May 2015 - Fred Clarke

Fred Clarke

We welcome back Fred Clarke as our guest speaker this month. Fred will discuss the fundamentals of growing orchids and explore some advanced techniques.  Orchid plant culture will be explained and techniques on how to maximize growth and flowering will be reviewed.  Fred says If you do 80% of what you’re supposed to do correctly, you will be a good grower.

Fred is a long time, generous supporter of the Palomar Orchid Society and one of our most favorite speakers. Fred Clarke has been growing orchids for 35 years and has been hybridizing for 32 of those years. With over 28 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, 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, he is also actively creating new Bulbophylum and Paphiopedilum hybrids. 

His pioneering work in Catasetum intergeneric hybrids led to the development of several notable hybrids, most recently the grex, Fredclarkeara After Dark, which produced “the blackest flower ever witnessed”. This grex has received eight FCC’s and 44 AM’s on the first flowers shown for judging!

Fred is an Accredited Judge in the Pacific South Judging Region as well as a passionate fisherman.