Canadian Orchid Congress Newsletter - VOL20.5

The Journal of the Canadian Orchid Congress
Le Journal de la Fédération Canadienne des Sociétés Orchidophiles

From the President

Greetings everyone. Autumn seems to have slipped past too quickly and regretfully, we will soon need to parcel up our orchids carefully when taking them out to a meeting or show. Autumn shows are proceeding. The September COOS show contained some exquisite orchids, Foothills has just had their Show and the ECOS, Fraser Valley and Niagara Region Orchid Society Shows will have taken place by the time this newsletter is out!

The COC questionnaire was sent out early September and responses have been coming in. Valerie is now analyzing the results, but from the few responses I have been privileged to see, I am pleased to note that you took this request seriously and some excellent suggestions have been made which we can begin to act on. By next month we hope to have a summary out to you. Thank you to the responding societies for your thoughtful comments and those that haven't yet, please feel inspired to take a few moments and get a response off to our Membership Liaison chair.

We received an overwhelming majority of 14 responses from societies approving the auditor and none against. Therefore, Mr. Alan Lutyk of Burlington, Ontario has now been declared official auditor for 2008. His audit report will be presented to societies in the spring of 2009 for approval.

A reminder that Society annual dues are due by December 31 and that fees for insurance should come in at the same time. Please find the application form emailed with this newsletter. Do check out the additional coverage now available to societies, and remember to avoid the late fee imposed by the insurance broker for fees received after January 31, 2009!

Work has been progressing on the COC poster and brochure as a first product of a COC communication plan. A draft package was tested at the COOS meeting in September; feedback was very positive; over 60 business cards containing the COC web site address were picked up by visitors; and as a bonus the poster and accompanying educational information ( COC culture sheets, newsletters and other materials) won first prize in the educational exhibit! Now we have gone back to the drawing board to make some adjustments. The goal is to distribute a package to each COC society rep in the new year which can be used at a society meeting or annual show to promotes and explain COC services.

Further in this newsletter you will read of other activities underway by your executive and others. In particular, Mark Elliot has agreed to spearhead a project to expand the very popular COC culture sheets; Lorne Heshka of the Manitoba Orchid Society has agreed to write an introduction on native Canadian orchids for the web site despite a punishing personal workload; and Jerry Bolce is close to finishing his mammoth revision of a refreshed and easier-to-navigate COC web site.

As this is the last newsletter before Christmas, we wish you all a very happy and restful holiday Season. May your orchids prosper and bloom!

The COC medal went to the Ottawa Orchid Society for Best Society Display at the Central Ontario Orchid Show.

Coryhopea Woji's Procrastinator `Roger Sheng' HCC-AOS 79 points (Stanhopea tigrina x Coryanthes macrantha) Roger Sheng (right)

Notice Board

Will you share?

There are some really excellent articles in society newsletters. It was suggested to me that some of these articles could be shared with other societies by placing them on the COC website. Please consider what you would share with others and I would set up a section on contributed articles.

Question?

Do you have a question related to orchids? Email it to me and I will get an expert answer to publish in the next newsletter.

Spring Orchid Shows

Check the back page for your orchid show listing and if it is not there, please send me your show information. It is free advertising to other orchid lovers.

Conservation

The North American Native Orchid Journal is a publication devoted to promoting interest and knowledge of the native orchids of North America. It is available for free download at: http://culturesheet.org/wiki:user:nanoj:start

Are you aware of the impact of your footsteps as you go tromping through the bush looking for orchids? Your weight compresses the forest floor which then can still show the effects several years later. Have a look at the articles below by Marilyn Light.

Questionnaire

Has your society reponded to the COC questionnaire? Please take some time and let us know how we can do better. The COC is all volunteers and any way you can help is appreciated.

COC Insurance Update

Lynne Cassidy, COC Insurance rep has recently received answers from the insurance broker re questions which were posed by one of the societies regarding the extent of insurance coverage. Her response given below may be of interest to other societies:

"1. At a show or a meeting the host society's insurance would cover any liability.

2. When travelling to shows or other society activities, if the driver is using their own vehicle, their own insurance covers them; but if they are travelling in a rental vehicle, the COC insurance provides coverage up to 2 million dollars (with a $500. deductible.) That would be in addition to any insurance the rental company requires."

Just a reminder to societies, Insurance premiums for the year 2009 are due December 31, 2008 at a cost of $1 per member. COC society dues, also a $1 per member are also due at the same time. Please note that there is a $50 fee for late insurance applications. Forms and details may be obtained from the COC website.

New COC Web Site

The COC website has been redesigned and redone to the HTML 4.01 standard. It is an immense amount of work considering the number of pages that are involved. There are a few pages that are incomplete and more pages to be added. Maybe your society has some to offer.

The main page informs you of the latest news. The menu bar leads you to the major categories. The favorite pages are listed in the side menu. There is a new sitemap to give you a better idea of how things are organized. You may also use the search field to look through all the pages to find a reference. Comments and suggestions are welcome.

COC Slide Programmes

The COC slide programmes now are in the care of Peter Poot and are available for borrowing. Please order at least one month in advance to leave time for unavoidable delays. Two new programs are in the works: Stanhopeasby Inge and Peter Poot, and Dendrobium speciosum and its varieties by Gail Schwarz. The two new programs will be in Powerpoint only.

AOS Judging News for Canada

Michel Tremblay, one of our Montreal student judges was advanced to Probationary Judge by the American Orchid Society at its meeting at Longwood Gardens on Saturday, October 18. Congratulations Michel. Training as a student takes a minimum of 3 years, and Michel now needs to do another 3 years before he can advance to full Accredited Orchid Judge status in the AOS. Greg Warner has resigned in Toronto and John Doherty has transferred to Toronto.

The new chair of the AOS Judging Committee is Gary Kraus. Peter Poot and Terry Kennedy will continue to head Toronto and Howard Ginsberg and Andre Levesque will continue on in Montreal for 2009. Russ Volker and Betty Berthiaume will be in charge in Vancouver for the coming year.

Keep Orchid Pests And Diseases Out Of Your Collection

Modified from the script of the COC slide program
© Marilyn H. S. Light, Canadian Orchid Congress

Pests and diseases do not arise spontaneously. They are introduced into your collection on infested or diseased plants. Keep pests and diseases away or control them before they become a major problem. Acquiring an infested plant without followup quarantine will put your collection at risk. Placing an infested plant in a show also risks spreading pests to other plants.

NEVER depend on pesticides however 'green', 'organic', 'natural' or 'safe' to solve complex problems.

AVOID PROBLEMS by isolating all new plants for at least 6 weeks and preferably 3 months.

We often can see the symptoms before seeing a pest. Spots, sticky patches, roughened or dull leaves suggest that we take a closer look.

Mites flourish under hot dry conditions and often infest stressed plants first. Infested plants are likely being stressed by less than optimal growing conditions (too hot, too cold, too dry - something is not just right).

To Avoid Mite Problems: Be vigilant. Examine plants regularly and keep them growing vigorously. Keep the growing area clean: Scrub and sanitize before bringing plants indoors. Permit deciduous orchids to lose their leaves naturally in autumn, disposing of these leaves outside the growing area.

Scale insects infesting orchids are pests of indoor plants including citrus and hibiscus. Growing orchids with infested plants invites problems. Scale insects can transmit virus diseases and some like small round Boisduval scale produce toxins injurious to the plant. http://www.entomology.umn.edu/cues/inter/inmine/Scaleb.html

To Avoid Scale Insect Problems: Grow orchids away from other house plants. Be vigilant. Examine plants and flowers regularly for telltale sticky patches. Remove scale insects before they produce offspring.

Tiny mealy bugs can hide almost anywhere on a plant to avoid detection. They may hide beneath floral bracts or beneath leaf sheaths only to emerge once large enough to begin reproducing. Lengthy quarantine may be needed as it can take a long time before the mealy bugs reveal themselves.

To Avoid Mealy Bug Problems: Examine plants very carefully before purchase. If others nearby are infested, do not take a chance that yours is OK. Quarantine plants for at least 3 months. Be vigilant. Examine plants and flowers regularly for telltale white fluff which means a mealy bug walked that way. If you find the pest, remove all dry bracts which may be concealing pests. If mealy bugs are found, consider that the potting medium is also infested. Remove the plant from the medium. Kill the pests in the medium by pouring boiling water over it: wash the pot with hot soapy water. Cool the medium and repot the plant. Isolate the plant for three months.

Suggested treatment for mites, scale and mealy bugs: Dip infested plants in soap solution (1 capful/gal), air dry, then spray with neem oil solution (70% neem oil: 2 Tbsp/gal).

Thrips can easily enter a greenhouse vent in summer if it is not adequately screened. Flower thrips may infest African Violet flowers or other plants in the home and then move to your orchids. Your orchids can be otherwise healthy yet still become targeted by thrips. Flowers are preferred and soon become unsightly.

To Avoid Thrips Problems: Screen greenhouse vents to exclude thrips. Hang blue or yellow sticky strips within the collection to capture thrips and to alert you to their presence. Bag and dispose of any flowers showing the telltale marks of thrips as this also removes eggs and tiny nymphs. No other treatments are effective.

Bush snails are a tiny greenhouse pest commonly found in potted orchids. We rarely find native snails invading collections. Slugs are usually of garden origin, entering the collection with infested moss or in pots when orchids have been outdoors over summer.

To Avoid Snail/Slug Problems: Grow orchids outdoors on elevated tables or in hanging baskets where slugs and snails cannot reach them. Be vigilant. Examine plants and flowers regularly for telltale signs including grazed flowers and slime trails. If snails/slugs are suspected, lay out slices of raw potato on and around pots to attract pests which can then be removed. Check the slices every morning and replace with fresh cut slices as long as pest symptoms persist.

Your orchid is failing to thrive, has unsightly blotches, tiny speckles, or deformed flowers. Leaves are yellowing and falling off. What is the problem? Sometimes the problem is merely a bad case of sunburn but yellowed leaves can also suggest a bacterial or fungal disease.

Orchids will be more vulnerable to bacterial infection if they are overfertilized, given insufficient light and ventilation, grown too cold, or if water gathers in the crown. Shelter susceptible plants from rain or overhead watering.

Orchids will be more vulnerable to leaf damage by fungal diseases when ventilation is poor or when grown at too high or too low a temperature and under humid conditions. Dying leaf tips may become colonized by opportunistic fungi which could eventually become a problem but since cultural technique is likely the cause, correcting that will usually solve the problem. Consider temperature shock or even nutrient imbalance as a possible cause. Modify your growing conditions and your plants may recover.

Virus infection may cause leaves to develop dark concentric rings or mottling. If new leaves develop similar symptoms as they age, chances are that the plant is infected with a virus. An immunological test is needed to confirm infection; meanwhile isolate or dispose of the plant. There is no cure!

Sudden symptoms affecting a growing number of plants is serious and requires expert assistance. Before consulting a fellow hobbyist or specialist, book, website or diagnostic service about a problem, answer the following questions about the symptoms.

Isolate the infected plant(s). Do not spray or water especially where the disease is suspected to be waterborne. Wash your hands after handling the plants.

Using a sterile blade, remove diseased tissue plus a generous portion of healthy tissue and dust the cut edges with powdered charcoal or cinnamon.

Control measures employing pesticides available to a hobbyist vary according to provincial regulations. Check locally.

Virused plants should be either burned or disposed of in the garbage. Do not compost.

Our Native Orchids and their Legal Protection

We sometimes witness people picking wild orchids or even digging them for garden purposes. We may see native orchids offered for sale and wonder if this is allowed. Sometimes native orchids are at risk locally because land is being cleared for roads, trails or development and we may wonder just what protection do our native orchids have? What if any measures can be taken to ensure their conservation?

One federally protected orchid

Additionally, under the Wild Animal and Plant Protection Act, WAPPRITA, a permit is required to move the nationally protected Cypripedium candidum from province to province. International trade in all Canadian wild orchids is covered under CITES Appendix II. http://www.cites.ca/

All native orchids vary in their degree of being at risk according to where they grow. Each province has a list of species at risk which can include orchids. Federal and provincial/territorial lists are updated regularly.

Orchids growing on federal lands including lands owned by the federal government such as national parks, lands used by the Department of National Defence, reserve lands, and most of the land in the three territories, are subject to protection under federal statutes but formal legal protection for orchids varies within provinces and territories. For example, there are detailed regulations in Québec but no specific regulations in Ontario excepting for Cypripedium candidum which is nationally protected. Most orchids growing on public land have very limited if any protection.

Some examples of orchids at risk

Aplectrum hyemale (Puttyroot), Cypripedium passerinum (Sparrow's Egg Lady's-slipper), Corallorhiza odontorhiza var. pringlei (Late Coralroot)

Platanthera leucophaea (Eastern Prairie Fringed Orchid), Isotria verticillata (Large Whorled Pogonia), Triphora trianthophora (Nodding Pogonia), Cypripedium candidum (Small White Lady's-slipper)

Enforcement of regulations can only happen if there is solid proof that someone has been seen removing or otherwise interfering with orchids where such action is specifically prohibited. Photographic evidence and confirmatory witness statements attesting to the fact that a person committed the prohibited act at a specific place and time is needed to obtain conviction.

All orchids growing in parks, conservation areas, nature reserves (such as Nature Conservancy lands) are covered by a variety of regulations which prohibits interference with, picking or otherwise removing the material except with a permit issued by the governing body of that particular place.

Where no federal or provincial protection is provided, orchids growing outside of federal lands, reserves and conservation areas are unlikely to be protected against picking or disturbance. There may be local regulations including city bylaws governing the sale of wild collected plants including orchids but if not, it rests with hobbyists and societies to raise their concerns with local authorities. Learn to recognize native orchids by name so you can give a detailed account if ever called upon to do so.

Translocation (moving plants from one location to another to remove plants from risk) should only be done with expert assistance. Many orchids can not be transplanted and some with only limited success.

What you can do?

Learn which orchids are at risk in your province/territory and what protection is locally applicable.

Educate your fellow members and the public through displays at shows, malls and presentations to clubs and schools. Help people gain an understanding and appreciation our native orchids.

Your observations on orchids at apparent risk may be helpful to local groups including field naturalists. Before starting a conservation activity, consult those knowledgeable with a species and its biology. If you wish to initiate conservation activities in a park, first consult with the park manager. Even the removal of seeds to artificially propagate a species for possible re-introduction must be done with the approval of park authorities.

Keep the COC and member societies informed of your projects and successes with an occasional report for the newsletter.

Bringing Orchids Indoors for the Winter

Your orchids have been enjoying a warm, humid summer outdoors but autumn is fast approaching and it is time to bring them indoors. How do we plan the process such that the plants are maintained in a healthy, pest-free condition over the winter months.

Not all orchids benefit from an outdoor existence so if this is being considered, we must select accordingly. Collecting plants that can make the transition with minimal fuss is key. Such orchids include Cattleya, Dendrobium, Encyclia and Epidendrum, Phragmipedium and Paphiopedilum. Phalaenopsis are best kept indoors year round.

Know your enemies - Snails, slugs, sow bugs, earwigs, blossom thrips and spider mites can be picked up outdoors but mealy bugs and scale will persist only from previous infestations. With the exception of slugs/snails, pests rarely cause a problem over summer but quickly respond to the absence of natural predators once plants move indoors. We must ensure that our plants are pest-free before bringing them indoors then be vigilant for any outbreaks thereafter.

Before bringing indoors - Treat the outdoor growing area/pots with an anti-slug product for 2 weeks before bringing pots indoors. Immerse pots in tepid soapy water to eliminate sow bugs and earwigs. Clean pots and groom plants. Remove thrips-infested flowers. My strategy to minimize mites is to induce leaf drop in Catasetum and Lycaste according to their natural life style. The problem disappears with the old leaves. Foliage can be sprayed with soap solution but there may be eggs so vigilance over winter is always required.

Where and how you choose to raise your plants over winter will determine how healthy they can be. Windows provide weak morning sun, hot unrelenting afternoon sun, or even no sun at all. Supplemental lighting or shading may be required during winter months when the quantity of light is variable. Raising plants with only artificial lighting is another possibility.

Cool nights and warmer days are preferred and a change in temperature between day and night is always beneficial. Air movement can counter overheating or chilling but hot/cold drafts must be avoided. The best way to deal with low humidity in winter is to grow orchids that are more tolerant. Orchids such as Lycaste, Bifrenaria, some Dendrobium, Cattleya and Catasetum are all good choices. Water plants at a sink to ensure each pot is thoroughly moistened. Mist only with deionized water but often. Fertilize less often during winter.

All products applied to orchids indoors will permeate your living space and the air you breathe. Likewise, the orchids will be exposed to smoke, solvent, and paint fumes. Leaves and flowers can be badly spotted by window cleaning and furniture polishing sprays.

The value of regular checkups. Be vigilant for the signs that pests are in your collection. Examine plants weekly. Pay particular attention to thin-leaved orchids for signs of mites. Maintain humidity, adequate light levels, and a variable temperature to ensure a stress-free winter collection.

The 2008 award winner of the COC trophy presented at the Ottawa show went to Joyce Medcalf for the best OOS exhibit.

Book Reviews

Peggy Alrich and Wesley Higgins. 2008. ISBN: 978-0-8014-4737-2. 512 pp., full-color illustrations throughout. Hardcover. $49.95 The Marie Selby Botanical Gardens Illustrated Dictionary of Orchid Genera is the most comprehensive and extensively illustrated account of orchid genera to date. Its concise entries provide details of nomenclature, classification, original publication, etymology, and geographic range, along with a brief description and color images of representative flowers.

The dictionary describes not only all of the 850 orchid genera that are recognized today but also those genera known only from fossil records, published before Linnaeus, validly published (but not accepted), and invalidly published according to the standards of the International Code of Botanical Nomenclature, as well as those that have variant names or spellings. In addition to the alphabetic entries, this dictionary includes an introduction to orchid biology, a glossary, a list of taxonomists credited with publishing new orchid genera, key references and bibliographical abbreviation list, and the governing nomenclature rules.

Due October 2008. ISBN:9780980296457. 420 pp. Hardcover. $104.95 Written by three of Western Australia's most prominent orchidologists and featuring over 200 hundred full-page, colour illustrations by renowned botanical artist Pat Dundas, this long-awaited volume is the first modern text cataloguing all known species of Western Australia.

Due November 2008. ISBN:9780881928846. 264 pp. Hardcover. $39.95 Revered by avid orchid collectors for its delightful, star-shaped flowers, Huntleya is a small group of orchids found low in the forest. Besides their striking colors - from deep blue to waxy red, royal purple to almost black - flowers of this group are known for their distinctive shapes, patterns, and textures. As appealing as these lovely tropical orchids are, their identification has been confused since the first species was described in the mid-1800s. Recent DNA studies have led to a clearer understanding of relationships and, as a result of this clarity, it is now possible to sort out the taxonomic problems and identify the characteristics that set species apart. In this first book devoted to the Huntleya alliance, author Patricia Harding presents evidence from the scientific literature, other growers, and her own experience that will enable orchidists everywhere to identify their plants and grow them successfully.

He has made a special study of the orchids of the local region, describing many new species. This book contains excellent colour photos, large botanical illustrations and full descriptions of the 121 species found in the ACT. Specific local distribution notes will aid the ACT orchid hunter Broader distribution notes for Australia and overseas will assist those looking for orchids in similar habitats elsewhere. Additional features include a distribution map, glossary and notes on understanding orchids, their habitats and reproduction. Cross-referencing of previous and current nomenclature is particularly useful.

Slide Programs

Huntleyinae by Ingrid Schmidt-Ostrander. It contains general descriptions, culture and name changes; 59 slides of species and 9 of hybrids.

Orchid Pests and Diseases prepared by Marilyn Light, consists of 27 slides. This program helps you identify pests and diseases that often are introduced to your collection on infested or diseased plants. A sharp eye for telltale signs will help you keep pests and diseases out and to control them before they become a major problem.

More and more hobbyists nowadays cite fragrance as one of the major factors they consider when selecting orchids for their collections. Orchid flowers can offer a veritable potpourri of olfactory delight to adventurous growers. With sweet, spicy, citrus, vanilla and floral notes, the orchid fragrance palette is as varied as are the insect pollinators that the scents may attract. This presentation will tantalize the senses and introduce hobbyists to some common and not so common orchids that can be easily raised. A set of informative notes accompanies the slide set.

Oncidiums - by Gordon Heaps. Slides have been added and the script has been re-done by Gordon Heaps.

Terrestrial Orchids and Their Culture, compiled by Bill Bischoff. Available as slides or as a Power point file on CD.

Phragmipediums includes fifty colour slides of all the Phragmipedium species, including all the newer ones up to September 2002 and a good number of hybrids. There is a short written introduction, with instructions on caring for Phragmipediums etc. and there are short notes for every slide.

Lycastes by Ingrid Ostrander. The program consists of 68 slides plus background on Anguloa, Ida and Lycaste.

COMING EVENTS

2008

2009

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 Jean Hollebone
613-226-2395

Past President Faithe Prodanuk
250-542-0248

Vice-President Elsie Gerdes
250-546-1939

Vice-President Peter Poot
905-640-5643

Treasurer Margaret Hewings
905-634-7084

Secretary Carole Gert
403-949-4025

Education Mark Elliott
604-501-2136

Conservation Marilyn Light
819-776-2655

Insurance Lynne Cassidy
604-536-8185

Membership Valerie Tribes
250-503-1179

Editor Jerry Bolce
519-885-1888