The BackBulbC A R M E L O R C H I D S O C I E T Y

May 2019

May Speaker: Frank BaptistaComplex Paphiopedilum Hybrids: Past & Present +

SomeFrank was born on the island of Faiai in the Azoresand emigrated to the US in 1980. He started

growing orchids in 1981 and found that his preferred plantswere complex Paph hybrids and Miltoniopsis. He has done

hybridizing in both genera. Frank also was an accredited AOSjudge for 19 years and is now retired from judging. He recently

re-located to Aptos, California, and is still growing variousgenera of orchids in a small greenhouse in his backyard.

1May Speaker

2Upcomming Events

The Rite of SpringIn order to provide a selection of treats at our meetings, we are asking members withlast names that start with the letter S thru Z to bring refreshments to the next meeting.

Remember, It's time to pay your dues!

A spectacular Oncidium from the Santa Barbara Show, taken by Kathie Ritter.

COS OfficersPresident

John OConnellVP Program

Carol Easton

RecordingSecretary

Janette Ford

TreasurerDaniel Bellem

DirectorsRobert Kurner

Carolyn SalmonNorma Walch

P.O. Box 223462Carmel, CA

939223462

BackBulb Editor &Webmaster

John OConnell

MembershipCarol Easton

Show ChairmanFrank Baptista

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Upcoming EventsMay5/4-5 Carmel Valley Garden Show, 10-4 Hidden Valley Music

Seminars, Carmel Valley Village

5/6 Monday, COS May Meeting

5/11 Mother’s Day Weekend Orchid Show & Sale, Lakeside ParkGarden Center Nursery Oakland, CA.

June6/3 Monday, COS June Meeting

6/8-9 Bromeliad Society of San Francisco Annual Sale inconjunction with the San Francisco Succulent & CactusSociety San Francisco County Fair Building 1199 9th Ave atLincoln Way, Golden Gate Park, San Francisco

6/8 17th Orchid Digest Speakers Day Orchids Around the WorldHuntington Library, Art Collections, and Botanical Gardens,

San Marino, CA

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The Rite of SpringThe days are getting longer and warmer and obsessive orchidgrowers are performing the Rite of Spring (apologies to IgorStravinsky). Each year about this time adherents spendinordinate amounts of time on the ritual potting and dividing,with an occasional sacrifice to pacify the orchid gods.

These annual rites are feared by Novices who have yet to beexposed to the mysteries, and dreaded by the masters for thetedious hours they will spend. They learned long ago that mostorchids can be cut to pieces and slammed into a new pot and

Bulbophyllum frostii inJohn's greenhouse

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still bloom next year. They live in fear ofrepotting Angraecums and Maxillarias, genusesfamous for sulking after having their rootsdisturbed. A sulking plant will drive an normallypatient orchid master slowly crazy until theyquestion their devotion and contemplateleaving the faith.

Novices will often ask a master which pottingmix is best, or should they use plastic or claypots. The wise master may reply“Grasshopper...it is not the mix or pot that isimportant, it is your watering that determineswhat the best choice is”. The Master knows thatfrom water springs life or death, and orchidscan be fussy, favoring neither complete drynessor complete saturation. The Master changes themix and pot to accommodate the needs of theOrchid and the grower.

One does not attain the rank of Orchid Masterwithout having being punished for theirsuccess, some plants will grow beyondexpectations. The choice is clear: divide ormake room. Much contemplation is needed todiscern the correct path for a large specimen isa site to behold, but not every large plant willmake a worthy specimen. Dwell upon the flowerand foliage, quantity and quality beforedeciding to cut. And once the decision is madeto cut, think twice and cut once, for a divisionwith too few pseudobulbs will just bringfrustration.

The Novice may despair at ever accumulatingthe experience to become a Master, surely theywill sacrifice much of their collection in theprocess. Every Master knows that the path toenlightenment is paved with orchids sacrificedto learning the way. The tags of expired plantswill accumulate beyond count before one cancall oneself a Orchid Master, and every masterknows that each failure is an opportunity to tryagain.

John

Andys Orchids display at Santa Barbara, KathieRitter.

Bulbophylim sp. in John's greenhouse. Thiswas it's first bloom.

Page 3 April 2019

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C A R M E L O R C H I D S O C I E T Y2019 Membership ApplicationPlease make checks payable to the Carmel Orchid Society and mail to: Carmel Orchid Society Membership c/o Carol Easton, P.O. Box 223462 Carmel CA 939223462

Please print

Date

Name

Address

City State zip

Telephone

Email address

If you were referred by a current member, please provide

his/her name

Renewal _ New Member _

Member of the American Orchid Society _

Membership Receive NewsletterType Via EMail Via US MailSingle $25 _ $30 _Couple $35 _ $40 _Vendor $35 _ $40 _

Page 4 April 2019

Orchids Carol saw on her latest European trip.

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Page 5 April 2019

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Page 6 April 2019