Marin Orchid Society Non-profit 501(c)3 Corporation Affiliate of the American Orchid Society February 27: Dave Sorokowsky 750 Lindaro, San Rafael, CA - Morning Glory Room, 7PM Hello BackBulb, Our BackBulb newsletter has come into the 2018 era. This new look is mobile and tablet friendly and, hopefully, easier to read. Certain sections are gone, however, including the index. In addition, it is not possible at this moment to post multiple images from the Show and Tell. To solve this, the BB will post one with a link to view the others on the MOS website. Buttons will be used more. For example, instead of printing the MOS membership / renewal form from the BB, a button near the bottom now takes you to a PDF for simpler printing. The monthly culture tips from AOS are now found by clicking a button near the bottom of the Back Bulb. Ideas and comments always appreciated as we adjust to the new design. MOS members are enjoying the remodeled space at BioMarin, 750 Lindaro. We are now in a room with dual projection screens and excellent acoustics. Plus,
there is plenty of room for the Show & Tell and Opportunity Tables at the front of the room, with tables for plants for sale at the back or on the side. This is a great meeting to invite orchid-loving friends so they can learn more about orchids we do not see at the hardware store.. See you on February 27 to hear Dave on Paphs. Visit Our Website President's Letter Greetings MOS Friends, I hope your New Year is going well. One month has gone. And, oddly enough, that one month has brought us Spring. The warm weather has invigorated my outdoor plants, those few I have. I have several cymbidiums putting up spikes including one with 6 spikes. I m hoping that one will be ready for POE in a couple of weeks. I also have a Pleurothallis I recently acquired that has surprised me by putting out a set of wee bitty orange balls. And, I have a Dendrobium violaceum that is putting on a great show. Of course, the last two are not growing outdoors but I think they have benefitted from the sun and warmth. I do hope you will take advantage of this opportunity to display your plants. POE is heavily attended by orchid enthusiasts from across the Bay Area and perhaps even beyond that. Your plants that you have nurtured for so long will be seen by those many people. Think how happy your plants will be. And, you will also be part of the MOS displays which have won awards for some years now. As POE is now only a couple of weeks away, may I remind you that if you have plants you think will be ready for display toward the end of the month, please ensure they are prepared for the show. Please clean the leaves, clean up the
media, prune where necessary, so that your plants show their best. Please look elsewhere in this newsletter for more information on our display at POE including how and when to have your plants at our exhibit on set up day. I mentioned at the last meeting that Mary Nisbet (California Orchids in Bolinas) has offered to do a special open house for us. Those of you who have been to her greenhouse during one of her sales knows what a grand place it is. Plus, Lynne, Susan, and Tom have greenhouses there as well. This could be a nice outing for the Society. If this sounds like something that would interest you, then please drop a note to the MOS email address. I think we would need to have a minimum number of people to make this outing a reality. We can arrange a pleasant and educational afternoon of this. Likely, this would be a weekend event, most likely a Saturday. Our website contains a blog space that is just waiting for some content. Do you have an idea for an article, interesting photos, or something else that you think would be of interest to MOS members and to the general public? If you have something you would like to contribute, please feel free to send it to the MOS email address (marin.orchids@gmail.com). John will have it on the blog in short order. Please remember that the May meeting so we will be at Kol Shofar in Tibiuron. You will see more information as we get closer to the date. I have arranged the speakers for this year (and a possible lead for January 2019). However, if you have seen a speaker you liked, or have heard of one that you think might be of interest to the Society, please let me know. The Society would benefit from new and interesting speakers and topics. As always, if you have suggestions to improve Marin Orchid Society, please send a note to the MOS email address, marin.orchids@gmail.com. I hope your rest of the month is great. I look forward to seeing you at the February MOS meeting. Ron Ludwig All About Multi-floral Paphiopedilums Dave Sorokowsky and Paphs
AOS Judge, Awarded Grower After receiving his degree in biochemistry from the University of Toronto, Dave opted to step outside his chosen field and operated a tropical fish import business for eight years. Upon returning to school,dave received degrees in enology and viticulture from Brock University in St. Catharines, Ontario. While attending Brock, Dave began acquiring orchids one 2 pot at a time and before he graduated, Dave had over 100 orchids. Winemaking and a passion for orchids prompted Dave to seek a warmer climate in California about one year later. Dave has been growing Paphiopedilums for about 12 years and seriously hybridizing for the past 8 years. His Paphiopedilums have received over 60 awards to date from the American Orchid Society, with many of those awarded plants playing important roles in his orchid breeding program. The Program Multi-floral Paphs often have 4-5 large blooms per spike, quite unlike the single-bloom plants. These orchids typically do not flower until they are mature, possibly 4-7 years. After that, most flower every year or two. The plants bloom from the bottom bud up the spike. Because it takes them a long time to recover, they are not regularly divided like other orchids. Multi-floral Paphiopedilums like warm temperatures and bright light all year long. Photo below by Susan Anderson
About the February MOS Meeting Refreshments, Speaker's Dinner, and More Refreshments and Set-Up: Members whose last names begin with P- T are asked to bring refreshments at 6:30 for the meeting. We do need help with setup so please come at 6:30 if you are willing and able to help. Speaker dinner: Dinner with the Speaker, Dave Sorokowsky, will be at 5:00, My Thai: 1230 4th St, San Rafael, CA 94901. Show & Tell: Yes, yes, DO share up to 5 of your blooming orchids and let members know about their origin, culture, and any growing tips. Please limit your time to 3 minutes so that the meeting keeps on schedule. Thank You!! Many thanks to the members who helped with set up and take down at our last meetings. Big thanks to all who brought refreshments to the January meeting:cathy, Julie, Sandy K., Terumi, Kay, Lynne, Susan, Sandra, and Naoko.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Thank you to those members who have already taken care of their MOS 2018 Membership on time. If you have not yet had a chance to do so, please see Julie Morelli or use the form at the end of this issue to download the membership renewal form. It can be mailed to the address shown. Review of the February MOS Meeting MOS members shared Ron Parson's love of China because his excellent images allowed us to follow his orchid tour in Sichuan, China, with well-known tour leaders, first, Holger Perner and, next, Wenqing Perner. (Wenqing has assumed Holger's role since his untimely passing in 2017.) In their search for slipper orchids, one of the first things Ron learned from the Perners is that it is essential to keep secret the location of orchids in their native habitats because local residents will strip the area clean and sell the orchids in markets and on the black market. Sadly, some areas formerly rich in native species are now bare. For that reason, they were cautious and hid their trails. In addition the 37 species of slipper orchids native to the Min River Valley of Sichuan (central, southern China, near to Tibet), many beautiful irises, peonies, primroses, and other familiar plants grow there. Some of these are favorites in the USA, often for rock gardens. One rare orchid seen in many varieties was the Cypripedium flavum, usually light yellow or cream colored with maroon spotting. It is now found only in the high mountain valleys of the Hengduan Mountains, growing at 2300-3700
meters. Interesting that it was one of the orchids brought back to Europe by a French missionary in the 1869. Another striking orchid is the Cypripedium tibeticum, a lady's slipper orchid that is profoundly variable in both form and appearance. A terrestrial orchid, it is found in high mountain meadows in Western China. But orchids were not the only sights that Ron enjoyed--extraordinary Buddhist temples are found in many areas. These temples, built of wood using no nails, are usually replaced every 100 years due to natural decay in the lush environment. Lodging was comfortable and food was varied and interesting. Ron named one of the memorable groups he met on the tour the "Motorcycle Monks" and showed pictures of them astride their machines, dressed in their traditional robes. To learn more about China tours, please contact Wenqing Perner: info@hengduanbiotech.com. A tour is scheduled for April and two spots remain open. Click here for the tour flyer. January Show and Tell
Members' Blooms To make the Back Bulb mobile and tablet friendly, it is now possible to post only a few S&T images in the newsletter. The rest are now available via a link to the MOS website. Thanks you, John Merlo, for designing the beautiful slide show from the pictures taken of the January Show & Tell! To view it, click here.
POE and other important events As you know, the 2018 year's Exposition will take place from Friday, February 23rd, through Sunday, February 25th, 2018, in the Hall of Flowers at Golden Gate Park, San Francisco. Tickets can be purchased at our MOS January meeting or online at: POE Tickets. The theme for the 2018 Exposition is 'Curiouser and Curiouser, Orchids in Wonderland.' The theme plays off the story of 'Alice in Wonderland,' and the Mad Hatter Tea Party will be the theme for the Gala (see below). You learned more about the MOS design at our January meeting; contact Julie Morelli for more info and if you may want to volunteer to help with setup. It is essential to clean up any plants you want to enter! All plants require tags which are made up ahead of time. Send your plant list no later than February 20 @6PM to Gail: DO ATTEND THE MAD HATTER GALA! Wear your maddest hat on February 22, 6-9:30, as you enjoy an advance preview of the show and vendor sales, wine, music, and light snacks. For tickets, go to: Gala Tickets.
View All Upcoming Events MOS Setup for POE: Requirements If you have plants you want in the MOS display at POE, we ask that you create a list of all plants you will bring and email your list to Gail (Gail email) no later than 5pm, Sunday, February 18. Because of the setup time constraint, we must have all the plant labels printed before setup day. Please put "POE Plant List" in the SUBJECT of the email. You will receive a confirmation that your plant list was received. If you do not receive that confirmation with 24 hours, please call one of the numbers below. We estimate that we will have space for about 40 plants. You will need to get your plants to the Hall @ no later than 5PM on Wednesday, 21 February. Drop off starts at 2PM. The 5PM final deadline is very important as we only have a very short period of time to get the display arranged. Contact Julie or Ron for more information. Parking is extremely tight at 1199 9th Avenue (the Hall of Flowers). Space is limited and you are asked to keep your stop short. Alternatively, you can come with another member (one brings the plants in while the other waits in the car) or call one of the numbers below and and arrange for someone to come and get your plants. As always, plants need to be labeled with your name and phone number. You are welcome to provide a neutral pot (with your name on it). Otherwise, the pots will be wrapped in black cloth. Phone numbers: Ron Ludwig 415-706-1714 MOS phone 415-895-0667
MOS Board of Directors; Next Meeting President--Ron Ludwig, Vice-President--Open,Treasurer--Julie Morelli, Secretary--Sandra Merlo, Members at Large: Cathy Thompson, Sandy Kim, John Merlo.You may reach the MOS Board by calling: 415-895-0667. Next Board meeting March 1, location TBA. Members are welcome to attend with advance notice. Contact Ron for details. The (Orchid) Doctor Is In! Have a problem plant, or maybe just need a little advice on which orchids might grow well in your conditions, when to water, or why your orchid just will not bloom? Ask the Doctor! Just send us an email with your orchid questions. Simply write "Orchid Doctor" in the subject line of your email: marin.orchids@gmail.com. Attention Amazon Shoppers! Did you know that every time you shop at Amazon, you can make our society money for marketing!! Just visit our website marinorchidsociety, click on the Amazon banner at the bottom of the page and start your shopping. A
percentage of your purchases is then given to the society!! Your price remains the same. Useful Resources for Orchid Lovers Useful Links: Marin Orchid Society American Orchid Society San Francisco Orchid Society Online Orchid Species Identification California Sierra Nevada Judging Center Orchid Tours: Tours in China with Wenqing Permer: send an email to info@hengduanbiotech.com Worldwide guided tours: Orchid Conservation Alliance Tours American Orchid Society: AOS.org You may download a beginner's guide to growing orchids. Membership is inexpensive and includes online seminars and more. AOS Judging Centers Info and Locations- AOS Judging Centers Nearby Marin Orchid Society Purpose and Vision The purpose of the Marin Orchid Society, our Mission and Vision, is: To provide support for those having common interests in the appreciation and culture of orchid plants, to broaden their interests and improve their knowledge To acquire and distribute to the members practical and scientific information about the collection, culture and propagation of orchids To arrange the dissemination of information through exhibits, lectures, access to publications, and any other means, for the encouragement of orchid growing To cooperate in and take part in activities of other Societies with purposes similar to those of this Society.
2018 Marin Orchid Society Calendar February 21-25: POE (setup 2/21, 10AM; Gala 2/22; expo 2/23-25; take down 2/25 February 27: General Meeting with Dave Sorokowsky March 27: General Meeting with Jeff Trimble April 24: General Meeting with Tanya Lam May 22: General meeting with Carol Klonowski (this meeting held at Kol Shofar, Tiburon) June 26: Ice cream social with Lynn Kimsey July 24: General Meeting with Peter Lin August TBD: Members Only BBQ September 25: General Meeting with Dan Newman October 23: MOS Fall Auction November 27: Members' Digital Show & Tell; Webinar December 6: MOS Holiday Party Join or Renew Your Membership Upcoming Open Houses, Orchid Shows, & More Orchid Conservation Alliance Fundraiser The Orchid Conservation Alliance is excited to welcome Dr. Franco Pupulin as the featured speaker at our 2018 Conservation Banquet. Details: February 24 6-9:30pm at the Conservatory of Flowers,100 John F. Kennedy Dr. Golden Gate Park, San Francisco. Dr. Pupulin studied in his native Italy before moving to Costa Rica to pursue his interest in orchids. He is currently a professor at the University of Costa Rica and a researcher at the world-renowned Lankester Botanical Garden. This garden plays a leading role in research and education on Costa Rican orchid flora, and its live collections are among the most widely recognized in Latin America.
Dr. Pupulin has published a number of books about orchids and has been very active in describing New World orchid species, particularly from Costa Rica. He has also been essential in training the next generation of outstanding orchid researchers. Dr. Pupulin is editor-in-chief of Lankesteriana, Lankester Garden's orchid journal, and is project manager for Epidendra, a global database for information about orchids. Tickets: $100 per person. Contact Mary Gerritsen (mary@orchidconservationalliance.org)for tickets. Note: this event occurs during the weekend of the Pacific Orchid Exposition in Golden Gate Park (Feb 23-25). California Orchids Spring Sale! Saturday, March 17th 9am-4pm Plenty of Orchids, all sizes, all types Tillandsias, Ferns, Supplies. 515 Aspen Rd., Bolinas. Click for flyer. Santa Barbara 73rd International Orchid Expo: Orchids The World s Greatest Show March 9-11, Earl Warren Showgrounds. Complete description on their website: Click for web page. Santa Barbara, AOS Spring Members' Meeting, Wednesday March 7- Sunday March 11. Discounted early registration for AOS Members. For more information visit www.aos.org. OTHER ORCHID SOCIETIES' MEETINGS First Monday: Carmel Orchid Society meeting; The First Presbyterian Church, 501 El Dorado Street, Monterey; Carmel Orchid Society First Tuesday: San Francisco Orchid Society meeting; San Francisco County Fair Building, Golden Gate Park, 9th Avenue and Lincoln Way; San Francisco Orchid Society First Wednesday: Sacramento Orchid society meeting; Odd Fellows Hall, 1831 Howe Ave. (921-0569), Sacramento; www.sacramentoorchids.org First Wednesday: Santa Maria Orchid Society meeting; Veterans' Memorial Center, 313 W. Tunnell Street; Contact Chuck Scheitaur at 937-6201
Second Tuesday: Sonoma County Orchid Society meeting; Veterans Building, 1351 Maple Avenue, Santa Rosa (across from the Fairgrounds) Sonoma County Orchid Society Second Tuesday: Monterey Bay Orchid Society meeting; Lincoln Ave Presbyterian Church, 536 Lincoln Ave, Salinas; (831) 663-3953 Third Monday: Orchid Society of California; Lakeside Park Garden Center, 666 Bellevue Avenue Oakland; California Orchid Society Third Tuesday: Coastal Valley Orchid Society; Lompoc, CA; Coastal Valley Orchid Society Third Friday: Gold Coast Cymbidium Growers meeting; San Mateo Garden Center, 605 Parkside Way, San Mateo; Weegie Caughlan at goldcoastcymgrowers@gmail.com; Gold Coast Cymbidium Growers. Second Friday: Napa Valley Orchid Society; 7:00 pm at Napa Senior Activities Center 1500 Jefferson St. Napa CA 94558. www.nv-os.org AOS February Growing Tips Donate Online Contact Us