Michiana Orchid Society

May 2008 Newsletter

Editor Shirley Keim - sak12000@aol.com

May Refreshments: Bessie

May Meeting: Saturday, May 10 at 1:30 pm at New Location

We will be meeting at the Virginia Tutt Library Branch

(Located at the corner of Miami and Ewing.)

This Month’s Program: Little Frogs, Little Orchids

Rob Halgren, owner of Little Frog Farm, will be presenting a slide show on his poisonous dart frogs (not really poisonous to people) which he keeps in aquariums. Rob uses miniature orchids to create the environment in the aquariums in which his frogs live. Rob will bring some of these little orchids and other plants to sell after his presentation. Rob is scheduled to do his presentation before we begin our regular meeting. If you know anyone who might be interesting in hearing Rob’s presentation or in purchasing some orchids, feel free to invite them to join us.

Annual Fall Show Date Change

Wouldn’t you just know it….. Our 2008 show flyer and new society “business cards” had just been completed when it was brought to our attention that the date for our annual Fall show has been changed. It will now be held the following weekend, November 8-9, same place and same times. More on this later in the newsletter.

Tulip Time and Epsom Salt for Orchid Growers

Sometimes the most amazing things happen most unexpectedly. Recently, while the Payeur family was enjoying the tulips blooming in their backyard, one of their lady slipper orchids, an unnamed paphiopedilum, was putting on its own two-lip show in the house. This is the first time this orchid has bloomed for the Payeurs. Orchids do not always bloom true to color, size, or form the first time round. The Payeurs are hoping this will not turn out to be a permanent genetic defect. They are hoping the next time this orchid blooms it will have the proper number of each part in the right place.

Speaking of Spring and gardening chores required to keep perennials such as roses growing and blooming at their best…. At this time of year many gardeners generously amend the soil around roses with Epsom salt (magnesium sulfate). While researching how much Epsom salt to apply to their roses, Katie discovered some interesting articles concerning the use of Epsom salt with orchids. One Phalaenopsis expert and grower, Bob Gordon, recommends that magnesium (different from manganese) should be included in all plant fertilizers. If you check the list of nutrients in fertilizers commonly available to home grower, magnesium is usually missing. Gordon now uses magnesium as a necessary nutrient when fertilizing his orchids. If you would like to know more about why magnesium is now being considered a necessary requirement in growing healthy orchids, check out the follow websites. Then make your own decision.

http://www.clanorchids.com/ezine/ezine2/page2.html

http://www.orchidseeos.com/orchidculture_eeos_care&feeding.htm

http://forums2.gardenweb.com/forums/load/orchids/msg0411555410881.html

http://www.notsogreenthumb.org/q_and_a/2002/02feb-epsom_salt.htm

http://faq.gardenweb.com/faq/lists/orchids/2003071433027630.html

http://orchid-talk.co.uk/docs/Epsom.html

From Sandy…….

Michiana Goes Everywhere In One Weekend!

The weekend of April 12 was a very busy one, and Michiana Orchid Society was in Ann Arbor, Indianapolis and South Bend, all at the same time. Our monthly meeting was held at our temporary library venue, and our VPs Don and Lynda ably took control of the meeting.

The weekend also featured the Ann Arbor Orchid Society Show, the date changed due to a conflict with Earth Day. Ron, Katie and Brittany made the trek north, with orchid and photo exhibits to represent Michiana, and Katie also handled the award photography for the show.

Deb’s Orchidmobile went south, with Sylvia, Sandy and Deb setting up a Michiana display at the Central Indiana Orchid Society Show at Garfield Park in Indianapolis. The display included plants not only from Deb, Sylvia and Sandy, but also from Rick H., driving over from West Lafayette, and Bruce and Skye, coming in from South Bend and Indianapolis. Our Michiana exhibit earned many ribbons, with Sylvia winning the trophy for Best Cymbidium. Deb, Sylvia and Sandy stayed overnight to participate in judging too early Saturday morning. There were eleven AOS awards, and our team didn’t get back home until late Saturday evening. Bruce did the take-down honors and brought our plants to South Bend, and Deb continued the distribution of show plants to their owners. Whew! The last orchid shows of spring… Thanks to all for representing Michiana well!

Notre Dame Wins…. Or Why Our Orchid Show Has A New Date…

Well, I had the date reserved a year ago, and we were well on our way to the early show publicity that we have always wanted. But Notre Dame decided to change its football schedule, and now there’s a home game, ND vs Pitt, on the weekend that we had scheduled for our fall show. And they didn’t even ask me…

I learned quite by chance that the date was now impossible---HCC wanted to schedule a Preview Day on the same day as our show setup. I thought it would be okay, but it seemed strange that they would have a Preview Day on a non-game weekend…I then found out that the schedule had been changed. So--- now our show is the following weekend: November 8-9, with setup on Friday, November 7. Change your calendars. That’s ND---8, Sandy---7.

From Deb…..

MOS Goes To the Central Indiana O.S. Show

Sylvia’s Trophy Ribbon MOS Display at Indy

Last month during the same weekend as our meeting, Sylvia, Sandy and Deb trekked to the Garfield Park Conservatory in Indianapolis to help our society participate in the Central Indiana show. With support from Rick Hendrickson and Skye and Bruce Critchlow, we set up a 25 sq. ft. table top exhibit with 28 plants. Registration was completed and sent in electronically before we arrived, allowing us to put all of our effort into creating a first-rate display from a diverse assortment of orchid hybrids and species. Sylvia won the Best of Group trophy for her Cymbidium devonianum, a neat species that was moved many times during set up to find just the right spot that would show its prize winning attributes! 9 plants in our exhibit won blue ribbons, 4 others received reds and third place ribbons were given to 7 plants. Everyone came home with at least one blue ribbon. We enjoyed the hospitality given by CIOS and look forward to attending again.

Last Call for State Fair Volunteers

Volunteer to clerk on Thursday, or pick a 3 hour time slot to staff the information table on Friday, Saturday or Sunday, August 7-10. Each volunteer will receive a free ticket to the fair and you will be able to enjoy the rest of the day at the fair. If you are interested in helping, let Deb Longworth know soon, she will be sending the list of MOS participants in this month. E-Mail Deb at timmboys@aol.com.

From Katie…..

At the Ann Arbor Show

The weekend of April 12, while Deb, Sandy and Sylvia set up and Bruce took down for the Indy show and Lynda and Don held down the fort at our regular monthly meeting, Ron and I set up and took down a MOS display at the Ann Arbor show in Michigan. It was quite a challenge to set up a small display using eleven plants. It was no surprise that the display did not receive a ribbon. Almost all the exhibits that were entered at this show were entered in the 25 square foot class in which our exhibit was entered. Six of the eleven plants in our mini display received ribbons. The yellow cymbidium pictured in the lower right hand corner was considered for the trophy in the cymbidium category. Knowing that is as good as receiving the trophy.

If you look at the show results for the shows we have participated in this year you will notice that our society has done quite well with the cymbidiums we have entered. Both Lynda and Sylvia have received blue ribbons and trophies for their cymbidiums.

Our Representative Display at Ann Arbor

MOS at the Library

This past weekend, May 2-4, Ron and Katie represented MOS at the St. Joseph Valley Master Gardeners first annual Ask the Plant Experts and Gardening Seminars held at the Centre Township Branch Library at Miami and Kern in South Bend. On Friday, Ron and Katie set up a small display promoting our society. (Thanks to Sandy for the educational display we used as our backdrop.)

On Sunday at 2 p.m. Katie, along with Ron’s computer expertise, presented a digital slide presentation on Growing Orchids in Your Home.

Since Katie grows irises, Ron and Katie were at the library for the first presentation on growing irises. Katie’s presentation came next. After Katie’s presentation came the presentation on dahlias. This presentation was given by Howard, a former member of MOS, who has kind of gotten out of orchids. He found his growing environment too cool to grow the orchids he favors. He now exhibits his dahlias nationally. Howard is also discovering another passion – a love of daylilies. The final presentation was on growing roses.

All this goes to say – there is rarely such thing as an orchid grower who is passionate about only orchids. Ask Barb. She was there and attended three of the four presentations given that day. Whether or not we all stayed because it was our intention to attend all the presentations is another question. The speakers were all excellent and we kept wanting to hear just one more speaker.

From the favorable turnout for these two days of gardening seminars, it is quite likely this event will be repeated next year. If so, we highly recommend you consider attending it.

Agenda for May Seminar on Phalaenopsis at Ann Arbor

The Genus Phalaenopsis – Spring Training Seminar

Great Lakes Judging Center – Matthaei Bontanical Gardens

University of Michigan -1800 N. Dixboro Road, Ann Arbor Mi. May 17-18,2008

Saturday Schedule:

9:00 – Continental Breakfast

9:15 – Breeders’ Forum – Howard Ginsberg, Moderator – an interactive roundtable discussion open to all interested.

11:00 – Plant sales, Plant screening for AOS judging, Break

12:30 – Team assignments – AOS Judging begins

2:30 (or to follow) – “Overview – Genus Phalaenopsis, Part 1”… Eric Christenson

3:30 – “The Harlequin Story – Past, Present and Future” …Katie Payeur

4:00 – Break

4:10 – “What Is a Novelty Phalaenopsis and How Do You Judge It?? …Russ Vernon

5:15 – Dinner Set Up

5:45- Buffet – Caesar Salad * Rosemary Roasted Red Skins * Green Beans Almondine * Baked Mostacioli Marinara * Chicken Picatta * Roast Beef Au Champignon, Fresh Bread * Coffee

Silent Auction Set Up—Written bids accepted

7:00 – “Standard Phalaenopsis – Why Should We Award Them? Why Should We Not Award Them?” – Howard Ginsberg

8:00 – Break

8:10 – Dessert Auction

8:45 – Dessert Sampling

Sunday Schedule:

8:30 – Breakfast

9:00 – “Why Be Round? – Star- Shaped Phals” …Brittany Payuer

9:40 –“ Overview – Genus Phalaenopsis, Part 2” … Eric Christenson

10:45 – Break

11:00 – “What Makes a Multifloral Phalaenopsis?” – Jim Heilig

11:40 – Concluding Remarks – Don Garling; Conclusion of silent auction – Conclusion of live auction - Lynn O & Rob Halgren

**********************

** Plant Sales – Howard Ginsberg (Bedford Orchids)

- Russ Vernon (New Vision Orchids

YOU MAY CONTACT THE VENDORS AT THEIR WEB SITES TO PRE-ORDER

**Costs – The only cost is $15.00/person for the buffet. Please make checks out to GLJC and notify me of your intentions to join us for dinner at least a week prior to the seminar. Send checks to Doris Asher 277 N .Hagadorn Rd. E. Lansing, Mi. 48823

** Auctions – please bring your most outrageous dessert ….a prize for the one voted #1. Bring items for the silent and live auctions. The center has 501c3 status. Please list your items,name and address and give to Lynn O. so she can give you a receipt!!

**Lodging – There are three motels within 10 minutes of the Gardens 1. Red Roof Inn at 3621 Plymouth Rd, tel 734-996-5800 – 1-800 – Red Roof. 2. Microtel at3610 Pymouth Rd., tel 734 997-9100 and Holiday Inn at3600 Plymouth Rd. 734-669-9800 – 1-800-800-55560…(Ask for AARP/AAA or best Promotional rate.

** Questions or concerns??

Contact: Dick Wagner 30041 DeOrr, Farmington Hills, Mi 48331

248-661-2009/ 248-705-1075 (cell) or <<< marcoisle@aol.com>>>

Looking forward to your favorable response!!!!-GLJC

Minutes from the last meeting

The meeting was called to order by vice-president, Lynda Pelkey at 1:30 pm. Lynda chaired the first half of the meeting. The second half of the meeting was chaired by Don Kiem, vice-president.

Minutes: No additions or corrections. Move to accept by Don. All in favor to accept as posted.

Treasurer's Report: Dues are yearly, $10 individual, $15 family. No additions or corrections. Move to accept by Lisa. All in favor to accept as posted.

Committees: Bylaws: Nothing to report.

Program: May program, Rob Halgren from Little Frog Farm will be speaking on poisonous dart frog & orchid growing in enclosed spaces. Rob will also have plants for sale.

Website & Group mail: If your not receiving the newsletter or have any changes to your address, phone#, email, etc. contact Deb.

Library: No new books

New Member Committee: See Lynda Pelkey. She assembles the kits. Lynda can bring packaged bark to the meetings for sale, for $3.00 per bag. (This amount of bark is selling for $5 at shows)

Old Business: Thanks to all who have been setting up and taking down shows.

Ron has contacted Joy. She will present a program on making clay orchids at the Sept. meeting.

Ron will let us know when he has more information from Walt & Cindy about their closing specials.
Perhaps a road trip in May for best selections?

Centre Twp. Library, on May 3 &4 Ron & Katie will be presenting and promoting MOS on Sunday. Vicki may also be helping to answer questions. Handouts were distributed.

New Business: Lynda volunteered to host the July meeting in her home.
Anne talked about ordering a plaque/trophy from Orchid Digest to present to our member of the year.

Sue went to the Orchid Show & Sale at the Chicago Botanic Garden. The Illinois Orchid Society was giving $80 worth of coupons for the purchase of Orchids if you became a member of their society for $25. More on this next meeting.

Don gave a presentation on Orchid Wiz. This is a computer program for purchase that is installed on your computer. There are special savings if enough members sign up before the end of April.

Refreshments: Thanks Barb!

Motion to Adjourn: Motion by Harry. All in favor. Motion carried.

Respectfully submitted, Sue Voelker, co-secretary

Dues Reminder

Thanks to all the members who have sent dues to Deb by mail. This helps finalize the membership list for 2008, so that a final copy can be published and distributed to members. If you haven't paid yet, dues are $10/individual or $15/family, sent to Deb Longworth, 7451 E 900 N, New Carlisle IN 46552. Regretfully, Deb will be unable to attend the May meeting to collect dues then.

Treasurers Report

May 3, 2008

Beginning balance $ 800.51

Income, dues $ 50.00

Expenses, show travel $ 25.00

Ending balance $ 825.51

Amount in savings account $2,959.29

Respectfully submitted,

Deb Longworth, treasurer

Standing invitation to have your orchids AOS judged and awarded

If you are the proud owner of an orchid in bloom that you think may be worthy of an AOS award contact Sandy or the Payeurs. Sandy, as a certified judge, and Ron, Katie, and Brittany, as student judges -- are required to attend a certain number of AOS judging sessions at the Great Lakes Judging Center in Ann Arbor, Michigan. These sessions are held the third Saturday of each month. If any of the above is going to a session at the time your orchid is in bloom, they are willing to take your plant with them to be judged according to AOS standards.

Pictures of Plants Awarded in April at GLJC