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The Journal of the Canadian Orchid Congress
Le Journal de la Fédération Canadienne des Sociétés Orchidophiles
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It is hard to believe that summer is almost over and it is time to think about getting ready for fall shows, and shortly bringing our plants back in from summer vacation. Foremost on our agenda is a reminder that the Fraser Valley Orchid Society will host the 2009 AGM the weekend of October 15-18 in Langley, B.C. Please note their invitation on the website, in this newsletter and in the recent mailing to all societies from your editor, Jerry Bolce. The rostrum of invited speakers points to an interesting symposium. Consider taking advantage of the great prices on fall seat sales to attend this important event. A contribution to the COC auction by each society would be appreciated by FVOS. This is the sole fund raiser for the COC, so please send a book, an orchid- related item or memorabilia to help support COC programming. Please advise FVOS of your donation so that they may be able to plan the auction event in advance.
At the COC AGM, important, hard decisions will be taken. For some time, COC annual spending has exceeded its revenues. While this was a conscious decision of earlier AGMs, allowing for tangible results such as the insurance program at exceptionally low cost in particular, such spending is not sustainable in the longer term. Your Board has spent many hours discussing and implementing efficiencies and ways to reduce costs. You will note that we are asking that membership dues and insurance premiums be paid by December 1 this year for 2010. Your cooperation by this date will allow COC to reduce penalties and additional costs incurred through guesstimates and late payments. Even so, insurance costs will continue to exceed premiums, and in order to maintain some of the programs you have told us you would like, insurance premiums will need to rise in order to pay costs or a greater portion of costs than currently, and to allow for a sustainable, balanced budget in the longer term.
The AGM agenda, Board reports, COC budget and auditor's report for 2008 and proposal outlining funding options will be circulated to society presidents in early September. I am requesting society support for the proposed 2010 budget and feedback re the funding options so that a final proposal can be voted on at the AGM. We hope societies will send a representative to this AGM and if that is not possible, that societies will indicate their preferred option to me before the meeting so I can represent your views appropriately.
On positive notes,
Looking forward to seeing as many COC reps as
possible at the AGM,
Jean Hollebone and your COC Board
The programs below have been added through generous donation. They are in Powerpoint and require a computer and digital projector. For details look on the COC website.
Phalaenopsis culture by R.F. Lucas. 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 sowing.
The 19th World Orchid Conference in Miami by R.F. Lucas. 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.
Dendrobium speciosum, its varieties and influence on its hybrids by Gail Schwartz. This program explores the different varieties of this Australian Dendrobium including growth habits and cultural differences. It was first presented to the Toronto Judging Centre.
The Stanhopeas by Inge and Peter Poot. A survey of Stanhopea species including culture requirements and origins. The program deals with species identification and presents some hybrids as well as some intergeneric hybrids. Includes a section on cultivation.
Orchids of the Ottawa Region by Henry Steger. A survey of species native to the Ottawa region with habitat as well as closeup photography. An excellent introduction to many of our native orchids.
Hardy Orchids, a slide program, has been converted to Powerpoint. One disk contains an 85 slide of orchids hardy in Canada plus a Word document narrative describing the pictures and the cultural conditions required for the plants.
Looking for best reasonable offer on entire private
orchid collection of more than 600 orchid plants, wide variety of
species and hybrids. Sale due to illness. Alternately,
sections (grouped by genera) may be offered.
CONTACT: Linda Schopf (613)283-3940; email: dragonfly_3@xplornet.com
A group of orchid growers in the Windsor area have formed a new orchid club to be known as the "Essex County Orchid Society". The President is Barb Morden, the former President of the Windsor OS. She can be reached at barbmorden@cogeco.ca.They have a website in-the-works at http://www.essexcountyorchidsociety.webs.com/
The largest orchid is generally agreed to be Grammatophyllum speciosum. It can weigh up to 2,000 pounds or 900 kilograms and is reputed to produce up to 10,000 flowers on a mature plant in nature. The pseudobulbs reach 10 feet or 3 meters in height with leaves along the full length. The species is found in Malaysia, the Solomon Islands, Sumatra, the Philippines, Papua and New Guinea.
The smallest orchid is Platystele
jungermannioides which has flowers only half a millimeter or one-hundredth of an
inch in diameter. The entire plant is only about a quarter of
an inch or half a centimeter tall. They grow naturally in
the cloud forests in Central America, principally in Costa
Rica. The flower, when viewed through a magnifying glass, is
a pale greenish color with a purple lip.
At the George Preston Recreation Centre, 42nd Ave and 207th St, Langley, BC
Have you decided yet? Time is running out for early registration and pre-ordering orchids. Here is your chance to listen to some excellent speakers, pick up a plant you would not normally see and take in a great show.
Speakers
Look for these Vendors
The FVOS is soliciting an item from each society for the COC auction to be held in conjunction with the FVOS show in October. Please e-mail Show Chair, Chris Ostenstad to indicate what you can donate costenstad@shaw.ca
The 21st AGM of the COC will take place on Sunday October 18 from 12:30-2:30 p.m. at the George Preston Recreation Centre, 42nd Avenue and 207 Street, Langley B.C. Light refreshments will be served. All orchidophiles are welcome.
The Executive will meet in the morning from 9:30 to 11 a.m. Look for the agenda and reports from executives and committee chairs on the COC web site on or around September 15. A special mailing will be made to society presidents and COC representatives at this time. Please note there will be items which require society votes. Please review the documentation and send your COC representative with authority to vote on behalf of your society. Proxy votes in lieu of attendance can be given to the President at least a week in advance of the AGM.
Carole Gert, COC Secretary
This is your chance to learn more about the COC and to express your opinion. You do not need to be a delegate to attend but you do need to be your society's official representative to vote.
Details on the show and AGM can be found on the COC and FVOS websites. Have a look.
http://www.canadianorchidcongress.ca/agm09.html
http://www.orchidbc.ca/index_files/page0003.htm
In October, at the COC Annual General Meeting in Langley, BC. member societies are asked to vote on individuals to serve on the following COC board positions: President, First and Second Vice Presidents, Secretary and Treasurer. Current members of the board are willing to 'let their name stand' for another term but individual nominations from societies are also requested. Please send your nominations to Faithe Prodanuk (faithep@shaw.ca) by October 10, 2009.
Wild Orchids of the Pacific Northwest and Canadian Rockies. Paul Martin Brown. 2006. ISBN: 978-0-8130-2900-9. 304 pp. Paperback. $29.95
Native orchid expert and author Paul Martin Brown continues his successful series on the wild orchids of North America with Wild Orchids of the Pacific Northwest and Canadian Rockies. Whether beginner or professional, curious orchid hunters will be able to locate the nearly 50 species to be found in a wide variety of this region's local habitat--from seashore to temperate rain forest to alpine meadow. Brown reveals the best spots to find the orchids he describes and offers expert advice on how to plan and execute an enjoyable (and environmentally responsible) outing. As with Brown's other guides, all information is presented in a simple, straightforward style and with ample illustration so that proper identification is a snap.
Geographical coverage includes:
--Oregon, Washington, British Columbia, Alaska, Idaho, western Montana, and western Alberta
--10 detailed area treatments: The Siskyous, Columbia River, The Cascades, Olympic Peninsula, Vancouver Island, Glacier National Park, Cypress Hills, Kodiak Island, Downtown Anchorage, Denali National Park
--47 species, 1 subspecies, 10 varieties, 5 hybrids, and 62 forms
The Wild Orchids of North America, North of Mexico. Paul Martin Brown. 2003. ISBN: 978-0-8130-2571-1. 256 pp. Hardcover. $49.95
Wild orchids bloom in virtually every habitat of every state and province of the continental United States, Canada, and Greenland. Orchid fanciers and collectors--a large and fervent segment of the general public--will welcome Paul Martin Brown's comprehensive, illustrated checklist and field guide to the exotic world of these elegant and intriguing flowers.
This annotated guide is packed with up-to-date information and enhanced by stunning color photographs and extraordinary drawings of each species, subspecies, and variety, many highlighting unusual color or growth forms. It provides identification, full distribution range, recent synonyms, and all subspecies varietal and forma information for all 247 taxa as well as comments about the special aspects of each species. Taxonomy and distribution data directly complement information in the Flora of North America project and the parallel dichotomous keys will be useful in the field. The guide covers 223 species, 24 subspecies and varieties, 103 growth and color forms, and 24 hybrids. With its personal checklist and easy-to-read format, Wild Orchids of North America is perfect for the hobbyist, while offering a concise scientific reference for naturalists, botanists, and advanced orchid enthusiasts.
Wild Orchids of the Canadian Maritimes and Northern Great Lakes Region. Paul Martin Brown. 2006. ISBN: 978-0-8130-2911-5. 336 pp. Paperback. $29.95
More than 60 native orchid species can be found in the fields and forests of the Canadian Maritimes and shorelines of the Northern Great Lakes, and this indispensable guide is your key to finding them all! Wild orchid expert and author Paul Martin Brown provides essential information, making it easy for both novices and experienced orchid hunters alike to find what they need quickly and efficiently. No other field guide has ever covered these regions so completely. Each species and variety is colorfully illustrated with photographs, a diagnostic line drawing and a distribution map, as well as a complete description of the habitat, range, and flowering time. Specific attention has been made to the numerous growth and color forms and a full, detailed list of synonyms for each species is included in a separate section. Simple, straightforward keys assist in identification so that removal of plants from the wild is unnecessary. New concepts in taxonomy and the place of hybrids are discussed and further aided by a comprehensive list of recent literature references and a bibliography.
Geographical coverage includes:
--Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, and southeastern Quebec
--Ontario's northern shores of Lakes Michigan, Huron, and Ontario
--10 detailed area treatments: Northern Shore of Lake Superior; Isle Royale; Timmins and the Polar Bear Express; Anticosti and the Mingan Islands; The Gaspe: Bic, Mt. Albert, Bonaventure Island; New Brunswick and Prince Edward Island; southwestern Nova Scotia; Cape Breton; western Newfoundland; Cape Norman, Burnt Cape, and Cook's Harbour; The Mystery of Tilt Cove
--55 species, 8 varieties, 72 forms, 7 hybrids
At a recent orchid show, one Sophronitis cernua had been nominated for a cultural award. We looked at it and did not award it, mainly because there were numerous previous cultural awards for this species but also, because it looked very different from the typical plants of this species, as we know it. Later I looked into my books and contacted a few people to enlighten me.
The species S. cernua is described in Dr.
Withner's `The Cattleyas and their Relatives' vol.3. Carl says that
the typical species has from five to six small flowers,
whereas the plant in front of us and various other awarded
plants had more than double this number of flowers
per inflorescence.
Our present plant was in a clay pot, growing on top of the surface where it displayed small, alternating (from side to side) pseudobulbs with single leaves and inflorescences with neatly alternating, small, cupped, red flowers plus a few buds; the average number of flowers and buds per stem were 13. The leaves are silvery grey, very succulent, with a violet stripe along the centre vein and the same violet along the edges. We were wondering if this might show some S. coccinea influence. Further on in the Withner description, there is a variety mentioned; he calls it variety mineira, having two distinct rows of pseudobulbs alternating between sides, with silver-grey leaves and a darker midrib, coming from farther inland, including the mining area of Minas Gerais.
In Jack Fowlie's monograph on Sophronitis I read: S. cernua, type for the genus, has single rows of pseudobulbs, spoon-shaped leaves, two _ five flowers per inflorescence of pale orange colour with a yellow lip base and two lilac column wings. It grows along the coast (littoral) and sometimes is called var. littoreana, (should be called S. cernua subsp. cernua) to be distinguished from a brighter coloured inland variety, this v. mineira again! Here then, Dr. Fowlie describes exactly our little plant, sometimes having double rows of pseudobulbs, greyish leaves with a distinct dark midrib and borders and showy, brilliant, but rather small flowers. He mentions a variety of S. cernua subsp. cernua called var. lowii with lemon yellow flowers, and then he speaks of a form of S. cernua var. mineira called var. endsfeldzii which is said to be very pale yellow, considered to be an `albino' form, perhaps better called `albinistic'.
In the award description of S. cernua `Mem. Fred J. Fuchs Jr.' JC/AOS, it is mentioned that this plant was from Paraguay. This was confirmed by Anne Jesup, owner of the clone and it shows the bright red flowers and a high flower count, part of the reason for the JC/AOS. Dr. Withner says that the species can be found in both Brazil and Paraguay; according to Francisco Miranda, it also occurs in Argentina. He told me that the inland plants have flowers that are smaller in size and more cupped than the coastal plants of this species. Francisco also mentions a variety alagoensis from NE Brazil and feels that inland varieties live in a harsher environment than the coastal ones.
Twenty plants of S. cernua have received a total of 22 AOS awards. The described flowers range from 1.9 cm to 3.2 cm horizontal spread and from 2.0 cm to 3.0 cm vertical spread. There were a good number of awards (the older ones) with incomplete measurements and no descriptions.
By counting and comparing the available numbers, I noticed that there were two different sets of numbers of flowers per inflorescence: There were three plants with a flower and bud count of 9.5, 10 and 13.9, averaging 11.1; the majority (14) had an average of 6 flowers including buds, per inflorescence. We can here consider that any awarded plant, hopefully, is of better than average quality. Therefore, the typical average of the type species would show lower flower counts.
It looks to me that there are two different races (or subspecies) of S. cernua, where one group has an average of two to six orange, open flowers and green leaves, living along the coast and another group with an average of 10 to 14 brilliant carmine, smaller flowers and silver-grey leaves with violet midribs and margins, living farther inland. There is one award for a S. cernua var. mineira, but from the photo and the description, it looks rather like the type from the coast. However, from the records available to me, I cannot find a CBM, CBR or CHM for any kind of S. cernua. The name S. acunae is considered invalid; according to some, it may have been used for the coastal form of S. cernua; a different opinion is that the name is applied to a Bolivian form of our species.
Of course, all this is not too important. Still, as judges we ought to be aware that there are several distinct forms of S. cernua. Now, when I see a S. cernua with silvery leaves, coloured midrib and very many small, red flowers, I shall know that it is a true Sophronitis but it should have added on its label: variety (or subspecies) mineira .
In the meantime, all those little Sophronitis have been moved over into the big genus Cattleya. This presents for hobbyists as well as for experts a veritable minefield of new names and I am certain that many of us will be naughty and keep calling the little ones `Sophronitis'.
Ingrid Schmidt-Ostrander
While admiring the pictures in my big tome "Orchids from Curtis' Botanical Magazine" edited by Samuel Sprunger and published in 1986, I came across one Epidendrum that I thought I'd like to grow. It is called Epidendrum syringothyrsus and the inflorescence does indeed remind one of a lilac. This plant has not been seen in any sales catalogue I have come across. However, I found another, very similar plant in that book, which is called Epidendrum syringaeflorum, again this reference to our lilac. I could not find it either.
Now _ any of you who have used this big book must have found the lovely list of synonyms at the back. (As an aside, this list must be in dire need of revision, with all the newly devised nomenclature; then we would probably find even more synonyms!) While hunting for the tall, lilac orchid, I looked into this list of synonyms. There it was _ the Epi. syringaeflorum; officially it is Epidendrum paniculatum (Ruiz Lopez & Pavon).
From here on, I shall only list all the species epithets for the plant:
atacazoicum
_ that makes twenty-two different names! Just think how well a seller would do if they offer plants with all these different names and really need to grow only a single species. Then, dedicated collectors of species would acquire at least one of each and it might be a long time before they found out the truth _ funny? It does happen _ perhaps not with this species, but with others _ believe me!
It says further that this species can be found in Mexico, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Panama, Venezuela, Ecuador, Peru and S. Argentina, in short, it is widespread. No wonder that there are so many names _ very likely each discovery was considered to be a new species. Further reading in Curtis' book shows that plants with a large area of distribution do have a large number of synonyms. For instance: Calanthe triplicate (38), Cymbidium ensifolium (37), Epidendrum elongatum (38) and Rhynchostylis retusa (31).
When you look at the meaning of this Epidendrum's many epithets, translated they might just work out to be a very interesting description of the plant, its inflorescence and the flowers.
Four years ago, I did get an Epidendrum. paniculatum from Ecuagenera and right now it has an inflorescence growing taller and taller. Hopefully, it will flower soon and then you will see a photo. I just hope the label was correct!
Ingrid Schmidt-Ostrander
[Ingrid, You can see what your Epidendrum syringothyrsus will bloom like thanks to the photo above by Yoshi Nomura at http://www.notsogreenthumb.org/]
Not too long ago I was contacted by my orchid society in some distress in that the society website URL now pointed at a porno gateway page. How could that have happened? The answer was simple _ someone had not received the notice to pay for the registration renewal of the domain name, the registration lapsed, and someone else picked it up. Domain names are registered with CIRA, a government organization, and if the annual fee is not paid, the name becomes available to anyone willing to pay the fee.
CIRA website:
Please note that upon the cancellation of a Domain Name Registration, the Registrant will no longer be entitled to the use of such Domain Name Registration.
Additionally, when a domain name is cancelled, it is released to the public and can be registered by a new registrant.
If another party registers your domain name after it has been released, there is very little you can do to get it back.
Could that happen to your society? What would happen to your society's image? What would it cost to get it back? Do you have an alternate domain name you could register?
Your Executive must have an annual calendar that keeps track of when payments for various services are due. If the request for payment does not appear, find out why. Don't wait until the service has been canceled. For some services you can't just send in a late payment and carry on as before.
If your website is deemed important, then have at least one backup person who knows what is involved in managing the website. Have a disaster recovery plan.
There is a management issue here. You must know how this all works and anticipate what needs paying when. And the information needs to be passed on to the next guy. You need a policies and procedures manual that your entire executive is familiar with. You must also track who is registered as the signing authority and who has the passwords and keep it current.
We should contact each agency to determine how control can be passed to another person in the organization if the registered person is no longer available.
Possible pitfalls
Don't Lose Control
CIRA website:
If you forget to renew your dot-ca domain name, it will become inactive for up to thirty days. That means that any websites or email addresses associated with the domain name registration will not work. During this time, only the Administrative Contact can renew the domain name registration.
If the registration is renewed during the thirty-day suspension period, it will become active again. If it is not renewed during the thirty days, it will be released to the public and can be registered by someone else. Domain name registrations are usually registered by other parties very soon after they are released. If another party registers your domain name after it has been released, there is very little you can do to get it back.
There are some special circumstances. If you have a Canadian registered trade-mark that resembles a domain name registered by another party, you may be able to begin a proceeding through CIRA's third-party dispute resolution process. For more information on CIRA's dispute resolution process, visit the CIRA website at http://www.cira.ca/
Things to Remember
Recovery
In my case I was able to recover the domain name _ at a cost. First I went to the CIRA website which allowed me to send a message to the new owner to see if he would be willing to sell the domain name back to the society and for how much. He replied with a reasonable number _ reasonable considering the alternatives. I had to set up a Paypal account to transfer the money. I had to contact the website service provider to set up an account and deal with them to transfer the ownership. All the while hoping I wasn't being scammed.
It was a lot of work. Don't let it happen to your society.
Jerry Bolce
Common herbs and spices, such as rosemary, thyme, clove and mint, show promise as an environmentally-friendly alternative to conventional pesticides, scientists have told a major US conference. The research was led by Dr Murray Isman, from the University of British Columbia in Vancouver.
The "plant essential oils" have a broad range of action against bugs. Research suggests the oils interfere with the insect nervous system, making the muscles so hyperactive that bugs essentially spasm to death. The oils also can disrupt an insect's cellular membranes, causing fatal leakages of essential fluids.
The plant oils are most effective against small, soft-bodied bugs that suck on plant juices, such as aphids, whiteflies, and spider mites. "Small, soft-bodied insects are more vulnerable to having their membranes melted or smothered by the oils," Isman said. Small insects also have large surface areas relative to their internal volume, so more of the bug is likely to come into contact with the oil, he added.
Since "killer spices" are natural, you might think insects would have evolved defenses against the seasonings. But scientists think insects may be less likely to develop resistances to plant-based pesticides, because they tend to be complex chemical mixtures and therefore more complicated to defend against. "With most conventional pesticides, you have one chemical that's the poison," Isman said. These new pesticides are generally a mixture of tiny amounts of two to four different herbs diluted in water. They're also safer for farm workers, who are at high risk for pesticide exposure.
Details were presented at the Fall Meeting of the American Chemical Society (ACS) in Washington DC.
Some spice-based commercial products now being used by farmers have already shown success in protecting organic strawberry, spinach, and tomato crops against destructive aphids and mites, Dr Isman explained. Unlike conventional pesticides, these "killer spices" do not require more limited approval from regulatory bodies and are readily available.
But the herb-based pesticides also have shortcomings. Since the essential oils made from these herbs tend to evaporate quickly and degrade rapidly in sunlight, they need to be applied more frequently than conventional pesticides. Some last only a few hours, compared to days or even months for conventional pesticides. As they are also generally less potent than conventional pesticides, they must be applied in higher concentrations to achieve acceptable levels of pest control, Dr Isman said.
The COC award at the Vancouver Orchid Society Show
in May was given to Mike Miller and Brian Emery and
featured many fine pleurothallids, maxillaria and masdevallia.
The Windsor OS held their first ever orchid show (in 24 years) in conjunction with "Winter Blooms" at St. Clair College. The members received many wonderful comments on their orchid plants and their elegant displays. It was quite an eye opener for the attendees of the Winter Blooms event. As they entered they were greeted with beautiful, live orchids of varying sizes, cultivars and colors.
The COC award given to the "Best in Show" was
awarded to Mr. Jim Lapain for his beautiful white
Phalaenopsis "John Angel".
Terry Kennedy congratulates the Ottawa OS COC
winner, Joyce Medcalf
The display by Joyce Jaworski at the Manitoba OS show in March that won the COC medal for best display.
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