Cool orchids which can be grown outdoors 6 plus months
Speaker: Kim Feddersen, of Fair Orchids
Here are some helpful hints to combat fungus, bacteria, and root rot:
For fungus and bacteria: Rots commonly make their appearance on orchid leaves, often showing up as brown spots or blotches that grow in size as time goes on. These need to be dealt with quickly. Using a sterilized, single-edged razor blade or other sharp, sterilized implement, cut away the affected area by cutting into the healthy plant tissue surrounding it. Then, try the following:
Cinnamon, dusted liberally around the cut. Cinnamon will not only dry away any fungal infections, it has bactericidal properties as well. Be careful not to apply cinnamon to sensitive orchid roots, as its drying effect can often kill them.
Listerine, used full strength as a spray, works wonders for bacterial infections, as does Neosporin ointment, applied directly to the affected area.
Household bleach. Be *very careful* with this: chlorine is extremely toxic to, and can kill, orchid plants. Mix *no stronger* than one teaspoon per gallon of water and spray the plant completely for a highly effective bactericide, fungicide, and algaecide. Twelve to twenty four hours later, flush the plant and its pot with clear water! Do not forget this step!
Hydrogen peroxide, applied full-strength to leaves or poured directly into a plant’s “crown” or growing center, effectively kills the fungus responsible for crown rot.
For root rot: Using sterilized scissors or shears, prune away any dead, dark brown and “mushy” roots. Dip the remaining roots into a bowl filled with 2 parts hydrogen peroxide, 1 part water. Let stand for 30 minutes. Transfer the plant to a bowl filled with the fertilizer solution you normally use. Let stand for 30 minutes. Soak a wadded up paper towel with water. Place the plant and wet paper towel into a Ziploc bag, being careful not to let the paper towel come into contact with the plant. Seal the bag, and place in a deeply shaded, out of the way spot for up to six weeks. The rot will have been eliminated, and new roots should begin to form.
What a terrific display of blooming orchids we had this month from our members!
American Orchid Society Judging
Northeast Judging Center - Tower Hill Botanic Garden, Boylston, MA. The meeting will take place with educational forums and discussions in the morning beginning at 10:30 on a wide range of topics related to orchid judging, then an educational program beginning around 11 AM. Plants for judging, as always, should be delivered by noon; judging will start no later than 1 PM.
American Orchid Society provides judging to New England, New York and Northern New Jersey.
The Northeast Judging Center of the American Orchid Society sponsors 2 monthly judging events at the following venues:
1) First Saturday of the month - Tower Hill Botanic Garden, Boylston MA
2) Third Saturday of the month - Bartlett Arboretum and Gardens, Stamford, CT
On these days, each site holds educational forums and discussions in the morning beginning at 10:30 on a wide range of topics related to orchid judging. Plants being submitted for judging should arrive no later than noon that day; actual judging of plants begins after a lunch break, generally no later than 1 PM.
In addition to our monthly judging, we participate in a number of orchid shows throughout the center, providing AOS judging as well has taking part in ribbon and trophy judging at the show.
Finally, we have many knowledgeable and helpful individuals in the center who can speak on a wide variety of topics related to orchids and judging. We encourage all of the orchid societies in our region to utilize this resource.
From Orchid Fever, by Eric Hansen
"You
can get off alcohol, drugs, women, food, and cars, but once you're
hooked on orchids, you're finished. You never get off orchids...never".
CAIOS is an officially affiliated organization of the American Orchid Society and the Orchid Digest.
