OCTOBER 2008

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Sandpiper Orchid SocietySandpiper 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@comcast.net

October Meeting

The speaker for our October meeting will be Bayard Saraduke,who is the current President of the Pinelands Orchid Society. The topic of his presentation will be "Miscellaneous species and Hybrids". He will give background information, as well as, culture tipson the plants that he will display. Bayard has been growing orchids for over 30 years, starting on windowsills and under lights. He currently houses his collection in a 10’ x 20’ homemade lean-to greenhouse, behind his garage. Bayard currently assists with photography for the Mid-Atlantic Judging Center in Philadelphia, and is a co-chair of Orchids this year at the Philadelphia Flower Show. If you are looking for an evening of discussion with pictures of the unusual and often, hard to find orchids, then this meeting is for you.

October 23rd7:30 PM

Monthly Checklist for November and December Cattleya 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, presaging 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. 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.

…...continued on Page 2

November13th

Doors open for Previewing at

6:30 PMAuction begins at

7:00 PMDue to the overwhelming q u a n t i t y o f d o n a t i o n s from our membership and generous contributions o f s e l e c t e d v e n d o rs , Sandpiper will hold an Orchid Mini-Auction of 40-50 plants that were not shown or displayed in our September Auction.

Orchid Mini-Auction

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Bollenbach, G.Bruno, P.Cascioli, C.Cascioli, P.Class, B.DelGuercio, M&SEllingson, B.Errickson, B.Ewing, D.Fontaine, A.Gerard, L&MJankowski, L&RKaufman, L&TKruckner, R.Lin, N.McClellan, J&MMichalenko, R.Montgomery, A&BPeacock, J.Penso, M.Schairer, C.Turner, M&STusone, R.

8443559626

197156

16018304225

1191648783395577

SHOW TABLEPoint Standings thru September 2008

How the Points are Earned Rosette Award ....…... 10 pts 1st Place ....................... 5 pts 2nd Place ..................... 4 pts 3rd Place ...................... 3 pts Honorable Mention ... 1 pt

Joe Myers Award - Awarded to the member that accumulates the highest point total for the year as determined from the monthly showtable results.

Lisa O’Neil Award - This award was established in 2006 upon the death of then president Lisa O’Neil. 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.

Monthly Checklist ...cont. from Page 1 Oncidium crispum Complex This is the season for plants in Oncidium section crispum from Brazil to shine. Extremely vigorous hybrids come in wide varieties of markings dominated with chestnut and brown and butter yellow. Give plants high light to produce strong upright inflorescences. The pseudobulbs should be plump, so do not let the plants dry out while they are in bloom. Later, plants will enter a dormant period. 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 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. ...thanks to the AOS website

A heart felt THANK YOU to Mr. Omar Bounds, who is an accredited

AOS Judge, and who presided as the Auctioneer at Sandpiper’s Annual Orchid Auction . An additional Thank You to all of the members of the Sandpiper Orchid Society who donated plants and gave of their time in supporting and participating in the numerous aspects of running our

Orchid Auction. Also a special recognition must be given to the vendors, that so generously

donated orchids to make our Auction so successful. Those vendors include:

Thanks, to all of you, again.Ron Ference (Auction Chair.)

H&R NurseriesKalapana Tropicals

Living Colors NurseryMainstreet Orchids

Parkside Orchid NurseryPiping Rock Orchids

Waldor Orchids

Auctionwas a

Great Success

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David’s Monthly Orchid Tips

David Off is a 3rd generation member of the highly respected WALDOR ORCHIDS family.

Because so many people are moving plants indoors this time of year, one of the things we get a lot of phone calls about is ants and other critters in the potting medium. We recommend using Diazonon and mixing it up as a drench. Diazanon is available at most garden centers and home improvement stores. You will need to pour enough liquid through, to saturate the plant (spraying the surface will not suffice). A non chemical approach is to place the plant in a bucket and slowly fill it to the top of each pot and the critters will all hurry to the surface where they can be fished out and stomped on. It is recommended that you change the water between plants to minimize any cross contamination of fungus or virus.

Ascocentrum ampullaceum is a species native to Thailand and surrounding countries such as Laos and Cambodia. This is a very compact growing orchid with stiff leaves that have jagged ends. The leaves also have a natural spotting in mahogany that only increases with brighter light. The flowers last well and are quite showy. Ascocentrum ampullaceum is a great orchid for those with limited space.

Light Medium light an east, south or west window is ideal. 1500 to 3500 footcandles is an acceptable range. This plant will also do well under lights. Temperature Intermediate to warm temps with night time lows from 60 to 64 for the winter months and day time highs in the low to mid 70s. Summer months temps can be several degrees warmer.Humidity 50% or higher is ideal. The use of humidity trays or room humidifiers is beneficial. Water It is best to use rainwater, distilled or reverse osmosis water. Municipal water with a pH of 7.5 or lower can also be used. Water as the mix approaches dryness but do not allow the mix to become completely dry between watering. This is especially true when in bud or flower. When not flowering allow the root system to just dry out. Fertilizer Use GrowMore 20-10-20 Ureafree for municipal or well

water. Use at the rate of ½ teaspoon per gallon. If using GrowMore with rain, distilled, or reverse osmosis water, add back in 5 - 10% municipal or well water to supply the necessary calcium and magnesium. Fertilize every other watering in the summer and every third watering in the winter. We highly recommend Green Jungle Orchid Food, especially formulated to work with rain, distilled, reverse osmosis water or water low in alkalinity. Fertilize with Green Jungle every time you water. Flowering This species flowers from the March to May months. The purple-magenta flowers are about

a half inch in size and are produced on stems that form at the base of the plant between the leaf axils. The spikes are from 6 to 8 inches in size and bear 20 to 35 flowers. The flowers are long lasting and can bloom for a month or more.Repotting These plants can be grown in a medium grade bark mix in pots or they can be grown in small teak baskets. The best time for repotting is after flowering. When grown in teak baskets all one needs to do is simply slide the smaller teak basket plant and all into a larger one and let the roots grow onto it.

…..thanks to the Orchid Web website.

Ascocentrum ampullaceum

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

Officers, Com. Chairs & Trustees President John McClellan Vice Pres. Ron Ference Secretary Alice Montgomery Treasurer Bruce Schairer AOS Rep. Walter Off Past Pres. Ron Ference Membership George Bollenbach Publicity Gail Zona Hospitality MaryAnn McClellan Newsletter Ron Ference Show Table Cary Stone Website Ron Ference Historian Chrissy Schairer Photography Ron Ference Refreshments Pam Cascioli Raffle Bruce Montgomery Auction Ron Ference Trustee 2008 Nancy Burke Trustee 2009 Henry Zona Trustee 2010 Bergie Ellingson Trustee 2011 Andy Fontaine

September 2008Show Table Winners

SHOW TABLE DETAILS

Alcra. Pacific Nova ‘Pacific Heights’Grown by B. Ellingson

C. Summer x Aclandiae ‘Carmela’Grown by A. Fontaine

Paph. Moquettianium x delenatiiGrown by R. Michalenko

Sobralia decoraGrown by B&C Schairer

Paph. PisarGrown by B. Ellingson

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Den. bigibbum x ThailandGrown by A. Fontaine

Enc. cochleata ‘Spy Hill’Grown by J&M McClellan

Phal. HybridGrown by L. Jankowski

Neost. Lou SnearyGrown by B&C Schairer

SHOW TABLE DETAILS

Phrag. La Vivace Epicure Phyllis D. TurnerGrown by B. Ellingson

Zygo. Blue BirdGrown by L. Jankowski

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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

Sandpiper Orchid SocietySecretary23 Alexander Dr.Hammonton, NJ 08037

Mailing Label

Orchids November Preview

Pleione maculata, an autumn-flowering species. Grower: Paul Leondis Photo: Ron Parson

Two Autumn-Flowering Pleione Species Taking a Look at the Lips of Orchids Orchids in Medellín Miniature Angraecoids

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