July 2020 Details of the Zoom Meeting Will Be Emailed a Few Days Before the Meeting

JULY EVENT Monthly Meeting: 8 p.m. Monday, July 13, 2020 From the comfort of your living room via Zoom! Jim Cootes on Bulletin Orchids Species of the Philippines July 2020 Details of the Zoom meeting will be emailed a few days before the meeting

An Introduction to the Orchid Species of the Philippines

Jim Cootes has studied the orchids orchids continues to keep him busy. He of the Philippines since the early 1980s. is even privileged enough to have had a He has described many new species from number of orchid species named in his the Philippines, Vietnam and Indone- honor. Jim lives on the outskirts of Synd- sia, both with colleagues and by himself. ney, Australia. Jim has written 3 books: The Orchids of The talk will depict many orchid spe- the Philippines (2001), Philippine Native cies native to the Philippines. There will Orchid Species (2011), and A Guide to the be pictures of plants growing in the wild, Dendrobium of the Philippines (2015), and and pictures showing the habitats where countless papers both scientific and of the orchids grow. Many of the orchids a more general nature, which have been that will be shown may not have been published world-wide. Jim is now 70 seen previously. years old but the work with Philippine

An Unexpected Auction for the AtlOS

Longtime AtlOS member Nancy New- The auction was held on Saturday, ton has generously donated her orchid 27 June, and the remaining plants and collection to the society: supplies were sold the following day. David Glass, my husband, developed a The auction brought in $4020, the sale love for orchids and their culture. Taking brought in another $773, for a grand to- care of his collection gave him a great deal tal of $4793. of pleasure all through the last years of his Many, many, thanks to Nancy for life. I have enjoyed the plants during the opening up her home and greenhouse to years since his death. However, I seem to us, and sharing with us the plants she has now have too many competing interests to lovingly cared for many years. give them what they deserve. David wanted me to donate the orchids to the Society, if I ever gave them up, so that is what I have done. David especially enjoyed the Atlanta Orchid Society and all of Danny Lentz auctioning a huge his friends there. I know his orchids will find Myrmecophilia humboltdii, one of the many good homes with the Society members and large specimens in Nancy’s collection I thank you for taking and caring for them. I hope to see you at future Society meetings. In this Issue… Nancy Danny, Jon and HB at the auction 3 Events Calendar Notes on Zygos by David Mellard Got plants and supplies that need a new home? 4 Habenaria rhodocheila by N. Rust Come and swap them for stuff you need, Sat. 18 July, 9:30-11 a.m. 7 Mark Reinke notes on last Atlantic Station parking deck month’s flower display 2 www.atlantaorchidsociety.org July 2020

ATLANTA ORCHID SOCIETY The Atlanta Orchid Society Bulletin Volume 61: Number 7 – July 2020 Newsletter Editors: Véronique Perrot & Mark Reinke Officers The Atlanta Orchid Society is affiliated with theAmerican Orchid Society, President the Orchid Digest Corporation, the Mid-America Orchid Congress, Helen (HB) Blythe-Hart 770-656-4054 and the Garden Club of Geogia. Vice-President/Programs Danny Lentz Secretary Jody Gomez Minutes of the June Meeting of the AtlOS Treasurer Jon Crate 770-846-9541 The June 8th, 2020 meeting of the At- holding the July meeting via zoom. Dan- 270 17th Street NW, Unit 4501 lanta Orchid Society was preceded by a ny Lentz introduced Tim Culbertson, Atlanta, GA 30363 plant auction that was hosted by Danny who gave a presentation entitled New Lentz and began at 7:30. The meeting Directions in Zygopetalums. After the pre- Immediate Past President was called to order by HB, President, at sentation, Tim fielded questions from David Mellard 404-310-9899 8 p.m. Due to the Covid19 situation, the members. Danny showed photos that meeting was held via Zoom. Jon Crate members had sent in of their in-bloom announced he had received the bark the plants. The meeting was then adjourned. Trustees society ordered. David Mellard discussed

Trac Nguyen Maegan Brass From my kitchen window: Atsushi Matsumoto Carl Quattlebaum Some people wake up refreshed and Now that I’m bonding with my new Larry Kikkert delight in the golden dawn of a new day, babies, I’m taking the time to inspect, Véronique Perrot others are rewarded by a salmon purple clean and repot them into the NZ bark sunset illuminating a windowsill orchid recommended by Fred Clarke and Sam eden. I am the latter—I revel in seeing Tsui. Using the same growing medium, Volunteers my glowing orchids lit up on my ledge and grouping by water needs, allows for before the changing sky. better culture. As much as I’m a sucker AOS Rep – Barbara Barnett Saturday I added a few more charges for lost causes, there comes a time to Greengrowers – Danny Lentz to my collection. Long time member cull the snitches—the orchids that fail Librarian – Nancy Newton generously donated a col- to thrive or never bloom, re-homing MAOC Rep – Doug Hartong lection of over 200 quality orchids and those that don’t like the conditions I of- Meeting Hospitality – supplies to our Society, that were culti- fer. We’re planning a plant swap in the Membership – Barbara Barnett & vated by her late husband, David Glass, next few weeks to share orchids and Maegan Brass and herself. It was his express wishes extra supplies that others might need. Education and Outreach – Lynne Gollob that the plants go to our Society in hopes Watch for the announcement. Silent Auction – Carson Barnes that our members would ever care for My kitchen window orchid show Monthly Ribbon Judging – David Mellard the plants he once so loved. His memory brightens my mood when so much un- Newsletter – Véronique Perrot & lives on in our greenhouses, grow rooms rest is going on around. Reminds me to Mark Reinke and window ledges. Deepest gratitude to have gratitude that I have a community Orchid Digest Rep – David Mellard Nancy for her magnanimity to our Soci- of extraordinary people who love these Show Chairs (2020) – Danny Lentz & ety during this time of uncertainty. The amazing flowers aaaalmost as much as Jody Gomez auction was a big success. A big thank I do. Ok I know—no one loves orchids Website/Social Media – Danny Lentz & you as ever to VP Danny Lentz for run- more than David Mellard!! Jeremie Carroll ning the auction by Zoom and to Mark Orchids respond to a little kindness, Reinke for sharing his invaluable orchid unconditionally rewarding with beautiful expertise. Appreciation as well to David blooms, new growths and green tipped Mellard who masterfully orchestrated roots... Observe them, learn about them, the event and Jon Crate and Véronique know that even the smallest of things re- Perrot for facilitating the nuts and bolts sponds to a little kindness... Orchids are of the sale and providing light hearted color-blind after all. Shouldn’t we be too? entertainment. ~ HB 3 www.atlantaorchidsociety.org July 2020 Culture Notes on Zygopetalums from the AtlOS EVENTS CALENDAR June 2020 Speaker Tim Culbertson July 11 – American Orchid Society monthly by David Mellard judging: CANCELLED 13 – Atlanta Orchid Society Monthly Zygopetalums are the members of Breeding trends and buying plants Meeting, via Zoom: Jim Cootes on the subtribe Zygopetalinae (~40 genera, Species in the Zygopetalum alliance Orchids from the Philippines ~400 speces), all from South America. are available from Andy’s Orchids in Cal- 18 – Plant and Supplies Swap, 9:30-11, Two main groups of species: ifornia. Atlantic Station parking deck. Details * plants with pseudobulbs, originally Recent trends in breeding have fo- to come, and come wearing a mask! from mid-elevation, easy to grow (~like cused on producing blues, miniaturiz- Cymbidium), readily hybridize between ing plant size, and creating “pot-plant” August genera (e.g., Zygopetalum, Zygosepalum, styles. Hawaiian nurseries that offer zy- 8 – American Orchid Society monthly Otostylis, Pabstia, Neogardneria) gos include: judging TBD * plants without pseudobulb, origi- Quintal Farms — quintalfarms.com 10 – Atlanta Orchid Society Monthly nally from cloud forest, require cooler Hilo Orchid Farm — hiloorchidfarm. Meeting, via Zoom: Mark Reinke on temperatures and good water quality, com Cymbidiums. challenging to grow. Kalapana Tropicals — kalapanatrop- FF When growing zygopetalums, it’s icals.com September important to know the genus. Australians are leading some breed- 12 – American Orchid Society monthly ing trends; focus is on mixing “tropical” judging. Some warm-growing species should with standard for increase cold toler- 14 – Atlanta Orchid Society Monthly be easy to grow in Atlanta and will tol- ance (difficult to import because of the Meeting, in person and on Zoom: Dave erate being outdoors during Atlanta’s paperwork involved). Source: Stephen Sorokowsky of Paph Paradise, on Maudi- warmer months: Promenaea, Galleotia, Monkhouse Orchids — facebook.com/ ae Paphiopedilums and Batemannia (Can’t remember where Stephen.monkhouse. these fit in the two groups described In the continental US, focus is on October above. V.) breeding large outdoor types dominat- 10 – American Orchid Society monthly ed by Zygopetalum. This type of breeding judging. Growing conditions lacks diversity in color. Some smaller 12 – Atlanta Orchid Society Monthly Use a mix size that’s proportional to indoor types are being produced. The Meeting, via Zoom: Peter T. Lin on the pot size. Standard mixes can be made smaller breeding can have remarkably Compact Vandaceous Species and their using Orchiata or NZ pine bark with per- brilliant colors. Sources include: Hybrids lite. Sunset Valley Orchids — sunsetval- Zygos like medium light similar to leyorchids.com November plants in the Oncidium alliance. Casa De Las Orquideas — orquideas. 9 – Atlanta Orchid Society Monthly Water during active growth, drier in com Meeting: Tim Culbertson and Breeding winter with the Pescatorea Alliance and the Leaf spotting often means the plant Search for Blue. does not like something in its growing 14 – American Orchid Society monthly condition (e.g., water quality, frequency). judging. 4 www.atlantaorchidsociety.org July 2020 The Habenaria rhodocheila Complex by Nicholas Rust

Plant taxonomy can invoke a wide common species (Hab. rhodocheila, Hab. specimens which makes it difficult to range of emotions that span from con- xanthocheila, Hab. erichmichelii, and Hab. precisely define the individual charac- fusion to frustration to satisfaction and roebbelenii), two less common species teristics of each flower.Hab. carnea and everything in between. Some plants are (Hab. militaris and Hab. robinsonii), and Hab. janellehayneiana are also not includ- easily identified, while others may differ two species (Hab. carnea and Hab. janelle- ed since they were speciated. by the most subtle things like flowering hayneiana) that were identified as their time, flower size, inflorescence structure, own since the establishment of the com- Color and Flower Morphology or even the fungi that associate with the plex. At a glance, these species may ap- The most apparent difference be- roots. Due to the intricacy, some related pear identical due to their similar floral tween the four common species of the species have been lumped into what is shape that seems to differ only by color, rhodocheila complex is their color, but appropriately called a “complex.” but a closer look at the morphology of this alone cannot stand to differentiate A complex consists of similar species the entire plant provides several reasons separate species. However, changes in that contain enough minor differences to consider them all as unique species. floral color can define different varieties to blur the line between what is consid- This article focuses on the four most or forms of a single species. For example, ered a species, subspecies, or even a va- common members of the complex. Hab. Hab. carnea has dark, mottled foliage and riety or form. One example of a complex militaris and Hab. robinsonii are not in- light pink flowers whileHab. carnea fma. in orchids is the Habenaria rhodocheila cluded due to their near inexistence in nivosa has bright green, mottled foliage complex. This complex consists of four culture and inadequacy of herbarium with snow-white flowers. In the rhodocheila complex, each plant not only dis- plays different colored flowers but also have unique morphological distinctions which further suggest that they may be distinct species. One can see the differences of the column (consisting of the stigmatic processes and the anther which is loosely linked together with the rostellum) in Figure 2, which reveals the first significant discrepancy amongst these species. For simplicity’s sake, only the stigmatic processes and rostellum of each species are discussed here. Many Habenaria organize their reproductive structures in very similar ways, but with slight differences which like- ly exist to increase the likelihood that their pollinator successfully pollinates the flower.Hab. rhodocheila has stigmatic processes that align nearly parallel with its anthers and stick straight forward or angled slightly outward, both with a mild curve near the tip. Hab. roebbelenii’s short, marginally recurved stigmatic processes are perpendicular to the anther, which is further enhanced by the moderate upward angle of the anther. Hab. erichmichelii has stigmatic processes that not only curve down about 45° but also stick outwards away from the flower. Lastly,Hab. xanthocheila has long Figure 1: This picture shows the plants and flowers of each member of theHabenaria rhodo- stigmatic processes most similar to Hab. cheila complex that will be discussed in this article. In the first square withHab. rhodocheila, rhodocheila (straight forward), but the Hab. xanthocheila may stand as a size comparison between the two species. The coloration of anthers are angled upwards, once again the leaves on Hab. roebbelenii is due to mild sunscalding. creating a nearly 45° angle between the 5 www.atlantaorchidsociety.org July 2020

Figure 2: These close-up images show the Figure 3: This picture shows the foliage of Figure 4: Shows the structures of each main differences between each of the four each species. Hab. roebbelenii is not included species’ tubers. A measuring tape (in cm) is common members of the rhodocheila com- simply due to the absence of a mature plant provided for reference. The large tubers of plex. Vertical images show the same species in the author’s collection. Hab. xanthocheila exemplify the results of 1-3 while left-right shows different species. In plants growing together into a tangle. the top images, the green arrows point to The characteristics of the flowers be- the stigmatic processes of each flower while come even more interesting when their time when one can dig the tubers up to the red arrows point to the anthers. In the hybrids are analyzed, which show clear see just how successfully the plant grew bottom images, the black arrows point to the signs of dominance of the individual during its vegetative season. If someone tip of the rostellum traits of one species over another. How- is growing several species or hybrids of ever, a thorough analysis of these hybrids Habenaria, they may notice the immense stigmatic processes. could be an entire article on its own. variety in the shape and size of the tu- These small changes exist not only bers. among the reproductive structures of Plant Size and Foliage Despite only ever existing below each species but also among the hood Often, the beautiful allure of a flow- the ground and out of sight, the tubers and rostellum (bottom images of Figure er’s vibrant color or magnificent form of each species in this article all have a 2). Hab. rhodocheila generally contains a may cause one to overlook the foliage unique structure. Hab. rhodocheila has smaller rostellum that does not fully cov- completely, but sometimes a plant can medium-sized (~5-7 cm), straight, cylin- er the opening of the hood. Its rostellum have leaves that are as equally unique drical tubers. Hab. roebbelenii has slightly also tends to have some variety, either and charming as the flowers. While none smaller tubers that are often described as forming a point or a rounded end. Hab. of these four Habenaria have necessarily “duck foot tubers.” They are called this roebbelenii has a smaller hood that allows exceptional foliage, they do have various due to their shape, which often starts as the rostellum to cover nearly the entire features that make their leaves unique. straight and cylindrical near the basal opening. Hab. erichmichelii has a larger growth point of the plant, then branch- hood, but a very small rostellum. Hab. Tuber Structure es outwards near the bottom of the tu- xanthocheila also has a small hood and a If flowers draw the majority of one’s ber. Hab. erichmichelii has the largest tu- larger rostellum which closes off the ma- attention, and foliage draws the remain- bers of the common complex (6-8 cm). jority of the hood. der, the underground energy storage de- They typically are straight and resemble Several more floral traits differ -be vices that some plants use certainly wins a slightly flattened cylinder. Hab. xan- tween the species, but for brevity sake, the prize for the “most ignored aspect of thocheila has the most peculiar structure they are only briefly mentioned. Overall, a plant.” Although mostly since people which takes the duck foot shape of Hab. there are four main planes of interest re- are not interested in a dirt-covered mass roebbelenii and makes it even more dra- garding the organization of the flower: of plant tissue, the ability to meticulous- matic. The tubers immediately branch the lip, the stigmatic processes, the an- ly observe a plant’s subterranean tissue out, forming a flat, dendrite-esque shape. ther, and the rostellum. The angles cre- generally requires a personal specimen As a result, the tubers often grow into a ated by each of these four planes (using to work with and grow. tangled, inseparable mass, which is seen each other and the pedicel as reference) Habenaria store their excess ener- in Figure 4. are unique to each species. Likewise, the gy in tubers, or specialized stem-tissue shape and size of the lips and hoods for that resides underground. During the Other Characteristics each species also differ. In order to fur- growing season, they use the sunlight Several more discrete differences oc- ther confirm these floral relationships, to create excess glucose for energy not cur among each of the four Habenaria. many genetically unrelated plants should only to flower but to store as starch and These traits were all combined into a be analyzed to show the limited variabil- produce more, larger tubers for the next single section due to their uniqueness to ity of the traits. growing season. This marks the exciting one of the four species, or due to the fea- 6 www.atlantaorchidsociety.org July 2020 ture’s simplicity. Habenaria rhodocheila Varieties mass confusion of “what really is Habe- Firstly, the plants display different The complexity of these species be- naria rhodocheila” and an inability to get fragrances. Specifically, Hab. erichmiche- comes even more convoluted when Hab. rhodocheila that is true to its spe- lii has a strong, sweet fragrance during evaluating the natural color varieties of cies. This problem is already occurring the day, yet the remaining three species Habenaria rhodocheila. However, the va- as many people grow, sell, and hybridize emit no noticeable aroma at all. They rietal relationships are simplified once other plants and incorrectly label them each also have varying bloom times and thoroughly analyzed for the traits cov- as “Hab. rhodocheila.” dormancy periods. Again, Hab. erichmi- ered in this article. The flowers ofHab. This problem grows more momen- chelii is always the first to bloom among rhodocheila may be orange, scarlet, yel- tous when considering hybrids. Count- the species, flowering in late spring or low-orange, or even yellow, yet the flow- less unnamed hybrids have been created early summer. The remainder of the er morphology, plant, tuber structure, between Hab. rhodocheila, other species, plants tend to bloom in late summer or and geographical location all remain the and even pre-existing grex that are all early-mid fall. While the dormancy peri- same across each variety, indicating that sold as “Hab. rhodocheila.” Once again, ods aren’t of significant notice,Hab. xan- they are all merely color varieties of Hab. this facilitates the spread of misunder- thocheila tends to emerge from dormancy rhodocheila. Unfortunately, differently standing that surrounds these species. later than the rest, but often flowers rel- colored Habenaria rhodocheila are ex- Likewise, several hybrids have been cre- atively quickly, falling into step with the tremely difficult to find and often appear ated and even officially named under the other two fall-blooming members. in cultivation as the result of mislabeling surveillance of the Royal Horticultur- The geographical distribution of the a hybrid. al Society that may not be true to their complex’s members varies, but there While taxonomy may not seem like an phylogeny, even further spreading the is currently very little concrete data to essential part of growing plants to some plague of uncertainty. Unfortunately, authenticate it. The complex exists in people, it is crucial when it comes to this problem is only going to increase situ spread throughout Southeast Asia. cultivation and hybridization. The main unless proper taxonomy is meticulously Hab. rhodocheila grows from Thailand problem with having a poorly understood defined for this complex and made public to southern China. Like Hab. rhodochei- group such as the rhodocheila complex by a notable organization. Until this hap- la, Hab. roebbelenii is distributed from is the genetic pollution of a species that pens, the taxonomic nightmare regard- Thailand to Laos. Hab erichmichelii is the results from confusion or ignorance of ing the Habeneria rhodocheila complex most widespread of the species, growing taxonomy. For example, Hab. rhodocheila will undoubtedly continue. anywhere from northeast India to Viet- (arguably the most frequently cultivated nam. Hab. xanthocheila extends through- member of the complex) is not quite as I would like to thank Marni Turkel out Southeast Asia but mainly occurs in common as people think. The vast ma- who kindly provided up-close pictures of Malaysia. jority of “Hab. rhodocheila” sold are hy- Habenaria roebbelenii for use in this arti- brids. This may not immediately seem cle. significant, but it leads to an expanding

Here is what Danny wrote in the Danny is inching forward toward the April 2020 newsletter: four-flower goal post with two flowers on one of his challenge plants In 2016 we distributed seedlings of Cattleya Tropical Song x sib (C. Tropical Glow x C. Mari’s Song) as a challenge plant. The challenge was to get more than four flowers on the plant. Roy Har- row is the first person to actually submit a photo of one of the plants in flower. (I had a bud starting on one of my plants but it blasted when I sprayed the plant for mealy bugs.) Since this has been going a bit more slowly than we thought, I’m going to amend the rules. If no one has met the challenge by our June 2021 meeting, then Roy will win as the first person to actually show us a flower on one of the darn things. -danny 7 www.atlantaorchidsociety.org July 2020 Atlanta Orchid Society Monthly Flowers Display June 2020 Notes by Mark Reinke; Photos by various members of the AtlOS

Once again there was no ribbon judging this month, but the members submitted some really fantastic photos of their plants in bloom. I will touch on a number of them, trying to make sure each person that took the time to send in the photos gets a mention, while highlighting some of the more interesting or outstanding plants. I’ll use our usual entry categories to group the plants together for discussion.

C. purpurata (Mark Reinke’s) Cattleya Alliance Once again, we had some nice spe- B. cuculata cies represented this month. Carson Barnes, Roy Harraow and Mark Reinke cucullata in flower. This unique species all showed us various color forms of Cat- from Mexico and Central America has tleya purpurata, a robust and well-known C. loddigesii ‘Blue Sky’ AM/AOS large flowers with long drooping seg- Brazilian species, that blooms in May ments that can be produced sequentially and June in the northern hemisphere. blooms shows you why collectors in Bra- from the same growths over the summer In the wild it grows in a narrow strip zil fill their yards with this beautiful or- months. It can be found in the wild grow- of land near the coast from around São chid. The downside is that, as with many ing off the underside of horizontal limbs Paulo all the way down to near Porto summer blooming large Cattleya species, hanging out in the humid air over rivers, Alegre in the southernmost state of Bra- the flowers tend to last only about two and also in deep humid canyons. zil, Rio Grande do Sul. This southern end weeks. Carson submitted a photo of his Two primary hybrids of note include of the range is 27 degrees south latitude Cattleya schofeldiana, a very infrequently Barbara Barnett’s Cattleya Landate, or about the equivalent of Cape Canav- seen bifoliate species from the state of which is C. aclandiae x guttata, and Jon eral, FL, in the northern hemisphere. Espíroto Santo, Brazil, which is along the Crate and Firelli’s photo labeled Brasso- This species is therefore very tempera- Atlantic coast just north of Rio de Janei- cattleya Tigrinodosa (B. nodosa x C. tigri- ture tolerant, and prefers to not have a ro. This species has few but rather large na). This latter name is a recent registra- distinct dry winter rest. Mark’s plant is flowers on tall slender plants. The petals at least 20 years old, and with 60 open are olive green with few to many purple spots and the narrow isthmus lip is white streaked with purple. In the wild, it often grows in close proximity to both Cattleya schilleriana and Cattleya velutina on trees in cliffs above rivers, with both C. harrisoniana and C. warneri growing not far away, but down below closer to the edges of the rivers, making this part of Brazil a hotbed for Cattleya species. Carson also showed us his beautiful C. loddigesii ‘Blue Sky’ AM/AOS, which may, based on the flower form and bloom season, actually be C. harrisoniana as the two were once lumped together as a single species. Da- C. schofeldiana vid Mellard showed us his Brassavola C. Landate 8 www.atlantaorchidsociety.org July 2020

Brassocattleya Tigrinodosa (Jon & Firelli’s)

Myrmecatavola Tiger Lily C. Circle of Life ‘Red Alert’

let all the good ones go to other owners! out very different and sadly, not as good. Darrell Demerritt also showed off a Larry Kikkert showed off hisCattleya nice example of Myrmecatavola Tiger Lily. Circle of Life ‘Red Alert’ with a full, flat This cross between Bc. Richard Muel- flower that lives up to that clonal name. ler and Myrmecophila tibicinis has gone C. Circle of Life is a famous cross done through four name changes as various by the late Frank Fordyce that combines species in its family tree were reassigned the fussy C. coccinea with a large flowered since its introduction in 1998. Whatev- lavender cattleya to achieve spectacular er you call it, the flowers are wonderful results, with many, many awarded plants and freely produced during the year. We resulting. It has also become the parent have a large specimen from that original of many more brilliantly colored hy- batch that without even checking, I can brids such as Dan Williamson’s Cattleya tell you it is in flower and be right 99% of Dorcas Brogdon, done by Rolf Wilhelm the time any day of the year. We tried to of Woodland Orchids and named after Brassocattleya Tigrinodosa (Roy Harrow’s) remake this hybrid and our batch turned a wonderful lady from the Greensboro area that has a knack for growing some tion made by Jon for a cross that in the of the most impeccably healthy orchids I past would have gone under a different have ever seen! Whenever the Triad Or- name. For many decades C. tigrina was chid Society would put up their display known as C. guttata var. leopoldii. The at the South Carolina show, you could combination of B. nodosa and C. guttata is easily pick out her plants by the multi- registered already as Bc. Nodata, making tudes of flowers and amazing amount of a registration of the variety under a dif- JOIN THE ORCHID healthy roots they possessed. ferent name impossible. Then it was sep- DIGEST CORPORATION arated out as C. leopoldii, which was then Don’t let the name fool you, the researched to have been described as C. Orchid Digest is a non-profit tigrina six years earlier (1848) so that membership-based organization name took precedent for the species. dedicated to orchids. Designed to Oddly, the RHS register says the cross appeal to the mid-range to advanced was registered on December 5th, 2020. grower, nothing beats the Orchid This may explain why it isn’t in my most Digest. For just $39/year you get 4 recent update of Orchidwiz. Roy Harrow issues of full-color, in-depth articles submitted a photo of a different plant of the same cross (labeled as C. leopoldii x B. about orchids. The magazine is large nodosa). I’m pretty sure this came from a format and the fourth issue of the year batch we did at Marble Branch Farms us- is always an extra-special edition de- ing what was known at the time as C. leo- voted to a single genus. For member- poldii var. alba. In this iteration, the pet- ship application forms contact David als do not show any spotting, but some Mellard (404-237-1694) or visit www. of them had superbly vivid lips. Sadly we orchiddigest.com to join online. C. Dorcas Brogdon 9 www.atlantaorchidsociety.org July 2020

Cym. Valley Freestyle ‘Heavenly Scent’ Cymbidium Alliance Summer is typically not the bloom season for the large standard Cymbidi- um hybrids, but Mark Reinke showed us two plants of one variety that is an ex- ception, called Cymbidium Valley Free- style ‘Heaven Scent.’ It may be difficult to tell from the photo, but these are bowl sized flowers on meter tall stems, which are also unusual in that they are fragrant Den. devonianum Den. falconeri with a smell similar to Den. unicun often described as “tangerine scented can- Dendrobium Alliance Den. devonianum is considered a diffi- dles.” There is not much in the genealogy Once again we had some really out- cult species to grow, requiring a cool dry of this orchid that explains its summer standing Dendrobiums exhibited. In the rest to flower properly. But in the batch blooming habit or the fragrance. It does Section Dendrobium, with deciduous of seedling plugs we got a few years ago, have a bit of the summer blooming Cym. species, Vihn Nguyen sent in a photo of some of the smallest ones were kept un- ensifolium in it, but only as a great-great an absolutely outstanding Dendrobium der lights and watered regularly all win- grandparent, with the rest of the family devonianum. Mark Reinke had a photo ter and they still flowered at the same tree more than 90% the winter bloom- of a younger plant of this one also, just time as the plants given the rest and nor- ing species that typically make up the blooming for the second time, and a pho- mal daylight. I think the main reason it standard hybrids. I will just have to rack to of Den. cristallinum, which was donat- is not easy to grow is that it resents hot this one up to the sometimes unexpected by Vihn to the society auction a cou- summer weather and also needs copi- ed quirks of genetics. I have about half ple of years ago and is finally coming into ous watering during that season to keep oadozen of these and they always bloom its own. These species represent some of the thin, pendent canes growing rapid- in summer. Anybody want one? the last of this deciduous group to bloom ly. Vinh also showed off Den. falconeri, in spring. By then, their growths for the which is even more rarely seen than the next season are well underway already. previous two, and grows long, thin, pendent, branching canes that become a tangle of growth with time. In person, these flowers carry much more presence, and many consider them the most beautiful of all Dendrobiums. There were several representatives of the Pedolinum Section (gradually deciduous) and the star was a very notable example of Den. Usitae shown by Darrell Demerritt. If the color in person is close to that of the photo, then it is the most exceptional flower I have ever seen for this natural hybrid between Den. bulle- nianum and Den. goldschmidtianum. This batch was from a selected plant called Den. cristallinum ‘Red Coral’ that was selfed in Taiwan a 10 www.atlantaorchidsociety.org July 2020

Den. lindleyi

and light to set flowers, so the individual growing conditions can make a big difference in when this occurs. In my greenhouse it is usually March. If your plant Den. Usitae Den. cymboglossum stays inside above 60F year round expect lots of growth and no flowers! few years back. But even that plant was gling clusters of yellow flowers, often Moving on to the Spatulata section, not so intensely red in bloom. This or- with small purple markings, from the up- Dan Williamson also showed off a stun- chid tends to sprawl and take a while per portions of leafless canes. The plant ning Den. stratiotes. This species is un- before many flowers start to show up on can sprawl a bit, but an older one with doubtedly the queen of the “Antelope” the older, bare canes, but with patience multiple inflorescences is a real atten- types with flowers that can be four inch- it will become impressive. Darrell, if that tion grabber. es or more from tip to tip and last up to plant ever makes a keiki, just name your We had just two representatives of four months. Perhaps the only reason it price! Bailey Santwire sent in a photo the Callista Section this month. The late isn’t seen more often is that with time of a red flowered form ofDen. lawesii, a flowering Den. chrysotoxum was shown the growths can reach 6 feet in height! If strongly pendent species from eastern off by Dan Williamson. It is compact, you have room you can dream of growing New Guinea and neighboring islands. It considered not too difficult to grow and one that is award quality, with one hun- comes in a wide range of colors including certainly one of the last to flower in this dred or more of these huge flowers on a several bicolor forms, and the tubular, group. Dan’s plant is the type form of the plant that could qualify as a shrub. This bird pollinated flowers can last several species with solid yellow flowers with a species likes good light and year round months, being produced at random times deeper throat. I have variety suavissimum, watering along with perfect drainage. on older, leafless canes. Vinh showed off which adds a dark spot in the throat for My plant seems to tolerate 50’s in winter his Dendrobium cymboglossum, an unusual great contrast. Like many other Dendro- just fine even though that would be low- species from Borneo that produces dan- bium species, this one needs to get a good er than the record cold for its habitat in clump of older growth before it puts on Western New Guinea, the Moluccas and a show like Dan’s plant. Véronique had a Sulawesi. rather late flowering, but showy example of Den. lindleyi. This species seems especially stimulated by temperature

Den. lawesii red form Den. chrysotoxum Den. stratoites 11 www.atlantaorchidsociety.org July 2020

Enc. tampensis Epi. porpax

Epidendrum/Encyclia Alliance The latter is more compact, but can cram This month there were more photos Enc. alata 100 flowers on a single branched spike. submitted for this group as a large num- They are typically pale green with a white ber of species are summer blooming. preferring year round warmth and water- lip lightly brushed in purple as in this ex- Bailey Santwire has a nice specimen of ing to flourish. The plant itself is medium ample. This one prefers warm to hot con- Encyclia tampensis in bloom. This Flor- sized and flushed with purple pigmenta- ditions and always seems to decline for ida native species is the only Encyclia tion. Once mature, if well grown, there me in my greenhouse. endemic to the US mainland and grows can be several dozen unusual, tessellat- Marion Finley showed us a great close from the southern tip of the state all the ed flowers on a branched inflorescence. up view of the small, creeping species way to Putnam County (Palatka) just be- This year, my plant, which has bloomed Epidendrum porpax. This is a rather out low Jacksonville, where the record low for several years, made a nice new growth of season bloom as the peak flowering is 12F. Nonetheless, your results will be that failed to spike. It could be a result of season for this species from Central and better if you can avoid freezing weather. the extreme amount of cloudiness this northern South America is in the late fall. I have seen this tough species bloom- past winter, or the amount of chilly days Although borne singly, a specimen plant ing in full sun on dead Live Oaks. The where my greenhouse didn’t get sun to can easily have dozens of these bug-like flowers are long lasting and plants will warm up. This coming winter I might put flowers, but don’t expect your plant to grow into stunning specimens with time. it under lights. be considered for a cultural award unless There are 10 AOS awards given to plants Véronique showed us two nice species, they number north of 250. A Certificate with more than 500 open flowers. Doug the fragrant Encyclia alata from Mexico of Cultural Excellence is going to require Hartong submitted a photo of Encyclia and Central America, and Encyclia pro- at least 1200! fowliei, a species only described in 1990 fusa from Colombia. The former can get Carson Barnes showed us the very that comes from a small area of the state large, with tall branching spikes of 75 or unusual Epidendrum parkinsonianum. of Bahia in Brazil, growing in the lower more long-lasting flowers with greenish This species from middle to fairly high Atlantic rainforest. It is definitely not as to dark bronze segments and a white elevations in the mountains of Mexico easy to cultivate as the previous species, skirt lip edged yellow and striped purple. and Central America is strongly pendent growing and can produce a plant up to six feet long over time, though the stems produce nearly all their roots at the base of the plant. The flowers can be six inches across and are long lasting. Usually you can only purchase this species as a

Enc. fowliei Enc. profusa Epidendrum parkinsonianum 12 www.atlantaorchidsociety.org July 2020

Brassia Rex Oncidium Alliance This is the time of year when there are many Brassia species and hybrids in bloom. Danny and Diane showed off two great examples. Brassia Rex is a primary hybrid registered originally by the prolif- ic amateur breeder W. Goodale Moir in 1964. The sprays of numerous six inch flowers neatly arranged in two rows can be spectacular, and there and numerous awards for this cross. Danny and Diane’s other submission in this group, Bratonia Prosthechea cochleata Leopard Glo, is a creation of Rolf Wil- Psychopsis Kalihi ‘Big’ helm of Woodland Orchids in Charlotte, young plant, and it is not particularly NC (now retired). The addition of Mil- flower count, the plants can typically fast growing. But if you care for it well tonia to the mix adds color that Brassia bloom twice per year and are very vigor- enough, you can end up with a specimen is often lacking, and while it reduces the ous growers. with 50 or more blooms at once. Peak Barbara Barnett showed off herPsy - flowering will vary from April to July de- chopsis Kalihi ‘Big’ which she noted had pending on your growing conditions. a Bronze Medal from the Japan Orchid Carson also submitted a photo of Growers Association. It also has an Prosthechea cochleata, the best known Award of Merit from the American Or- species of a group of plants that used chid Society. This primary hybrid can to be classed as Encyclia and many are produce exceptionally large flowers, up still labeled as such. They typically have to 6 inches from tip to tip, borne one at a softer leaves and laterally compressed, time off a wiry, persistent inflorescence. softer pseudobulbs than Encyclia and do The form on this one is excellent! not need as high of light to flower. This Doug Hartong showed off a rather lat- species with its spidery nonresupinate er floweringTrichopilia suavis, a species flowers that open in succession over a whose flowers are not what you think of long period has a large natural range when talking about the Oncidium Alli- all around the fringes of the Caribbean ance, but the plant habit is clearly from basin, including South Florida. A large this group. Peak flowering is typically in plant can be in flower most of the year. March for most growers, but has been re- corded in any month except September. This orchid comes from mossy woods in Costa Rica, Panamã and Colombia and is absolutely wonderful and fragrant in flower. The climate data would suggest that this orchid resents heat, yet Car- ter & Holmes in the hot middle part of South Carolina grows it very well. So far, I have failed for some reason, but looking at this photo I think I need to try again!

Trichopilia suavis Bratonia Leopard Glo 13 www.atlantaorchidsociety.org July 2020

Paph. Temptation

ers is an example of this species crossed to Paph. kolopakingii. Danny and Diane Paph. philippinense Paph. philippinense alba also showed us a beautiful multifloral with large flowers on a compact plant Slipper Alliance as growing in leafy debris on limestone he entered as Paph. Lady Isabel x Wil- As usual, there were some outstanding cliffs, often in rather exposed situations. helminae, which, it should be noted, was things to see in this category. Danny and Therefore, it needs brighter light than is registered in 2013 as Paph. Memoria Mi- Diane showed us an absolutely stunning typical for the genus, and more hours of guel Medina. When this plant gets a little Paph. philippinense with five well present- it, to flower well. For a multifloral type, larger, with more flowers, it would be a ed flowers, while Carson gave us the al- it is somewhat compact, and the tightly good contender to be considered for an bum form of the same species with three twisted petals and good color contrast award. open flowers and one more bud coming. has made it a favorite parent in breeding There were a couple of interesting As the name implies this orchid comes programs. Darrell Demerrit’s photos of examples of breeding using the sequen- from The Philippines, and is described his Paph. Temptation with six open flow- tial flowering species. Both HB’sPaph.

Paph. Memoria Miguel Medina Paph. Herbert Bernhart Paph. Prime Child 14 www.atlantaorchidsociety.org July 2020

Phrag. Don Wimber

the flowers are very hard to tell apart, so I leave it to Carson to explain how to sort out all this confusion. It seems that he is growing his plant in a metal strainer, so I’d love to hear more about that method of cultivation as well! Danny and Diane showed us a very lovely and sizeable Phrag. Don Wimber, which seems to possibly have the fla- vum form of Phrag. besseae in it given the more delicate color with a distinct yellow undertone.

Paph. Roger Sander Phrag. warscewiczianum, or humboltii?

Herbert Bernhart and Karl Harden’s Carson showed us a single flowered Paph. Prime Child are crosses between species I had never seen before, Paph. sequential and multifloral species, while exul, which comes from the coast of Larry Kikkert submitted a cross between Thailand near Phuket and areas south the single floweredPaph. godefroyae and of there, and is often growing in full sun the sequential Paph. glaucophyllum. Lar- in the wild. Despite being infrequently ry should take note that this is a remake grown as a species, its genes are hiding in of a cross named Paph. Roger Sander multitudes of “Bulldog” Paphs, through and registered way back in 1914 by the a cross made by Sanders in 1900 called famous Sanders Orchids of St. Albans, Paph. Earl of Tankerville, which has England. more than 5,000 registered crosses de- scended from it. You can see how the un- You can help out the Atlanta usually large synsepal and the bold spot- Orchid Society simply by shopping ting on the dorsal sepal have transferred at Amazon through their Amazon through the generations to the large and Smile program. To do this simply showy complex hybrids making a come- go to smile.amazon.com every time back in recent years. you want to shop at Amazon. When There were just two Phragmipedium you go to checkout for the first time, entries this month, but both were very you will be asked to designate your nice things. Carson Barnes showed us charity. If you type Atlanta Orchid an absolutely spectacular plant he has Society in the search bar, we are the labeled Pharagmipedium warscewiczia- only result that comes up. Select that num, formerly Phrag. wallisii. However, one. You can change the charity at Orchidwiz tells me that Phrag. warsce- any time, by following the directions wiczianum (try to type that one quick!) on the About page. All of the details is equivalent to Phrag. humboldtii and the of the Amazon Smile program can description of the flowers exactly fits be found on the Amazon site at: Carson’s photo. They list Phrag. wallisii Paph. exul clone Exhalted One as a separate species. Still the photos of smile.amazon.com/gp/chpf/about/ 15 www.atlantaorchidsociety.org July 2020

Phal. violacea Phal. tertapsis

Phal. tetrapsis x Crimson Cherub Phal. parishii

Phal. tetraspis whose persistent inflores- Doug Hartong showed us a really eye Phal. Vicki’s Little Nonsense cences produce white flowers that can be popping color pattern in Phal. KS Hap- randomly colored with reddish markings py Eagle, which mixes Phal. violaea with Phalaenopsis Alliance or not, as speckles, splotches or over en- other species over and over again in a six As we move into summer, we arrive at tire segments, making each opening bud generation long breeding cycle to pro- the bloom season for some of the small- a surprise. While this odd color pattern- duce this glowing color combination. er flowered Phalaenospis species and ing did not carry through in Terry’s plant And finally, Vinh submitted a photo of hybrids made from them. Terry Glover of Phal. tetraspis x Crimson Cherub, it a beautifully flowered Phal. parishii with showed us a wonderful collection out of is an example of a superbly grown plant at least 20 open blooms and additional this group, almost too many to fully de- that has been cared for long enough to buds. This is a small species from humid scribe. He submitted a photo of a Phal. produce nearly a dozen of those per- locations in NE India, Burma and Thai- violacea that had an interesting tone on sistent inflorescences and showing the land, where it frequently grows on mossy tone tiger pattern on the segments, along impact possible with these hybrids that branches hanging over streams. It pre- with a host of hybrids that descend from have few flowers per spike. fers dappled light, needs copious water- this species. Terry needs to do some tag ing in summer, then less water, but with updates on a couple of these that are now rather frequent misting to simulate the registered hybrids. The beautiful, almost native environment, so is not for anyone iridescent flower of Phal. Vicki’s Little who plans to water only once per week! Nonsense (Jo Vernan x violacea—registered in 2015) and the cute chartreuse and purple blooms of Phal. Zheng Min Phoenix ((javanica x Buena Jewel) x LD’s Bear Queen) also registered in 2015. Ter- ry also showed off his plant of the quirky

Phal. Zheng Min Phoenix Phal. KS Happy Eagle 16 www.atlantaorchidsociety.org July 2020

Vanda tricolor var. suavis ‘Bali Best Girl’ AM/AOS Vandaceous Alliance For me, the star of the vandaceous Vandachostylis Viboon Velvet Perfection offerings again this month was Carson Barnes’ Vanda tricolor var. suavis ‘Bali white flowers tipped in violet blue. I have Best Girl,’ AM/AOS which shows off a an old plant of this orchid and it blooms spectacular pattern on flowers larger off and on all year long, starting as a than any other awarded example I could small plant, but in time it will grow large. find. Java and Bali are the two islands in Mine is 6 feet tall with roots just as long! Indonesia where this species occurs nat- You don’t frequently see hybrids in urally, often in trees along the borders of the genus Aerangis, but Vinh Nguyen tea plantations. May is the peak bloom showed off a beautifully flowered exam- month for it, but there are records of ple of Aergs. Elro, a primary hybrid be- some flowerings in every month of the tween two species from Madagascar. The Aerangis Elro year. It will tolerate both warm and inter- fragrant, white flowers with long nectar mediate conditions but needs very bright spurs neatly arranged in two ranks on 2017 on a plant with six spikes holding a light to flower well. a pendent inflorescence are pristinely total of 187 open flowers and 2 buds. On Barbara Barnett showed us a pretty beautiful. This cross has a number of some plants, the nectar spur can be 6 Vanda testacea, with typical coloring for AOS awards and one time AtlOS member inches long and have a faint salmon pink this near miniature species, despite the Ben Oliveros, who now lives in Mt. View, color. species name meaning “The Brick Red Hawaii, received a 92 point CCE in June, Vanda.” This widespread species is one that is adaptable to cooler temperatures in winter, sometimes even enduring light freezes in its natural range. Darrell De- merritt sent in a photo of his Vandacho- stylis Viboon Velvet ‘Perfection,’ with JOIN THE AMERICAN ORCHID SOCIETY 12 issues of Orchids, the Society’s monthly full color magazine chock full of insightful articles and tempting ads for plants and supplies. 10% off purchases from the Society’s Bookstore and Orchid Emporium. Reduced or free admission to participating botanical gardens. For a limited time, if you join for two years you will also get a $30 gift certificate (good on an order of $100 or more) at any one of 13 commercial growers who advertise in Orchids. Membership now includes access to OrchidPro, the database that replaces OrchidsPlus JOIN TODAY Single Membership, 1 year - $79, 2 years - $153 Student membership, 1 year - $54, 2 years - $103 Vanda testacea JOIN OR RENEW ONLINE AT www.aos.org 17 www.atlantaorchidsociety.org July 2020

Bulb. annamense Miscellaneous Among the entries in this section were two interesting Bulbophyllum. Mark Reinke had a very nicely floweredBulb. annamense, which he got years ago as a small division from former member Greg Smith. It has taken it a decade or more to finally put on this kind of a show, with more than a dozen inflorescences com- Dienea ophrydis ing in quick succession over a month’s time. It is very impressive in flower, but from a casual distance. If find it nearly they last only about a week. It apparent- impossible to kill this plant. Mine is basi- ly comes from Vietnam, but very little is cally ignored, but blooms every year after written about it. Nicholas Rust showed a leafless winter rest. off Bulbophyllum lobbii (syn. polystictum). Finally, the star of this section for me There is a complex of many once sepa- Ponerorchis graminifolia was David Mellard’s Acanthophippium rate species, now lumped together as mantinianum, a terrestrial species from one, with variably colored flowers that cies from Japan, Ponerorchis graminifolia. the Philippines with an absolutely outra- are large, upright and come up from the Nicholas photographed a single flower geous, in your face, look when in flower, rhizome between the pseudobulbs. They at close range while Doug is showing plus name I had to “cut and paste” from don’t have a strong odor and can cover us two different plants in flower in the Orchidwiz to get the spelling right. To an older, well grown plant in the bloom same pot. I don’t know if either of them me, it looks more like some improbable season that favors the summer months. kept their plants outside in the winter, parody of an orchid created in plastic for Both Nicholas and Doug Hartong but in its natural range plants grow in “permanent” arrangements than some- showed us plants of a cute terrestrial spe- places that can get well below freezing thing real! While uncommon in collec- in winter. It has been suggested as a rock tions and sparse in orchid literature, garden plant in places like Great Britian, this is an orchid that I immediately want but probably would need to be protect- when I see it. Imagine stumbling across ed from too much rainfall during winter a colony of these in bloom on the forest in our climate. The distribution of color floor for the first time! and pattern seems to be unique to each individual plant. Roy Harrow showed off his plant of Dienea orphrydis a terrestrial species from Asia that has gone by more than 30 different names over the years. I have a plant from Carter & Holmes labeled Malaxis latifolia, which may be the most common name seen in commerce, but the accepted name is as Roy has it. The tiny, but numerous flowers, if seen under good magnification, are clearly orchids Bulbo. lobbii even if the plant doesn’t seem like one Acanthophippium mantinianum,