Cape and Islands Orchid Society

 Bugs and fungus -identification and what to do;

Preparing your Orchids for Winter;

         Novelty Phalaenopsis (differences from Standard)

   Anyone that is having a problem with a plant is encouraged to bring along to meeting and one of the expert growers will offer suggestions.

  Novelty Phalaenopsis - we will have plants for sale $10 each.  The Novelty Phalaenopsis are compact and fragrant

        1220 Nathan Ellis Hwy, (Rt. 151) East Falmouth MA 02536 (White fences on North side of Hwy.)

End of season suggestions: (Summer to Winter)

 One grower recently reminded me to share this ~ he had a totally clean collection, having rid himself of an invasive mealy bug infestation. But he said they kept coming back, even after repotting & treating the plants. So I had him look at the bottom of the grow trays he was using & sure enough, there were live mealy bugs & their eggs underneath the tray. It was black so he could see them right away. If you're growing on anything white, for example, this is harder to see, whether it's egg crate or white trays or grids. A good idea before getting (as in squeezing, since your plants have grown as has your collection!) all your plants back into where you're growing them is to thoroughly clean the trays, grids or whatever ~ also check under the rims of your pots which is another wonderful hiding place for them. One method of killing them is to use a 10% Clorox solution (10% Clorox to 90% water) & dipping or spraying it on them. Another approach might be to use rubbing alcohol, either sprayed or sponged onto the trays or paint-brushed under the curled rim of the pots.  Using gloves is essential when dealing with either approach. The Clorox solution, from what I understand, might only be viable for 20 minutes, & it's something you'd want to do outdoors, which means now is the perfect time. Would love to hear from others what their end-of-summer checklist entails.

If you have gas heating be certain to check that the flues and baffles in your heaters have not served as nesting spots for small birds during the seasons of disuse. Also check the heating baffles to make certain there are no micro-pitting or weld failures. Bird nest in exhaust routes can lead to fires, and micro-pitting and weld failures can result in plant and flower damage from combustion byproducts escaping into the GH atmosphere while sealed for winter heat conservation. Having a back up gas controller for your heater is always a good investment. Also check your backup heat ... portable or otherwise, and make certain generators are serviced and up to service if called upon ... always replace oil and never use old gas that's been sitting ... even if you added stabilizer in earlier seasons .old gas can result in performance failure at points of critical need.

WHAT ARE WEBINARS?   Webinars are an Internet conference where you can hear the speaker and view his presentation, ask questions, and hear interactions from other members of the audience. You can join either on your computer or by phone. You can join from anywhere, via your Mac, PC or even your mobile device. Audio is included, so attendees can phone in or use VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol). You will need a microphone for your computer to use VoIP

Sept 18 th, 2018 @ 8:30 PM – 9:30 PM EST        Members Only

AOS MEMBERS ONLY  8:30 p.m. – 9:30 p.m. Judging Webinar: Judging the Oncidinae. Presenter Ron Midgett, noted speaker and orchid breeder, as he discusses the history and judging trends for this complex group, the Oncidiinae, that have had so many names.  Please see the website for additional information and registration.  www.aos.org.

American Orchid Society: Orchiata Bark, What is everyone talking about?

October 9th, 2018 @ 8:30 PM – 9:30 PM EST        Open to all

Presenter Garry Clark, Group General Manager for BestGrow and learn all about the potting medis Orchiata.,  Advanced Registration (space is limited) required. Please see the website for additional information and registration.  www.aos.org.

American Orchid Society: Greenhouse Chat

October 18, 2018.    @ 8:30 PM – 9:30 PM EST        Open to all

Presenter Ron McHatton, American Orchid Society Director of Education, and accredited AOS judge, will hold a Q&A session on orchid culture.  Advanced Registration (space is limited) required. The webinar is free for everyone. Send your questions to Sandra Svoboda by October 15, 2018 to greenhousechat@aos.org   Please see the website for additional information and registration.  www.aos.org

American Orchid Society: Greenhouse Chat

November 7, 2018.    @ 8:30 PM – 9:30 PM EST        Open to all 

Presenter Ron McHatton, American Orchid Society Director of Education, and accredited AOS judge, will hold a Q&A session on orchid culture.  Advanced Registration (space is limited) required. The webinar is free for everyone. Send your questions to Sandra Svoboda by November 5, 2018 to greenhousechat@aos.org   Please see the website for additional information and registration.  www.aos.org.

Note: After registering, you will receive a confirmation e-mail containing information about joining the seminar.

WANT TO LEARN, BUT CAN’T MAKE THE DATE?  The live webinars will be recorded and posted on the AOS website, where you will find a link allowing you to view the webinars at your convenience.

From Orchid Fever, by Eric Hansen