Phalaenopsis Journal 23(1) First Quarter 2013 | Page 27

All are invited to join us at either venue , IPA members and non-members alike . We ’ re once again looking forward to two great days of orchid information and sales , good food and connecting with old friends and new . Our very special thanks go out to all three of our co-hosting societies !
Region 17 – Hawaii - Interested in representing IPA ? Please contact us .
United Kingdom - Interested in representing IPA ? Please contact us .
Germany – Interested in representing IPA ? Please contact us .
Caribbean – Carlos Fighetti
Congratulations are in order for Carlos and the new Puerto Rico Judging Center formerly the second site of the Florida-Caribbean Judging Center . There are many excellent Phal . growers in this area , so many good plants should continue coming to the center for judging .
Southeast Asia – Marshall Ku The Taiwan International Orchid Show 2013 was held on March 2-12 , 2013 at Taiwan Orchid Plantation ( T . O . P .). This event included world class orchid competition , an international orchid symposium featuring renowned speakers and expert orchidists ; the International Commercial Orchid Growers Organization ( ICOGO ) meeting , business matchmaking and talk in orchids and orchid-related materials , social activities , orchid nursery tours , etc . TIOS is one of the largest orchid shows in the world and should definitely be on your “ must visit list .” For registration and other details for the next show , please refer to the website : www . tios . com . tw . If you need any help for your trip to TIOS just email Marshall Ku at msku @ seed . net . tw .
Australia – Please welcome Deborah Shield and feel free to contact her regarding IPA information for Australia . Deborah Shield , PO Box 2782 , Bundaberg , Queensland , Australia . rshield2 @ bigpond . com It would appear that a number of our members are probably experiencing quite adverse conditions at present for growing . We have bushfires in the south with high temperatures and winds , and for those of us further north , rain has been scarce and conditions hot . However , I find frequent misting , more shade and fans seem to work ; certainly in terms of my species which are thriving and flowering especially the pulcherrima . We are looking at a get together of members towards the latter part of the year when Phalaenopsis are blooming and possible visitations to members ’ shade houses . I know we are losing a couple of members , but I wish them well in their endeavors . We will be trying our best to recruit new members as I believe there has been renewed interest in Phals . There are some major orchid shows happening so hopefully we can interest people in joining . Happy growing .
Today ’ s Moss ... continued from page 22
The first thing to look for on the plant is new roots bearing bright apple green tips , showing that the plant is going into active vegetative growth . Remove all the moss from the root system and spray it with a solution of 1 teaspoon of Physan 20 to a gallon of water ( 5 ml to 3.8 L ). After repotting in the new medium , place the plant in lower light in a separate area and withhold heavy watering . Mist the plant more often or raise the humidity in this area to help avoid the loss of its older leaves . Once new roots begin to break out , the plant can slowly be returned to higher light and normal watering can be resumed . Again , the addition of charcoal can aid in the moisture-retention properties of the new medium . If a fuzzy fungus , which can impede the plant ’ s ability to take up water and fertilizer , is observed growing on the roots , follow the practice of applying a water – Physan 20 solution once a month .
TEMPERATURE , LIGHT and HUMIDITY
Plants growing in New Zealand moss benefit from several cultural advantages in addition to the moss ’ s ability to provide an even supply of moisture . Plants that have just been deflasked are kept at 70 – 80 ° F ( 21 – 27 ° C ) nights and 80 – 85 days ( 27 – 29 ° C ). For the vegetative growth stage , plants are kept at 65 – 68 ° F nights ( 18 – 20 ° C ) and 80 – 85 ° F ( 27 – 29 ° C ) days . For flowering induction and finishing , the plants are kept at 60 – 62 ° F ( 16 – 17 ° C ) nights and 78 – 80 ° F ( 26 – 27 ° C ) days . For those growing under lower humidity conditions , phalaenopsis in moss retain a higher humidity level around the leaf canopy . In addition , since the moss provides more moisture around the roots and leaves , phalaenopsis can be grown in much higher light ( up to 3,000 foot-candles ) for optimum growth without fear of burning the leaves . The plants have no particular need for warmer nights or cooler days as they will readily adjust to whatever the temperatures are . Phalaenopsis , growers can achieve the maximum growth and most abundant flowering from their plants , having made proper adjustments to their watering and fertilizing practices .
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS :
Carri Raven-Riemann an AOS accredited judge , former president of the International Phalaenopsis Alliance and currently IPA Regional Director for the New England Region 16 , owner of the orchidPhile ( specializing in multifloral , miniature and novelty Phalaenopsis ), and a member of the AOS Public Relations Committee . Stamford , Connecticut ( e-mail , carrir @ optonline . net ).
Norman Fang is one of the proprietors of Norman ’ s Orchids , www . orchids . com , in Montclair CA . The nursery specializes in the production and sales of Phalaenopsis , Paphiopedilum and Oncidiinae alliance plants . He studied at the California State Polytechnic University concentrating on plant nutrition and micro propagation . Norman is an accredited AOS judge and has traveled extensively to shows and Speakers ’ Forums in North and South America as well as in Asia . Photographs by Eric Fang Reprinted with permission of the American Orchid Society ; Orchids
79 ( 5 ): 264-269 , 2010 .
Phalaenopsis | First Quarter | Volume 23 | 2013
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