May 2015 - Virginia Orchid Society

The Orchid Keiki
Special Points of Interest:
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May 17th. Meeting: 2:00 p.m. in the Laura Robins Room
2015-2016 VOS Slate of Officers - page 2
Who was Dr. Henry Spencer? - Page 5
“On the Prowl: Stalking the Jungle Catts” - page 6
“The Catt House” - page 8
Lc. Summer Belle 'Miss Liberty'
HCC/AOS - photo by Keith Davis
« The Dr. Henry S. Spencer Trust Lecture »
“Demystifying the Bifoliate Cattleyas”
Bifoliate cattleyas produce loads of summer blooms.
They're simple to grow once you understand them.
A Presentation by Keith Davis
Keith Davis was teaching horticulture in 1980
at a Corpus Christi, Texas, high school, when a
chance encounter at a local estate sale set him
on a course of becoming a life-long orchid
breeder. Among the items at the estate sale were
a variety of orchids priced at $1 each.
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“I saw these orchids, and I didn’t really know
much about them,” said Davis, a 1979 College
of Agriculture and Life Sciences graduate in
forestry and horticultural science. With a new
greenhouse to fill at his high school, he
purchased a dozen orchids growing on a variety
of strange materials.
Davis repotted his new plants in dark, rich soil. Keith Davis in his greenhouse.
“I was sure that any plant in such luxurious soil
would explode in new growth and shower me with blooms,” Davis
wrote in Orchids magazine. “In just a few short weeks, all but one of
the 12 plants had gone to compost heaven.” The experience piqued
Davis’ interest in orchids, and he became involved with the local
orchid society. Over the years, his knowledge and skill at breeding
orchids grew. He was recently honored by the American Orchid
Society for his efforts to breed the rare and endangered ghost orchid,
native to south Florida.
Dendrophylax lindenii
'Glade Spirit' FCC/AOS
In October, Davis brought samples of the ghost orchid to N.C. State
University for a seminar in the CALS Horticultural Science
Department. The orchid’s ghostly blooms had ceased for the season,
but the plant had produced a valued seed pod that would soon be
en route to a colleague eager to try his hand at cultivating the plant.
Davis was invited by Dr. Dennis Werner, Raulston
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Members May Sell Plants at the Meeting!
(Our speaker will bring a few plants to sell.)
The Orchid Keiki
President’s Message
Greetings VOS members!
This is my last message to the membership since my two year presidency is coming to an end.
When I took over this office in May of 2013 I had a few goals in mind. First, I wanted the VOS to
organize their banking and bookkeeping methods so that we could set annual budgets based on
sound records from the previous year's spending. Now thanks to the use of online banking, a
Quicken-based Excel spreadsheet, and the great record keeping methods of our treasurer, we know
exactly what we spend so we can predict our needs in the coming year. Second, I wanted the VOS
to update our website and make it more user friendly for our members. We have redesigned the
website but still need to update it at regular intervals. If someone is willing to help out next year as
our webmaster I think we can accomplish this goal as well.
Finally, I wanted the VOS to increase its membership and include programs and activities that would
appeal to many different types of orchid growers. We have hosted some fabulous speakers, taken
some day trips to the Smithsonian, Chadwick's, and Floradise, had some great shows (even in
freezing weather!) and extended community outreach to the State Fair, Lewis Ginter's Orchid
Immersion Day, and Strange's Blooming Days. In September of 2013 we had about 40 members
and today we are 64 members strong! I can't take credit for this - this is a direct result of many hard
working members who have volunteered their time to make the VOS a fun place to visit on the 3rd
Sunday of the month. I have attached a survey form to the newsletter asking what you are interested
in doing next year. Is there somewhere you would like to go? Is there a speaker that you would like
to hear? Do you want another auction? We need your ideas! Please fill out the form and bring it to
the May meeting or if you can't come send it to Daune at marydaune@poklis.org. Let's continue to
grow and offer new, exciting programs that you will enjoy.
This month we welcome Keith Davis who will speak to us
about Bifoliate Cattleyas. Keith will bring orchids for sale.
Here is a gentle reminder to the following individuals who
signed up to bring food for the May hospitality table: Patti
St. Clair, Daune Poklis, Alma Thiessen, and Reed Ginn.
Remember that this month is also our annual election of the
new officers for 2015-2016. The proposed slate of officers
is indicated below.
See you at the meeting,
Linda Lawrence, VOS President
The nominating committee has proposed the
following slate of officers for the 2015-16 year.
Please join us at the May meeting and cast your vote!
President - Daune Poklis
President-elect - Reed Ginn
Vice-President - Nancy Farkas
Treasurer - Ron Geraci
Recording Secretary - Savannah Drake
Corresponding Secretary - Robin Maiorana
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Thanks Linda!
April Show Table Results
Grower
Ribbon
Orchid Name
Category
Mike Fine
B
Iwamagara ' Apple Blossom Mendenhall '
Miniature Cattleyas
Mike Fine
B
Dpts. I-Hsin Cherry
Phalaenopsis Alliance
Mike Fine
B
Asca. Cherry Blossom
Vanda Alliance
Patti St. Clair
B
Pot. Mem. Jim Nickolls 'James ' HCC/AOS
Miniature Cattleyas
X Slc. Circle of Life 'Red Halo' HCC/AOS
Patti St. Clair
R
Paph. Phillipense
Phaphiopedium Alliance
Patti St. Clair
B
Den. Little Sweet Scent
Dendrobium Alliance
Mike Chamblis
R
Phal. Yukcidian
Phalaenopsis Alliance
Mike Chamblis
Y
Phal. Sogo Golden
Phalaenopsis Alliance
Mike Chamblis
R
Phal. NID
Phalaenopsis Alliance
Mike Chamblis
Y
Phal. Sogo Perfume
Phalaenopsis Alliance
Henry Randolph
R
Dendrobium Densiflorum
Species Orchid
Henry Randolph
R
Phal. Hieroclyphica
Species Orchid
George & Fay Taylor
Y
Cat. Auranticia
Species Orchid
George & Fay Taylor
B
Cat. Skinneri Alba
Species Orchid
George & Fay Taylor
R
Cat. Skinneri
Species Orchid
George & Fay Taylor
R
Den. Yellow Song 'Canary'
Dendrobium Alliance
George & Fay Taylor
B
Dialaelia 'Fair Jewel'
Standard Cattleyas
Harry Livesay
R
Blc. Little Toshic 'Gold Country' AM/AOS
Miniature Cattleyas
Alma Thiessen
Y
Restrepiella Ophiocephala
Epipihylic Alliance
Lynn Liddington
Y
Cat. Violacea Tipo Fma Flamca 'At'
Standard Cattleyas
Virus Test Kits Available for Purchase at our Meeting
The VOS has purchased an additional 25 virus kits that will be available at our
next meeting. Please see Mike Mealy and make your check payable to the
Virginia Orchid Society. Kits are priced @ $5.00 each with a minimum order of 5:
5 for $25.00
10 for $50.00
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The Orchid Keiki
Keith Davis Bio - continued
Distinguished Professor of horticulture, who taught Davis as an undergraduate student during Werner’s first year
at N.C. State.
“Keith has solved the riddle of growing this unique and special plant in domestication. His accomplishment is a
reflection of his passion for orchids and horticulture, his creativity, inquisitiveness and excellent observational
skills,” said Werner. “His work will have far-reaching impacts in developing future strategies to prevent
extinction of this beautiful and remarkable species.” Davis first heard of the ghost orchid, an almost legendary
plant, while he was just beginning to study orchids. He had never seen as much as a photo of the orchid’s bloom
– only a painting. “It’s so gorgeous, especially when you have more than one bloom, and it blooms all
summer,” Davis said.
Several years later, while visiting greenhouses at UNC-Charlotte, Davis saw an orchid that looked very similar
to the one in the painting. The greenhouse curator later told him that the horticulture staff had tried many times
to cultivate the orchid, but only the one specimen had survived long enough to bloom one time, then died the
next year. Davis later described the bloom as, “a cross between an albino frog and a ghost with bowed legs, two
sets of wings, a green head with two red eyes and a long arching tail. What in the world was Nature thinking
when this thing was designed?”
Thus began Davis’ quest to cultivate the ghost orchid. At the time, he had moved to Reidsville to be closer to his
wife’s family and was working as the horticulture director for Chinqua-Penn Plantation, the opulent home of
Jeff and Betsy Penn. The Penns, who collected artifacts, art and horticultural specimens from around the world,
donated their home, collection and gardens to the UNC system to be used for education, agricultural research
and as a museum.
Chinqua-Penn was initially managed by UNC-Greensboro in 1965, and N.C. State University assumed the role
of caretaker in 1986. When Davis worked there, the director of Chinqua-Penn Plantation also had an extensive
orchid collection, and the combined orchid collections were used to decorate throughout the home.
Davis studied the ghost orchid to learn how it grows in nature. In the Fakahatchee Strand Preserve State Park in
south Florida, the orchid grows on trees. “I had to get it to grow on something that wouldn’t rot,” Davis said. “In
nature, this leafless orchid grows on a living plant such as on the trunk or limbs of trees.” While splitting
firewood for his home, Davis noticed that the bark of mockernut hickory (Carya tomentosa) came off a log
nearly intact, even after a year of aging. The mockernut hickory bark looked right for growing orchids, but
Davis wondered how long it would last. After experimenting and failing with over a dozen different materials to
try and grow the ghost orchid on, he planted a baby, seed-raised ghost orchid on the mockernut hickory bark.
The orchid took root and began to grow.
Davis believes the bark holds some type of preservative properties – the first orchid he successfully grew nearly
20 years ago is still holding fast to the original piece of bark. Some species of trees have bark containing
chemicals that can actually kill plants that try to grow on it. However, the mockernut bark appears to have no
destructive properties, only long-term preservative qualities that keep it from rotting.
The next challenge was getting the orchid to bloom. When one of Davis’ ghost orchids reached blooming size
without producing blooms, Davis again turned to nature to determine what might promote blooms. A fellow
orchid grower and native south Floridian told Davis that in nature the ghost orchids live in an area that is
typically dry in winter. Orchid enthusiasts had observed that wet winters produced fewer ghost orchid blooms.
So Davis moved his ghost orchid to a drier area of the greenhouse and watered it sparingly through the winter.
By the end of February 2007, he was rewarded with the orchid’s first ghostly blooms.
In May 2007, Davis entered his prized ghost orchid in the American Orchid Society judging in Greensboro,
packing the fragile plant for its 40-mile journey to the show. To his surprise, the AOS presented him with the
highest possible award for flower quality — “like winning the Kentucky Derby of orchids,” Davis said. Davis’
quest to grow the ghost orchid came out of his desire to preserve this endangered plant. There are only a few
dozen plants growing in the wild, and many can only be seen on risky treks through waist-deep waters, home to
poisonous snakes and alligators. The orchid was also known to grow in Cuba many
years ago, but limited access to Cuba has left orchid enthusiasts wondering. “I was
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trying to preserve it,” Davis said. “I wanted to learn how to keep it alive so orchid growers could raise it and grow it.”
Being able to artificially reproduce endangered species greatly reduces the illegal collection of wild plants from nature.
Today, Davis raises orchids at his home near Reidsville, conducting sales over the Internet. The ghost orchid is mainly a
hobby for him now. After 20 years’ effort, he feels satisfaction in finding a way to keep this ghostly orchid alive for others
to enjoy.
Dr. Henry Sumpter Spencer, 1921-2001
And the Virginia Orchid Society Spencer Trust
by Art Burke
When the net proceeds of the final Eastern Orchid Congress in Williamsburg, VA, in 2000 (they are no longer held),
were apportioned to the three sponsoring orchid societies, the Virginia Orchid Society received five thousand dollars.
In 2001, the VOS Board accepted a challenge donation to create the Spencer Lectureship Trust with these funds from
the EOC. The challenge donor stipulated that up to ten thousand dollars would be matched to create the Spencer
Lectureship Trust, the VOS Board at its May 2004 meeting affirmed the intent of the Spencer Trust to support an
annual program in memory of Dr. Henry S. Spencer, founder of the Virginia Orchid Society (1949-1950).
Henry S. Spencer was born into a large farm family (11 children) in Jonesville, south-west Virginia in December 1921.
Henry attended Lincoln Memorial University, Tennessee, where he met his future wife, Lena Mae. He also worked
with Everest McDade, co-owner of Rivermont Orchids in Signal Mountain, Tennessee, and became proficient in
tissue culture techniques. About this time he helped the establish the Atlanta Orchid Society.
Henry entered the Medical College of Virginia as a student in medicine. Because of his experience with laboratory
tissue culture techniques, Harold Patterson of the Bergenfield, New Jersey orchid firm Orchidhaven, asked Henry to
assist in their lab-orchid work.
Shortly after settling in residence in Richmond, Henry became acquainted with the small number of hobby orchid
growers in the area. In 1949, he corralled a handful of these enthusiasts at the garage-potting shed-greenhouse of
Evelyn Herndon Palmore on Richmond’s north-side and an orchid club was initiated and soon became a Virginia
lawfully-based society. Then a public orchid “show” was arranged at Richmond’s premier department store –
Miller & Rhoads, downtown. The VOS affiliated with the American Orchid Society in 1952. Henry was voted the first
President of the VOS.
After graduation from MCV, Dr. Spencer moved his family to Washington, D.C. to pursue further training in radiology
with radiologist Edgar McPeake, MD, who was also an orchid grower. When not busy with medical practice, Henry
continued to be active both at Kensington Orchids and in orchid plant sales.
After completing his residency training in radiology-Washington, Henry relocated his family to Richmond and joined
the group McGuire Clinic & Hospital in the “Fan District”.
Henry Spencer’s philanthropy embraced education, especially at Lincoln Memorial University, and MCV. He died on a
morning in October, 2001. It is appropriate that income realized from the Henry S. Spencer Trust support an
educational lecture each year to the Virginia Orchid Society.
The expressly stated purpose of Spencer Lectureship Trust is to sponsor an annual speaker at one of our
meetings as selected by the VOS Board of Directors. All funds donated to this Trust will remain in
perpetuity in this trust and cannot be used for any other purpose. Up to 90% of the annual interest on these
funds may be withdrawn in any given year to cover speaker fees, transportation, and/or lodgings as needed.
All members are encouraged to contribute to this fund so that it may grow sufficiently to continue to allow
us to sponsor noted speakers for our meetings. Contributions should be addressed to:
“The Spencer Leadership Trust“, 208 Stonehouse Road, Williamsburg, VA 23188-1221.
The VOS is a 501-C-3 organization and your donations are tax-exempt.
Questions? Contact Patti at pattistc@cox.net
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The Orchid Keiki
On the Prowl: Stalking the Jungle Catts
An Ever-Changing Collection Leads to a Passion for Spotted Brazilian Bifoliates
By Enid Rosenthal
Excerpted and Reprinted with permission from “Orchids,” July 2006: www.AOS.org
Cattleya aclandiae was responsible for my continual search for
what I think of as the jungle catts — the flowers of heavy,
waxy substance in exotic themes of coppery-lime to olive-green
sepals and petals splashed with tiger-stripe banding and spotty
leopard markings of chocolate-brown to near black. Full, pouty
movie-star lips of rose amethyst to deep purple and the dark
magenta column accentuated by paper-white curved side lobes
and bright yellow add to the exotic appeal. Cattleya aclandiae is
a dwarfish-growing bifoliate with pseudobulbs 4 to 9 inches
(10 to 22.5 cm) tall, a plus when you are squeezed for room. It
is mainly a lowland epiphyte, native to Bahia in northeast
Brazil, where the climate is mostly hot and dry. Although I
feared the dry requirement was a bit daunting for humid South
Florida, I had fallen in love, and purchased it on the spot.
Mounting C. aclandiae horizontally on cork was recommended
in most of the books I read; nevertheless, the plant I selected
was already established along a vertical tree-fern mount, and as
it appeared to be growing well, there it grew until the tree-fern
mount began to disintegrate. It has since been remounted on
cork and is establishing. Cattleya aclandiae has a reputation for
being somewhat difficult to grow. Undaunted, I was determined
to try my hand at providing an acceptable environment. After
C. aclandiae ' KG’s Pink Tiger HCC/AOS
stubbornly refusing to bloom in its first location, where it
- photo by Greg Allikas
received bright but filtered sun, a change of setting to where it
received full morning sun triggered its first blooming in my care. What a thrill it was to find that flower, coming
up sans sheath between the two opening leaves on the newest lead. I was ecstatic. The following year, twin buds
made a beautiful display in spring followed by a single bloom two months later. With this success, I began
seeking out crosses made with C. aclandiae as a parent. My next acquisition was Cattleya Peckhaviensis, another
of the jungle catt-patterned beauties with a sensual, hot magenta lip. This captivating primary hybrid is made
from C. aclandiae and another striking Brazilian species, Cattleya schilleriana, which is much like C. aclandiae in
its growth habit. Cattleya schilleriana's 4­inch (10-cm) leathery
flowers, large for such a compact plant, are of dark mahogany to
brownish green with deeply colored spots and wavy margins; the
wide, delta-shaped labellum is white overlaid with burgundyhued striations. The resulting cross, Cattleya Peckhaviensis, was
irresistible, with its mottled bright lip and intoxicating
fragrance.
Seeking out more of these dapple-leaved treasures, I next
acquired Laeliocattleya Jungle Eyes (Jungle Elf x C. aclandiae).
The C. aclandiae parent passed along its compact growth habit
to this hybrid with equally striking flowers of yellowish petals
sprinkled with large brown spots and bright magenta lip. Then,
wandering through an orchid show
one spring day, I came nose to nose
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Cattleya schilleriana - internet photo
with Cattleya Pradit Spot and did a double take. My toes curled. This was a hybrid made from Cattleya Thospol Spot
(Bhimayothin x aclandiae) and C. schilleriana. I stood staring, transfixed. The petals were almost totally painted with the
blackest of burgundy, and running through was a vein of vivid apple green. White side lobes set off the magenta column
and the broad fuchsia lip glowed like neon. As fate (and an already exhausted budget) would decree, it was not to be mine
at the show. However, after a diligent and admittedly somewhat frantic search, a beautiful specimen in bud was found at a
local nursery and I claimed it as my own. I later learned from the vendor that I had purchased a meristem of the 'Black
Prince' clone that had recently been awarded an AM/AOS. I was even more elated once the dazzling 4-inch (10-cm)
flowers opened to find that they were bestowed with a heady fragrance. My toes curled again.
Having fallen head over heels for the bifoliate cattleyas, it is my fervent
hope to be successful in providing conditions under which they will
thrive. To that end, I continually scout the Internet and pore through my
hefty collection of orchid magazines and books for all the information I
can glean on the subject. Noting their strong objection to being kept too
wet at the roots, those I have acquired are either mounted on cork or tree
fern, hung in slatted-wood baskets or potted in slit terra-cotta or net pots
in a quick-drying mix of expanded clay aggregate pellets, a few pieces of
horticultural charcoal and packing peanuts at the bottom for drainage.
C. forbesii - Photo by Greg Allikas
Among the plants are Cattleya amethystoglossa, Cattleya forbesii 'alba',
Cattleya Fort Motte 'Leopard' (Mrs. Mahler x Brabantiae), Cattleya
Calummata (aclandiae x intermedia), Cattleya Jungle Spots (Fascelis x
aclandiae), Cattleya Green Emerald 'Orchid Queen' (Elizabeth Mahon x
Thospol Spot) and Cattleya (Fred McElveen x Brabantiae 'Pinnacle',
AM /AOS). One of my most exciting finds was a community pot of C.
schilleriana that I happened upon at an orchid show; I swiftly added that
to my growing collection of Brazilian beauties.
Having collected many immature bifoliates that will not be blooming size for at least a year or more, I cannot resist
acquiring a few in bloom from time to time. My newest acquisitions are Cattleya Landate (aclandiae x guttata), a
deliciously fragrant, spotted-petal magenta-lipped beauty; Cattleya Penny Kuroda 'Spots', HCC/AOS (Summer Snow x
guttata), a lanky, lovely lass that tops her inflorescences with attractive, freckle-faced flowers; and Cattleya Motte Spot
(Cognac x Fort Motte), which has exceedingly enticing flowers covered with speckles and a wide white labellum overlaid
with magenta. The varied colors and forms and clean, sculptural lines of the popular Brazilian species C. intermedia have
made it another of my favorites. Finding its growing requirements easy to meet, I have acquired several clones, including
(C. intermedia var. amethystina 'Aranbeem', AM/AOS x self), C. intermedia var. orlata 'Crownfox', HCC/AOS and
C. intermedia var. coerulea.
CULTURE Keeping all my potted cattleyas in the same quick-drying medium has, in my somewhat limited experience,
proven a saving grace for outdoor growing here in the frequently sodden subtropics (south Florida) and also allows me to
water them on a fairly regular schedule of two to three times weekly, depending upon weather conditions. I have found
that lifting pots to test the weight is the best way for me to judge their watering needs. The plants in wood baskets or on
tree-fern or cork mounts dry quickly and are usually watered three times a week during summer and twice weekly in
winter.
During the summer, all plants are fertilized weekly, alternating a grow formula for three consecutive weeks with a bloom
formula on the fourth week; in winter, fertilizing is done twice a month.
Armed with cotton swabs, rubbing alcohol (diluted with water and a few drops of liquid soap) and a magnifying lens, I
check plants daily for unwelcome visitors such as mealybugs and scale. Fans keep the balcony airflow well circulated and
the resident lizard does his best to control the ant population.
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The Orchid Keiki
A good number of my cattleyas were purposely acquired as
seedlings or young plants in hopes of acclimating them to the
balcony conditions at an early stage. It is less than a year that these
youngsters have been in my care and although it will be some time
before they grow to blooming size, I am fascinated to observe them
as they develop. Every new leaf and root is a celebration. It is
entirely conceivable that, in the not too distant future, should my
culture regimen be successful and the cattleya collection thrive, my
growing area may be desperately squeezed for space once again.
Somehow, I doubt that will be sufficient reason to convince my
spouse that we must move to a residence with a yard large enough
to accommodate a lath or slat house, and I may find myself
challenged with the difficult undertaking of weeding out plants to
make sufficient breathing room for my favorites. At such a time, I
will likely make gifts of those plants that I must give up (certainly
not my bifoliates) to
friends and
neighbors, passing
on the legacy
handed down to me
by that dear lady
C. amethystoglossa - photo by Greg Allikas
who presented me
with my first
(admittedly neglected) orchid, possibly hooking a few new
hobbyists in turn. After many years of trying my hand at growing
various orchid groups, from vandaceous to botanicals and
currently to cattleyas, I have discovered my all-time favorites to
be among the Cattleya alliance. As my collection expands, I
continue to be drawn toward the bifoliate group, and in particular, C. Brabantiae (C. aclandiae x C. loddigesii)
- photo by Greg Allikas
the enticing spotted jungle catts, the pride of my collection.
The Catt House
Cattleyas Set the Standard by Which Other Genera Can Be Grown
By Ken Slump
Reprinted with permission from “Orchids,” November2008: www.AOS.org
IN ORCHID LITERATURE AND discussions, it is common to
read or hear references to "typical orchid conditions" or "basic
orchid culture." Often the understanding of those phrases is
taken for granted. Since orchids have rather different
requirements compared with many other sorts of plants of
horticultural interest, it is worthwhile to review a bit of the
physiology and basic cultural requirements of an orchid.
C. harrisoniana 'Galactic Glow' AM-AOS
- photo by Keith Davis
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As orchids make up one of the largest of all plant families, it is
fair to ask what is typical or basic among them all. A mental
comparison among the genera Masdevallia, Cattleya,
Phalaenopsis and Paphiopedilum would likely lead one to
conclude that the answer could be "not a lot." Nevertheless,
there is a need for a point of departure when one discusses
tropical orchids and their care.
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For that purpose, the cattleya has become the
standard bearer for the sizeable clan. In Western
cultures, it is the first flower most envision when
the word "orchid" is heard. Indeed, basic orchid
culture is synonymous with what most growers
refer to as cattleya conditions, allowing for the
notion that not even all cattleyas require an
identical environment.
Structurally, the cattleya is a sympodial orchid,
i.e., a plant that typically produces one new growth
each year from the base of its last growth. Each
new growth produces a pseudobulb, foliage and its
own set of roots. Mature plants in good condition
will also put forth flowers. Particularly healthy or
vigorous plants may produce more than one new
lead each year. Cattleya flowers may appear rather
delicate, but anyone who handles and closely
C. intermedia 'Show Off' with aquinii 'Sport' - photo by Keith Davis
examines a mature cattleya plant cannot help but
be impressed by their sturdiness. Healthy plants have rather thick leaves and pseudobulbs that are quite strong and rigid.
You may be reminded of some cacti and succulents you have known, and indeed, there are some functional similarities.
The thickened leaves and pseudobulbs store water and nutrients to nourish the plant through periods of drought. A thick
waxy outer layer helps prevent leaves and pseudobulbs from desiccation. Cacti and succulents often grow where rainfall is
infrequent and soils are often dry. Cattleya plants, as epiphytes ("air plants"), typically dwell on tree limbs and occasional
rocks where moisture is also sporadically available. Cattleya roots are thick and covered with a white spongy coating
known as velamen that quickly absorbs water when moistened. The velamen on the rambling roots of a cattleya plant also
enables the plant to cling tightly to its perch. A number of Cattleya species grow where rain, fog or dew moistens the roots
almost daily, but the roots tend to dry quickly because of their exposure to air. Other Cattleya species grow in habitats
where there are definite periods of dry weather.
Another reason that the roots of wild cattleyas dry
quickly is that the plants tend to thrive in locations that
have good air movement. These are not dry breezes,
however, as relative humidity levels in cattleya habitats
stay comfortably moist. Cattleyas should not be grown
in stagnant air that is either too dry or too moist; a
relative humidity range between 40 to 60 percent is
ideal. You should be able to sense air moving when
you enter a cattleya house, but no hurricane-force
winds please. Among the best adjectives for cattleya
house air quality is that it should feel "buoyant."
Light is essential for plants, as it drives the
photosynthetic process that enables them to grow and
reproduce. As orchids go, the cattleya is generally
considered to be one that prefers rather high levels of
light. A range of 2,000 to 4,000 foot-candles, or about
20 to 40 percent of full sun is a good goal. Cattleya
plants grown in a greenhouse or sun porch will need to
be protected from full sun. Shade can be provided with
Lc. Aussie Sunset 'Cosmic Fire' - photo by Keith Davis
mesh, lattice, slats or blinds.

9
Virginia Orchid Society
2014-2015 Officers:
Linda Lawrence
President & AOS Affiliate
llawrence@reynolds.edu
Daune Poklis
President-Elect
marydaune@poklis.org
Sue Fulghum
Vice President & Program Chair
sandt2002@aol.com
Ronald Geraci
Treasurer
ronandtony@gmail.com
Robin Maiorana
Corresponding Secretary &
Membership Chair
rmyorana@gmail.com
Reed Ginn
Recording Secretary
hrginn@yahoo.com
Betty Jo Fulghum
Show Chair
jofulghum@comcast.net
Bernadette Banks
Hospitality Chair
b.b1951@hotmail.com
Henry Randolph
Judges Forum
hrandolph@comcast.net
Stephen Via
Library Chair
mrsvia10@comcast.net
Patti St. Clair
Endowment Chair
pattistc@cox.net
White shading compounds can also be
applied to the greenhouse covering or
windows to reflect some of the sun's rays.
In nature, many cattleya orchids are
situated where foliage above them shifts
with the breeze to keep excessive light
from burning the foliage. Other habitats
favoring the cattleya orchid include those
where only the early morning or late
afternoon rays of the sun strike the plants.
As far as temperatures are concerned, the
cattleya generally thrives when nights are
in the 55 to 60 F (13 to 15.5 C) range, with
daytime levels 10 to 15 F warmer. This
temperature preference puts them into the
Lc. Summer Belle 'Miss Liberty' HCC/AOS
group of orchids popularly known as
- photo by Keith Davis
"intermediate growers." Note that these are
moderate temperature regimes. Most growers imagine the tropical habitats of orchids as rather
steamy and hot. This was also the misunderstanding of early orchid enthusiasts who, in their
18th and early 19th century naiveté, cooked more than a few of them. Certainly many cattleya
orchids will tolerate temperatures higher and lower than these, but interrelated environmental
factors such as light and humidity need to be in proper balance. Also, the importance of air
movement must not be ignored.
If you can provide growing conditions such as
these, you will have an ideal environment for
cattleya orchids. In other words, these are the
growing conditions that are often described as
basic orchid culture and you will find that many
types of popular orchids will thrive alongside
cattleyas. It is probably not hard to appreciate
how modifying the light, temperature or
humidity from those described here would
create an environment that would be suitable
for a different type of orchid from a slightly
C. leopoldii 'Dark Prince' HCC/AOS
different tropical habitat.
- photo by Keith Davis
Savannah Drake
Publicity Chair
jamessavannah.drake@
gmail.com
Mike Fine
Education Chair
mfine@vcu.edu
Ronald Geraci
Newsletter Editor
ronandtony@gmail.com
C. intermedia coerulea 'Big Plant'
- internet photo
10
Keith Davis Greenhouse - photo by Keith Davis