October 2016 General Meeting – James Rose

James RoseWe are happy to welcome James Rose from Cal Orchid in Santa Barbara back to our society. James is a very experienced orchid nurseryman who readily shares his wealth of orchid knowledge with novices and experienced growers alike. James will be speaking on outdoor growing orchid species from Mexico. He will discuss where they come from, how to grow them, and provide a few illustrations of their progeny.  This is a new talk with a fresh perspective. 

James’s visit is being co-sponsored with SDCOS. He will be giving a talk on Tuesday evening, Oct. 4 on Orchids from Madagascar and all are welcome to attend the presentation at 6:30 pm in Balboa Park.  James also will be providing plant tables for both societies.  

James attended University of Cal Santa Barbara as an anthropology major.  In 1971, he began working at Santa Barbara Orchid Estate. After 16 years there, and becoming manager, he left to establish his own nursery with his wife, Lauris.  In 1987, they purchased Orchids By Rowe, a 2 acre cymbidium nursery a mere 2 blocks from the Pacific Ocean. After only a few years, James and Lauris totally redesigned the former cymbidium cut flower range to what is now, after 29 years,  a world famous orchid nursery that provides one of the largest varieties of orchid species and hybrids in the U.S.

Cal-Orchid maintains an active breeding program and stud collection built upon decades of international travel.  James is very well known for having a distinctively selective 'eye' for the new unusual plant, and Cal-Orchid's new and long-time customers enjoy reaping the benefits.

The nursery's inventory features the Cattleya, Cymbidium, Odontoglossum, Epidendrum,  Lycaste, Paphiopedilum alliances as well as a good assortment of African species. James and Lauris have become recognized for their superior 'Pacific' line of reedstem Epidendrums, which have evolved over 12 years of selective breeding and have garnered awards around the world.

James has published in the AOS, Orchid Digest, and CSA magazines, and is well respected for his vast knowledge as well as his distinctive sense of humor. He lectures all over the world…from Japan to South Africa, to Europe, South America and at orchid shows and World Orchid Conferences. He is a Cymbidium Society of America Judge, former member of the AOS Conservation Committee, and active member of the Japan Grand Prix Organizing committee where he has judged every year at the world famous Tokyo Dome.