The speaker for this meeting is Claudio Rossi of Cloud’s Orchids and his topic is Brassavola Nodosa and its hybrids. This presentation covers first generation breeding with the lovely “Lady of the Night” orchid. Interactions with different general within the Cattleya Alliance are also highlighted. Claudio Rossi has been growing orchids since 1974 and founded Cloud’s Orchids in 1990, providing locally flask-raised orchids to other nurseries and the general public worldwide. He has a background in horticulture and is and AOS orchid judge with senior status. Orchids may be ordered for delivery at the meeting by using the form on Cloud’s  website. The meeting is in Room 5, Royal Botanical Gardens, 680 Plains Road West, Burlington. The formal part of the meeting starts at 2 p.m. but you are invited to arrive any time after 1 p.m. to socialize and interact with vendors.  Members and guests welcome.

Our speaker for the August meeting is Joe Di Ciommo, a long-time member of OSRBG. His topic is “Blooming a Phalaenopsis in three years from seed”.  The meeting will take place in Room 5, Royal Botanical Gardens, 680 Plains Road West, Burlington, Ontario. Members and guests are welcome. The formal meeting starts at 2 p.m. Come any time from 1 p.m. to socialize and talk with vendors.

The Annual Picnic / BBQ for members and their significant others will be held Sunday July 17, 2016 at Drew and Jacquie Goddard’s home, starting at 2 p.m.  BBQ basics provided by the Society, but salads and desserts are always welcome, as well as raffle plants if you have any.  Remember to bring a chair if you can. For more information, check the latest Orchidata or use the “contact us” feature on the webpage.

The Society’s Annual General Meeting will take place in traditional fashion, which is to say, a short business meeting following by a more lengthy period of socializing. Bring your plants for the “swap and sale” and finger foods for the “Strawberry Social”.  Formal meeting starts at 2 p.m. and the place is Room 5, Royal Botanical Gardens, 680 Plains Road West, Burlington.

Tom Sampliner, a naturalist from Cuyahoga County, Ohio, will speak on the topic “Orchids, other wildflowers and rugged scenery of Western China”. He spent two weeks on a plant-hunting expedition last summer that was guided by resident orchidologist Dr. Holger Perner and his wife.  The presentation will include images of flowering plants, especially orchids, and the habitats where they are found, as well as some general sightseeing. The meeting will take place in Room 5, Royal Botanical Gardens, 680 Plains Road W., Burlington. The formal part of the meeting begins at 2 p.m. You are invited to come any time after 1 p.m. to socialize and talk to vendors. Members and guests welcome.

Toronto Artistic Orchid Association (TAOA) Show – April 9-10, 2016

Frank Washburn, Gavin Clark, Steven Ng and Wendy Hearder-Moan set up a display for the OSRBG consisting of 30 plants of which 16 were ribbon winners. Special congratulations to June Cramer whose Oncidium hybrid merited an award as Best Oncidium. RBG’s Guarianthe guatemalensis also received a 3^rd place ribbon in the specimen class.

Results:

Royal Botanical Gardens Collection

Oncidium altissimum – 1^st

Schombugkia tibicinis – 2^nd

Guarianthe guatemalensis – 1^st (and 3^rd in specimen plant class)

June Cramer

Oncidium hybrid – 1^st (and Best Oncidium Award)

Cattleya intermedia – 2nd

Odontonia Janice Miller ‘Powder Puff’ x Odontonia (Drummer Joe x Picotee) ‘Fuchia Frame’ – 2^nd

Sarcochilus hartmanii (white) – 1^st

Sarcochilus hartmanii (pink) – 2^nd

Lynda and Pat Vuurman

Phalaenopsis I-Hsin Paprika ’Wilson’s Choice’ AM/AOS – 2nd

Linda Will

Phragmipedium besseae – 1st

Phragmipedium China Dragon (Grande x besseae x flavum) – 2nd

Paphiopedilum Joseito (Nike’s Sunny Delight x Pinocchio) – 2nd

Brassocattleya Memoria Vida Lee (Bc. Binosa xC. Brazilian Treasure) – 2nd

Brassolaelia Yello Bird (Brassavola nodosa x Bl. Richard Mueller) – 2nd

Phragmipedium Sedenii (longifolium x schlimii) – 3rd

Phragmipedium Eric Young (besseae x longifolium) – 3rd

The display itself received a third place ribbon. Thanks to everyone who helped with the display and who contributed orchids for the exhibit.

With OrchidFest coming up soon in Tobermory, this is an excellent time to learn about Ontario’s native orchids. Charlotte Moore, a long-time member of OSRBG, will discuss the orchids she has seen on her travels in this province. The formal meeting starts at 2 p.m., but come any time after 1 p.m. to socialize and interact with vendors. The meeting takes place in Room 5, Royal Botanical Gardens, 680 Plains Road W., Burlington, Ontario. Members and guests welcome.

Time to re-pot? Time for a hands-on re-potting clinic, certainly. Our March meeting is your opportunity to bring one or more orchids that may need to be re-potted and to obtain advice and assistance from Pat Vuurman, Ben Boers, Drew Goddard and others. Basic orchid medium will be provided and other supplies will be available for purchase. Bring your gloves, secateurs and pots if you have them.  If you are on top of all your re-potting, congratulations! Come to the meeting anyway to help your colleagues, or work on plants from the RBG collection. The meeting starts at 2 pm. Come any time after 1 pm to socialize and to chat with vendors. Members and guests welcome, and a special welcome to new members who joined at the recent Orchid Show. The location is Room 5, Royal Botanical Gardens, 680 Plains Road W., Burlington.

Don’t forget the 35th Annual Spring Orchid Show and Sale, being held soon at the Royal Botanical Gardens. For details, including a $3.00 off coupon if you are not an RBG member, click on “Annual Show” on the banner at the top of this page.

At the February meeting, Drew Goddard, current President of the Orchid Society of the Royal Botanical Gardens, will speak on the topic of Artificial Lighting for Orchid Growing. The meeting will take place in Room 5 (subject to availability) at the RBG, 680 Plains Rd. W. Burlington, ON. The formal part of the meeting is from 2 p.m. to approximately 4:30 p.m. with time before the meeting  for socializing and interacting with vendors. Members and guests welcome.