OSGKC News ORCHID SOCIETY OF GREATER KANSAS CITY www.osgkc.org May 2008 May 18 Program: The Salvation of Nomenclature: A Report from David Bird Presents a the 19th World Orchid Conference Review of the 2008 World The following is by Dr. Wes Higgins from Selby Gardens Orchid Congress in Miami orticulturists have thrown up their hands in despair over all the The following profile is from Bird’s Hchanges in orchid names. First it was the species and then the hybrid Botanicals website and was provided by names which began to change. The purpose of a classification system is to Doug Martin, OSGKC Program Chair facilitate communication. It is a user tool based on scientific data, but it avid Bird has been growing must be user-friendly. With the advent of molecular systematics, we have Dorchids for 31 years. On a new insights into relationships within the family trip to Hawaii when he was a orchid family. The DNA data has caused kid, he bought his first five orchids. taxonomists to re-examine the morphology and Working at the Denver Botanical to rethink generic concepts . What is a genus? Garden with orchids and managing How big should it be? Can it be too small to be the orchid greenhouse in college, useful? Unfortunately many of the recent just made the addiction all the changes in genera did not consider the impact sweeter. Finally, getting a BS degree on horticulturalists (the users). in Horticulture at North Dakota The lectures at the 19th World Orchid State University, David started his Conference reflected a new trend where scien- horticulture career at the Interna- tists have started consulting the users of the tional Peace Garden and enlarged classification system. New data has mandated the orchid collection to 800 plants. changes in orchid names, but the changes need The Des Moines Botanical Center to be compatible with the needs of the end needed a new horticulturist and users. David developed a large Oncidium At the general meeting of the International Alec Pridgeon, author of The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Orchids collection. On to Powell Gardens Orchid Commission, Cassio van den just outside of Kansas City, David Berg proposed moving the Brazilian started an orchid exhibit that is still Laelias into Cattleya. This recommen- an annual event. dation was well received by the group. Finally, the orchids took over This change will greatly help with the and David started Bird’s Botanicals nomenclature of this widely hybridized and made the orchids a new career. group. Alec Pridgeon stated that a Still fascinated with Hawaii, supplement could be included to Genera [David’s] collection has grown to Orchidearum V to rapidly disseminate over 4,000 plants, and he makes this change. The only dissenter was annual trips to Hawaii working with someone who wanted to do away with growers on new and improved nothogenera and use just breeding groups. The Cattleya proposal was con’t page 2 forwarded to the Royal Horticultural Society (the hybrid registrar) for consid- Inside... eration. Officers’ Reports pg. 2 What do we have to look forward to: “Step Softly,” Part II pg. 2 A large Cattleya genus, Orchid Trivia pg. 2 A large Epidendrum genus, Orchid Show Winners pg. 3 A large Pleurothallis genus, A large Oncidium genus....and a stable system of hybrid names. Treasurer’s Report Beginners’ Group he beginners will discuss ecause the distribution of Society’s news is primarily via email, the Tvisiting growers facilities, BBoard has decided to provide the treasurer’s report at each meeting. In grooming plants, and the culture addition, the treasurer’s report is available upon request to the treasurer or of Dendrobiums and Cymbidi- any officer. ums. Come early -- we have a busy schedule. Cindy Hobbs, OSGKC Treasurer Fred Bergman Orchid Trivia From Orchids to Know and Grow, by Thomas J. Sheehan and Robert J. Black Step Softly: Environmen- he hollow pseudobulbs of Myrmecophila, named from the Greek tal Stewardship: Part II Tmyrmeko (ants) because ants nest in them, are used as horns in Mexico The following article was originally and Central America to call the cattle home. published in the Native Orchid Salep, the powder obtained from the tuberoids of some European or- Conference Journal and is made available chids, has been used medicinally for its nutritive value in cases of malnutri- through AOS tion. By Marilyn H.S.Light limited my visits to the absolute Gatineau, Quebec, Canada rine (Epipactis helleborine) deserve minimum needed to gather data, [email protected] our consideration and respect if we Reprinted with permission expect to learn something meaning- have walked on exposed rocks ful about their behavior. Ever since I wherever possible to minimize ow do we minimize any began a study in 1985, I have disturbance, and have resisted Hdamage we may cause to moving companion plants that were orchids and other plants when we spoiling my view. I wear running encounter them in their natural shoes which are less potentially habitat? damaging than hiking boots. A. Consider the habitat and its E. Be an exemplary environmental relative fragility. Wetlands are steward. Stay on paths and walk- especially vulnerable and should be ways where they are provided and visited with great caution and especially where the park respect- preferably not in large groups. fully requests that you do so. B. Consider the orchid and its Photograph at left: Epipactis helleborine rarity. While we may want to see the [For a full description of this orchid, ‘rare’ ones, it might be best to leave visit http://www.ct-botanical- a fragile site or a small population society.org/galleries/epipactishell.html] completely undisturbed. When in doubt, please don’t. C. Consider the orchid and its ecosystem. Orchids do not live in May program, Bird’s Botanicals, con’t from page 1 Support OSGKC Sponsors: isolation. They have a complex life Bergman Orchid Farm orchids. Birds’ Botanicals started as Bird’s Botanicals cycle and a reliance on particular a home based greenhouse business Oak Hill Gardens habitat conditions to survive. with 400 square feet of growing r.f. Orchids space. David told his wife he would Windy Hill Gardens Human visitation can lead to soil Whippoorwill Orchids compaction, changes to the soil never need more space than that. Any orchid grower knows there is microflora and loss of vulnerable never enough growing space for the species. orchids. Now [Bird’s Botanicals] D. Walk softly and carefully. Even 6,000 square feet (soon to be 7,000 common orchids like the Hellebo- square feet) in a cave with HPS lights. OSGKC’s Ribbon Winners entered a plant in either show won down both exhibits. We also greatly at least one ribbon. Special con- appreciate the help we received from in Omaha and St. Louis gratulations to Joy and Mark Prout, Tony King, Jason Thoren and David by Beth Martin whose Dendrobium lindleyi won the Bird, who hauled staging materials SGKC entered two outstanding Best Dendrobium trophy in the St. back to Kansas City after these Oexhibits in recent orchid shows Louis show. In Omaha, our exhibit shows. OSGKC should be proud of in Omaha and St. Louis, winning received the trophy for Best Orchid the work done by these dedicated the coveted AOS Show Trophy in Society Exhibit and a blue ribbon volunteers! Omaha, as well as other trophies for its class. Our St. Louis exhibit The trophy and ribbon winners and ribbons. Congratulations to the also won a blue ribbon for its class. from each exhibit are listed below. OSGKC members whose plants Many thanks to Cindy Hobbs, received a total of 66 ribbons in the Joy Prout, Mark Prout and Doug two shows! Every member who Martin for setting up and tearing March 28-30, 2008 Omaha Ribbons and Trophies Owner Class Plant Award OSGKC 6 EXHIBIT Blue, BOC, AOS Trophy Harold Basye 11 Encyclia cordigera Red 21 Cattleya Lydia Oliveau Red Cindy Hobbs 23 Gsl. Gold Digger White 48 Angreacum leonis Red 44 Phrag. Deliverance White Doug & Beth 14 Rhyncholaelia digbyana Red Martin 35 Paph. Magic Lantern Red 33 Paph. Amelia Hart Alexander Red 98 Den. Susan Takahashi Blue Alex McConnell 23 Thw. Fordyce Fantasy Blue 23 Sc. Final Touch ‘Lemon Chiffon’ AM/AOS White 41 Paph. Scott Ware ‘Lone Jack’ AM/AOS Red Jami Parkison 20 Sc. Drumbeat ‘Heritage’ HCC/AOS Red 22 Thw. Hsinying Catherine ‘Hakucho’ Blue Joy & Mark Prout 19 Guarianthe aurantiaca Red 43 Phrag. Inca Embers Red 64 Phal. Classic Beauty Blue 96 Den. lindleyi Blue 38 Wössner Goldegg Red 97 Den. Red Emperor Jan and Tom 15 Guaritonia Why Not Red Reagor Frank Serra 11 Encyclia bractescens Blue 43 Phrag. Jason Fischer Blue 71 Phal. Brother Little Yellowboy Red David Sosland 62 Dtps. (Phal. Devon Ace x Dtps. Devonshire Charm) Blue 70 Phalaenopsis hybrid Blue Terrence 28 Sc. California Ember White Thompson 34 Paph. Prelude White 34 Paph. Transvaal Red 35 Paph. Diane Vickery White 36 Paph. Varuna Blue.