News and information for the members of the Maryland Orchid Society March 2014

In March, MOS gardneri Features a Round From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Table Panel Article provided by David Smith Rhizanthella gardneri, also known as n March, in lieu of an individual Western Underground Orchid, is a speaker, MOS will be featuring a in the orchid family, discovered in the panel discussion with diverse, I spring of 1928 in the wheatbelt of Western experienced MOS growers. The panel will be ready to offer up all the advice Australia. you need to help grow and bloom your new-found treasure from the show. We Jack Trott had bent to investigate an odd encourage you to bring in your favorite crack that had appeared in his garden’s soil, new or a long-time, not-so- and had noticed a sweet smell that arose reliable bloomer and put the panel to from the ground. Scraping away the soil, the test. We’re confident they’ll be able he soon uncovered a tiny white flower, to point you in the right direction to get about half an inch across, growing your orchid blooming in your growing underground. What he had found was an conditions. Feel free to share you own entirely new type of orchid. The discovery knowledge and secrets to blooming and Photo by Fred Hort generated such excitement that a wax re-blooming your selected orchid. model was toured around the British Isles.¹ Western Underground Orchid Rhizanthella gardneri SEPOS Needs The white leafless plant is made up of a fleshy underground storage stem (or tuber), received this from the fungus the plant is Clerks which produces flower head consisting of then able to convert the water, nutrients The SEPOS show is April 11 - 13 in around 150 tightly packed, tiny flowers.² and carbon dioxide into the energy needed Philadelphia (see page 6 for details) Unlike any other orchid in Australia, the for growth and maintenance. and they need clerks to help with Western Australian underground orchid judging Friday, April 11. If you are remains completely underground for its The plant blooms in May and June and interested, please contact Gail Sklar at whole life. Not being able to obtain the measures 2.5–3 cm. The flower head [email protected]. sun’s energy, it instead feeds on the broom contains 8 to 90 small dark maroon honeymyrtle, a shrub. It is linked to it by a flowers. mycorrhizal fungus¹ named Thanatephorus gardneri.³ Rhizanthella gardneri reproduces vegetatively by which it can produce three Theeducation March Education Corner corner will feature This particular orchid is a myco- daughter plants. They also undergo sexual Bill Scharf discussing the successes of heterotroph as it relies completely on the reproduction, and underground insects this month’s annual show. Members are broom honeymyrtle and fungus for its such as and gnats are known to also welcome to join in and give their nutrients and carbon dioxide. Having pollinate the flowers,² attracted by the feedback.

David Smith continued on page 5 InSide 2 February Show Table 3 Ideal Light Ranges in Foot Candles for Orchids 3 February Judges’ Choice by Rachael Adams 5 Local AOS News february 2014by Tom McBride show table

Novice Dendrobium No Entries 1. Den. Wonder Nishii - Phuong Tran & Rich Kaste Home Grown 2. Tie Den. denudans - Sarah Hurdel & 1. C. skinneri ‘Casa Luna’ AM/AOS - Gary Smith Marilyn Lauffer Den. kingianum - Bob Travers 2. Tie Paph. (Hilo Jewel X fairieanum) - Den. aggregatum - Eric Wiles Owen Humphrey 3. Den. faciferum - The Adamses B. Little Stars - Kathi Jackson Phal. Hybrid - The Soykes Miscellaneous Hybrids U.S. Botanic 3. Tie Phal. Everspring Light - 1. Zygolum Louisendorf - The Soykes John Dunning 2. Tie Coel. Bird in Flight - Garden Trip Phal. Everspring Light - Sarah Hurdel & Gary Smith Norma Lynch Ctsm. Kengar Phantastes - Planned Eric Wiles Greenhouse 3. Phcal. Kryptonite ‘Ursula’ - MOS is planning a field trip April 1. Den. Dream ‘Ace’ - The Adamses John Dunning 26, 2014, 10:15 a.m., to the U.S. 2. Tie Lyc. andreetae - David Smith Botanic Gardens Conservatory in Opst. Mem. Mary Nattrass - Species D.C., which currently is featuring Eric Wiles 1. Ddc. tenellum - David Smith 3. Cattlianthe Gold Digger ‘Orchidglade’ - 2. Ddc. wenzelii - The Adamses Orchid Symphony. Barbara Buck 3. Pln. formosana - Clark Riley Experience the incredible elegance Cattleya Miniature of an orchid symphony. The U.S. 1. Cattlianthe Gold Digger ‘Fuchs 1. Pths. species - Sarah Hurdel & Gary Botanic Garden features exuberant Mandarin’ - Sarah Hurdel & Gary Smith Smith 2. Tie Lc. Rojo ‘Barbara’ - 2. Tie Lep. Imcalso - Val Lowe displays of orchids nestled among The Adamses Masd. Maui Lollipop - whimsical topiaries and musical Blc. Mem. Grant Eichler ‘Lenette’ Clark Riley fountains. Illuminated by an orchid HCC/AOS - Crypyocentrum latifolia - chandelier, the Garden Court Michael Moran David Smith will sing the praises of beautiful Epi. Prince Valley ‘#1’ - Chris Zajac Phal. Sogo Ibis ‘Little Maruko’ - The Soykes orchids. 3. Tie Lc. Love Knot ‘Diamond Lake’ - 3. Tie Porroglossum meridional - David Smith The Adamses The Conservatory features orchids Slc. Anzac ‘Orchidhurst’ - Campylocentinum ornithorybachum from all over the world in a Bob Travers - Eric Wiles multitude of environments. Come see desert orchids, jungle orchids Phalaenopsis First Bloom Seedling 1. Phal. Hybrid - The Soykes 1. Paph. Michael Koopowitz - and even orchids used in medicine 2. Tie Phal. Sogo Vivien - The Adamses and cooking against the gorgeous Judi von Mehlem 2. Phrag. Pink Panther - Eric Wiles backdrop of the U.S. Botanic Phal. Jiao’s Pink Girl - 3. Tie Paph. Wenshanense - Garden collections. Sarah Hurdel & Gary Smith John Dunning 3. Phal. Stripes on Snow - John Dunning Slc. Circle of Life X Lc. Jose Dias Castro - Michael Moran Orchid Symphony is a Paphiopedilum and Phragmipedium collaboration between the U.S. 1. Paph. Magical Venus ‘Hampstead’ AM/ Fragrance Botanic Garden and Smithsonian AOS - Sarah Hurdel & Gary Smith 1. Lc. Culminant ‘La Tulerie’ - Gardens. If you are interested 2. Tie Phrag. Cardinale ‘Wilcox’ - Marilyn Lauffer Marilyn Lauffer 2. Blc. Gladys Oumae ‘Roy’ HCC/AOS - in joining us for a private tour, Paph. (Hsinying Web X Bob Johnston contact Laura Sobelman or Gregg fairrieanum) - Chris Zajac 3. Trpl. suavis - The Soykes Custis. 3. Paph. Dreaming Green - Bob Johnston See more at: http://www.usbg. Oncidium The Judges Choice of the Evening 1. Odcdm. Sunlight ‘Pacific Punch’ - was Den. Dream ‘Ace’, exhibited by gov/exhibits#sthash.iRMdkFsz. Eric Wiles The Adamses. See page 3 for how the dpuf 2. Rdcdm. Orchidom Outstanding X Onc. Adamses grow this awesome plant. Thank Tom’s Beauty - Chris Zajac you to our judges who were Joel Graham, 3. Psy. Mendenhall - Owen Humphrey Marilyn Lauffer and Joan Roderick. Our show table had an incredible display of 153 beautiful flowering plants.

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IDEAL LIGHT RANGES IN FOOT-CANDLES Don’t Miss These

{------Light range in foot-candles ------} MOS Speakers! Low Medium High Plant Name 500 1,000 1,500 2,000 2,500 3,000 3,500 4,000 Deborah Dade has a thrilling speaker Brassavola line-up planned for MOS’ 2014 monthly

Brassia meetings. Following is a list of Cattleya

Cymbidium - Standard confirmed list of speakers:

Cymbidium - Miniature

Dendrobium March: MOS Panel to be determined Epidendrum

Laelia

Ludisia April: Trey Pyfer, Little Brook Orchids,

Masdevallia Common Orchid Pests

Miltonia Pest and Fungi Management Odontoglossum

Oncidium Trey will be taking pre-orders.

Paphiopedilum Please call Little brook Orchids at

Phalenopsis 717-394-1000.

Phragmipedium

Sophronitis

Vanda

Chart provided by Bill Scharf

by Rachael Adams Dendrobiumfebruary Dream ‘Ace’judges’ choice

endrobium Dream ‘Ace’ was registered in 1970 by Jiro DYamamoto of Yamamoto orchids. It is a nobile hybrid but was bred to require little to no rest period, unlike other nobile- types. I do not give it a winter rest. It blooms heaviest in late winter (February- March) but it will also produce flushes of flowers a few times throughout the year. It is a vigorous grower and bloomer and has a compact bushy growth habit. The only downside is that the flowers do not last as long as some of my other nobile hybrids.

Typically the greenhouse is kept at 65-70 degrees in the winter for the daytime temperature and 55-60 degrees at night. However on clear sunny days in the winter the temperature may go up to 80. Summer temperatures are typically much warmer. I summer during active growth. In terms of plant to grow and is among the most often use a 20-20-20 fertilizer and it is light, Den. Dream ‘Ace’ hangs near the top trouble-free plants I own. fertilized periodically when the rest of the of the greenhouse and receives the same greenhouse is fertilized. I do switch amount of light as the cattleyas. It is grown Editors’ note: You can see from the above fertilizers but I do not have any specific in a wood basket with standard orchid photo that Dream ‘Ace’ took many more brand preferences and I will also bark media and is overdue to be repotted. awards at this year’s show, including best incorporate fish emulsion. The greenhouse I am planning on putting it in a larger Dendrobium in the show. is fertilized most heavily in spring and basket this spring. It has been a rewarding 3 Spring 2014 American Orchid Society Members’ Meeting and Show Orchids A Growing Obsession • April 30– May 4, 2014

he Orchid Society of Minnesota is art work by Jacque Rosenau & Kathy very pleased to host the Spring Creger. T2014 American Orchid Society Members’ Meeting and Show April 30th This will be an AOS judged show with through May 4th, 2014. This event will be Ribbon Judging on Thursday morning, held in conjunction with meetings and May 1st, followed by the AOS Judges’ events of the Mid-America Orchid Luncheon at noon and AOS Judging at Congress, Slipper Orchid Alliance, 1:00 pm. The Preview Party is Thursday International Phalaenopsis Alliance, evening beginning at 7:00 p.m. This years’ Pleurothallid Alliance and Angraecoid theme is “tropical casual”… so wear your Alliance. The website is up with full favorite Hawaiian orchid shirt and relax! information at www.orchidsagrowingobsession.com. The Show & Sales area will be open to the public Friday, Saturday and Sunday (May The event headquarters is the Doubletree Chris Purver 2-4) from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. We are offering by Hilton located at I-494 and Hwy 100 the public a $1 off general admission in Bloomington, Minnesota. They offer Don’t miss out on this great opportunity coupon at numerous locations and on our complimentary airport shuttle service to to hear the top names in orchids share web site. Beginners’ Lectures will be and from the Minneapolis/St. Paul Airport their knowledge. offered on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. (MSP Terminals 1 and 2). All events are located in this hotel which has free guest Our Exhibition Chair is Joe Acebo. Full Participant Registration includes the parking. Guest rooms will be available at a Exhibitor setup will begin Wednesday Preview Party, AOS & MAOC Auctions reduced rate of $99 while they last in the morning at 7:00 a.m., April 30th. Plant and access to all lectures and meetings as reserved room block prior to the cutoff and Exhibit Registration will be open on well as the show and sales areas. There date of April 8, 2014. This rate is available Wednesday from 10:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. will be a Banquet following the Auction on for three days before and three days after We encourage your participation in this Saturday evening at the hotel. This the show dates for those who wish to AOS-judged show by staging an exhibit promises to be a pleasurable & extend their stay. There are numerous showcasing your member’s growing efforts entertaining evening and we certainly hope restaurants near the hotel including and creativity. Exhibits should follow the you will join in the fun. TGIFridays (in the same parking lot). The class structure as set forth in the current hotel is located on the “494 Strip” of MAOC Show Schedule. We will provide For show registration, go to Bloomington with restaurants and you with table-top or floor space as your www.orchidsagrowingobsession.com and shopping nearby... including the Mall of needs require, and we can discuss any click on the Registration tab. Please be sure America. The hotel does offer other needs you might have once you’ve to read the instructions/hints before you complimentary shuttle service to the Mall confirmed your participation. Space is begin your registration process. of America for its registered guests. limited so please contact Joe directly at Following is the hotel reservation link. [email protected]. Come join us at this don’t miss event! No password or code is needed: https://resweb.passkey.com/go/OSM2014 Our Vendor Sales Chair is Ross Hella. Kim Livingston If you prefer to call, their number is Sales will open Thursday evening at 7:00 Show Chair 952-835-7800. p.m. with the Preview Party. As of January 2014, our vendor spaces are full; however The keynote address will be given by Chris you may contact Ross at hellapad@ Purver of the Eric Young Orchid dishmail.net with inquiries. Vendors Foundation. The speaker line-up includes include Andy’s, Deerwood , Cal-Orchids, Jerry Fischer, Alan Koch, Carlos Fighetti, Gold Country, Ingram’s Better Books, Jason Fischer, Russ Vernon, Cordelia J&L, Krull-Smith, Natt’s, New Vision, Head, Harry Phillips and Kathy Creger. Orchids Ltd, Orchidabilia, RK Gems, and

4 Rhizanthella gardneri continued from page 1 fragrance. The pollinated flower will then for future generations.¹ A partnership local aos news take six months to mature. In all studied between the Millennium Seed Bank of the March 1: National Capital Judging Center: Paph. Spiderman ‘Harford’s Gabriel’ belonging flowers these were not dispersed and Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, Australia’s to The Little Greenhouse was awarded an 81 eventually decayed, thus releasing their Endangered Species Program and Perth’s point Award of Merit (AM). seeds.² It may be, however, that native Kings Park and Botanic Gardens are marsupials were important dispersal undertaking DNA fingerprinting and agents,² but substantial findings are hard seed-banking of this rare orchid in an to come by as only 19 mature specimens of attempt to establish a propagation the orchid are known to currently exist in programme.¹ the wild and only 300 specimens have been collected to date. References This article incorporates text from the ARKive fact-file “Rhizanthella gardneri” under the Creative Commons Attribution- ShareAlike 3.0 Unported License and the GFDL.

1. Dixon, K. (2003) Underground orchids on the edge. Plant Talk, 31: 34 - 35. David Smith’s plant of Masdevallia princeps 2. Jump up to: a b c d e f g h Hágsater, E. and ‘Emma Kate’ received an 83 point AM. Dumont, V. (1996) Orchids: Status Survey and Conservation Action Plan. IUCN/SSC Orchid Specialist Group, IUCN, Gland. 3. “Western Australia’s Incredible Underground The species is endemic to Western Orchid”. ScienceDaily.com (ScienceDaily). 9 Australia, six populations are currently February 2011. Retrieved 10 February 2011. known; these are found in the central 4. Walter, K.S. and Gillett, H.J. (1998) 1997 IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants. wheatbelt near to the town of Corrigin and Compiled by the World Conservation from locations close to the south coast.² Monitoring Center, IUCN, Gland, Switzerland and Cambridge, UK. 5. “CITES”. Convention on International Trade Conservation in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and The species is classified as Vulnerable on Flora. April 2003. Retrieved April 2003. the 1997 IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants,4 and listed on Appendix II of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). 5 Member Update March 6: National Capital Judging Center in Large areas of bushland have been conjunction with the Maryland Orchid Society Please join the Maryland Orchid Society developed for agriculture in much of Show: in warmly welcoming the following new southern Western Australia, and it is likely Sarah Hurdel’s plant of Paph. Deperle members: that this loss of habitat is one of the main ‘Sweetheart’ received an 81 point AM. causes of the reduced population of Randall Carroll Rhizanthella gardneri.² Further threats to Denis and Christine D’Arbela habitat include drought, the encroachment Rick and Susan Bunting of salt and a decline in health of the host Joseph and Danielle Muckenthaler plant.¹ Remaining populations of the underground orchid are isolated in the The February door prize, a Phal. ‘Pure fragments of habitat that persist today.² Silk’ from the Little Greenhouse, was won by Janice Mazur. Three of the known populations of Rhizanthella gardneri are protected within Valerie Lowe nature reserves,² and a concerted initiative has been launched to safeguard this species 5 6 The MOS Newsletter, published monthly by the maryland orchid societyMaryland Orchid Society September through June, shares the latest news of our orchid community. Please submit your comments to [email protected]

We invite articles, notices, etc. for inclusion in our newsletter. The deadline for inclusion is first Sunday of the month.

The MOS brings together people interested in orchids to promote and encourage orchid culture, preservation, education, propagation, hybridization, and all other orchid-related activities of interest to its members. Benefits of membership include a subscription to the Newsletter (e-mail and web), voting rights, borrowing privileges from the MOS Library, monthly guest speakers, local judging, valuable door prizes, and much, much, more!

If you are interested in orchid culture and would like to meet others with similar interests, we cordially invite you to join the ranks of Marylanders already enjoying the benefits of membership in the Maryland Orchid Society.

Visit us on the Web at www.marylandorchids.org Maryland Orchid Society P.O. Box 5651 Baltimore, MD 21210

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