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General

• Continued increases in day length and drastic changes in light levels this month may require repositioning of plants to avoid overexposure to sun. Although cattleyas, dendrobiums and cymbidiums thrive in high light levels, phalaenopisis, miltonopsis, masdevallias and other lower light plants can easily burn. For most orchids, optimal light levels are indicated by light grassy green leaves. Dark green leaves suggest too little light, while yellow colored or red tinted leaves usually indicate too much light.
• Increasing winds may result in additional dust build up on your orchid leaves. This provides the perfect environment for harboring mites. Treat accordingly. During warm weather, pests and diseases can proliferate very quickly and spread throughout the collection. Carefully inspect plants for scale and aphids and treat early to minimize spread. As always, follow good hygiene practices to minimize transmission of pests and viruses.
• June continues the growth and repotting season for many orchids (cattleyas, oncidiums, dendrobiums) as new roots emerge from pseudobulbs or fans. Try to repot when roots are small and just beginning to emerge in order to minimize damage to soft tissues and avoid transplant shock, giving plants a head start in the growing season. Also repot when orchids have begun to over grow their pots and/or when media has started to break down.  Consider repotting plants that have been in pots for 2 or more years and are existing, but not thriving. Repotting can revitalize and provide new vigor to such plants.
• As you repot and divide many of your plants, set aside the extra divisions  as donations for the POS auction or for silent auction at the meetings. It will prevent overcrowding of your benches and make someone else happy to get a piece of your prized plant.

Directions: The Conference Center at Lake San Marcos Resort is located at 1105 La Bonita Dr, San Marcos, CA 92078. The entrance to the Lake San Marcos Resort is from Rancho Santa Fe Road where there is a large sign. See the interactive map to the right for details.

To reach the resort's entrance on Rancho Santa Fe Road:   Read more »

Patterned and Peloric Cymbidiums

We are pleased to welcome Miki Batchman as our speaker for May. Miki and her brother Karl took over responsibility for Casa de las Orquideas in 2011, which was founded by their father, the late Loren Batchman in 1976. As many of you know, Casa de las Orquideas is a small family-owned orchid nursery specializing in cool-growing genera such as cymbidiums and zygopetalums, located in the coastal Solana Beach. Miki Batchman has been doing the lab work for the business, as well as display design, for several years, while Karl has managed the general aspects of the nursery. Miki will be speaking about patterened and peloric cymbidiums, which is a specialty of the nursery as a result of her father’s extensive hybridizing efforts. It should be a very interesting talk. She also will provide plants for the opportunity table.

General

• Review and continue to follow recommendations for March since continued cool temperatures throughout March, particularly on the coast, has delayed Spring flowering and onset of growth for some species and hybrids.
• Fine tune the shading of orchids as heat and light continue to increase.
• Remove with sterile utensils any dead flowers or leaves that were damaged by bacterial rot or fungal rot, being careful not to contaminate clean plants.
• If not done yet, spray benches and growing areas with Physan to decrease possibility of bacterial and fungal diseases.
• April brings on new growth for many orchids and the opportunity to repot and divide those orchids that initiate new root growth at this time. Try to repot when roots are small and just beginning to emerge in order to minimize damage to soft tissues and avoid transplant shock, giving plants a head start for the upcoming growing season.
• Repot when orchids have begun to over grow their pots and/or when media has started to break down.  Also consider repotting plants that have been in pots for 2 or more years and are existing, but not thriving. Repotting can revitalize and provide new vigor to such plants.
• It is helpful to thoroughly rinse and soak all media prior to potting. Dry media tends to wick moisture away from plants.  Then keep plants relatively dry to encourage root growth.  If you prefer to repot using dry bark mixes, water newly potted plants thoroughly (2-3x), then keep on dry side to stimulate root growth.

 General

• Continue to follow recommendations for February as low night temperatures throughout February and early March will likely delay onset of the initiation of spring growth.
• Prepare for a busy spring cleaning period. Purchase orchid supplies in anticipation of the spring potting season.
• Avoid reusing pots as they carry potential for viral and bacterial infections. If you must reuse pots, disinfect plastic pots by soaking in a bleach/soap solution overnight.  Clay pots can be reused by cleaning, followed by sterilizing in an oven at 425°F for 2-3 hrs.
• As temperatures and light intensity increases during the month, consider re-positioning shade cloth or moving orchids to avoid damaging effects due to increased light and heat as appropriate.
• To facilitate new growth consider positioning the emerging growths in the direction of the sun. 
• More details on specific genera can be found on the AOS website

Indoors and Greenhouse   Read more »