February 2017 – Fred Clarke

Fred ClarkeWe are pleased to host one of our most favorite and well-known speakers, Fred Clarke. Fred’s talk will focus on one of his primary passions, Cattleyas. The talk entitled ‘The Modern Cattleya’ will provide a detailed look at the species and latest developments in breeding and growing of this popular class of orchids. Attendees will learn about the best of the best in today’s breeding and the new directions hybrids are taking. Finally, Fred will cover the best practices for growing these remarkable plants. 

Fred is a long time, generous supporter and life member of the Palomar Orchid Society. He has been growing orchids since 1977 and has been hybridizing for 35 of those years. With over 30 years as a professional grower and manager in the horticultural industry, Fred applies these skills at his orchid nursery, Sunset Valley Orchids, located in Vista, California, just north of San Diego. His nursery’s website has considerable information on plants for sale and many beautiful pics of his award winning orchids. He is a passionate orchid grower whose curiosity in orchids is broad and varied.

Although developing Cattleya hybrids has been his sustaining interest, Fred is also actively creating new Bulbophylum, Catasetum and Paphiopedilum hybrids. His pioneering work in Catasetinae hybrids led to the development of several notable hybrids receiving over 100 AOS awards. The grex, Fredclarkeara After Dark, which produced “the blackest flower ever witnessed”, has received a total of 43 awards worldwide, including eight FCC’s, six AM’s and the coveted AOS Award of Distinction. Fred recently received the Excellence in Hybridizing Award for Catasetum Alliance Hybrids by the American Orchids Society at their Fall 2016 meeting at the Huntington.  Fred is also an Accredited Judge in the Pacific South Judging Region as well as a passionate fisherman.  

Fred will be supplying this month’s opportunity table.