Northwest Orchid Society Newsletter

Tyler Albrecht was born and raised in Silicon Valley but currently resides in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada Mountains with his wife Dana and two children Reece and Reagan. Having always expressed an interest in plants, just like his father, the two of them would often go to the local nurseries every weekend and find something new and exciting to bring home. Tyler’s father is initially responsible for introducing him to orchids with his small collection of Cymbidiums that grew so well outside all year at their Campbell CA home. Soon the small collection they both tended to had grown to several dozen and then a private collection was purchased from an estate that increased the plant count to a couple hundred plants. At this point Tyler had also begun to branch out into other genera and dove headfirst into Paphs and Phrags. It was at this time that regular visits to see Lillian Severin, Dennis Olivas, Gerardus Staal and The Rod McCellan Co in San Francisco. Ever eager to learn more, Orchid Clubs were introduced and as a Junior in High School, Tyler was elected Vice President of The Malini Orchid Society.

After graduating High School, Tyler attended Foothill Junior College to complete his lower requirements for a transfer to a Cal State School, at the same time earning a Certificate in Nursery Management from the Foothill Ornamental Horticulture Department. Completing a degree in Enology and Viticulture from Fresno State University, Tyler began working in that field as a vineyard manager and enologist for small private vineyards in the Santa Cruz Mountain AVA. After a couple years, a call came to help out at the family business and to this day Tyler still is working as a high end aquarium and pond service and installation company.

Having grown orchids for nearly all his life, with a short break after college, Tyler has been growing for over 30 years and just this year has decided to begin training as a student judge with the AOS.

Virtual Plant Table

Since our meeting will be conducted via Zoom, we will be presenting a virtual Plant table. In this way we can still see your wonderful blooms. Please send your photos to the newsletter editor to be included in the newsletter as well as in the virtual slideshow during our meeting.

Orchid Pest Control: Neem Oil and Other Products

It is overcast and raining at my house, perfect weather for applying an oil-based pest control product on my orchids as oil on orchid leaves can lead to burn on sunny days.

My orchids are seasonal travelers. Most move in March from a basement growing area (LED lights) to a small greenhouse (6 x 10 feet). They return to the basement in October. In the April issue of this newsletter, I described my non-toxic methods to control pests indoors (rubbing alcohol, water, neem oil, liquid detergent). In the greenhouse I use a stronger non-toxic neem-based mix. If you grow solely indoors, you could move your orchids outside and treat as I describe here and move the plants back inside in a few hours.

Two NWOS members have shared their pest control techniques (much more toxic but likely much more effective). I will provide their input later, so keep reading.

Today I put on my gardening clothes and shoes, rubber gloves, and a disposable “covid” mask and sprayed my greenhouse plants with a solution of 6 tablespoons of neem oil and 1 teaspoon of Dawn detergent in 1 gallon of water by hand sprayer. I turned off the greenhouse fan (we’ve all seen aerosol dispersion patterns in articles on covid transmission) and sprayed each plant individually, being careful to treat the entire plant and both sides of leaves. Per neem oil label instructions, I will do this again in 7 to 10 days twice more this spring and then monthly.

Neem oil is derived from seeds of the neem tree. It is considered safe to use on vegetables up to the day of harvest and is used in organic gardening. It will kill bees if sprayed on them. One information sheet termed 70% neem oil a “broad spectrum fungicide/insecticide/miticide. “The National Pesticide Information Center (NPIC) at Oregon State University (OSU) says no association has been found between neem oil and cancer in humans and animals. The NPIC is a cooperative venture between OSU and the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

Enstar II, Merit, and Tetrasan

Harvey Brenneise emailed that he uses Enstar II, an insect growth regulator, to control white scale and mealy bugs, which he said, “keeps the insects from reproducing but does not actually kill them, so it takes time and several applications. It’s expensive, but a little goes a long way. Group purchase would probably be called for.”

Dan Carmichael uses a mixture of Merit (powder), 1/8 teaspoon/gallon; Enstar II, 1 teaspoon/gallon; and Tetrasan, a miticide, ¼ teaspoon/gallon. Dan got the recipe from a pathologist, Albert Dean Stock, PhD. Recommended applications: once or twice a year.

Both Harvey and Dan grow orchids in greenhouses. Harvey recommends wearing rubber gloves. Dan says he “always wears protective clothing and a respirator whenever spraying any chemical in the greenhouse.”

Toxicity of products mentioned

The internet is a great source for pesticide information, including labels, manufacturer’s data sheets, and EPA reports. The information below is not comprehensive. Please research any pesticide you are considering for toxicity to humans, other animals, and birds. Do you have appropriate clothing? Do you need a respirator?

Neem oil. Least toxicity category (NPIC). Google NPIC neem oil fact sheet (the link was so long I couldn’t copy it).

Enstar II. Safe for humans per EPA: https://www3.epa.gov/pesticides/chem_search/reg_actions/reregistration/fs_PC-107502_1-Nov-96.pdf; University of California, Davis, fact sheet: “harmful if swallowed or absorbed through skin … eye irritation,” https://greenhouse.ucdavis.edu/pest/pmsds/Enstar.pdf

Merit. Harmful if swallowed or absorbed through skin. Avoid contact with eyes, skin, or clothing. https://www3.epa.gov/pesticides/chem_search/ppls/000432-01312-20040513.pdf

Tetrasan. This miticide is readily available as judged by on-line ads even though the EPA says it is not “intended for indoor or outdoor residential uses.” Agricultural uses include Christmas trees and ornamental plants. It is toxic to many marine organisms. See the EPA’s fact sheet for more information: https://www3.epa.gov/pesticides/chem_search/ppls/059639-00108-20041119.pdf

Please email me your questions or tips about pest problems or observations and put “NWOS Pest Column” in the subject line. Hope your orchids have a pest-free summer.

Kathy Murray, riverhaven203@gmail.com

Membership Renewal Reminder

The current membership year ended on December 31st. This means it's time to renew your NWOS membership for 2021. Our membership period now goes by calendar year (Jan. 1 to Dec. 31). You can pay at most in-person meetings by cash, check, or debit/credit card. This year you should Click HERE to pay online using Paypal on our Membership page. Alternately, you can mail a check (payable to NWOS) to PO Box 51021, Seattle, WA 98115-1021. New members should complete the Membership Form.

Dues are $30 for one person or $40 for two people at the same address. We also have a Youth membership of $15 for one person aged 22 or under. Dues are kept low to encourage membership but they cover only a small portion of the society's expenses.

Each single, dual and youth membership person will be considered an individual full-fledged member entitled to all privileges and benefits of the society (voting, Christmas plants, sell plants at meetings/shows/auction, members-only summer BBQ, compete for trophies, etc.).

Please contact Mike Cory for questions about your dues.

May: The Month of Exploration and Adventure

by Thomas Mirenda

Reprint from: Orchids, May 2014, Volume 83, Number 3

A great thinker named Helen Keller once wrote this: “Security is mostly a superstition. It does not exist in nature, nor do the children of men as a whole experience it. Avoiding danger is no safer in the long run than outright exposure. Life is either a daring adventure, or nothing.” I dare say she had a very different perspective about life than the rest of us, but I believe that perspective revealed a larger truth to her. I can’t imagine how dangerous it would be to be blind, nor what an adventure it would be to discover, or rediscover, our world minus the incredible gift of sight! In a way, without venturing out into the world, we are blind to its many glories and mysteries. Some, like our beautiful native orchid species, might be just outside our back doors whereas others require treks across mountains, oceans and hemispheres to discover.

This is a remarkable planet with outstanding and dazzling diversity. To spend your life in just one place, however safe and lovely, would be like reading just one page of the encyclopedia. The fields and forests of May are a wonderland of floral magic and I encourage you to get out there and see them for yourself. I try to go on an orchid trip every spring; sometimes a local jaunt to the Green Swamp Preserve in North Carolina is all I can muster, but it is still most incredibly satisfying. I guarantee you that there are some fascinating and beautiful wild and orchid-rich areas well within driving distance. With a little bit of research, you can easily find out about them. Last year a group of my friends reveled in the spring spectacle that occurs annually on the island of Sicily. It was probably one of the best experiences of my life. Don’t sit on the sidelines! Get out there and explore your world! Enjoy an adventurous spring this year!

EMERGENCY Don’t be alarmed! Spring is all about emergence. And your orchids are showing the signs of this. New roots and growths are popping out of your plants rhizomes with incredible vigor now! Everything wants to grow in May while the air is cool, fresh and moist! The flowers in your garden will attest to this basic truth of the spring.

TAKE ME OUT Any cool- to intermediate-growing orchids in your collection can be moved outside this month. Bringing orchids out for the fine weather will produce stronger and tougher growths. Spring rains are falling and the delicious rainwater can be a tonic for struggling orchids. Chlorine and fluoride added to our water are often the culprits when an orchid seems to languish. If such plants seem to perk up when exposed to spring rain and weather, it may be worth your while to invest in rain barrels or a reverse osmosis water purification system for your orchids.

DO ME PROUD Take this spring growth spurt as your golden opportunity to repot. Repotting during dormancy, while sometimes necessary if a plant falls over or starts to rot, is rarely a good idea. But the spring, when new orchid roots are searching for fresh bark to adhere to, is just about the best time to take on this annual chore. Cattleyas that have grown to the edge of their pots, oncidiums and miltonias with broken-down mixes, catasetums and lycastes coming out of dormancy and any pot that has weeds growing in it, should be taken and redone while they are in active new growth. Plants establish best when repotted with about 1 to 2 inches (25–50 mm) of new root growth. Roots longer than this are more easily damaged.

THE EDGE OF WETNESS Always soak your bark overnight before a potting session. Orchids take in water through the velamen in their roots by osmotic pressure. If your mix is too dried out, it will actually desiccate your orchids by wicking moisture out! This being said, roots are searching for moisture and keeping them too wet will inhibit their colonization of your new medium. Always allow newly potted plants to dry out a bit between waterings for best results. Watering and fertilizing in general should be stepped up this time of year. Take advantage of your orchid’s natural willingness to grow in the spring. Water and fertilize accordingly!

EXPLORE YOUR WORLD Whether it’s the wooded area down the street or across an ocean, wild orchids are patiently waiting for you to discover them this month. Don’t disappoint them! Many orchid societies and botanic gardens offer nature walks and other excursions this month to see some pretty incredible places, encrusted with fantastic plants at their peak. If such trips are just too challenging to participate in, I encourage you to go to your local public garden! National Public Garden Day is on May 9 this year: www.nationalpublicgardensday.org/gardens.

I hope each and every one of you ventures out that day to see all the great marvels of nature, which are everywhere on our spectacular planet.

— Tom Mirenda has been working professionally with orchids for over three decades and is the past chair of the AOS Conservation Committee. He is an AOS accredited judge in the Hawaii Center (email: biophiliak@gmail.com).

News from the American Orchid Society

2021 MAY AOS Corner – for Affiliated Societies

Affiliates Become Cheerleaders for the American Orchid Society
Tampa Bay Orchid Society normally installs an educational display at the Florida State Fair in early February for a twelve-day run. It is a competitive display entered in the horticultural division. Because of COVID, the fair was postponed until April this year. Society members still wary of COVID, decided against putting in an exhibit. Instead, several of our AOS members from the affiliated society built a display focusing on the American Orchid Society and the most active affiliates associated with the Florida North Central Judging Center (FNCJC). Society displays generally consist of live orchids requiring members to tend the booth several times throughout the duration of the fair.

The AOS visual touch-free display takes visitors on a self-directed “tour” of the AOS through QR (quick response) codes. Visitors can point their smart phones at any of the custom QR codes to visit key elements of the AOS website. Featured QR codes take them to the affiliated societies, culture sheets, webinars, judging and membership pages. A large wall calendar has custom QR codes linked to affiliated society websites and inserted on the weeks and days of the month they meet.

The AOS banner and tablecloth are central in the display. A colorful table centerpiece depicting an orchid library, and a floor mat made from the covers of 45 AOS magazines illustrate the diversity in the orchid world and complete the display. Donated issues of Orchids magazine are on hand for interested viewers to take home.

Fair visitors are encouraged to vote for their favorite display. A People’s Choice award winner receives a cash bonus. The society has agreed to donate the installation stipend and any further winnings to the Florida North Central Judging Center.

Reciprocity, from Miscellaneous Ideas, to Concept, to Completion

State Fair exhibit created and installed by Eileen Hector and Laura Newton, assisted by Ruth Ullery

REGISTRATION REQUIRED: http://www.aos.org/orchids/webinars.aspx

Cannot make it on the scheduled date or time? No need to worry. Register anyhow!
Webinar announcements are posted to Facebook, Instagram and in the AOS Corner of your Affiliated Society’s newsletter. We digitize the webinars and they are available to view at your leisure. GREENHOUSE CHAT Webinars are indexed by topic for future viewing.
Send your Greenhouse Chat questions and photos to: greenhousechat@aos.org

Noteworthy
Recently Orchids magazine has reinstated a Question and Answer column. It contains excerpts from the Greenhouse Chat webinars. Greenhouse Chat webinars address everything orchids, from culture to pests and diseases.

While we’re on the subject of orchid Q & A, today I asked Ron McHatton what is one of the most asked questions for Greenhouse Chats? He said, “What caused these spots on the leaves?”

Ron said the question does not have a single answer. He continued…”the spots are everything from mites to scale to fungus and bacteria, sunburn and even some that are clearly virus.” His answer did not surprise me at all. It demonstrates that there is no one single answer to all of our orchid questions. Again, proving that orchids are not a one-size-fits-all endeavor. We keep coming back to learn more to grow our orchids better. Have you tuned in to a Greenhouse Chat?

Let’s Get Wild About Vandaceous Orchids
The AOS 2021 supplemental issue will go in-depth with this family of orchids
Each special issue is underwritten by donations from orchid growers like you.
https://secure.aos.org/donate

Vandas Selected from Most Recent Awards in OrchidPro…


Award No: 20211314 Vanda A. F. Buckman 'Leslie's in the Pink' CCM/AOS (88 points) Vanda falcata x Vanda christensoniana Florida North-Central Judging Center Exhibitor: Leslie Belew Photographer: Wes Newton	Award No: 20211503 Vanda tessellata 'Marta' AM/AOS (85 points) West Palm Beach Judging Center Exhibitor: Juraj Kojs Photographer: Nick Nickerson	Award No: 20211309 Vanda Motes Green Goblin 'Pippen's Protégé' AM/AOS (83 points) Vanda tessellata x Vanda longitepala Florida North-Central Judging Center Exhibitor: Cheryle Daniel Photographer: Wes Newton

ORCHIDPRO the AOS awards database, is available at no extra cost to members. A digital version is included with every AOS membership. You have access to the same program that the judges use at monthly orchid judging. Visit often to view quality and outstanding culture in awarded orchids. https://op.aos.org/award To learn more about orchid awards and judging visit https://www.aos.org/orchid-awards-judging.aspx

Distinguished Affiliated Societies Service Award (DASSA)
REMINDER - In this centennial year of special recognition, we invite our affiliates to submit a nomination for the DASSA. This prestigious award is given to an affiliate in recognition of sustained, outstanding contributions in areas of service and support in the field of orchidology. Nominations for the DASSA may be made by any member of an AOS affiliate and should be forwarded to the Affiliated Societies Committee. If you think your society may be a contender, review the criteria for the award and send off your submission by June 01, 2021. affiliated_societies@aos.org
https://www.aos.org/AOS/media/Content-Images/PDFs/DASSA_Nomination_Form.pdf

ORCHIDS MAGAZINE https://www.aos.org/about-us/orchids-magazine.aspx

Get Your FREE Issue Of Orchids Magazine | American Orchid Society (aos.org)
https://go.aos.org/freeissue201904

Thanks for meeting me down at the Corner!
Eileen Hector, AOS Corner - Affiliated Societies Newsletter Editor
American Orchid Society, PO Box 565477, Miami, FL 33256-5477

the Zoom experience

Report from the April Meeting

Joe Grienauer, President, welcomed non-members and invited them to introduce themselves. He encouraged everyone to renew their NWOS membership as well as that of the AOS, the American Orchid Society. Joe then highlighted some of the accomplishments of several of our amazing members:

Steve Dorsey, who has started a mentorship program and most recently an orchid seed pod project.

Kathy Murray, who is compiling and sharing information about non-toxic pest control for our orchids.

Robert Culver, who is our 1st Vice President, brings us wonderful programs. He's also coordinating the effort to bring us a new website. Huge thanks to him and the entire website team.

Our speaker was Jurahame A Leyra who spoke about Latouia Dendrobiums. He gave suggestions for both species and hybrids to try growing. These included the well known Den. Roy Tokunaga which was bred with upright flowers that are resilient and long lasting. Another good one is Mini Snowflake which is nice, easy, a Holiday time bloomer with hybrid vigor and flowers that don't bruise. While not all dendrobiums grow the same way, they can be relatively easy to grow. Go light with a balanced fertilizer. Healthy roots are the key to healthy plants. They like high humidity and abundant moisture. But provide good air flow and let them dry out a little to avoid fungus problems.

virtual plant table on Zoom

They like bright light for at least 8 hours, warm days and cool nights to ensure good flowering. The talk was very well organized, informative and will inspire many of us to try growing this group of orchids.

The presentation was followed by a virtual plant table and each person got a chance to talk about their blooming plants.

Virtual Plant Table

Since the May meeting was conducted via Zoom, we didn't have a physical gathering with a beautiful plant table. Rather than miss out completely, we are presenting a virtual Plant table. In this way we can still see the wonderful blooms that our members have so carefully cultivated. Photos are provided by each grower. Enjoy.


Dendrobium My Sweet 'Wink', Ron Webb


Dendrobium christyanum x bellatulum, Ron Webb	Dendrobium lindley, Mike Foster & Donna Pierce


Dendrobium chrysotoxum, Mike Foster & Donna Pierce	Dendrobium Pixie Charm, Bill Leicht

Check out this window shot from Jackie Williams. It's hard to decide which is the better view...
the one in the background or the beautiful blooms on her windowsill garden.


Cyclopogan lindlianum', George & Cylvia Grantham


Calanthe sieboldii, Mike Cory terrestrial orchid This is the second year it has bloomed in my front yard orchid patch.	Calanthe tricarinata, Gordon Cromwell


Bletilla striata', George & Cylvia Grantham	Pleione x confusa ‘Golden Gate’, Gordon Cromwell


Yellow Cymbidium, Erika Dyer	Yellow Cymbidium, George & Cylvia Grantham


Max. tenuifolia ‘Yamada’, Yoshitaka Nagamatsu	Maxillaria variabilis, Tom Bell-Games


Mps. Lycaena ‘Stamperland’, Bill Leicht	Warczewiczenia (Cochleanthes) discolor, Gordon Cromwell


Biferaria harrisoniae, Mike Foster & Donna Pierce	Lemboglossum cervantesii, Tom Bell-Games


Adoglossum Jersey, Robert Culver	Coelogyne cristata, Ron Webb


Cda beyrodtiana, Robert Culver


Oda Trish x Oda Santander, Robert Culver


Oda Patrica Hill ‘Siren’, Robert Culver


Odcdm Isler’s Goldengren ‘Golden Gate’, Robert Culver


Oncidium nobile,Ron Webb	Oncidium nobile, Ron Webb


Psychopsis Mendenhall ‘Hildos’, Bill Leicht	Psychopsis Mendenhall, Tom Bell-Games


Oncidium sphacelatum, with a 4 ft spike!, Gordon Cromwell


Oncidium labeled probably incorrectly as ‘Tiger Crow’, Gordon Cromwell


Oncidioda Pacific Pagan 'Kilauea', Gordon Cromwell


Cochlioda noezliana , Gordon Cromwell


Epidendrum stamfordianum, Mike Cory	Ansellia africana 'Garden Party', Tom Bell-Games


Epidendrum ibaguense', George & Cylvia Grantham	Howeara Lava Burst ‘Pacific Sunrise’, Yoshitaka Nagamatsu


Phalaenopsis 'Grocery Store', George & Cylvia Grantham	Phal. mannii, Mike Foster & Donna Pierce


Catasetum dentigrianum x Chuck Taylor, Tom Bell-Games	Phal. unknown #10, Mike Foster & Donna Pierce


Ascofinitia Cherry Blossom 'Carmela', George & Cylvia Grantham	Vanda testacea, Yoshitaka Nagamatsu


V. Lucknow, Yoshitaka Nagamatsu	V. Motes Green Goblin, Yoshitaka Nagamatsu


V. Motes Pixie Dust, Yoshitaka Nagamatsu	Sarcochilus hartmannii, Erika Dyer


Zygonisia Roquebrune ‘Seaform’, Yoshitaka Nagamatsu	Blc NoID, Nancy Wright


C. Summer Spot 'Carmela', Nancy Wright	C. Clive Brown, Mike Foster & Donna Pierce


Bulbopyllum longissimum, George & Cylvia Grantham	Bulb. falacatum, Mike Foster & Donna Pierce


Bulb. lobbii, Mike Foster & Donna Pierce	Stanhopea embreei, Tom Bell-Games


Restrepia sanguinea', George & Cylvia Grantham	Masd coccinea ‘John’, Robert Culver


Paph. Macabre Joy, Thuan V Nguyen	Paph. Perfectly Superb, Thuan V Nguyen


Paphiopedilum Paula's Love, Tom Bell-Games	Paph. Macbeth’s Ghost ‘W.H’s Birgundy Beauty’ x Macabre Contrasts ‘R.L.’, Yoshitaka Nagamatsu


Paph niiveum, Thuan V Nguyen


Paph. delenatii, Randy Howard	Paph Hay Jerry, Thuan V Nguyen


Paph Pink on High, Thuan V Nguyen2	Paph Pink on High, Thuan V Nguyen


Paphiopedilum Hawaiian Contrast, Tom Bell-Games	Paphiopedilum sugiyamanum, Tom Bell-Games


Paph. Hsynying Rubyeeb ‘2096 3’ x Danielle Chomeaux ‘Full House’, Yoshitaka Nagamatsu	Phrag. carcinum, Mike Foster & Donna Pierce


Phragmipedium hybrid (lost tag), Tom Bell-Games	Phrag. Fireworks, Mike Foster & Donna Pierce

Schedule of Upcoming Events

05/10/21 - NWOS meeting - Speaker: Tyler Albrect. "Dendrobium kingianum & hybrids"

06/14/21 - NWOS meeting - Speaker: Jairul Rahamin - "Symbiotic Relationship between Orchids and Fungi"

09/13/21 - NWOS meeting - Speaker and topic - TBD

October 2&3, 2021 - Fall Show and Sale at Volunteer Park Conservatory

10/11/21 - NWOS meeting - Speaker: Andy Easton, tentatively "Cymbidium"

11/08/21 - NWOS meeting - Speaker: Theresa Hill, "Paph. charlesworthii hybrids or Miltoniopsis in the PNW or Giants in the field of breeding, or Masdevallias"

December 13, 2020 - NWOS meeting - Holiday Potluck, Introduction of new Officers, and Orchid Awards

Reminder for Officers & Board Members

The schedule of Board Meetings for this membership year is: 5/4/21, 7/11/21, 9/7/21, 11/2/21. The Board meetings are currently being conducted via Zoom.

Shopping on Amazon? Use this link to Earn $$ for NWOS

If you go to http://smile.amazon.com and sign in to your account, you'll be given information about supporting various non-profits. You can type in "Northwest Orchid Society" and it will then send .5% of your purchase price to the organization.

It's really easy, but you have to remember to go in through the 'smile' subdomain when you place the order, otherwise it will go through as a regular order.

NWOS Website Links

Main website: Http://www.nwos.org
Events Calendar: http://www.nwos.org/events
Membership (including renewals): http://newsletter.nwos.org/membership/
Newsletter - Current Issue: http://newsletter.nwos.org
Newsletter - Back Issues: http://newsletter.nwos.org/archives/index.htm
Show Information: http://newsletter.nwos.org/ShowTime
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/nworchidsociety

Special Announcements

The opinions and recommendations published herein are those of the authors. The Northwest Orchid Society disclaims responsibility for any losses or damages that may be attributed to the use or misuse of any material or any opinion published in these articles and on the website. This website and the photographs, articles and content are protected by copyright and no part of them may be reproduced or re-used without the permission of the author.