Conejo Orchid Society Vol. 36, No. 6 www.conejoorchidsociety.org June, 2016

THE PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE, FROM KATHY BOALS Hello Fellow Orchid Lovers! Wow! It’s hot! I hope you have been taking steps to ensure that your plants are sufficiently shaded, watered, etc. I think I’m going to have to roll out my second layer of shade cloth for the summer months. A few items of importance: * Our 19th annual library show and sale was another success! Thanks to all who worked hard to make it so! We made enough money to run the Society for another year- this means we can pay our speakers and have fun events like the upcoming Cal Orchid Picnic. For those of you who are newer members, the original idea for the show and sale was Joe Grodell’s. He mentioned to me during the show that next year would be our 20th year! Unbelievable. * Cal Orchid Picnic: will be held on Sunday August 21. This year, along with the usual barbecue, we decided to purchase the side dishes instead of asking members to bring them. This will give everyone more of a chance to just relax. Now, if one of you has something special you just have to make and bring, I’m sure no one will complain! Since space has always been an issue, this year James and Lauris are allowing us to expand into the driveway. They think they have enough tables and chairs, so all we will have to bring are some shade structures. Be sure to contact Bill Gunning to sign up as space is still not unlimited! * September Greenhouse Tour and picnic. This year Brian and I are not sure if we will be in town for much of September, so we need an alternate backyard in which to hold the picnic. We have generally had 30-40 people and members help by bringing extra chairs, shade, etc. if need be. If you would like to host your Society after the tour, please contact me or Bill Gunning. * August 2 board meeting at Chyoko Tanger’s house. Well, I tried to get some of you to come to Alice Smith’s last Tuesday– you missed a wonderful time on her back patio overlooking Westlake Lake as well as her killer chocolate cake with raspberry filling and toffee topping! Don’t miss Chyoko’s as she is one of the Society’s best cooks! This month’s speaker will be Sandy Svoboda- noted orchidist- speaking on the Orchids of Bhutan. This should be really fascinating! See you at the meeting! Kathy

Sandra Tillisch Svoboda Orchids of Bhutan Guest Speaker for July – Sandra Tillisch Svoboda

Growing up in Minnesota, Sandra's only exposure to orchids was that prom corsage. After graduating with a degree in nursing, she moved to California and ended up in Santa Barbara. She worked in many fields of nursing including the hospital, office, school, Head Start program, gastroenterology laboratory, and finally, for the past twenty years as a senior research analyst doing health care policy research for the government and foundations. She started her orchid life as a pot washer for her husband Al and became fascinated with the history of her husband's complex paph collection which included many of the oldies like Paph. F.C. Puddle. Al's knowledge, love, and enthusiasm for orchids were contagious and when they built a second greenhouse, she decided it would be hers and that was the moment that orchids became an important part of her life. Sandra has served six terms on the board of trustees and two terms as vice president of the American Orchid Society. She has been chair of the Outreach, Publications, Education and Website Committees. She coordinates the Question and Answer column in ORCHIDS magazine. Sandra is an accredited judge in both the American Orchid Society and the Cymbidium Society of America judging systems and has held numerous positions on various boards and societies throughout the orchid world. Sandra served on the board of the Santa Barbara International Orchid Show and, for several years, was the show manager of this prestigious show—one of the largest in the nation. Besides the plants themselves and the never-ending opportunity to learn about them, Sandra loves being involved in the orchid world because it offers an opportunity to meet and work with so many amazing and fascinating people.

Our Annual Fundraiser It’s done and was quite successful! We are officially funded through next year! YAY! A big shout out to EVERYBODY that helped! It is a lot of work to hold this event, and so many of you chipped in. We got a whole lot of new members which is always fun. We did have one small mishap tho… at the meeting where we disseminated the leftover plants, somebody inadvertently picked up one of the crates we use to carry the plants. We need to get it back to its rightful owner. Please contact me – your friendly newsletter editor – and we can get the crate back home.

HELP!!!! Your illustrious board needs your help! Can you take photographs of the judging results for our newsletter? Or for that matter, can you take on the newsletter? Can you help with a culture session? Could you be called upon to make a few phone calls should the need arrive? You may not want to take on a regular board position, but could a board member call you to help on one thing or another? If you can help, even if it is only on an occasional basis, please let one of the board members know!

Orchiata Update Hmmm, seems our order get messed up. IT IS COMING! Soon…

The Huntington Needs YOU!

Kate is our newest volunteer! The Huntington Library will host their second annual orchid show October 20-22. The show coincides with the semi annual American Orchid Society convention which will make this a huge event. And of course, there will be vendors there to feed our habit!

Volunteers will be crucial to the success of the show beginning on October 17. Please check your calendars for your availability. We would also like to have a display in the show. If you are interested in designing the display, let the board know! Last year, we had a simple table top. We can do that again, or we could add a few twists… We will have more details in future newsletters.

Member Submission

Habaneria Radiata, submitted by Gayle Brodie.

June Judging Results Conejo Orchid Society Plant Awards June 13, 2016; Judges: Joe Grodell and Kevin Kiely, K.M.Kay???, Joe Gurley?? Hard to read so this is my best guess! Thanks for judging! Category

Place

Oncidium / Odontoglossum

1

Standard Cattleya

1 2 1 1 1 2 1 2 1 2 1 1 2 1 2 1 1 2

Miniature Cattleya Encyclia / Epidendrum Paphiopedilum / Phragmipedium Dendrobium Phaleonopsis Vanda / Ascocenda Cymbidium Large Flower Species & Hybrids Small Flower Species & Hybrids Red Marsh Species

Best of Show

Plant Name

Grown By

L. Lobiata L. Purpurata

Kathy Boals Kathy Boals

Ciliare NoName

Vicky Price Marcy Wingard

Den. Bracteosum var. Tanni

The Finnies

No name

Alice Smith

Cym. Kuranda

Bill Gunning

L. Striata L. Purpurata v. striata Restrepia Striata Lockhartia Oerstedii

Ewa Gago Joe Groedell Ewa Gago Ewa Gago

L. Lobiata

Kathy Boals

NOTE FROM THE EDITOR: I am NOT a photographer! You may notice that! I did take a few pix of some of the first place plants and my lack of artistry is evident! I guess you get what you pay for…

Best Of Show Laelia Lobiata Kathy Boals

Some of the First Place Plant Awards

First Place Plant Awards (Contd.)

First Place Plant Awards (Contd.)

AOS WEBINARS DURING July American Orchid Society: Greenhouse Chat with Ron McHatton Thu, Jul 14, 2016 @ 8:30 PM - 9:30 PM EDT Everyone is invited Please join Ron McHatton, American Orchid Society Director of Education, for a Q&A session on how to grow and care for your orchids. If you have a question, please submit your questions by July 12th to [email protected]. Register now using this link: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/4156964667435828225

Paphiopedilum Maudiae, history, culture, and hybridizing trends Papiopedilum Maudiae 'Harold' AM/AOS; Photographer: Unknown Wed, Jul 20, 2016 @ 8:30 PM - 9:30 PM EDT Members only invited Join owner of Paph Paradise and AOS accredited judge, David Sorokowsky as he discusses one of the most delightful of the Paphiopedilum hybrids, its history and use in hybridizing. Register now using this link:

https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/3955799118906569217.

2016 CONEJO CALENDAR OF EVENTS Member Meetings (speakers / activity) July 11 – Sandra Tillisch Svoboda – Orchids of Bhutan August 21 (Sunday) – Cal Orchids Picnic September 12 - Harry Phillips – Perception and Reality of Growing Orchids October 10 – Fred Clarke – Bulbophyllums November 14 – Holiday Potluck and Bingo December - No Meeting - Happy Holidays

OFFICERS AND DIRECTORS COS OFFICERS: PRESIDENT KATHY BOALS (805) 377-5539 [email protected] 1st VP – PROGRAMS BILL GUNNING (805) 279-0334 [email protected] 2nd VP – CULTURE SESSIONS LESLIE NAINES-BROWN (805) 551-6699 [email protected] TREASURER VICKY PRICE (805) 233-2258 [email protected] MEMBERSHIP ALICE SMITH (805) 777-1075 [email protected]

DIRECTORS: PUBLICITY ELLIE STAIGHT (805) 497-8187 [email protected] REFRESHMENTS CHIYOKO TANGER (805) 529-6536 [email protected] LIBRARY EWA GAGO (805)744-1561 [email protected]

RAFFLE Phil Peck 818 324 0382 [email protected] NEWSLETTER LESLIE NAINES-BROWN (805)551-6699 [email protected] ORCHID POTTING HELP MARIAN MCWILLIANS (818) 421-0024 [email protected] JUDGING CHAIRPERSON EWA GAGO (805)744-1561 [email protected] DIRECTOR AT LARGE SUSAN DUBIN (805) 497-6700 [email protected] DIRECTOR AT LARGE JOE GRODELL (805) 492-1569 [email protected] DIRECTOR AT LARGE GAYLE BRODIE (805) 551-8620 [email protected]

MEETING PLACE AND DIRECTIONS Conejo Orchid Society General meetings are usually held at 7:00 PM on the second Monday of the month at: Westlake Village Town Hall 31200 East Oak Crest Drive Westlake Village, CA 91361

Meeting directions: Take the 101 and exit Lindero Canyon Turn South. Turn left on Agoura Rd. Turn right on East Oak Crest Drive (the third street on the right) The Town Hall is the first drive on the left

Neighboring Societies : SANTA BARBARA ORCHID SOCIETY Meets the third Wednesday of each month at the Trinity Lutheran Church, Santa Barbara at 7:30 PM For information call - 805-965-2536 VENTURA ORCHID SOCIETY Meets the fourth Tuesday of each month at the Ventura Townehouse at 6:50 PM 4900 Telegraph Rd (7th floor), Ventura Call Jean - 805-642-4815 SAN FERNANDO VALLEY ORCHID SOCIETY Meets the first Wednesday of each month at 7:00 PM at the Sepulveda Garden Center, 16633 Magnolia Blvd., Encino. Call (805) 532-0080 and ask for Mike.

ORCHID SHOWS AND EVENTS!! **36th Annual Santa Barbara Orchid Estate Summer Open House** July 8-10, 2016, Friday & Saturday 8 AM to 5 PM; Sunday 9 AM to 4 PM Held at Santa Barbara Orchid Estate, 1250 Orchid Drive, Santa Barbara, CA 93111. Summer Hummer Open house at Cal Orchids July 8-10.

Orchid Show at the Huntington Library Oct 20-22