Monthly Meeting

Paul TuskesPalomar Orchid Society is pleased to welcome back Dr. Paul Tuskes.  Paul’s presentation will be on “Unique Outdoor Growing Orchids” with an emphasis on growing information for the hobbiest and a focus on the culture of outdoor growing orchids--water, fertilizer, light, and tricks to make them bloom as well as dealing with problem plants.

Paul will also discuss how to enliven outdoor spaces by including orchids in the landscaping.  San Diego County has a wide range of climates ideal for growing various orchids outdoors.  Microclimates can be created within your own yard or outdoor space by providing natural and artificial shade spaces as well as affecting humidity with the incorporation of water features, for example.

Paul has been growing orchids for 30 years and his photographs have been used in various books and journals.  He serves as an AOS orchid judge and co-founded with his wife Ann the orchid species study group of the San Diego County Orchid Society. He was one of the first members of that society’s conservation group, which received a Conservation Achievement award from the American Orchid Society.

September’s program will feature four of our experienced orchid growers who will give brief (10-15 minute) presentations with an emphasis on culture for the upcoming Fall and Winter seasons. 

Our panelist will speak on the following topics:

Alex Nadzan: Fertilizer Basics and Seasonal Use

Jerry Spencer: Maintenance of Greenhouses/Shadehouses

Merle Robboy: Correct Time to Repot Orchids

Nico Goosens:  Preparing Orchids for Fall and Winter Seasons

This will be followed by a panel discussion on questions regarding the above topics or any other cultural questions participants may have. Questions may be brought up at the meeting or sent in advance to Alex Nadzan at anadzan@mac.com or by phone (760) 529-5814 (home, please note new number) or (858) 205-6789 (cell).

The opportunity table will be provided by Rex Foster Orchids and include some of their novel cattleya and related orchid hybrids.

Phyllis PrestiaOur featured speaker this month is one of our own members, Dr. Phyllis Prestia.  Phyllis will talk on the genus Cycnoches and will give the hobbyist orchid grower a thorough review of the distinctive traits of these spectacular orchids.  She will highlight the key species most popular in modern Cycnoches breeding and their influence of color and form in both primary and complex hybrids.  

Phyllis’ comprehensive review of the culture for these relatively easy to grow orchids, including tips from her own successful experiences in growing them, will allow even those new to the genus to grow, bloom and enjoy these beautiful, fragrant orchids.

The opportunity table will be provided by Sunset Valley Orchids and will likely include some cycnoches hybrid seedlings. 

Phyllis S. Prestia, Ed.D. is a retired educator and Middle School Principal, who received a Doctorate of Education at Rutgers University, where she also served as instructor in the graduate education program.  

Originally from New Jersey, she moved to California with her husband to retire in the sunny, San Diego area and grow orchids.  Her collection includes a variety of species and hybrids across several genera grown both in a small greenhouse and three outdoor growing areas under shade cloth.  

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James and Lauris RoseWe are very fortunate to have James Rose of Cal-Orchid, Santa Barbara return to POS to speak on ‘Laelias of Mexico’.  Although the genus Laelia was at one time a very large group including plants from Mexico, Central America, and Brazil, today's taxonomists have, rightly or wrongly, reduced the genus to a small group of 11 species all of which are endemic to Mexico.  These plants vary from the quite common (ex. Laelia anceps) to some of which are very rarely seen in collections. The flowers and plants are quite variable and all exhibit a classic beauty associated with other members of the Cattleya group.  All of these species are unique and have considerable worth in horticulture. Many have great potential in producing new hybrids.  James lecture will deal mostly with the variability of the many flowers and the habitats and conditions from which they grow. Hopefully, we can all share some knowledge in the wonderful world of Orchids. Cal-Orchid also will provide the plant table.   Read more »

Bruce and Yasue Kidd have grown orchids for about 15 years on the edge of the Mojave Desert in Murrieta, CA. Bruce worked as a horticultural pest control adviser for Dow AgroSciences, a 30-year career which brought him into frequent contact with commercial orchid growers in Hawaii and California. 

Since retiring in 2010, Bruce and Yasue Kidd have made several trips to Asia to see orchids in the wild, in local collections, and in nurseries. They spent the majority of their time in Thailand and Vietnam, not all of it focused around orchids. Bruce's presentation will cover some of the orchids, sights, and people one might expect or want to see during a visit to this part of the world. He'll take a close look at how the locals are working with orchids to conserve their natural legacy while expanding opportunities for ecotourism.