MOS

Newsletter of the Michiana Orchid Society

February, 2007

Editor Shirley Keim sak12000@aol.com

SEMI-HYDROPONICS IN FEBRUARY

     The February 10 meeting of the Michiana Orchid society will feature MOS member Dennis Norkus sharing his techniques and experiences in growing orchids using semi-hydroponics.  Come hear and see how he gets prolific root growth without risk of root-rot.  The meeting will be held in the River Park Branch of the South Bend Public Library at 1:30 PM Eastern Standard Time.  Guests are always welcome and refreshments will be served.  See you there!

SAVE THE GREENHOUSES!

     MOS members Don Keim, Deb Longworth, and Ron and Katie Payeur attended the first meeting of the Botanical Society of South Bend to see what the Michiana Orchid Society can do to contribute to the community effort to save the historic greenhouses.  The buildings are the Ella Morris Conservatory, the Muessel-Ellison Tropical House and the Arizona Desert Dome.  Years ago the Michiana Orchid Society met in those greenhouses, just across from the present MOS meeting place at the River Park Branch of the South Bend Public Library on Mishawaka Avenue. 

SHOW (OR SNOW) TALES FROM GRAND RAPIDS

     Ron and Katie Payeur and Rick and Vicki Rydzynski drove up to Grand Rapids on Friday, January 26 to set up our display at Meijer Gardens for the Grand Valley Orchid Society Show.  Plants and supplies were brought in two cars.  While Rick, Vicki and Katie worked on the Michiana exhibit, Ron drove back to South Bend to pick up Brittany, who had driven up from Bloomington, and Sandy, coming in from Rolling Prairie.  The second group arrived in time for dinner and to see the finishing touches put on the display. 

    Rick and Vicki returned to South Bend while the rest stayed overnight for judging early Saturday morning.  After judging and buying from vendors, the Payeurs and Sandy headed for South Bend---the road was icy and snowy, and Sandy was happy to have the view obstructed by a box of Schomburgkias from Summerfield .  Back in South Bend, everyone was happy to be home. 

    But the lake-effect snow took over, and our pick-up team of Sherry and Shirley was snowed in---plows hadn’t even ventured down Sherry’s road.  Ron and Katie answered the call, driving back up to Grand Rapids to take down our display.  While Ron and Katie were boxing up our plants, Rick Hendrickson suddenly appeared!  They were happy to have his help, and Rick probably picked up a few plants from the vendors.  The Grand Rapids show is a wonderful one, but some years the weather just doesn’t co-operate.

    Ron Payeur wins the award for most trips to and from Grand Rapids in a single weekend!

Grand Valley Orchid Show

MOS participation in the Grand Valley Orchid Show, 27-28 January 07 held at the Meijers Gardens was enjoyed by more than 3000 visitors who visited the two day event, this despite the inclement weather on Sunday.  That is a lot of people to see what our society had to offer.  They did not go home disappointed.

                The MOS display was set up on Friday by Vicky and Rick Rydzynski and Katie and Ron Payeur.  At the end of AOS ribbon judging on Saturday, the display had received a second place ribbon out of some possible 15 exhibits.  The soundness of the orchids MOS society members contributed to the display was recognized by some 20 ribbon awards. 

                Bruce and Skye Critchlow received a blue ribbon for the best white phalaenopsis and nearly received the phalaenopsis trophy coming in second for the best phalaenopsis overall.  The trophy went to Summerfield Orchids, one of the best orchid growers in the region.

phalaenopsis Snowapple

                Sherry Burtchett received the blue ribbon for the best dendrobium in her class and another blue ribbon for the best cymbidium species.

dendrobium Spring Doll

Rick Henderson came Sunday for teardown.  His coming was totally unexpected.  He feared that with the inclement weather no one would show to either teardown the exhibit or protect the members orchids (none were his).  Yes Virginia, there is a guardian angel.  His thoughtful thinking was much appreciated and in the end his help with teardown was greatly welcomed. 

                Next show is at Lansing, MI.  The MOS will also exhibit at this event.  No orchid is too small for the display and all are appreciated.  Each orchid helps the display and each has a chance for a ribbon.  Many have been surprised when they received a ribbon for a plant they did not think had a chance.  Think also about volunteering your time and skills for set-up on Friday or teardown on Sunday.

PAPH GUILD IN CALIFORNIA

     Sandy had a great time as an invited speaker at the Paph Guild in Morro Bay, California, Januray 10-15.  She flew in to San Diego and spent a few days with Marilyn Levy, touring Andy’s Orchids and Fred Clarke’s Sunset Valley Orchids.  Andy’s was phenomenal, greenhouse after greenhouse stuffed with species, and at Sunset Valley she photographed Fred Clarke and his black orchids---Fredclarkeara After Dark, the blackest orchid imaginable.  Fredclarkeara is a genus comprised of Catasetum, Clowesia and Mormodes.

     Driving up to Morro Bay, participants stayed in the Morro Bay Inn.  Many of the movers and shakers of the slipper orchid world were there.  Speakers and their topics included Karen Muir on the Brachypetalums, Leonid Averyanov on the Slipper Orchids of Vietnam, Sandy Ohlund on the Identification Confusion of the Long-tailed Phrags, Fred Clarke on Multifloral Paph Breeding, and Harold Koopowitz on Breeding for Miniature Complex Paphs.  The conference and the people were truly wonderful!

BUSY FEBRUARY---

HAUSERMANN’S OPEN HOUSE AND GREATER LANSING SHOW!

     Start saving your time and money, because two great orchid events are coming up at the end of February!  Hausermann’s Annual Open House is February 22-25 in Villa Park, Illinois---and the Greater Lansing Orchid Society Show will be held on February 24-25 at Michigan State University. Plan to attend both! 

MID-AMERICA IN GLENCOE, ILLINOIS, APRIL 27-29

     The MAOC (Mid-America Orchid Congress) will meet at the Illinois Orchid Society Spring Show at the Chicago Botanical Gardens in Glencoe, Illinois, on April 27-29.  This will be a spectacular event with many exhibits and vendors, as well as an exciting slate of guest speakers.  The Illinois Orchid Society sends this description:            

          Our list includes Patricia Harding, co-author with Carl Withner of one of his Cattleya series, The Debatable Epidendrums.  Patricia will speak about Huntleya, and related genera. Hadley Cash, from Marriott Orchids, who recently published an overview of his Paph breeding program in Orchid Digest, will speak on that topic.  And Dr. Eric Christenson, noted author and taxonomist, will have two lectures, one on Maxillaria, and the other on his work in Peru with David Bennett, on a modern inventory of orchids in Peru.

          Joining them now will be Alfredo Manrique, of Centro de Jardinería Manrique, one of two nurseries in Peru authorized to grow and sell Phrag kovachii.  This is quite a timely addition to our list of speakers.  Seedlings of Phrag kovachii are now becoming available for sale in the United States, and we will have an opportunity to hear the saga of this new, wonderful flower from one who is deeply involved in its distribution and conservation. 

          I hope all of you will want to attend this event, and spread the word to all of your orchid-growing friends.  Information on registering for the conference is on the IOS web page, www.iosoc.com

Your invitation

COMING UP IN 2007 http://www.iosoc.com/ShowPrep/apr2007.shtml

February 22-25  Hausermann’s Open House, Villa Park, IL

February 24-25  Greater Lansing Orchid Society Show, Lansing, MI

March 17-18  Ann Arbor Orchid Society Show, Ann Arbor, MI

March 31-April 1 Michigan Orchid Society Show, Dearborn, MI

April 14-15  Central Indiana Orchid Society Show, Indianapolis, IN

April 27-29 MAOC / Illinois Orchid Society Show, Glencoe, IL

May 5-6  Three Rivers Orchid Society Show, Ft. Wayne, IN

October 27-28  Michiana Orchid Society Show, Notre Dame, IN

PLANNING AHEAD……

      Coming up faster than you think, the 19^th World Orchid Conference will be held January 23-27, 2008, in Miami, Florida.  It’s not too early to start thinking about heading south to this lavish orchid show.  The WOC is held in a different country every three years; it hasn’t been in the US since 1987 when the 11^th World Orchid Conference was held in Miami. (Sandy was there!)  For more information on this orchid extravaganza, go to the World Orchid Conference website:  www.19woc.com .  There will be internationally famous speakers as well as exhibitors and vendors from all over the world. Don’t miss this fantastic opportunity to attend a WOC in the USA!

Minutes for January Meeting

Meeting was called to order at 1:35.  One guest and 17 members were present. Minutes and Treasure’s Report were approved. Next month’s program will feature Dennis telling about his Semi-hydroponics’ method for growing fabulous orchids.  Linda volunteered to take charge of gifts for new members; Sylvia will see that she has the items necessary to make the packets.  It was suggested that the link for the society’s website be added to the posters that are displayed before the show.  The show in Grand Rapids is the last weekend in January, MOS will participate.  On Friday the Payeur’s and the Rydzynski’s will go to set up and on Sunday, Sherry and Shirley will pick up.  Plans will be made to drop off orchids for the show.  Check email for details.  Because of planned participation in the Indianapolis Orchid Show on April 14-15 the meeting might be moved to the first Saturday in April.  The library room would be available. Further discussion will occur.  It was suggested that a road trip to Summerfield Orchids could take place in May in place of a meeting.  They are closing and good deals on orchids will be available.  The meeting was adjourned.  Show and Tell followed.  John demonstrated his method of transferring plants from com-pot to individual pots.   Sylvia showed her method for transplanting orchids and the Payeur’s tested everyone’s water for impurities and ph level. 

TREASURER'S REPORT
February 1, 2007

Beginning Balance      $1,354.61
Income
    Dues            $95.00
    Show Income   $185.00
Total income      $280.00
Expenses--None, some show expenses still pending
Ending balance      $1,634.61

Amount in savings   $2,948.97

Respectfully submitted,
Deb Longworth, Treasurer

WELCOME NEW MEMBER

Last month we met Greg Steinke
    620 N. State St.
Mishawaka IN 46544
    (574)255-4419

DUES REMINDER

Dues for the new year are rolling in. Thanks to everyone who has paid. The amount is $10 for individuals and $15 for family groups, payable to Michiana Orchid Society. Give them to Deb at the next meeting or mail them to her at 7451 E 900 N, New Carlisle IN 46552. Thanks!

Refreshments

February  Linda

March  Rydzynski’s

April  Deb

May  Lisa

June  Member’s house or road trip

July   Member’s house or road trip

August  Member’s house or road trip

September

October  Sylvia

November 

December  Christmas Party

My Favorite Orchid

February  Sylvia

March 

April  Deb

May

June

July

August

September Shirley

November

December