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The BackBulbC A R M E L O R C H I D S O C I E T Y
May 2019
May Speaker: Frank BaptistaComplex Paphiopedilum Hybrids: Past
& Present +
SomeFrank was born on the island of Faiai in the Azoresand
emigrated to the US in 1980. He started
growing orchids in 1981 and found that his preferred plantswere
complex Paph hybrids and Miltoniopsis. He has done
hybridizing in both genera. Frank also was an accredited
AOSjudge for 19 years and is now retired from judging. He
recently
re-located to Aptos, California, and is still growing
variousgenera of orchids in a small greenhouse in his backyard.
1May Speaker
2Upcomming Events
The Rite of SpringIn order to provide a selection of treats at
our meetings, we are asking members withlast names that start with
the letter S thru Z to bring refreshments to the next meeting.
Remember, It's time to pay your dues!
A spectacular Oncidium from the Santa Barbara Show, taken by
Kathie Ritter.
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COS OfficersPresident
John OConnellVP Program
Carol Easton
RecordingSecretary
Janette Ford
TreasurerDaniel Bellem
DirectorsRobert Kurner
Carolyn SalmonNorma Walch
P.O. Box 223462Carmel, CA
939223462
BackBulb Editor &Webmaster
John OConnell
MembershipCarol Easton
Show ChairmanFrank Baptista
BackBulb C A R M E L O R C H I D S O C I E T Y
Upcoming EventsMay5/4-5 Carmel Valley Garden Show, 10-4 Hidden
Valley Music
Seminars, Carmel Valley Village
5/6 Monday, COS May Meeting
5/11 Mother’s Day Weekend Orchid Show & Sale, Lakeside
ParkGarden Center Nursery Oakland, CA.
June6/3 Monday, COS June Meeting
6/8-9 Bromeliad Society of San Francisco Annual Sale
inconjunction with the San Francisco Succulent & CactusSociety
San Francisco County Fair Building 1199 9th Ave atLincoln Way,
Golden Gate Park, San Francisco
6/8 17th Orchid Digest Speakers Day Orchids Around the
WorldHuntington Library, Art Collections, and Botanical
Gardens,
San Marino, CA
Page 2 April 2019
The Rite of SpringThe days are getting longer and warmer and
obsessive orchidgrowers are performing the Rite of Spring
(apologies to IgorStravinsky). Each year about this time adherents
spendinordinate amounts of time on the ritual potting and
dividing,with an occasional sacrifice to pacify the orchid
gods.
These annual rites are feared by Novices who have yet to
beexposed to the mysteries, and dreaded by the masters for
thetedious hours they will spend. They learned long ago that
mostorchids can be cut to pieces and slammed into a new pot and
Bulbophyllum frostii inJohn's greenhouse
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BackBulb C A R M E L O R C H I D S O C I E T Y
still bloom next year. They live in fear ofrepotting Angraecums
and Maxillarias, genusesfamous for sulking after having their
rootsdisturbed. A sulking plant will drive an normallypatient
orchid master slowly crazy until theyquestion their devotion and
contemplateleaving the faith.
Novices will often ask a master which pottingmix is best, or
should they use plastic or claypots. The wise master may
reply“Grasshopper...it is not the mix or pot that isimportant, it
is your watering that determineswhat the best choice is”. The
Master knows thatfrom water springs life or death, and orchidscan
be fussy, favoring neither complete drynessor complete saturation.
The Master changes themix and pot to accommodate the needs of
theOrchid and the grower.
One does not attain the rank of Orchid Masterwithout having
being punished for theirsuccess, some plants will grow
beyondexpectations. The choice is clear: divide ormake room. Much
contemplation is needed todiscern the correct path for a large
specimen isa site to behold, but not every large plant willmake a
worthy specimen. Dwell upon the flowerand foliage, quantity and
quality beforedeciding to cut. And once the decision is madeto cut,
think twice and cut once, for a divisionwith too few pseudobulbs
will just bringfrustration.
The Novice may despair at ever accumulatingthe experience to
become a Master, surely theywill sacrifice much of their collection
in theprocess. Every Master knows that the path toenlightenment is
paved with orchids sacrificedto learning the way. The tags of
expired plantswill accumulate beyond count before one cancall
oneself a Orchid Master, and every masterknows that each failure is
an opportunity to tryagain.
John
Andys Orchids display at Santa Barbara, KathieRitter.
Bulbophylim sp. in John's greenhouse. Thiswas it's first
bloom.
Page 3 April 2019
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BackBulb C A R M E L O R C H I D S O C I E T Y
C A R M E L O R C H I D S O C I E T Y2019 Membership
ApplicationPlease make checks payable to the Carmel Orchid Society
and mail to: Carmel Orchid Society Membership c/o Carol Easton,
P.O. Box 223462 Carmel CA 939223462
Please print
Date
Name
Address
City State zip
Telephone
Email address
If you were referred by a current member, please provide
his/her name
Renewal _ New Member _
Member of the American Orchid Society _
Membership Receive NewsletterType Via EMail Via US MailSingle
$25 _ $30 _Couple $35 _ $40 _Vendor $35 _ $40 _
Page 4 April 2019
Orchids Carol saw on her latest European trip.
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Page 5 April 2019
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Page 6 April 2019