Newsletter  May 30, 2008
We're ready for summer! 

     It has been a very busy spring here at Parkside Orchid Nursery and we are prepared nicely for the summer ahead.   John and I just returned from a trip to Hawaii.   That is always a treat and I never tire of visiting the islands even though I suspect I have been there 30 times  now.  We visited several  nurseries, bought lots of plants, spent time with many friends and definitely ate too much!      Watch the web pages as we are constantly adding new plants to most of the pages.   It is important to change our inventory often and we have found many new things that we are going to grow and offer to the public.   I will offer a tip to you serious Paph. growers who read this.  We found two different grexes of blooming size Paph. rothschildianum   the plants are beautiful, well rooted and vigorous.   They will be appearing for sale soon, and will be one of the highlights our of recent purchases.   There will also be some exciting new Tolumnias (equitant oncidiums), Laelia purpurata  species, Cattleya hybrids, new Oncidium hybrids and lots more.  Stay tuned. 

   During my stay in Maui I visited Ivan Komoda nurseries and saw something that was quite beautiful and exciting.  He has finally produced some exceptional yellow Miltonias, even some with full yellow waterfalls.  It has taken some time and careful breeding to produce these plants, but now he has them and they will find their way into the market place in the next couple of years.  He also has a beautiful group of Milt. Princess Diana 'Princess of Wales".    This was one of my favorites several years ago, and now he has mericloned plants.   I also visited Tropical Orchid Farm and the nursery was bursting with beautiful plants.   They are unique in that they remain dedicated to many beautiful and unusual species.   They have not given into the mass pot plant market.  What they have there is a real treasure.   If you visit Maui, you must go see their nursery. 

   In the months before we left there were many activities and special events.   The SEPOS Show at Longwood Gardens was especially good this year with a bigger and better turn out from the public.  Perhaps it the fact that this is the 3rd year in this new location, or maybe it was better advertising.   We're not sure, but the show was beautiful and a success from the selling point of view.  It is hard to imagine a nicer setting for an orchid show.

   I traveled to Florida in April to present a class on warm-growing Oncidinae hybrids for the American Orchid Society in Delray Beach.   I always enjoy visiting the Headquarters there and this year the gardens and greenhouse were especially beautiful.  (no big hurricanes last year to damage things).  Also, the Society was celebrating it's Founders Day on the Monday after my class so everything was in tip top shape.  The class was especially interesting as Florida growers have a very different set of cultural circumstances to deal with than here in Pennsylvania (or other parts of the country).  After some basic introduction, the class became more of a discussion between me and the participants about the best ways to deal with their high temperatures and high humidity.   The big problem for them is the fact that their plants don't get a break at night.   Our plants withstand the highest summer temperatures with relatively little effect but that is because we can expect temperatures to drop significantly on all but a few nights of the summer.   In Florida, their idea of a break may only be in the mid to upper 80s at night so the plants can't recover as much as they need to.  This effects watering, fertilizing, choice of potting media and amount of light requires.   A very different set of circumstances than most of us face.       I have offered to return to Florida for another class next season.  I always have fun there.    The Founders Day had speeches by Carlos Fighetti, AOS president, and Jim Jordan, AOS Executive Director.  Robert Fuchs was there answering questions and signing his newest book.  There was a GREAT CAKE for all to share.  They had a great turnout that day with many people touring the Society Headquarters and gardens.

   We are thinking about the Summer Orchid Fest already and hope you are planning to attend on July 26 & 27th.  It is always an exciting time with plants for sale, AOS judging, lectures and good summer fun. 

All the best,    Tom @ Parkside

To view old newsletters click here:  January  2008,    February  2008

 
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