November, 2014 - Victoria Orchid Society

November 2014 Volume 45, Issue #9
THREE
Victoria
Orchid Society
Meetings:
2014
Inside this issue:
2 President’s Message
2 Upcoming Events
3 Christmas Party
4 Past Events
5 Fraser Valley Show
6 Judging Centre News
7 Minutes of the October
meeting
8 Society Information
& Opportunities
9 Classifieds
10 Membership form
11-12 Home Remedies for Pests
Laelia lobata ‘Fiesta’ x
L. lobata ‘Boa Vista’
Nov. 25th
Dec. 9th –
Xmas party
.
Joe Chow has bloomed this beautiful Phragmipedium
Fritz Schomburg. It was voted the best plant on the
display table at the October meeting
Members with last
names starting
with V, W, A, B &
C are asked to
bring goodies for
the November
meeting.
From the
Editor
Winter is creeping up on us. The Christmas Party is now in sight and the beautiful orchid
calendars from Judy Higham are here – your first Christmas present! They will be
available at the November meeting for $14 each.
Details of the Christmas party are on page 3. Write it into your calendar now!
We now have the virus kits that were ordered after the last meeting. Those who pre-ordered them will
get an email reminding them to pick them up at the November meeting. There should be a few that have
not been spoken for, so let me know if you would like any These kits need to be kept cool so I will
bring them to the meeting in a cool pack bag for those who are going to be at the meeting .
Renew your membership if you have not already done so. This is the last newsletter that will go to nonmembers. Membership form is on page 10.
www.victoriaorchidsociety.com
Check out our website for information about the society, upcoming events, plant registration for shows,
regulations for bringing orchids into Canada, and what books are in our library and links to interesting
sites. The orchids from the display table each meeting are now posted on the web.
Contributions to the newsletter can be made up to 14 days before the next meeting date by contacting me
by phone or email. (250-385-8888 or enviroed@telus.net).
Logo photo D. Rowles
Page 1 of 12
November 2014 Volume 45, Issue #9
President’s Message:
So here we are almost into the Christmas season. Members with greenhouses are removing the
shade compounds from the walls or taking down the shade cloths. Suddenly, it’s dark around 5.
How did that happen? And it must be getting toward Christmas because at the last executive
meeting the topic of the annual Christmas party came up. This is one of the highlights of the
John Taylor
Society’s year and not to be missed. More details in the newsletter and at the next general
meeting.
Fall 2014
A number of orchids have been christened “Christmas” orchids, based largely on
their time of bloom. Of popular renown for its association with Darwin is the Star
of Bethlehem orchid otherwise known as Angraecum sesquipedale. The
sesquipedale part of the name is in reference to the long floral spur which provides
nectar at its tip, sesquipedale meaning foot and a half. Darwin predicted that there
must be a pollinating moth with an equally long proboscis able to take advantage
of this nectar source. Sometime later he was found to be correct when the specific
moth was discovered. A neat example of co-evolution! Which came first the moth
or the spur?
Nov.25th – Joe Chow –
Tools of Orchid
Growing
Dec. 9th – Xmas Party
Spring 2015
Jan. 27th – Dino Basi
Feb. 24th – Poul Hansen –
Getting ready for the show
Mar. 24th –Svend Munkholm –
Dividing Cattleyas
Apr. 28th – Justin Dunning –
Terrariums & Vivariums
May 26th – Patricia Harding Cattleyas
June 23rd – AGM &
Annual Auction
The other orchid commonly known as the Christmas orchid is Cattleya percivaliana.
At one time, before the advent of mass hybridization and production line
Phalaenopsis--which seem to be available in bloom at any time of year--Cattleya
percivaliana was one of the few orchids flowering during the festive season, and deservedly popular for
that reason. C. percivaliana has one other distinction: it is one of the few cattleyas with a decidedly
unpleasant odor. A musky kind of smell. Some people claim to like it. It has also been suggested that
the smell changes during the day to something sweet. I haven’t noticed. But, it has, as do all of the
labiate cattleyas, a very attractive flower.
Before the Christmas party there is one more general meeting coming up. At this meeting, Joe Chow
will talk about some of the “Tools of Orchid Growing.” An intriguing title to what should be an
excellent talk.
John Taylor
Upcoming Events:
The monthly meeting of the Victoria Orchid Society is held on the fourth Tuesday of every month
except July, August and December, starting at 7:30 p.m. The plants on the display table are presented
by experts, followed by a short business meeting, a coffee break with a prize draw of plants and orchid
related material, and a featured presentation. The meeting ends between 9:30 and 9:45 p.m.
November 25th meeting: Joe Chow will speak on the Tools of the Trade in Orchid Growing
Joe has been a member of the Society since 1989. His orchids regularly appear on the
display table and are often chosen as best plant of the display (See page 1 photo)
His orchids are regularly awarded at AOS judging and many ribbons return with his
plants from shows, a testimony to the effectiveness of his nurturing and growing
environment.
Joe grows his orchids in his new greenhouse, which some of you visited recently at his
open house. He originally grew mainly Paphiopedilum, Phragmipedium and Masdevallia but is now
also focusing on Cypripedium, hardy orchids that can be grown in his garden. He will speak about the
tools and accessories one needs to get started when developing an orchid collection or, to improve an
already established orchid growing environment.
Page 2 of 12
November 2014 Volume 45, Issue #9
CHRISTMAS PARTY
Tuesday December 9th, 2014
6:30 p.m. – 9:45 p.m.
Garth Homer Centre
I hope everyone can attend our annual Christmas party. It’s a fun filled event and a great way to get to
know other members of the society.
We will have Christmas music playing in the background and there will be no business done so there
won’t be any plant sales, nor will the library be open.
It will start with a great pot luck, a sign-up sheet will be passed at the November
meeting. The usual things we need are appetizers, main dishes, and of course
lots of desserts. Further information on food preparation and facilities will be
available at the November meeting.
There will be brown bag prize draws so please bring a prize or two.
Unlike the regular meetings the prizes don’t have to be orchid related.
There will also be a display table.
Last, but definitely not least we will collect non-perishable food for the Mustard Seed Food Bank. Every
year there seem to be more and more people who need their services so please be generous.
The Christmas Party is a great evening filled with good company, good food, beautiful orchids and great
prizes.
Members are asked to bring some food: main course, appetizers, salads or desserts. We will be passing
around a list at the November meeting to identify items that people will be bringing so that we will end
up with a balance. Please bring a plate, cutlery and any beverage that you wish to the party. Tea and
coffee will be available.
We have a brown bag raffle, so please bring an item or two. These need not be orchid related, but
festive is nice (Christmas baking always goes well). Each item is paired with a brown bag so that people
can choose which item they hope to win. Raffle tickets are sold by the arm length at the start of the
evening.
Page 3 of 12
November 2014 Volume 45, Issue #9
The evening always flies by too quickly and sometimes it is hard to fit everything in. We have been
given permission by Garth Homer to come in to set up for the dinner at 6:00 p.m. We will be asking for
volunteers to help set up at the November meeting, but it is important that everyone else get there at the
right time to ensure that we can have dinner early enough to complete the evening without rushing.
Here is the hoped-for schedule:

6:00 p.m. – set up people arrive

6:15 – 6:30 p.m. – members arrive bringing their food contribution, brown bag prize draw items
and display table plants.
Food items will go to the appropriate table. We will have a separate table for appetizers; desserts
can go to Lioba at the coffee counter; and main course go directly to the main food table. Signs
will be placed on the table to avoid confusion.
Prize draw items will go to the Prize Draw table where brown bags with numbers on them will
be waiting. In each bag will be a sticker with a number matching the one on the bag. This is to
be placed on the item which then goes beside the bag.



Display table plants will go straight to the display table for set up.

When you have done the above, find seats at the table, buy your prize draw tickets, browse the
prize draw table to identify your wish list and relax.

7:00 p.m. – We hope to start dinner around this time.
Past Events
October 28th meeting – Patrick van Adrichem presented The OTHER
Phalaenopsis
Patrick showed us beautiful slides of his Other Phalaenopsis which have
blooms with a firmer texture and a glossy surface. The wide range of colours
and the various combinations which result in spectacular colours and patterns
fascinated the viewers.
Pat not only took us through the pictures of hybrid options for the Other
Phalaenopsis, he also brought some beautiful specimens to pass around. I am
sure that a number of members with warm growing environments will be
expanding their collections in this direction.
Pat and Justin presented the display table
which was filled with many lovely plants
this month.
Page 4 of 12
November 2014 Volume 45, Issue #9
Oct.18th & 19th – Fraser Valley Show.
Sasha Kubicek took seven
ribbons with his two plants!
See awards, below
Don Mills’ Show Report:
Not much to say: The displays were all very neat (healthy plants). It was a music
theme except Victoria’s display was void of musical instruments. I didn’t look as
intently at most displays (I guess I’m becoming jaded in my old age.) Most patrons of
the show were awed by Svend’s large Cattleyas, while some of the smaller gems of the
Photo by Don Mills
show were overlooked. I love the sales area at this venue (you can swing three cats or
a large dog in the aisles without fear of hitting patrons or plants). Friendly sellers, helpful
raffle persons, and old acquaintances made it a FUN show to see.
Sincerely, Don Mills
Ribbon Awards:

Grand Champion and Best Cattleya species or hybrid, C. Hardyana, Svend Munkholm
Reserve Champion and Best in Dendrobium grouping, Den. cruentum, Sasha Kubicek,


Best Visiting Society, VicOS
Best in Pleurothallis group, Masd. Golden Tiger 'Samer' HCC/AOS, Diana Rowles,
Best Other in Cypripedium Sub-family, Phrag. Hanne Popow, Joe Chow,
Best Oncidium, Onc. Jiuhbao Gold, Diana Rowles,



Blue – 9
Red – 8
White – 3
VicOS Ribbon Count
Photos by Judy Higham
Fall Workshops
Geoffrey Haywood held two workshops, one at the Blenkinsop GardenWorks Centre and one at the
Patio Garden Centre in West Saanich. Both we well attended, drawing more than 20 people to each.
Participants received help in repotting their plants and
seemed most appreciative.
Oct. 25 at
GardenWorks

Nov. 9 at Patio
Garden Centre

Page 5 of 12
November 2014 Volume 45, Issue #9
Judging Centre News
Abu Salleh
At the AOS Pacific Northwest Judging Center (Richmond)’s judging at the Fraser Valley Orchid Society
show on October 17, 2014, the following AOS awards were granted:
Paphiopedilum Susan Booth ‘Blair’ AM/AOS 81pts . . . . . . . . . . . .
(Paph. rothschildianum x Paph. glanduliferum)
Exhibitor: Diana Rowles

Phragmipedium Hanne Popow ‘Panyu’ CCM/AOS 87pts
(Phrag. besseae x Phrag. schlimii) . . . . . . . . . . . .

Exhibitor: Joe Chow
Bulbophyllum acutibracteatum
‘Took You Long Enough’CBR/AOS
Exhibitor: Bryan Emery
* award is provisional pending species
identification
Dendrobium cruentum ‘Father’s Love’
Exhibitor: Sasha Kubicek . . . . . . . . . .
. .
CCM/AOS 85pts


Erycina pusilla (display) ‘Danandor’ JC/AOS . . . . . . . .
Exhibitor: Daniel Kwok
Dendrobium cruentum ‘Father’s Love’ AM/AOS 82pts
Exhibitor: Sasha Kubicek
......................

Photos by Judy Higham
Display award:
‘Lumberjack’s Meadow’ Silver Certificate/AOS 85pts
Exhibitor: Bryan Emery
................

The AOS Pacific Northwest Judging Center (Richmond) meets every
second Saturday of the month, at 12:00 noon, at the Sea Island
Community Centre, 7140 Miller Road, Richmond B.C.
(Chair: Abu Salleh, 604-328-5363,asalleh@telus.net)
Next monthly meeting will be on Saturday November 8, 2014.
Errata: In the October newsletter, I mis-attributed the lovely
photo that Alexey Tretyakov took of his awarded plant at the previous
judging. Judy Higham had been unable to attend that judging session
and so Alexey photographed his winning plant. Apologies, Alexey, a
lovely plant and a lovely
Dendrobium subuliferum, CCE/AOS, 93pts
photo!
Exhibitor: Alexey Tretyakov
Photo by Alexey Tretyakov
Page 6 of 12
November 2014 Volume 45, Issue #9
Victoria Orchid Society
Minutes of General Meeting, October 28th, 2014
The meeting of Oct. 28th, 2014 was held in the Garth Homer Centre. President John Taylor called the
meeting to order at 7:30 p.m. and welcomed everyone. We had Julian and his family, Vina and Myron
as guests. Also Glynes, Shirley and Betty, who had attended the Orchid workshop at GardenWorks,
were guests. Pat van Adrichem & Justin Dunning presented the show table.
Secretary’s Report: The motion to accept the minutes of the September 2014 meeting as posted in the
newsletter was made by Geoffrey Haywood and seconded by Diana Rowles.
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
Treasure’s Report: Jane Mason presented her report and moved for acceptance. Ingrid Ostrander
seconded.
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
Thank-Yous: John Taylor thanked Kathryn Collins, Elsie Gerdes, Rod Crutcher, and Don and Marilyn
Mills for all their work at the FVOS show. Also, thanks was given to Lioba Samer for the use of her
van.
Notes:
Show results: Congratulations were extended to various members for receiving awards at the FVOS
show. A list of their names and their awards will be published in the next newsletter.
Change of meeting date: the 4th Monday of the month was suggested, no objection was voiced. John
Taylor asked for suggestions for new meeting locations. Donald Plank offered to look into the
Ukrainian Cultural Hall.
Donated Plants for Sale: More plants from Louise Potvin were for sale, as well as Pleione bulbs from
Kaete Lawn, $2/package, on the judges fund table.
Virus kits: there are enough orders for two batches of 25. Let Diana know if you want a kit.
Reminders: time to renew your membership.
Other reports:
BCOC: Rod Crutcher attended an informative meeting at the FVOS show.
Library: Kristi Leon has taken over the librarian position from Nancy Cole.
Newsletter: VicOS Meeting posters for the Society are available to pass out to various businesses.
Orchid culture classes: Geoff reported there was a good turnout of 20 people at the class held at
GardenWorks. The next class will be Nov. 9th at Brentwood Patio Garden Centre. Posters have been
sent out.
Plant Orders: Justin asked for input from members for specific companies they would like to order
plants from. He will also be ordering a bale of cork.
Prize Draw: Florence would like more plants donated if members have any extra they can part with.
Program: The Xmas Party will be held Dec. 9th, 2014. Rod Crutcher confirmed that Pat Harding will be
the guest speaker for the May meeting. He also asked for ideas from members for future programs.
Shows: Diana said the posters for the spring show will be available at the November meeting. The
committee is already looking for donations for the silent auction and there will be a meeting on
advertising held shortly.
Speaker: Pat van Adrichem gave an excellent presentation, with slides, on The OTHER Phalaenopsis.
Next Meeting: Tuesday, Nov. 25th at 7:30 p.m., Garth Homer Centre.
Adjournment: The President declared the meeting adjourned at 9:30 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted, Barbara Davies
Page 7 of 12
November 2014 Volume 45, Issue #9
Society Information
General meetings are held at the Garth Homer Centre, 813 Darwin Ave., Victoria B.C., on the fourth
Tuesday of the month. Members are encouraged to bring in their orchids in bloom to display on the
show table. They will be photographed and posted on our website.
Guest speakers are engaged for these meetings and often, speakers bring plants for sale.
There is also a sale table where plants brought in by members may be purchased.
Plant sales begin at 7:15 p.m. and the meeting runs from 7:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.
Membership fees are $25.00 for individuals, $35.00 for households. The Society membership year runs
from September to September, but meetings are not held in July and August. Name tags are available
for $9.00, magnetized tags are $11.00.
Coffee and tea are available for $1.00 at the meeting and goodies are provided by members in rotation,
based upon the initial letter of their last names. Goodies are requested from those with last names
beginning with V, W, A, B & C for the November meeting.
The Victoria Orchid Society Newsletter is published monthly, around the 15th of each month, excepting
December, July and August. Newsletters will be sent by email to members with email access. Email
addresses will be blind copied. Upon request, copies of the newsletter may be picked up at meetings for
those not wishing to print off their copy at home.
Advertising, in the newsletter, is free of charge to members in good standing: $2.00 per business card
size ad per month to a member owned business ($20.00 per fiscal year), $5.00 per month to non-member
businesses ($50.00 per fiscal year). Businesses may also advertise on the Victoria Orchid Society web
site Classifieds page for the same costs.
The Society’s mailing Address is 1199 Tattersall Drive, Victoria, B.C. V8P 1Y8.
Officers:
President
John Taylor
Past President
Ingrid Ostrander
Vice-president Diana Rowles
Secretary
Barbara Davies
Treasurer
Jane Mason
Directors:
Joyce Wilson
Catherine Frutiger
Coreen Kempling
Nancy Cole
Justin Dunning
Kristi Leon
Rodney Crutcher
Kathryn Collins
Newsletter Editor: Diana Rowles
Web Master: Blair Humphrey
Proofreader: Joe Chow
Bulb. palawanese
Spring Show Chairman: Diana Rowles
Programs Chairman: Rodney Crutcher
In emergencies, call John Taylor at (250) 250 479-0146.
Upcoming Opportunities:
AOS webinar on Thursday, November 20, 2014 from 8:30-9:30 p.m. EST (5:30-6:30 p.m. PST)
Reserve your Webinar seat now at: https://www2.gotomeeting.com/register/553888890
Spiders, Gnats, and Greenhoods: “A travel with Australian Terrestrials" by Nile Dusdieker, M.D. Nile
is an accredited judge with the Chicago Judging center and lives in Iowa. After registering you will
receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the Webinar.
Page 8 of 12
November 2014 Volume 45, Issue #9
Members’ Achievements:
Lioba Samer completed the Times Colonist half marathon Race in
3:04:5 on Sunday, October 12th. She was second in her division
and the only local
participant in that division.
She was 3515 overall out of
3795 total participants!
Yeah, Lioba!
Her route did not pass by
our house this year so here
is a picture from last year
as she strode by our front
door.
Bryan Emery did extremely well at the Fraser Valley Show and
even got local coverage in the Times Colonist on October 31st.
Join the publicity team for the Spring Show, Bryan?
Classifieds
email: davisconstruction@shaw.ca
www:kingfisherorchids.ca
Revised September, 2014
Page 9 of 12
November 2014 Volume 45, Issue #9
1199 Tattersall Drive Victoria, B.C. V8P 1Y8
www.victoriaorchidsociety.com
Membership Form
For 2014 / 2015
Please print clearly
Miltonia Venus
Victoria Orchid Society’s Flower Emblem
New [ ] Renewal [ ] Update [ ]
Date:
Name:
Address:
Postal Code:
Telephone:
Occupation or special interest*
City:
Province:
Email:
* optional
Enclosing a cheque for : Family membership @ $35.00 for a one (1) year membership in VicOS
Single membership @ $25.00 for a one (1) year membership in VicOS
Please order pinned name tags in my/our name
Please order magnetic name tags in my/our name
@ $9.00
@ $11.00
[ ]
[ ]
Please make cheques payable to Victoria Orchid Society in Canadian funds.
Send it to Victoria Orchid Society at 1199 Tattersall Drive, Victoria, B.C. V8P 1Y8
How many years have you been growing Orchids?
What are your favourite genera?
How many orchid plants are you growing?
What are your growing conditions? (check any that apply)
Greenhouse [ ] Sq. Footage [ ]; House [ ]; Windowsill [ ]; Lights [ ]
Are you a member of the American Orchid Society? Yes [ ] No [ ]
The yearly Membership Directory will be available in January.
Please indicate your preferences so we act accordingly.
Yes! I would like to be listed.
Yes, but without my telephone number.
No! I do not want to be listed.
Yes, please list my email address.
[
[
[
[
]
]
]
]
The VicOS newsletter is sent out by email once a month (excepting July, August & December) in PDF format
and blind copied to recipients.
Revised September, 2014
Page 10 of 12
November 2014 Volume 45, Issue #9
(
Home Remedies for Pests and Diseases
Robert Lucas, Saskatchewan Orchid Society
(found in FOS October newsletter 2014)
Rust
One of my enduring memories of growing up in
Saskatchewan in the 1950s was a comment that my dad
would make whenever it rained for more than a day, ‘There
goes the wheat crop to rust.” With little background in
botany, I assumed that moisture rusted wheat the same way
it rusted the fenders on our 1951 Pontiac. Now, thanks to a
serious infestation of the fungus rust in my Paph and Phrag
collection last summer, I now understand that while the
fungus rust works in a different manner than the metal
variety, it is just as effective a killer.
At first, I thought the scarring on the leaves was just old
leaves dying. It was not until a whole bench of plants began
exhibiting the same symptoms that I knew I had a problem.
For those of you lucky enough to
never have seen the consequences,
at the left is a picture of infected
leaves on Phrag. Jason Fisher.
Soon plants began dying and
nothing I did seemed to have any
impact. In desperation I called
Horst Bohne to seek advice. He
suggested cinnamon, but I complained that it was very difficult to shake the
powdered form into all the leaves, and most of it ended up on my bench. This
was when he suggested the following formula for cinnamicide as he called it.
Cinnamicide
250 ml rubbing alcohol (70%) 75 ml cinnamon.
Soak the cinnamon in the rubbing alcohol for two or three days until the
alcohol is saturated. Strain the solution through cheesecloth once or twice and
the remaining liquid can be placed in a
spray bottle. I followed instructions and
sprayed the infected plants with the
solution. It turns the leaves the color of
light cinnamon, but the new growths came
out clean, as the picture at the right
illustrates.
Spider Mites
To complete my summer of discontent I also experienced an
infestation of spider mites. A month or two before leaving for a
summer holiday in Europe, I purchased some Phals and forgot the
first rule of good culture, quarantine new plants until you are sure
they are clean. Then I left for some wine drinking in the Mosel
Valley, hiking in the Black Forest and Zermatt, and eating in
Tuscany. But I digress.
Page 11 of 12
November 2014 Volume 45, Issue #9
During my absence the weather turned unseasonably warm and temperatures in my plant room reached
35 degrees C. I had arranged for two people to water in my absence, but with the extreme temperature,
the plants dried out. Heat and lack of moisture are two conditions that spider mites love and when I
returned I found that four or five generations had spread through my collection. Here is what they can
do to Phals.
At this stage of damage the leaves begin to harden and fall off and the plant dies shortly thereafter. In
panic I applied the last bit of the systemic insecticide Kelthane that a friend had given me. It did the
trick but not before I lost about 150 plants. Unfortunately this product is no longer available for
domestic use in Canada and other approaches must be found. Here is a spray that Horst Bohne
suggested for dealing with less severe infestations.
Spider Mite Solution
 1 l water
 25 ml horticultural oil
 1/2 tsp neem oil
 touch of antibacterial soap
Spray both sides of the leaves liberally and allow to dry. Be sure to spot up any solution that ends up in
the crown. It is best to spray in the morning so that the heat of the day can dry up any moisture you
might miss. I use this spray prophylactically every time I repot a plant. After reading a about a
discussion of spider mites in the problem corner at the January meeting, Ingrid Schmidt-Ostrander
suggested the following, although she added the caveat that she has not tried it.
Mite Eradicator
 1/4 c baking soda
 1/2 c apple cider vinegar
 1 Tablespoon lemon juice
 2 drops dish detergent
 1/4 teaspoon Epsom salts
Take a cup of very hot water and dissolve the Epsom salts; take rest of ingredients and place in a clean
two litre bottle and let it work out. Add Epsom solution. Add water to fill to 48 oz (750 ml). Shake
well.
To use: cover soil (medium) with plastic, turn any lights off and mist plant gently, all over and
especially under leaves. Wait 20 minutes, then spritz off with clean, fresh water, shaking as much water
off the plant as possible. The fresh water rinse will remove the solution together with the dissolved
remains of the mites and their eggs.
Originally printed in the Saskatchewan Orchid Society March 2009 Newsletter. Reprinted with the
kind permission of the author, Robert Lucas.
Page 12 of 12