August 2015 Sonoma County Orchid Society Newsletter

SONOMA COUNTY
ORCHID SOCIETY
August 2015
A California Non-Profit 501 (c) (3) Corporation
IN THIS ISSUE
1: Dennis Olivas Bio;
Speaker Dinner
2: Skill Session;
President's Corner; Thank
you; Library Position
Open
3: Treasurer Report;
Membership Column
4: BBQ & Auction Info
Heirloom Exposition
5: BBQ Poster
6: Refreshments;
Classifieds
7: World's Largest Orchid
8: Bingo Night Photos
9: Upcoming Events
10: Hengduan Mountains Biotechnology Preorder Info
11: Classic Strawberry
Shortcake Recipe
Please feel free to post
comments and share
pictures of your blooming
orchids on Facebook or
share orchid articles. It's an
opportunity to show off
your orchids and/or orchid
growing conditions. Press
the Control button on your
keyboard and click on the
above Facebook link.
Page 1
Our August meeting is on August 11, 2015 at 6:30 p.m.
at the Veteran's Memorial Building, 1351 Maple Avenue, SR
GUESTS WELCOME
This month we welcome back DENNIS OLIVAS.
Dennis will discuss "Cool Growing Monopolials"
Monopodial orchids such as Vandas
and Phalaenopsis are commonly
thought to require hot, humid
climates difficult to provide in the SF
Bay Area. This talk will introduce some
cool tolerant monopodials that can be
successfully grown in conditions that
are suitable for our climate, even
some that can be grown outdoors.
Dennis Olivas was born on the island
of Kauai, Hawaii. As a lad, he helped
his mom grow her orchids and got
hooked. When he joined the Future
Farmers of America, his project was raising and selling these beautiful and exotic
plants. In 1980 he moved to the mainland and swore off the orchid family - but not for
long - as he was introduced to Rod McLellan's Acres of Orchids. From there his whole
life became one downward spiral. First he filled his home with upwards of 6,000 plants.
Later he leased a greenhouse space for his ever-burgeoning orchid collection. Since
he's a glutton for punishment, his collection grew, overflowing the 3,000 sq. ft.
greenhouse in Half Moon Bay.
Dennis has been President of the Peninsula Orchid Society, San Francisco Orchid
Society, Diablo View Orchid Society, and the Santa Cruz Orchid Society. He is an
accredited judge of the American Orchid Society. Dennis belongs to more than 14
orchid societies and tries to assist them whenever possible.
Speaker Dinner: Please join us for dinner with Dennis Olivas at 5:00 p.m. at JOHNNY
GARLIC'S, 1460 Farmers Lane. RSVP to Angelique at bfry@pon.net.
SCOS August 2015 Newsletter
Skill Session
President’s Corner
Marni will do a skill
session on “How
to read a plant
tag” beginning at
approximately
6:45.
Orchid labels are extremely important. The labels give
you a wealth of information in an abbreviated form.
Understanding this information will guide you in
purchasing orchids because you will know from the
label what type of orchid you are purchasing.
Understanding the type of orchid will guide you in
knowing its proper care, its potential color, its
parentage, etc.
Thank you.
Thank you to everyone
who brought toppings and
treats to our Bingo night!
Thank you to Ann
Possinger for picking up
the ice cream. Thank you
to Angelique Fry for
making delicious
shortcakes and to Lynne Murrell for bringing an
entire flat of carefully made strawberries for topping
the shortcakes. Thank you to Cynthia Battershall for
supplying the plants for bingo prizes. And a final thank
you to everyone who attended and brought plants or
purchased bingo tickets. Our Society made $315 on the
sale of bingo tickets.
Thank you to Judy Carney for caring for the plants
donated by the Fred Shull estate. The auction of these
plants made $439 for our Society!
Thank you to Ann Possinger for spearheading the
budget meeting for the upcoming fiscal year. Thank
you to Angelique Fry, Mel Walsh, Karen Wofford,
and Susan Anderson for rounding out the committee.
Page 2
Dear members,
It has been a lovely
summer thus far. I love
the long daylight hours,
even though it often
gets hot. When it does
get hot, remember to
keep your orchids
humid and cool enough
so they don’t become
stressed. Keep feeding
your beauties so that
they can make the most
of this growing season.
Our second biggest fund raiser is coming up next
month: our Annual BBQ and Auction. It will be a fun
filled day full of orchids, food and drinks! It will be
held at Becky and David Jackson’s home on Saturday,
September 19th. Invite your family and friends! Get
your excess plants ready to auction and think about
donating a few to benefit YOUR Society! We also
LOVE to receive donated wine, dinners and
orchid/garden related items.
There is also a wonderful Speaker’s Day event on
Saturday, August 1st. It is hosted by the California
Sierra Nevada Judging Center. It takes less than two
hours to drive to Sacramento to this event. Also, for
the $10 price of advance admission it is the bargain of
the year! The theme this year is Conservation. It’s well
worth the trip. Come and join the dozen of SCOS
members who are going.
Think about how you can help keep our Society
thriving. I recommend that everyone volunteer for
something. If everyone does their part, the Society
runs much smoother.
Come and hear Dennis Olivas. He always has some
new ideas about orchid care and culture to entertain
us. Dennis is a fantastic speaker! Don’t miss it!
See you at the next meeting!
Susan
SCOS August 2015 Newsletter
Treasurer's Year-End Report
Membership Column
The Society had a net income
July 1 began our
for the year 7/1/14 thru
Society's new fiscal
6/30/15 of $1,181.77. This was
year. If you haven't
$1,275.63 less than our previous
yet renewed your
year primarily because we made
2015 – 2016
a $1,000 donation to Orquideas
membership, PLEASE
Moxviquil in Mexico for orchid
pay at the August
preservation. Orchid
meeting, or you may mail your check to:
preservation is one of the
Jeanne Van Blarcom
purposes of SCOS as stated in its
897 Matsuda Lane
constitution.
Sebastopol, CA 95472.
The bus trip was a big success, with over 50 going and
producing a net income of $188. Thanks to Angelique
Fry and Ann Conger for putting it together. The BBQ
and auction last September was attended by 50
people and produced a net income of $1,878.52.
Thanks to Becky and Dave Jackson for hosting the BBQ
at their home. Our show and sale in March was
attended by 742 people and produced a net income of
$4,022. The holiday party and re-potting party were
not income producing events. The net cost for our
monthly educational meetings was $4,591.88 which
includes rental of the room, insurance, speaker fees
and costs, and opportunity table plants. If anyone
wants more information, please contact me at
apossinger@comcast.net.
Ann Possinger, Treasurer
Don't forget to wear your name badge and sign in!
Wear your name badge or make a paper name-tag at
the membership table when you enter the meeting
room. Then, sign the list at the membership table. At
each meeting, one name will be drawn and that
person will receive a free strip of 3 raffle tickets.
Those who would like to order a name badge should
email Jeanne at jeannevanb@gmail.com
SCOS LIBRARIAN POSITION STILL AVAILABLE
As reported in last
month's
newsletter, our
Society's Librarian,
Patty Connick has
decided to resign
and give another
member the chance to be Librarian. Thank you Patty
for your many years of service and a job well done!
Patty will instruct any member who wants to
volunteer. It is not a difficult job, but it is a very
important job. Our library has been collecting orchid
books for a long time and has a book for every level of
orchid growing. If you would like to volunteer to be
the Society's Librarian, please contact any board
member.
Thank you.
Page 3
SCOS August 2015 Newsletter
SOCIETY BBQ & AUCTION FUNDRAISER QUICKLY
APPROACHING
OUR SOCIETY WILL AGAIN PARTICIPATE IN THE
NATIONAL HEIRLOOM EXPOSITION to be held at the
Santa Rosa Fairgrounds on September 8 – 10.
This event is our
first (of only two,
the second being
our spring show)
fund-raiser of our
2015 – 2016 year.
The silent auction
is the place to get
some great deals
and our live
auction is always
"lively" and
competitive and
funny and the place to pick up some very special orchids.
Friends, family and non-members are welcome. We only
ask that everyone bring a dish to share (couples should
bring a dish that will feed approximately 10-12 people) of
either salad, vegetable or dessert. Last year we had an overabundance of desserts and not enough salads and
vegetables. Susan Anderson is coordinating the side dishes,
so PLEASE CONTACT SUSAN at susanaorchids@gmail.com to
let her know what you propose to bring. RSVP by email to
beckybeej@me.com and designate for each person a choice
of either beef or chicken.
I (Kathie Hile) will chair the event with Karen Wofford
and Ann Possinger. I will be looking for blooming
orchids for the display, in an assortment of genera. This
will take some pre-planning, as I will make a place-card
for each orchid, giving its name and growing
conditions, i.e. whether greenhouse, windowsill or
outdoors and would like to display at least one orchid
in each growing environment. I will be calling on some
Do you have a named of you to give me the names of plants you would be
orchid, non-orchid or willing to have us display and that you would be willing
orchid/garden
to bring to Grace Pavilion on the 7th and pick-up on the
related item for the
11th.
silent auction table. If
so, you can either
donate it or put it on
the table for a
commission. Find the
silent auction paperwork (which must be
completed before
11:00 a.m.) at http://sonomaorchids.com/?page_id=19
You must complete both forms. Any questions on the
paperwork, feel free to contact me jph.kah@gmail.com or
707-585-1912. For every 5 plants you bring, 1 must be a
donation.
Besides the plants, we will be looking for volunteers to
work a few hours each day. Karen and I will probably
handle the set-up on 9/7 and take-down on 9/11 and
otherwise be there most of the time. Ann Possinger
has prepared a sign-up sheet and it will be at the
August meeting. If you cannot be at the meeting,
PLEASE CONTACT ANN TO VOLUNTEER
apossinger@comcast.net OR 707-538-4101.
THIS IS YOUR CHANCE TO VOLUNTEER AND ENJOY THE
EVENTAT THE SAME TIME!
We are also asking members to solicit donations from
merchants for our silent auction table, wine, wine
tours/food pairings, restaurant gift certificates, etc.
See flyer on the following page.
Page 4
SCOS August 2015 Newsletter
Sonoma County Orchid Society
Annual BBQ & Auction
Please come to the BBQ and Auction on Saturday, September 19, 2015
A fun-filled day of Orchids, Friends & Food
1451 Keiser Avenue, Santa Rosa
Silent Auction, Tri-tip or Chicken BBQ, followed by Live Auction
Silent Auction Begins at 11:00 and ends when lunch is ready
(between 12:00 and 12:30). Live Auction begins immediately following lunch.
Alan Koch of Gold Country Orchids,
Auctioneer Extraordinaire
Something for everyone
Silent auction plants (named orchids, named non-orchids and orchid and garden related items) must
arrive by 10:00 a.m. or earlier in order to complete all paperwork by 11:00. Maximum of 15 silent auction
items per person. For every 5 plants, 1 must be a donation. Find paperwork on our website at
www.sonomaorchids.com
ONLY $6.00 per person - bring a potluck side dish (green salad, pasta salad, other salad, vegetable
or dessert) to share (you must contact Susan Anderson at susanaorchids@gmail.com and let her
know the dish you will bring
Friends and Family welcome
Donations Appreciated
1451 Keiser Avenue – See signs for designated parking areas
RSVP by email to beckybeej@me.com and designate for each person a choice of either beef or chicken
Page 5
SCOS August 2015 Newsletter
CLASSIFIEDS
DON'T FORGET TO LOOK AT YOUR SOCIETY
WEBSITE
Don't forget you can get orchid supplies from Kris and
www.sonomaorchids.com
Jim Foster: foster@sonic.net or 707-762-7124
The site will continue to grow, with a photo gallery,
articles and other items useful to orchid growers. If you Small and medium Rexius bark, Perlite, Sphagnum
Moss, Orchid labels, Stakes, Charcoal
have a suggestion for the website, email Robyn at
RLChosy@gmail.com.
Note: since the website is new, do not try to access
through an old "bookmark". Click on the link above to
go to our new website.
ORCHIATA BARK ($18.00 includes tax) AND NUTRICOTE
($3 for 1# bag) FOR SALE BY YOUR SOCIETY.
Orchiata:
Classic #9
Power #5
Power #5a
Super #7
Thank You Robyn!
PLEASE CHECK THE SCHEDULE BELOW TO
SEE IF YOU ARE SCHEDULED TO BRING A
FINGER FOOD TO THE AUGUST MEETING.
(Anyone can bring a refreshment at any time.)
REMEMBER, if you bring a refreshment, you
receive a raffle ticket to be placed in a special
drawing, for only those bringing refreshments that
evening. Winner gets first choice from the
opportunity table!
1//4" – 3/8" chips
3/8" – 1/2" chips
1/2" – 3/4" chips
3/4" – 1" chips
Email Angelique bfry@pon.net to order and
arrange for pick-up
Advertisement: If you are planning to vacation, or
need a caretaker, I am available to care for your
home, garden and/or greenhouse. I also provide piano
concerts for homeowners or organizations. Contact
me, Nixy Rickles, at 415-336-9446 or
prowess88@yahoo.com. Thank you!
Refreshments
Please bring a refreshment if the first letter of your last name
corresponds with the monthly meeting.
Commercial Greenhouse Space for
Rent in Bolinas at California
T–Z
A–B
January, 2015
February
C – De
Di – Fo
Fr – H
J – Le
March
April
May
June
Ice Cream Social
July
Li – M
August
Bar-B-Q & Auction
No Meeting in September
N–R
S
Holiday Dinner
No Meeting in December
September
October
November
December
Orchids, 515 Aspen Rd.
3318 square feet, $1100.00/month
plus % of utilities
Expanded metal benches; overhead
watering system; under bench misting
system; hot water heat under bench
+back up heater; automatic ridge vent.
Contact Mary at California Orchids
mnisbet@pacbell.net
(415) 868-0203
THANK YOU!
Page 6
SCOS August 2015 Newsletter
World's oldest orchid?
An orchid plant in the Singapore Botanic
Gardens could well be the largest and oldest in
the world. The tiger orchid (Grammatophyllum
speciosum) is about 5-1/2 yards in diameter
and has been growing in the same spot at the
intersection of two paths, near the Curtain of
Roots Walk, in the Gardens for the past 154
years. Going by research by the Gardens' staff,
no other orchid has been found anywhere else
which is as old or as large.
The Gardens' director, Dr Nigel Taylor,
uncovered the plant's astonishing history when
he dug into archival material for the site's
Unesco bid. "In a guide produced for the
Gardens in 1927... I came across a reference to
a tiger orchid planted by Lawrence Niven in 1861," he said.
Niven was hired as the Gardens' manager in 1860, a year after the Agri-Horticultural Society bought a plot of land to set up the
green oasis and he spent fifteen years developing the Gardens.
Dr. Taylor said that while the 1927 reference by itself
could be questioned, photographs from the 19th and
20th centuries showed the orchid growing larger in
the same place specified in the guide.
"I also checked with people like Dr Tan Wee Kiat, who
was the Gardens' director in the late 1980s, and he
told me the orchid was always growing at that spot. It
must also be very old, just by its sheer size," he
added. Dr Taylor said another large tiger orchid
growing on one of the Gardens' heritage trees is
believed to be its daughter.
Tiger orchids, which are native to Singapore, were
believed to have become extinct here due to habitat
loss. In 1999, the Botanic Gardens reintroduced the
plant to the island using specimens from Malaysia.
Dr Taylor said the Gardens' molecular laboratory will run tests to determine whether the two on its grounds are genetically
different from the others in Singapore. "That would lend scientific support to the historical research," he said.
He added: "Given that Singapore and the Botanic Gardens are synonymous with orchids, the fact that we have the oldest living
specimen is very special."
Adapted from an article printed in the Singapore Straits Times 7/19/2015.
Page 7
SCOS August 2015 Newsletter
BINGO ICE CREAM SOCIAL WAS GEAT FUN
Thank you to all who came to the meeting and joined the fun. Thank you Ann Possinger for the photos.
Page 8
SCOS August 2015 Newsletter
UPCOMING EVENTS
August
8/1 California Sierra Nevada Judging Center Speaker's Day. 9:00 a.m. –
5:00 p.m. Odd Fellows Hall, 1831 Howe Avenue, Sacramento.
www.csnjc.org/
8/1 California Orchids Sale 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m., 515 Aspen road, Bolinas,
415-868-0203 info@californiaorchids.com
8/11 SCOS MEETING. Dennis Olivas will speak about "Cool Growing Monopolials".
8/18 SCOS BOARD MEETING at the home of Ann Possinger at 6:30 p.m. Please remember to RSVP to Ann
apossinger@comcast.net
September
9/8 – 9/10 SCOS BOOTH AT HEIRLOOM EXPO. Our Society will have an orchid display booth. We will be asking
members for display orchids and looking for volunteers to work for a few hours during one of the days. We talk
to the public, answer questions about orchids and promote our Society. See the Expo website at this link:
http://theheirloomexpo.com/
9/8 THERE WILL BE NO MEETING IN SEPTEMBER. COME TO THE BBQ AND AUCTION!
9/15 SCOS BOARD MEETING at the home of Karen Wofford at 6:30 p.m. Please RSVP to Karen
kwofford@sonic.net
9/19 SCOS BBQ AND AUCTION. See the flyer on page 5. Remember to RSVP so we get an accurate head count
for purchasing meat. Also please bring items for the silent auction or solicit donations of any kind.
October
10/6 San Francisco Orchid Society Meeting will feature Holger Perner from China speaking on "Orchids of
China". See the following page for information on preorders that can be picked up at the San Francisco
meeting.
file:///C:/Users/Owner/Documents/20112015%20SCOS%20Matters/2015%20Newsletters/August/Orchid_Flask_list_HengduanBiotech_150715.pdf
OUR 2016 SHOW & SALE WILL BE ON APRIL 2 AND 3 (WITH SET-UP APRIL 1)
PLEASE SAVE THE DATE
Page 9
SCOS August 2015 Newsletter
Hengduan Mountains Biotechnology Orchid Flask and Orchid list USA Autumn 2015
Dear friends and customers,
Holger Perner and Wenqing Perner from Hengduan Mountains Biotechnology Ltd. China will visit California at
the beginning of October 2015 and bring over orchid flasks and orchids.
In the attachment file below, please find 2 price lists for USA autumn 2015. Please read the following
information before you place your order:
Order timing: Please send us your order confirmation as soon as possible, the deadline is 20th September.
How to order: Please refer the PDF price list file, and write to info@hengduanbiotech.com for confirming
availability, price and postage cost.
How to pay: We accept your payment by cash check (made out to Wenqing Perner) or via our Paypal account:
sales@hengduanbiotech.com. Please add 3% commission fee, as Paypal China charges us 6% commission fee,
so we share the cost with our customers.
How to deliver: We would bring over your pre orders and deliver to you at the society meetings where Holger
is invited as speaker or send by US Priority Parcel. (Holger is speaking at the SFOS Meeting on October 6).
Ms. Wenqing Perner
3-11-904, Yinduhuayuan, Xinguang Rd.8
610041 Chengdu, Sichuan
P.R.China
E-mail: wenqing.perner@gmail.com
tel:+8613688062330 fax:+862885130914
Orchid List:
file:///C:/Users/Owner/Documents/2011-2015%20SCOS%20Matters/2015%20Newsletters/August/OrchidList_USA_Autumn_2015%20(1).pdf
Flask List:
http://attachment.benchmarkemail.com/c331141/ Orchid_Flask_list_HengduanBiotech_150715.pdf
Page 10
SCOS August 2015 Newsletter
Angelique Received Several Requests for her Strawberry Shortcake Recipe
HERE IT IS!
Servings: 6
For the Strawberries:
For the Shortcake:
For the Whipped Cream
• 1 lb. ripe strawberries, hulled (about 4 cups)
• 2 Tbs. granulated sugar; more to taste
• 9 oz. (2 cups) unbleached all-purpose flour; more for rolling
• 1/3 cup plus 1 Tbs. granulated sugar
• 2-1/2 tsp. baking powder
• 1/4 tsp. baking soda
• 1/2 tsp. kosher salt
• 4 oz. (1/2 cup) cold unsalted butter, cut into 1/2-inch pieces
• 1 large egg
• 1/4 cup heavy cream; more for brushing
• 1/4 cup buttermilk
• 1-1/2 cups heavy cream
• 2 Tbs. granulated sugar
Prepare the strawberries: Put one-third of the berries in a medium bowl and, using a potato masher, crush them into a chunky
purée. Slice the remaining berries 1/4 inch thick and stir them into the mashed berries along with the sugar. Taste the berries,
adding more sugar if necessary. Let the berries sit at room temperature for at least 30 minutes.
Make the biscuits: Position a rack in the center of the oven and heat the oven to 425°F. Line a large heavy-duty baking sheet with
parchment.
Sift the flour, 1/3 cup of the sugar, the baking powder, and baking soda into a large bowl. Stir in the salt. Using a pastry blender, a
fork, or your fingertips, work the butter into the dry ingredients until the mixture resembles coarse cornmeal.
In a small bowl, beat the egg and heavy cream with a fork. Mix in the buttermilk. Make a well in the center of the flour mixture and
pour in the cream mixture. Mix with the fork until the dough is evenly moistened and just comes together; it will still look a little
shaggy. Gather the dough and gently knead it three or four times. If the dough seems dry and doesn’t form a cohesive mass,
work in more cream, 1 tsp. at a time.
Transfer the dough to a lightly floured surface and roll it into a 3/4 -inch-thick disk. With a sharp 2 1/2-inch biscuit cutter, press
straight down to cut the dough into rounds and lift straight up to remove (don’t twist the cutter or it will seal the sides of the
biscuits and interfere with rising). Transfer the rounds to the prepared baking sheet. Gather the dough scraps, gently knead them
together, re-roll, and cut out more biscuits until you have a total of 6.
Lightly brush the biscuit tops with cream (about 1 Tbs.) and sprinkle with the remaining 1 Tbs. sugar. Bake, rotating the baking
sheet once, until the biscuit tops are lightly browned, 10 to 15 minutes. Let the biscuits cool slightly while you whip the cream.
Whip the Cream: In a large, chilled metal bowl, whip the heavy cream and sugar to soft peaks with an electric hand mixer. (Use
immediately or refrigerate, covered until ready to serve).
Assemble the Shortcakes: Using a serrated knife, split the warm biscuits in half horizontally and transfer the bottoms to 6 dessert
plates. Spoon about three-quarters of the macerated berries and their juice evenly over the biscuit bottoms. It’s OK if some of the
berries spill out onto the plate. Top with a generous dollop of whipped cream and cover each with a biscuit top. Spoon more
berries and cream over each shortcake and serve immediately.
Make Ahead Tips: The biscuits can be baked 10 to 12 hours ahead and reheated in a 350°F oven before serving. The
strawberries can be macerated up to 2 hours ahead. The cream can be whipped up to 2 hours ahead and refrigerated, covered. If
necessary, lightly rewhip before using.
Nutrition Information (per serving):
Calories (kcal): 630; Fat (g): fat g 42; Fat Calories (kcal): 370; Saturated Fat (g): sat fat g 26; Protein (g): protein g 7;
Monounsaturated Fat (g): 12; Carbohydrates (g): carbs g 59; Polyunsaturated Fat (g): 2; Sodium (mg): sodium mg 330;
Cholesterol (mg): cholesterol mg 165; Fiber (g): fiber g 3;
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SCOS August 2015 Newsletter
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SCOS August 2015 Newsletter