The Orchid Help Guys

Before the Meeting

7:15 PMAsk the Orchid Help Guys before any

Sandpiper Orchid Society meetingfor advice on any culture problems you

may be having with your orchids.

Dr. Cary Stone Bergie Ellingsen

October ‘13 Newsletter in a

PDF FORMAT

October 24th7:30 PM

Orchid Show DisplaysAndy Fontaine will present a

program that explains how the Sandpiper OS designs, builds and

puts together it’s Orchid Displays for Spring Orchid Shows. A digital

presentation will show examples of past Sandpiper Displays.

Sandpiper Orchid Society

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Sandpiper Meetings Location

Galloway Branch of the Atlantic County Library

system located at 306 East Jimmie Leeds Road

Galloway, NJ Phone 609-652-2352

Map of Meeting Location

Website: http://www.SandpiperOrchidSociety.com Email: SandpiperOS@gmail.com

October 2013

Seasonal Orchid CareAOS Checklist

November and December

Cattleya Growers of just about every level of expertise will have begun to notice autumn conditions by now. Days are becoming shorter, hence cooler; the sunlight has less intensity as a result of the sun's lowering angle, nights are longer and generally cooler. Plants are responding by slowing and ripening their growth in preparation for winter.

The first cultural change noticed should be a reduced frequency of watering, as the plants dry out more slowly. This is a function of both the reduced day length and lower temperatures, as well as the plants' slowing growth rate. Reduced water needs signal a reduced need for fertilization. Note that the key word is reduced, not eliminated. Feed less frequently and at lower dosage, but feed. Growths, made during summer's heat, and relatively soft and green, will be ripening -- hardening -- in preparation for a brief period of rest (in many cases).

Many of these ripening growths will have a sheath, prestaging the coming winter or spring flowering season. In some cases, these sheaths will have been evident since as early as July. (Early sheath development does not mean early flowering on plants with winter-spring seasons.) You may notice that some of these sheaths are showing signs of yellowing. This is not abnormal. Autumn's more pronounced temperature fluctuation can lead to water condensation inside the sheath, hastening the normal process of senescence, so yellowing sheaths can be left on the plant only so long before they must be carefully removed to preserve the bud primordia within. Water condensation left unchecked can rot the bud primordia. The sheaths can be safely removed by slitting open and peeling down toward the pseudobulb.

.....continued on Page 5

Fall Open House & Lecture

Friday, November 1st&

Saturday, November 2nd

Free Orchid2014 Membership Drive

Sandpiper Orchid Society MEMBERSHIP FORM

To obtain Sandpiper OS Membership information and a printable Application Form,

click on the link below.Printable  Membership  Application  Form

Join or Renew now, or before Sandpiper’s upcoming January Awards Banquet, and have your name placed in a drawing for your choice of 1 of 3 beautiful Blooming Orchids, drawn at the Awards Banquet. Please mail or deliver at your next meeting, your Membership Renewal Application to George Bollenbach, Sandpiper’s Membership Chair. Thanks everyone.

Sandpiper’s Previous Meeting

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         At  Sandpiper’s  last  meeting,  the  membership  held  it’s  Annual    Orchid  Auction.    The  auction  was  very  successful  with  numerous  guests  and  visitors  attending.    Everyone  had  an  excellent  opportunity  to  pick  up  some  unusual  and  hard  to  Aind  orchids  to  add  to  their  personal  collections.          A  special  ‘Thank  You’  to  all  members  who  donated  plants  or  worked  on  any  of  the  many  various  aspects  of  our  successful  auction.    THANKS!!!!!

How the Points are Earned Rosette Award ....…... 10 pts 1st Place ...................... 5 pts 2nd Place .................... 3 pts 3rd Place ..................... 1 pt Joe Myers Award - Awarded to the member that accumulates the highest point total for the year as determined from Society Displays and the monthly Show Table results. Lisa O’Neal Award - This award was established in 2006 upon the untimely death of then president Lisa O’Neal. Lisa was renowned for displaying her finest orchids on the monthly Show Table. The winner of this award is acknowledged as having grown the most outstanding orchid of the year which is chosen from those plants that received the 10 point Rosette Award.

SHOW TABLE & Orchid Shows Point Standings thru September 2013

Block, L.

Bollenbach, G.

Capone, J.

Class, B.

Connolly, C.

DelGuercio, M&S

Ellingsen, B.

Errickson, B.

Ference, R.

Fontaine, A.

Gotwols, C.

Gray, A&P

Jankowski, L&R

Livesey, B.

Michalenko, R.

Penso, M.

Stone, C.

Zona, G&H

3

86

36

11

24

70

108

7

298

26

4

4

27

8

179

46

20

25

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David’s Monthly Orchid Tips

David Off is a 3rd generation member of the highly respected

WALDOR ORCHIDS family.

Artificial Lighting for this Winter If you do not have a window that provides sufficient natural sunlight, consider supplementing with grow lights or completely going to artificial lighting. One advantage of growing under lights is that you are able to grow in any room in your house. Complete light carts are available and come equipped with lighting and humidity trays. To receive the proper intensity, orchids will need to be within 3-6 inches of regular florescent lights. When using high intensity lights carefully follow the manufacturer’s instructions regarding the proper distance from your plants to prevent burning the foliage. Most lights will also produce a certain amount of heat so be sure to have good ventilation and air movement. In order for your orchid plants to flower consistently, you will need to adjust your light timers to replicate natural daylight. We suggest increasing one hour each month from January (11 hrs) until June (16 hrs) then decreasing one hour starting in July (15 hrs) until December (10 hrs). The basement is an excellent choice for a growing area because it will stay at a uniform temperature and will have sufficient humidity. Heavy duty plastic or reflective aluminum can be used to insulate ceiling joists and curtain off an area. By hanging florescent light fixtures over plant tables and adding an oscillating fan for air movement, you will have your very own subterranean greenhouse.

Warm and shady growing, a miniature terrestrial from Southeast Asia. These plants have beautiful leaves and are a solid green color. The hot pink flowers of the erichmichaelii or the coral orange flowers of the rhodocheila emerge in the summer to fall and last 6-8 weeks. These plants are terrestrial and have elongated tubers with roots that have fine root hairs. This species likes intermediate warm temperatures and somewhat shady conditions. The leaves will begin to yellow and fall after flowering and there will be no hint that there is anything alive in the pot. The tuber will still be there and during this dormant period (late fall and winter) one should continue to water the mix but only as it dries out. Once the new

growths emerge in the spring, then water more frequently, allowing the mix to approach dryness. Many customers find these plants easy to grow just at a windowsill in the home.

Habenaria rhodocheila

...thanks to the Orchid Web website.

Calendar of Events14 Sandpiper Orchid Society Meeting **Change due to Thanksgiving** 7:30 PM Galloway Branch of the Atlantic County Library system 306 East Jimmie Leeds Road Galloway, N.J.

20 Mid-Atlantic Judging Center Philadelphia Horticultural Center Philadelphia, Pa. website: http://www.orchidjudging.com/

29-1 20th Annual Sale Parkside Orchid Nursery 9AM-5PM 2503 Mountainview Drive, Phone: 610-847-8039 Ottsville, Pa website: http://www.parksideorchids.com/

EXTENDED  CALENDAR  DETAILS

November 2013Su Mo Tu We Th Fr Sa 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30

11 Veterans Day observed 28 Thanksgiving Day

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The Benefits Of Membership

Whether a beginner or an expert orchid grower, you will find membership in the American Orchid Society a truly rewarding experience. You’ll join 18,000 others worldwide who share a passion for orchids, as well as furthering conservation and research efforts for these wondrous plants. And you’ll enjoy a wealth of membership benefits.

...membership to the American Orchid Society

American Orchid Society

OfficersPresident$ $ Andy Fontaine$$Vice Pres.$ $ Ron Ference$ $Secretary$ $ Jennifer Capone$Treasurer$ $ Henry Zona$ $AOS Rep.$ $ Walter Off$ $Past Pres. $ $ Ron Ference $

Trustees at Large -4 Year Terms- Trustee 2013 George Bollenbach$Trustee 2014 Bill Class $ $Trustee 2015 Bill Errickson Trustee 2016 Rita Michalenko

Committee ChairsMembership$ George Bollenbach$Program Dir.$ Ron Ference$ $Publicity$ $ Gail Zona$ $Newsletter$$ Ron Ference$ $Show Table$$ Bill Class$ $Hospitality$$ Vacant$Website$ $ Ron Ference$ $Show Exhibits$ Andy Fontaine$$Historian$ $ Chrissy Schairer$Photography$ Ron Ference$ $Refreshments$ Svetlana Errickson$ $Raffle$ $ Bruce Montgomery$Auction$ $ Ron Ference$ $DVOC Rep.$ Bruce Montgomery$

Sandpiper Orchid Society

The Sandpiper OS is an Affiliated Member of the American Orchid Society

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Cool-Growing Orchids One can almost hear a sigh of relief from all of the cool-growers, from masdevallias to odontoglossums. As day temperatures decline, one can see a noticeable improvement in these plants. Shorter days and lower light levels do not seem to bother them. Repot before winter arrives.

Cymbidium Finally we begin in earnest the main cymbidium season. Cymbidium ensifolium can give some early and fragrant hybrids, but it is now that the bulk of the crop will be flowering. The season lasts for about seven months, adding color to any collection. Miniature varieties will peak for the next three to four months. There are three important things to do: stake inflorescences ramrod straight for best presentation, watch for slugs and snails (especially just after a rain), and fertilize with a mild balanced formula regularly.

Paphiopedilum The flowering season for the "toads" or "bulldog" paphs is just getting underway. These cannot be grown everywhere, but where cooler summer nights allow their growth, there is no longer-lasting or more exotic display than these. Paphiopedilums are, in general, not heavy feeders, and it is especially important with this type to reduce nitrogen levels now for best flowering and spike length. Be watchful for water accumulating in the growth around the sheath, or for the late-season warm spell, either of which can lead to the sheath's rotting. As the spikes emerge, do not change the orientation of the plant toward the light, as this can lead to a crooked or twisted spike. While paphiopedilums rarely like to dry out entirely, water needs are significantly reduced beginning now. Overwatering at this time of year can quickly lead to root rot or erwinia problems. Now is the time to practice good sanitary practices in your greenhouse or growing areas, as pest and disease problems have a way of multiplying rapidly in the darker and more crowded conditions that generally mark the winter growing area. With paphiopedilums, especially, "cleanliness is next to godliness" and if the growing area is littered with old foliage, weeds and dying flowers, keeping the plants alive and flowering will be next to impossible.

Phalaenopsis Shortening days and cooler nights are the signals for inflorescence initiation in phalaenopsis. In more northern climates, or on the west coast, growers have already begun to see the early inflorescences that may be ready for Christmas. In the eastern areas, nights in the greenhouse will now be in the low to mid 60s, depending on the thermostat setting, so the first of our phalaenopsis will not begin to bloom until Valentine's Day at the earliest. A reduction in nitrogen levels will go a long way to giving the best possible spiking, as will a boost in potassium and phosphorus. In other words, a "bloom booster"-type fertilizer is definitely indicated in the next few months. Disease and pest problems are best dealt with now, especially as mealybugs hide in the bracts and flower buds. Once they have established themselves, they are difficult to eradicate, and flower damage or crippling results. Potential disease problems can be dealt with by the application of a copper-based compound to control/alleviate rot problems before they start. There is nothing more frustrating than to have shepherded your plants through a growing season, only to have them decline before your eyes.

Vandaceous Genera Whereas the general decline in temperatures is beneficial to cool-growing orchids, it is not for vandaceous plants. The only cold-hardy member is Neofinetia falcata. Orient your plants in such a way as to take advantage of as much light as possible. This can be a problem in northern latitudes. Reduce watering and feeding schedules.

The AOS thanks Ned Nash and James Rose for this essay.

Neofinetia falcata will thrive in cooler temperatures and produce graceful vanilla-scented flowers.

September 2013Show Table

1st Place WinnersSHOW  TABLE  DETAILS

Habenaria rhodocheilaGrown by D. Bodner

C. Kirchara 'Stephanie Takaski'Grown by G. Bollenbach

Phrag. longifoliumGrown by S. DelGuerico

Paph. Yerba Buena x fairieanumGrown by B. Ellingsen

L. lobataGrown by R. Ference

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SHOW  TABLE  DETAILS

Christensonia vietnamicaGrown by R. Ference

C. Granier Grown by R. Ference

C. Chocolate Drop 'Kodama' AM/AOSGrown by R. Ference

Epc. Renee MarquisGrown by S. DelGuercio

Cirr. Elizabeth Ann 'Buckleberry' FCC/AOSGrown by R. Ference

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Vanda lamellata var. boxallii

Paphiopedilum in China: part 8

Myrmecophila species and hybrids

Getting your orchids through a natural disaster

Waldor Orchids The largest supplier of orchid plants and supplies

in the Delaware Valley.

10 E. Poplar Ave. Linwood, N.J. 08221-2526

Phone: 609-927-4126 Fax: 609-926-0615

Fridays and Saturdays 9AM - 5:30 PM

ORCHIDS November Preview

...thanks to the American Orchid SocietyWebsite: http://waldor.com

Waldor Orchids

Myrmecophila wendlandii has non-resupinate flowers photo © Eric Hunt

Mailing Label

Sandpiper Orchid SocietyEditorPO Box 462Waretown, NJ 08758