DVOS Meeting

Our final speaker for 2021, Nicholas Rust, will lead us through the mysteries of the most talked about orchid group this Holiday season – jewel orchids.  His talk, perhaps reflecting the modern popularity of the group, is called “An Introduction into the Wild World of Jewel Orchids” and will be at our usual time of 7:00PM PST on Thursday December 9.

Nicholas is an up-and-coming hybridizer in the orchid community, seriously growing and studying orchids for about 7 years. His orchid passion arose during the end of high school when a Mini Phalaenopsis was gifted to him. Like a flame to gasoline, this gift quickly pulled him into the diverse world of orchids. Shortly after his interests were formed, he began exploring the culture of several unique genera of terrestrial orchids. He now specializes in Habenaria and other related genera, jewel orchids, and Bulbophyllum,

After studying biochemistry and molecular biology throughout college, Nicholas approached his orchids with the same scientific perspective he used while working in a research lab. This led to an interest in the entire growth cycle of orchids and the start of his own hybridization program which focuses on terrestrial orchids. His aim is to use rarely cultivated species and distinct variations of common species to create truly exceptional shapes and colors that will pave new directions for unique hybrids.

This month’s speaker will be Tom Mirenda who will be with us from Hawaii at 7:00PM PT on November 11, to lead us through his month long orchid safari to many different locations throughout Africa. Tom has been cultivating plants since his early childhood. Originally trained as a marine biologist, he moved to Hawaii in his early 20s where he worked on the trophic [nutritional] relationships between the denizens of coral reefs in the northwestern Hawaiian Islands (Midway and French Frigate Shoals).

Tom Mirenda

Realizing he was better suited to horticultural pursuits he took positions at the New York Botanical Garden, Brooklyn Botanical Garden and at the Greentree [Whitney] Estate in Long Island where he cared for a first class orchid collection. Eventually, Tom accepted the Orchid Collection Specialist position at the Smithsonian Institution in Washington DC where he cultivated and curated its 8000+ plant collection for 17 years. In better times, the Smithsonian collection was used to create months long educational exhibits visited by millions of visitors each year. Last fall, Tom left the security of the Smithsonian to take a leadership position at the Hawaii Tropical Botanical Garden, a jewel on the lush Hamakua coast just north of Hilo. What Tom found there was an orchid paradise where myriad spectacular orchids of all types, both lowland and montane, species and hybrids, seem to thrive when simply placed thoughtfully in the trees in the landscape.

Tom has contributed articles to ORCHIDS magazine for many years and has developed an international following as a writer, speaker and advocate for orchid conservation. Three years ago Tom co-authored “The Book of Orchids” with two scientists from Kew. He has done speaking tours in the British isles for the last three summers and presented on conservation topics at the last three World Orchid Conferences and several IOC and AOC conventions. Tom was a founding member of the North American Orchid Conservation Center and continues his support of orchid conservation there and around the world.

Tom Mirenda believes that ultimately the concept of growing orchids in a garden settings will be a viable model for orchid conservation world-wide and that it is only with the cooperation of botanical garden professionals, commercial growers, academia and committed orchid collectors and backyard growers, that orchids will survive the vicissitudes of climate change.

Tom Mirenda’s presentation  has been postponed to November 11, 2021.

Tom Mirenda

Cym. Sweet Devon

Scott was our speaker in January, when he brought us up to date on the latest developments in the world of Sarcochilus. This month, he will be back with us on Zoom at 7:00PM PST on September 9, to discuss his work with Cymbidiums. There is no specific title for his presentation but he gave me the following quote which implies it should be a very interesting evening: “I’ve been around Cymbidiums all my life. They are our bread and butter and have given me some of my most significant moments. They have also given me some of my most frustrating and confronting moments as a crop and as a life choice. In this talk I’ll share some of the challenges and our experiences.”

The results of his current efforts with the genus can be seen at https://barritaorchids.com/collections/cymbidiums

Scott Barrie

As many of you will remember, Scott is co-owner and manager of Barrita Orchids located in Kulnura north of Sydney. Barrita is a commercial grower supplying quality potted plants to retail stores and nurseries throughout the east coast of Australia as well as cut flowers to markets Australia-wide. Scott grew up around the benches and packing shed of his family’s nursery and has spent his entire working life in the orchid business. He was also a judge for the Australian Orchid Council (AOC) for over twenty years.

The in person DVOS meetings at the Contra Costa Water District Building have been cancelled due to COVID-19 concerns till further notice.

Lc. Mildred Rives Orchidglade FCC_AOS

Dear Orchid Friends,

Well, another month has gone by and the world continues to change. I hope that all of you are
safe and sound. I am spending a lot of time with my orchids. It helps me to be able to nurture
something beautiful that brings me joy. With the problems that we are facing both medically and
socially, I find that my orchids are an important refuge for me. I hope you all are able to find
comfort in your gardens. Hopefully soon it will be time for all of us to get back out in the world
and make it a better place.

Diane

Retail Therapy???

Do you miss shopping?  Do you miss winning orchids in the monthly raffle?  Think about rewarding yourself with a day trip to California Orchids in Bolinas.   Mary Nesbit is more than happy to welcome you to her nursery during this pandemic.  She will allow 2-3 people at a time to visit the nursery, following COVID 19 guidelines (masks and hand sanitizer).  Call her and make an appointment to visit. I drove out there recently and found some beautiful blooming orchids that I just had to buy.  I had a nice visit with Tom Pickford, he rents greenhouse space from Mary.  He really has some incredible orchids in bloom.

After my visit to Mary I went to the little town and bought lunch that I ate by the ocean.  It was so nice after all this time being kept at home. If you go on a weekday there are far fewer cyclists on the road.  You can reach Mary at info@californiaorchids.com.

For those who cannot make it to Bolinas your shopping needs can be taken care of in Daly City at D & D orchids.  Dennis Olivas would like to welcome you to his incredible greenhouse.  He also follows COVID19 guidelines and by calling him at 925 683 3609 you can set up an appointment to visit.

For new members think about visiting these nurseries.  Not only will you see a wonderful selection of orchids but you will learn a lot about growing orchids.  Both Mary and Dennis are fantastic teachers.  They know so much about growing the orchids they grow and sell and do not hesitate to share their knowledge.

Happy shopping,

Eileen Jackson

Photo by N. Doe

Our virtual guest on July 8, at our usual time of 7:00PM PST will be Charles G. Wilson. He will be joining us from Georgia to share his expertise on that largest of all genera with a presentation entitled simply “The Bulbophyllums”.

Charles has been an AOS member since 1981. He is currently a member of the Species Identification Task Force and  chair of the Conservation Committee. He has been growing orchids for over 40 years and his special interests range from Bulbophyllums, Cattleyas and Coelogynes, to Dendrobiums and Paphs and about everything in-between!

Our speaker holds a Bachelor’s and a Master’s Degree in Zoology and Animal Behavior from Oklahoma State University. He is a past president and lifetime member of the Memphis Orchid Society and retired as Director of the Memphis Zoo in 2001.

Both he and his wife Susan are accredited judges with the Atlanta Judging Center. They live on a river east of Atlanta and enjoy travel, fishing and birding.

Bulbophyllum frostii x Bulbophyllum evrardii

Leptotes bicolor

NEW Time: 6:00 PM PST

Last month’s topic was definitely “Big”. This month we go in the opposite direction. Our guest on Zoom on June 10, at 6:00PM PST will be Dr. Kristen Uthus. She will be joining us from Michigan to share her love of miniature orchids with a talk entitled “Honey, I Shrunk the Orchids”. Kristen studied both plant and animal ecology and evolution in university and then taught biology and ecology at several colleges. The daughter of a plant fanatic, she has been growing orchids for many years and in 2014 fulfilled her dream of making orchids a full-time commitment by purchasing New World Orchids in Manchester MI. She is supported in her orchid pursuits by her husband, Dr. Kevin Wehrly, and their two sons, Henry and Gus.

Although Kristen enjoys growing many varieties of orchids, miniatures remain her passion—the weirder the better. New World Orchids specializes in Japanese species including Neofinetia falcata, Dendrobium moniliforme, and Sederia japonica, but her selection includes choice species from many other genera.  Although she claims it is never entirely up to date, you can check out some of her offerings at https://newworldorchids.com

Our guest speaker on Zoom on May 13, at 7:00PM PST will be Dr. Leslie Ee. He will be joining us from Toronto to share his knowledge of Cattleya species with a presentation entitled “Cattleya warscewiczii and Its Contribution to Large Blue Flowers”. Leslie, who is the President of the Canadian Orchid Congress and has been an occasional guest at our on-line meetings, was born in Borneo where he was surrounded by orchids. He has grown our favorite plants himself for over 30 years with selected and heirloom cattleya species being particular favorites.

Our speaker is an AOS Associate Judge with the Toronto judging center and has enjoyed traveling widely to attend overseas orchid shows and visit nurseries and habitats. He is committed to the sharing of orchid knowledge and to conservation efforts for local orchids around the world.

Peter Lin

Our guest speaker on Zoom on April 8 at 7:00PM PST will be Peter Lin [Not to be confused with Peter T. Lin]. He will be joining us from Dallas/Fort Worth to share his knowledge with a presentation entitled “The Top 5 Fragrant Phalaenopsis Species and Their Influence on Modern Novelty Hybridizing”.

Although some of you may have heard Peter talk on other occasions, this will be an updated presentation which will include the latest developments in non-commodity Phalaenopsis and his particular interest in the breeding potential of the species gigantea. You can see gigantea in bloom next to Peter in the photograph.

Peter Lin started growing orchids 40 years ago before emigrating from Taiwan. In 1996 he turned his Phalaenopsis collection and interest in hybridizing into Big Leaf Orchids in Southlake, where he specializes in species and novelty Phalaenopsis, many of them fragrant. Before Covid-19, Peter made frequent trips to Taiwan to see the latest advances in breeding and to select new varieties for his customers and for inclusion in his own program.

Despite interest in other genus over the years, Peter’s primary focus is still hybridizing Phalaenopsis. As we shall see, the results of his efforts are the antithesis of the commodity plants seen in big box stores everywhere. His website is https://www.bigleaforchids.com/store

This month’s speaker will be Sam Tsui who will be with us from Illinois on March 11 at 7:00PM PST to talk about “Multifloral Paphiopedilums”. Sam was born and raised in Hong Kong, later attending Illinois State University where he graduated  in computer science and accounting. He retired from a position in IT in 2008 and is now concentrating full time on his orchid growing business, he founded in 1995.  https://orchidinnusa.com

Although he started growing his orchids in his basement he now has commercial greenhouses and currently makes over 300 crosses and produces up to 5,000 flasks annually.

Hybridizing is Sam’s passion. He emphasizes Paphiopedilum species, Brachypetalum, Parvisepalum and multifloral hybrids.  Sam travels and judges widely (in better times) and has received over 300 awards for his orchids including many from the AOS, European Orchid Congress, The Cymbidium Society of America and the Dresden International Orchid Show where he received the Grand Champion Award.