Epi News San Diego Epiphyllum Society, Inc.

September, 2010 Volume 35, Number 9

September, 2010 SDES Epi News Page 2

President’s Corner: I would like to encourage all of our members Good Epi Month to you all. In Southern to attend the September 18th volunteer dinner. Details California we have been lucky and had a cooler are in this newsletter (page 4). Also be sure to put the month than usual. I hope you all have been enjoying November meeting date on your calendar. We would your gardens. Several of us attended an ESA meeting love a big turn out for our 40th year celebra- in August. We enjoyed seeing Epi members from the tion. November is also our Photography con- LA area. We especially enjoyed having dinner with test. This is a good time to go through last spring‘s Doris and Galen Pittman prior to the meeting. Many photos and decide which you would like to enter in SDES members are also members of ESA and vice the contest. Looking forward to seeing you at the versa. It is nice to keep in touch. The speaker at September 8th meeting. . the ESA August meeting was our own Ron Crain. He gave his slide presentation on California wildflowers. He did a fantastic job. All in all it was Sandra a lovely evening.

SDES Meetings– —By Velma Crain Pre-Meeting Workshops: In August‘s pre-meeting workshop, Ron Crain presented information about the Epiphyllum Society of America (ESA) Directory; providing our members with info about the Directory and its use. This included looking at the forms and requirements used to register a new epi!!

The topic for September‘s workshop is Epis, Day-Length and Astronomy for Gardeners. Ron will present information on how ‘ blooming schedules are affected by day length. Why does a Christmas only bloom at Christmas? You will have the answer, if you come to room 104 at 7:00 pm on September 8th!!!

August Program: Last month‘s speaker, photographer Meredith French, provided us with tools of the trade to make our photos something special. They included pruning shears, a spray bottle filled with water and a piece of white cardboard! She also talked about coming back to a subject later in the day for different lighting and taking the same picture from several different perspectives. When our next epis bloom, we will take our best photographs ever!!!

September 8th Program: This month we are pleased to present Connie Beck as our speaker. Connie teaches organic gardening and water conservation in several venues around the county. She will give a presentation on Backyard Wildlife Habitats.

Here‘s a quote from Connie for ―The Mulch‖ (www.themulch.com)

―Habitat gardening turns anyone's garden into an oasis of natural serenity. When you give up toxic products and invite wildlife into your garden by growing plants for birds and butterflies and beneficial insects you find yourself more in tune with nature. Instead of noticing weeds or chores you find yourself watching the creatures with which you share your garden. It's a lot more fun!‖ September, 2010 SDES Epi News Page 3

The Dedication should be in WE DID IT! late October or early Novem- ber. Watch for details. Memorial Bench— As we completely Soon to be a reality! improve, redesign and re- model the Epi House at the That is correct; our MEMORIAL Wild Animal Park, any other & APPRECATION BENCH for the Epi additional funds donated will House at the Wild Animal Park is be used for this project. For those who donate completely paid off! We had a five-year contract $50.00 or more, your name will still be added to with the San Diego Zoological Society to pay off our Memorial & Appreciation Bench Donor our Bench, but we did it in less than half the time! Board. It was your generosity and support that made Our Memorial & Appreciation Bench is this wonderful project possible. dedicated to: I‘d like to thank all of you, for your dedication, donations and for supporting all our ―All Epi Lovers Past, Present & Future‖ Bench Fundraising events. The bench & plaque Donors are listed on page 8. have been ordered, and we hope to have them in place during this year‘s celebration of the SDES —-By Mildred Mikas 40th Anniversary.

Wild Animal Park —–By Jerry Moreau We had a wonderful work party this Project Update month. We continued the re-potting,

weeding, feeding as well as cleaning up the lower The Re-design/Upgrade Project plans are house top (thanks, Ron, for blowing off all the coming together. The staff at the WAP is excited leaves from shade cloth over the top of the house) about the project and it will fit into the bigger, and bottom (clipping dead branches and raking the long-range plans at the WAP. Plans are being paths). drawn up and the project will start in October. Helping out this month were Sandra One of the things in the works is an automatic Chapin, Ron & Velma Crain, Kathy Elliott, Bill liquid fertilizing pump as part of the new drip Greene, Jeff & Julie Hilbers, Yogi & Carol La irrigation system in the lower epi house. Another Blanc, and Jerry Moreau. Afterwards Gerry & element in the project will be a water feature that Mildred Mikas treated the WAP volunteers with will include a stream and possibly two small pools lunch at their house. Thank you Mildred & Gerry. of water. This will benefit both the visitors to the The next work party will be on a different display and provide humidity for the plants. Many date so as not to conflict with ―Green Scene‖ on more plants will be added to the display to make it 9/11 (see page 7), and the Volunteer Appreciation a more lush and have a more jungle-like feel. This Party, 9/18 (See page 4), and to have the Epi too will not only enhance the visual appeal of the Display House ready for the Association of epi house but be better for the plants. To help the Zoological Horticulture‘s (AZH) 2010 conference project along, I applied for a grant. The San Diego at the Wild Animal Park on Monday September Chapter of the American Society of Landscape 20th. The members of AZH will be getting a Architects offers grants to non-profit organiza- special tour of the WAP including our Epi Display tions; this grant being worth $5,000.00. House. Therefore the next work party will be Sunday, September 19th. September, 2010 SDES Epi News Page 4

Volunteer Picnic– From San Diego: I-15 North It‘s Party time again! Exit Gopher Canyon, Turn right - East Come one come all to the Turn Left at Camino Del Rey Turn Left at Via de La Reina (When you come to the Volunteer Party first two houses close to the road along Camino del September 18th Rey, just beyond is Via de La Reina), If you miss at Michal McKee's epi home. The party starts at Via de La Reina, no worries, about a mile down the 4:00 p.m. We will have an old fashioned ―Hamburger- road you can turn left on Via Maria Elena. Hot-Dog-And-All-The-Fixin’s Picnic”. From Via de La Reina, turn left on Calle La Reina,  Please bring an appetizer or a dessert to share. Or...from Via Maria Elena, turn right onto Via de la  Please bring a chair if you can. Reina, then right onto Calle La Reina RSVP to Michal at 760-758-2389 or Sandra at 858-451-1744 or [email protected] or First driveway on the right. Please sign up at the September meeting. We hope to see you park on road below and walk up the all there for a relaxing evening. driveway unless you need handi- capped access, if so proceed Directions: up driveway and park there. (There's Michal McKee limited room.) 30460 Calle La Reina, Bonsall CA 92003

From our Librarian: However, due to the age of the book (it is forty years old) many of the names have Outside of A Dog changed, and the cultivation information is Outside of a dog, a man's best friend is geared towards a UK audience. If you keep this a book. Inside of a dog it's too dark to in mind, it is an interesting book to read. The read. -- Groucho Marx general information in the first part of the book is quite interesting, as are the remarks about the species This month's review is on the book Cacti, by pictured in this book . This book is an overview of the Wilhelm Barthlott, published originally in Germany in cactus family so there are only a few pictures of a 1977. An English language translation was published given genus, but it is a pretty good overview provided in 1979 in the UK, and this is the version we have in you don't get caught up in the species name changes. the SDES library. This book is a good read for a historical This book is a great source of information on perspective. I wouldn't recommend it as a primary the cactus family. The first third of the book contains source for cactus information, but it does contain discussions of where cacti can be found, the usage of interesting information about the cactus family as a various species of cacti (e.g. for food and for whole and would be a good supplemental read. The pharmaceutical purposes), the various forms of cacti, ISBN is 0-85950-416-6. the structure of cactus flowers, the various pollinators of cacti... this is a pretty interesting book. In other news, I am still converting the Epi- News back issue scans into something that we can load The next third of the book consists of color on the website. photos showing a wide range of cactus species, including photos of epiphytic species such as Enjoy this month in your garden, when you Disocactus macranthus and pilocarpa. This may have some Epiphyllum species blooming in your is followed by a description of each species that is collection. pictured, with descriptions, cultivation information and miscellaneous facts relating to that particular species. All in all pretty good stuff. -—By Linda Sinkovic, Librarian September, 2010 SDES Epi News Page 5

watering of epies. He told me that he Epi This n’ That would go around for 5-10 minutes and spray his plants to keep the humidity —-By Jerry Moreau high. Depending on the heat he might do How does your epi collection grow? this often. The growth on Gus‘s plants

says it all, this method works. Gus‘s It‘s summer time, the sun is plants are lush and flower well. shining, and our epies need a bit of Haselton believed that by spraying water. Depending how hot the weather the plants it helps them in spring to develop is determines the amount and frequency of our flowers and helps the prevent watering. It is always a challenge to water the drop. Keeping humidity high is an important right amount: not letting the soil dry out com- factor for the health of the epies. F. R. pletely but not over-watering. Different seasons McQuown in Fine-Flowered Cacti said that the will determine the amount of water needed and epi ―stems can take up significant amounts of summer demands more water. When watering it moisture from dew or spray.‖ Spray the plants is important to water thoroughly so that the later in the day or early in the morning when the water can be seen coming through the holes in sun is not directly on them. Foliar feeding, the bottom of the pots. fertilizing the plants through the branches or Scott Haselton in the Epiphyllum Hand- stems, is also beneficial to epies. In their natural book suggests, ―a fine spraying of the branches environment of the jungle the plants take in removes the dust and better stimulates the nutrients through both their branches and conditions of the plant‘s humid jungle roots. They have adapted well to life in the home.‖ That seems to be wise advice that many jungle. The hot weather continues here in San of growers follow. I was talking recently to a Diego sometimes well into October. So, water long-time epi grower and Society member, Gus well and enjoy your epis. Schlapfer, and we got around to discussing the Till next time – Happy Growing!

dry Santa Ana winds blow in September. Keep Now is the Time an eye on your plants during these days.  Maintain good grooming by eliminating un-  Protect apples (seed pods) from birds and ro- sightly and non-productive branches. This di- dents. rects the plant‘s energy into the healthier  Give plants final feeding of a balanced fertilizer branches which will produce stronger blooms for the fall growing season. next spring.  Mist or hose down branches to clean off dirt  Protect plants from excessive direct sunlight. and pollutants. Although the end of summer is in sight, in South- Some die-back is natural in epis and fall is a ern California we can still anticipate some very  hot days. season you see this along with some new growth.  Prevent soil from drying out. However, keep  Many species plants bud and bloom now. Re- an eye on the humidity. Even though it may be member to give them some fertilizer and don‘t very hot, too much watering during humid move plants that are budding. weather can contribute to root rot. Make sure  Watch for pests. Late summer and early fall is there is air circulation around your pots. an active time for snails. During dry weather,  Protect new growth from wind damage. Hot, snails and slugs are drawn to moist, potted plants. September, 2010 SDES Epi News Page 6 Refreshments at our General Cuttings for the Meetings: Every second Wednesday of every month Cutting Table we are treated to delectable morsels that volun- Remember to bring your unique, teers bring to our meetings. If you haven‘t yet unusual, or special cuttings to brought your favorite ―goodie‖ to share, now is our September meeting for our your chance. Ever wonder about that cookie rec- cutting table. The new members ipe, but don‘t want to have to eat the entire batch? benefit from this opportunity to Eat some and bring the rest to share! Call Marj enlarge their collection and not-so-new members get Myers at 619-448-3613 or e-mail her at a chance to find varieties on their ―want list‖. The [email protected] so she will be able to coordinate profit from the sale of these cuttings goes directly the food brought to the SDES general meetings. into the society‘s coffers, which benefits us all. Please cut and mark them with name, color, and size Note to all: please change Marj‘s e-mail to the  in the same fashion as for the Mother‘s Day Sale. above. She is no longer the ―barbienut‖ —Cindy Decker

SDES– Celebrates The Story Behind the 40 years Names —By Patricia Neal Epi-People!!! In celebrating SDES‘ anniversary and the Mark Your Calendars milestones our society has marked, it is interesting to To Be Sure To Plan To Attend remember the stories behind some of the names of our The SDES November Meeting Epiphyllum hybrids. Wednesday, November 10th The late George French named many hybrids. For Our Two that we don‘t see very often – ‗Molloko‘ and 40th Anniversary ‗Sisquoc‘ – were named for California Condors, a native species that has struggled to survive in the wild. Celebration & Epi Festivities In 1983, Sisquoc was the first California 1970 - 2010 Condor chick to hatch at the San Diego Zoo – or Come And Join Your Epi-Friends anywhere in captivity – from an egg laid in the wild. And Share Your That year George gave the name to an extra large Magic Epi Memories flower with ruffled loose double petals. Its lovely From Your Part In Our First 40 Years!!! nasturtium orange coloring with a magenta throat was We're Planning An Epi-Pot-Luck Dinner the result of a ‗King Midas‘ x ‗Reward‘ cross. And Other Excitements Five years later, Molloko was born on April 29, To Make This Another 1988 at the Wild Animal Park. Molloko was the first Special Epi-Memory!!! California Condor chick to be bred and hatched in We Look Forward To Seeing You All!!! captivity. Her name means ―condor‖ in Maidu, the dialect of Northern Californian Native Americans. Contact Bob Buchs for more ideas and/or infor- The total population of California Condors in mation: [email protected] 1982 was just 22 and by 1987 all of them were in (858) 792-8081 captivity. By Spring 2009, the condor population had grown to 325 with almost 165 birds living in the wild in California, Arizona and Baja California. Appropriately in 1988, George named another

See ―The Story Behind the Names‖(Continued on page 8) September, 2010 SDES Epi News Page 7

Coming soon! September Off-Season Blooms in 11th: South Bay Botanic August: Sandra Chapin: ‗Alchemy‘, ‗Beyond Grandeur‘, Garden‘s ―Green Scene‖ ‘Confetti‘, ‗David Wayne‘, ‗Dolly Paetz‘, ‗Dr. Your chance to visit one of San Diego Rudi Dorsch‘, ‗ F.A. Haage Jr‘., ‗Firefall‘, County‘s newest Botanic Garden!! Frühling‘, ‘Giant Empress‘, (‗Deutsche Kaiserin‘), ‗Grand Ovation‘, ‗Joy That‘s right, it is time for the 3rd Annual Edstrom‘, ‗Margie Sausser‘, ‗Orange Icing‘, Green Scene at South Bay Botanic Garden at ‗Something Special‘, Toska‘, E. Carenese Southwestern College. We will have a booth Cindy Decker: ‗Giant Empress‘ (‗Deutsche promoting epis, our wonderful S.D.E.S. and Kaiserin‘), ‗Olga M. Bagley‘ selling cuttings. We can use your help!!! Katelyn Hissong: ‗Harald Knebel‘ We will need cuttings to sell, please bring Mildred Mikas: ‗English Rose‘, ‗Frühlingslaune‘, them to the August or the September meetings. If ‗Mildred‘s Memories‘, ‗Orange Icing‘ E. hookeri (E. strictum) you are a newbie and your plants are too small to Jerry Moreau: ‗Beyond Grandeur‘, ‗English make cuttings, then join us telling everyone why Rose‘, ‗Fiddle Faddle‘, ‗Jeanette Davis we love to grow epis!! Latimer‘, ‗Mr. P‘, ‗Petey Kelly‘, ‗Stern von Please come out on Saturday September 11th Erlau‘ to Southwestern College and lend a hand. We will Pat Neal: ‗Peacockii‘ be there from 8:00 am to approximately 4:00 pm. Allen Pellymounter: ‗Eddie Huey‘, ‗Lemon It‘s a great way to spend the day!!! Punch‘, ‗Super Sue‘ Pentico: ‗Copal‘, ‗Four Winds‘, ‗Hint Of Gold‘, ‗Orange Icing‘, ‗Fringe of Gold‘, ‗Oakleigh Conquest‘, Aporophyllum, E. oxypetalum, E.  Reminder: phyllanthus Photo Contest in November Linda Sinkovic: ‗Gold Charm‘ (new registration), Don‘t forget to check through all of the beauti- ‗Kaguyahime‘ (new registration), ‗‗Professor ful photos you amassed after this year‘s bounti- Herbert S. Irwin‘, E. pumilum, E. phyllanthus ful offering. November‘s General Meeting will WAP: ‗Alice‘s Pet‘, ‗Argus‘, ‗Congo Song‘, ‗El host the annual photo contest . Toro‘, ‗Fringe Of Gold‘, ‗Harald Knebel‘, ‗Orange Icing‘, ‗Peach Amber‘

Species on the Cover This month‘s featured bloom is the species, Selen- icereus anthonyanus, also known as Cryptocereus anthon- yanus. Alexander Hunt is called the ―author‖ as he is the botanist who named it and published its description. It is native to Mexico. The stems are ―climbing and epiphytic, deeply dentate and lobed‖ (ESA Directory). The blooms are12 x 10-15cm. As with most species, they are quite fragrant (that attracts the night-flying pollinators). The outer petals are described as purple with the inner petals a ―yellowish-white‖. September, 2010 SDES Epi News Page 8

Memorial Bench Peter & Michelle Hissong Donors: Vickie Head Judy Johnson June Allison Katie Lutz Barb Alvarez Lourdes Mack Alice Boe Jerry & Betsy Markle Cliff & Patty Brayshaw Michal McKee Marjorie Burlingame Nell McChesney Menu includes: Aubrey Rose Cheney Echard Meier Wine cocktail Chekwaa Gardens @ Eliot Mikas Salad Barona Keith & Heayoung Mikas Entrée: George & Victoria Gerry & Mildred Mikas 8-oz. Filet Mignon, Chapman Xavier Mikas Fish, or Jean Costanzo Jerry Moreau Vegetable Matt & Karen Cheney Marj Myers Dessert Sandra Chapin Pat Neal Coffee/Tea Velma & Ron Crain Jim Nones Cindy Decker Debra O‘Connor Now is not too soon to mark your calendars for this annual gala event. Jeanette Dutton Derek Obayashi Marie Dempewolf Sam & Mary Peebles Mischa & Leny Dobrotin Allen Pellymounter Gail Eisele The Plaisted Family Dick & Bonetta France Linda Sinkovic Dolores Fangon Mark Sumpter Winnie & Marcel French San Carlos Garden Club The Story Behind the Names Bill Greene South Bay Epi Society (Continued from page 6) Elizabeth Glover Larry Taylor Epi hybrid after the newborn chick. This hybrid Alexa Hissong Diane Thomas was from the cross ‗Madeline‘ x ‗Sundance‘ and Annie Hoyle Janine & Tim Topell the flower is a large nasturtium orange with red Jeff & Julie Hilbers Mrs. Wadsworth throat and back petals in persimmon-orange. Katelyn Hissong Janice Wakefield Molloko has proven to be one of greatest success stories. According to Zoo conservation specialists, Molloko has mated with three flower has loose, overlapping petals in orange with a different males, laid 27 eggs and has raised 24 magenta throat. chicks as of mid-2009. One of her daughters Knowing the history behind names not only became the first condor to hatch a chick in the inspires a deeper appreciation of each individual plant, wild in 2001 – the first since 1984. Scientists but also helps us understand the inspiration and meaning continue to track Molloko‘s descendents of the names that often recognize conservation, history, through DNA samples of wild condors. culture and the world in which we live. A third Epi hybrid bears a name associ- If you know the story behind any hybrid names, ated with Molloko and that is ‗Maidu‘. Also please share it with us. Let‘s continue to record the registered in 1988, ‗Maidu‘ is the result of the history of our plants along with the history of SDES. cross ‗Tele‘ x ‗Jennifer Ann‘. Its extra large September, 2010 SDES Epi News Page 9

Welcome to our New Members! David & Karen O‘Dell Saturday, September 11th La Mesa, CA 91941 9:00 am to 3:00 pm South Bay Botanic Garden @ Doc Wesler Southwestern College Solana Beach, CA 92075 Free Admission! - Free Parking!~ Garden Talks!

Tour the “South Bay Botanic Garden” And get some great planting ideas For your home!

How To Become A Want List Revived Volunteer at the WAP? Have you a list of epis that you Everyone is welcome to come and join us at the would like to add to your collection? Here WAP Epi House. There are all types of work for everyone. is an opportunity to get your request to As a member of SDES it is a great opportunity to learn, have every member of SDES. Send your lists to fun, and become involved in your Society. [email protected] by the 15th and it  Step 1 - Be a member of SDES will be published in the following Epi News. All people volunteering at the WAP or Zoo must go through this process as required by the San Diego Zoo- logical Society.  Step 2 - Sign up at Epi News is published monthly. http://www.sandiegozoo.org/volunteer/ . Deadline for submissions is the 15th of the month prior  Select any of the 4 choices, then, to publication.  click on ―Apply Online here‖. Complete the informa- Please let Jill Rowney know of your intention to submit tion requested and in 2 areas you should Type in all- any articles by the date of the General Meeting so that appropriate space can be allocated. caps 'HORTICULTURE VOLUNTEER: SDES EPI- PHYLLUM HOUSE'

 The first place is Availability; there is a box asking – ―At which location would you like to volunteer?‖

 The second is: the very last box asking – ―Please indicate your area(s) of interest.‖  Alternate Step 2 - If you do not have Internet access you can sign up by calling

 Carrie Hrvatin, Volunteer Coordinator for the Zoo- Membership: logical Society of San Diego 619-231-1515 ext. 4030. Single Membership $15.00 per year  Step 3 - You will then be sent information to sign up Dual Membership $20.00 per year to attend an orientation. Select the date that is best for you (Dual is for two people, same address, and RSVP to the staff. one newsletter)  Step 4 - Attend the orientation at the WAP or Zoo International Membership $25.00 per year  Step 5 - Come and join us at the Epi House at one of the work parties. San Diego Epiphyllum Society, Inc. P.O. Box 126127 NON-PROFIT ORG. San Diego, CA 92112-6127 U.S. POSTAGE PAID SAN DIEGO, CA Celebrating Our 40th Anniversary! PERMIT NO. 2646 1970-2010

If your address label is marked with a colored pen , your member- ship renewal payment is due .

PHOTOGRAPH ENCLOSED– DO NOT BEND

SAN DIEGO EPIPHYLLUM SOCIETY San Diego Epiphyllum Society, Inc (SDES) OFFICERS P.O. Box 126127 President: Sandra Chapin San Diego, CA 92112-6127 [email protected] (858) 451-1744 Epi News is published monthly by 1st Vice President: Velma Crain San Diego Epiphyllum Society, Inc. [email protected] 619-421-4785 Editor- Jill Rowney: 2nd Vice President: Jerry Moreau (209) 966-3364 [email protected] (619) 208-7654 [email protected]) Treasurer: Janice Wakefield Epi News E-mail: [email protected] [email protected] (619) 464-1086 SDES Web Site: www.SanDiegoEpi.org Recording Secretary: Jeff Hilbers Membership queries: [email protected] [email protected] Corresponding Secretary: Beth Jackson General membership meetings are held [email protected] (858) 638-0956 on the second Wednesday of each month Membership Secretary: Michal McKee at 7:30 p.m. in Room 101, [email protected] (760) 758-2389 Casa del Prado, Balboa Park Director: Ron Crain: (619) 421-4785 Director: Cindy Decker: (619) 698-6662 NEXT GENERAL MEETING: Director: Mildred Mikas: (760) 690-1124 Wednesday, September 8 Director: Linda Sinkovic: (619) 583-1172 Director: Larry Taylor: (619) 441-8517 SDES Board Meetings are held on the fourth Wednesday of each month WAP Coordinator: at 7:00 p.m. in Room 104, Jerry Moreau: [email protected] (619) 208-7654 Casa del Prado, Balboa Park. Next month it will be: Wednesday, September 22