May 9, 2019 – John Robbins: Floriculture, appropriate timing and supplies for repotting

I first became interested in orchids in 1994 during a horticultural internship at the
Marie Selby Botanical Gardens in Sarasota, Florida. The internship turned into a
full-time job and I worked there for several years learning about all sorts of
tropical epiphytes. I went on to move around the country over the years but
always had a greenhouse full of orchids. I’ve grown them in hot, wet Southern
Florida, the cold, wet, Pacific Northwest, and the hot, dry, California Central Valley.
This has given me experience with the challenges of growing in widely varied
conditions. I went on to buy Calwest Tropical Supply (Now Flori-Culture: Orchid &
Specialty Growing Supplies) in 2014 and relocated it to Carmichael, California. We
now have added a small specialty nursery as well as the supplies we have always
carried.

We will discuss many of the major issues facing orchid growers including:
Light, Watering and water quality, Potting media, Container choice, Fertilizers.
Pests & Diseases
Vetting the over-abundance of information in the internet age.
I will talk you through ways to look at your plants and with a little observation and
research, figure out for yourself the best ways to grow your plants according to
your individual conditions. I will also give some strategies to tell which advice to
listen to and which might be better ignored.

My business website is flori-culture.com. The web site has all the supplies you
need for orchid growing. Choose what you want, pay on line and I will be
delivered it to you at the meeting. Place your orders by May 7. Be sure to
mention on your order that you will be at the Diablo View Orchid Meeting!