January 2007
Meeting Dates
- January 21, 2007 – Atrium, Olbrich Gardens
- February 18, 2007 – Atrium, Olbrich Gardens
Photograph by Denise Baylis
The Guaria morada, Cattleya skinneri is the national flower of Costa Rica
- March 25, 2007 – Atrium, Olbrich Gardens
- April 22, 2007 – Meeting Room, Olbrich Gardens
- May 20, 2007 – Atrium, Olbrich Gardens
- June Picnic – TBA
Up-coming Events
- February 3-4, 2007 - Orchid Quest 2007
- February 16-18, 2007 - Batavia Orchid Show
- March 3-4, 2007 - Northeastern Wisconsin Orchid Society Show and Sale
- March 23-25, 2007 - 32nd Illowa Orchid Society Spring Show
- April 27-29, 2007 - Illinois Orchid Society Spring Show in conjunction with Spring Mid-America Orchid Congress
- February 2 - March 2, 2008 - 19th World Orchid Congress
December speaker Leo Schordje
Officers and Committees
President:
Judy Stevenson (2008)
judy_stevenson@/SBCGlobal.net
Vice President:
Sarah Lundey (2007)
sarahlundey@/charter.net
Secretary:
Meg McLaughlin (2007)
lodi4ever@/charter.net
Treasurer:
Don Fago (2008)
dfago@/localnet.com
Board:
Liz Barlow (2008)
eabarlow@/wisc.edu
Photograph courtesy of the Smithsonian Institution of a Cattleya hybrid
Svetlana Kot (2009)
grigkot@/gmail.com
Jill Hynum (2007)
jhynum@/sbcglobal.net
Away Shows:
Sandy Delamater (2007)
sldjn@/aol.com
Hospitality:
Dawn Weckler (2007)
Jeri Gjertson (2007)
Librarian:
Liz Wood (2007)
ewood@/biochem.wisc.edu
Membership:
Board of Directors
Newsletter:
Denise Baylis
jrbaylis@/tds.net
Orchid Quest:
Board of Directors
Programs:
Elaine Malter (2007)
Ribbon Judging:
Wayne King
Web Master:
Svetlana Kot
grigkot@/gmail.com
Liaisons:
Alliant: Elaine Malter (2007)
AOS: Jill Hynum (2007)
MAOC: Don Fago (2007)
Orchid Digest: Jill Hynum (2007)
December OGG ribbon judges Svetlana Kot, Jody Thistle, Lorraine Snyder and Wayne King
Submit your photos to be included in the newsletter. Every month we want to include a gallery of photos to enjoy. Email your photos to Svetlana (grigkot@/gmail.com) and Denise (jrbaylis@/tds.net)
The Orchid Growers' Guild, Inc. (OGG) is a non-profit organization, affiliated with the American Orchid Society. It is dedicated to the education of both OGG members and the public about orchids and their culture. OGG also promotes the conservation and appreciation of orchids. Meetings are held on the third Sunday of each month at Olbrich Botanical Gardens. See our website at orchidguild.org for more information.
The Orchid Grower
Madison Orchid Growers’ Guild
NEXT MEETING JANUARY 21ST: “BOTANICAL TOURISM IN COSTA RICA”
Jeff Baylis is an OGG member. He was a faculty member in the Zoology Department at UW-Madison where he taught courses in animal behaviour as well as Field Ecology of the Tropics at UW-Madison. He says that it was a difficult decision to choose between zoology and botany so he didn’t.
Costa Rica is justly famous for it biological diversity, which includes more than 1400 species of orchids. While this pales in comparison to Columbia or Ecuador, it is a remarkable species count for a country whose surface area is small (51,000 sq. km., about the size of West Virginia) and whose dry land is only about 3 million years old. This orchid diversity is partly due to the wide range of biomes available in Costa Rica, which in turn reflect the mountainous nature of the country and its situation as a land bordered by two oceans. For instance, within Costa Rica, annual rainfall may vary from a low of 18 inches per year to 25 feet per year. Yet one can drive virtually anywhere in the country (where there are roads) in a single day. I will discuss our experiences in some of these biomes, and show some photos of some of the orchids we encountered.
– Jeff Baylis
MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT
The Orchid Grower’s Guild Board of Madison wishes all of our members and any other orchid growers out there a Happy New Year. 2006 was a good year for the OGG. Svetlana Kot has expanded the information on our web site. Denise Baylis has given the Newsletter a fresh new instructive format. The OGG board is working hard. We have had several educational and informative presentations at our monthly meetings. More members have a shown an interest in helping Sandy Delamater with the orchid shows.
Let me remind you that Orchid Quest on February 2 – 3 at the Exhibition Hall of the Alliant Energy Center is just around the corner. I encourage those of you who have not signed up to volunteer for this two day event, to do so. It is a lot of fun, a good way to learn more about the culture of orchids, it’s a break from the hectic pace of our day to day lives, and an excellent way to fight the “winter blahs”.
I believe that tending orchids is a physical and emotional experience which reduces stress. My orchids are my new family since I became an empty nester. Tending to their needs is nurturing and enjoying their blooms is exhilarating. I look forward to working with all or you in 2007 as we all become healthier this year.
– Judy Stevenson
RECAP OF TALK ON LYCASTE
At our December meeting Leo Schordje gave a presentation Growing Lycaste. The talk focused on the more compact growing species, and discussed their cultural requirements. Leo showed photographs of various Lycaste. The following are a few pointers for their culture:
Light – They need about 50% sun, the same as for Cattleya, a little less for the evergreen types.
Air movement – It is critical to have some air movement at all times, this prevents sunburn and keeps roots healthy.
Temperature – Most species are intermediate growers, many will adapt to cool conditions, and a few of the deciduous species are from low elevation and will appreciate warmth. All species will tolerate Wisconsin summer heat if they are given good air movement.
Water and Dormancy – Lycaste are not particularly sensitive to water quality. I use tap water that comes from Lake Michigan. Keep them moist during active growth. For the species that are deciduous, when the leaves begin to yellow and drop, stop watering until the mix is completely dry; and then water only once in a while to prevent excessive shriveling in smaller plants. Large plants can be left bone dry for the entire dormancy, usually three months. The normal rest period begins in late December and growth begins in late March. Evergreen species must have water all year. For the ‘semi-deciduous’ species, which include most of the hybrids, let the plant tell you what it wants. If it drops its leaves, quit watering it. When new growth resumes, begin watering. If it does not drop its leaves, keep watering. The plant will indicate what it wants. Potting mix – Any mix that is acceptable for Cattleya or the Oncidium Alliance will work for Lycaste. Use the mix that works best for you and your other orchids. Lycaste are not fussy.
Fertilizer – I use a high nitrogen fertilizer at a low dose rate and feed every watering. Lycaste are moderate feeders so do not over do the fertilizer. I use MSU formula at about 1/2 teaspoon per gallon, though there are many other fertilizer programs that will work.
Pests and diseases – The large soft leaves are scale and mealy bug magnets. You must inspect your plants regularly and use the standard treatments for the insects should you find any. Lycaste seem to tolerate most pesticides well.
- Leo Schordje
ORCHID EXHIBITIONS
“Orchids: Take a Walk on the Wild Side”. The 13th Annual Orchid Show, a collaboration between the Smithsonian Horticultural Services Division and the U.S. Botanic Garden, alternates between the two sites every year. This year it is on view at the Natural History Museum January 27 through April 22, 2007, in Washington, D.C. “Orchids will be displayed naturalistically rather than submerged in mulch as is typical for such exhibits. Information on orchid ecology, pollination biology, symbioses, evolution, phylogeny and the work of Smithsonian Institution researchers is interspersed on display panels throughout the exhibit.”
The 55th Pacific Orchid Exposition presented by the San Francisco Orchid Society will be held February 15-18-2007 at the Fort Mason Center’s Festival Pavilion in San Francisco. www.orchidsanfrancisco.org
Friends of the Arboretum is sponsoring a talk on the “Eastern Prairie Fringed Orchid.” The speaker will be Ursula Peterson who is manager of the Department of Agricultural, Trade, and Consumer Protection’s Endangered Species Habitat Program. She will talk about this rare native orchid and about her agency’s effort to monitor and protect the remaining populations in Wisconsin. The talk is Wednesday, February 21, 2007 and requires pre-registration. http://www.uwarboretum.org/events/register_1?id=387
IN THE NEWS: ANOTHER NEW SPECIES
Yet another new orchid species -- Disa linderiana was discovered at an elevation of more than 1,800 meters on a mountain in the Cederberg range in the Western Cape of South Africa. It has a tiny white flower and beet-red foliage. The Cape Floristic Region of Africa is by far the smallest of the world’s six Floristic regions, but it is one of the most diverse, and over 60% of the plant species found there are endemic to the region. This plant adds yet another endemic plant to the list. Most Disa species that are its closest relatives in the Cape region bloom only in the year following a fire, but this new species was found flowering in an area that had not burned in years. The species is named in honor of Prof. Peter Linder, an expert on orchids. Read more at http://www.capenature.org.za/index.php?fArticleId=847.
During 2006, 29 members sent plants to a meeting or show. This is up from 25 members in 2005. A total of 11 members helped with displays, slightly down from 12 members in 2005.
Again, in 2007, Wayne King will be a guest on the Larry Miehler Show, "Garden Talk" on Wisconsin Public Radio. This is scheduled for January 26, 11 AM - 12:30 PM. It is an educational call-in program on plant problems associated with orchids and is not related to the guild.
This show had been done by John Moses, a well known orchid grower in phals. About ten yours ago he passed it along to Wayne. The radio producer and Larry are kind enough to plug Orchid Quest several times during the program.
EXPLANATION OF RIBBON JUDGING
Ribbon judging is a process completely separate from AOS judging. I will discuss the ribbon judging.
In ribbon judging, a judging team is assigned to a particular class of plants. While there are no set criteria for judging plants in a specific class, judges generally consider flower count, flower size, flower color, condition of the plant, presentation of the flowers, etc. Each judge in the three judge panel applies their own criteria and ranks the top three plants into a first, second, and third. Notes may be kept by each judge as well. In some instances, a judge may rank two plants equally. Then, the judges meet as a team and the chief judge of that team polls the individual judges for their nominations for first, second, and third place. Often, all three judges will agree on the plants, and the order, but not always.
The head judge, who is also an accredited AOS judge, will resolve differences between judges in a number of ways. One is a discussion of why the judges differ and why they chose the way they did. The team could decide that two plants of equal quality both deserve a first, second, or third place ribbon. This is the exception. Usually, there is only one ribbon of each type awarded to a class of plants. Most plants in a show are not awarded ribbons.
The initial ribbon judging into first, second and third place is then followed by "Best of Class" judging in which the best plant in a group of classes is selected. This is usually done by comparing all plants in the group that have been awarded first place ribbons and going through a judging process similar to the initial one.
A further judging can occur to select plants for special awards. This might be the "Best Plant of the Show", "The Most Fragrant Plant", etc. This round of judging may, or may not, be based upon the previous rounds of judging.
Ribbons for exhibits are also by exhibit class. If, let's say, there are three society displays with maximum of 25 square feet, there may be a first, second, and third place awarded, in which case, each society may get one of those ribbons. I have not heard of two societies each getting a first, second, or third place ribbon but that is possible. It is not uncommon for judges to simply not award a display.
- Wayne King
ORCHID GROWERS’ GUILD POINT TOTALS
December, 2005 – November, 2006
November 26, 2006
December, 2005 – November, 2006
November 26, 2006
|
Beginner’s Class Svetlana Kot Lorraine Snyder Sue Peterson Three to Five Years Richard Narf Judy Stevenson Jody Thistle Don Faygo Joanne Bernardi Lisa Stein Sarah Lundey Elaine Malter Len Huebner Dawn Weckler Six to Ten Years Sandy Delamater Meg McLaughlin Judith Rapacz Liz Wood Irene Mackie Over Ten Years Wayne King Steve Thimling Jill Hynum Susan Reed Dennis Pfarrer Anne Orcutt Jeff Baylis Jan Rapacz Judy Williamson Elizabeth Barlow Help With Displays* Wayne King Judith Rapacz Sandy Delamater Denise Baylis Judy Stevenson Sue Reed Jill Hynum Mark Nofsinger Svetlana Kot Sarah Lundey Meg McLaughlin Joanne Bernardi |
57 26 20 35 27 27 19 15 8 6 5 4 2 208 61 14 9 6 188 76 31 18 18 11 16 8 7 4 21.5 17 15.2 13 10 4.7 4 4 3 3 2.7 2 |
*Decimal amounts are the results of Board
Policy which requires that a set number of
exhibit award points be divided between
those setting up the display. Ribbon Judging Point Totals for 2006
 Photographs by Svetlana Kot
of Hwra. Lava Burst
‘Puanani’ AM/AOS (above)
and Odcdm. Tiger Crow
‘Golden Girl’ HCC/AOS
|
RESULTS OF DECEMBER 17, 2006 MEMBERSHIP MEETING
| First Place: |
Jill Hynum Wayne King Wayne King Wayne King Svetlana Kot Meg McLaughlin Dennis Pfarrer Dennis Pfarrer Dennis Pfarrer Judy Stevenson Steven Thimling Jody Thistle Jody Thistle Jody Thistle |
Phrag Saint Ouen Phal Newberry Parfait Phrag Dominianum ‘Bob Mac’ Ttna Gulfshore’s Little Ruby Hwra Lava Burst ‘Puanni’ Paph Moquettianum x sib Ascocentrum Sagarak Gold LC Golden Oriole LC Jungle Elf x SLC Beaufort Dendrobium convolutum Cischweinfia pusilla LC Ackers Madison x SLC Golden Wax Lockhartia lunifera Onc. Sweet Sugar ‘Angel’ |
| Second Place: |
Sandy Delamater Svetlana Kot Meg McLaughlin Meg McLaughlin Meg McLaughlin Susan Reed Steven Thimling Steven Thimling Jody Thistle |
Asconopsis Irene Dobkin Miltassia C.M. Fitch ‘Izumi’ BC Angel Heart Phrag Mountain Maid Phrag Paul Eugene Conroy Paph (Leuchochilum x concolor) x Psyche Den crepidiferum x sib Barkeria skinneri Cym. Lipper ‘Autumn Splendor’ |
| Third Place: |
Sandy Delamater Sandy Delamater Sandy Delamater Wayne King Svetlana Kot Richard Miller |
Onc. Twinkle ‘Red Fantasy’ Paph Henrietta Fujiwara Potinara Hwa Yuan Gold ‘Yung Kang’ Paph Gold Dollar Sophronitis cernua Paph Shapely ‘Carlene Limerick’ |
NEXT BOARD MEETING
The next Board meeting is scheduled for January 8, 2007 at 6 p.m. They will meet in the meeting room in the lower level of the Middleton Community Bank at 3207 W. Beltline Hwy, in Middleton. Check with Judy Stevenson for any last minute changes.