The Atlanta Orchid Society Bulletin

The Atlanta Orchid Society Bulletin

Affiliated with the American Orchid Society, the Orchid Digest Corporation and the Mid-America Orchid Congress 2001 Recipient of the American Orchid Society’s Distinguished Affiliated Societies Service Award Newsletter Editor: Danny Lentz Society Librarian: Elaine Jacobson Volume 45: Number 2 www.altantaorchidsociety.org February 2004 FEBRUARY EVENTS The Meeting: 8:00 PM Monday, February 9, 2004 in Day Hall Mr. Dick Cavender, Red’s Rhodies Cultivation of Pleione and other hardy orchids Dick Cavender of Red’s Rhodies in Sherwood, Oregon has a lot of experience with growing Pleione and other hardy terrestrial orchids that are seldom seen in U.S. cultivation. If you wish to pre-order plants, please visit his website at http://www.hardy-orchids.com/contact.html. He will be bringing plants to sell. About 20 years ago, a friend gave Dick several flats of Pleione orchids. This gift has expanded to fill a good sized shade house and Dick now has one of the largest collections of Pleione in the U.S. The Pleione grow in his garden among the Rhododendrons and have lead him to other terrestrial orchids, such as Dactylorhiza, Orchis, and some of the Asian Cypripedium and Cymbidium orchids. The collection of other hardy orchids is expanding rapidly. He is eagerly propagating many of these fine plants that have been overlooked by gardeners in this country. His Sherwood, Oregon, location gives him a superb growing climate, good soils, and clean water, all necessary for fine plants. Red and his wife, Karen, do most of the work with some help from occasional employees. He has offered plants by mail-order for more than 10 years. His goal is to see the type and quality of plants that he would like to purchase. *** Southeastern Flower Show Info is on Page 6 ***

DUES ARE DUE (YES IT’S THAT TIME AGAIN!!!!!!) Dues ($30 single, $45 household) for the calendar year 2004 are due. Your membership dues continue to bring you a monthly newsletter and underwrite the cost of speakers and programs presented throughout the year. Prompt payment helps us determine our budget for the year. Dues can be paid directly to Scott Smith at the December or January meeting or paid by check (payable to the Atlanta Orchid Society) mailed to Scott at 481 W. Ontario Avenue, Atlanta, Georgia 30310.

Inside This Issue Atlanta Orchid Society 2004 Officers……………………………………………………..….…………….Page 2 Collector’s Item……Pleione formosana Hayata..…..……….……………………………..…………….. .Page 2

Events Out and About………………Dates for your Calendar…………...………………….…….……….Page 3 Minutes of the December Meeting ….Teresa Fuller...…….…...……….…….….…………………….…..Page 3 The January Exhibition Table…....…..………...... …………….………….………………………………..Page 4 Notes on the Exhibition Table………..Ron McHatton……...……………………………….………….....Page 5 Southeastern Flower Show Schedule..……………………………………………………..……...……Page 6 “pH Management and Plant Nutrition Part 2: Water Quality” by Bill Argo………………….….…Page 7 Paphiopedilum Culture by Ron McHatton………………………………………………. ……...……Page 12 Recent AOS Awards from the Atlanta Judging Center……………………………………………………..Page 14 Coming Next Month …………….…………………………………………….……………..…...……Page 15 Page 2 www.atlantaorchidsociety.org February 2004

THE ATLANTA ORCHID COLLECTOR’S ITEM SOCIETY Officers Pleione formosana Hayata President PLEE –o-nee for-moe-SAN-ah Evan Dessasau, III Tribe: Coelogyneae 2431 Elkhorn Drive Decatur, GA 30034 Subtribe: Coelogyninae 404-241-4819 Etymology: Greek Pleione, Mother of Pleiades

Vice-President/Programs There are approximately 17 species of Pleione widespread from David Mellard 3409 Regalwoods Drive central Nepal to Taiwan and from central China south to southern Doraville, GA 30340 Burma, northern Thailand, Laos and Vietnam. The genus is closely 770-270-5758 related to Coelogyne and it was once considered to be a section of that genus. The pseudobulbs are characteristically ovoid, flask- Secretary shaped or reminiscent of a top. The flowers are large, showy and Teresa Fuller appear either before or along with the new growth from the base of 2090 Rockdale Circle Snellville GA 30078 the mature pseudobulb. Inflorescences are one or, at most two 770-972-2634 flowered. Plants are best grown in shallow, well-drained pans. One mix that Treasurer has worked well is a mixture of chopped sphagnum, perlite or Scott Smith polystyrene granules and fibrous loam in equal parts with a little bone 481 W. Ontario Ave. Atlanta, GA 30310 meal and fine-grade charcoal. Plants should be repotted every year 404-752-6432 before new growth appears. The pseudobulbs should about ½ covered. They should be watered sparingly until new growth is well Immediate Past President underway. Once the roots are well formed and the plant is growing Linda Miller strongly they can be fed regularly. From October to December the 135 Pheasant Drive Marietta, GA 30067 plants should essentially not be watered and they should be kept at a 770-953-2853 night temperature near freezing. Pleione formosana is by far the most common species in Directors cultivation. The species is closely allied to P. bulbocodioides and P.

Term Expiring 2004 pleionoides. This species is quite variable ranging in color from Frank Decaminada white to deep pink, often with a white lip. In addition to the island of (770) 992-8309 Taiwan, this species’ range extends westward to at least the eastern Andrew Dott part of mainland China. 404-256-7858

Term Expiring 2005 Mark Reinke 404-622-4872 Jeff Whitfield 706-675-3583

Term Expiring 2006 Richard Ackerman 770-978-6109 Fred Missbach 404-237-1694

Refreshments

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EVENTS OUT AND ABOUT MINUTES OF THE JANUARY MEETING FEBRUARY 2004 Saturday, 2/7. Gulf Coast Orchid Society The new officers were sworn in by past President Linda Show, Gautier, MS. Contact: Glen Ladnier Miller, and the meeting was called to order by new (228) 832-0999. Set up is Friday and show President Evan Dessasau. This marked our first meeting begins Saturday. in our new location, Day Hall. Monday, 2/9. Atlanta Orchid Society The minutes were approved as written. monthly meeting, 8 PM Atlanta Botanical Evan asked that everyone be careful to park only in Garden, Day Hall. designated parking areas. Margo Brinton spoke of the upcoming SEFS and the Saturday, 2/14. American Orchid Society credentials that the volunteers will need. monthly judging, Atlanta Center, 2 PM, Anyone having trouble receiving the newsletter please Atlanta Botanical Garden basement contact Danny Lentz, our new newsletter editor. workshop. If entering plants, please try to The MAOC speaker’s forum will be held May 21-23 at arrive before 1:30 PM to allow time for research and paperwork. A 30-minute the Galleria Renaissance Waverly Hotel. There will be training session sometimes starts at 1:30 orchid sales, speakers and judging. Volunteers are PM. needed. Dues are now due and payable to Scott Smith. Monday, 2/16. Set up for the Southeastern We are still in need of a volunteer to be in charge of Flower Show. Plant registration is 6:30 PM refreshments at our monthly meetings. Teresa Pociask had to 8:30 PM at the Georgia World Congress a sign up sheet for volunteers to bring food to the Center, Hall C. See write up on page 6 in February meeting and got a whopping TWO people. this newsletter for more details. Elaine Jacobson announced that the library is still open Sunday, 2/22. Southeastern Flower Show downstairs during our monthly meetings even though we closes at 6 PM. Plant removal takes place are in Day Hall now. from 6:30 PM to 7:30 PM. You must pick Scott Smith announced that raffle plants donated to the up your own plants or have made society are potentially tax deductible. Be sure to sign your arrangements for someone to pick them up. name each time you bring plants so that there is a record. Please see Scott about the proper forms. Saturday, 2/28. IPA Meeting at Peachstate We welcomed several visitors to tonight’s meeting. Orchids. See last page for details. Refreshments were served. Thank you to Marianne

MARCH 2004 Gilmore, Helen Weil, and Barbara Hutto for the food they Saturday, 3/6. Orchid Show, Orchid brought. And thank you to Rhett Nowell and Carolyn Society of East TN, Bristol, TN. Contact: Dufano for volunteering to bring food next month. Leonard Passmore (423-282-5126). The Results of the Show Table judging were announced by Paul Thurner. Judges were David Mellard, Bob Monday, 3/8. Atlanta Orchid Society Grzesik, Gail Southwick, Ben Lyda, Paul Thurner, and monthly meeting, 8 PM Atlanta Botanical Randi Kiermaier. Garden, Day Hall. Speaker: Demetri The raffle was held after the speaker with plants donated Hubbard, Atlantis Hydroponics. Demetri by Peach State Orchids and Fred Missbach. will speak about instrumentation that can be used in growing plants. The silent auction plant, a large, budding Epidendrum Hokulea, went to Cathy Caine for $15.00. What a Saturday, 3/14. American Orchid Society bargain! monthly judging, Atlanta Center, 2 PM, There being no further business the meeting was Atlanta Botanical Garden basement adjourned. workshop. Respectfully submitted, Saturday, 3/20. Orchid Show, Greater Teresa Fuller, secretary Pensacola Orchid Society, Pensacola, FL. Contact: Mary Roberts (850-477-4935).

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JANUARY 2004 EXHIBITION TABLE AWARDS

CLASS 1: Blue Laelia mantigueirae Lyda CATTLEYA Blue Laelia anceps 'Bulls Variety' Hallberg ALLIANCE Blue Blc. Gorgeous Gold 'Pokai' Brinton / Park Red Laelia anceps 'Veitchiana' Collier / Reinke Red Blc. Keowee ' Newberry' Rinn White Laelia anceps Rinn White Brassavola cordata Hartong White Potinara Love Call 'H&R' Dampog

CLASS 2: Blue Cymbidium Ming ‘Manchu’ Brinton / Park CYMBIDIUM Red Cymbidium lancifolium Mellard / Marino White Cym. Red Beauty 'Evening Star', HCC/AOS Rinn

CLASS 3: Blue Dendrobium Wonder Nishii Rinn DENDROBIUM Red Dendrobium Stephen Batchelor Rinn White Dendrobium rennellii Dampog

CLASS 4: Blue Epidendrum coriifolium Hallberg EPIDENDRUM

CLASS 5: Blue Colmanara Wildcat 'Ocelot' Hallberg ONCIDIUM Red Aliceara Sheila Mobley 'Cathy,' HCC/AOS Lyda ALLIANCE White Oncidium kloztschianum Hallberg White Colmanara Wildcat 'Everlasting' Lentz / Morgan

CLASS 6: Blue Phrag. Don Wimber Jacobson CYPRIPEDIUM Blue Paph. Delrosi Lentz / Morgan ALLIANCE Red Phrag. Mary Bess Lyda Red Paph. Thomas Fourman Mellard / Marino White Phrag. Hanne Popov Mellard / Marino White Paph. Emilia Valiente Rivera Lentz / Morgan

CLASS 7: Blue Phal. (Haur Jin Diamond x Ching Her Buddha) Rinn PHALAENOPSIS Red Dtps. Magic Sands x Phal. Gold Canary Lyda ALLIANCE White Phal. Mini Mark 'Vegas' Rhett / Randi

CLASS 8: Blue Angraecum leonis Thurner VANDACEOUS Red Rhy. gigantea Hansen ALLIANCE White Sedirea japonica Dampog

CLASS 9: Blue Lycaste Concentration Brinton / Park MISCELLANEOUS Red Bulbophyllum echinolabium Rinn OTHER GENERA White Maxillaria tenuifolia 'Sangria,' AM/AOS Lyda

Page 5 www.atlantaorchidsociety.org February 2004 Notes on the Exhibition Table…………………by Ron McHatton Class 1 Blue and Red Laelia anceps ‘Bull’s Alba’ and Laelia anceps ‘Veitchiana’ The first of these was exhibited as Bull’s variety but should be more correctly referred to as Bull’s Alba. In addition this is one of those cases that illustrate the confusion between clonal names and varieties. This is an established subvariety of Laelia anceps characterized by white flowers with yellow only on the disc of the lip. In this case there are several distinct clones of variety available in cultivation. In contrast, the plant we know as Laelia anceps ‘Veitchiana’ has been, at least until very recently a single coerulea clone. It may have been selfed to create additional clones or others discovered in the wild, but until then these plants are actually divisions of a single clone. I might point out that at least three awards have been granted to plants of Laelia anceps ‘Veitchiana’ all with different clonal epithets. Class 2 Blue Cymbidium Ming ‘Manchu’ This plant was exhibited under the name Cym. Ming Manchu. An examination of the hybrid registration records affords only Cym. Ming so I have listed this plant as such with the clonal epithet ‘Manchu’. Class 3 White Dendrobium rennellii Please note the correct spelling of this species. This species is endemic to Rennell and Bellona Islands, raised coral islands in the Coral Sea south of Guadalcanal. They grow on trees and bare rock from sea level to about 300ft. At this location, they are exposed to average daytime high temperatures of 86-88F and nightime lows from 72-74F. They should be given bright light (3000-4000 footcandles) and warm temperatures throughout the year. Rainfall is heavy all year except during a 2-3 month winter where conditions are slightly drier. In cultivation the plants should be given uniformly warm and moist conditions, never being allowed to completely dry out between waterings. Class 4 Epidendrum coriifolium This name has been rather liberally applied to a whole complex of little understood species ranging from Mexico to Peru. The actual species is apparently endemic to Guatemala. The group can be recognized by their simple, compressed inflorescence with large , folded, bracts. The flowers are fleshy, velvety and usually presented on one side of the inflorescence. In all species the flowers are basically green with varying amounts of purple-brown overlay. The plants are predominantly epiphytic but are also found on old lava flows. They require intermediate to cool conditions depending on their origin, light shade and a constant watering regime throughout the year. Plants of the true Epidendrum coriifolium can be recognized by their straight, pointed floral bracts that are folded yet wide open over their entire length. Class 5 Oncidium klotzschianum First, the exhibitor should note that the correct spelling of this name contains a “z”. The species ranges from Panama to at least Costa Rica. The flower is basically yellow and the sepals and petals are marked with red-brown spots. The lip callus is characterized by several toothlike lobes. Class 6 Red Paphiopedilum Emilia Valiente Rivera This cross was exhibited as Paph. (Supersuk x Cyberspace). The cross was registered in 2002 as Paph. Emilia Valiente Rivera. Six species; callosum, sukhakulii, lawrenceanum, mastersianum, acmodontum, and barbatum make up this plant’s background. Of these, the first four clearly will dominate the flower with P. sukhakulii contributing to petal spotting and nearly horizontal petal carriage. Paph. mastersianum, while tending to mute colors should impart impressive flower longevity. Class 7 Blue Phal. (Haur Jin Diamond x Ching Her Buddha) I have seen a number of this cross flower lately. They have varied from deep, nearly plum purple solid small flowers through raspberry harlequin types to a few that resemble the Phal. Ching Her Buddha parent. As is typical with this line of breeding, the more solid clones are typically much smaller flowered and often prone to poor conformation. However, when they are good, they are spectacular. Class 7 Red Dtps. Magic Sands x Phal. Gold Canary Just a simple note that Magic Sands is technically a Doritaenopsis and the other parent, listed on the entry tag as Phal. Taipei Gold x Phal. Brother Canary has been registered as Phal. Gold Canary. Class 8 White Sedirea japonica Every wonder where orchid names come from? In this case, the genus name is Aerides spelled backward! This plant was originally described as Aerides japonica. Sedirea is a genus of only two species native to China, Japan and Korea. The flowers have a long nectar spur as in Aerides but lack a prominent column foot. Plants may be grown in small pots or baskets with a potting medium that retains moisture. While the plants have leathery foliage, they are much more prone to desiccation than Rhynchostylis gigantea. Plants should be provided medium to bright light and intermediate conditions. Class 9 Lycaste Concentration Lycaste Concentration is a cross involving Lycaste cruenta (56%), L. skinneri (31%), and L. macrophylla (12.5%). While L. skinneri usually dominates in its hybrids, this is not the case when crossed with species of the deciduous yellow group. In this case, the yellows completely block the expression of any color other than yellow. In the case of this cross, I believe that plants available in cultivation are polyploids derived from tetraploid (or higher) L. cruenta. As such, not only are they all yellow, they are quite dominated in shape as well. The plants are best flowered if given a very pronounced dry rest during the winter months. Page 6 www.atlantaorchidsociety.org February 2004 Southeastern Flower Show Orchid Exhibit

As many of you know, the Southeastern Flower Show (SEFS) has a special exhibit for orchids with most of the entries coming from the Atlanta Orchid Society and the South Metro Orchid Society. You can pre-enter your orchids up to January 19 or you can enter them at the show on Monday, February 16. The SEFS has a prefabricated orchid exhibit so the only thing you have to do is enter your plants. Please read the information below if you plan to enter plants. You also will hear more about this at the January and February society meetings.

Monday, January 19, 2004: Deadline for pre-entry of plants to be exhibited in the 2004 Southeastern Flower Show. Please pre-enter your plants even if most of your entries need to be designated as To-Be-Determined (TBD). To pre-enter, you can mail in the Horticulture Division Entry Form in the Exhibitor's Guide (p. 49) or use the website: www.flowershow.org

Monday, February 16: Plant entry and display set up for the Southeastern Flower Show. Plant registration is from 6:30 PM to 8:30 PM, at the Georgia World Congress Center, Hall C, on Northside Drive, just north of the Georgia Dome. Registration requires that two 4” x 6” cards be filled out for each plant entered. It is best to fill these out at home rather than at the show. Exhibitor information is on one side of the card and plant information is on the other side. See the Southeastern Flower Show Exhibitor's Guide (p. 21) for specific information to be included on these cards and for an example of a completed card. The entry process will be described at both the January and February meetings of the AtOS. People who enter orchids in the Horticulture Division get a non-transferable exhibitor’s badge that allows them a single-time free admission to the show. Contact: Margo Brinton at (404) 315-1183, if you have questions.

Tuesday, February 17: AOS and ribbon judging of orchids entered in the Southeastern Flower Show begins at 10:30 AM.

Wednesday, February 18: Southeastern Flower Show opens to the public daily from 9:30 AM to 8:00 PM. If you enter orchids in the Horticulture Division, you will receive an exhibitor’s pass that allows you a one-time free admission to the show. General admission to the show is $18 for adults and $6 for children 5 to 15.

Sunday, February 22: Southeastern Flower Show closes at 6 PM. Plant removal takes place from 6:30 PM to 7:30 PM. You must pick up your own plants or have made arrangements for someone to pick them up. You need to have one of the exhibit advisors check off the plants that you are removing before you can take them home.

JOIN THE AMERICAN ORCHID SOCIETY JOIN THE ORCHID DIGEST CORPORATION For $40/year, you reap the following benefits: Don’t let the name fool you, the Orchid Digest is a non- • 12 issues of Orchids, the Society’s profit membership-based organization dedicated to orchids. monthly full color magazine chock Designed to appeal to the mid-range to advanced grower full of insightful articles and tempting nothing beats the Orchid Digest. For just $28/year you get ads for plants and supplies. 4 issues of full-color, in-depth articles about orchids. The • 10% off on purchases from the magazine is large format and the fourth issue of the year is Society’s Bookstore and Orchid always an extra-special issue devoted to a single genus. Emporium. • Reduced or free admission to For membership application forms contact David participating botanical gardens. Mellard. For a limited time, if you join for two years ($72) 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. JOIN TODAY. For information, contact David Mellard.

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The International Phalaenopsis Alliance has given the Atlanta Orchid Society permission to reprint a series of articles on plant management and nutrition. If you wish to join the IPA, please visit their website at http://www.phal.org.

The series at a glance Part 1 - pH management and plant nutrition Part 2 - Water Quality Part 3 - Fertilizers Part 4 - Substrates Part 5 - Pulling it all together

Understanding pH management and plant nutrition Part 2: Water quality Bill Argo, Ph.D. Blackmore Company, Tel: 800-874-8660, Int’l 734-483-8661, E-mail: [email protected] Originally printed in the Journal of the International Phalaenopsis Alliance, Vol.13(1), pg.36–39.

Water quality is a key factor affecting basic). At a pH of 7.0, the concentrations of H+ pH and nutritional management in any container- and OH- are equal, and the solution is said to be grown crops, including orchids. One challenge is neutral. When the pH is above 7.0, the that the water quality in your operation can differ concentration of OH- is higher than H+, and the dramatically from that of your neighbor, and solution is said to be basic or alkaline (not to be certainly from greenhouses in other locations confused with alkalinity). When the solution is both inside and outside the U.S. For example, the below 7.0, the concentration of H+ is higher than range of water qualities used by commercial OH-, and the solution is said to be acidic. greenhouses in the U.S. can be found in Table 1. Alkalinity is a measure of how much For those of you using rain water or reverse acid it takes to lower the pH below a certain osmosis purified water exclusively, the pH will level, also called acid-buffering capacity. range from 4.0 to 5.5 (if measured correctly), the Alkalinity is usually measured with a test kit alkalinity will be less than 10 ppm, and the where dilute acid is added until a color change concentration of other ions will be very low to occurs at a specific pH. Alkalinity is not a nonexistent. specific ion, but rather includes the concentration Understanding a few technical details of several ions that affect acid-buffering capacity. about water quality will help you improve Under most conditions, the ions that have the nutrient management appropriate for your own greatest effect on alkalinity are bicarbonates like greenhouse. Always remember that the success calcium, magnesium, or sodium bicarbonate and, or failure of any fertilizer will always depend on to a lesser extent, carbonates like calcium or the water quality because it is the combination of sodium. Several other ions including hydroxides, the two that affect your plants. In Part 2 of this phosphates, ammonium, silicates, sulfides, series, we will discuss how water quality affects borates, and arsenate also can contribute to pH and nutritional management of the substrate. alkalinity, but their concentration is usually so low that they can be ignored. pH and Alkalinity are two different In a water sample, the concentration of aspects of water quality all of the ions that makes up the alkalinity term There is a great deal of confusion when are combined and reported as equivalents of it comes to understanding the definition of water calcium carbonate (CaCO3, which is the main pH and water alkalinity, and why they are component of lime). Alkalinity can therefore be important to the health of your plants. thought of as the “liming content” of the water. The term pH is a direct measurement of The units used to report alkalinity can be parts the balance between acidic hydrogen ions (H+) per million (ppm), mg/liter, or millequivalents and basic hydroxide ions (OH-), and can be (meq.). measured with a pH meter. The pH of a solution can range between 0 (very acidic) and 14 (very Page 8 www.atlantaorchidsociety.org February 2004

Water alkalinity has a big effect on substrate effect” of high alkalinity is to add a strong pH. mineral acid (usually sulfuric acid or phosphoric When it comes to managing the pH of a acid) directly to the irrigation water. As the pH substrate, the alkalinity concentration has a much of the water decreases, some of the alkalinity is greater effect than does water pH. Alkalinity neutralized. The ideal alkalinity concentration (calcium bicarbonate, magnesium bicarbonate, will depend on the type of fertilizer being used and sodium bicarbonate) and limestone (calcium (to be covered in Part 3). All of the alkalinity has and magnesium carbonate) react very similarly been neutralized when the pH of the water when added to a substrate. And just like too reaches 4.5. For more information on injecting much limestone, the use of irrigation water strong mineral acids into irrigation water, you containing high levels of alkalinity can cause the can download the “acid addition calculator” from pH of the substrate to increase above acceptable Purdue University and North Carolina State levels for healthy plant growth. University at For example, a limestone incorporation www.ces.ncsu.edu/depts/hort/floriculture/softwar rate of 5 pounds per cubic yard will supply e/alk.html. approximately 100 meq of limestone per 6 inch For small greenhouse operations and (15-cm) pot. Applying 16 fluid ounces (0.5 liters) hobbyists, strong mineral acids are very difficult of water containing 250 ppm alkalinity to that 6 and dangerous to use. Difficult because these inch pot will supply about 2.5 meq of lime. That acids are highly concentrated and therefore are does not sound like much until you consider that difficult to add to a small volume of water, and after 10 irrigations you have effectively increased dangerous because small greenhouses and the limestone incorporation rate by 25%. Even if hobbyists typically lack the specialized you are using a completely inert substrate, the equipment needed to safely add acid to water. liming effect that high alkalinity water has will Some acids should never be considered, like cause your substrate pH to increase to anhydrous hydrochloric acid or anhydrous acetic unacceptable levels. acid because they not only are caustic, but are To compare the effect of water pH or also fuming acids, which make them extremely alkalinity on the ability to raise pH (or neutralize dangerous to handle. Nitric acid is especially acid) in a medium, 50 ppm alkalinity (which is a dangerous and should never be considered. low alkalinity) would be similar to having a water with pH 11 (i.e. an extremely high pH). A water with a pH of 8.0 would have the same effect on substrate pH as an alkalinity concentration of only 0.05 ppm (i.e., almost nothing).

Don’t ignore water pH. Water pH is still important for crop management. Even though it has little impact on the substrate, water-pH does affect the solubility of fertilizers, and the efficacy of insecticides and fungicides before you apply it to the crop. Generally, the higher the water pH, the lower the solubility of these materials.

Minimizing the effects of high alkalinity The common problems associated with high alkalinity result from its tendency to increase substrate pH. High substrate-pH can causes micronutrient deficiency in container grown crops because micronutrient solubility decrease as the substrate pH increases. In commercial greenhouses, the most common method for minimizing the “liming Page 9 www.atlantaorchidsociety.org February 2004

There are alternatives to adding mineral low alkalinity water is a tendency for substrate- acids for alkalinity control. The first is using a pH to drop over time, which can cause weaker, organic acid, like citric acid. Citric acid micronutrient toxicity problems. Usually, low pH is available in a pure granular form. A rate would problems are a result of fertilizer selection. be about 0.2 grams per gallon to remove 50 ppm Fertilizers high in ammoniacal nitrogen are alkalinity. Pre-mixed citric acid solutions acidic, and without any alkalinity in the water to (Seplex, GreenCare Fertilizer (815- 936-0096)) balance the reaction (resist lowering of pH), are also available for alkalinity control. Other acidic fertilizers will tend to drive the substrate- organic acids like vinegar and lemon juice will pH down over time. also work, but because the concentration of acid in these materials is variable, for example, the What about Hardness? acetic acid content in vinegar can range from 4% Hardness is a measure of a water’s to 8% by weight, that the results that you get will ability to form scale in pipes, produce suds from not be consistent. soap, or to leave spots on leaves. Like alkalinity, Another option for alkalinity control is the units used to report hardness are calcium to use acidic fertilizers (to be covered in greater carbonate equivalents (CaCO3). However, while depth in Part 3). Fertilizers high in ammoniacal alkalinity is a measure of all chemical bases in nitrogen produce an acidic reaction when added the water (bicarbonates and carbonates), to the substrate, which can be used to neutralize hardness is really a measure of the combined the affect of water alkalinity. For example, 20- concentration of calcium and magnesium in the 20-20 (69% NH4-N) has enough acidity to be water because it is insoluble salts of ions, like used with water containing around 200 ppm calcium carbonate, that form scale. Another alkalinity water without further acidification. difference is that while alkalinity is an important There are several drawbacks to using measure in pH and nutritional management, fertilizer for alkalinity control. Fertilizers high in hardness is not, because its combined ammoniacal nitrogen may cause excessive concentration tells you little about a waters growth and are not effective when the ability to supply nutrients to a plant. temperature of the substrate is less than 60degF. A water softener is typically used to In addition, you lose flexibility because you can remove hardness. What is occurring with only choose commercial fertilizers based on hardness removal is that the calcium and ammonium content. For example, high magnesium ions are being replaced with an ion ammonium fertilizers available to you may lack that doesn’t cause scale, like sodium or calcium or other key nutrients. potassium. However, with hardness removal, the Another option for alkalinity control is carbonates and bicarbonates still remain in the to change water sources. There are a number of water but they have been changed from calcium sources, such as rain water or reverse osmosis and magnesium bicarbonate to sodium or purified water, that contain little if any alkalinity. potassium bicarbonate. Thus, hardness removal Drawbacks to using alternative water sources has no effect on pH management. In comparison, include cost and storage problems. Changing with alkalinity control, an acid is used to water sources will also change the composition neutralize the carbonates or bicarbonates, which of the fertilizer solution applied to the crop. will affect pH management, but the calcium and magnesium concentration remains unchanged. Low alkalinity Effects Not everybody in the world has What else is important in my water? irrigation water with high alkalinity. In the Electrical conductivity (EC, also know United States alone, there are a large number of as conductivity or soluble salts) is a term used to growers in states like AL, AR, CA, CO, GA, HI, measure the total concentration of salts in the NC, NJ, NY, VA, and New England states that water. The higher the EC, the more salts that are have alkalinity levels below 40 ppm without any dissolved in the water. With irrigation water, EC acidification. Even in areas were high alkalinity is used to determine the potential risk for salt is considered the norm, some growers have buildup when water is applied to a substrate. switched to low alkalinity sources such as reverse With fertilizer solutions, EC can be directly osmosis purified water or rain water. correlated with the concentration of individual The primary problem associated with nutrients (typically nitrogen) from a variety of Page 10 www.atlantaorchidsociety.org February 2004

fertilizer salts, or with the total concentration of requirement is so low that only small amounts are nutrients supplied by a water-soluble fertilizer. required. Examples of waste ions are sodium Electrical conductivity or EC units have (Na) or chloride (Cl). Generally their presence in changed over the years. Twenty years ago, the irrigation water at high concentrations increases units for measuring EC were millimhos (mmhos) the risk of salt build up in or micromhos (µmhos). Currently, the units used the substrate. Even calcium, magnesium, or to measure EC are millisiemens/cm (mS/cm), sulfur can be considered a waste ion if their microsiemens/cm (µS/cm), or decisiemens/m concentration is too high or it is difficult to (dS/m). The conversion for all these units are balance their concentration in the nutrient 1000 µmhos = 1000 µS/cm=1 mmhos = 1 mS/cm solution with water-soluble fertilizer. = 1 dS/m. With most ions (including Na, Cl, Ca, A term closely related to EC is total Mg, or S), excessive concentrations can be dissolved solids or TDS. A TDS meter measures removed with reverse osmosis purification. High the EC and then converts the measurement into salt concentrations can also be managed by ppm by multiply by a constant, usually 1 mS/cm leaching at a heavier rate than the commonly = 1000 ppm salts. The recommended 20% to remove any excess salt problem with TDS measurement is that the build up. However, if you do use higher leaching constant is based on one salt (potassium chloride) rates, then you may also have to increase the and therefore fertilizer concentration because leaching washes TDS measurements do a poor job estimating the out all salts from the container including essential actual concentration of fertilizer salts under most plant nutrients. situations. It is important to remember that TDS Boron (B) is a special example of a measurements are used to determine the waste ion. Even though it is an essential plant acceptability of drinking water, not fertilizer nutrient, the presence of boron in irrigation water solutions. For these reasons, commercial at high concentrations can cause significant greenhouses use EC measurements almost challenges. Unfortunately, the difference between exclusively for fertility management. deficient, adequate, and toxic levels of boron are Another important consideration is the very small. In general, it is recommended that the concentration of individual plant nutrients. In maximum concentration of boron in water used general, irrigation water is not a significant for plants be no more than 1.0 ppm. source of the primary macronutrients nitrogen Unlike most other waste ions, boron can (N), phosphorus (P), or potassium (K), which are not be effectively removed with reverse osmosis the numbers that you see on a bag or bottle of purification. Instead, the only option for fertilizer. However, irrigation water can contain managing excessive boron levels is to maintain a high levels of the nutrients calcium (Ca), substrate pH above 6.0 and use calcium-based magnesium (Mg), and sulfur (S). And just like fertilizer. The idea is that the high pH and alkalinity, the concentration of nutrients calcium will caused excess boron to precipitate contained in the irrigation water can vary out of the soil solution, making it unavailable to dramatically between different locations (Table the plant. Another option for controlling high 1). boron in the water is to change water sources. Since irrigation water can be an High concentrations of iron (Fe) in the important source of calcium, magnesium, or irrigation don’t usually effect plant nutrition or sulfur, water can contribute a significant amount pH management. However, iron can cause of the total concentration of these nutrients being staining problems on plant leaves and other applied to a crop. In other words, the water- surfaces, and the presence of iron in the water soluble fertilizer that you apply (like 30-10-10) is can lead to the presence of iron-bacteria growing not the only nutrient source. However, if you are in the pipes, which can clog mist nozzles, or using a very pure water source, like RO or rain anything else with small openings. Water water, the only source of these nutrients may be treatments that oxidize the water, such as the fertilizer. treatments with ozone or potassium permanganate, can effectively remove iron from Waste ions the water. Some ions contained in irrigation water are either not needed by the plant, or the plant Page 11 www.atlantaorchidsociety.org February 2004

Fluoride (F) and chlorine (Cl2) are water sources (with the exception of rain water) commonly added to municipal water at are susceptible to change. In commercial concentrations up to 4 ppm and can cause greenhouses, it is recommended to do a water problems growing crops. Generally, high levels analysis at least once a year, either to make sure (above 1 ppm) of fluoride and chlorine can cause that the water source is not changing, or if it is damage to the foliage (especially at the tip) and changing, to make adjustments in the nutrition the flowers. These materials are easily removed program. from the water source by using an activated Equally important is understanding how charcoal filter. your fertilizer affects pH and nutrition by itself, and through its interaction with your water. Water testing is only a starting point Obtaining a water test is an important Next issue: fertilizer. first step in determining if your fertility program will work, or if you need to reevaluate. Most

Page 12 www.atlantaorchidsociety.org February 2004

PAPHIOPEDILUMS: THE TROPICAL ASIATIC LADYSLIPPERS Ron McHatton

Second only to Phalaenopsis, the Moth Orchids, winter temperature conditions would be 70 to 85F for ease of home culture are the tropical Asiatic during the day and 50-60F at night. Ladyslippers, or Paphiopedilums. These cousins of You might think this difference in day/night the North American Ladyslippers of our woodlands temperature would be difficult to achieve in the occupy a wide distribution that extends throughout home. This is not necessarily so. If you are growing the foothills of the Himalayas in northern India, under lights, the heat output of the lights naturally through southern China and west into the Solomon raises the temperature under them creating a Islands. Such wide distribution results in a great day/night differential. If you are growing in diversity of flowers shapes and growth habits. In windowsills, you might be amazed at the difference in general, Paphiopedilums (Paphs) can be divided into temperature very near the window pane as compared two general cultural groups; those with plain green to the room in general. foliage and those with mottled foliage. The blooming season for the majority of Paphs is winter through WATERING early spring, although, the mottled-leaved hybrids grow and flower throughout the year with no special Just as with Phalaenopsis, mature Paphs should treatment. In addition to ease of culture, not be allow to dry out between watering and Paphiopedilum flowers last from one to three months seedlings need constant attention to moisture. Once or more. Paphiopedilum roots become dehydrated, they are useless to the plant and will not reactivate when the LIGHT medium is watered. This is especially critical at the point when new roots are developing from the lead Paphs are ideal orchids for fluorescent light growth. With a little practice, you will be able to gardens. While these orchids are understory, or judge the dryness of your plants by lifting the pots. forest floor plants, their light requirements are similar Dry medium weighs much less than damp medium. to Phalaenopsis, or Moth Orchids. They should be Avoid splashing water into the center of the growths provided bright light, but no direct sun. If measured and leaf axils. If water is allowed to remain in these in footcandles, this corresponds to light intensities places for too long, bacterial rot may set in. This between 800 and 1200 footcandles. bacterial infection can result in damage ranging from In the home, an unobstructed east window is ideal. destruction of the developing flower bud to death of Western or southern exposures will also work as long the plant as shading is provided to avoid intense afternoon sun. If grown under fluorescent lights, four 40-watt tubes HUMIDITY suspended about a foot above the plants will provide sufficient light for an area 2 feet by 4 feet. Tropical Ladyslippers need 60 to 70% humidity. Paph foliage is naturally semi-erect and firm, not Humidity will be naturally higher in the immediate drooping. Plants with plain green leaves should be an vicinity of the plants if the potting medium is kept even medium green while the foliage of mottled- sufficiently moist. If additional humidity is needed, leaved types should have clear, contrasting markings. the simplest way to raise humidity around plants is to In these types, the darker patches should be dark grow them on water-filled trays or saucers filled with green. Weak, spindly, or limp foliage is an indication pebbles. The tray should be a minimum of 11/2 of insufficient light while leaf yellowing may signal inches deep, filled to the rim with ¼ to ½ inch excessive light. pebbles. Keep the water level within ½ inch of the surface. This allows the pebbles to remain moist but TEMPERATURE keeps the water from saturating the bottoms of the pots. Paphs are in general undemanding regarding temperature requirements, although, those with plain green leaves as a rule need cool night temperatures. This is especially important in the fall when flower buds are forming. Plants with mottled leaves bloom freely under normal houseplant temperatures. Ideal Page 13 www.atlantaorchidsociety.org February 2004

FERTILIZER DIVIDING

Paphs have lower fertilizer requirements than most Unlike monopodial orchids such as Phalaenopsis other orchids, however, they are living plants and do and Vandas that continue to produce new leaves at need at least some attention to nutrients. In general, the top of a single growing stem, Paphs are balanced fertilizers such as 10-10-10 or 7-7-7 are a sympodial. Sympodial orchids produce new growths good choice. These fertilizers can be applied as very from a horizontal rhizome much like Iris. In Paphs, dilute solutions (1/8 recommended strength) with this horizontal stem is extremely short so that new every watering or as ¼ strength solutions with every growths are produced immediately adjacent to the other watering. previous growths giving a very compact plant. While It is a good idea to water thoroughly with plain they do best when allowed to grow into large water and then again with fertilizer solution. This specimen plants, they can be divided to give accomplishes two things. First, the application of additional plants or to clean up a large specimen fertilizers leads, over time, to the buildup of soluble when the center of the plant dies out. The rhizome is salts in the potting medium. Watering first with plain brittle and it is best to gently break the plant into water will help to flush these salts. Secondly, divisions with at least three growths rather than cut it fertilizers applied to dry roots can cause root injury apart. This way, transmission of plant viruses is similar to salt buildup. Prewatering with plain water minimized. will assure that the roots and potting medium are moist. ORCHID RESOURCES

POTTING Join a local society. It’s your best connection to other people’s experiences. There are two in Metro If you are watering your Paphs as often as Atlanta. The Atlanta Orchid Society meets on the recommended, repotting should occur annually. second Monday of each month at 8PM at the Atlanta Since Paphs grow continuously throughout the year, Botanic Garden. On the south side, the South Metro they can be essentially repotted at any time as long as Orchid Society meets on the fourth Monday of each care is taken not to let them dry out after potting. month 8PM at the Reynolds Nature Preserve in Paphiopedilums are classified as terrestrials, Morrow. although their roots do not actually penetrate the soil Join the American Orchid Society in the true sense of terrestrial. Rather, their roots (www.orchidweb.org). The Society’s monthly ramble through a well-aerated moist layer of moss magazine Orchids is a treasure trove of useful and humus. Any water-retentive, fast-draining soil- information and orchid resources. less medium can be used. Common materials include Metro Atlanta has two nurseries specializing in combinations of fir bark, sphagnum moss, charcoal, orchids and both open by appointment; Peachstate lava or sponge rock, chopped coconut husk, calcined Orchid in Woodstock (770-751-8770) and The clay nuggets or tree fern. My personal favorite is a Atlanta Orchid Company (706-675-3583 mix consisting of 6 parts fine fir bark, 2 parts fine www.theatlantaorchidco.com). coconut husk chips (thoroughly washed to remove For those who want blooming plants but perhaps salt), 1 part fine charcoal and 2 parts extra-coarse don’t have the time and energy to learn to grow them, sponge rock. This mix should be thoroughly soaked Greenman Inc. (678-984-8953 or for a couple of days before use. Plastic pots are [email protected]) offers a reasonably recommended for Paphs since clay pots tend to dry priced boarding service. They will take your plants, out too fast. care for them and return them to you when they Orchids in general should be potted the smallest bloom again. pot that will contain the root mass. This is Good quality, reasonably priced potting materials particularly true for Paphs. Over potting results in are simply not available locally. If you have a few areas of potting medium without root activity. These plants, Hastings Nursery and some of the Home areas stay wet too long resulting in early decay and Depots and Lowes carry limited supplies, however, the risk of root rot. mail order is your best bet for greater selection or larger quantities. Tropical Plant Products in Orlando, Florida (www.tropicalplantproducts.com) and OFE International in Miami (305-253-7080 or ofe- intl.com) are good mail order sources. Page 14 www.atlantaorchidsociety.org February 2004 RECENT ACTIVITIES OF THE ATLANTA JUDGING CENTER The following awards were granted at the December session of the AOS Atlanta Judging Center. They are provisional awards pending official publication in the Awards Quarterly. Certificates of Horticultural Merit and Certificates of Botanical Recognition are also provisional pending identification by an AOS certified taxonomist prior to publication of the award.

Phal. Sogo Pony ‘Stonewall’, AM/AOS 80 pts (Ching Her Buddha x Sogo Kaiulani) Fifteen striking flowers and two buds somewhat crowded on two branched inflorescences; sepals and petals base color chartreuse, almost completely overlaid with intense blood red spots; lip maroon; column magenta; anther cap white; substance firm, texture glossy. Natural spread 6.5cm, vertical 6.7 cm. Exhibitor: Worldwide Orchids, Apopka, FL.

Phrag. Randy MacDonald ‘Malaguerra’, HCC/AOS 78 pts (Hanne Popow x Sedenii) One flower, one bud, and one developing bud on one branched inflorescence; dorsal sepal ivory faintly blushed pink; petals ivory blushed pink on upper half; pouch deep rose pink; substance fleshy, texture matte. Nat. Spr. 10.0, vert. 7.5 Exhibitor: Scott Smith & Mark Malaguerra, Atlanta, GA.

Slc. Spencer Brooks ‘Aileen’, AM/AOS 81 pts (Slc. Final Touch x Sc. Beaufort) Two full, round, well-presented flowers on one inflorescence; sepals buttercup yellow, overlaid with faint apricot stripes; petals buttercup yellow with faint apricot stripes and picotee; lip bright buttercup yellow, overlaid mandarin red on basal third, with mandarin red picotee distally; column white; substance firm, texture matte. Nat. Spr. 8.3, vert. 8.0. Exhibitor: Barney & Aileen Garrison, Morrow, GA.

C. (Catherine Patterson x velutina) ‘Sarris’, AM/AOS 81 pts Three well-spaced flowers on one inflorescence; flowers pale rose pink with darker rose venation coalescing to dark rose at apex of sepals and petals; lip with intense cerise midlobe, mimosa yellow throat, and cerise veins on side lobes radiating from underside of porcelain white column; substance firm, texture sparkling. Nat. Spr. 16.5, vert. 16.3. Exhibitor: Ron McHatton & Randy Young, Mt. Dora, FL.

Page 15 www.atlantaorchidsociety.org February 2004

Upcoming Orchid Events in Atlanta:

IPA Meeting Saturday, February 28 9:00-3:00 @ Peachstate Orchids 9 a.m. Greenhouses open - Continental breakfast and raffle ticket sales 10 a.m. Introductions and remarks and 1st speaker (HP Norton, Harlequin Phals) 11 a.m. Questions for speaker 11:30 a.m. - 1 p.m. Lunch break - On your own 1 pm. 2nd speaker - Tom Harper or Bill Ellenberg (Topic to be determined) 2 p.m. Expert panel - HP Norton, Tom Harper, Bill TO SUBMIT MATERIAL FOR THE Ellenberg (Open forum) NEWSLETTER, PLEASE SEND TO 3 p.m. Raffle and end of program DANNY LENTZ, NEWSLETTER EDITOR: ( Contact: Bill Ellenberg, (770) 751 8770 ) [email protected] OR MAIL TO: Danny Lentz Mid-America Orchid Conference 1045 Wordsworth Dr. Speakers and plant sale Roswell, GA 30075 May 21-23 @ Cobb Galleria Renaissance Waverly Hotel TO BE INCLUDED IN THE There will be an AOS Judging on the 22nd. NEWSLETTER, MATERIAL MUST BE TH Volunteers may be needed, more details will be RECEIVED NO LATER THAN THE 20 posted in future newsletters. OF THE MONTH.

IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO BE ADDED TO THE ELECTRONIC DISTRIBUTION LIST, SEND YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS TO: The March Meeting: [email protected] March’s speaker will be Demetri Hubbard from Atlantis Hydroponics here in Atlanta. Demtri will talk about using several instruments to aid in growing orchids such as fluorescent and high

intensity lights, pH kits, and TDS meters. You

can visit his website at Please visit our web site at http://www.atlantishydroponics.com http://www.atlantaorchidsociety.org . If you have suggestions or, better yet, material to contribute to the site, Future Greengrowers: contact Tom Kaschak at 678-474-9001 February : none March 27 : Linda Miller Remember that Tom is a volunteer also April 17 : David Mellard and will certainly appreciate the help. May : Dick Ackerman June+ : Open. Any volunteers?