Orchid Mutations

I posted a question about orchid mutation on a popular orchid list and asked what is the process by which orchid breeders attempt to get a desired flower color from an orchid for which not all of the orchids grown to produce the desired flower color end up actually producing the desired color. Some orchids will be spotted, others striped and a small percentage of the plants produce the desired flower color - usually a very beautiful color. This image is an example of Dtps. Minho Princess which shows the desired flower color in the foreground and the balance of the orchids producing striped flowers as seen in the background flower. This type of breeding is known as selective breeding.

Advances in orchid growing now allows the production of countless variations of an orchid type. Phalaenopsis for example is a genus that consists of thousands of variations in numerous colors like pink, purple and yellow. One can understand how the process of selective breeding can get complicated because one is breeding two plants in order to produce another plant with the desired flower. After the plants are bred, the grower will keep an eye out for the desired plant. From this crop, only a few of the plants will produce the desired flower color - others may have deformed flowers while others may be molted or spotted and the plant with the desired flowers will have flowers completely different than the non-desired color. This makes the desired plant with the desired flower color very rare. It is one thing to breed an orchid plant to produce a hybrid then clone that hybrid to produce more of that hybrid - which is usually the plant selected by the grower or hobbyist as the plant that will be "mass produced." Selective orchid breeding like is another game. Whereas an orchid grower/breeder can grow/breed an orchid to eventually produce a hybrid, selective breeding involves breeding an orchid whereby the product is two sometimes three variations of the same plant whereby the desired plant color is only a small percentage of the entire crop. In other words, here the grower knows producing 200 plants will only produce a few of the desired plant. He's asking himself, why aren't all my plants coming out the same? The question is, will hybrids from plants that have been selectively bred produce the same string of plants or do these plants all resemble the desired plant selected for cloning? (Someone care to post a comment and help me out here!?). This is a great topic because mutation can occur in various ways. Here is the answer to my question posted on a popular orchid list:

> Hi,
>
> What is the "process" by which orchid breeders attempt to create an orchid
> whose flower should be pink but from a crop of 100 plants only 25 produce
> the desired color. The rest of the plants are molted or spotted even a
> solid color. I was in an orchid nursery today and saw three variations of
> the same plant - Phalaenopsis Haur Jin Princess "M" as follows:
>
> Flower Variation One - Solid dark maroon color, heavy substance
>
> Flower Variation Two - Splash color almost striped
>
> Flower Variation Three - The desired color, a beautiful pink flower
>
> I am curious what this "process" is called, is it mutation?
>
> Your input is greatly appreciated.
>
> Thanks,
> SP

SP,

Since you did not specify if this was a meristem propagation or a hybrid cross, I assume it is a meristem grouping because of the "M" designation.

Theoretically a meristem propagation should produce plants that are exactly
alike, however, over time we have learned that 'it ain't always so', specially in Phalaenopsis. There are several theories that have been put forward, (i.e.. unstable genes, mutations, the meristem pieces being cut too small and some genetic material being lost, temperature variables etc..) but I have seen nothing that proves it one way or another. So I guess the bottom line is, we really don't know at this time, at least I don't.

If someone has some scientific documentation from a authentic source please send me a copy, as I would love to know and understand what is going on.

If my first assumption is wrong and this is a group of plants grown from seed, then it is just the genetic variability within the hybrid. After all this hybrid has 10 or more generations in its history and tremendous genetic variability.

Hopes this helps.

icones

end of quote

Here is an example of a Phalaenopsis with deformed
petals. No doubt this is caused by genetic variability or
put another way, ehem... over breeding. After seeing so many
orchids, sightings like these are rare indeed. I have been told by
one grower that an orchid with all of the flowers on the plant deformed has tremendous value. Makes sense since only one maybe two plants in a crop of 500 plants will produce plants with flowers like these. This not being the desired flower (a flower only an orchid lover will love) growers will forego growing more plants like this. Since orchids are in hot demand right now, even the mutated plants like this one and especially with selective breeding plants, are still sold to orchid lovers. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.





































I am especially fond of Phalaenopsis Ever-spring Prince "Plum Flower." This orchid may be the most beautiful pink Phalaenopsis in the world without a doubt. With a statement like that, this orchid better be good right? It is! The intense pink borders on fuschia. The flowers glow and can be seen in the distance to beckon the admirer to take a closer look. A touch of the flower reveals waxy petals coming from large, shiny flower buds. Much like Phalaenopsis Haur Jin Princess "M" (for which I do not have any images!!) this orchid - Phalaenopsis Ever-spring Prince "Plum Flower" produces an intermediate orchid whose flowers will have a splash affect on the face or thick stripes - not French spots which cover the entire flower but splashes. What is amazing is since the flowers are waxy, the petals will have remnants of one plant creating an interesting spectacle to behold from the splashes. Only the orchid hobbyist will marvel at this beautiful creation whereby the spots or splashes on the flower are intended to blend and create a solid color.



Another version of the same orchid plant is Phalaenopsis Ever-spring Prince "Plum Flower" which is like other solid colored orchids with waxy flowers (ie., Phalaenopsis Ever Spring-prince "881"). So next time you see a beautiful pink Phalaenopsis, take a closer look because that might be an orchid created through selective breeding. At least we can appreciate what it takes to create sometimes one of a kind orchids.


Now this is rare. One flower out of 200 plants looks like this one. Some Phalaenopsis orchids created by meristem process produces low crop counts because of the rigor of meristeming plants. Not to mention that some Phalaenopsis crops can be finicky whereby out of 200 orchid plants produces, because of the difficulty in growing that specific orchid, produces a crop of fewer than 25 plants. Of course this is another topic from orchid mutation, but one point is clear, some orchids although at first glance may not appear to be "rare" but they are. The definition of rare is "Of an uncommon nature; unusually excellent; valuable to a degree seldom found."


An example of an orchid that is hard to grow is Phalaenopsis Yu Pin "Pearl." Here is a plant that may start with a crop of 500 plants and from this only produce 300 flowering plants. I am making up these numbers to some degree nor do I know the exact percentages of which plants make it and which plants don't. But discussions with the best growers will tell you that this orchid is difficult to grow in mass.



I am not sure of the name of this orchid but I am sure it was a special orchid.











Perfectly formed Phalaenopsis Leopard Prince "SJ." Note the large, red labellum with a yellow center. Stunning.































































































































































































Happy Halloween,
Steve
1888Orchids.com

Orchid Park Nursery Sells for $2.8 Mil

Private Investor Purchases 4,5000-SF Retail Bldg. on 10.4-acre Lot

Kyung S & Woo Seung Chung purchased the property known as Orchid Park Nursery, at 2801-2929 Etting Rd. in Oxnard, CA. Total consideration for the sale was approximately $2.8 million, or about $623/square foot. The property is a nursery with a 4,500-square-foot retail building on a 10.4-acre lot. The current tenant, Taean Orchids USA Inc will continue to occupy the building under the new owner. John Lee of First Team Realty represented the seller, Sang Lee of Taean Orchids USA Inc. The buyer's broker was not disclosed. Please refer to CoStar COMP# 1520898 for further information.

URL: http://www.costar.com/News/Article.aspx?id=8C9B840447DF5DAB6105851E30DD0DE9

Enjoy,
Steve

An Orchid in a Million

A MERE glance at this orchid can make Innisfail breeder Rik Kelder weak at the knees.
As far as he knows, the bloom is a world-first.
Mr Kelder has spent 20 years breeding hybrids in greenhouses behind his home and says this one is an inexplicable mutation that could soon be marketed right across Australia and even worldwide.
The plant has been cross-bred from an exotic grammatophyllum orchid and a cymbidium species native to Australia.
"I’ve done that many times, but this has no resemblance to the others at all," Mr Kelder said.
"It’s the kind of mutation that might occur once in a million years."
The orchid looks most like a straight cymbidium, which only flowers in cooler climates but the national herbarium has confirmed its pollen structure is completely different, he said.
Mr Kelder is going to clone the plant at the end of its flowering and then mass produce it.
Hundreds of orchids will be on display at the Tropical Queensland Orchid Council Conference and Show at Cairns Showgrounds’ Fred Moule Exhibition Centre this weekend from 9am-5pm both days.

URL: http://www.cairns.com.au/article/2008/06/03/4309_local-news.html

Enjoy,
Steve

Origins of the Tahitian Vanilla Orchid

Scientists have ascertained the pedigree of Tahitian vanilla, the orchid whose rarity and rich, sweet flavor distinguishes it from the widely used commercial vanilla. The discovery of the plant’s heritage could set off a custody battle between nations, researchers say.

URL: http://www.sciencenews.org/view/generic/id/34243/title/Tracing_Tahitian_vanilla

Here's another article on this wonderful plant.

Tahitian vanilla originated in Maya forests, says UC Riverside botanist

RIVERSIDE, Calif. – The origin of the Tahitian vanilla orchid, whose cured fruit is the source of the rare and highly esteemed gourmet French Polynesian spice, has long eluded botanists. Known by the scientific name Vanilla tahitensis, Tahitian vanilla is found to exist only in cultivation; natural, wild populations of the orchid have never been encountered.

Now, a team of investigators led by Pesach Lubinsky, a postdoctoral researcher with Norman Ellstrand, a professor of genetics in UC Riverside's Department of Botany and Plant Sciences, claims to have traced Tahitian vanilla back to its true origins.

In the August issue of the American Journal of Botany, Lubinsky and colleagues use genetic and ethnohistoric analysis to argue that Tahitian vanilla began its evolutionary journey as a pre-Columbian Maya cultivar inside the tropical forests of Guatemala.

"All the evidence points in the same direction," Lubinsky said. "Our DNA analysis corroborates what the historical sources say, namely, that vanilla was a trade item brought to Tahiti by French sailors in the mid-19th century. The French Admiral responsible for introducing vanilla to Tahiti, Alphonse Hamelin, used vanilla cuttings from the Philippines. The historical record tells us that vanilla – which isn't native to the Philippines – was previously introduced to the region via the Manila Galleon trade from the New World, and specifically from Guatemala."

The Manila galleons (1565-1815) were Spanish trading ships that sailed once or twice each year across the Pacific Ocean between Manila in the Philippines and Acapulco, Mexico. The ships brought Chinese porcelain, silk, ivory, spices, and other exotic goods to Mexico in exchange for New World silver.

The genetic data Lubinsky and his colleagues obtained confirmed that the closest relatives to Tahitian vanilla, from among 40 different Vanilla species they analyzed from across the world, were two species that grow naturally only in the tropical forests of Central America: Vanilla planifolia and Vanilla odorata. V. planifolia is also the primary species cultivated for commercial vanilla, and is grown principally in Madagascar and Indonesia. V. odorata has never been cultivated.

Yet, even with this initial genetic data, the researchers faced a conundrum. They could find no Tahitian vanilla growing wild in Guatemala, which is where its closest relatives grew. The researchers decided to give their genetic data a second look. This time, by comparing patterns of relatedness in DNA sequences from both the nucleus and the chloroplast (a plant cell's photosynthetic factory), they discovered that Tahitian vanilla fit the pattern of being a hybrid offspring between V. planifolia and V. odorata.

"And that's where the Maya cultivators come in," Lubinsky explained. "The pre-Columbian Maya had been managing their forests for millennia to cultivate cacao and to make chocolate, and we know they were also cultivating vanilla to use it as a chocolate spice. The Maya created these forest gardens by introducing different types of species of wild cacao and vanilla from the surrounding forests, which meant that species that had previously been geographically separated were then able to hybridize because they were in the same place. That's the scenario we present in our research paper for how Tahitian vanilla got started. It is an evolutionary product, but also a Maya artifact."

Seung-Chul Kim, an assistant professor of systematics in the Department of Botany and Plant Sciences and a coauthor on the research paper, served as an advisor to Lubinsky on the project.

"Pesach has demonstrated that Vanilla species can exchange genes quite frequently across species barriers," Kim said. "This provides an opportunity to breed new commercial varieties of vanilla through hybridization in the future."

Lubinsky, Kim and their colleagues plan to do further research on vanilla. In January 2009, they will begin mapping cacao-vanilla forest gardens in Belize, southern Mexico and Guatemala. They also are actively advising on sustainable agricultural development projects using vanilla in Mexico and Belize, and have plans to assemble a vanilla germplasm collection.

URL: http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2008-08/uoc--tvo082108.php

Enjoy,

Steve

1888Orchids.com

Maria Teresa Fighetti Wife of AOS President Dies

From the AOS website:

As many of you are aware, Carlos Fighetti, president of the AOS, lost his wife to a tragic heart attack over the weekend. On behalf of the entire membership, we wish to express our condolences and sympathies to Carlos and his children on the sudden passing of such a wonderful person. Everyone is shocked by the loss of Maria Teresa Fighetti, a dedicated wife, person and friend.

I have been asked to convey that there will be a private funeral service. A Memorial Mass will be celebrated at the University of the Sacred Heart Catholic Church on July 11. Carlos and his family have been deeply touched by the outpouring of condolences. Carlos has asked that anyone wishing to express his or her sympathies might consider making a donation to the Heritage Collection of the American Orchid Society. Tere was impressed with the idea of preserving the special orchid species and hybrids that are the foundation of our hobby and commercial businesses. A donation in Tere's name would be a lasting way to remember a gracious person who, through her patience and understanding, gave us her husband and friend to lead the revitalization of the AOS.

For those of you who would like to express your sympathies to Carlos and his family, their address and email are:HC-03 Box 8125Guaynabo, PR 00971-9710
cfighetti@prtc.net

Should you wish to make a donation to the Heritage Collection of the American Orchid Society, please contact Susan Wayman at 561-404-2031 or e-mail her at swayman@aos.org.

Chris Rehmann
AOS Vice President

Some 191 countries have signed up to an international treaty on biodiversity

Some orchid species are widespread but, because of development, two of the Island's important orchid sites have been lost. Although flowers were moved, there was a sharp decline in orchid population at both sites.

http://www.iomtoday.co.im/news/Tynwald-to-consider-signing-biodiversity.4266599.jp

Enjoy,

Steve Peralta

Eulophia graminea orchids of Asia found in Florida

A slight, delicate orchid with a penchant for travel is popping up in Miami-Dade County in disturbed and abandoned lots as well as in manicured and mulched garden beds. It is unbidden, not a native, and seems to be finding its way to new areas hither and yon.
Tracking down its identity has been a venture worthy of Inspector Clouseau, and finding the pollinator continues to be a scientific Tropic Hunt based on some cool clues and little-known facts. Much about it still mystifies.
Its one-inch flowers are mostly green, although the lip is white and pink. The leaves occasionally appear after the flower stalk. It grows in the ground, and when small, it has a roundish bulb that resembles a houseplant called the pregnant onion.
Because it's being spotted in locations miles apart, questions are buzzing: Why is this plant becoming comfortable in South Florida?
''It's an exciting botanical mystery. Where did it come from? And is it going to be a problem?'' said Suzanne Koptur, an ecologist at Florida International University. ``It's a very tough, strong orchid that seems to pop up from very small seeds that find what they need in that cypress mulch.''
Will it be like the African monk orchid, Oeceoclades maculata, which once made the list of invasive plants compiled by the Florida Exotic Pest Plant Council? That orchid has moved into all seven counties south of Lake Okeechobee, although it has been removed from the FEPPC's list of bad plants. Or will it be a harmless lounge-about like the lawn orchid Zeuxine strateumatica?
The monk orchid might displace native seedlings of tropical hardwoods, rare ferns, wildflowers of shady hammocks ''and even things like the wild coco, another native orchid, Eulophia alta ,'' Koptur said. Or, the monk orchid might be totally harmless. Experts disagree.
The new Eulophia orchid was first noticed last year by one of Koptur's neighbors, Harvey Bernstein, who found it growing in the mulch beds around his succulent collection. Bernstein is a plant curator at Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden and more likely to spot an unusual specimen than most people.
When he didn't recognize the plant, he took it to Koptur, but she didn't recognize it, either.
It worked its way through several orchid growers until, finally, Bob Pemberton, a research associate with Fairchild, solved the name-that-orchid mystery.
The little orchid is Eulophia graminea. It hails from Southeast Asia, Burma and subtropical islands of the Pacific. It has become naturalized in northern Australia, and now, as if by magic, it is in the Redland, Miami Dade College's North Campus, Little River, South Miami and even in a parking lot on Virginia Key.
Until you get the hang of spotting them, young plants are slight enough to remain overlooked. The first rule of science: Be a good observer.
In Miami's Palm Grove neighborhood, just west of Belle Meade, orchid fancier Don Wallstedt found many eulophias growing in rocky soil in two empty lots.
''I saw these little flowers and knew it was an orchid but didn't know what kind,'' he said. ``I looked in Wild Orchids of Florida, which has every orchid that's ever been seen in Florida, and knew I had something unique.''
With the identity secured, the orchid sleuths turned to the next question: How did it get here?
There are Internet dealers. Pemberton found several of the plants for sale on eBay, as well as a Thai source offering the bulbs and even a source in Scotland offering plants. So it could have escaped from someone's local collection and made a beeline for the nearest mulch pile.
Its dust-like seeds may have been carried on the wind.

URL : http://www.miamiherald.com/457/story/594330.html

Enjoy,
Steve Peralta
1888Orchids.com

Orchids Growing Out of Tree Ferns.

A few years ago, Theo Wilms decided to try an experiment. He wondered if it was possible to grow orchids out of tree ferns. Such an orchid orchard doesn't exist anywhere in the world, but for an agricultural scientist, that is just a challenge.

It all started in the early 1980s when Mr Wilms was working for what was then called the Taranaki United Council.

"They asked me to look into all the agricultural and horticultural systems in the province to see if any of them could be expanded." As far as outdoor horticulture was concerned, the answer was no, mostly because of the wet climate.

URL : http://www.stuff.co.nz/stuff/dailynews/4558452a6551.html

Enjoy,
Steve Peralta

Best in show

By Jennifer Ross - North Shore Outlook - April 23, 2008

You don’t have to be a green thumb to appreciate orchids. The exquisite colours and delicate design make them a rare beauty that all can enjoy.

That’s why thousands of orchid enthusiasts will be showing up at this year’s Vancouver Orchid Society 2008 Annual Orchid Show and Sale. The show is an ideal spring event for those who have enjoyed growing orchids for years as well as for those still searching for their first plant.

Visitors will be able to shop for orchids from a huge selection of plants presented by show vendors, attend educational presentations and learn about the beauty and attraction of orchids. They can also watch exquisite orchid displays prepared by leading local and international growers.

“This event is also an American Orchid Society judged show,” said Chris Ostenstad, a co-chair of the show. “On Friday we judge orchids that are not yet recognized, that have been hybridized. With hundreds of entries we look for orchids that are bigger and better than ever.”

And if you have your own orchids at home and you would like to bring them to the event, there will be expert growers on site who can answer any questions you might have about orchids and other species. There will also be workshops throughout the day that address the care and maintenance of these exotic plants.

“The biggest myth about orchids is people think they are hard to look after, but they are not,” said Ostenstad. “If they have enough light and heat they will grow. Just don’t over water them.”

Because most orchids originated in tropical environments, placing them in the bathroom or a kitchen windowsill will provide enough humidity to help ensure a healthy plant, explains Ostenstad, who has two greenhouses and over a thousand orchids. Some orchids, if handled properly, can outlive their owners.

For those concerned about the initial cost of buying an orchid, there will be plants in a range of prices available at the show. While some cost thousands due to the rarity of the species, others, like the popular Phalaenopsis, are more affordably priced.

“The hybridizing market is key today because it is worth a lot of money,” said Ostenstad. “But you have to be willing to invest a lot of time and effort. Most orchids take two years to grow and some can take between three to 10 years to flower.”

The Vancouver Orchid Society 2008 Annual Orchid Show and Sale takes place May 3 from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. and May 4 from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. at the Richmond Curling Club (5540 Hollybridge Way). Admission is $7 and children under age 12 can visit the show for free. For more information, go to www.vancouverorchidsociety.ca

The Vero Beach Orchid Society will be holding their 26th Annual Orchid Show

The Vero Beach Orchid Society will be holding their 26th Annual Orchid
Show & Sale 'Orchids at Riverside' April 26th & 27th, 2008, 10-5 each
day. The location of the show is at Riverside Park, Highway 60 East at
the foot of the Merrill Barber Bridge Vero Beach, Florida.

Free Admission/Free Parking
$2.00 Donation Appreciated

This is an American Orchid Society Judged Event

Orchid guide both useful, attractive

"300 Orchids: Species, Hybrids & Varieties in Cultivation" (Firefly, $29.95) is a chunky little book chock-full of practical information on the most common orchid varieties, which seem to be growing in popularity.

Alphabetically arranged and encyclopedic in design, it's a comprehensive guide that covers species from every continent and provides basic care instructions and information on taxonomy, form, distribution, cultivation, habitat and conservation status for each.

Its author, Jane Boosey, is a British orchid dealer.

Though it's oddly shaped and sized for such a purpose, the photos make it a wonderful candidate for the coffee table.


-- Newsday

URL:
http://www.goerie.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080413/ENTERTAINMENT05/804130384

Mother's Day Orchids

Orchids for Mother's Day
By Susan Taylor
"Mother's Day is coming up and what better gift to get her than an orchid? Mother's Day Orchids are one of the best gifts to give because of their allure and mystique. Their distinctive color, shape and history have made them a gift that will be received with awe. One of the most common comments I've heard is "I've always wanted to grow an orchid…" Why don't you give your mother one so she can try?

Orchids are in fact one of the best buys you can make for any holiday, especially if you pick a Phalaenopsis. These lovely orchids come in an amazing rainbow of colors for almost any décor and often will bloom for up to six months depending upon the variety and parentage. What other kind of blooming plant will do that for you? No cut flowers will do that; other blooming plants only last for a couple of weeks. Phals will provide a lasting display that will please and provide enjoyment for a long while. They are one of the staples used in flower arrangements in hotels and other areas where floral arrangements are part of the décor..."

Enjoy,
Steve

Orchid Show and Tell...

A Festival of Orchids will be on display at Bridgemere Garden World, near Nantwich from tomorrow until Sunday April 14.
There will be around 30 varieties of Orchids including, for the first time at the centre, English grown Phalaenopis.
There will also be a team in Houseplants on hand to offer help and advice, and on Saturday at 11am, Alan Banner, Bridgemere's orchid expert will be giving a talk on The Care of Orchids, when visitors can pick up some helpful hints and tips on the care of these fascinating plants.
advertisement

In addition to all the various plants, there will be features on floral arrangements to help give ideas on ways of using cut stems of orchids from the Florista Flower Shop, to creative effective and dramatic designs.

URL:
http://www.creweguardian.co.uk/display.var.2182529.0.orchid_show_and_tell.php

Enjoy,
Steve

For the Love of Orchids

Mr. G says he may still be a Yankee at heart, but he's right at home in Cleveland. Not Ohio. Cleveland, Fla. It's a small, unincorporated neighborhood east of Punta Gorda. Carl Powell of Powell's Nursery was born near here, and I myself am a recent transplant. Mr. Powell thought the two of us, me and Mr. G, should meet. With my newfound love of orchids and my almost total lack of knowledge and experience with them, I couldn't agree more.

URL: http://www.sun-herald.com/Newsstory.cfm?pubdate=040908&story=tp11ch14.htm&folder=NewsArchive2

Enjoy,
Steve

The annual Taiwan International Orchid Show held last month in Tainan County has received more than NT$2.4 billion (US$78.7 million) in export order

"The annual Taiwan International Orchid Show held last month in Tainan
County has received more than NT$2.4 billion (US$78.7 million) in export
orders, a 65 percent increase from last year...

the show attracted more than 200,000 local and foreign visitors as well as
2,000-plus buyers from 24 countries during its 10-day run which ended on
March 17.

Some of the orders for several species or patented species were in the
quantity of millions...

This year, the American Orchid Society, which was asked to send officials
to the show to serve as judges, broke a record for the number of orchid
plants awarded the highest honors...

six orchid plants received first class certificates from the US society,
breaking the society's record.
The US group usually awards about a dozen such certificates a year.

This year was also the first in which US judges awarded more than four of
the top certificates at a single show since its establishment in the 1920s.

Taiwan exported NT$1.84 billion worth of orchids in 2006, a year-on-year
increase of 24.1 percent, with... phalaenopsis, accounting for NT$1.15
billion of the total...

Total orchid export orders secured at the orchid show totaled NT$800
million in 2005, NT$1 billion in 2006 and NT$1.5 billion this year [2007 ?]"

URL: http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/biz/archives/2008/04/02/2003408073

Fragrant Orchids

"orchids..
fragrance plays an essential role in their survival strategy... orchids spice up their lives in order to attract pollinators.

Flowers... are advertising the fact that they offer nectar or other substances...

Some have wonderful fragrances yet produce no nectar and trick insects into thinking there is a free meal. Other orchids produce odors that mimic the
pheromones of bees and wasps (some even look like female insects) so that males try to mate with the orchids. Some bees even collect the orchid's
fragrance and store it on their hind legs to use, perhaps, to attract their own mates.

Orchids are pollinated by bees, wasps, flies, butterflies, hummingbirds, moths, gnats, and beetles.
Flies, gnats, and beetles are attracted to dull-green and reddish-brown orchids with foul odors.
Bulbophyllum beccarii attracts flies by smelling like decaying animals. Butterflies and hummingbirds tend to gravitate to bright yellow and red flowers that are full of sweet nectar. Bees love nectar and cheerful flowers that range from purples and blues to bright yellows.

Most orchids smell best in the morning hours when the light is bright. The fragrance fades in the afternoon when the temperature increases.
This corresponds with the pollination practices of insects that are more active in early hours.

Other orchids are fragrant in the evening...
Brassavola nodosa... starts exuding its heavenly fragrance at dusk when its pollinators, nocturnal moths, come out.

Fragrances are volatile. They often develop and become more complex the longer you smell them.
A fragrance may catch your attention with a strong citrus smell that sweetens and becomes floral after a few minutes. At first Dendrobium anosmum smells like raspberry, shifts to strawberry,
then rhubarb, and finally hyacinth.

Some fragrances are mild, while others are intoxicating. There are many factors that affect fragrance. Ochids tend to be more fragrant on sunny rather than shady days, when the volatile oils warm up and diffuse. Fragrances tend to linger longer in
areas of high humidity. Locations where the air is still tend to trap fragrances, while smells will
dissipate in breezy sites.

Over the past several decades, a greater emphasis has been placed on hybridizing fragrant orchids.
... Phalaenopsis... is now being bred for fragrance (although it tends to be delicate).
Cymbidiums... are now being bred in miniature, easier-to-grow forms that have fragrance.
Cymbidium Golden Elf 'Stardust' is one example with a subtle rose perfume.

If you prefer strong fragrances, Rhynchostylis or Zygopetalum are two good options...
not all orchids are fragrant...
Cattleyas have fragrances that either revive you or make you swoon... they are [have] complex fragrances (many layers) that range from citrus to
beautiful, rose-like floral. Oncidiums have fragrances that make you hungry [well ! ...] they range from chocolate and vanilla to tropical punch.

When orchids are judged for fragrances, experts... evaluate the orchid based on the intensity (strength) of the fragrance, the distance the smell
travels, its general appeal (pleasant smell), and the complexity (well-roundedness) of the fragrance.
...
Popular Fragrant Orchids
...
Brassavola nodosa (lily-of-the-valley)
Brassavola 'Little Stars' (sweet)
...
Orchids from the Cattleya alliance tend to have floral, sweet, citrus
fragrances.
Cochleanthes amazonica (spicy, candy)
Dendrobuim anosmum (raspberry, strawberry or rhubarb)
Dendrobuim parishii (berries)
Dendrobium nobile (floral)
Encyclia fragrans (vanilla, honey)
Encyclia radiata (coconut)
Lycaste aromatica (cinnamon)
Maxillaria tenuifolia (coconut)
Miltoniopsis (rose)
Neofinetia falcata (coconut and jasmine)
Oncidium Sharry Baby (chocolate and vanilla)
Oncidium Twinkle (vanilla)
Oncidium Hawaiian Sunset (floral)
Oncidium cheirophorum (sweet, citrus)
Oncidium ornithorhynchum (vanilla)
Phalaenopsis Caribbean Sunset (rose)
Phalaenopsis Coral Isles (citrus)
Phalaenopsis Orchid World 'Roman Holiday' (spicy)
Phalaenopsis schilleriana (rose)
Phalaenopsis violacea (floral)
Rhynchostylis (floral)
Vanda coerulescens (grape bubble gum)
Zygopetalum (hyacinth)"

URL : http://ww2.7online.com/Global/story.asp?S=8120859

The American Orchid Society...to recognize its founders and celebrate its 87th anniversary...

"The American Orchid Society...
to recognize its founders and celebrate its 87th anniversary...

a book signing by orchid grower Robert Fuchs of R.F. Orchids, who will
speak about the book, "Robert's Road, Chronicle of an Orchid Tradition,"
written by Flora Murphy.

The celebration comes during April, which is National Orchid Month,
designated as such by the AOS on its 80th birthday in 2001. The naming of
the month is designed to raise awareness nationally of orchids...

nearly 18,000 members around the world, the AOS is recognized as a
proponent of orchid education, research, and conservation. It is the
largest special-interest horticultural organization in the world."

URL :
http://www.bocaratonnews.com/news/local/366-orchid-society-mark-founders-day-monday.php

Enjoy,
Steve

Jewel Orchid - Ludisia discolor

"Ludisia discolor

Growth habit: An upright to sprawling evergreen orchid growing to 12 inches
tall and twice as wide. The leaves are oval in shape with a velvety look;
they are red on the underside and deep green on the surface with pink
longitudinal stripes, and they grow to 6 inches long and 2 inches wide.

Light: Grow in filtered sun.

Water needs: Prefers moist soil; water when the surface begins to dry.

Feedings: Apply an orchid fertilizer monthly March through November or add
a slow-release product to the surface of the soil following label instructions.

Propagation: Start plants from cuttings inserted into containers of potting
soil or by dividing older plants.

Ease of culture: Easy.

Hardiness: Tender; protect from frosts and freezes.

Major problems: Avoid overwatering and dense potting soils to prevent root
rot. Leaf-chewing and scale insects are occasional pests. Control as needed
with natural sprays.

Pruning: Grooming is needed throughout the year to remove declining leaves
and shoots that grow out of bounds. Also, remove stems of faded flowers to
keep the plants attractive.

Uses: Gardeners like the colorful foliage of jewel orchids, but they also
get a yearly bonus of attractive winter flowers. The white and yellow
blooms form along long stems held well above the foliage February through
March. These are terrestrial orchids that need a loose soil mix added to
containers having good drainage. The plants can be hung under trees or
displayed on shady patios and balconies, but avoid areas with excessive and
drying winds. They also can be grown in the home.

... native to Southeast Asia and Indonesia."

URL :
http://www.orlandosentinel.com/features/lifestyle/orl-profile0508apr05,0,2264161.story?track=rss

Enjoy,
Steve

Barbara Pierrou's orchid greenhouse...

"Barbara Pierrou...
greenhouses.. both built from kits.

One greenhouse is primarily used to house the majority of Barbara's orchid collection... about 250 plants. 8-by-12-foot free-standing structure...

a number of home greenhouse kits come with detailed instructions so buyers can put them together themselves.
...
The couple and their adult daughter assembled the second greenhouse themselves.

Barbara Pierrou's orchid greenhouse...
free-standing, straight-eave model with a green metal frame and polycarbonate walls. It's outfitted with a fogger, exhaust fan, regular fans, a swamp cooler that cools it during the summer and heater for winter months.

The fogger, heating and cooling systems are on automatic systems to keep the greenhouse conditions stable. Each is connected to sensors. For
example, when humidity drops below a certain level, the fogger comes on automatically.

Several small fans are situated throughout the greenhouse... You need air movement because without it, you'll get mold on the plants...

The structure did not come with shelves...

The second greenhouse is similar in size but cost less because of its wood frame...
includes a portable sink, as well as shelves...

if you're in the market for a greenhouse. The American Orchid Society... a list of tips:

Determine your needs and space requirements.
Greenhouses range from large, elegant conservatories to compact window greenhouses that fit snugly into a kitchen window frame. If your plant collection will expand, get one large enough to accommodate the additional
plants. It's easier to buy something slightly larger than to expand the greenhouse...

There are three major types to consider: lean-to, attached and free-standing greenhouses.
A lean-to is typically small, about 6 to 10 feet long, with one of its long sides formed by the side of the house to which it is attached.

An attached greenhouse is an extension of one's home that is connected at the narrow end instead of the long side. It's larger than a lean-to, so
it's better equipped to provide more control of humidity, ventilation and expansion problems.

Free-standing greenhouses... are unattached on all four sides. While they are more expensive than the first two options, they offer maximum light to
plants and better humidity control. Price can range from $50 [!!!] to several thousand dollars.

Pick a location in the yard that will capture maximum light. Avoid a spot near shade trees or other structures that can block light. While certain
plants, especially orchids, thrive in well-lighted conditions, they should not be exposed to direct sun. That can be easily fixed by putting a tarp
over the top.

Shelves should be built with convenience in mind. A good size is 30 inches tall and 33 inches wide. Aluminum mesh or steel mesh benches allows air to
better circulate. If you choose wood, select treated lumber that is moisture-resistant.

Consider heating and cooling needs.
A heating system is necessary in areas where temperatures dip below 45 degrees. Orchids do best in 60 to 80 degrees.
A cooling system is likely needed for a greenhouse in this region because of the hot summer months.
Automatic humidifiers should be paired with an adequate ventilation mechanism. Many greenhouses are equipped with side and roof vents that operate
automatically or manually. Add a few fans to keep air moving.

For more information about... buying and/or building a greenhouse check out...

"How to Build Your Own Greenhouse," by Roger Marshall (Storey Publishing...)"

URL : http://www.modbee.com/life/yourhome/story/260356.html

photo : [caption : "Barbara Pierrou... her home greenhouse"

http://media.modbee.com/smedia/2008/04/04/15/963-LIVE_p0405_05e3greenhouse1.standalone.prod_affiliate.11.jpg

Enjoy,
Steve

The American Orchid Society Has a New Look and a New Logo

The American Orchid Society has a new look including a new logo and a re-design of their popular website. The new website uses more white and is more airy than the old website... Not all the features from the old site (ie., Vendor Listings) are visible on new site but from the looks of things, it's going to be a great look!
Post a comment below and tell us what you think of the new web design and the AOS's new logo.


The old American Orchid Society website used black very effectively which gave the site a lot of class. Black blended very well with the white text on top of the beautiful orchid images. Many of us got used to using the old site so the new site will take some time getting used to navigating. Tell us what you think of the new AOS designs by posting a comment below.

Orchids are all the rage today...

Learn why today's gardeners are obsessed with orchids. With step-by-step advice, even novice gardeners can cultivate these exquisite flowers. Orchids are all the rage today. In fact, orchids now rank as the second most popular potted plant, behind only poinsettias in sales.It's not difficult to understand why orchids are so appealing-they're available in a dazzling array of colors and shapes, their flowers can last for weeks, and their fragrances are unrivaled. Fortunately, today's orchids cost less than they did 10 years ago, and the quality is better. A blooming orchid is now less expensive than a modest flower arrangement and provides many weeks of colorful flowers.The Perfect PlaceOrchids are easy to grow as long as you choose the ones that fit your home environment. Comfortable indoor temperatures (65° to 75° during the day, and 10° to 15° lower in the evening) and normal ventilation usually work fine for many orchids. The biggest challenge is providing sufficient light and humidity. Some homes have heavy, light-blocking drapes and tend to have dry air. Orchids prefer humidity levels of about 50 to 60 percent. You can reach this level with an evap-orative-type room humidifier, and you can also add moisture to the area around the plants by growing them on trays filled with pebbles and water. A plastic unit called a Humidi-Grow Tray (about 1 foot square) is a ready-made unit serving the same function. In the Right DirectionWindowsills are home to most indoor plants, so let's look at the light-providing capabilities of these growing spaces. The direction a window faces has a lot to do with the amount of light and the time of day that light will be on your orchids.South-facing windows are the brightest and an ideal location for orchids needing the strongest light. Other orchids that need less light can be placed a few feet back from the window, or the light from the window can be diffused with a sheer curtain.In an east-facing window, morning sunlight is bright but not too hot. During the spring, summer and fall, this is usually an ideal exposure for the orchids mentioned in this article. During the short, dark days of winter, many of these same orchids would then usually prefer the south-facing window.The west-facing window receives as much light as the east window but, because it is afternoon light, is much hotter. So this is not as desirable a location as the east window. If you need to use it, make sure your orchids don't dry out.A north-facing window is the least desirable because it simply does not provide enough light to sustain healthy growth of orchids. Orchid OptionsChoosing the right type of orchids is critical to success. The ones I recommend, in order of ease of culturing, are:Moth Orchids (Phalaenopsis). Exceptionally easy to grow, these bloom for weeks or months, come in a range of colors and have attractive strap-shaped, dark green foliage. Their arching spikes of moth-shaped flowers are the essence of grace and style, making them favorites for fashion magazine photo shoots. This type of orchid asks only for diffused, bright light, normal room temperatures and moderate humidity.Slipper Orchids (Paphiopedilum). These beauties have exotic flower colors and shapes and display handsome foliage even when the plants aren't in flower. The types called Maudiaes are especially vigorous, frequently blooming more than once a year. They have gorgeous foliage and brightly colored, glossy flowers that last for weeks. Slipper orchids need growing conditions similar to those for moth orchids.Dancing Lady Orchids (Oncidium). This group of orchids comes in a myriad of sizes. Some are miniatures, like Oncidium Twinkles, highly recommended because it blooms profusely in a small space. The plant itself grows only about 6 inches wide and tall, but when it flowers it has a flurry of pink or red 1-inch blooms with a light vanilla scent. Other varieties are larger, including one of the most popular orchids of all, the Chocolate Orchid (Oncidium 'Sharry Baby'), known for its scrumptious scent! It has leaves up to 18 inches long and flower sprays of 2 to 3 feet. It is a glorious sight in full bloom, which frequently occurs around the winter holidays.Corsage Orchids (Cattleya type). No group of orchids can match this one for bright, colorful and fragrant flowers. Years ago, these were grown primarily for cut flowers. The plants were large and unruly, grown only by those with plenty of greenhouse space. Thanks to efforts of modern orchid breeders, many of today's Cattleya hybrids are compact growers, yet still maintain their array of colors and delightful fragrances.Whatever the type, take the plunge and give orchids a try! You'll find that today's newer varieties have spectacular flowers, are not difficult to grow and are reasonably priced. They'll provide a spectrum of colors and sweet perfumes.One word of warning: Once you are bitten by the orchid bug, there may be no turning back!Proven Orchid-Watering Technique By Steve Frowine of New Hartford, ConnecticutGuest Garden WriterI find the pot-weighing method for determining when to water orchids is one of the easiest. In this method, you're relying on feel instead of precise weights. Here's how it works: 1. Thoroughly water the orchid in its pot. 2. "Weigh" the pot by picking it up. Now you know how heavy it is when it's saturated with water. 3. Wait a day or so and "weigh" it again by picking it up. You'll feel the difference in the weight as the potting material becomes drier. 4. Repeat Step 3 each day until you judge, by looking at the surface and sticking your finger into the top 1 inch or so of the potting material, that it's time to water. Keep in mind whether your type of orchid prefers to be on the damp or dry side. 5. Note what this dry "weight" is. Now the orchid is ready to be watered thoroughly. This entire process may sound tedious, but you'll be amazed at how quickly you catch on. And when you do, you'll always know the right time to water. Just lift the pot, note its weight, and you'll have your answer.

URL: http://nation.ittefaq.com/issues/2008/03/28/news0765.htm

Enjoy,
Steve
1888Orchids.com

Orchid Species Now Extinct in Burma

"The number of species of wild flowers has been falling steadily in Burma, most notably species of rare orchids...the Rainbow Orchid and the Hirsute Paphiopedilum, are completely extinct inBurma.The Rainbow Orchid (Paphiopedilum wardii) andthe Hirsute Paphiopedilum (Paphiopedilum villosum) were first discovered in the valleys of Putao and Nagmung in northernKachin State some 20 years ago.According to an orchid horticulturist from the Myanmar Florist Association, it was not possible to locate either of the species when updating theassociation's list of wild orchids in November 2007....why Burma's wild flowers are under threat... one possible reason is the demand from Chinese pharmacists for... orchids that are used to produceherbal medicines in China....According to a Burmese orchid buyer, Chinese merchants pay 30,000 kyat (US $27) to 100,000 kyat ($91) for a viss (1.6 kilograms) of wild orchids from Burma....Wild orchids which can be used as medication can be sold for up to $4,000 a ton on the Chinese market, he said."There are more than 20 wild orchids, such as Pierard's Dendrobium (Dendrobium pierardii), the Musky Smelling Dendrobium (Dendrobiummoschatum), the Hairy Column Foot Dendrobium (Dendrobium capillipes), that are used for herbal medicines. Some are good for the human liver and eyes, and they also substitute as multi-vitamins," he added.There are several large orchid plantations and orchid projects in Burma, but only run for commercial reasons. Collectors and horticulturalistsmostly get orchid seeds from Western countries and grow them in Burma for profit.The rare orchids that are being sold to Chinese herbalists usually originate with rural people in Burma, who peel wild orchids from trees andgrow them privately in their gardens.According to a gardener at Pyi Oo Lwin Advanced Orchid Garden in Central Burma: "Many orchids... which are known for their medicinal qualities, arealways being stolen from the gardens."Pyi Oo Lwin Advanced Orchid Garden is the largest orchid garden in the country with more than 300 orchid species.According to the Myanmar Forestry Department statistics, there are... 841 species in Burma."URL : http://www.irrawaddy.org/article.php?art_id=11034photo : [caption : "Customers at the Thai-Burmese border can buy rare wild orchids from Burma."]http://www.irrawaddy.org/articlefiles/11034-orchid.gif

Tiny orchid back from extinction

"A... species that was presumed extinct has been found on the slopes of
Mount Wellington.

The dense midge orchid was last recorded in 1852 and had been listed as
extinct in Tasmania.

The orchids are about five centimetres high, with a cluster of tiny flowers.

A Threatened Orchid Project Officer, Matt Larcombe, says 60 patches of the
tiny orchid have been found on Council and private land in South Hobart.

"A local field naturalist, Kevin Bonham, actually discovered it," said Mr
Larcombe.
"He saw some leaves [orchid ?] late last year that he though were a bit odd
and went back up this year to have a look and see what they turned into...
it turned out to be the dense midge orchid.

"They're tiny... 4 to 7 centimetres tall and very fine so unless you're
really down on your hands and knees looking you'd just miss them and you've
got to be there at that right window when they're actually in flower to
actually see them or else there's nothing above ground, just a tuber below
ground." "

URL : http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2008/04/17/2219931.htm?section=justin

photos :

1) http://www.abc.net.au/reslib/200804/r241768_981268.jpg

2) http://www.abc.net.au/reslib/200804/r241769_981277.jpg

A terrestrial orchid species thpught to be extinct in Tasmania has recently been rediscovered. Corunastylis nudiscapa has been located on the slopes of Mt Wellington near Hobart during a search for Land Snails by officers of the Tasmanian Department of Primary Industries,Water and Environment (DPIWE). This species has not been recorded since the type species was collected in 1840. Growing in sandy soil occuring on the eastern foothills of the mountain, the officers were initially unable to immediately identify the plant but formal identification came quickly as C. nudiscapa has no Tasmanian species with which it could be confused. It is a Dwarf Midge Orchid with tightly congested inflorescence of crowded reddish-brown to purplish glabrous nodding flowers and was only known from this single location. Great news and a psychological boost to those who never say never. Now all we need to do is get the same department to protect those other species rapidly heading in the same direction.
Alan W Stephenson
National Conservation Officer
Australasian Native Orchid Society

The Greater Omaha Orchids Society will hold its 21st annual orchid show and sale March 29 and 30 at the Lauritzen Gardens

The Greater Omaha Orchids Society will hold its 21st annual orchid show andsale March 29 and 30 at the Lauritzen Gardens, 100 Bancroft St. Omaha,Nebraska. Hours are 10 a.m. To 4 p.m. both days. There is an admissioncharge to enter the Gardens ($6.00) but there is no additional charge forthe orchid show. For additional information contact Jim Pyrzynski, showchair, jpyrzynski@cox.net.

"The 2008 Taiwan International Orchid Show ended...after attracting some 200,000 visitors...

during its 10-day run at theTaiwan Orchid Plantation in the southern county of Tainan.... the visitors included nearly 3,000 foreign floral experts and buyers.... official figures on the value of orders placed at the show were... notavailable...sales were expected to reach NT$2 billion (US$64.69 million).The foreign buyers came from the United States, Canada, Japan, South Korea,Russia, Brazil and the United Arab Emirates....The exhibition was organized by the Taiwan Orchid Growers Association andjointly sponsored by the Tainan County government and semi-official TaiwanExternal Trade Development Council.Orchid growers from 24 countries took part in the 2008 exhibition,including the United States, Canada, Mexico, France, Germany, the UnitedKingdom, the Netherlands, Belgium, Australia, New Zealand, Russia, Japan,South Korea, Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Vietnam, and thePhilippines.Orchids... accounting for over 50 per cent of the total value of Taiwan'shorticultural exports...Taiwan... "Kingdom of the Butterfly Orchid"... it is the world's largestexporting country...About half the world's butterfly orchid varieties are bred in Taiwan.Taiwan exported NT$1.84 billion worth of orchids in 2006, a year-on-yearincrease of 24.1 per cent, with... phalaenopsis, accounting for NT$1.15billion of the total...Taiwan's orchid export orders secured at the Taiwan International OrchidShow totaledNT$800 million in 2005,NT$1 billion in 2006 andNT$1.5 billion in 2007"URL : http://au.biz.yahoo.com/080318/17/1nppb.html

India's share in the global flower market is... no more than 1-2%

"India's share in the global flower market is... no more than 1-2%...a sustained annual growth of around 10 per cent in the past several years, floriculture is emerging as a major growth segment in Indian agriculture.The export of flowers... has surged six-fold, from less than Rs 100 crore a year in the 1990s to over Rs 600 crore now. The area under flower cultivation has expanded rapidly, buoyed by an investment of over Rs 500 crore in this sector in past few years.According to the Economic Survey (2007-08), the acreage under flower cultivation has increased from 1,18,000 hectares in 2004-05 to 1,46,000hectares in 2005-06 and further to 1,54,000 hectares in 2006-07.Consequently, the production of flowers is estimated to have spurted from 659,000 tonnes in 2004-05 to over 886,000 tonnes by 2006-07. Many farmers, especially around the major cities, and in areas ideally suited for special categories of flowers, such as the north-east for orchid production, areshifting from food and other low-value, high-volume crops to growing flowers for better returns....the existence of large unexploited export potential, coupled with the anticipated fast growth of 6 to 7 per cent a year in the domestic demand for flowers, is likely to serve as a growth engine for the floriculture sector.The paucity of supportive infrastructure has been a major constraint in the development of floriculture in the past. Flowers... require specialisedpost-harvest handling, storage and transportation. Cold chains and dedicated transportation and cargo handling facilities are... needed for both domestic trade and export. Cold store facilities are desirable even at the export destinations to keep losses to a minimum."We have covered a lot of ground in the past 10 years in building up supportive infrastructure for the production, marketing and export offloriculture products..." says H P Singh, deputy director-general (horticulture) of the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR)...Thanks to rising incomes and urbanisation, the demand and consumption of flowers within the country is expected to grow at a faster pace from nowon. "The number of people who have the purchasing power to buy costly flowers is larger in India than in the UK," Singh points out. These are positive indications for the growth of floriculture as a niche segment of horticulture.Delhi has emerged as Asia's largest flower consumption centre, says Singh. But, the capital's main floriculture market still functions virtually from the pavements in the Connaught Place area, in the heart of the city.However, modern flower auction centres are proposed to be built in variouskey flower trading centres, notably Bangalore, Mumbai, Noida and Kolkata.... the one at Bangalore has already come up and... has becomeoperational...cold storage and cargo handling facilities, even if not entirely of international standards, have been created at several important airports, including Delhi, Mumbai, Hyderabad, Bangalore, Chennai, Thiruvananthapuram and Cochin. Such facilities are also proposed to be set up at the Ahmedabad, Amritsar, Kolkata and Bagdogra airports.... the demand for... for cut flowers is a relatively recent phenomenon. Traditionally, marigold and roses have dominated the flower trade in thecountry. Of late, the trade has diversified with demand coming up for other bouquet-compatible flowers as well.Equally significant is the emerging demand for value-added floriculture products, including dry flowers, essences and other extracts. This isexpected to enhance the emergence of the flower-based processing industry and also add to the employment- and income-generation potential offloriculture. Orchids , in particular, are deemed to have a great future as India is a natural habitat of cymbidiums and dendrobiums, the most sought-after orchidspecies. The north-eastern region is fast coming up as the orchid-hub of the country. A little push, like transportation subsidy and similar othersops, can trigger an orchid revolution [wow ! green, local or global ?]."URL :http://www.business-standard.com/common/news_article.php?leftnm=lmnu2&subLeft=3&autono=317854&tab=r

Fever pitch Windham man answered the orchid's seductive call

Chuck Crisler...has... about 450 orchid plants....at the Amherst, Mass., Show, one of his Cymbidiums won in two categories, the best large species and the best Cymbidium....he'll sometimes take two hours to water his orchids, holding them up and giving each one individual attention. "You've got to understand what they are feeling," he said [smile...].... Marty Epstein of Haverhill, Mass., theorizes orchids have a virus that get people to like them [smile...]....Crisler advised... on Cymbidium care, recommending that he dry them out. "... 'Keep them cool and dry, and they will bloom,' " Mulder said......But New Hampshire is also home to many orchids, 50 or 60 species [exactnumber ?]...The pink lady slipper one of the most well known that grows in the state. Easy to miss is the Coralroot orchid. It grows underground and comes up inthe fall for only three days or so to bloom."URL :http://www.eagletribune.com/punewsnh/local_story_077001826.html?keyword=topstoryphoto : [caption : "Cymbidium Hunter's Point... grown by Chuck Crisler]http://www.eagletribune.com/punewsnh/images_sizedimage_077001754/xl

Green Orchids

You don't have to go to Singapore to enjoy a breathtaking bouquet of green orchids called Dendrobium Burana Jade "Burana." Just in time for Christmas! This variety of green orchids is spectacular! Stems can measure up to 24 inches long! WOW! These long lasting beauties are sure to delight even the hardest to please on your holiday gift list. A closer look at the flower reveals a mauve center which contrasts beautifully with the bright green petals. Twenty exquisite stems are sent in green vase shown.NOTE:Green orchids like these Dendrobium Burana Jade "Burana" will be sent with half the stem in bud and the other half with fully bloomed flowers. We recommend that you keep these green orchids somewhere bright so the buds will fully open. You may not get all the flowers to open but placing the orchids in a bright location will help the flowers to open more fully. These are spectacular flowers and we guarantee you will be amazed at the length of the stems.

Orchids in full bloom at Botanic Park

"annual Orchid Show at the Queen Elizabeth II Botanic Park... 8 March...
Produced jointly with the Cayman Orchid Society, the show is a fundraiserfor programmes conserving the 26 species of orchids, which are native tothe Cayman Islands."
URL : http://www.caymannetnews.com/news-5968--1-1--.html

Orchid smugglers wanted...

"People affiliated with smuggling of orchids to Krasnoyarsk are wanted bypolice in the Krasnoyarsk Territory.5,700 decorative flowers, which appeared to be orchids, were seized inKrasnoyarsk Airport when they were delivered by charter flight fromThailand to Krasnoyarsk...The orchids are estimated to cost about USD 70,000...The flowers were unloaded from the plane and moved with the concealment ofthese objects from customs control officers. A criminal case on smuggling(Article 188 of the Russian Federation Criminal Code) was opened on March 4."

URL : http://english.newslab.ru/news/258584

Steve
1888Orchids.com

Seeds of Brazil shine in the Festival of the Orquídea of Japan

Translated from Portuguese to English:

A dumb one with 233 white orquídeas, created from seeds of Brazil, was awardee in the International Festival of the Orquídea of the Japan, that yesterday finished (2) in Tokyo after to have received almost half million from visitors.
The orquídeas born with Brazilian seeds had received as the prize in the festival that counted on the participation of representatives of 20 countries, also of Brazil, through the Tropicalismo workmanship, from ambassador Paula Barboza.
About 100 a thousand orquídeas of all the colors, types and sizes, composed for the most diverse forms, had invaded the stadium Tokyo Dome, where the Great Prize of the Orquídea of Japan (www.jgpweb.com/index) is carried through since 1991.
One of the organizers of the festival, Nanako Terabuko, explained that the orquídea is the “evolved flower more, as well as the man between the animals”.
“The orquídea is a peculiar plant, the most developed and the one that more varieties presents. They are not as the roses, that always are symmetrical and of the same type”, said Nanako.
The proper orquídea word has an aphrodisiac connotation, therefore Greek comes from the orchis word (testicule), because for first the botanical Greeks, the form of the species of the region if seemed to the masculine reproductive agency.
In Japan this flower represents the beauty and if it uses in the ikebana, disciplines high Japanese to the category of art of the floral decoration.
As much are the types of orquídeas - in Japan they are counted about 2.500 varieties and more than 35 a thousand in the world - that for this competition six categories had been established: individual plants, for aromas, style of composition, drawing, artistic (it includes photograph, paintings and others) and orquídeas in miniature.

Vietnam attends orchid exhibition in Japan

VietNamNet Bridge - Vietnam has attended the 2008 International Orchid Exhibition in Japan. Orchid are considered the queen of flowers and very favoured in this country. On show were 100,000 styles of orchid arrangement from more than 160 countries in the world, including Japan, the US, Switzerland, Brazil, China and Vietnam. The Vietnamese booth was located at the centre of the exhibition with white and purple orchids brought from Da Lat and Sa Pa. The exhibition closed on March 2, coinciding with the Hinamatsuri festival during which Japanese people display peach blossom and dolls

Link: http://english.vietnamnet.vn/lifestyle/2008/03/771420/

Enjoy,
Steve


RFID tunes in to help orchid exports bloom
Tagging will aid information flow within the supply chain and prevent waste
Published on March 21, 2008

"Radio-frequency identification (RFID) is... being used by the Thaiorchid-export industry to improve its supply-chain management system.The technology allows each chain to control its process... and trace orchid flowers to their origin.... Thailand is the second-largest exporter of orchids...National Electronics and Computer Technology Centre (Nectec).Developed... the prototype of the system...RFID would be used to gather information from tissue cultures in thelaboratory, such as the plant's age; the name of the farm; information fromthe greenhouse during planting; the lot number and orchid size duringpackaging; and information gathered during the logistics process.If there is a problem with the stems, the system will help follow the chainto the origin and find the defective lot...In the past, customers would reject entire lots if there was a problem,because it was nearly impossible to identify the problem products.... the use of RFID technology would avoid such waste. The centre hasalready completed the adoption of RFID technology for use in supply chains.It is now in the process of developing the database and software, whichwill allow exporters to track information.Apart from RFID, the centre has also developed technology... which willallow orchid farms to control the growing environment.The farm will use sensors to monitor temperature, humidity, light and pH value.This information will be used to control the environment....Information from sensors can also help breeders predict plants' growthpatterns and prevent the stems from becoming infected."URL : http://nationmultimedia.com/2008/03/21/technology/technology_30068755.php

Pat Bonamo... a paleo-botanist...teaching botany... at Binghamton University...At the World Orchid Conference... in Miami

"Pat Bonamo... a paleo-botanist...teaching botany... at Binghamton University...At the World Orchid Conference... in Miami... one of her pictures won first place in the "In Situ Category" -- ... orchids in their natural habitat -and best of show overall....Last year she won Best of Show at the International Orchid Congress in the same city.Bonamo grows orchids...Her winning photo this year features... one of her very own orchids... c[C]ypripedium parviflorum."It's an orchid I have growing in my woody perennial garden..." she says."URL :http://www.pressconnects.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080227/COLUMNISTS01/802270330/1005/OPINIONphoto : [caption : "Pat Bonamo's award-winning photo of... c[C]ypripediumparviflorum... It took First Place in the "in Situ" category and Best ofShow overall]

63rd annual Santa Barbara International Orchid Show

"63rd annual Santa Barbara International Orchid Show...

Speaking...Eric Hansen, who has spent more than 20 years documenting... elements of the orchid world for National Geographic and Outside magazines and forbooks such as... "Orchid Fever: A Horticultural Tale of Love, Lust and Lunacy." Hansen's cast of nonfiction characters includes a collector whodid jail time for orchid smuggling and a Santa Barbara grower who carries a gun while tending his plants...grower-collector Lance Birk, whose "The Last Orchid Hunter" details his successful search for the exceedingly rare Laelia orchid [which one(s) ?]in Brazil. (Successful... until it was stolen from him by another plant hunter.)... former UC Irvine ecology professor Harold Koopowitz... an expert on the effects of deforestation on wild orchids...Koopowitz's newly published "Tropical Slipper Orchids: Paphiopedilum and Phragmipedium Species and Hybrids."...orchid-themed art... oil paintings by... Ralph Waterhouse... photographs by the late Robert Mapplethorpe."URL : http://venturacountystar.com/news/2008/feb/28/the-subject-is-orchids/photo : [caption : "Paphiopedilum Krull's Emerald Meadows"]http://media.venturacountystar.com/vcs/content/img/photos/2008/02/27/20080227-151933-pic-63260697_t600.jpg

"Q. ... buds formed... then they turned yellow... What went wrong?

A. Depending on how you count, there are... at least a quarter-million orchid hybrids and varieties [how do you count ?]....phalaenopsis orchids and related hybrids... account for roughly 75 percent of orchid plant sales [roughly / smile...].Causes of bud drop include sudden temperature changes, low humidity, insufficient fertilizer [?], indoor air pollution from things like pilotlights [could you explain ?] and tobacco smoke, and perhaps most commonly, too much or too little water...enjoy the plant while it is in flower, and then give it to an orchid enthusiast [I would not do it !] and get something different. Repeat indefinitely"URL :http://www.nytimes.com/2008/02/28/garden/28qna.html?_r=1&ref=garden&oref=slogin

Of the 20,000 species worldwide, 300 are found in Europe and up to 26 in Cumbria

"species... 300 are found in Europe [so little !] and up to 26 in Cumbria [county in the extreme North West of England] plus some sub-species andcrosses.Most are rare or very rare and are easily disturbed... of the 25 British orchids listed in the Red Book, two are now thought to be extinct, seven are endangered and 12 are judged as vulnerable.Cumbria is relatively rich in species compared with most other parts of the country, probably because of its variety of habitats, its climate and lackof disturbance.Orchids are likely to be killed by the application of phosphate and nitrate fertilisers, as they need low soil fertility to survive.Cumbria has been less intensively farmed than other places and so there has been relatively low use of these fertilisers....More common is the dactylorhiza species including marsh, spotted and fragrant types with their purple pyramid of flowers.They are impressive when together in large numbers, such as the 4,000 plants counted on a quarter-mile stretch of main road north of Kendal.By contrast, the extremely rare and beautiful lady?s slipper orchid was thought to have been reduced to one site in Yorkshire by enthusiasts collecting from the wild (now illegal) and changes in agricultural practice.Many Cumbria Wildlife Trust nature reserves are blessed with orchids but Bowness-on-Solway reserve, west of the village, is a good place in summer to find the common spotted orchid.Improved horticultural techniques now mean British species and crosses are more readily available from nurseries and make good garden species,provided you replicate natural conditions ? low fertility, limited disturbance and appropriate growing conditions.Moist conditions for spotted and marsh dactylorhiza species and crosses areprobably a good place to start."URL : http://www.cumberland-news.co.uk/features/viewarticle.aspx?id=800293

Enjoy,
Steve
1888Orchids.com

Growing Orchids in Vietnam

"An old saying..."Vua choi lan, quan choi tra" (A king collects orchids, a mandarin collects camellias)....anyone with VND40,000-50,000 (US$2.50-3) can buy a pot of orchids – and many Hanoi residents are doing so...To successfully make an orchid bloom, enthusiasts say, the gardener must have a pure heart and the patience of a saint.Orchids won't bring their owners material wealth or social status, they explain. So those with enough dedication to tend to these delicate flowersand wait for their... blooms must do so simply to enjoy the personal challenge and test of their patience.Duong Xuan Trinh, chairman of the Ha Noi Orchid Association, says this challenge gives orchids their appeal... orchids demand daily care...As orchid owners slowly coax their babies to bloom, they can have temporary respite from the stresses of daily life. For a few minutes a day, orchid owners can forget blaring motorbike horns and grumpy clients and concentrate their attention on a single quiet, deliberate task."Nurturing orchids relieves my anxiety after the working day," says Vu Quoc Viet, a 37-year-old orchid lover.For the retired, tending orchids provides a perfect form of personal entertainment. "Growing orchid plants is suitable for the elderly as it doesn't requiretoo much time or physical exertion," Trinh says.Orchids have become so popular that they are joining the list of plants used as Tet (Lunar New Year) decorations, which has long been limited topeach-blossom branches and kumquat trees.... From a handful of original members, the Ha Noi Orchid Association has expanded to over 200 enthusiasts. The group, mostly retired people andamateur orchid growers, meets every two months to exchange ideas and techniques for growing..."Growing orchids requires a great deal of [some...] scientific knowledge," Trinh says...."... based on the diversity of orchid species in Vietnam, it could be said that Vietnam is the world's cradle of orchid growing," says Tran Tuan Anh, an orchid hunter with 20 years' experience....According to the 2003 statistics of Russian researcher Leonid V Averyanov and his daughter Anna L Averyanova, there are 897 orchid species inVietnam. Tuan Anh puts the number over 900, saying that a number of species in the forest and his garden haven't yet been identified....Tuan Anh's orchid-searching adventures in Vietnam's most remote areas have produced a garden with over 300 types of orchids - more varieties than any other garden in Hanoi, he boasts.He even helped to identify four orchid species in Vietnam (and then named three of them after himself): Hoang thao Tran Tuan (Dendrobium trantuanii), Vanda Tuan Anh (Vanda tuananhii), Lan hai Tuan Anh (Paphiopedilum trantuanhii) and Hoang thao Viet Nam (Dendrobium V[v]ietnamica).Tuan Anh still remembers his first glimpse of lan hai (Paphiopedilum) on a trip to Son La, a mountainous province in northern Vietnam, in October 2003. At an elevation of 1,000m above sea level, he happened to spot a bundle of flowers that were distinct from any he had ever seen. The largeblossoms were brownish red in colour, with white calyxes in the front and green in the back. Struck by the beauty of the flowers, he shot photographsuntil he ran out of film and then hurried back to Hanoi.Considered a local expert, Tuan Anh has set up a website on Vietnam's orchids and assists both researchers and amateurs with information.With only a handful of experts like Tuan Anh, however, Vietnam's orchid-growing industry remains in its developing stages. Breedingtechnology and training in Vietnam remain limited, so some orchid growers have headed to Thailand for education.Le Xuan Truong spent two years learning from the expertise of a Thai grower, and the 38-year-old now owns a 1,000sq.m garden and 2ha farmproducing dendrobium. Every day, between 5,000 and 7,000 branches of flowers are sold wholesale, and sales hit 100,000 on special occasions likeWomen's Day. With branches selling for VND30,000 ($2) a piece, Truong's business has proven lucrative.As word gets out that business is booming, others will like[ly] follow suit to supply the many people who have fallen for the flower that plays hard toget."URL : http://english.vietnamnet.vn/lifestyle/2008/02/768024/

http://images.vietnamnet.vn/dataimages/200802/original/images1497903_Ochid.jpg

Enjoy,
Steve Peralta
1888Orchids

Sobralia orchids

"Bruce Rogers has a passion for...Sobralias-- the... tallest [not all...] orchids in the world...
Rogers has been raising, hybridizing and decorating with orchids for morethan 25 years, but it's the Sobralias(sew- BRAIL-eyah [Well, EnglishLatin...]) that have captured his heart...
at next weekend's Pacific Orchid Exposition... He will bring manyexamples... which he says will thrive in California gardens....[Bruce said :] it was love at first sight. I had little glimpses of themfrom afar, illustrations from books and magazines. My first encounter witha blooming plant left me speechless... Years ago, I was asked to decorate alarge urn as a backdrop for a statue unveiling. I used a large eight-footSobralia rogersiana in full bloom, and stood aside ready to receive praiseand compliments. No one there had ever seen a Sobralia before. Peoplethought I had tied Cattleya orchid flowers onto a bamboo plant so well thatthe wires could not be seen. No one believed it was a real plant!...Sobralias... grow very well here and can be found in older gardens andestates...the flowering season lasts all summer and into the fall. They can be grownboth in pots and in the ground, in sun or shade, rain or shine. There areSobralias for every microclimate that occurs in our area, from the warmerareas to the cooler spots. Sobralia macrantha seems the most adaptable withblooming plants reported from the top of the Santa Cruz mountains to theflats of Fresno, the hills of Marin to Santa Rosa and everywhere south....The scarcity of Sobralias has kept them from the public eye. While theyhave been in private and civic gardens for many years, availability hasalways been a problem, as they are difficult to raise from seed and takefrom four to eight years to raise to flowering size. Sobralias only have asmall window for dividing, which also hinders propagation.
After working with several local laboratories with little success, my...friend Terry Root and I decided to form a nursery business specializingonly in Sobralias... after much work we now have production numbers thatcan begin to satisfy demand....Once established, Sobralias are as tough as a jade plant or any othergarden plant. They can take dirty water and dirty air. The only thing fussyabout them is they can only be divided or repotted when showing both newgrowth and new roots...
There is no other orchid genus that is so diversified in terms of size [?],from Sobralia elegans, which grows less than a foot tall to Sobraliaaltissima, which is over 40 feet tall. The most popular group, the fieldtype with species such as xantholuca, macrantha veitchii and their hybridsgrow from 2 to 6 feet tall. There are new hybrids, which grow from 2 to 4feet, making them ideal for patios and gardens....I often tell people that Sobralia flowers are so big, you can use them towrap gifts, as tablecloths, or as clothing for small children. The modernSobralia field types have huge Cattleya-looking flowers from one to 10inches across, with some species such as Sob. rosea and Sob. rogersianahaving flowers as large as dinner plates. When you read orchid reports fromVictorian times, you read about even larger Sobralia flowers and onewonders what is now extinct in the wild [in the literature / smile...]....Sobralia flowers and plants are divided into two groups: the ephemeralgroup, where the flower lasts only one day, and in some cases just amorning, and the field group, where the flower lasts from three to 10 days.With both types, the individual canes carry many flowers that are displayedsingularly, so the overall display lasts for many months with a matureplant carrying multiple canes. Some ephemeral species such as Sob.klotzscheana carry 20-plus flowers and bloom for over a year, although thejasmine scented flowers last only a day. The longest lasting flowers in thefield group are probably Sob. undatocarinata and Sob. pulcherrima, with10-day flowers, with five to seven flowers per stem, which give you twomonths of heaven. We are breeding for flower longevity also, and speciessuch as these are very intriguing building blocks....Although I have seen them grown beautifully in full sun, I prefer morningsun or filtered shady afternoon sun. Water drainage must be perfect.Sobralias love water and when in active growth, it is hard to over-water.They also love fresh air....When... grown outside, pests leave these alone except when they are inflower. Snails and slugs will travel miles and lie, cheat and steal to getto the flowers... Either use a safe product like Sluggo, or take a littlecopper garden tape and wrap the stem below the buds or new growth. Whengrown inside as a house plant in dry conditions, one must watch for mites,but this is seldom a problem in California....with Sobralias it's all about the roots. A strong root system is key forsuccess. You might hear from old garden talk that they need to be pot-boundto bloom well, but that is because usually a pot-bound plant will have agood root system. They do not have to be pot-bound, they just need goodroots. If growing outside, plant Sobralias in raised beds and pre-checkyour drainage....Sobralias are like women [and men...], there are many kinds... To pick asingle one as a favorite is impossible, so here are my three favorites.Sobralia fimbriata is an ephemeral type with beautiful dark green pleatedleaves. The 2- to 3-foot plant blooms twice a year with pastel flowers witha beautiful fimbriated (fringed) lip. The fragrance is incredible andunique. It is the only orchid flower that I will pick and carry with methrough the day just for the fragrance. Sobralia rogersiana var. Bolin ismy obsession. Sobralia callosa is my favorite miniature. Perfect littleflower, perfect little plant. It is truly a jewel of nature....I was not bitten by the orchid bug. I was assaulted by the orchid bug many,many moons ago. I've been growing, hybridizing and decorating with orchidsfor over 25 years. I began my professional career in the late 1970s whenthe city of Atlanta Parks Department hired me to work with its orchids inthe greenhouses in Piedmont Park. Returning home to the Bay Area, I washired by the Rod McLellan Co. as the head grower for the boardingdepartment and to hybridize Vanda orchids. In the early 1980s, I left tostart Bruce Rogers Orchids, an orchid consulting and management companybased in San Francisco. In 2002, I joined Terry Root of the Orchid Zone andco-founded OzGardens, a business devoted exclusively to hybridizing andgrowing Sobralias...
They will be available at the Pacific Orchid Exposition from severalvendors and at the San Francisco Orchid Society sale table. This isprobably the best venue in the world for Sobralias right now with speciesand hybrids, ephemeral and field types and both mature plants andseedlings. Sobralias can be found at nurseries such as BerkeleyHorticulture Nursery, Flora Grubb Nursery and Sloat Nurseries in Marin andSan Francisco. Large specimens can also be found at Living Green in SanFrancisco. In San Jose, Serene Orchids has Sobralia seedlings... expect topay around $15 for a seedling in a three- to four-inch pot...
in the entrance exhibit. We will have a few of the giants like Sob.calloglossa and Sob. cattleya and a few of the miniature and mid-sizedhybrids. Elleanthus is a close relative to Sobralia, with identicalfoliage, but pine cone-shaped flowers, and they should have flowers (butthe really big flowers don't come along until summer)...
Growing orchids is one of the few socially acceptable art forms that mencan get involved in and their masculinity is never questioned [except by...]."
URL : http://www.mercurynews.com/lifeandstyleheadlines/ci_8342105
photo : ["Sobralia mirabilis"]
http://extras.mnginteractive.com/live/media/site568/2008/0223/20080223__orchids23~1_Gallery.JPG

Lady's Slipper Orchid

One of the easiest orchids to grow at home is the Lady's Slipper Orchid, Paphiopedilum sp.

The unmistaken physical characteristic of this tropical orchid is the slipper or moccasin shape of the lip (largest of the three flower petals). These exotic flowers do not resemble any others of the vast orchid clan.

It is not to be confused with the native wildflower Yellow Lady's Slipper Orchid, Cypripedium calceolus, which grows in wetlands, woodlands and swampy areas throughout Indiana.

Lady's Slipper is a terrestrial orchid with handsome, compact foliage. This orchid thrives in bright, indirect light with day temperatures in the 70s and night readings in the 60s.

An east window would be ideal, but a south or west window is a good location if a sheer curtain is used to soften the light. If the leaves begin to turn a pale green color, the plant is getting too much light.

Keep the soil mix moist, but not wet. Water once or twice a week, depending on the season. Less water is better than too much. Humidity levels of 50 percent or more are ideal. Misting is not suggested as a method of raising the humidity. This may cause the terminal growth to rot.

Repot the plants annually in the spring following bloom. Fertilize every month, using a balanced fertilizer at half strength.

During the summer, this orchid can vacation on the patio or deck in the shade. Just remember, the vacation is over when night temperatures go below 50 degrees.

http://www.indystar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080223/COLUMNISTS18/802230312/1007/LIVING

Enjoy,

Steve Peralta
1888Orchids.com

Moth Orchid - Phalaenopsis

The moth orchid (Phalaenopsis) is one of the most common orchids. Its popularity can be traced to the plant's elegant long-lasting flowers and ease of maintenance. The almost 60 species are responsible for the thousands of hybrids available today. In Latin, the word phalaen refers to a moth, opsis to an appearance. It has been said that a cluster of these flowers at dusk resembles a group of fluttering moths. The plant's large rounded petals lie flat, allowing the intricate lip -- with two wispy tails -- to gain attention. Moth orchids have been bred in a multitude of colors and combinations, including lavender, peach, pink, white and yellow as well as with stripes and spots. The plant grows as an epiphyte in the lower canopy, protected from direct sunlight. In the home, the ideal location is a window with eastern or southern exposure and protection from direct sun. Watering intervals depend on the plant's growing medium. The mix should be allowed to dry slightly before the next watering. After the last flower fades, the stem should be cut just above the first node, under where the first flower opened. Often, a second spike will form from this node and develop into a second flush of flowers. Moth orchids "flutter" throughout the Orchid Forest at the Franklin Park Conservatory.
-- Dave Brigner Franklin Park Conservatory

http://www.dispatch.com/live/content/home_garden/stories/2008/02/03/plant03x_ART_02-03-08_I7_B99795S.html?type=rss&cat=&sid=101

Steve Peralta
1888Orchids.com