Canadian Orchid Congress Newsletter - VOL17.3

Congratulations Foothill Orchid Society for a terrific COC weekend in Calgary. Co-chairs Ross Otto and Ken Girard along with their committee members did an outstanding job in making sure that every delegate was made most welcome with generous hospitality at every turn. The public turn out was amazing to view the numerous displays of prize-winning plants. With vendors from Europe and the United States as well as Canada, the many choices were fun but hard if anyone was shopping on a limited budget. Thank you so much Calgary for a beautiful show and great social times.

The COC Annual General Meeting was well attended on the Sunday morning. The 2 1/2 hours were filled with reports from executive members indicating their activities over the past year and input from those in attendance. The amendment to the COC by-laws regarding voting was approved by the COC membership. Thank you to those societies who either sent their vote in with a delegate or advised me prior to the meeting. The amendment will come into effect once it has received approval of the Minister.

There was a great deal of discussion on the topic of COC speakers. The agreement of the meeting was that the COC should, on a trial basis, offer a subsidy of $200 to 3 or more societies who band together to host a special speaker at their meetings. Each society would receive the $200 amount to help offset the costs incurred by the 3 or more societies to bring in one special speaker once during the year. A set of guidelines is being developed to assist societies in applying for this amount. The COC does not have unlimited funds however, and so this program will be instituted on a trial basis so that we can monitor its usage and the COC bank account. Delegates expressed a hope that those societies with larger bank accounts would not apply for these funds too frequently and thus help the COC to make sure that the small societies have an opportunity to benefit from this program. Watch for the Guidelines to come in your mailbox.

Fall Shows are in full swing. Good luck to those who enter their pride and joys for the enjoyment of the public as well as the judges. May you have great crowds, good speakers and a happy time getting to know better your fellow orchid enthusiasts.

The Notice Board

COC Insurance Coverage

Those societies wishing to join in the insurance coverage should do so as soon as possible. For each society joining after the coverage date means an additional cost of $50.00 and $0.65 per member.

The COC is endeavouring to change the coverage from September 1 to January 1. If we are able to do this we must be advised no later than December 1, each year. All societies will be advised of this change. Any society holding a Wine and Cheese event at their shows must apply for additional coverage at their own cost. To join please notify:

COC Annual meeting for 2006

The COC is looking for a society to volunteer to host the COC Annual meeting for 2006 as part of their regular orchid show. If you think you might be able, please contact the COC President, Margaret Blewett.

COC Dues

As a reminder to everyone, the due date for your 2006 COC dues is fast approaching. The membership fee is $1.00 for each member of your society. The COC membership year is January 1 to December 31, the same as a calendar year. Your COC dues are due by January 31, 2006. Invoice for your dues will be sent out to each society in November.

The COC Website

When looking at a website, it is usually easy to see what is there. My problem with the COC website is: what is missing? Have a look and let me know what should be there that could be of use to your society and its members. Have a look at the vendors listing for your area and let me know of any that should be there or should be removed. The orientation is always to the Canadian hobbyist and Canadian resources. - Jerry Bolce, COC Webmaster

Armit Meadows and Birch River Added to Manitoba's Ecological Reserves

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MANITOBA GOVERNMENT NEWS RELEASE
News Media Services, Rm 29, Legislative Bldg.
Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada R3C 0V8
Ph: (204) 945-3746 Fax: (204) 945-3988
E-MAIL nmservices@leg.gov.mb.ca
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Over 400 Hectares of Ecologically Diverse Land Protected within Manitoba's Porcupine Provincial Forest

Wetland meadows, glacial beaches and endangered fescue prairie grassland will now be protected in Manitoba through the newly designated Birch River Ecological Reserve and the Armit Meadows Ecological Reserve, Conservation Minister Stan Struthers announced today.

"Ecological reserves carry the highest level of protection available in Manitoba, prohibiting all activities that may harm the landscape," said Struthers. "The new Birch River and Armit Meadows Ecological reserves, combined with the designation of the Bell and Steeprock Canyons Protected Area early last summer, are a significant step towards meeting the province's commitment to establish protected areas within Manitoba's Porcupine Provincial Forest."

The 263-hectare Armit Meadows Ecological Reserve is dominated by spruce forest, but a series of small grassland or wetland meadows are also found throughout the area. Some of the grassland meadows are isolated examples of the endangered fescue prairie ecosystem.

"These meadows contain the most northerly-known population of fescue prairie in Manitoba," the minister said. "Prairie grasslands where fescue species are the dominant grass are very limited making this a unique area in Manitoba."

Once extending over 255,000 square kilometres, only five per cent of the original fescue prairie ecosystem remains on the Canadian prairies today. The majority of this type of grassland has been converted to cereal crop production.

The 183-hectare Birch River Ecological Reserve is located two kilometres north of the community of Birch River. The area reflects the complex geological and glacial history of the Porcupine Mountain Escarpment. This diverse physical environment enables several rare and uncommon plants to thrive within its boundaries.

The Birch River Ecological Reserve is home to 17 orchid species, representing over 40 per cent of Manitoba's orchid flora. Several plants considered rare in Manitoba grow here. There is also a diverse population of small mammals. Larger mammals, including coyotes, moose, elk, black bears and timber wolves, are also known to inhabit the area. Sandhill cranes have been observed nesting in the region.

Since the start of Manitoba's Protected Areas Initiative in 1990, 5.4 million hectares of land have been protected. Ecological reserves are the most highly protected of the provincially-designated sites within the network of protected areas in Manitoba. They play a key role in meeting society's commitment to set aside portions of land in their most natural state, free from intensive recreational development or resource harvest.

Passive visits on foot will be allowed without a permit while all other activities will require prior approval. The Armit Meadows and Birch River Ecological Reserves bring the total number of ecological reserves to 21 in Manitoba.

"The development of these ecological reserves demonstrates the province's ability to balance conservation needs and resource commitments in the remarkable lands located within the Porcupine Mountains," said Struthers. "In a little over a year, in addition to these two new ecological reserves, we have created Little George Island, Brokenhead Wetland and Jennifer and Tom Shay ecological reserves. We will continue to work at expanding our vital protected areas network."

President's Report to AGM 2004/5

Welcome to the 18^th Canadian Orchid Congress meeting here in Calgary. This year has passed quickly. I offer my thanks and the thanks of all members of the COC to Jerry Bolce for keeping us all on our toes with the newsletter; Janette Richardson for her timely treasurer's work to keep us in good financial order; Lynne Cassidy for all her work on our behalf for insurance matters, Marilyn Light for work on conservation matters, Ross Otto for making possible for us all to be here today to enjoy this beautiful show and great speakers and also for completing the culture sheets now available on our website, Mark Elliott for gathering names of knowledgeable Canadian orchid growers for the speakers List, and Terry Kennedy and Ingrid Ostrander for their help and assistance to me during a most difficult personal year. You will hear in detail reports from these members shortly. You have each contributed much and the COC is appreciative of your knowledge, care and concern for this organization.

A major problem presented itself to orchid hobbyists in Canada who went abroad this year, purchased plants for their own growing pleasure and were not allowed to bring the plants into Canada inspite of having met, to the best of their ability, the requirements of the Canadian Food Inspection Agency and Customs and Excise branches. Many telephone calls were made on behalf of these individuals to the authorities seeking a way to allow the plants into Canada. In some cases, these were successful, in others, regrettably they were not and plants were confiscated. To formally register the dismay and concern of the Canadian Orchid Congress, a formal letter of complaint was sent to the President of the CFIA outlining our concerns and requesting the agency take action to ensure that in future, these problems will not occur again. This difficulty occurred a number of times, not just to those who were returning from the WOC in France, but also members who were bringing plants for their collections back from the USA. To date, a reply has not been received. Members will be advised when one is forth coming.

Communications with member societies continues to be difficult. When we do not receive the changes in a society executive immediately following the change, there are missed communications and/or information just disappearing into the ether. Please take back to your society and the ones you represent here today the need for Janette, Jerry and myself to receive all changes to executive, whenever they happen. We need to be able to reach you, hear your concerns to be able to take action on your behalf and to share information with you.

Thank you all for your attendance today, I look forward to this being an informative and fruitful meeting for all.

COC Western Tour Report

In March of 2004, I contacted Mr. Francisco Miranda in Florida about coming to Western Canada for the COC speaker's tour. He had been on two Cross-Canada tours before and felt that he would be happy to come for another visit. He is a very busy man, travelling a lot, mostly between Florida and Brazil. But eventually things became organized, the Western societies rallied around and we had a most successful COC tour. Mr. Miranda offered to bring plants and I found that it works very well to have each society do their own plant order - if the speaker will accept this. Mr. Miranda was happy to come and of course happy to go home, after two weeks of hard work. If any of you have done even a short, single province speaking tour, you understand that it truly is strenuous work. The societies involved were: Winnipeg, Saskatoon, Regina, Edmonton, Calgary, Lethbridge, Kelowna, Nanaimo, Victoria and Vancouver.

I thank all the program chairs who participated, all the treasurers who helped and all the plant sales people who did their jobs for their particular societies. I thank in particular Jane Mason from Victoria who collected all the bills and initially paid Francisco what we all owed him and finally my appreciation goes to the COC treasurer Janette Richardson who makes sure that all our money is properly looked after.

Orchids in the Garden

Written by Otto Moeller, Hannover Germany, published in the German Orchid Magazine "Die Orchidee" and translated for Canadian readers by I. Schmidt-Ostrander

Beginning in England during the second half of the 18^th century, the "Industrial Revolution" resulted in a radical change in the history of humans that is similar to the "Neolithic Revolution" at about 7000 BC, when hunters and gatherers took up the life of herding and farming. The great leap in technological and economical developments in England since about 1820, in Germany since 1850, slowly alleviated the poverty of the masses which was caused by exchanging the agrarian life for an industrial one. The whole structure of society was altered and higher living standards were achieved, not only for individuals but on a general level.

The occupation with plants that are not needed to support life but are rather cultivated for their intrinsic beauty, not only demands a higher cultural level but also a certain amount of wealth. Thus England was the country where tropical orchids were first imported and cultivated. It is said that in 1735 the first tropical orchid, Bletia verecunda was flowered there.

Even though there were rather few people who turned to the culture of orchids, one may still compare the path of the orchids from their natural homes into our gardens with the development of humanity. Both paths are roads from where there is no return. The path of the orchids generally ends with destruction of the natural habitat and together with this the great loss of other plant and animal life.

Man has put up barriers for each and everything, excepting for himself. To stay with the `orchid theme', this resulted in the complete destruction of many species. Already in 1928, Rudolf Schlechter writes (in `Monograph of Orchids' Keller & Schlechter) that terrestrial orchids have a much more difficult time to get used to new substrata than do the tropical (epiphytic) orchids. Those who have success with growing epiphytic orchids in captivity agree that keeping terrestrial orchids is far more challenging from the raising of their seed through to getting flowering plants.

Schlechter continues: "The best method to bring these wild plants into cultivation is to move a sufficiently large mass of earth so that the root-ball will not be disturbed or damaged. The soil into which this is planted should be as similar to the original soil as possible"… Even though the separate species are not always found in the same type of soil, as I shall demonstrate later, each individual plant is used to its particular micro-environment. The strong bond of seedlings of Orchis mascula with the particular quality of their soil was certainly proven when 2000 little bulbs were transferred from the Rhoen Mountains to the Gambacher area. Of those plants introduced there in 1939, less than 2% were still alive in 1953. (Germination and Culture of European terrestrial Orchids, H. Burgeff).

During the usual digging with a shovel, the ball of earth becomes compressed through leverage and loses its volume of air. The orchid plants in this earth ball may grow and bloom for another year but usually they perish two years later. In addition, mostly these lumps of earth are kept small in order to move many plants. In order to keep the soil from falling apart, it is squeezed together. This soil will never regenerate its earlier structure.

Terrestrial orchid do not grow in soil that does not have other plants' roots growing through it and thereby aerating it. In the case of orchids in meadows, there are even particular companion plants according to the individual orchid species. The companion plants influence the growth of these orchids considerably. When one tries to grow orchids in the garden, better success is achieved if there is a fine-leaved grass in the soil; in some cases, there was even germination of orchid seed in the presence of this grass. Before one plants meadow orchids in one's garden, the "meadow" (lawn) should become established for at least two years. It would really be useful if dealers in terrestrial orchids were to offer their companion plants also.

Up to 20 years ago, all terrestrial European orchids on the market were taken from the wild. For the lady slippers (Cypripedium spp.) this was even going on while artificially raised slippers were being offered. However, the largest numbers of dug- up orchids were different Dactylorhiza species. It is questionable if the artificial propagation of lady slippers in commercial nurseries really was successful in earlier years. We can use as an example the culture of native Cypripediums in England. Hobbyists in England were strongly encouraged to purchase Cypripedium calceolus only from English nurseries because this is where the plants have been raised. During an inventory of naturally occurring plants of this kind, only a few years ago, there was only one single locality left in all of England where this slipper was still growing wild. The nurseries had only been stopovers for these orchids on the way from the meadow to the hobbyist's gardens. Of course, this happens not only in England.

Terrestrial orchids and their symbiotic fungi (micorrhizal fungi and germination fungi are not identical!) require, for optimum growth, a well aerated soil which occurs in stable earth. Through the formation of water-tight crumbs, the soil can breathe freely, which is necessary for the micro organisms; that is the exchange of air in the soil with atmospheric air must be functioning.

The requirements for a crumbly soil structure are offered in our climate here in Germany by calcareous soil with about 20% clay particles. The high content of calcium in our soils is not needed as nourishment for our orchids, as proven by soils in the Mediterranean region (Cyprus and Rhodes). There, for instance grow 17 orchid species in soil which contains 41.5% CaO (Calcium Oxide) as well as in a different locality with soil of only 5.5% CaO, with 7 species occurring in both soils. Obvious are here the correlations between the content of Sesqui Oxides of iron Fe₂O₃ and Aluminium Al₂O₃.

The soil with 41.5% CaO contains only 5% Al and Fe Oxides, whereas the calcium-poor soils hold 25% of them. The gels of these metal Oxides penetrate the soils and stabilize them. The requirement for these types of soil structure is a hot and dry summer.

When we suppose that in Germany about 10% of the soils are amenable to the growing of orchids, then one can say that 90% of the gardens in the Federal Republic show no orchid friendly capacities and are made worse through normal gardening practices. It may be rather conservative to say that about 95% of all dug-up wild flowers (not only orchids but Gentians and other rare plants) have died in the gardens. Besides this, Germany's different regions do not all have the same climates so that not all the orchids will grow in all the regions (PLEASE CANADIAN READERS, KEEP THIS IN MIND!) One must stick with those orchids that are at home in one's home regions. For instance, orchids that need extra warmth have to be covered during the winter (bubble plastic or spruce boughs perhaps) and during warm spells uncovered, because many of them must also breathe during the winter season.

In order to grow, terrestrial orchids need the same plant food as all other plants. However, with orchids, these nourishing elements must stand in different proportions from those of other plants. Fertilizers not only nourish the plants, they also influence their resistance to damage (for instance frost, insects, and drought). The high content of humus in orchid-bearing soils is created through action of micro-organisms. During the step by step break-down of organics, substances are produced which influence the growth of fungi as well as that of the orchids. Besides growth elements, there will be amino acids, organic acids, carbohydrates, mucilage, uric acid, antibiotics, vitamin K and derivates (needed for making up proteins) and others. It is possible that the lack of any of these substances is the reason why some orchids, even tropical epiphytes do not grow so well in captivity. The `quality' of any of these substances can influence the growth of the whole plant. This is the main reason why the leaves of beech trees are so strongly recommended for covering terrestrial orchids.

It has been measured that rainwater leached out from the dry beech leaves (in % of the dry substance):

P (Phosphorus) 0.133%
Mg (Magnesium) 0.170%
Ca (Calcium) 0.23%
K (Potassium) 0.45%
Mn (Manganese) 0.0145%
Si (Silicon) 0.436%

Beech leaves keep their shape for a long time because of their high content of silicon, which makes them ideal to cover the plants. One should collect the leaves right after they drop from the trees in autumn and use them to cover Cypripediums with a fresh layer of dry leaves after the previous layer has turned soggy. A strong outer layer of tissue in slipper orchids (and grasses) will support the plants better and even protect them against snail damage. From 1 kg of beech leaves on can count on 4.36 g of soluble silicon that can be absorbed by the orchids.

From the above statements we see that terrestrial orchids need certain things for their growth and how greed and lust for gain have decimated/destroyed the orchid population. There were no laws in earlier times that would forbid the digging up of wild plants. Today things are different. But what use are the laws when even today Salep, the dried bulbs of various species of orchids, for instance Orchis morio, used to make ice cream, is publicly offered for sale by the kilogram even by the ton?

The free and untouched life of terrestrial orchids is now impossible in most areas of Germany. During the sub-boreal time (2500 800 BC) our climate became more humid, and since 800 BC it also turned cooler. The light mixed oak forests were crowded out by a denser beech forest and thus the growth of woody plants was furthered. Those orchids which fled from the dense beech forests, now have found their homes on farmers' meadows and pastures. The modern practise of heavy fertilization and early mowing has mostly destroyed the original plant communities, including the orchids. The fallow grasslands on poor soils were taken back by nature and return to bush-land and forests. Only through the interference of man, through the constant maintenance directed towards the support of orchids and other desirable plants will there still be wild orchids growing in this country. Nowadays there is the danger that areas which are not conducive to farming will be used for human settlements, because there are too many people around!

These `useless' areas are new concepts, sort of `natural gardens', for which new rules should be made. Why should orchids not be planted, that used to grow here or even those that might be able to grow here in the future because of the warming climate? If for instance an Orchis morio from the cooler parts of France that is not different from the Orchids morio from Germany and is planted in Germany, then blooms, sets fruit and after three years more seedlings of this (French) orchid bloom, then it should not matter whether or not one chromosome loop is bent a little less or more.

For centuries, there has not been any `Nature Untouched' and there won't be any unless the numbers of humans were severely decimated. In the heavily populated countries it is only possible through targeted interference that all beings can exist together in an `orderly fashion' (as far as they still exist). Everything that has to do with the concept of `nature' must be supported but also it may have to be limited or reduced. Organisations which become strong because they support one single species (animal or plant) and thereby promise to heal the world are lying!

Carbon dioxide (CO₂), which is necessary for the continuation of all life, has been given a bad name and everything that exudes this gas is harmful excepting man who is exempted from being called a harmful subject. Through breathing, man produces per day 576 litres of Carbon dioxide; that makes 210,240 cubic meters per year. If the world population could be reduced by only 10% (and many of these would also then not be heating homes and driving cars), the world would be alright again. Man however, has a mental block and does not comprehend this. Will he perish for this reason?

Last spring, I took a photo in Sicily where whole populations of rare terrestrial orchids have been exterminated by digging them out. The same thing happened along the river Isar in Bavaria, where large colonies of Cypripedium calceolus have been removed. Private `friends of orchids' would not know what to do with these large numbers of plants. There are still orchid sellers without a conscience committing these crimes.

QUESTIONS AND More Questions... II

Questions, questions...almost any question you want answered about orchid culture is my request and here are more questions and some answers.

I was asked about potting mix and if certain kinds like Aussie Gold™ can be safely reused. How can this be without chancing pathogen transfer? Are there any potting mediums except fired clay pellets that can be sterilized and reused???

According to the information given on the web site, Aussie Gold™ is made from "fresh water Diatomite imported from Australia, the finest coir fibre imported from Asia, horticultural charcoal and perlite, and some "secret" ingredients." http://www.aussie-gold.com/

I have never used the product so cannot comment except on potential for reuse. As far as I am aware, only inorganic materials like clay pellets, perlite and diatomite can be sterilized at a high enough temperature to destroy the most persistent viruses. Organic materials can be especially challenging to sterilize adequately. Moreover, charcoal and organic matter may be loaded with salts and other noxious substances adsorbed during their time in a pot and this may be impossible to remove. I suggest recycling any used potting media into the garden compost.

I was asked another question about potting stuff. What is the feedback on using loose coir ? I have used CHC (coconut husk chips) and have been happy with it for phragmipediums especially but have never used loose coir.

Coconut husk contains both coarse fibre (coir) and granular material packed between the fibres (coir pith). CHC is available as loose or compressed in various sized chunks, and as compressed blocks of granular material often marketed as cocopeat. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coir

The product is inexpensive and a good substitute for bark chips or peat moss. I use medium chips blended with sphagnum moss as a Phragmipedium mix with excellent results and have found Oncidium alliance grow happily with various CHC products. I usually soak chips overnight or put a tray of chips out in the rain which hydrates them nicely. An excellent review of the subject can be found at http://www.ladyslipper.com/cocofaq.htm

Someone requested some information on media selection advice for home flaskers. If we want to try raising orchids from seeds, which medium formulation is best?

Whereas in times past, it was challenging to obtain small quantities of good prepared media, today there are many proven formulations available for purchase on-line and in small quantities, at an amazingly low price. For the home flasker, it is simply not worth investing in components except for such items as bananas, coconuts or pineapple juice. Even then, standardized powdered banana, coconut water and pineapple juice are now part of many formulations or can be purchased separately. Some suppliers list media for both tropical and terrestrial orchids whereas others deal only with tropicals or with a particular orchid type like Phalaenopsis. For example, at the PhytoTechnology Labs site, http://www.phytotechlab.com we can find everything from orchid media suited to a range of taxa, to equipment, kits and useful books.

Some Basic Questions about Flasking Media:

Some formulations do not contain agar but there is often an alternative listing of a similar formulation with added gelling agent. Gelled media provide a firm surface on which to place seeds. Liquid media are preferred for tissue culture and have proven useful for certain kinds of seeds. An inert physical support like glass wool can be used to hold tissue just at the liquid surface. Always check the description to be certain you are ordering the formulation you require.

Powdered, activated charcoal has proven to be a useful ingredient in some formulations where it adsorbs substances detrimental to continued plant development. Depending upon the species sown, charcoal can positively or negatively impact protocorm and seedling growth but most common species germinate well on charcoal-containing media. When in doubt, try two similar media formulations with and without added charcoal.

Powdered media are designed to provide the desired final concentration of mineral salts, sugar, agar and other ingredients. When added to the recommended quantity of water and dissolved with heating, the mixture will arrive at a specified pH value. Adding more than the recommended quantity of water will not only dilute the ingredients further but may also affect the final pH and gelling properties. Additional agar and sugar may have to be added.

4 - I want to germinate seeds of an unusual species. Which medium should I choose?

There are some 25,000 orchid species. Flasking experience is limited to a very few of them. There is far more experience with the popular genera so much can be learned by reading flasking manuals and from consulting with experienced individuals. There may be some knowledgeable people locally. Many tropical orchids will germinate well on the same flasking medium and only a very few require special formulations. I use both P658 and P723 (PhytoTechnology), both of which contain charcoal and agar. When in doubt, I try some of each.

Temperate terrestrial orchids are the more challenging because they not only require different formulations but they also have dormancy issues. You can read about Cypripedium flasking challenges and related issues at http://www.cypripedium.de/forum/

5 - I wish to raise hybrid orchids from seeds. What points should I keep in mind?

Ideally, a beginner should learn techniques using easy-to-germinate species seed such as Epidendrum. Whereas tropical species orchids present relatively few challenges to raise from seeds, hybrids can be quite a different matter. For example, seeds may contain few to no embryos. When we hybridize, we may mix chromosomes such that only a few fertile embryos are formed. The fruit may be filled with `seeds' but when we take a close look, most of the seed coats are mere empty husks. The problem then is not with choice of flasking medium but rather, how much `seed' should be sown to get some seedlings.

COMING EVENTS

2005

2006

The purpose of COC news is to inform members of the meetings, policies of the COC, to profile members, and to provide technical information regarding happenings, trends and techniques in orchid culivation across the country and around the world.

We welcome your suggestions and contributions. Deadline for each issue is one month before the issue dates previously announced.

Recipients of this newsletter are strongly urged to pass a copy on to other members of their society

President Margaret Blewett
905-687-9205

Past President Ingrid Ostrander
250-652-0753

Vice-President Lorne Heshka
204-663-6850

Treasurer Janette Richardson
306-543-0560

Secretary Terry Kennedy
905-727-3319

Education Mark Elliott
604-943-6979

Conservation Marilyn Light
819-776-2655

COC Web Site - http://www.CanadianOrchidCongress.ca/
Please send in your show information - date, location, contact, etc.

news

From the President