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Meeting

Speaker

Skill Session

Opportunity Table

Plant Sales Volunteers

Refreshments

Field Trip

SCOS ORCHID NEWS

APRIL EVENTS April S, 2003 Tuesday Veterans Memorial Building 1351 Maple Avenue, Santa Rosa Dining Room-East side of building

Dennis Olivas

6:45 Orchid Smartz 7:30 Meeting

Phaphiopedilums and Phragmapediums

Orchid Smartz Paphiopedilum and Phragmapedium Culture Judy Carney

Please contact Jeanne Van Blarcom ifyou are interested in volunteering this month.

Contact Mariann Hopkins or Marilyn Barquero ifyou can help out this month with plant sales.

Refreshments to be provided by members who have an APRIL birthday.

April 19 Saturday QuaryHiII Botanical Garden Glen Ellen 10:00 a.m. 1112-2 hour tour followed by potluck picnic

Contact: Garry Baker at 996-5237

April Speaker

Our speaker for April will be Dennis Olivas speaking on Paphiopedilums and Phragmipediums. Growing up on the Island of Kauai, Dennis started growing or­chids at age 12. He left Kauai in 1980 to work for Tauck Tours leaving behind 8000 orchid plants. During a break in the tour business in the winter of 1980, he visited Rod McLellans and purchased a Paphiopedilum Maudiae. The rest is his­tory! Dennis is known to many ofus for his active participation in many Bay Area orchid societies including the San Francisco Orchid Society, Orchid Society of California, Santa Clara Orchid Society, Santa Cruz Orchid Society, Malihini Or­chid Society, Peninsula Orchid Society, Diablo View Orchid Society, Napa Orchid Society, and the American Orchid Society. He also serves as a Certified Judge for the American Orchid Society.

ORCHID SMARTZ April

Skill Session

. Opportunity Table

UPCOMING EVENTS

Judy Carney will speak on Paphiopedilum and Phragmipedium culture at the pre­meeting skill session. This session is held from 6:45 to 7: 15 in the Judges Cham­bers (in the front of the building). Come join Judy to learn the basic principles of growing Slipper Orchids.

Plants for the Opportunity Table will be provided by Dennis Olivas, D & D Or­chids in Half Moon Bay. There will be a wonderful variety of orchid hybrids and species. D & D Orchids will have an Open House and Sale on May 17th and 18 from 9:00 a.m. to 3 :00 p.rn. for further information call 925-969-1246.

The field trip to QuarryHill Botanical Garden is filled. However if anyone is still interested call Garry Baker at 996-5237 to be placed on a wait list. There are al­ways a few people who will have something happen at the last minute and not be able to make the trip.

For those members who missed the March meeting. We have organized a field trip to QuarryHill Botanical Garden in Glen Ellen. The tour is scheduled for Saturday, April 19 starting at 10:00 a.m. The tour is docent lead and will take from 1 112 to 2 hours. There is a minimum donation of$1.00, we recommend a $5.00 donation. We will have a potluck picnic lunch.

Because of the interest we can do this again in the fall. We can see the garden in another season, and also give more members a chance to see the garden. Those interested call Garry. For those who would like to visit the garden on their own call 707-996-3802 for arrangements.

14th Annual Blooming Orchid Show & Sale Golden Gate Cymbidium Society April 5th and 6th 9:00 a.m. to 6 p.rn. at Lakeside Garden Center (by Lake Mer­ritt) 666 Bellevue Avenue, Oakland, CA

Santa Clara Valley Orchid Society Show and Sale April 11 th to 13th at the Westgate Shopping Center in San Jose. Call 408-996­8335 or email Ckumata@aol.com for further information

Carmel Orchid Society MayFaire 2003 May 3rd and 4th at the Crossroads Shopping Village. Call 831-646-8724 for info.

Orchids Fiori D'Amore Annual Sale 4526 Fair Avenue, Oakland May 3-10 (9 a.m. to 4 p.m.), May 11 (9 a.rn. to 2 p.m.) Call 510-530-4884 for info.

MARCH SPEAKER

REVIEW By Kathy Dickerson

Doug Conkin puts on a colorful and informative video for beginners and pros alike in "Anyone Can Grow Orchids, Even You!" His focus is on growing orchids in the home, where most enthusiasts begin, and many successfully continue.

From their native habitat in tropical jungles, where orchids prefer the gentle air movement, sunlight and cooler temperatures in the treetops, to the stifling forest floor, Doug brings us into his home and shows ways to simulate the same conditions. Warm, sunny windows shower sunlight on his gorgeous staired arrangement of blooming orchids as he explains their 5 basic needs: light, water, temperature, humidity, and air circulation.

LlGHT:"Orchids need 3-4 hours of sunlight a day," he says. "It's easier to decrease light than increase it." South windows are best, with some shading to prevent sunburn, and east and west windows are next. And different kinds of orchids have differing needs for light. Sunlovers, such as the cattleyas, can be arranged close to the window, where they can bask in sunlight and shield the shadelovers below.

WATER: Quality is as important as quantity in watering orchids. Reverse osmosis or de­ionizing units may help where there's a high mineral content, but avoid water softeners which can kill orchids. 'The empty pot trick' can tell when to water: fill a pot with your favorite or­chid mix, water the mix, and pour it out every day to see how long it takes to dry out, remem­bering it takes less time for the planting medium to dry with an orchid planted in it. Water temp can be +/- 5 degrees of room temp. And provide good drainage holes. As epiphytes, or air plants, growing naturally in the open air of the branches of treetops, and not in fir bark, or­chids don't like soggy roots.

TEMP, HUMIDITY AND AIR CIRCULATION: "Orchids can't put on the heater or air con­ditioner when they're uncomfortable," Doug quips. And fortunately, "There's no such thing as one orchid, like there's no such thing as one rabbit." Doug tells us orchlds create their own comfort zone '.:vith companion plants, through inhalation and exhalation, and the orchid hobby- . ists' collecting habit increases the comfort zone. Temps vary between the Average Minimum Night temp and the Average Maximum Day temp, with differing ranges for cool, intermediate or wann-growing orchids, which exist naturally in every country except Antarctica. In gen­eral, what is comfortable for you, in your home, is right. Put your orchids on a humidity tray, or place a humidifier 3-4 feet away, and run it during the day. And, Doug adds, "Set a table­top fan next to that humidifier and never turn off that fan until it burns out!" Fertilizer is "icing on the cake." Doug recommends a high quality one, with micronutrients and a high nitrate level for nitrogen. Where urea and ammonium must be broken down by bacteria before becoming available, nitrates can be utilized right away. A ratio of 50% nitro­gen from nitrates is good. Feed 20-10-20 spring & summer; 6-30-30 fall & winter to finish growth.

Did you know

?•

Did you know that the Sonoma County Orchid Society will be hosting the AOS Membership Meeting October 12 - 16, 2005? This meeting is the working meeting of the American Orchid Society where the Trustees and the various Committees meet twice a year. It is an honor to be selected to host this meeting. Our local committee has been hard at work looking at various sights selecting the Doubletree Hotel Sonoma Wine Country in Rohnert Park which has ex­cellent facilities that will accommodate this meeting very well. In addition to the working ses­sions of the AOS, the Odontoglossum, Pleurothallid, and Phalaenopsis societies meet along with the Orchid Digest Corp. Each has a lecture session with outstanding speakers along with a lecture session sponsored by the host society. In addition there is a show and sale open to the public. Kathy and I just returned from a scouting trip to this year's meeting in Hilo. It is apparent that our Society will put on an excellent meeting. We have had an organizing com­mittee of six that is now expanding to include other key positions. If you are interested in helping to organize this exciting meeting, please contact me and let me know your area of in­terest. 528-1671, rathbun@sonic.net Until next month, Earl

ORCHIDS ON PARADE J

SCOS 2003 Spring 'Orchids on Parade' Show Awards and Trophies-provided by Josie Lee -photos by Jim' Foster

Exhibitor and/or Plant Awards and Trophies Sponsor

Fordyce Orchids AOS Show Trophy AOS (most outstanding exhibit)

Sonoma County Orchid Society Orchid Digest Trophy Orchid Digest (for the best display by a non-commercial grower)

Jim Foster Paph. Macabre 'Jim's Delight' HCCIAOS Perpetual Award for The Best Entry by a SCOS Member (Best ofShow - In Honor ofEarl & Kathy Rathbun for Extraordinary Care and Nurturing of the SCOS)

Phyllis Dobbs - Brassia Rex 'Lea' AMlAOS Best of Show SCOS Gail Prosser - Cym. SueXBeacon Fire Best Novice SCOS Kathy & Earl Rathbun -Onc. Wm.Thurston 'Robson' AMlAOS Best Intermediate SCOS Paul Chim - BIc. Malworth 'Orchidglade' Best Cattleya Alliance Earl & Kathy Rathbun Orchid Fiori D'Aruore - Cym. Via Verde Dawn 'Citron Alba' Best Standard CymbidiUm Delman & Lillian Smith Orchid Fiori D'Amore - Cym. New Century 'Spica' Best Miniature Cymbidium Marilyn Barquero Phyllis Dobbs - Den. Pink Doll 'Elegance' Best Dendrobium Sam & Juanita Spencer Phyllis Dobbs - Brassia Rex 'Lea' AMlAOS Best Oncidimn Alliance Austin Creek Orchids Botanico - Paph. rothchildianum 'Prom Night'X'Mont Millais' Best Slipper Orchid Alliance Patty Cormick Fred Shull - Phal. CassandraXBaby Doll Best Phalaenopsis Alliance Marianne Hopkins Botanico - Masd Highland Fling '64' 'Apricot Dream' Best Pleurothallid Alliance Judy Carney Bob Richardson - V. Fuch's Bongo Best Vanda Alliance Mitch & Gail McAlpin Botanico - Zygo. Arturelle 'Peregrine' Best Miscellaneous Genera Bill Poe & Sue Hayes Richard Stone - Dipteronthus estradae Best Miniature Orchid (not exceeding

8"incIuding flowerscape) Rob Terry Richard Stone - Dipteronthus estradae Best Species Petite Plaisance Eddon Orchids - Epi. Stamfordianum Best Specimen Plant Paul Matsushita JudyCamey Best Basket of Orchids Robert Michelsen

(non-commercial)

Commercial Displays

Fordyce Orchids I st place - $250 SCOS The Orchid Bench 2nd place - $150 SCOS Sherwood Orchids 3rd place - $100 SCOS

AOS Special Awards

HCCIAOS 79 pts Jim Foster - Paph. Macabre 'Jim's Delight', (Paph. Sukhakulii x Paph. Voodoo Magic) HCCIAOS 79 pts Bob Pike - Paph. 'Vintage' (unregistered hybrid: Paph. Laser x Paph. Macabre) HCCIAOS 77 pts Richard Stone - Soph. coccinea 'Quincy', (Soph. coccinea 'Atemar x Soph. coccinea 'X9')

There were 272 entrants for awards for the 2003 SCOS 'Orchids On Parade' Spring Show. Congratulations to the following local SCOS members for their ribbons!

Ribbon Winners Blue Red White Ribbon Winners Blue Red White

Adagent Acres Kathy & Earl Rathbun 10 3

Becky Jackson 5 Kathy Hile 2 Bob & Kathy Dickerson 2 Kim Gordon

Bob Richardson 3 2 2 Kris Foster 2 3

Dale Martin 3 Laura Victor

Fern Wilson 1 Linda Tripp

Gail Prosser 2 Malcolm Clark 2 2

Garry Baker 2 2 Mariann Hopkins 5 5 Herb Longacre 2 3 Mitch McAlpin 1 Jim Foster 3 2 2 Petite Plaisance 3 4 6

Jim Kennedy 2 Rob Terry 8 5 4 Joe Hile Solveig Erlingsson 2 Josie Lee 2 Susan Anderson 2 Juanita Spencer 4 Tracy Longacre 5 Judy Carney 2

Bob Pike Paph. (paph. Laser x Paph

Macabre) 'Vintage"

Dick Stone Soph. coccinea 'Quincy'

Jim Foster Paph. Macabre 'Jim's De­

light'

THANK Thank you to Judy and Garry Baker for the March Open Greenhouse. YOU Thank you to Ron Ehlers for the March Skill Session.

Thank you to Miyamoto Orchids and Blossoming Orchids for donating a large number of orchids at the end of the show for the Society use at the March meeting. Thank you to Sequoia Orchids for donating the large Cymbidiums used for division at the show. Thank you to Laura Aipia, sales manager of the Doubletree Hotel Sonoma Wine Country in Rohnert Park who donated the dinner for two at Baccus Restaurant. Thank you to Gus Feissel, Santa Ros Photographic Society and Tom Basile, Tuesday M­temoon Senior Photographic Group, and SCOS member Jim Kennedy for co-ordinating the photographers who were allowed early entry to photograph our show Thank you to Jim Foster for providing the digital photo's of the show used in this news­letter

Thank you's for Judges' Lunch ·

By now most of you have heard about the Judges' Lunch and I would like to take the time to acknowledge all of those whose hard work and effort made it a smashing success.

First on the list is Kathy and Bob Dickerson who jumped at the last minute to set the ta­bles. It was a beautiful thing! A most impressive and elegant setting for lunch.

Next is Lorrett Patzwald who had volunteered to serve, but was recruited to help with the food preparation. It was a busman's holiday for Lorrett as she is a professional chef. Her experience was a welcomed addition to the kitchen staff.

Our wait staff consisted of Solveig Erlingsson and Susan Anderson. Susan filled in for one of our volunteers who had a last minute emergency. Two people to serve and bus for 36 people, whew!! Great job Solveig and Susan.

Next and most important was Patrick Hamilton who while not a member of SCOS volun­teered to lead the kitchen. As a former chef and noted Mycologist his effort and experi­ence as executive chef was invaluable.

Last and certainly not the least, my heart felt thanks to Bud Lockwood for his energy and perseverance. Without him I would have been lost.

I also want to thank Sonoma Market and G&G Market in Petaluma. We were able to pur­chase the sea food from Sonoma Market at their cost and the fresh produce from G&G. The table ware was donated by Wine Country Party in Sonoma.

Garry Baker, Chair, Judges' Lunch, Spring Show and Sale 2003

The 2003 Sonoma County Orchid Society Spring Show was a resounding success due to the untiring efforts of all the SCOS Volunteers. All of you who worked so hard must be commended. Show Chair, spent untold hours planning and coordinating the various as­pects of the event. Thanks, Ron. Thank you to all the Show Chairs, their support staff, and volunteer members who gave of their time and knowledge so necessary for such an event to take place. SCOS is successful and so enjoyable because there are many hard working members who pitch in when needed. Thank you all!

Mitch McAlpin, SCOS President

BOARD MEETING

SUMMARY

Actions by the Board: Approved the minutes of the previous Board meeting. Heard a preliminary Treasurer's report for the Spring Show, which shows a profit ofapproximately $5600.00. A report for the March meeting and the final show report will be presented at the April Board meeting. Heard a report from Ron Ehlers, show chair. Heard the Vice President's report on upcoming speaker/events. Reviewed guidelines for the financial policies involving Soci ety funds. All money should be turned in to the Treasurer promptly for deposit and all refunds will be issue by the Treas urer. This will be communicated to all committee chair. Reviewed the Holiday Party plans for 2003. Voted to elimi nate the Opportunity table and gift plants, voted to provide funds for the purchase of 4-6 raffle plants ($150) and voted to

. have a larger room for the party. Voted to retain the gift ex change. I

Received the report from the nominating committee. Discussed the need for a new Web Master as our current Web Master is moving.

Next Board meeting: Monday April 21 ,2003 at 7:30 p.m. at the Rathbun's.

Announcements

April Birthdays

Have you checked out our Web Page? You can see all the pictures that are included in the newsletter in color.

The Society needs a new Web Master. Is this a job you might be interested in? If you have the skills and the desire, contact Bud Lockwood 769-1233.

The Society is looking to replace the laptop computer that we use to run the Wildcatt Program. If you have a laptop that has a CD rom drive and is at least 200 megahertz, please contact Mitch McAlpin.

SCOS wishes all April birthdays a Happy Birthday!

4-1 Bonnie Alexander 4-11 Cathy Thompson 4-19 Randel Tu~ll 4-1 Morgan Campbell 4-12 Ed Passaro 4-19 John Thompson 4-1 Pat Durbin 4-12 Brian Shears 4-20 Sandra Sanford 4-1 Rick Gooding 4-13 Richard Hopkins 4-21 William Crawford 4-1 Bill Ray 4-13 Petrina Medina 4-21 Wilhelmina Organist

4-1 Julie Steinberg 4-14 Richard Barton 4-22 Dicksie Tamanaha 4-2 Paul Strecker 4-14 Helen Burch 4-22 Jane Teller 4-4 Sharon Edward 4-14 Kenny Organist 4-23 Frank Fordyce 4-4 Jim Foster 4-15 Polly Whittenberg 4-24 Phuong Doan 4-5 Katie Zembal 4-16 Tony Pastor 4-25 Lyn Cessna 4-9 Caroline Pollard 4-17 Marilyn Dailey 4-27 Robert Moeckly 4-10 Pat Castellani 4-17 Rosalee Murphy 4-28 Claudia Gart 4-10 Lloyd Hultman 4-18 Ursula Nusbaurner 4-28 Julie Ralston 4-11 T.J. Evans 4-18 Charlotte Rozeboom 4-29 Patricia Knight 4-11 Ken Prosser 4-18 Terry Stark 4-30 Judy Missakian 4-11 Jon Stark 4-19 Cynthia Summ 4-30 William Clarke

Show & Tell Incentives

2002/2003 Board of Directors

Every time you bring a plant to Show and Tell you will receive a chance to win the "Three Month Plant". When you bring in your plant (or plants) to share, fill out the two-part card identifying the plant and your name. Be sure to fill out one for each plant. Put one part of the card with the plant and the other part of the card in the drawing box. A drawing will be held every three months.

President Mitch McAlpin 431-0940 Vice President Ron Ehlers 876-3496 Secretary Gail McAlpin 431-0940 Treasurer Jim Hamilton 876-3496 Memberslrip Secretary Lillian Smith 938-8368 Newsletter Editors Kathy & Earl Rathbun 528-1671 Past President Bud Lockwood 769-1223 Director Ways & Means Garry Baker 996-5237 Director Meetings Paul Matsushita 942-6316

Committee Chairs

Greeter

Librarian Meeting Set Up Meeting Take Down Opportunity Table Plant Sales

Refreshments Spring Show

Holiday Party Bus Trip AOS/Orclrid Digest Rep

Newsletter Production Computer Manager Webmaster Liaison to Other Societies

Carita Lynch 586-3858 Larena Wightman 527-7969 Becky Jackson 584-1386 Bob/Juanita Breckwoldt 415-479-2329

Jeanne Van Blarcom 829-0549 Mariann Hopkins 829-1043 Marilyn Barquero 763-8820

Sue Anderson 762-2917 Ron Ehlers 876-3496 Patty Connick 538-4245 John & Barbara Hopper 833-2078 Juanita Spencer 778-0623 Jamei Haswell 570-2828 Sue Anderson 762-2917 Dale Martin 762-0526 Elizabeth Bathrik 544-5059 Richard Grundy 570-2828

Newsletter NEWSLETTER DEADLINE: April 17

If you have an announcement, thank you, notice or anything else for the next newsletter please email Kathy and Earl Rathbun at rathbun@sonic.net or call/fax 528-1671 or mail to 1920 Grace Drive, Santa Rosa, CA 95404.

Website Visit our website: www.sonic.net/scorchid/

SONOMA COUNTY ORCHID SOCIETY Presents

A SPECIAL SPRING FIELD TRIP Featuring

Noted Orchid Nurseries and Private Gardens South San Francisco, Aromas, Soquel, Half Moon Bay, and Pacifica

Saturday, May 17, 2003 Leaders: Barbara & John Hopper & Garry Baker

Limited to 45 participants The tour departs promptly at 7:45 a.Ill. across the street from the Santa Rosa Veteran's building parking lot under the bridge (Commuter Parking Lot), opposite the Fair Building. A stop will be made at 8:10 a.Ill. in Petaluma, at the commuter parking lot just off the 101 freeway north of the big bridge over the Petalwna River, for those joining from sites south of Santa Rosa. Return to Santa Rosa will be approximately 7:30 p.Ill. depending on traffic.

What to bring: Packed lunch, snacks, something to drink. Wear good waking shoes, sun hat, sweater/jacket Mornings and evenings can be cool even in May.

Tour includes: Transportation by AC coach. SnaGks and wine. A limited selection of soft drinks and water will be available.

The following orchid growers and private garden owners are looking forward to our visits. Our first stop will be at Golden Gate Orchids where owner Tom Perlite ""ill welcome us to his nursery filled with rare and beautiful orchid gems.

In Aromas a special surprise awaits "at Blossoming Orchids where owners Charles & Beatrice Lee will greet and provide a tour of their outstanding collections.

We visit the magnificent g"..raen of Gail and Mitchell Page - a plant collector's 2+ acre garden pa..T3.dise which dates from the early 1900's - a garden that creates a feeling of informality and respect for nature. Many of the spaces are designed to benefit the native wildlife, or a"t as nectaries for birds and insects. The grounds include several Araucarias and other mature trees brought to the Santa Cruz area from the 1915 Pan Pacific Expo in San Francisco, so many shade loving shrubs, ferns, and perennials will be seen. Due to the garden's sheltered location, there are magnificent bamboo, palm and sub-tropical collections. Another special feature is the huge Chiranthodendron pentadactylon (undoubtedly the largest monkey-tree in the United States.

Our next visit is to the fabulous private garden of Richard and Loretta Josephson. Filled with unusual plants, palms, lake and other water features, the garden is a.ppropriately named 'A Fantasy of the Tropics' .

Traveling northward along the coast to HalfMoon Bay, we visit D & D Orchi(is where Dennis Olivas will greet us and show his extensive orchid collections.

Continuing up the coast., Dan Newman will greet us at the new location of Hanging Orchid Gardens, packed with orchid gems where tour participants will have a final opportunity to add new treasures to their collections.

Don't miss this special opportunity to add to your orchid collection and enjOY a day o(greal felWwship with other Society members. Itinerary subject to change depending on local conditions. 3/06/03

Please make a reservation. Price $38 per person. Make checks payable to Sonoma County Orchid Society. Deadline for payment April 15, 2003. For cancellations after this date, a refund will be made only if a replacement }>I"'~~"

is found. A wait list will be available when trip fills.

Name:____________________________________________________________________

Address:____________:-::--_______________ ___ _ _

Phone:________________________enmil~~~-----------------------------------Pick-up location: Santa Rosa or Petaluma _________

Mail to: Mr. & Mrs. John Hopper; Box 783; Kenwood, CA 95452; Ph: 707-833-2078; Email: Jbhopper@sonic.net

--

SONOMA COUNTY ORCIrID SOClE rY The Sonoma County Orchid Society meets the 2nd Tuesday of every month.

Plant sales begin at 6:45 p.m. and ends when the speaker begins bis/her presenta­tion. The Society provides an opportunity for any member to sell plants or material (with a 20% commission to the Society). A reminder to all members that any plant ma­terial offered for sale at the Society meeting, must be run through the Society. Pre­arranged pick-up of plants or materials is OK and does not have to go through the Soci­ety. Plant owners assume all risk and responsibility for their property. Your mem­bers binder has additional information.

The Skill Session, when scheduled is held at 6:45 in the front of the room or in a separate room at the front of the building. The location will be announced in the newsletter and a sign will be posted at the meeting. Announcements followed by Show and Tell begin at 7 :30 p.m. The speaker will begin after Sho\-v and Tell (approximately 8:00 p.m.). Refreshments and opportunity plant drawings occur after the speaker's lec­ture.

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