ORCHIDS AND PHOTOGRAPHY

H.B. Riblet

My hobby of growing orchids started Orchids' greenhouse is just across from the orchid as a lavender or magenta about twelve years ago. When I moved our house. Kensington Orchids, started Cattteya, the usual "corsage" flower. to Kensington, Maryland, seventeen as a hobby, is now an expanding com­ Through hybridization many fine colors years ago, my interest in gardening was mercial enterprise furnishing a large have been produced, including pure revived because of the need for some percentage of the wholesale orchids in white flowers as well as many variegated landscaping and the acquisition of this area. colors. Orchid blooms come in all sizes, several new shrubs. Included were Our greenhouse is modest in size, some measuring less than 1/32-inch in several gardenias which required warm about 10 by 16 ft . Our home heating diameter and at least one species has winter quarters. The den, which had plant is a hot-water system and it was a flower almost a foot in diameter. Most orchids are found in the warm many windows, soon became over­ simple to extend this to the greenhouse regions of the earth, and they are crowded and stimulated thoughts of a area by the addition of another circula­ mainly air-plants or epiphytes. The greenhouse. A neighbor who was as­ tion pump and thermostat. By excavating epiphyte grows lodged on a tree, bush, sociated with Kensington Orchids lent under the den, a small room was made or a rock but derives no nourishment his assistance in the planning stage and adjacent to the greenhouse to serve as from the host; therefore, it is not a helped in the procurement of used a potting and storage room. In addition parasite. Some orchids, particularly greenhouse materials. After over a year to automatic heat, I installed a ven­ those that grow in the temperate zones, of excavating and construction, the lean­ tilating window which operates if the are terrestrials, that is they grow in the to greenhouse was finished in 1955. M y temperature rises above 75°F. I do not ground like other plants. It is often neighbor said " Now you need something have an automatic humidity control, difficult to classify an orchid either as to put in it besides gardenias and however. The humidity is presently kept an epiphyte or a terrestrial since some azalea cuttings; how about an orchid at a relatively high level by frequent will grow equally well in either environ­ or two?" This seemed a little more watering and spraying the ground and ment. An epiphyte may be forced to take than I had bargained for, but I decided benches with a fine mist on sunny up life as a terrestrial when the tree to try it. Now, after several years, the mornings. greenhouse is almost completely filled branch it has used for support is broken with orchid plants. The Orchid Plan t and falls to the ground. Orchids are classified into two main Mrs. Riblet and I have continued to More than 24,000 different kinds of types of vegetative structures. The be inspired by these beautiful flowers. orchids grow in all parts of the world. monopodials are those that grow in one We are gradually organizing our plants It is often thought that orchids grow direction only, and the sympodials are so that we will have plants in bloom only in the tropical areas or in dense those in which the growth of the main each month of the year. We have a rain forests. However, orchids are found axis, stem, or pseudo-bulb ceases, usual­ handy source, since the Kensington in almost all countries, even a few in ly at the end of a season's growth, and a Alaska and the snow-covered summits lateral growth is produced the following of the Himalayas. Maryland has a very H .B . Rib let graduate d from Friends U niversit y season. This type of growth is actually beautiful native orchid, the Showy (Ka nsas) with majors in chemistry a nd physics. Prior a rhizome, a primary stem, from which to joining the staff of the Applied Physics Laboratory, Ladyslipper, a Cypripedium . It is true that arise the secondary stems. The roots of he was involved in radio broadcasting and the design most orchids like a damp humid spot, most orchids are heavy sponge-like tissue of directional a ntennas. Soon after coming to APL in but this environment is found in many 1949 he was appointed Supervisor of the Bumblebee that absorb the air and moisture with areas. Telemetering Group. In 1958 this Group became great rapidity and can contain the directly involved in space development and designed Orchid flowers display all the colors moisture for long periods. The roots antennas and telemetering systems for the ea rl y of the rainbow. The most frequently cling to their supporting structure, Transit and navigation satellites. Since 1964 Mr. Riblet has been Supervisor of the Data and Control seen are the greens and browns, even whether it be a tree or a pot, with tenac­ Branch of the Space Development Department. though most people ordinarily think of ity.

May - June 1968 7 The flowers or inflorescence are of and day is important, we depend on the applied with a siphon-type proportioner. almost every conceivable type. Some are sun to heat the greenhouse to 75° or The proportioner is attached to the solitary while others are on long spikes over in the daytime. watering hose, and each pot receives with hundreds of flowers. Some of the The most time-consuming factor, and several ounces of the diluted chemical. flowers are produced from the leafaxials the one most prone to neglect, is that A color tracer is usually added to insure, and some from the base of the pseudo­ of proper moisture. A correct watering by inspection, that the fertilizer is being bulb. routine is difficult to schedule. Although applied. the orchid plant is tolerant to a lack Most orchids need repotting about The Culture of moisture in the potting medium for every two years, not because they get The orchid, contrary to popular belief, short periods, it is very intolerant to root bound as an ordinary plant, but is easy to grow if the correct environment over-watering. A once-a-week watering because they literally grow out of their is provided. This means adequate fresh routine is usually adequate except in the pots. The sympodial, which grows later­ air, proper light, correct temperature summer when, because of a higher tem­ ally, will actually grow over the edge condition, and sufficient humidity. The perature, watering twice a week is of the pot and the roots will attach orchid is relatively immune to most usually necessary. Some plants require themselves to anything with which they diseases and pests, although some are more moisture than others and plants come in contact. At this point the plant susceptible to virus ailment and fungi , in the resting period should be carried should be divided and repotted so that if not cared for properly. on the dry side. I use a garden hose to the roots are all in the potting medium. Fresh air is one of the prime requisites fill each pot until completely saturated. The best time to repot is soon after the of a successful orchid collection. Fre­ The humidity is easily maintained in a blooming period, just after the new quent ventilation and good air circulation closed greenhouse. The evaporation of growth starts and new roots are forming. is a must. We keep a fan running contin­ the excess water during the routine The plant is divided into sections, each uously in the greenhouse so that the air watering, and an occasional spraying of having four or five leads. The back bulbs does not become stagnant. An auto­ the benches and the ground area, pro­ or old growth can also be potted and matically controlled ventilator window vide for this element. Automatic humid­ will establish new growth in time. The provides fresh, cool outside air when ifiers are available and would be useful. monopodials such as the Vanda and needed. Although the orchid will grow and PhaLaenopsis do not need to be repotted The correct amount of light is more bloom reasonably well without a great as often, since they grow only in a difficult to control, since different orchids deal of fertilizer, strong growth and vertical direction. These types need to require differing amounts of light. Dif­ better color can be obtained with regular be repotted when the medium has fused sunlight is best and, at this application. I have established a month­ decomposed and no longer provides the latitude, direct sunlight should seldom ly feeding routine for most plants, correct drainage and aeration. be allowed except during the winter although some require fertilizer more Several types of potting medium can months. The greatest danger of direct often, especially during the growing be used. The epiphyte orchid is never sunlight is the possibility of leaf burn, period before flower production. I use potted in a loam soil, but in a very that is, the temperature of the leaf be­ a commercial soluble fertilizer which is coarse material such as osmunda, or fir comes too great unless cooling moisture is present. The light required by the orchid ranges from 200 to 400 foot­ candles for the PhaLaenopsis to a few thousand foot-candles for the sun-loving varieties. The light condition provided in a fixed installation such as a green­ house cannot be altered, except by correct shading during the summer months. Closely tied in with the proper light is the correct temperature. Orchids can be divided into three main groups with respect to temperature environment. Since night temperature is the most critical, the classification is usually given in this parameter: Cool varieties: 45° to 55°F; Intermediate: 55° to 65°F; and Hot or Warm: above 65°F. In a small greenhouse such as ours we try to collect orchids that fall into one tem­ perature grouping. Occasionally one can find a cool corner or a warmer area for one or two plants. The thermostat in our greenhouse is set at 58°. Since a temperature differential between night Mr. Riblet is shown in his greenhouse, applying fertilizer to the orchid plants.

8 APL Technical Digest ------

bark. Osmunda is the fibrous root of a experiment about a year ago and suc­ amusing) happened a year or so ago. I particular fern. Shredded fir and red­ ceeded in obtaining a ripened seed pod. had placed about 20 Cymbidium plants wood bark are natural materials since However, the seeds were sterile because on a bench for the summer. One evening epiphyte orchids grow on the trees. the two parent plants had incompatible a neighbor's little girl, a three-year old, Since it is more difficult to obtain and chromosomes. I was not aware of this was visiting our yard and decided all the use osmunda, I prefer shredded fir and requirement and have not tried the plastic labels in the pots were nice play­ redwood bark. It is essential to pack experiment since. The back bulbs of the things so she took them all home to her the potting medium with some firmness, Cymbidium provide a good source of new Daddy! That evening when I came not only to hold the plant in the pot plants. These will sprout new plants if home from work, my wife showed me but to provide a solid mass for the roots. kept damp, and in a year or two a mature the bundle of plant labels on the kitchen Pot shards are used at the bottom of the plant will provide new flowers. I have counter. We won't go into my reaction, pot to insure good drainage. The water a number of Cymbidium back bulbs in but I soon recovered and, fortunately, must run freely through the pot and not a flat of peat moss and sand which are could remember some of the proper cause any sogginess. Either clay or about ready to be placed in pots. I have label-to-pot combinations. Others will plastic pots may be used. I prefer the difficulty convincing myself to throw not get relabeled until they bloom. So clay pot because it allows the medium away any piece of a plant which has a there are always moments of surprise in to dry faster. Some like the plastic pots possibility of growing. any hobby. because less frequent watering is In my small greenhouse, I have about needed. The terrestrial orchid, such as a dozen different types of orchids: Photography the Cymbidium, needs a little leaf mold, I have been interested in photography Cattleya Cypripedium peat moss, some coarse material such as for as long as I can remember. My in­ Phalaenopsis Calanthe bark, and a little cow manure. Good terest developed in a natural way because Vanda Epidendrum drainage is also very important, but the my mother had made contact prints from Oncidium Aerides medium should be damp at all times. her old 3-1/4 x 4-1/4 Eastman camera Dendrobium Odontoglossum Orchids are less susceptible to insects even before I was born. She taught me Cymbidium PhaiuJ and other pests than many other plants. the basics of the black and white develop­ This does not mean that occasional There are several plants of each variety. ing and printing processes. I used to spraying is not needed. I have to watch I haven't counted them, but there are help her make dozens of family pictures for the mealy bugs and scale, as they almost a hundred plants. I try to keep for our relatives. Thus I have always seem to cause the most difficulty. the plants which are about to bloom in owned a camera of some sort. Orchid scale is most troublesome and an attractive arrangement. Each plant About four years ago I finally acquired can spread quite rapidly, especially in will bloom once each year if it is grow­ a precision 35-mm camera, a Bessler the summer. Spraying with DDT will ing well. A good sized Cattleya may have TOPCON RE Super. This camera is a usually control it. However, if, as two or three blooming leads with two to single lens reflex with interchangeable occasionally happens, the scale spreads four flowers on each lead. Varieties like lenses. It has a built-in behind-the-lens beyond control, only a good scrubbing the Cymbidium and the Epidendrum pro­ light meter and several other features with soapy water can eradicate it. duce flowers on long spikes with a dozen that make its operation flexible and pre­ It is essential to be on the lookout or more flowers to a spike. A well-grown cise. When I obtained the camera I had for various types of disease, some of plant will sometimes have three or more no idea of reviving my interest in dark­ which are caused by bacteria, viruses, spikes. It is not unusual to have a large room work. At that time my wife, and fungi. These are best controlled plant with three to four dozen flowers. Idabelle, was the Executive Director of by good air circulation, preventing over­ Each plant will bloom once each year the Montgomery County Association for crowding, and never watering at night and at the same time each year, plus or Retarded Children and she suggested when quick drying cannot take place. minus a few weeks. It is possible to that I try to document some of the Viruses can be transmitted from one collect enough varieties and types to activities of the nursery and day center plant to another by using an unsterilized provide continuous blooms the year operated by the association. knife or scissors. All diseased parts of a around. This is difficult in a small green­ At this point interest in printing of plant should be destroyed. house but it can be done. Most of my pictures increased rapidly. Enlargements plants bloom from late fall through the were needed and soon I was set up, in Propaga tion winter and into late spring. I hope to the basement, with an enlarger and other Propagation of orchid plants is ac­ obtain additional plants which will essentials for making black and white complished by two main methods, bloom during the summer and early fall. enlargements. Incidentally, the candid vegetative division and by seed. For lt is important to keep good records shots and other pictures of the children the amateur the vegetative process is the of your plants. I maintain a log book in in the schools were a great success and best. Divisions will produce a number which I record the blooming time, the teachers, particularly, were very of additional blooming plants in a few number and quality of flowers , when it pleased with the results. years, while the seedling requires from was last repotted, and how many divi­ After doing several weddings in black five to seven years to mature. In addition sions were made. A numbering code and white, I began to wonder about the to this time, a seed pod requires about together with the name is used to keep difficulties of color printing. I started ten months to ripen. However, if one is track of each plant. Of course each plant to read all the books I could find includ­ interested in creating new hybrids, ex­ must be labeled and care must be taken ing Eastman Kodak's technical data. I perimenting with pollination can be very not to lose this bit of information. An studied for about eight or ten months rewarding. I tried a cross pollination amusing incident (at least now it is before I got enough courage to invest in

May -- June 1968 9 Dendrobium Nobile

Cattleya Dorothy Miller

Lc. Helen Mizuta X Bc. Estelle

Phalaenopsis Schilleriana Sophrolaeliocattleya Dawcon

Yanda Tricolor Carisona X Edzell

Cymbidium Pauwelsii

Epidendrum Atropurpureum Lionetianum Lumsden Cattleya White Belle X Swan

Cypripedium Maryland Cattleya Skinnerii the necessary color chemicals and paper. which serves as the wet area for all in seconds directly, and R2 is calibrated The chemicals and paper deteriorate chemicals and trays. The opposite side in printing speed number Pl' The print­ rather rapidly and I wanted to have a is furnished with work and storage areas ing speed number given in the Kodak high probability of success before I for film and paper. The enlarger, a paper data sheets is based on the formula started. Fortunately, I have a friend and Durst 606, is installed on the dry side, p/= 10,000/ Met, where Me is the light neighbor who is in charge of the color and is equipped with a filter drawer, value in meter candles and t is the print- printing laboratory at National Geographic above the negative holder, for color ing time in seconds. Figure 2 gives a Maga<.ine and he gladly assisted when I correction filters. I have designed and typical calibration curve of a photo­ needed help and advice. built a number of electronic aids to help resistor. From this information the range After achieving success with color pro­ me in photography, including a photom­ of values of R2 for specific printing speed cessing, I decided it would be interesting eter or light meter for use with the numbers and printing times can be to document the orchids as they came enlarger. The photometer was especially calculated for a specific fixed output into bloom and make color prints for designed for simple operation'. It is voltage. In the actual circuit two ranges an exhibit; so I started photographing calibrated in Kodak printing speed are provided which give printing times the orchid blooms on color negative film. numbers as given in their data sheets. from 1 to 50 seconds and printing These were awarded a blue ribbon at With this instrument I can measure the speed numbers from 100 to 5000. the National Capital Orchid Show, light intensity on the easel and determine October, 1967, and later were exhibited the printing time for any magnification. in the Library fo yer at the Applied Figure 1 shows a simplified diagram 9 Physics Laboratory. The flowers shown of the photometer-timer. The heart of k in the color plate are representative of the device is the cadmium sulfide photo­ "",,- a few of the many blooms which develop resistor, R I. Its resistance varies with k " E during the year. In preparing the pic­ incident light intensity, from a few :9. 100k u tures for this article, I made positive hundred ohms in daylight to several Z 50k ~ " color transparencies from the color megohms in darkness. It acts as the ~ k ""r.... negatives. The standard photoengraving " variable arm of a voltage divider circuit ~ 10 k ", process utilizing color separation consisting of RI and R . The voltage 2 k 't'-.. negatives was used to make the printing output of the divider is registered by the " 2 ~ plates. voltmeter circuit. The output voltage is 0 .1 5 10 20 50 100 given by the simple relationship, Vo = Vin METER CANDLES Equipment R2/ (R1 +R2)· As the resistance of the Fig. 2-Calibration of cadmium sulfide cell. As I mentioned previously, my camera is a single lens reflex, Bessler TOPCON RE Super. This is a Japanese-manufac­ tured instrument, imported by the Bess­ The timer circuit provides a timed ler Optical Company. In quality and pre­ relay contact KB to control the enlarger cision, it is comparable to the NIKON. bulb current. The input voltage to the I am very pleased with the operational divider network, which is proportional characteristics and the results that this to the printing time, is stored on the camera produces. R4 potentiometer arm. Capacitor C 1 is I have three lenses for my camera, a charged to this voltage. Relay K is held standard 58-mm f/l .8 lens; a 135-mm in the energized state by the constant f/3.5 telephoto; and a 35-mm f/2.8 wide­ current source QI and the zener diode. angle lens. Although additional lenses When the push button is depressed, the would be useful, these three take care emitter of the SCR is made negative by of most situations. The lenses are of the condenser voltage which turns the excellent quality, as verified by a SCR off and transfers the relay contacts. measurement of the resolution on an Fig. I-Simplified diagram of photometer-timer. Contact KA latches the relay in this optical bench. The built-in light meter condition. The condenser C 1 discharges uses a cadmium sulfide element deposited photoresistor RI changes with light through QI linearly for a time which is on the back of the reflex mirror. This intensity, the output may be restored to proportional to the stored voltage. R s is meter measures the light over the whole a reference mark on the voltmeter by used to calibrate the time constant. scene and is coupled with the aperture either adjusting the input voltage with When the condenser has discharged to a and time controls to provide easy setting R4 or the shunt arm resistance R 2. The level equal to the diode drop of the SCR, of the correct exposure. A removable calibrating resistor R3 is sized to match it will again turn on, energizing the relay pentaprism view finder and the use of a the resistance of R 1 at a particular light coil. The circuit is now ready for another magnifier for ground glass focus makes value. During the calibration procedure, operation. the camera adaptable for copy work. the controls R2 and R4 are set to par­ Other electronic equipment includes During the past year and a half ticular calibrating values and the sensi­ thermistor circuits for temperature con­ have completed a darkroom which tivity of the voltmeter is then adjusted trol of the water bath for the developer measures 7x 12 ft . There IS a sink and to provide a " red-line" reference reading. and a voltage or light intensity regulator drain board the full length of one side, R4 is cal·ibrated to read the printing time for the enlarger bulb. This device senses

12 APL Technical Digest ------

the enlarger bulb brightness by a dyes produces a combined green color. that consistency can be obtained from cadmium sulfide cell and controls the In this way the original green color is one print to another. This is done in my average current in the lamp to keep the produced in the final positive print. darkroom by using a large plastic pan light intensity constant. This feature is The method of obtaining a proper full of water which is heated to a very important in color printing because, color balance on the final print is one temperature of 100°F by an aquarium as the power in the bulb changes, the of spectrum equalization. In other words, heater. The temperature is controlled to color temperature of the illuminating for a given spectral distribution of the the ± 1/2° tolerance by the use of a source will change, altering the color enlarger bulb, the attenuation in the thermistor sensor immersed in the water balance of the finished print. red, blue, and green wavelengths, due to bath some distance from the heater. the negative dyes, is altered appropriately This sensor controls, through special Principle of Color by placing in the light beam variable­ transistor circuits, the average current density filters of magenta, cyan, and in the heater such that the heat applied Photography yellow combinations. In this way the is just equal to the heat loss. This is correct combination of dyes in the paper much better than a " bang-bang" type I thought it would be interesting to emulsion, which most nearly matches thermostat since no large differential give a very brief summary of the basic the original scene, is produced. All three exists. Its sensitivity is such that the color printing principle even though this filters are never used, since this would error temperature which is needed for information is readily available in tech­ result in a neutral density combination control is a small fraction of a degree. nical books. Most color photography and only change the light level and not A stainless steel tray is floated on the uses three sensitive emulsion layers on the color balance; which two filters are surface of the heated water, transferring the film and printing paper. These three used depends on the color temperature the controlled heat to the 3 or 4 ounces emulsions are individually sensitive to of the original scene. of developer which is used for each print. the red, green, and blue wavelengths. Red, blue, and green additive filters In the color negative material, either or magenta, cyan, and yellow subtrac­ Conclusion film or paper, the original color pro­ tive filters can be used to alter the color duces dyes of the complementary c,:olor Many people have asked me what spectrum of the light source. Either type in the respective emulsion. Thus red happens to all the orchids. First of all, of filter can be used to make a color light produces cyan dyes in the emulsion, it is rewarding to observe nature in the print. When using the additive filters, green light produces magenta, and blue fulfillment of a growing and flowering red, blue, and green, one must actually light produces yellow. When printing a plant particularly when one has a hand combine light in the red, blue, and green color positive from a color negative, the in their culture. Also it is enjoyable to wavelengths sequentially with three same action occurs with respect to the have the flowers available for home exposures, adjusting the exposure time emulsion dyes, except now instead of red, decoration. In addition, Idabelle has for each to give the proper balance. blue, and green basic colors we have mastered the art of making beautiful When using the magneta, cyan, or cyan, yellow, and magenta, their com­ corsages. She enjoys this creative part yellow subtractive filters, white light is plements. Let's assume that the original of the hobby and is delighted to be able being used to print all three emulsion color photographed was green; the color to give corsages to our friends. layers simultaneously by selectively in the negative will be magenta. Assum­ We are members of the National attenuating the red, blue, and green ing for the moment that the spectral Capital Orchid Society and the wavelengths, making one exposure for content of the enlarger bulb is white American Orchid Society and enjo..ythe the correct color balance. Of course the light, or in other words contains red, programs and orchid shows sponsored total density of the print is controlled blue, and green wavelengths of equal by these organizations. We learn from by the exposure time. Thus in color intensity, the magenta dyes in the color association with others who are orchid printing two parameters must be adjust­ negative will absorb the green wave­ hobbyists. I am presently serving as ed, the color balance and the density. lengths and will transmit the red and Chairman of the Photography Commit­ blue. Thus the spectral content of the tee for the Society. At monthly meetings light through the negative and the Processing members exhibit their orchid plants that enlarger lens onto the printing paper Standard chemical kits for color print­ are in bloom; this provides an excellent contains higher intensities in the blue ing are available and I rely on these. opportunity to see the many va rieties and red wavelengths. The red light will The only unique technique I use relates and possibly acquire a few new plants. I print cyan dyes in the paper, and the to the temperature control for the color am looking forward to continuing these blue light will print yellow dyes in the developer. The developer temperature hobbies with even more enjoyment after paper. The addition of cyan and yellow must be held constant to ± 1/2°F so retirement.

May -- June 1968 13