundreds of different generic combinations), results in new color patterns, colors and
flower forms as well as possible resistance to predators, which some hybrids inherit from the thicker leaves of their species
parent.
Due in part to their increased popularity, a major problem currently seems
to be the misidentification of several of these species. The Internet, eBay
and Craigslist, along with some commercial nursery advertisements and
photographs, occasionally contain incorrect species names and photos,
which only adds to the confusion. Several times while perusing the
schomburgkia section of eBay, a large number of the listings or photos
also cited various university and garden herbarium specimens and treatises
that list one species illustrated with a photo, drawing, specimen, or label
of a different species.
When I first became enamored with this intriguing and exciting group of
orchids I acquired a personal collection of several plants of all of the
Myrmecophila (Schomburgkia) brysiana
recognized species based on their - Photo by Jim Martin
labels! That is, I thought I was
growing all of the species within this group until they began to bloom. At that time,
I discovered the disappointing fact that even though the label identified the plant as
a specific species it did not necessarily mean that it was correctly labeled. There is
an understandable history of AOS awards for species in these groups that were
awarded according to their label, which on occasion also happened to be incorrect.
In appreciation of all dedicated AOS accredited judges, it is not reasonable to
expect anyone to be knowledgeable in recognizing all of the tens of thousands of
individual species in all genera! It should be the responsibility of individuals who
submit species for award consideration to assure their orchids are correctly
identified before submitting them for judging. In addition, it should also be the
responsibility of individuals who register hybrids or offer species and hybrids for
sale to verify that their plants are correctly identified. Gradually, by recognizing
Myrmecophila (Schomburgkia) grandiflora
the similarities of certain species blooming at the same time
- Photo by Mele Aloha Orchids
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and matching them with their botanical descriptions in
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The Orchid Keiki
Schombo-Fever - Continued
A very rare "blue" or "coerulea" color form of
Laelia (Schomburgkia) rosea
- Photo by Meke Aloha Orchids
various publications, it is possible to recognize specific species and
correct the labels when necessary. However, there is great variety
within certain species and I believe there will be changes and
additions still to come. Hopefully, continued advancement in plant
DNA technology should provide a more complete list of species
included in these genera in the future. Until then, the standards for
species recognized by the RHS and AOS should be accepted and
followed, which will ensure that everyone is working with the same
taxonomy as it exists at this time. Diverse opinion or disagreement
regarding what is currently accepted in the WCSP, although having
possible future validity or acceptance, perpetuates the current
confusion of species identification when it affects judging, registering
hybrids or sales.
In recent years schombo/laelias, Myrmecophila, and their hybrids
have continued to grow in popularity and it is no surprise that this
once unknown and unappreciated group is quickly earning the affection and attention of orchid growers
everywhere by becoming the most popular group of orchid "new kids on the block." In recognition of their
phenomenal rise in popularity, many commercial nurseries are creating new hybrids in order to meet the
increased interest and collectors now have a wide variety from which to choose. Many of these hybrids will
become "classics" and favorites and will receive future awards as judges become more accustomed to viewing
them in shows and judging centers. Therefore, it is even more important that species and registered hybrids (and
hybrids in the process of being registered) are correctly identified. In judging new complex hybrids,
preconceived ideas based on standards for one of the species' parents ("too twisty," "too narrow," "lateral sepal
not erect enough," etc.) need to be set aside as we consider the possibilities of what the progeny of the parents
might produce and then honor the best of these results. As their presence in shows and judging increases, we are
challenged to become creative and consider future possibilities of new flower forms, flower arrangement and
color combinations.
Personally, I have never found an easier group of orchids to grow and bloom that has such a wide array of
variety, shape, color and patterns. In view of their increasing popularity, many orchidphiles are obviously
having a similar experience. How can many other orchid groups compete with: pretty, different, ease of growth,
tremendous variety and some resistance to predators? This winning combination will obviously continue to
attract an increasingly appreciative new group of fans, as well as excite and entice those who have already
discovered them.
A few years ago the multitalented and gifted photographer for
the American Orchid Society, Greg Allikas, wrote a personal
and nostalgic essay in tribute to this group that he titled
“Farewell Schomburgkia” (Allikas 2009). Allikas wrote that
"the name itself holds a special magic for me; remembrances
of my early days when every new orchid discovered was a
source of excitement."
To this I add: Move over Greg, the circle of admirers for this
group is becoming larger and larger, and at the rate that it is
expanding, our circle better be really large in order to
accommodate all of us as well as future converts! Since this
essay is still available on the American Orchid Society
website I encourage anyone who hasn't had the pleasure of
reading Farewell Schomburgkia to do so, and whoever may
appreciate a refresher should consider reading it again.
64
Myrmecophila (Schomburgkia) tibicinis
- Photo by Meke Aloha Orchids
Myrmecophila and Schombo-Laelia Culture
By Paul Storm
Reprinted with permission from “Orchids,” November 2013: www.aos.org
Myrmecophila, schombo/laelias and their hybrids are among the easiest orchids to grow and bloom due to their stamina
and vitality, making them an easy success for orchid aficionados. As for all orchids, the basic requirements are light, air
circulation, and water, which will receive more attention a little further on. Although there is a myth that if one wishes to
bloom them one must "burn" them, on the contrary I have found that a medium bright light level suitable for cattleyas,
(about 2,500-3,000 foot-candles) is sufficient for growing and blooming all members of this group.
With the exception of Myrmecophila humboldtii, all Myrmecophila species can be grown in pots, baskets, or mounted.
Myrmecophila humboldtii does not grow well in pots or baskets and needs to be mounted, or it can even be grown bare
root, simply standing in a clay pot if watered frequently.
Schombo/laelias, their hybrids and Myrmecophila hybrids, with the exception of Laelia lyonsii, are all comfortable in
whatever medium the grower favors but the important difference in culture is the watering frequency. Laelia lyonsii
prefers to be potted. If it is grown in baskets, the medium should be less porous and the basket must be watered more
frequently.
Many members of this group of orchids have characteristics that include thicker leaves and, in most cases, pseudobulbs
of varying sizes, which appears to suggest to some growers that frequent watering is not a requirement. This assumption
often leads to a lack of success in growing most of this group, as schoms often appear to grow but they grow more slowly
and bloom less frequently when underwatered. During the course of our schombo programs for orchid societies around
the United States and the Caribbean, on many occasions we hear the complaint that plants in this group purchased in
flower fail to bloom again, or when purchased as divisions or bare-root plants either never bloom or bloom infrequently,
and that they are "slow growers." Upon further inquiry and analysis, we have determined that in almost every case,
infrequent or spare watering was usually the culprit. Too little light could also be a factor if the plants are grown under
conditions that are too dark, such as under fully leaved trees.
Our greenhouse is located in central Florida along the west Gulf coast where we never remain too cold for long, thanks
to the Gulf Stream. In winter, we water thoroughly and deeply at least twice a week. In late spring, summer and early
autumn we water thoroughly and deeply at least three times a week. It is
important to understand that I do not advise growers to overwater but rather
to not underwater. Drying out between watering is always important and
cannot be overemphasized as long as Myrmecophila and schombo/laelias are
not allowed to remain too dry for an extended period. In addition, we add a
very dilute fertilizer solution to every watering. As with all epiphytic orchids,
the most important factor is to allow the orchids to drain thoroughly before
the next watering, just as they do in nature. Obviously, schombos grown in
baskets with a porous medium or when mounted can and should be watered
even more frequently in hot or dry weather. Furthermore, we are acquainted
with some schombo growers who water their plants in baskets or on mounts
almost daily, but always allow them to drain.
All orchid growers have varied conditions and cultural instructions should
always be adapted to individual conditions. However, by following the plan
outlined above we enjoy continued plant growth and frequent flowering.
Finally, with regard to potting medium, we always use and recommend
Orchiata™ for the best growing success and minimal repotting.
Myrmecophila albopurpurea and Myr. thomsoniana appear to especially
enjoy and appreciate a tree fern mount but, once again, almost all schoms
in this group will adapt to a wide range of potting media and cultural
practices.
Lcn. Ctt. Trick or Treat X Laelia undulata
- Photo by Meke Aloha Orchids
7
The Orchid Keiki
Farewell Schomburgkia
By Greg Allikas
Reprinted with permission from “Orchids,” September 2009: www.aos.org
Certain tropical orchids are well-suited and often used as
landscape subjects in frost-free areas of Florida.
Schomburgkia tibicinis was one of them. I say "was",
because although the orchid is still around, the name isn't.
I will use it in this personal tribute until farther down the
page when we deal with new order of taxonomy.
Schomburgkia tibicinis growing high on a Royal Palm tree
at Hennegan's Garden Center on State Road 80. In those
days I had thought most orchids were of a delicate nature
and wondered about this orchid with a long inflorescence
that was growing in nearly full sun. Years later, I would see
this species growing in a similar, but even brighter, setting
in its habitat in Belize. By that time I was a far smarter
orchidist and knew about the schomburgkias' preference for
bright light. My early exposure to this dramatic orchid gave Myrmecophila (Schomburgkia) tibicinis
- Internet Photo
me an introduction to the diversity of orchids and
Schomburgkia tibicinis has always been a favorite. I learned about the orchid's association with ants that its
current name reflects. Although we never saw ants taking up residence in hollowed-out backbulbs, it seemed that
ants always showed up on the inflorescences of flowering plants. I wondered if there were some quality to the
sugary nectar on the flowers and pedicels that had a special attraction for
ants, preparing the relationship for future housing. As with that other
species found in Belize, Coryanthes macrantha, the orchid provides the
shelter and the ants provide the defense. I also learned the folklore; the
dried-out pseudobulbs are used as toy horns by native children, giving the
orchid the common name, "cow horn orchid". I have always been drawn to
orchids that have a history as well as a pretty face and Schomburgkia
tibicinis fills the bill nicely. I picked up my first Schomburgkia tibicinis
from a long-gone local business called Quiet Place Nursery. They were a
small orchid firm behind a busy intersection in Lake Worth. There was
nothing but white sand underneath the benches and one thin layer of shade
The yellow pseudo-bulbs of Schomburgkia
cloth above the plants. Those orchids that weren't mounted were potted in
(Myrmecophila) tibinicis encircling the top
cypress mulch topped with Osmacote. As the owner Marie explained,
of a tree in Belize.
"Maybe these plants are grown a little tough, but we don't have to worry
about people taking them home and killing dainty little things. If they'll grow here, they'll grow anywhere."
There are many other fine ant-associated schomburgkias to know and grow. The Kew Monocot Checklist shows
ten species, four varieties and one natural hybrid. Some of these can be found in the trade and are popular among
hobby-ists, especially those living in mild climates. Schom.
thomsoniana and Schom. humboldtii are popular on their own with
the former being a parent for a number of successful intergeneric
hybrids; Recchara Adele King (x Blc. Waikiki Gold) and
Schombocattleya Trudy Fennell (x C. guttata) being awarded
examples. At opposite ends of inflorescence length; Schom.
brysiana is best used as a garden subject unless you have a high
greenhouse roof, while Schom. wendlandii with its unique
non-resupinate flowers and comparatively short inflorescence is
most suitable for greenhouse growing.
Recchara Adele King 'Barbaree' AM/AOS
84
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Farewell Schomburgkia - Continued
The genus Schomburgkia was established by Lindley in 1838 with the type
species being Schom. crispa. That species has not much in common with the ant
orchids yet up until recently, was still a Schomburgkia. The name honors Moritz
Richard Schomburgk, a German-born gardener and plant collector who went on
to become the director of the Adelaide Botanic Garden in 1865. Despite Richard
being the honoree, it was his older brother Robert Hermann Schomburgk who
dragged his little brother along on his second British-sponsored boundary-mapping
expedition to British Guiana (1840-1844). There was also a middle Schomburgk
brother named Otto who emigrated to Australia with Richard in 1849. Although
Veitch reported that Robert discovered the type for the genus, this is reflected
nowhere in today's nomenclature. As a matter of fact, of the eight species in the
Kew Monocot Checklist bearing the Schomburgk name, all are attributed to Robert
Hermann and only one was an orchid. That single orchid species is Sobralia
elisabethiae R.H.Schomb. Schomburgkia humboldtii, described by Reichenbach in
1856, acknowledged the Schomburgk brothers long-standing friendship with the
great naturalist and explorer, Alexander von Humboldt. As a note of trivia, it was
Richard Schomburgk who discovered that Victorian rage, the giant waterlily,
Victoria amazonica, described as Victoria regia by Lindley in 1837.
We have never grown what were, until recently, considered the "true"
schomburgkias; those from South America. Some grow them successfully here in
South Florida but I suspect many of them are from elevations higher than the
Schom. wendlandii has a relatively short
ten-foot average across most of the southern part of the peninsula. Our summer
inflorescence suitable for the small greenhouse
night temperatures never go below 75° F. This group would include the type for
he genus, Schom. crispa (now Laelia marginata (Lindl.) L.O.Williams) and many fine orchids such as Schom. undulata,
Schom. rosea and others. For years there has been confusion, differing opinions and rumblings about changes in
Schomburgkia and Laelia so we can't say we weren't forewarned. Withner, in his 1992 Volume III of “The Cattleyas and
Their Relatives” had not yet reached the conclusions that today's taxonomists have. He kept a slightly enlarged concept of
Schomburgkia that included the South American species, the ant-associated species, and one Mexican (Guatemala,
Honduras too) Laelia: L. superbiens. This is not so odd because the Mexican species has been passed around genera like
a hot tamale, having visited Cattleya, Laelia, Schomburgkia, and even Bletia. Withner was sharp enough to deduce that
the Mexican Laelia anceps was different enough from the Colombian Schomburgkia splendida to not put them in the same
genus. But today's taxonomists, who are heavily vested in DNA evidence as the
irrefutable truth, have indeed lumped the South American schomburgkias into the
same genus as the Mexican laelias - Laelia. Although I am happy to see such a
pretty name preserved (Laelia, named after one of the Vestal Virgins), I expect
that some time in the future we may see this genus spilt because of floral and
vegetative characteristics of certain species.
So the genus Schomburgkia is gone. The South America species have moved north
to Laelia and the ant-lovers are now in the genus Myrmecophila. Withner
addressed the latter move even though he himself used Schomburgkia for all of
them in vol. III: "The choice of using the segregate genus (Myrmecophila) for the
ant-inhabited taxa, or keeping them altogether within Schomburgkia, seems to me
a relatively arbitrary one". He goes on to propose keeping them all in
Schomburgkia and dealing with the differences at the sub-generic level. Now
there's a thought that appeals to me. I always liked Pabst & Dung's revision of
Brazilian laelias (“Orchidaceae Brasiliensis”, vol.I, 1975). They presented a group
of orchids that had some things in common (Laelia), yet some differences
(Cattleyodes, Hadrolaelia, Parviflora, Microlaelia) - sections within the genus.
I suppose I will get used to it, but only if name changes
Schomburgkia humboldtii
'Ruben' CHM/AOS
Myrmecophila
(Schomburgkia)
tibicinis
- Photo by Meke Aloha Orchids
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9
Virginia Orchid Society
Farewell Schomburgkia - Continued
stop coming so rapidly. I for one will be happy to say
goodbye to those silly hybrid genus names from the
Daune Poklis
every-thing-in-Sophronitis days, like Thwaitseara. But I
President
will miss hearing the rich guttural sound of Schomburgkia
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(or as one friend pronounced it, Schromburgkia). The
Reed Ginn
name itself holds a special magic for me; remembrances
President-Elect
of my early days as an orchid grower when every new
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orchid discovered was a source of excitement. I'll miss
Nancy Farkas
Vice President & Program Chair hearing the call of the Schombocat as I console myself
watching ants crawl up and down the four-foot
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infloresence of a Myrmecophila tibicinis next spring.
Ron Geraci
2015-2016 Officers:
Treasurer & Newsletter Editor
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Robin Maiorana
Corresponding Secretary &
Membership Chair
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Laelia superbiens-alba
Savannah Drake
Recording Secretary
jamessavannah.drake@
gmail.com
Sue Fulghum
Show Chair
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Bernadette Banks
Hospitality Chair
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Orin Martin
Judges Forum
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Alma Thiessen
Library Chair
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Patti St. Clair
Endowment Chair
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Stephen Via
Education Chair
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Bill Akin
Plants & Auction Com. Chair
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Dallas Ingram
AOS Affiliated Societies Rep
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Linda Lawrence
Past President
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10
Laelia (Schomburgkia) rosea
Rhyncatlaelia Graf's Fusion 'Delicia Purpura'
ORCHIATA BARK POTTING MEDIA
Orchiata bark is composed of bark from the Monterey Pine
(Pinus radiata), which is highly prized as an orchid medium for its
long-term stability and ability to re-wet quickly. Michigan State
University researchers state that, “Our preliminary research
found that aged Monterey pine bark holds more moisture and
nutrients and maintains a higher pH than fir bark, resulting in better plant growth. In
addition, this aged pine bark does not decompose as quickly.”
The bark is 100% pure and enhanced with calcium-rich dolomite, which is a critical nutrient
for preventing bud drop, staving off fungal infections, and promoting proper cell
development in new plant tissue. Orchiata is a great option for beginning orchid growers
because it is designed to be used straight out of the bag and its longevity eliminates the need
for frequent repotting. Orchiata also resists overwatering.
From your Editor: (and the “Shameless Plug Department”) As with any new media, there are
as many differing results in using this product as there are growers. But for me as a
windowsill grower and a habitual over-waterer, my plants are the best I’ve ever seen them
once I switched to Orchiata several years ago. Now might be a good time to give it a try as
Paul Storm will be bringing Orchiata with him to our meeting and you will not have to pay
shipping costs as no one locally offers it. Want to share a bag? See me at the meeting.