The Houston Happenings September 2020 | Volume 50, Issue 5

Prof. Harold Koopowitz to Speak Sept. 3 By Sarah B On Thursday, September 3, for keeping us connected via purchased a subscription to Prof. Harold Koopowitz digitization. Orchid Digest, where he spent will present “A Survey of Harold Koopowitz is well many years as editor. I highly Phalaenopsis ” at our known to HOS members. He recommend this publication virtual meeting. I have been was featured at our August for its incredibly polished very pleased to see growing workshop a few years ago, photography and content. numbers attend these events. sharing his extensive knowledge Prof. Koopowitz’ interests Thank you to everyone who sits of slipper orchids and their and accolades cover far more in and especially thanks to Tom breeding. At that time, I continued on page 2

President’s Post By Bill C So as I am writing this bit for organization during all times, The VP – Membership the September meeting we’re easy and rough. To succeed as a will post the slate of eligible engulfed in the Dog Days of society (not just a garden club) members for the nominating Summer with blast furnace we need to innovate and adapt committee as set forth in the heat in southeast Texas and with new ideas. Bylaws. All members may the constellation Sirius in the Having said that I am abiding choose three eligible members night sky to remind us. There by the HOS Bylaws’ schedule to serve on the committee is not much blooming in my to move forward in our election and can send their choice to orchid collection now, which process. I am initiating a ballot the VP – Membership email is not a bad thing considering by proxy via Mailchimp survey address included in the email. flowers do not last long in these for selecting a nominating The VP – Membership will temperatures. Looking forward committee to proceed with the tally the votes that are received to September and autumn. elected officials process for 2021. until September 5, will notify It appears that the Covid-19 All HOS members will receive the general membership pandemic crisis is not going a Mailchimp email posting of shortly thereafter of the results, away any time soon in the U.S., the eligible member list for the and then will give the new and that HOS will probably nominating committee before nominating committee the not meet in person in 2020. As the September meeting. The go-ahead to proceed with the the HOS president, one of my correspondence will also contain process of nominating elected responsibilities is to energize a link where you will be able to offices. The slate of nominees the membership to thrive and vote for your three choices. will be announced at the succeed as an orchid advocacy October 1 meeting.

Inside this issue . . . Meeting Sept. 3 | 1 A nonprofit organization established President’s Post | 1 in 1945, HOS is a recipient of the American Aug. 6 Meeting | 2 Orchid Society’s Distinguished Affiliated Aug. Workshop | 3 Societies Service award. Hydroponics with Judith | 4 Q&A with Dave | 7 Stay-at-Home Orchids | 10 Calendar | 15 The Houston Happenings | September 2020 | Volume 50, Issue 5 Koopowitz, from page 1 HOS Virtual Meeting territory than just Paphs. and Phrags. For his decades of with Bill Thoms August 6, 2020 research on the hybridization of miniature daffodils, he was HOS convened its second virtual concluded from his observations presented the prestigious Ralph meeting on August 6. We were that Bulbophyllums take in B. White Memorial Medal from carried far away while enclosed water slowly because they have it the Royal Horticultural Society within our own boundaries by around all the time versus cacti in 2011. His recent book titled Bill Thoms, who recounted that must take in water quickly Clivias sent me on an internet his Bulbophyllum-hunting on the rare occasion they get it. search to learn more. It is a adventure in the Philippines. The water buffalo poo and his from South Africa; one species is From December 2008 to newfound knowledge led Bill to called “Kaffir Lily.” Slightly toxic, February 2009, Bill’s life took conclude that POO (Powers Of it has spectacular blooms in the some hair-raising twists and Observation) is the best way to Fall. turns while he suffered a sizable grow orchids, by observing how Emeritus Professor at U. swindle and braved the seven- they grow best in the wild, trying California, Irvine, Koopowitz lane Manila traffic, tree splinters, to replicate those conditions, and has traveled extensively to slippery 5,000-foot dropoffs and adapting all conditions to meet study orchids in the wild and leeches. the ’ needs. has written numerous scientific Bill rode by Jeepney (rickety Bill described his growing papers on orchids, plant buses) and by motorcycle as far style as WAFL-HSE — water, extinctions and deforestation up the mountain as three people air, food, light, home, sickness in his efforts to encourage on one bike could travel. He was and extras. He believes discussion about conservation seated between his two Filipino Bulbophyllums thrive when and endangered plants. Speaking guides on the rocky road that they get more water longer of his book Plant Extinction he intensely challenged his physical (water first, then fertilize) and said, “On a worldwide basis, comfort on the hard seat. are subjected to bright shade. nearly 20 percent of all higher Bill also told about stepping In addition to feeding “weakly plant species are threatened in a massive pile of water buffalo weekly” with his own special with extinction and may be lost poo at the edge of the jungle. fertilizer that contains chelating by the turn of the century. The Water buffalo are used to pull agents, Bill gives his plants situation is far more severe than plows in the fields. While he 1 teaspoon Epsom salts per that of animal species, yet the tried to dissuade his guide from gallon of water once a month plants have received almost no helping him remove the poo to provide the magnesium that attention in the popular press. from his boots, Bill finally gave comprises the center of every Plants are important because in so the guide could feel as if he chlorophyll molecule. they provide not only food and had done a good job of hosting Finally, Bill encouraged us aesthetic pleasure, but also his American guest. all to develop our own hidden medicines, timber and fibers; What Bill found in the very secret power — POO — to control watersheds; and have dense forests of the Philippines encourage our orchids to grow to important ecological roles. was a Bulbophyllum paradise. their highest potential. Solutions to the problem are in The forests were so humid, so Bill’s website is my book.” foggy, that he could not use bulbophyllums.com. Bibliography: American Daffodil Society, flash to capture photos. He Encyclopedia.com, Workman Publishing observed that the healthiest and others. Bulbophyllums grew on horizontal branches because We welcome guests at our they captured the most moisture. virtual meetings. If you would Bulbophyllums growing on like to receive an invitation the vertical trunks of trees to join a meeting, please were generally less robust. He send an email to [email protected].

Page 2 The Houston Happenings | September 2020 | Volume 50, Issue 5

Houston Judging Center Marilyn H

The Houston Judging Center is still unable to meet in person for Reminder from judging due to Covid-19. In June, we conducted an online Special VP – Membership Award meeting. In July we had our business meeting online. The HOS Workshop was a treat for the judges, but of course we The nomination missed being able to see and judge your beautiful orchids. Father Ted presented a training on Judging Substance and Texture process for the on August 15. Tom Durrett will present a talk on September 20. We Nominating look forward to meeting face to face when it’s safe. We’ve missed seeing your orchids! Hope to see you all again soon. Committee, as prescribed in the From the Editor By Donna D HOS Bylaws, is being conducted In this issue I am starting a August issue of The Houston virtually. If you monthly Q&A feature where I Happenings was distributed to ask a dozen or so questions to an thank me for including photos have not received HOS member. I wanted to ask of her orchids. During our questions about the hobby and conversation I learned that she an email about passion of growing orchids rather is having good success with selecting than cultural questions. Dave H the hydroponic method of was kind enough to be the first growing, so I asked her to send individuals who interviewee, and you’ll find the me information about what she will serve on Q&A with him on page 7. If you is doing. The article about her have suggestions for questions technique begins on page 4. the Nominating you would like members to Enjoy the Stay-at-Home Committee, please answer or would like to volunteer orchids, as always, while we to be an interviewee, please try to keep our orchid-growing send an email to send me an email (donnad@ spirits up and look forward to the info@houston houstonorchidsociety.org). day when we can ooo-and-ahh in Otherwise, I will call on a real time over the plant table. (I orchidsociety.org. member at random. know, I said that last month, and Judith N called after the I am still wishing for that day.)

41st HOS Annual Summer Workshop By Derek L The 41st HOS Annual Summer about species, hybrids and how questions, they will be more than Workshop is now history. More to grow them. Dr. Martin Motes happy to answer them. Just give than 80 registrants logged into from Motes Orchids presented them a call. Both nurseries are the virtual presentations. The lots of interesting information on easily accessible on the Web. superb workshop was in large Vanda species, hybrids and how It is a bit early but mark your part due to the work of Rosalvina to grow them. calendar for August 7, 2021. We Guimerans, who handled much In a normal time, they would hope to bring you the 42nd HOS of the logistical support. Thank have brought plants for sale Annual Summer Workshop at you. at the workshop, but if you go the First Christian Church next Bill Thoms from Dukes­ to their websites you can find year. thoms Orchids spoke on some sweet deals. If you have Stay safe. Bulbophyllums. We learned a lot

Page 3 The Houston Happenings | September 2020 | Volume 50, Issue 5 Recent and Quick Success with Growing Orchids Hydroponically by Judith N

When the stay-at-home orders hydroponically. I already had a with mixed results, although were issued in March, I decided lot of the supplies I needed, and other members are having I would try a new technique (for Amazon served as a good source good outcomes. I have found, me) with some of my orchids, for what I didn’t have. however, that the straight so I set about to transition In the past I had tried the hydroponic method—growing some of my plants to growing semi-hydroponic method above the water source rather than directly in the water source—is giving me good success, even with . I hope you enjoy these pictures, which explain the details on how I am growing orchids with hydroponics.

SS Orc hids Hydro ponics Express

This is my “sanctuary,” where I display some of the orchids that are growing and blooming successfully using the hydroponic method. The boat, built by my husband, Loren, is part of the sanctuary. He built intermedia Var. orlata, the boat and many of the structures and buildings used in the shows growing over a glass bowl (left) when we served on the HOS board for three years. Part of my passion is and in a plastic hydro planter bringing my blooming orchids inside and displaying them as if they are going to be in a show.

I obtained these hydroponic sets with the wicking material from Amazon. The inner container holds the medium and the orchid, and the outer container holds the water with nutrients. I find that this is a very clean way to grow. The wick brings just the right amount of moisture up into the root system. continued on page 5

Page 4 The Houston Happenings | September 2020 | Volume 50, Issue 5

For the growing medium, I combine long-thread sphagnum moss, Japanese rock (or sponge rock) and expanded clay pebbles I am using coco husk fiber in some into a wet mixture. The sphagnum of my orchids. Believe it or not, serves as another wicking agent this Cattleya had two new growths but doesn’t keep the plants too in just three months! soggy.

To ward off pests, I spray regularly with a mixture of 50% isopropyl alcohol and 50% My plants are treated to a top water, with a few drops of dish dressing of NUTRICOTE® (see soap (left). This helps keep the below), and I use a few drops of leaves in good shape. I also use SUPERthrive® in the water for a SUPERthrive as a foliar spray for vitamin boost. extra nutrition (right).

After I bought the hydroponic continued on page 6 sets from Amazon, I realized that I could use any type of container, so I repurposed a lot of glass vases that I already had for the outer water source. I put clay pebbles, rocks or glass beads in the bottom for visual effect, although they aren’t entirely necessary for the hydroponic system to work.

Page 5 The Houston Happenings | September 2020 | Volume 50, Issue 5

As you can see, there are a lot of ways to play with the hydroponic method of growing, and the orchids thrive.

You wouldn’t expect Vandas to do well, but so far I am seeing This Cattleya intermedia is very happy in its hydroponic environment, excellent growth with the Vandas I even after being recently divided. have moved to hydroponics.

Page 6 The Houston Happenings | September 2020 | Volume 50, Issue 5 Orchid Q&A with Dave H

We asked HOS member Dave H a dozen questions about his passion for growing orchids. How and when did you become interested in growing orchids? It was more than 40 years ago. I was doing field work as an exploration geologist in Latin America and became curious about all those plants growing on trees. Are you happy with your current growing conditions or growing space? Or is there something you would like to change? When Hurricane Harvey hit, I was living in west Houston. Everything was flooded, including my 20-by-30-ft Dave H (right) waxing away on the benefits of a Sobralia species in greenhouse. We decided not to northern Ecuador a few years ago. Dennis D’allesandro (left) is credited rebuild there and moved to The with discovering scores of new species in Ecuador, and Karen Kimmerle Woodlands. I now have a smaller (middle) owns Island Sun Orchids in Hawaii. 8-by-22-ft greenhouse, which is fully climate controlled. I gave up growing some things that I genera is Encyclia, so I would What is your biggest fear had previously grown, and now take three from that genera. I regarding your orchids? use the greenhouse and outdoor have worked a considerably long My number one fear is an space for my relatively smaller time with Encyclias, but it would electrical outage, which would collection. be hard to pick just three. jeopardize my climate-controlled How much time per week would What species or hybrid is your greenhouse. My next biggest fear you say you devote to caring for next planned acquisition? is insects such as scale. They can live on the underside of leaves your orchids? Any tips for others I will soon acquire a rare or in the axial, and before you on efficiencies? Encyclia gallopavina. It is know it the scale population I spend 10 to 15 hours a coming from a Brazilian nursery. can explode. I use Safari® to week messing with the plants I have already paid for it, but eradicate it, and a mixture of and tending to them. I wouldn’t shipping is slow right now with Orthene® and neem oil regularly. say I have any efficiencies the pandemic issues. I previously to recommend. I’m always owned this species but lost it in If the pandemic and economy adjusting what I’m doing to get the flood. were not an issue, is there the best results. an orchid destination on Are you active in hybridizing or your bucket list? It could be If you had to evacuate and could cloning? somewhere you have never been take only three orchids from your I do only line breeding where collection, which three would or somewhere you enjoyed and I am replicating a species. I used would like to visit again. you take? Why? to supply a lot of seed to other I’m getting a little old to be I mostly grow species rather growers, but now I furnish seed climbing around in the Andes, than hybrids, and my favorite to only three or four growers. continued on page 8

Page 7 The Houston Happenings | September 2020 | Volume 50, Issue 5 but I have probably made more that can become all-consuming. Is there anything else you’d like than 50 collecting trips over I suggest going to meetings and to tell our members? the years. If I could, I would orchid shows. I also recommend Since I grow mostly species probably go back to Ecuador, going to the orchid judging rather than hybrids, I am very as Ecuador has about 3,300 once in a while to observe what interested in the scientific species, and more are sure to be they do. It is interesting and aspect of orchids. I have discovered there. I have spent a informative to listen to their published some articles and lot of time collecting in Mexico. discussion on the plants. Orchid have discovered new species. These days I take virtual trips. judging is good exposure and Species growers tend to get a Other orchid growers call me good experience. little more into the to ask where I found a certain Tell us about your most exciting side of growing, as I have. I species. Although I lost most orchid moment. also contributed to Dr. Carl of my notes in the flood, I can Withner’s six-volume series It was probably my first real get on Google maps and usually entitled The Cattleyas and Their orchid trip many years ago to pinpoint a location where the Relatives. Many of my photos Veracruz, Mexico. I went with collector should start looking. appear in several of the volumes. a local bromeliad importer who Dr. Withner, now deceased, was Have any of your orchids won was also working with orchids as a foremost orchid botanist. awards? If yes, were you ever part of his commercial business. disappointed or elated over a My trip with him was what really score given to your orchid? got me started, and I still get I have won 145 awards from excited thinking about it. AOS. I am always elated, but I have been disappointed on occasion by a score. That’s how it goes. Do you collect other items related to orchids, such as artwork or special display items? I have an extensive library of orchid books. A lot of orchid books are being printed these days, but they are expensive and I can usually find any information I need on the internet. I am not actively acquiring books anymore, but I have quite a large library that will someday to go a university botany department, as they typically have a limited budget. I have not decided which university. What would you tell a person who is not an orchid grower about your passion for growing Greg S has three Reichenbach Paphiopedilum prints that orchids? he would like to sell. The frames are approximately 24W I don’t think you should start x 35H inches. He is asking $100 each but would prefer this hobby unless you have a real to sell them as a set. You may contact him by phone passion. It’s an expensive hobby or email, and his information may be found in the HOS directory.

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Amy O, daughter of To my fellow orchid lovers: Life Member Greg S, I have been very blessed to receive a large amount of passed away August 18. good-quality neem oil for free, and I’d like to give it to HOS A GoFundMe account members (for free, of course). has been set up to help Neem is a safe, nontoxic way to fight pests such as scale, the family. You may learn aphids and spider mites. It’s also a natural and very effective more at the following mosquito repellent. GoFundMe link: If you would like some, please contact me to arrange a day https://gf.me/u/ysvyag to pick up as much as you want. I really do have a garage full of it. It comes in one-gallon plastic bottles with four bottles to a case. The cases are about 25 pounds each, and about three cases should fit easily into the trunk of an average-sized car. If you would like to research this particular product, look for TerraNeem® EC made by Terramera. You can call, text or email me, and my contact info is in the membership directory. I live a little south of downtown off the Gulf Freeway at Telephone Road. — Jean S

Bromeliad Society Texas Gulf Coast Houston Fern Society meets on the meets on the third Tuesday of each month third Sunday of each month Visitors welcome Visitors welcome www.bromeliadsocietyhouston.org www.tgcfernsoc.org

Page 9 The Houston Happenings | September 2020 | Volume 50, Issue 5 Stay-at-Home Orchids

Bulbo. phalaenopsis - Jay B Cattleya Trick or Treat - Pier L

Bulbo. macrobulbon Magifico AM/AOS - Jay B

Click Here to Submit Pictures to [email protected] Paph. Conco-bellatulum ‘SVO’ AM/AOS x Paph. thaianum ‘Super Bulbo. stella - Jay B Cute’ - Donna D

Image Guidelines It takes a little time to prepare the images for the newsletter so we need your help. Here are some standards to follow to ensure your image makes it in the publication. Your image should be at least 1024 pixels wide. Smaller images will be too blurry to be used. If in doubt, rotate your phone sideways (horizontal). Take your photo as close to the flower being photographed as possible, and make sure the flower is in focus. Ensure that you are naming the image file following the guideline below before attaching it to your email. Basically it is the Plant Name + Owner First Name and Last Initial (see examples below). Send any questions you may have before submitting to [email protected].

Example 1

Owner’s First Full Plant - Epc. Middleburg ‘Maj’ - Holly M.jpg Name (hyphen) Names and Last Initial

Example 2

Full Plant - Owner’s First Paph. liemianum ‘October’ x Paph. Name (hyphen) Names and lemianum ‘MO’ - Steve & Marsh F.jpg Last Initial

Page 10 The Houston Happenings | September 2020 | Volume 50, Issue 5 Stay-at-Home Orchids

Dendrobium Enobi Purple ‘Splash’ JC/AOS - Steve & Marsha F Bifrenaria aureo-fulva - Soel O Den. Triple Fantasy - Steve & Marsha F

Hab. Oriole - Steve & Marsha F

Dendrobium NOID - Steve & Marsha F

Dendrobium Jade Spirit - Soel O

Hab. Pegasus - Steve & Marsha F

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Habenaria Mayfly - Steve & Marsha F

Cattleya violacea semi-alba - Dave H. I have collected C. violacea several times in Venezuela and Colombia. It grows near streams and rivers so that it likes high humidity and high light as is usual for bifoliate cattleyas. It is a very low elevation plant that is found in all of the Amazon basin and does not require a large diurnal temperature variation, which is good for us here in Houston. They do better in baskets or mounted. You can’t really overwater them. I do not bloom them consistently and would recommend that anyone who wants the species to buy a fully mature plant. Bare root divisions do not reestablish easily, at least not for me. I have two type clones (“Jean Wilson” FCC/AOS and “Muse” FCC/AOS) as well as a few flameas. I had a coerulea and am looking for another. I just purchased a few smaller seedlings from Sunset Valley Orchids so we will see how they do. It is close to being my favorite Cattleya species.

Habenaria rodochelia ‘Tangerine Flame’ HCC - Steve & Marsha F

Dendrobium auriculatum - Dave H Cattleya warneri coerulea - Dave H Paph. Charly Web - Steve & Marsha F

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Maxillaria huntii (species) - Aerangis modesta - Dave H Dave H Encyclia phoenicea - Dave H

Lc. wrigleyi “Blue Lagoon” - Dave H

Phalaenopsis equestris - Dave H

Vanda “Pachara Delight” – Dave H

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Vanda Josephine Van Brero x Dr Anek - Judith N

Phal. Harlequin - Judith N

Dtps. Yu Pin Lady ‘Magic Art’ (Yu Pin Lover x Chian Xen Pearl) - Judith N Vanda Jamaica Pixie (V. Kultana Gold x Ascda. Jennie Panthong) x V. lamellata - Judith N Paph. Druid Spring (druryi ‘Ray’ x primuinum flavum ‘Flutter’) - Judith N

Vandacostylis Conference Gold (V. Medasand x V. Shigenori Yamanaka) - Judith N Epidendrum radicans ‘Crucifix’ - Judith N Epidendrum radicans ‘Crucifix’ - Judith N

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Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday 1 2 3 4 5 HOS meeting, 7:30 pm (online) 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

13 14 15 16 17 18 19 October Houston newsletter Judging Ctr content due (cancelled) 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 Newcomers Houston Orchid Society

h nniv Group t A ers 5 ar (cancelled) 7 y 27 28 29 30

Due to COVID-19 concerns, a majority of meetings and shows have been cancelled or postponed, as are monthly judgings. Announcements will be made when these events are rescheduled.

We welcome guests at our virtual meetings. If you would like to receive an invitation to join a meeting, please send an email to [email protected].

AOS Greenhouse Chat (open to public) AOS Webinar: Ron McHatton Encyclia, a Look at the Species and Hybrids Tuesday, September 1, 2020, 8:30 p.m. EDT (members only) Grow your knowledge and join AOS Education and Mike Curtin Science Officer, Ron McHatton, for a fun-filled Thursday, September 10, 2020, 8:30 p.m. EDT hour of orchid questions and answers. Join Mike Curtin for a survey of popular Encyclia Send questions to [email protected] species being used to create stunning hybrids. by August 28. Register now. Register now.

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