news
The Journal of the Canadian Orchid Congress
Le Journal de la Fédération Canadienne des Sociétés Orchidophiles
newsContents
As I write, the COC information package is being assembled and should be in society hands in early March - please use it to publicize the work of the COC to your members and use it as an information item at upcoming shows. At the trial run of the display, the public was very interested in the COC and over 130 cards advertising the COC web site were picked up. There is an interest!!!
The proposal for the expansion of the awarding of the COC medal has been sent to Society presidents for approval. If approved, the proposal will be implemented immediately, thus giving all societies in good standing an opportunity to annually award a COC medal. As well, provision has been made for a new COC award to recognize outstanding contributions and service to Canadian orchidology at the national level. This provides a welcome new opportunity to honour those who deserve our thanks and recognition. Our thanks to Peter Poot who developed the draft, then revised it based on comments received.
By now, each society and speakers currently on the COC speakers list should have been contacted by COC Education Chair Mark Elliott regarding updating and expanding the list of speakers available to make presentations to society meetings The revised list and topics will be published on the web site and we hope societies will make use of it. This was one of the priority requests made through the questionnaire. As well, Mark has also taken on the task of coordinating updates and expansions of the plant culture sheets posted on the web, another priority you requested Send him your priorities and keep tuned for the list. Volunteers to help write specific sheets would be appreciated.
The Board is making some progress on developing the policy on COC funding for speakers. This is controversial and feedback has been diverse. Some societies have indicated they do not support this kind of funding by the COC, whereas other societies have embraced the concept and want it as soon as possible. Hence we will be circulating a new draft for additional comment before we bring any proposal to the COC AGM in October for approval.
Congratulations to SOOS, and RBG, and the Alberta OS on recent successful shows. More to choose from in March: Victoria, Halifax, London, Winnipeg and Montreal. Welcome back to those on South American and Caribbean tours and conferences. Please consider sharing your experiences in the newsletter. To all, happy growing and showing.
Jean Hollebone and your COC Board
Does your society have books or journals in your
library that are no longer needed? Is your society new and
small and in dire need of reference material? You need to talk
to one another. The PEI Orchid Club is just one example of
a new society looking for material. If you have material
to offer, email the list to me and I can post it in the
newsletter for any society that might have an interest. The
societies then can make out the arrangements.
Jerry Bolce
I am currently working on updating the Speaker's list. There are currently 18 speakers on the new list which can be viewed on the COC Website. Updates to the list will be posted as I receive them. I would like to thank everyone who responded to my email requesting the names of possible speakers from your areas. I would also like to thank all of the speakers got back to me with regards to whether they were willing to be listed. The response has been terrific. If there is anyone who I have not contacted, yet would like to be included in the list, please email me and I will add you.
In addition, I am working on updating the Culture Sheets which we currently have listed on the Website, as well as generating new ones on topics/species which are not represented currently. If there are any topics for which you would like to see new sheets, please send me the list and we will see what we can do. We are also looking for people who would be willing to help in writing/editing these Culture Sheets.
Thanks for your co-operation.
Mark Elliott, Education Chair
Charles Darwin used orchids to help prove his theories of natural selection and evolution. Scientists today follow in Darwin's footsteps and use orchids to learn more about how plants have evolved and adapted to live in almost every type of environment around the world.
Darwin's theories and research have become the
foundation of modern biological science. And research on
orchid evolution continues still. Orchids through Darwin's
Eyes introduces visitors to some of the current research
on orchid evolution from around the world.
http://www.mnh.si.edu/exhibits/orchids/index.html
Fraser Valley Orchid Society is putting on their annual show and hosting the 2009 COC AGM in Langley, B.C. October 15-18, 2009. Mark these dates on your calendar. Join the show as an exhibitor or vendor. Let your voice be heard at the COC Annual Meeting. Visit as a spectator.
Check out their website at http://www.orchidbc.ca/page4.html
for details on show times, meeting times, events and the Fraser Valley Show poster. Enter the Photographic Competition. Vendors and exhibitors should register before Friday May 1- registration details are on the website. Details on symposium speakers are being worked on.
Show Chair is Chris Ostenstad at costenstad@shaw.ca
Joyce Edyth Bain passed away at the Ross
Memorial Hospital Lindsay on Wednesday, February 4th,
2009. Wife of Malcolm James Bain. Mal and Joy
owned Orchidhaven and were a regular vendor and exhibitor
at our shows. Joy took particular interest in
educational exhibits.
At the Annual General Meeting in Ottawa in April 2008 it was proposed that the rules for the COC medal needed to be reviewed with the objective of making the medal more widely available especially to smaller societies that were not in a position to have a show at which the medal might be awarded. We have now completed that review. We have received and considered various suggestions. It is clear that the medal is a coveted object and not just another show trophy.
We propose that as an alternative the medal be also made available to member societies to recognize achievement in orchids outside of the show format. There is precedent for this as the medal was awarded to the key organizers of the Vancouver WOC.
We also propose that COC use a certificate to recognize individuals or groups for outstanding service to the Canadian orchid world.
To ensure Canada wide recognition of the recipients of all of these awards we propose that the awards be published on a timely basis in the COC news.
Your societies are being asked to vote on these proposals so that we can put them into practice as soon as possible.
The COC has two distinct awards:
The following are the rules and guidelines for each award:
One medal per member society per year, unless exceptional circumstances warrant additional awards in the opinion of the President of COC. The medal can be awarded either for excellence in orchid exhibition at an annual show or for outstanding achievement or service at a special society event.
COC medal for meritorious orchid exhibition at COC member society orchid shows. It is awarded by judges (Lay orchid judges, Flower judges or AOS orchid judges) to a meritorious orchid exhibit on the basis of criteria set by the local organizing society. Its purpose is to encourage orchid exhibition at public orchid shows. The award criteria should be different from those in use for the AOS show trophy.
Publication: Societies shall report the winners for publication in the COC Newsletter.
COC medal to individuals or groups by member societies. This award is available to member societies for awarding to a person or group of their choice for a service or achievement they deem worthy of recognition. The selection to be done by the local society.
Criteria: To be awarded to individuals or groups for one or more of the following:
Selection Process: by a local committee established by the local society board. Final selection to be approved by the local society board.
Publication: The member society shall report back on the recipient of the award for publication in the COC newsletter.
Awarded in recognition of individuals or groups for outstanding service to the Canadian orchid world. To be awarded by the COC on the basis of well supported proposals by member society(s) or individuals.
Criteria: To be awarded to individuals or groups for one or more of the following:
Number per year: No limit, based on merit.
Selection Process: Well supported proposals by member society(s), or individuals. The COC President may wish to establish a committee to research and propose candidates, but this should not preclude others to make submissions.
Approval process: By majority vote of the COC executive to be ratified at annual meeting.
Publication: To be awarded, celebrated, and published in the COC newsletter with appropriate commentary.
Peter Poot.
In 1959 Mr. J.P. Simmonse of Indonesia reported, in the Malayan Orchid Review, giving diluted beer solution to vandas, renanthera and aerides seedlings both foliar and root feeding. Subsequently, others have experimented and have reported some interesting advantages, as reported in Home Garden In December, 1968.
Beer was found to act as a cleanser, algae remover and a growth stimulator. These were the conclusions of Mr. Yap Chong Beng who applied a recipe of one quart of beer to ten gallons of water to plants at five day Intervals.
Dr. Yeoh Bok Choon, editor of the above Review, reported good root growth, stem growth and an increase in the rate of flowering.
An article by Jeffery Shigezawa reported on Mr. Joe Yasuda's repotting demonstration before the Honolulu Orchid Society involving Phalaenopsis plants grown in shallow clay pots. He boasted thick robust leaves with a span of well over 15 inches and producing roots that were fat and healthy.
The secret was an enzyme added to his regular foliar feedings. This enzyme was more potent than the commonly known primary enzymes, and it was traced to beer applications. The disappearance of the black-green algae was also noted. This plus the antibiotic factor may be responsible for a gratifying drop in seedling mortality. Gone too were the soluble white encrustations of fertilizers and chemicals on pots that could burn sensitive root tips seeking anchorage on the pots.
Beer is a fermentation product containing carbohydrates, proteins, vitamins and minerals all beneficial to plant growth. Beer also contains the enzymes diastase, maltase, protease and xymase.
Over the last year my phalaenopsis have shown a surprising amount of vigorous growth and root formation over previous years. The only change I have effected has been adding a small amount of beer to the occasional watering. If you have tried this "sharing the brew", maybe you could report on your findings. I have used Labatts Blue - a pilsener beer. Is there a better brew for orchids? They haven't complained so far!
By E.A. Speers [From Orchidian V5N1]
Over the years volunteers have produced a number of interesting programs for COC member societies. These are available for the cost of postage and handling to help your club put on interesting, informative meetings.
The latest addition, produced by Valerie Tribes, deals with the 2008, 19th World Orchid Conference in Miami, Florida. There are 65 Powerpoint format pictures of the major exhibits and trophy winners, and an accompanying text. An excellent program to relive the 2008 WOC for those who were there and a teaser for those who were not to start thinking about Singapore in 2011. In any case this presentation provides an excellent overview of what a major orchid exhibition can offer, including wonderful paphs, phalaenopsis, cattleyas, vandas etc.
Another new program in Powerpoint on CD has come to us from Robert Lucas in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. This program describes Robert's phalaenopsis culture under lights. It covers all of the essentials in text and pictures. It goes into light intensity, watering, growing media, fertilizing, and temperature. In addition there are sections on deflasking seedlings, hybridizing, and seed sewing. Thank you Robert for sharing your expertise.
You will have noticed that these new programs come in digital format and will require a digital projector and computer to run. We hope to digitize all COC programs in the future. This should make the collection more durable and easier to distribute and duplicate. Anyone willing to assist with this, please contact me.
Peter Poot.
Congratulations to Orchid enthusiasts Marcelo Bosco of Mount Stewart and Andrea Studzinski of St. Peters for their newly formed P.E.I. Orchid Club.
Andrea and Marcelo met about 4 years ago at the Charlottetown Garden Club, where they had a guest speaker from the Nova Scotia Orchid Society. At that time, several people signed up and a club was to be formed but never was.
Andrea and Marcelo reconnected in 2008 and decided that this was the year to move forward with the club. Their first meeting was in December, 2008 at Andrea's home with eight new members. "We will probably meet mostly in each other's homes" said Andrea, but will let members decide as the club grows.
Their key focus at this time is to garner an interest in the club, which Andrea and Marcelo have succeeded in doing. Last month they hosted a free information night, at the West Royalty Sobey's Community Room, Charlottetown. There were orchids to view, a slide show, information and demonstrations on how to pot an orchid, and also a door prize. They did a great deal of advertising for this, including the CBC. As a result of their hard work about 35 people attended and they received 20 new members. In addition the club will have a booth at the P.E.I. Garden Show in Crapaud, April 18-19. Andrea and Marcelo will set up a display, and arrangements have also been made for a guest speaker from New Brunswick.
Marcelo began his hobby when he moved to P.E.I. eight years ago; he remembers being fascinated by his grandmother's orchids in Argentina when he was a child. Marcelo's own orchid bounty has topped 150 to 200, growing in a heated detached greenhouse.
Andrea bought her first orchid 17 years ago (which she still has). When she moved from Ontario back to P.E.I., the rental truck was packed with orchids. Her collection of more than 100 now reside in her specially built sunroom
The P.E.I. Orchid club is looking for books to start a library, their greatest need will be information for new orchid growers, so any books or literature addressing basic orchid care would be greatly appreciated.
Carole Gert COC Secretary
The Australian orchid, Chiloglottis trapeziforms attract pollinators purely by deception. To a male wasp this orchid's appearance is remarkably similar to that of a female wasp. Not only is the appearance of the Australian orchid deceiving, it also tricks male wasps by producing an odor that smells like a female wasp. The male wasp is totally fooled and engages in a behavior known as pseudocopulation. For the flower pollination is achieved. What a surprise for the wasp!! He leaves dumbfounded and in search of another mate, but little does he know he has been used only to make reproduction successful for another species. If the wasp is smart he will not be tricked by another orchid, but some aren't so bright. When deceived again by another orchid the wasp will land and fertilize this orchid.
This behavior is an example of coevolution. The orchid
is very specific in terms of choosing pollinators so they
must be able to adapt to the changes that occur in the
wasps. After being deceived a few times the "smart" wasps
will learn to avoid orchid patches. Also, mutations may
occur that help the wasps better distinguish between the
orchid odor and the female pheromone giving them an
advantage over their counterparts. Since the wasps are evolving
to learn how to avoid the orchid's trickery the orchid must
also adapt. At one time the orchids produced a flowery
aroma, but in order to benefit from sexual deception the
flower must continually develop an odor that is harder to tell
apart from the wasp pheromones.
Darwin suggested that this species and its hawk-moth pollinator provide one of the most striking examples of how plants and their pollinators can influence each others' evolution.
In Latin, sesquipedale means one and a half feet, the amazing length of the nectar spur. In his study of orchid cross-fertilization during the mid-1800s, Darwin noted that a moth that could pollinate it would need to have a proboscis that would equal the length of the nectar spur. In 1862, he wrote " … in Madasgascar there must be moths with probosces capable of extension to a length of between ten and eleven inches!" The problem was that no one had ever seen such an insect anywhere before, and Darwin was mocked for his unusual idea. Darwin died in 1882, but 40 years later, a Sphinx Moth, a type of hawk moth, was found on Madasgar-- with a tongue that averages a full 10 inches. Called Xanthopan morgani subsp. praedicta, the praedicta recognized Darwin's prediction that it indeed existed.
http://faculty.washington.edu/jrw/110/darorch.htm
Photos are from the Conference and show in Quito, Ecuador thanks to Peter Poot.
Oncidium macranthum
Aclanthera sonderana `Gigi'
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 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