S P I K E

Newsletter of the Ottawa Orchid Society

SEPTEMBER 2018E

John and Peter began exploring nature together in 2003. A suggestion from friends had them looking for wild orchids after a visit to Purdon Conservation Area in 2011. In their quest to document the wild orchids of Ontario, they have found many other unusual and intriguing plants. In Weird, Wild and Wonderful – Carnivores, Parasites and Other Unusual Plants, John and Peter will introduce you to some of our unique botanical curiosities. The wonderful of course, will be orchids!

They will offer orchid themed craft items for sale.

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Board of Directors Table of Contents Page

David Cooper 613-256-2853 John Alexander & Peter Kaellgren……………... 1 [email protected] Board of Directors……………………………….. 2 President‘s Message…………………………….. 3 Orchids 101 Workshop Returns………………… 3 Mario Ferrusi Award……………………………… 4 Manon Garrett 613-808-6581 Audit Report and Financial Statements……… 5-8 [email protected] Updated Ottawa Orchid Society Website……… 9 OOS Questionnaire……………………………… 9 October Program Reminder…………………… 10 OOS Program for 2018-2019………………….. 10 Calendar of Events for 2018-2019………… 10-12 Membership Renewal………………………….. 12 New Members………………………………….. 12 Conservation Representative Needed……….. 12 Henriette Watkins 613-235-4570 Plants Needed for COOS Display…………….. 13 Preparing Plants for a Show…………………… 13 [email protected] ECOS Closed…………………………………… 14 Montréal Additional Judging Centre – Summer Awards……………………………………….. 15-16 613-722-6738 Judging Centres………………………………… 16 [email protected] AOS Awards – What do the Abbreviations after the Plant Name Mean?...... 17-18 Annual Bonsai Exhibition……………………… 18 Orchids as a Floral Emblem in Canada……….18 Helen Nitschkie 613-823-6876 Orchids as a State Flower in the United [email protected] States of America………………...... 18 Orchids as National Flowers of their Country……………………………….19-22 Book Review – Four Seasons of Orchids…22-23 André Couture 613-233-7335 How to make a Mounting Board [email protected] for Orchids…………………………………….23-24 Upcoming Canadian Orchid Shows………. ….24 Upcoming International Orchid Shows………..25 Upcoming AOS Webinars……………………….25 Editor‘s Wrap……………………………………. 26 Website Links…………………………………… 26

A.Newsletter Editor Bev Burtnyk 613-739-1941 [email protected]

Mailing address:

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President’s Message

Hi Everyone,

I hope you enjoyed the summer - we have certainly been treated to some tropical weather this year and I am sure your orchids appreciated it! I expect you are now ready to get into the new OOS season and I am looking forward to seeing everyone again. We have some excellent speakers lined up for this season‘s meetings, thanks to André. You can see an outline program in the website, with full details to be published in Spike once they are available.

Thanks to everyone who completed the questionnaire circulated with the June Spike. I was very pleased to see that most people are happy with our meetings, our Speaker program and our other activities. There were some good suggestions where we could improve things and your Board is in the process of reviewing the results. One area where I am making changes is the website – details elsewhere in Spike.

I hope to see you at the September meeting!

Dave Cooper

Orchids 101 Workshop Returns

We are pleased to announce that Orchids 101 Workshop - Beginners Class has returned this season thanks to Jean Hollebone and Jan Johns. Starting from the first meeting on September 15, 2018, the Beginners session will start at 12:45 p.m. to 1:15 p.m. The first topic is: Growing your supermarket orchid successfully. We will answer your questions and discuss what you need to know to successfully grow and rebloom your moth orchid.

These sessions will be held at the back right-hand corner of the meeting room at the Tom Brown Arena. They hope to start an Orchids 101 Workshop - Intermediate Class in October 2018 at Tom Brown Arena, same time as above. Everyone is welcome to either session.

Jean Hollebone & Jan Johns

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Mario Ferrusi Award

George Hatfield and Terry Kennedy are working to establish a fund to honor our friend and colleague Mario Ferrusi. George Hatfield is the President of the American Orchid Society and Terry Kennedy and her husband Doug are owners of Orchids in our Tropics. They would like to fund an American Orchid Society Annual Award recognizing the best Masdevallia or Dracula orchid. The award will be called the Mario Ferrusi Award. Please join us in commemorating Mario's contributions to the Orchid World!

Photographs of Mario Ferrusi are provided courtesy of George Hatfield.

At the Ottawa Orchid Show in 2010, Mario Ferrusi‘s Masdevallia coccinea (photo on left) won 1st Place in its class and Masdevallia Kaleidoscope (photo on right) won 2nd Place in its class. Photos by Arlene Lang.

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Ottawa Orchid Society

Audit Report

For Financial Year ending June 30, 2018 ______

To the members of the Board of the Ottawa Orchid Society:

I have conducted an audit of the books and financial records of the Society, for the period of July 1st, 2017 to June 30th, 2018.

Generally, the financial records and documentation are maintained in a professional manner and support the financial results, as prepared by the treasurer.

I am at your disposition should you have any questions.

Hélène Martin September 5, 2018

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8:32 PM Ottawa Orchid Society 2018-08-14 Profit & Loss Accrual Basis July 2017 through June 2018 July 17 to June 18 ______Income Annual Show Income Admissions 22,637.10 Art Gallery 45.00 Raffle 792.25 Vendor Table Sales 8,000.00 ______

Total Annual Show 31,474.35 Operating Income Auction 799.50 Book Sales 108.00 Memberships 2,325.00 Raffle 126.00 Speaker Cost Recovery 2,076.00 Visitor 30.00 ______Total Operating Income 5,464.50 ______

Total Income 36,938.85 Expenses Annual Show Expenses Admissions 89.36 AOS Judge‘s Lunch 777.76 AOS Other 170.90 ______Total AOS 948.66

Awards Ribbons 804.00 Trophy 45.93 Wine 450.66 Wine Bags 32.77 ______Total Awards 1,333.36

Bank Deposit Charges 64.77 Exhibit Registration 185.27 Gift Certificates 545.00 Hospitality 1,395.52 Permits 426.00 Publicity Newspaper/Internet 2,832.84 Postage 90.85 Printing 656.03 Signage 527.72 Supplies 224.22 ______Total Publicity 4,331.66

Room Rental Committee Meetings 77.70 Hall 6,589.32 ______Total Room Rental 6,667.02

Security 325.00 Signage 907.51 Society Display 164.04 Supplies 119.76 Venue Fit up 5,789.56 ______Total Show Expenses 23,292.51 Operating Expenses Affiliated Society Membership 486.89 Books, Subscriptions, Reference 76.97 Donations 1,123.80

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8:32 PM Ottawa Orchid Society 2018-08-14 Profit & Loss Accrual Basis July 2017 through June 2018 ______

July 17 - Jun 18

Equipment 1,757.51 Monthly Room Rental 1,595.59 Program Award 31.76 Hospitality 155.06 Out of Town Shows 3,951.27 Speaker Honorarium 1,110.78 Speaker Hospitality 707.92 Speaker Travel 4,129.96 ______Total Program 10,086.75

Raffle Plants 123.92 ______

Total Raffle 123.92

Software 235.52 Supplies 44.09 Website Hosting 151.57 ______

Total Operating Expenses 15,682.70 ______

Total Expense 38,975.21 ______

Net Income -2,036.36 ______

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18:32 PM Ottawa Orchid Society 2018-08-14 Balance Sheet Accrual Basis As of 30 June 2018

30 June 2018 ______

ASSETS Current Assets Chequing / Savings Current Account 37,564.76 GIC 5938 8113756-11 2,667.04 GIC 5938 8113756-12 2,940.76 GIC 5938 8113756-13 3,290.57 ______

Total Chequing / Savings 46,463.13 ______

Total Current Assets 46,463.13 ______

TOTAL ASSETS 46,463.13 ______

LIABILITIES & EQUITY Equity Opening Balance Equity 41,801.56 Unrestricted Net Assets 6,697.93 Net Income -2,036.36 ______Total Equity 46,463.13 ______TOTAL LIABILITIES & EQUITY 46,463.13 ______

Doug Vye Treasurer

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Updated Ottawa Orchid Society Website If you have looked at the website recently you will see that your webmaster has been busy! The website has been completely revised to incorporate feedback from the Questionnaire we sent out in the spring. There were three main points about the website that came up in your responses: • Less text and more pictures and graphics • More links to useful websites and growing information • Keep it more-or-less the same

Obviously we cannot make changes and also keep it the same! I have interpreted this as keeping most of the same information, while at the same time adding more graphics, photos and including a lot more links.

I took this opportunity to re-organize the website to group things more logically and to update the overall styling. The previous website had not changed since 2008 apart from adding new information as needed, so I felt it was time to be a bit bolder! I hope you find the new site attractive and easy to use. Please feel free to send me your comments if you think I need to add anything or if you notice anything that does not seem to be working properly.

My thanks to those who provided help and suggestions, particularly to Jan 2 for a lot of help to set up the new structure and overall format, and to Arlene for a detailed page-by-page review of the finished version as well as many of the photos used in the new site.

Dave Cooper Webmaster

OOS Questionnaire The results are in! Thanks to everyone who took the time to fill in the questionnaire that was included with the June Spike. I have personally read every one of your responses and I have reviewed the results with the Society Board. The last OOS questionnaire was in 2008, so this was long overdue.

I am very pleased to see that most people are generally happy with the Society, the monthly meetings and the speaker program, although there are clearly some areas where we can improve. We will be making a few changes this season to incorporate some of your suggestions. One area where we have already made changes is the website, as mentioned elsewhere in Spike. Another change we are planning is to re-introduce the ―Orchids 101‖ sessions before the regular meetings. We will also try to start meetings more promptly, so we can allow enough time for the speaker as well as the show table and avoid the need to rush things.

If you did not have time to send in your response yet, it is not too late! You can either fill in the electronic version in the June Spike or you can fill in a paper copy. We will have some copies available at the September meeting. Dave Cooper President

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Program for October 2018

REMINDER

September 30th is the deadline for pre-ordering from Hengduan Mountains Biotechnology. The list of orchids was forwarded to members earlier in July. Please consult the Society‘s website (front page which will direct you to the listing). Please follow this link on the O.O.S. website for the order form in Excel format or PDF format. http://www.ottawaorchidsociety.com/program.html

Members ordering must use the order form CA1810 that is on the OOS Website. Please e-mail your order to: [email protected]

OOS Program for 2018-2019

With the coming of the new Orchid Season, here is a program of the activities on the orchid calendar for 2018-19 courtesy of André Couture. Thanks André for all your hard work to get these great speakers for us!

September John Alexander & Peter Kaellgren October Wenqing Perner – Hengduan Biotechnology Nursery – China November Glen Decker – Piping Rock Orchids December Christmas Reception January Guillermo Salazar February Auction March Peter Lin - Big Leaf Orchids April Ottawa Orchid Show May George Hatfield – Hatfield Orchids

Calendar of Events for 2018-2019

September 2018

• September 15, the Montréal Additional Judging Centre meets at the Montréal Botanical Garden main building • September 16, Ottawa Orchid Society meeting at the Tom Brown Arena • September 22-23, Central Ontario Orchid Society Show, Cambridge, Ontario • September 29-30, Syracuse New York Orchid Show, Baldswinville, New York

October 2018

• Oct. 7, Toronto Judging Centre meets at the Toronto Botanical Garden, 777 Lawrence Avenue, Toronto, Ontario, M3C 1P2 • Oct. 14, please note date change for this meeting, Ottawa Orchid Society meeting at the Tom Brown Arena

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• October 20, the Montréal Additional Judging Centre meets at the Montréal Botanical Garden main building • October 20-21 Windsor Orchid Show • Oct. 27, the Toronto Judging Centre and the Montreal Additional Judging Centre – Meeting held at the Toronto Botanical Garden, 777 Lawrence Avenue, Toronto, Ontario, M3C 1P2

November 2018

• November 17, the Montréal Additional Judging Centre meets at the Montréal Botanical Garden main building • November 18, Ottawa Orchid Society meeting at the Tom Brown Arena

December 2018

• December 1, the Toronto Judging Centre meets at the Toronto Botanical Garden, 777 Lawrence Avenue, Toronto, Ontario, M3C 1P2 • December 8, the Montréal Additional Judging Centre meets at the Montréal Botanical Garden main building • December 16, Ottawa Orchid Society meeting at the Tom Brown Arena

January 2019

• January 5, the Toronto Judging Centre meets at the Toronto Botanical Garden, 777 Lawrence Avenue, Toronto, Ontario, M3C 1P2 • January 19, the Montréal Additional Judging Centre meets at the Montréal Botanical Garden main building • January 20, Ottawa Orchid Society meeting at the Tom Brown Arena

February 2019

• February 9, Toronto Judging Centre meets at the SOOS Show, Toronto Botanical Garden, 777 Lawrence Avenue, Toronto, Ontario, M3C 1P2 • February 9-10, Southern Ontario Orchid Society Orchid Show, Toronto Botanical Garden • February 16, the Montréal Additional Judging Centre meets at the Montréal Botanical Garden main building • February 17, Ottawa Orchid Society meeting at the Tom Brown Arena • February 23-24, Orchid Show of the Orchid Society of the Royal Botanical Garden in Burlington

March 2019

• March 2, the Toronto Judging Centre meets at the Toronto Botanical Gardens, 777 Lawrence Avenue, Toronto, Ontario, M3C 1P2 • March 17, Ottawa Orchid Society meeting at the Tom Brown Arena • March 30-31, Montréal Orchid Society Show at the Collège Maisonneuve in Montréal

April 2019

• April 6, the Toronto Judging Centre meets at the Toronto Botanical Garden, 777 Lawrence Avenue, Toronto, Ontario, M3C 1P2

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• April 6-7, Orchid Show of Les Orchidophiles de Québec at the Pavilion Envirotron, Université Laval • April 13-15, Toronto Artistic Orchid Association Orchid Show at the Centre for Immigrants & Community Services, Midland Avenue, Toronto • April 28-29, Ottawa Orchid Show at the RA Centre, Ottawa

May 2019

• May 4, the Toronto Judging Centre meets at the Toronto Botanical Garden, 777 Lawrence Avenue, Toronto, Ontario, M3C 1P2 • May 18, the Montréal Additional Judging Centre meets at the Montréal Botanical Garden main building • May 19, Ottawa Orchid Society meeting at the Tom Brown Arena

June 2019

• June1, the Toronto Judging Centre meets at the Toronto Botanical Garden, 777 Lawrence Avenue, Toronto, Ontario, M3C 1P2

André Couture Program Chair

Membership Renewal

It is renewal time for OOS memberships at the September meeting. Please bring your cheque payable to the Ottawa Orchid Society or cash and give it to Helen Nitschkie, Membership. Membership fee is $25.00 per person or family group. The annual Membership is from Sept. 1, to August 31. There are no meetings in June, July or August.

New Members

A warm welcome to Ann Ryder and Don Thomas! We hope that you enjoy our Society. Please feel free to ask any of the committee or general members any questions that you might have about the society.

Helen Nitschkie Acting Membership

Conservation Representative Needed

A volunteer is needed to fill the Conservation Representative position. The position is currently vacant. Anyone who is interested please contact Dave Cooper at 613- 256-2853 or by email at [email protected]

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Plants Needed For COOS Display

Central Ontario Orchid Society Orchid Show is September 21-23 in Cambridge, Ontario. Jean Hollebone and Helen Nitschkie are looking for about 15 blooming orchids from the Show Table at the September meeting for the COOS show. If you are not able to bring them to the Show Table for September, they can be dropped off with Jean Hollebone (613- 226-2395), 1176 Castle Hill Crescent, Ottawa.

**Please call Jean to make arrangements to drop off your plants on Thursday, September 20. Jean and Helen will be travelling to the Cambridge, Hespeler Arena on Friday, September 21 and will return on Monday, September 24. This is a small, but always a very nice show. All plants should be groomed, flowers staked, disease free with your identification label attached to your pot and packed for travel.

Jean Hollebone

Preparing Plants for a Show

Our exhibit co-ordinators really appreciate using your orchids to present OOS exhibits at our neighbouring shows. Please help them by preparing your plants for a show as follows:

1. Put your name on the pot — on the back or underneath. 2. Put your name and list of plants INSIDE the box and on the OUTSIDE of the box. 3. Include the parentage of hybrids, if possible. 4. Ensure the name on the plant tag is spelled correctly. 5. Pack plants carefully so they are protected from wobbling and from the elements. 6. Stake for transport and for the best display, as appropriate. 7. Clean the foliage — use water or water with a little milk. Never use plant shine products. 8. Remove any damaged/old flowers and leaves. 9. Check well for bugs!

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ECOS – Eastern Canada Orchid Society - Closed

It is such sad news that ECOS – Eastern Canada Orchid Society closed in June 2018 after being a Society since 1953. We hope that someday they will be an active society again. There will be no more OrchidFête Shows in Montreal, Quebec. They were usually held in October. The following is a note from ECOS from their Facebook page.

Dear fellow orchid enthusiasts,

At the June 19, 2018 meeting of the Eastern Canada Orchid Society (ECOS), elections were held in accordance with our constitution. No nominations for President were made, either in advance or from the floor. In addition, the2017-2018 executive was not willing to be reappointed to any positions. As a result, the Eastern Canada Orchid Society, which was founded in 1953, has no executive and will not continue to operate as a society. As per our constitution, the remaining society funds will be distributed to the Canadian Orchid Congress.

The 2017-2018 executive wishes to thank you for your support of our society over the years, and we regret to inform you of this difficult situation.

ECOS Past Executive

Ottawa Orchid Society‘s Display at the last ECOS Orchidfere, Oct. 2017. This display was designed by Joyce Medcalf, OOS Member and won numerous awards.

Photo: Thang Dam/Orchids Plus

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Montréal Additional Judging Centre – Summer Awards

Photographer: Thang Dam

Propetalum La Jolla Delight ‗Julien Cédric Anne‘ AM/AOS 82 points Owner: Julien Cédric Anne

Thunia alba ‗Jardin botanique de Montréal‗ CCM/AOS 83 points Owner: Jardin botanique de Montréal

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Phagmipedium caudatum ‗Tristan Michaud‗ AM/AOS 81 points Owner: Norman Michaud

Cymbidium ensifolium ‗Alice‗ CCM/AOS 85 points Owner: Yves Renaud

Judging Centers

Oct. 6: Toronto Judging Centre They meet the 1st Saturday of each month. Toronto Botanical Garden, 777 Lawrence Avenue, Toronto, Ontario, M3C 1P2

Oct. 20: Montréal Additional Judging Centre They meet on the 3rd Saturday of each month. Montréal Botanical Garden, 4101 Rue Sherbrooke E, Montréal, QC H1X 2B2

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AOS Awards What does the abbreviation after the plant name mean?

If you‘ve ever wondered what is meant by all those letters that appear after the names of the award - winning plants, the list below will come in handy.

The American Orchid Society grants the following awards to orchids and exhibitors. AOS awards are a recognized measure of quality the world over and coveted by hobbyists and commercial growers alike. An AOS flower quality award adds value to an orchid in its own right, and as a parent for creating hybrids.

HCC (Highly Commended Certificate) Awarded to orchid species or hybrids scoring 75 to 79 points inclusive on a 100 point scale.

AM (Award of Merit) Awarded to orchid species or hybrids scoring 80 to 89 points inclusive on a 100 point scale.

FCC (First Class Certificate) The highest flower-quality award, awarded to orchid species or hybrids scoring 90 points or more on a 100 point scale.

JC (Judges' Commendation) Given for distinctive characteristics that the judges unanimously feel should be recognized but cannot be scored in the customary ways.

AD (Award of Distinction) Awarded once to a cross representing a worthy new direction in Breeding. The award is granted unanimously without scoring by the judging team assigned.

AQ (Award of Quality) Awarded once to a cross exhibited by a single individual as a group of not less than 12 plants or inflorescences of different clones of a hybrid or cultivated species. At least one of the inflorescences must receive a flower quality award and the overall quality of the group must be an improvement over the former type.

CBR (Certificate of Botanical Recognition) Awarded to rare and unusual species with educational interest that has received no previous awards. The entire plant must be exhibited. This award is granted provisionally and filed with the judging center Chair pending taxonomic verification supplied by the exhibitor. (see Taxonomic Authorities)

CHM (Certificate of Horticultural Merit) Awarded to a well grown and well flowered species or natural hybrid with characteristics that contribute to the horticultural aspects of orchidology, such as aesthetic appeal. This award is granted provisionally and filed with the judging center Chair pending taxonomic verification supplied by the exhibitor. (see Taxonomic Authorities)

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CCM (Certificate of Cultural Merit) Awarded to the exhibitor of a well flowered specimen plant of robust health. The plant must score more between 80 and 89 points inclusive on a 100 point scale.

CCE (Certificate of Cultural Excellence) Awarded to the exhibitor of a well flowered specimen plant of robust health. The plant must score more than 90 points on a 100 point scale. Plants receiving this award represent the highest level of orchid culture. http://www.aos.org/orchid-awards-judging/aos-awards.aspx

Annual Bonsai Exhibition

The Ottawa Bonsai Society will hold its Annual Bonsai Exhibition for 2018 on Saturday, September 16, from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. and on Sunday, September 17, from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at the Japanese Embassy, 255 Sussex Drive in Ottawa.

Come and see the most beautiful bonsai in the Ottawa-Gatineau area. Dozens of species of trees, some over 100 years old, will be on display. Learn how almost any tree can be transformed into a living sculpture with this ancient art form. Demonstrations are between 1:00 and 3:00 p.m. on both days.

Admission is free. Parking is available inside the gates of the Japanese Embassy. Information: (819) 684-0586. www.ottawabonsai.org

Orchids as a Floral Emblem in Canada

Prince Edward Island‘s floral emblem, the lady‘s slipper (Cypripedium acaule) was adopted in 1947. A species of orchid, it takes its name from the shape of its petals, which form a pouch somewhat like a slipper. Bees tumble into the pouch and, in their efforts to scramble out, brush against the male and female flower parts, thus pollinating the flowers. The lady‘s slipper grows in shady and moist woodlands and blooms in late May and June.

www.canada.ca

Orchids as State Flowers in the United States of America

Official State Flower of Minnesota The pink and white lady slipper (Cypripedium reginae), is also known as the showy lady’s slipper or queen’s lady slipper. It was adopted as the state flower in 1902. They are found living in open fens, bogs, swamps, and damp woods where there is plenty of light, lady's slippers grow slowly, sometimes taking up to 16 years to produce their first flowers. They bloom in late June or early July. The plants can live for up to 50 years and grow up to four feet tall.

www.50states.com

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Orchids as National Flowers of their Country

The Black Orchid (Encyclia Cochleatum) is the National Flower of Belize. This orchid grows on trees in damp areas, and flowers nearly all year round. It‘s clustered bulb like stems vary in size up to six inches long and carry two or three leaves.

The black orchid flower has greenish-yellow petals and sepals with purple blotches near the base. The ―lip‖ is shaped like a valve of a clam shell (hence the name Encyclia Cochleatum) and is deep purple-brown, almost black, with conspicuous radiating purple veins.

www.belize.com

The National Flower of Brazil is the Cattleya Orchid also known as Crimson Cattleya or Ruby-lipped Cattleya. It is a basic species of cattleya and introduced in eighteen hundred eighteen 1818 in Brazil. Mostly found in north eastern area of Brazil. Often grows in Pernambuco and Alagoas states. It can grow in different sizes and shapes depends on the root or origination area.

www.readnational.com

One of the 26 varieties of native orchids, the wild Banana Orchid (Myrmecophila thomsoniana) is Cayman‘s National Flower. According to literature provided by the National Trust for the Cayman Islands, the orchid comes in two varieties: Myrmecophila thomsoniana var. thomsoniana, which originated on Grand Cayman, and Myrmecophila thomsoniana var. minor, which came from Cayman Brac and Little Cayman.

www.caymancompass.com

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The national flower of Colombia is the orchid Cattleya trianae which was named after the Colombian naturalist José Jerónimo Triana. The orchid was selected by botanist Emilio Robledo, in representation of the Colombian Academy of History to determine the most representative flowering plant of Colombia. He described it as one of the most beautiful flowers in the world and selected Cattleya trianae as the National symbol. It is also known as the Christmas Orchid.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_symbols_of_Colombia

Costa Rica‘s national flower, the guaria morada (Guarianthe skinneri), is an exquisite orchid known for its purple hues and diamond-like shimmer. The plant, which blooms from January through April, was designated as Costa Rica's national flower on June 15, 1939. www.costrica.org

Guatemala's national flower, Lycaste Skinneri Alba (also known as the White Nun Orchid), is a rare flower in the Verapaz distict of Guatemala, symbolizing peace, beauty and art. A degree by General Jorge 1, in 1934 made the white nun the national flower. Since then its commercialization has been prohibited.

www.stanford.edu

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National Flower of Honduras is the Brassavola Digbyana, a native orchid. The orchid has been a national symbol since 1969. Before that was the rose which wasn‘t native to Honduras so they changed it. http://nationalflowers.info/2013/05/20/national-flower- of-honduras-orchid-brassavola-digbyana/

Before 1990, Indonesia did not have a particular flower recognized as the national flower. Then they named three at once. The Moon Orchid that we know as a Phaleonopsis or Moth orchid is the longest blooming orchid. The Moon Orchid is striking with as bright purple or pink center and striking white petals. The orchid grows in a cluster and once in bloom, the flower of the moon orchid can last for up to six months before dropping. The Moon Orchid usually blooms two or three time per year once it is mature. The orchid thrives in a wet, warm environment and grows well in the lowlands of Indonesia, http://nationalflowers.info/2012/07/21/national-flowers-indonesia- melati-moon-orchid-rafflesia/

The national flower of the Seychelles is Angraecum eburneum, the tropic bird orchid (known locally as orkid payanke). Their common name is the "comet orchid". They generally grow up to 2 meters in height and blooms 10 to 15 flowers per plant.

The white and green flower is 7.5 cm in size and is said to give off a pleasant smell. Flowering begins in early winter and takes several months.

http://www.wikiwand.com/en/Angraecum_eburneum

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Singapore is the only country to have a hybrid as her national flower. Vanda Miss Joaquim is the first registered plant hybrid from Singapore.

Research has shown that the parents of Vanda Miss Joaquim, Vanda teres and Vanda hookeriana should actually be in the genus Papilionanthe, instead of Vanda. Thus, the scientific names of these flowers are now Papilionanthe teres and Papilionanthe hookeriana. The scientific name of our national flower has also followed suit, and is now Papilionanthe Miss Joaquim. However, its common name continues to be Vanda Miss Joaquim.

www.nparks.gov.sg

The national flower of Venezuela is the orchid Cattleya mossiae, known as flor de Mayo ("May flower"). It was first discovered in the northern land in 1849 and was given the status of national flower on 23 May 1951.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_symbols_of_Venezuel a

BOOK REVIEW

Have you read any good orchid books lately??

Four Seasons of Orchids

Written by Greg Allikas and Ned Nash. Published in 2007 by Creative Homeowner, USA.

It is soft covered, large print and 256 pages with numerous gorgeous pictures of many different types of orchids. Greg Allikas is a renowed orchid photographer and orchid grower since 1970. He is the awards photographer for the AOS, West Palm Beach, Judging Center. His photographs have appeared in the AOS publications and calendars. His website is www.orchidworks.com.

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Ned Nash has a B.A. in botany from the University of California at Santa Barbara in 1975. In 1995, he was the Director of Education and Conservation for the AOS. He has been an accredited AOS Judge for the past 20 years. Recently he was honoured with the title Judge Emeritus.

This wonderful soft covered, orchid book is very informative and has many beautiful photographs of orchids. The book is organized in four parts: Spring, Summer, Fall and Winter. This superb book presents a selection of the most exceptional orchids anywhere, all of which can be grown at home. This book appeals to the casual orchid grower to an expert orchid grower.

Four Seasons of Orchids gives you the history of orchids, definitions, growing requirements of different orchids in every season along with numerous, gorgeous photographs of orchids. It also mentions tools, re-potting most types of orchids and mounting orchids. I found this book to be very informative, easy reading and a great reference book with wonderful orchid photographs. A must read or purchase for any orchid grower.

Bev Burtnyk

How to Make a Mounting Board for Orchids

In nature, many orchids (Cattleya sp.) grow on tree bark and do not require soil. These epiphytes have specially adapted roots that absorb water quickly during tropical downpours and slowly release water to the plant. To remain healthy, roots must dry out completely between watering. Mounting these plants on bark or driftwood mimics their natural environment. Plants are often hung inside and treated as a houseplant. In climates where temperatures remain above 50 degrees Fahrenheit at night, mounted orchids can be displayed outside during the summer.

1. Select a piece of bark or driftwood approximately 4 to 6 inches wide and 8 to 10 inches long. If using found driftwood from the ocean, soak it in tap water first to leach away any excess salt.

2. Drill a 1/8-to 1/4-inch hole approximately 1 inch from the top center of the wood. This creates the hole for adding the hanger to the mount.

3. Cut a 4-to 6-inch section of wire with wire cutters. Slip the wire through the hole and bend it into an "S" hook with your pliers to complete the hanger for the mounted orchid.

4. Wet the orchid roots and wrap them gently with sphagnum moss. This creates a reservoir for water that drains quickly.

5. Wrap fish line or fine wire around the base of the orchid to anchor it to the wood. Carefully wrap the fish line between pseudobulbs to prevent injuries to the root system. Wrap firmly but not tight enough to cut into the roots.

6. Hang the orchid in a location that receives bright, indirect light until the plant is established. Gradually move the orchid to more light once the plant's roots are anchored to the wood and new growth appears. The amount of light exposure your orchid needs depends on the cultivar.

Things You Will Need:

▪ Drill

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▪ 1/8-to 1/4-inch drill bit, ▪ Wire cutters ▪ Pliers ▪ 20-gauge wire ▪ Fish line ▪ Scissors ▪ Driftwood or bark ▪ Sphagnum Moss Tip • Water your hanging orchid daily. • Apply water-soluble fertilizer mixed to half strength once a month by dipping the roots into the solution. • Remove the fish line once the roots are anchored to the wood https://homeguides.sfgate.com/make-mounting-board-orchids-28655.html

Upcoming Canadian Orchid Shows

Sept. 22-23: Central Ontario Orchid Show and Sale Cambridge Hespeler Arena, 640 Ellis Road, Cambridge, Ontario, N3C 1A1 https://personal.uwaterloo.ca/jerry/coos/

October 20-21: Windsor Society Orchid Show and Sale St. Cyril‘s Slovak Centre, 1520 Chandler Road, Windsor, Ontario, N8Y 4P7 www.windsororchidsociety.ca

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Upcoming International Orchid Shows

Sept. 29-30: Central New York Orchid Society (CNYOS) Show and Sale, Beaver Lake Nature Center, Baldwinsville, New York, U.S.A.

Oct. 3-14: Central California Orchid Society ‘The Big Fresno Fair Orchid Show’ Fresco Fairgrounds, Floriculture Building, 2011 S. Chance Avenue, Fresno, CA, U.S.A.

Oct. 19-21: The Huntington Library, Art Collections and Botanical Gardens International Orchid Show, 1151 Oxford Road, San Marino, CA, U.S.A.

Oct. 11-14: Kenya Orchid Society Annual Show 2018 ‘Garden of Eden’ Sarit Centre Exhibition Hall, Lower Kabete Road, Nairobi, Kenya, Africa

Upcoming AOS Webinars

Sept. 18, 8:30 pm – 9:30 pm: Judging Webinar: Judging The Oncidinae Presented by Ron Midgett. AOS Members only

Oct. 9, 8 :30 pm – 9 :30 pm: Orchiata Bark, What is Everyone Talking about? Presented by Garry Clark. Open to the Public

Oct. 18, 8:30 pm - 9:30 pm: Greenhouse Chat – Open to everyone Presented by Ron McHatton.

Nov. 7. 8:30 pm – 9:30 pm: Greenhouse Chat – Open to everyone Presented by Ron McHatton.

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EDITOR’S WRAP

Welcome back! Hope you all had an enjoyable summer and are looking forward to another year of orchids, speakers, workshops, raffles, auction, show tables and much more this season. I am the new acting editor of SPIKE and look forward to keeping you informed on the Ottawa Orchid Society‘s news. I‘m happy to see Orchids 101 return, thanks to Jean Hollebone and Jan Johns. It should be an exciting year season 2018-2019.

A special thanks to Aurora Richard for being Editor of SPIKE from 2017-2018. Her hard work and dedication was greatly appreciated! Thanks to Dave Cooper for all his work putting together the new website and giving it an attractive new look! Thanks to Jan Johns and Arlene Lang for their help on the website also. Thanks to André Couture for his work and dedication to provide us with an excellent Society Year 2018-2019 of speakers and events! Also thanks to Doug Vye for preparing the Financial Statements.

If you would like to submit an article, picture, book review or have an orchid related question(s), please contact me by email at [email protected] . Your suggestions, comments, likes and dislikes about SPIKE are always welcome. If you have some article or news that you would like posted in SPIKE I will require this information by the first of each month. If not, then it would be published in the following month.

Thanks to everyone who contributed to this September‘s issue of SPIKE!!! Many thanks to Arlene Lang for taking the time to proof read this newsletter. I look forward to hearing from you!

Bev Burtnyk Acting Editor, SPIKE Newsletter

Website Links

Main OOS Website: http://www.ottawaorchidsociety.com/ OOS Facebook: www.facebook.com/Ottawa-Orchid-Society-196485693713178/ SPIKE Newsletters: http://www.ottawaorchidsociety.com/spike.html American Orchid Society Website: www.aos.org/ AOS Orchid Culture Sheets: http://www.aos.org/orchids/culture-sheets.aspx#guide_download The Canadian Orchid Congress: http://canadianorchidcongress.ca/ COC Orchid Journal on FB: https://www.facebook.com/OrchidJournal/ COC Orchid Culture Sheets: http://canadianorchidcongress.ca/culture/ COC Canadian Vendors List by Province: http://canadianorchidcongress.ca/vendors/ Ravenvision – Orchid Supplies: www.ravenvision.ca Ravenvision - Orchid Website Database: http://www.ravenvision.ca/Orchidlinks/LinkSearch.php

Facebook links – search Society name and if they have a Facebook link it will come up. You need to be registered on Facebook first.

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