Central Vancouver Island Orchid Society Newsletter January 2013

Central Vancouver Island Orchid Society Newsletter
January 2013
Epidendrum porpax. Best Laelia Other Class Champion FVOS Show, Owner Bryan Emery.
Judith Higham, the photographer
President: Shelley Rattink 250-245-1370
Secretary: Laurie Forbes 250- 722-3836
Membership: Vivian
Treasurer: Bryan Emery 250-294-6478
Editor: Mike Miller 250-248-3478
Mailing address: P.O. Box 1061,
Nanaimo, B.C.
V9R 5Z2
email: [email protected]
web site: www.cvios.com
Meetings are held September through June on a Saturday at the Harewood Activity Centre, 195 Fourth
Street, Nanaimo, in the hall on the second floor, doors open at 11:30, with the business meeting starting
at 12:00 noon.
Coming Meeting Dates: Jan 19, Feb 23, Mar 16, Apr 20, May 25, June 22,
Sept 21, Oct 19, Nov 23, Dec 7.
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Program for January 19th
Neofinetia falcata
With Calvin Wong
from Tropical Garden Nursery
He will be bringing some plants to sell.
Coming Events:
Vic OS Show and Sale, March 1, 2, 3, 2013, University of Victoria Student Union Building
Van OS Show and Sale, March 22, 23, 24, 2013 at the Van Dusen Gardens Floral Hall
CVIOS Show and Sale, Country Club Center, April 13th – 15th 2012
Editorial:
A new year and new things to do and have fun with. Our Society is still a fun place to be with a
great group of people who love a good laugh and a great time. They just happen to like orchids as well.
I was delighted that Judith Higham, the official photographer for the AOS Richmond Center, sent me the
pictures of our Society’s Best of Classes at Fraser Valley Show. We do grow good stuff.
It is always interesting to get new plants and watch them settle into your growing space. I did
overdo it a little at Ecuagenera, but when you live on site for three days and are wandering greenhouse
to greenhouse it is easy to get carried away a bit. There were only 47 plants, but some were quite large,
because why not pick the biggest one of the lot all things considered? Anyhow several are in 8 inch pots
and a bunch are in 6 inch pots so they have lots of mass if they decide to go downhill I should be able to
save part anyway. Well they are not going downhill they are looking great and even have new roots and
swelling new growths teasing me. I chose a lot of cool to cold growing things this time and with our
cool weather they are very happy. One of my new Cyrtochilums that I chose with a really short spike
has now got a 3 foot ever increasing spike and three of my older plants have spikes one of which is in
flower. Two are now starting a second spike of the same growth so I think I have any secret they need
mastered for now [knock on wood].
I was checking on my Dactylorhiza collection and all have nice fat green shoots showing so there
should be a good show next year again. The Cypripediums new green pips are a little below ground but
look good. That be is being extended this winter so I can spread things out a bit after they flower.
Hopefully with the new drainage system I am labouring on everything will keep a little drier in the
winters from now on.
Cheers Mike
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------Goodies for January will be supplied by for Laurie Forbes, Mike Miller, Maxine Haley. Thank-yous for
November treat bringers Mary Palmer, Julia Thunander, Bob Iddon, Maureen Hawthorn, Sandra Millen
Thank you everyone for the great food at our Christmas Party.
Sandra
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Our Best of Classes from the Fraser Valley Show
Dendrochilum magnum, Best Coelogyne Alliance FVOS, Owner Shelley Ratink, Photo Judith Higham
Dendrobium Wonder Nishi, Best Grown Under lights, Owner Maureen Hawthorn, Photo Judith Higham
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Above: Bulbophyllum Wilmar Galaxy Star,
Best Dendrobium Other, Owner Laurie Forbes
Photo Judith Higham
Left: Brs. Memoria Fritz Boedeker, ‘Witch Doctor’
Best Oncidium Other III, Owner Shelley Ratink.
Photo Judith Higham
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Asian Miniatures
AN ORCHID PORTRAIT
By Charles Marden Fitch
Impressive Displays on Petite Plants Warrant Attention
ABOVE Phalaenopsis lindenii is a miniature species that originates in the mountains in Luzon, Philippines. Under
cultivation, it does best with 55-65 F (13-18 C) nights, humidity above 60 percent and diffuse light. Easier to grow is
the primary hybrid with Phalaenopsis schillerana named Phalaenopsis Baguio, in reference to a mountain town near
the habitat of Phal. lindenii.
ABOVE MIDDLE Phalaenopsis equestris var. rosea 'Maria Teresa', HCC/AOS. This miniature and its hybrids are
good choices to grow under fluorescent lamps. One excellent hybrid is Phalaenopsis Rainbow Chip (equestris x
Cassandra). Grower: Carlos Fighetti.
ABOVE RIGHT Dendrobium subuliferum 'Snowtop', CHM/AOS, had nine 5/8-inch (1.5-cm) flowers on nine
inflorescences when it was judged. Grower: Michael Tibbs.
ASIA, HOME TO SO MANY SHOWY orchids, is a center for innovative hybridizing based on
a wealth of compact growing species. You can find space saving orchids that deliver a giant floral show.
Keep a big magnifying glass handy to appreciate the intricate structure of small-flowered species. With
some of the recent miniature hybrids, such as the Dendrobium gems from Thailand, you can grow 10
plants in the space of a single standard-growing type but still have 2- to 3-inch (5- to 7.5-cm) flowers.
CHOICES Asian orchids come from a wide range of habitats. Orchids pay no attention to
political borders but rather position their allegiance according to habitat preference. Like the shifting hill
tribes of Thailand, Laos, China and Myanmar. orchid genera seek out elevations that differ in rainfall,
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light and night temperature. Orchids, like people, do best in their favorite situation. Select the best
miniatures for your conditions to be assured abundant flowers with basic care.
Choosing delightful Asian miniatures enhances any collection. Some of the adaptable types that
thrive with 55 to 65 F (13 to 18 C) nights do well in my mixed collection. Other miniatures need cooler
nights, but the selections pictured here should do well for you with an intermediate range, even under
wide spectrum fluorescent lights.
Compact orchid species may appear in genera
that also harbor giants. For example, a few Dendrobium
species tower to 6 feet (2 m), yet the same genus is home
to 3- to 4-inch- (7.5- to 10-cm-) tall gems that hide their
leaves with 1- to 2-inch (2.5- to 5-cm) flowers.
Hybridizers have further expanded the options from
which to choose.
ABOVE Dendrobium sulcatum 'Wappingers
Falls', CHM/AOS, is native to Asia. The owners
provide cool 50 F (10 C) nights and a bright
location for this species. Watering is done once or
twice per week, depending on the weather.
Grower: Greg and Janet Martin.
TOP LEFT Chiloschista lunifera, a leafless orchid,
carries out photosynthesis in its roots that cling to
tree branches. In captivity, mist the roots with a
dilute fertilizer solution of V 4 - V 2 teaspoon
balanced formula per gallon (1.2-2.5 ml per 3.8 I)
of water and keep humidity above 50 percent.
Every few weeks, soak the plants with plain
running water to wash away any accumulated
fertilizer salts that can burn the roots.
TOP RIGHT Chiloschista lunifera 'Samsen',
CBM/AOS, is native to Thailand. Grower:
Kamphon Samsen. LEFT Chiloschista
nakornpanomensis is a small epiphyte native to Thailand.
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Bulbophylhim is another genus with several excellent cultivated miniatures such as
Bulbophylhim (syn. Cirrhopetalum) medusae, plus a few giants like Bulbophylhim phalaenopsis, with 3foot- (1-m-) long leaves.
A few genera of terrestrial miniatures, including the jewel orchids such as Anoectochilus and Ludisia,
are available mainly as pure species. Other compact showy genera such as Neofinetia are popular both
as original species (Neofinetia jalcata) and as parents to breed new miniatures. Even in a generally tallgrowing genus like Vanda, we find compact Vanda alpine and Vanda crisiata, both small enough to fit
into a light garden or at a sunny window.
NEAR RIGHT TOP Bulbophyllum yasnae 'Alpine',
CHM/AOS, is native to Vietnam.
FAR RIGHT Rhytionanthos aemulum 'Wappingers
Falls', CHM/AOS. This plant thrives with daily
watering and warm nights above 65 F (18 C). The
owners keep the mounted plant in a bright location.
Grower: Greg and Janet Martin.
JEWEL ORCHIDS While not common
in commercial collections, terrestrial jewel
orchids are worth growing, especially under
lights or in a terrarium. Of the small types, most
often seen are a few Anoectochilus species, all
of which thrive in moist humus with bright
diffuse light. My plants of Anoectochilus
sikkimensis grow only 2 to 4 inches (5 to 10
cm) tall, yet put on a nice display of goldveined foliage. Even the tiny white flowers
brighten a terrarium.
RIGHT CENTER Anoectochilus sikkimensis, one of
several jewel orchids with patterned foliage. It has
thick rhizomes that can be used for propagation when
repotting a clump. Dust cut ends with a fungicidehormone powder such as Rootone, then set 1- to 3inch- (2.5- to 7.5-cm-) long sections on top of the
potting medium.
RIGHT BOTTOM Macodes sanderiana,
photographed in Sarawak, Malaysian Borneo.
Grower: Orchidwoods Nursery.
Larger — up to 12 inches (30 cm) — is
the popular vigorous jewel orchid Ludisia
discolor (syn. Haemaria). Ludisia has a pencilthick maroon rhizome that creeps along the
humus surface. Its leaves are almost black
maroon with metallic red veins. Because this
adaptable selection is easy to propagate by
division, you will often find it listed in
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commercial catalogs. 1 have even seen sturdy plants growing in 3- to 4-inch (7.5- to 10-cra) pots in
nurseries and big-box stores such as Home Depot. White flowers with contrasting butter-yellow lips
appear on upright hairy inflorescences a few inches above the leaves.
Macodes is a genus of compact creeping jewel orchids sometimes available from commercial
sources or as divisions at local orchid society sales. Macodes sanderiana will thrive in a pot or shallow
dish of humus or coarse sphagnum moss. A l l jewel orchids need high humidity and diffuse light. Direct
sun quickly burns the leaves. Of course, a closed terrarium container should always be kept out of the
sun. Direct sun turns a closed terrarium into a lethal sauna for the delicate plants inside
Left: Cirrhopetalum makoyanum. Grower: M. Raboy. Center: Ceratochilus biglandulosus 'J&L', an Asian species
mounted on cork bark. Grower: J&L Orchids. Right: Bulbophyllum macphersonii 'Kevin', CCM/AOS. Grower: Lu
Tempera.
Left: Pholidota articulata. Center: Gaslrochilus dasypogon 'Minnie', CCM/AOS, is found in India, Myanmar and
Thailand. Grower: Paul Gianferrara. Right: Dendrobium sulfureum 'Esther', CBR/AOS. Grower: John Sullivan.
PSEUDOBULBOUS TERRESTRIALS
An excellent genus of miniatures is Pleione. The various species come from mountains in India and
Southeast Asia. In recent years, some charming hybrids have been created, mainly registered by Ian
Butterfield, a grower in Great Britain. The pure species are easy to grow in a humus-rich compost that
drains rapidly. The rounded pseudobulbs are smaller than a golfball and lose foliage for several months
each year.
Recently, I studied Pleione inaculata in its mountain habitat of Loei Province, Thailand. The
clumps grow directly on moss-covered rocks, sometimes with a bit of humus around the plant base. A
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few sturdy plants were doing well as terrestrials in thick moss at the base of shrubs. Since these orchids
often grow in moss on top of rocks (lithophytically), they do well in small clay pots or even in
hollowedout porous stones such as lava rock. After each growth cycle, the leaves fall away, leaving the
bare pseudobulbs to rest a few months. In late winter, toward the end of a dry season (no watering for
plants in cultivation), the flowers appear. Repot just after flowers fade and new growth is starting.
Pleione maculata, growing at an elevation of 4.100 feet (1,250 m) in northern Thailand flowers in
December. Nights at this elevation are cool. Dew is present even in the dry season. Companion plants I
noticed are the orchid genera Cymbidiam, Bulbophylhim, Epigen-eium and Paphiopedilum as well as
rhododendrons.
Left: Ceratocentron fesselii 'Jim Figura', CHM/AOS. Grower: Ann and Phil Jesup. Center: Epigeneium amplum
growing on rocks at 4,100 feet (1,250 m) in Loei Province, northern Thailand, where it receives wet and dry seasons
with cool nights. Right: Mediocalcar decoratum 'Marcella', CCM/AOS. Grower: Lenny Zief.
EPIPHYTES For adaptable orchids with clumping growth habits, look for Cirrhopetalum
lepidum and Cirrhopetalum auratum. These creeping miniatures, native to Thailand, thrive with bright
diffuse light to dappled sunlight, and 60 to 68 F (16 to 20 C) nights. 1 grow them on chunks of
compressed coconut husk or tree fern, although they can also be grown well in baskets filled with
sphagnum moss. These species are adaptable, doing well tucked under taller-growing orchids or under
wide-spectrum fluorescent lamps. When not in bloom, the plants still please with glossy 6-inch (15-cm)
foliage and plump I-inch (2.5-cm) pseudobulbs.
Some of the Cirrhopetalum species may be listed as Bulbophyllum, depending on which
taxonomist is consulted. For example. AOS awards have been given to some charming species such as
Bulbophylhim hirundinis but the plants resemble plants often classified as Cirrhopetalum. The Thai
species mentioned above as Cirrhopetalum lepidum and Cirrhopetalum auratum were received labeled
as Bulbophylhim, but now I see them in recent catalogs printed in Thailand and books as Cirrhopetalum.
This nomenclature! tail chase occurs in other genera as well. Whatever name you prefer, you will find
these miniatures worth growing.
Chiloschista, a genus of leafless epiphytes, puis on quite a show with pendant clusters of '/2-inch
(1.25 cm) flowers, most often in shades of yellow or brown with cream. These thrive on hardwood logs,
cork bark or slabs of dense tree fern. At one nursery in Thailand, this genus is raised from seed. The tiny
clumps of roots are transferred from flasks to locally made clay pots, where they grow into sturdy
clumps without any medium. In the United States, several well-grown specimens of Chilochista have
received American Orchid Society awards.
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Another compact Asian orchid given AOS awards for Horticultural Merit and flower quality is
Epigeneium amplum, a species looking very much like related Bulbophyllum. The heavy substanced
flowers are almost black, with tan markings. Clumps often grow directly on rocks as lithophytes, usually
with some accumulated leaf mold or moss around the roots. In nature, plants do well at elevations of
4,100 feet (1,250 m), where they receive bright light and cool nights with temperatures usually down to
50 F (10 C), even in the warm dry season.
Left: Pleione maculata growing under a shrub at 4,100 feet (1,250 m) in Loei Province, Thailand. The area has wet
and dry seasons and cool nights. Center: Hymenorchis javanica 'J&L, CHM/AOS, is native to Java, Indonesia. Right:
Christensonla vietnamica 'Orchidgrove', CHM/AOS. Grower: David Grove.
Another unusual orchid from the same habitat is Bulbophyllum dayanum. This is a 2- to 3-inch(5- to 7.5-cm-) tall tightly clumping species with maroon and yellow-fringed flowers. Grower Wojciech
KJikunas received an HCC/ AOS award for his Bulbophyllum dayanum ' Hair ball ' , an appropriate
clonal name for these frilly flowers.
FERTILIZING Apply regular dilute applications of fertilizer solution to nourish your miniature
orchids. Fertilizing the smaller plants grown on slabs of bark, logs or tree fern is especially important.
I find that foliar feeding works well with all of my orchids. Fertilizing compact plants with a mist
of fertilizer solution is a practical way to keep them growing well. My misting solution is usually a
liquid-based fertilizer such as Dyna-Gro 7-9-5 mixed at the rate of I teaspoon per gallon of water. I add
'A teaspoon of SuperThrive and every few weeks a few drops of the liquid Pro-Tek 0-0-3. As with all
orchids, it is best to apply the solution on a sunny morning so the leaves and growing points will be dry
by night. However, do not apply any liquid to foliage when direct sun could cause burns. Keeping plants
dry at night helps avoid rots and fungus attacks.
When shopping, if you are not sure which selections will fit your space, tell the orchid vendor
about your preferred mature plant size. Visiting orchid shows is an excellent way to view many choices.
AOS Orchids April 2005
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