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Happy New Year COC Member Societies
This year the COC AGM will be graciously hosted by the Manitoba Orchid Society in conjunction with their show and sale, March 23-25, 2007. This meeting is very early in the year so I ask that you review the agenda and plan to attend the AGM on March 25. However if no one from your society can make the meeting, please look over the issues on the agenda and send in your concerns (and your votes for the items) to, Faithe Prodanuk, at faithep@shaw.ca no later than March 15, 2007
I hope to see many of you in Winnipeg.
Faithe Prodanuk, COC President
Checkout the Manitoba OS website for details. The vendors will bring orders to the show, so have a look at their websites. Sign up to hear the great speakers.
Speakers
Eric Cristenson
Cordelia Head
Sam Tsui
Mario Ferrusi
Kathy Creger
Vendors
Ever Spring Orchids http://www.everspringorchids.com/
Orchids by Kimberly http://members.shaw.ca/orchidsbykimberly/
Wild Orchidaceae
Orchids in Our Tropics http://www.orchidsinourtropics.com/
Marsh Hollow Orchids
Mike Gabrielson
J&L Orchids http://www.jlorchids.com/
Orchid Inn, Ltd. http://www.orchidinnusa.com/
http://www.manitobaorchidsociety.ca/show.htm
It is with regret that we have to announce the death of Ken Girard on December 1 following a short but losing fight with cancer.
Ken was a major figure in the Foothills Orchid Society, the Canadian Orchid Congress and the American Orchid
Society judging system in this region. Most recently, he was instrumental in the establishment of the AOS Vancouver Judging Center. As well as the Foothills Orchid Society, Ken has also played a major role in the Calgary Horticultural Society and was well known in all areas of the horticultural profession and industry in Calgary and Alberta. Ken's loss will be felt throughout Western Canada where he has spoken tirelessly on orchid topics. He shared his love of orchids with anyone who would listen.
Ken's lively company and his tireless efforts to advance the wellbeing of the Society and the art of orchid growing will be sadly missed by all.
The Executive, Foothills Orchid Society
The Western Australian Orchid Spectacular and
Conference 2008, 26th to 29th September will feature
massed Orchid Displays by all the WA Orchid Societys as well
as Orchid Vendors from across Australia and overseas.
http://members.iinet.net.au/~emntee/WAOS.html
Photo right :The WAOS Logo is Thelymitra variegata, found only in the southwest corner of Western Australia
The Niagara Region Orchid Society has a new website http://www.niagaraorchidsociety.org/
THE website for species orchids compiled by by Jay Pfahl. You will find data on 6435 species in 632 genera. http://www.orchidspecies.com/
The Orchid Specialist Group (OSG) of the Species Survival Commision (SSC) of IUCN - The World Conservation Union is an international network of professional and non-professional volunteers who are committed to the conservation and sustainable utilisation of orchid species and their habitats. http://www.orchidconservation.org/OSG/
12 to 16 September 2007, Cape Town, South Africa
"An Orchid Safari - A window on conservation of African orchids"
Convened by Michael Tibbs, President of the Cape Orchid Society and the SA Orchid Council, this will be the biggest orchid convention ever to be held on African soil. This four-day Expo will feature not only spectacular displays of orchids and exotic plants but will also host a three and a half day lecture series, set to attract both local and international delegates. http://www.capeorchidsociety.co.za/
What if you started up a website and let anyone add, alter, or rewrite any of the web pages? Sounds like an invitation to chaos. Well, that is the concept behind wikipedia.com - an online encyclopedia where anyone can add or alter the content. And it has proven to be quite successful. Started in 2001, there are currently 1,555,901 articles in English and 370,000 pages in a multitude of other languages. "Wiki" is derived from a Hawaiian-language word for fast.
What we have is a form of collaborative authoring. Documents are created easily and updated with a web browser using a simple markup language. Wikis are generally designed with the philosophy of making it easy to correct mistakes, rather than making it difficult to make them. Thus while wikis are very open, they provide a means to verify the validity of recent additions to the body of pages. The approach of making damage easy to undo rather than attempting to prevent damage has been characterized as soft security.
Today there are many different wikis, covering a wide range of interests. For a list see: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_wikis
The orchid community should be interested in the
root page on the orchid family
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Orchidaceae
or looking at the list of orchid genera
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Orchidaceae_genera
or orchid taxonomy
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taxonomy_of_the_Orchid_family
As an exercise, search for your favorite orchid genus and see what is offered. And dont forget that even you can show your expertise by adding a page or two to the encyclopedia. - Jerry Bolce
When we see flowers of the lady slippers from South-East Asia, many of them are difficult to tell apart: Is it Paph. insigne or barbigerum? Is it Paph. chamberlainianum or victoria mariae? With Paph. hirsutissimum, we don't have this problem the plants are readily recognised by their rather hairy flowers, ovaries and peduncles. In addition, there are blunt, paddle shaped petals with curly upper margins and the colours go from overall golden brown to glowing magenta petal tips. Total plant height does not exceed 35 cm and the leaves are solid green.
The first representatives of this species were collected and sent to England by Mr. Simon in 1857. Sir William Hooker described them in a botanical paper. You see, unless a new plant species has been properly described and published, in LATIN for the scientists, it does not officially exist; this ruling was established January 1st, 1935. The epithet "hirsutissimum" was coined by John Lindley, because of the noticeable hairiness of the flower parts. So now, thanks to Mr. Simon, Sir W. Hooker and J. Lindley, this "Most Hairy Lady Slipper" really exists. Of course now, 160 years later, there have been other "hairy" slipper orchids discovered.
There is, for instance Paph. sangii, which is also quite hirsute.
The original plants were collected in North East India where they grow in leaf litter under shady trees on the ground or between cracks in limestone cliffs. The winters (close to the Himalayas) can be rather cool (10C) and the summers can be quite hot (40C). In captivity, they enjoy regular misting and fairly heavy watering during the warm season. Blooming time is from spring to fall; flowers should form on 3-year old growths. In the wild, undisturbed plants can have up to 20 mature growths, which should look impressive when the all bloom at once!
There is a very similar variety of the Indian plant, described in 1982 by Mr. Esquirol and recognized now as Paphiopedilum hirsutissimum variety esquirolei. It comes from a large area including Southern China, Vietnam and North Eastern Thailand. It likes temperatures a little warmer than its Western cousins, its colours can be a little paler, the hairs are somewhat shorter and in overall size is a little smaller we might call it the "Smaller Hairy One". Its culture is the same as for the original species.
Over the years, other, similar plants have been found. The variety name `chiwuanum" is now not valid anymore, they were immature specimens. An alba form exists which lacks any red pigmentation in the flowers. There is also a peloric kind of this species, the Paph. hirsutissimum var. esquirolei forma saccopetalum, found in 1998 in China. Dr. P. Cribb calls it a teratological form, meaning that the pouch and the petals look very similar, something which had been discussed by Mr. Masters as early as 1894.
If you can grow the Paphiopedilums from S.E. Asia and want to have impressive looking flowers, try to get a Paphiopedilum hirsutissimum or one of its varieties and be proud when you see it bloom.
Ingrid Schmidt-Ostrander
As most of us know, the native Canadian orchids are terrestrial herbs that go dormant during the winter. Two of the most common ones, having circumpolar distribution are Cypripedium with several species and Calypso bulbosa. There are also Tway Blades (Listera), Ladies' Tresses ( Spiranthes), Rattlesnake Plantain (Goodyera) and some saprophytic ones like Phantom Orchids (Cephalanthera austinae), Coral Root Orchids (Corallorhiza) and several others. The locally common yellow Lady Slipper Orchid (Cypripedium calceolus and others species closely related) is a fairly robust plant, growing 30 - 40 cm high; the yellow flowers can be 10 cm across and smell like roses. The much smaller rosy Calypso bulbosa grows only about 15 cm tall, blooms between April _ May, having one small leaf per plant and starts its dormancy in the summer.
Some people have successfully transplanted some Cypripediums into their gardens, when the wild plants came from very nearby, to save them from "Road Improvements". Please, do not even try to save the Calypsos _ they will never make it away from their homes. You may have a slim chance to help wild orchids survive if they come from an area that is very close to your garden. Do not try to establish wild Canadian orchids in your yard when they come from climates and habitats different from your particular area. Our gardens are not natural environments _ they have been disturbed and manipulated for years. The wild orchids need their natural ecosystem in which they have evolved over millennia. Move them away from their homes and they will die; they may perhaps linger for a few years, but will not stay for long. This goes particularly for the saprophytic plants _ please do leave them alone!
There are many wild orchids in our country, in bogs, in mountain meadows, in ditches, in dry shrubby grounds, in cow pastures, in forest clearings _ wherever you see them, admire them, take photos but please: DON'T DIG THEM UP!
You can read about them on the internet and I have found a few books very useful:
The nice thing about these three publications is that they have distribution maps.
- Ingrid Schmidt-Ostrander
Call to order. Welcome!
Attendance list to be signed by all, indicating whether a delegate or executive member.
Declaration of Notice and Quorum.
Adoption of minutes from the 2005 mailout regarding COC business in lieu of COC AGM.
Business arising from the minutes
Correspondence
Reports of the Officers:
Reports of other Committees/Members
Review of Bylaws
New Business :
Appointment of auditor
Election of Officers
The Past President, Margaret Blewett, will take over the meeting. Anyone nominating someone should first get permission from the nominee.
Declare the new executive as voted into office.
Other Business
Adjournment
The COC Annual General Meeting was conducted by mail with each member society receiving a copy of reports from all executive members. Motions to receive the financial report, and appoint auditors for the upcoming year were submitted by the treasurer and voted on by each member society by a ballot included with the annual reports of the officers. The appointment of Don Wuschke as auditor for the coming year was approved by the membership.
In addition to receiving the reports of the executive, each society received the list of new officers for 2007 from the chairman of the nominating committee. All offices were filled by acclamation, therefore a vote was not required, however each member society indicated their approval of the nominating report.
Officers for 2007 are: President - Faithe Prodanuk; First Vice President - Jean Hellebone; Second Vice President - Terry Zdan; Secretary - Terry Kennedy; Treasurer - Janette Richardson.
Appointments to be confirmed by the President are Conservation - Marilyn Light; Education - Mark Elliott; Newsletter Editor/Web master - Jerry Bolce; Insurance - Lynne Cassidy
The Past President is Margaret Blewett.
This is the first year that each member society has received a complete copy of all annual reports and a mail in ballot which was to be returned following discussion within each member society. October 15, 2006 was set as a deadline for society responses. A total of 18 societies replied out of 30 member societies. 16 by email and 2 by letter.
The 2007 Annual Meeting is scheduled to be held in Winnipeg Manitoba Sunday March 25th at 9:30 a.m. The invitation received from Ottawa to hold the 2008 meeting in conjunction with their show has been accepted. Member societies are asked to support the COC by attending these up coming meetings and enter into the discussion of furthering the pursuit of orchid hobbyist growing in Canada.
List of Societies that responded:
By email:
And by letter:
- Terry Kennedy, Secretary
This story begins more than 10 years ago when I
brought my blooming Rossioglossum grande to an orchid
society meeting. Another member had a plant in bloom also and
so we did it, we pollinated one of my flowers and the rest
is history. Sadly, my plant died shortly after producing
a mature fruit but the thousands of seeds germinated
and one of those tiny protocorms has become the
blooming beauty I now am very proud to grow. I consider this
a winner because of its smiling blooms that welcome
me every morning at this time of year. Rossioglossum grande
is known as the 'Clown' because of the clown-shaped
floral crest. Formerly known as Odontoglossum
grande, this orchid is native to Mexico (Chiapas), Costa Rica, El Salvador
and Guatemala where it may endure many months of
drought and cool temperatures.
Growth when it begins is rapid with the
inflorescence developing about the time the pseudobulb is mature.
My relatively small plant with 5 cm wide flattened
pseudobulbs topped with two dark green leathery leaves produces
a spectacular display of five 16 cm wide long-lasting
waxy flowers in winter. It is amazing that such a small plant
can produce such a huge display of bloom and probably
little wonder that fruiting can be costly and possibly even
fatal when it happens. I grow my plant outdoors in high
light and warmth during the summer when it is
watered/misted daily except during cool spells. It is exposed to short
days and cooler conditions in autumn when the plant is
only misted. When frost threatens, the plant is brought
indoors to a cool bright windowsill where it matures
the pseudobulb and begins developing an inflorescence.
Avoid overpotting and use a very open mix to have
perfect drainage. Once the flowers have developed, keep the
plant in bright but cool conditions as this will lengthen
the blooming season. Resume fertilization only when a
new growth and roots begin developing in summer.
Rudolfiella picta of Panama, Ecuador and Columbia
was once considered to be a Bifrenaria. This is a unifoliate
plant with long-petioled plicate leathery leaves placed atop
squat round pseudobulbs. Leaves and inflorescence bracts
have scattered purplish spots. The 50 cm long
inflorescence arises from the base of an older pseudobulb. It
ascends quickly to about half the final length when it bends
to produce an arching cascade of up to 40 red brown
and yellow fragrant flowers. The ruffled reddish brown lip
is hinged and attached to the fused lateral sepals. I
acquired this plant bare root but it established quickly in a mix
of coco chips and sphagnum moss. It enjoys bright
light, warm temperatures and abundant moisture year
round.
The challenge is to ensure that the rapidly growing
inflorescence does not get tangled in potting mix or roots as it
will fail to extend properly. This orchid does not seem prone
to pests.
Rudolfiella picta 'Tres Jolie' AM/AOS (81 points) was awarded at the Montréal Supplemental Judging Centre on December 16, 2006. There were 23 flowers on one inflorescence measuring 3.4 cm wide and 2.5 cm vertical spread. The lip measured 1.2 wide by 1.5 long. Have you got a winner in your collection?
- Marilyn Light, Ottawa Orchid Society
Use this space to list your society's show.
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
Officers of the Canadian Orchid Congress
President Faithe Prodanuk
250-542-0248
Past President Margaret Blewett
905-687-9205
Vice-President Jean Hollebone
613-226-2395
Vice-President Terry Zdan
204-488-8988
Treasurer Janette Richardson
306-543-0560
Secretary Terry Kennedy
905-727-3319
Education Mark Elliott
604-501-2136
Conservation Marilyn Light
819-776-2655