February 2012
The next monthly meeting will be held on Wednesday
Feb. 8, 2012 at 6:30 p. m. at the main library, 151 Civic
Center Blvd. in Houma, LA.
Plant raffle and viewer's choice will be held. Rose and
Billy Guidroz will bring refreshments. Ashley Matherne
will be our sharing knowledge speaker, speaking on
"Growing Seedlings". I'm sure it will be interesting.
Feb. 8, 2012 at 6:30 p. m. at the main library, 151 Civic
Center Blvd. in Houma, LA.
Plant raffle and viewer's choice will be held. Rose and
Billy Guidroz will bring refreshments. Ashley Matherne
will be our sharing knowledge speaker, speaking on
"Growing Seedlings". I'm sure it will be interesting.
Minutes
The meeting was called to order by President Ashley Matherne at 6:40 p. m. with 16 members and 1 guest
present. A motion was made and 2nd to accept the minutes as published.
Vice-President -- Robbie McMeel -- Said that plans for Mr. Carlos Fighetti is still on schedule for our Oct. 2012
guest speaker. Mr. Fighetti will arrive in New Orleans and stay with his daughter. We should consider who we
will give a donation to instead of the usual fee paid to a speaker. We will also have to re-schedule our meeting day
and maybe location. Still plenty of time for that.
Secretary -- Brenda Daigle -- No Report
Treasurer -- Beverly Matherne -- Updated Financial
AOS Rep -- Sandy Trahan -- Gave update on AOS magazine
ODC Rep -- Beverly Matherne -- No Report
SWROGA Rep -- Karen Breaux -- No Report
Ashley thanked everyone for attending the December Social and bringing some very tasty food. He thanked
Wanda for the use of The Wanda Hall. Dot thanked Ashley for going to the trouble of decorating the hall so
beautifully.
He reminded everyone that the Diamond of Excellence Award was presented to Beverly Matherne and now she
too can take her place on the wall beside our other inductees; CONGRATULATIONS again Beverly, we, TOS, are
proud of you.
The installation of officers was done different this year, but really turned out great. Each officer read and signed
his/her individual list of the required duties that is written in TOS by-laws; and promised to up-hold these said
duties.
SHARING KNOWLEDGE
The reason this topic came up for me, is a simple question I needed an answer to. Because of reasons beyond
my control, I was not able to winterize my growing area. I knew that night the temperature was going to be under 50
degrees and I had Phals that were spiking and needed protecting.
I called my mentor (An influential senior sponsor or supporter) Ashley, to ask him what temp I had to be aware
of. Well, he was not home so I went to my next source of information, the Internet. I was able to find all the info
that I needed on that one subject and other related articles pertaining to the re-blooming of Phals. Of course I am
not naive enough to think that is all it takes to blooming, I know it takes a combination of things. I also know not
everybody grows (with success) the same way, so if you found your formula, stick with it. All of this is ideas and other
people's thoughts; some tried and true other not so much so.
Remember the subject to this discussion is how low temps affect Phals and blooming. In nature, orchids have
natural stimuli that indicates to the plant that the growth season is over and it is time to bloom. In general, some
orchids are light sensitive and others like Phals are temperature sensitive and are triggered into blooming by cooler
nights in the fall. This tells them growing is over, let's make some flowers. So the plant is now ready to set a bloom
spike. But, when we step into the picture and change nature's habits and have the same plant acclimate to meet our
growing habits, this deprives them of this natural cue and they are reluctant to bloom.
Temperatures in the 60's for a couple of weeks will usually initiates a spike. Most professional growers agree
that 50 degrees is too low but agree that they can do fine around 59-58. Phals that are subjected to cooler temps can
also be more susceptible to disease. What is more important, is that the difference between the day and night temps
differ 10-15 degrees and not necessarily a certain temp like 58 degrees.
As stated above if a Temp drop of 10 to 15 degrees between day and night is all that is needed, at 50F they will
start to drop leaves and most likely be set back in their growth, but if continuously kept about 90F they will most
likely not flower again. Also both Phals and DTPS like to keep their roots warm, so do not use a clay pot or medium
that retains cold. Most growers recommend plastic pots. Also keep a fan gently circulating the air in the growing
area 24 - 7 to help mix up the air, blending temps and also preventing excess moisture.
Getting of the subject of temp for a minute, make sure your plant is healthy enough to spend the energy to
produce flowers before you even try to bloom it. Now, the most common reason for the Phal not to bloom is
insufficient light, so make sure there are arrangements for the light. Another crucial need is food, make sure you
fertilize according to your own plant food directions.
To make sure all Phals bloom at the same time, a commercial grower will provide all the above conditions to
his greenhouse or warehouse to have blooming orchids for a special selling time. They have learned from experience,
technology, and scientific research, that stress is what makes an orchid bloom. So if you take all these things into
consideration, that is exactly what we do, we stress them out. But remember, only a healthy, well grown, well fed
plant should be stressed or pushed into flowering and most commercial plants are pushed to the absolute limit, so if
that is where you purchased your plant maybe give it a year off to recuperate before you re bloom it, if it even lives.
I read a post on a forum by Mr. S Farrell who has been growing Phals for about 20 years and he wrote he has
seen a noted disturbing trend over the last few years: While the variety of colors and types of flowers have expanded
dramatically, the Quality of the plants overall has dramatically diminished. (when plants were still primarily grown
from seeds) the plants seemed to have better plant growth habits and were stronger plants compared to those grown
today.
Most of the Phals grown today are Clones and are primarily grown to be throw away plants, they are grown
for mass marketing and are not of the overall quality of a few years ago.
There is so much more that could be said but not enough time or space to go on and on, so I hope you have
enjoyed learning a little about one of my favorite orchids. I am including a list of some of the basics of a Phal.
The Basics of Phals and Dtps.
Blooms: Winter-Spring, can bloom year-round
Water: Likes to be damp, not soggy
Light: Low light
Temperature: Warm growing, minimal temp of 55 degrees
Fertilize: FEED ME: Weakly, weekly ---Increase amount by 50% from May-Sept.
Growth Habit: Mon-o-pod-ial, ( which means that they grow leaves from a central stem) grows 1-3 new leaves
per year. Bloom spikes emerge from the base of the 2'nd leaf node from the top, usually in early
fall.
Look for: New leaves in the Summer, Spikes in the Fall, Blooms in the Winter and Spring
Taxonomy: Genus Phalaenopsis; Tribe Vandeae
Natural Cues: Phals are sensitive to the drop in temperature that comes with fall. If grown indoors the plant
should be given 2 weeks of near minimal temps in the fall to initiate bloom spikes.
Re potting: At least every other year.
There was a lot of discussion and tips from other members who are a lot more experienced than I am and
with the amount of people in this discussion on this topic, in my opinion, it really made a good topic for our Sharing
Knowledge section.
my control, I was not able to winterize my growing area. I knew that night the temperature was going to be under 50
degrees and I had Phals that were spiking and needed protecting.
I called my mentor (An influential senior sponsor or supporter) Ashley, to ask him what temp I had to be aware
of. Well, he was not home so I went to my next source of information, the Internet. I was able to find all the info
that I needed on that one subject and other related articles pertaining to the re-blooming of Phals. Of course I am
not naive enough to think that is all it takes to blooming, I know it takes a combination of things. I also know not
everybody grows (with success) the same way, so if you found your formula, stick with it. All of this is ideas and other
people's thoughts; some tried and true other not so much so.
Remember the subject to this discussion is how low temps affect Phals and blooming. In nature, orchids have
natural stimuli that indicates to the plant that the growth season is over and it is time to bloom. In general, some
orchids are light sensitive and others like Phals are temperature sensitive and are triggered into blooming by cooler
nights in the fall. This tells them growing is over, let's make some flowers. So the plant is now ready to set a bloom
spike. But, when we step into the picture and change nature's habits and have the same plant acclimate to meet our
growing habits, this deprives them of this natural cue and they are reluctant to bloom.
Temperatures in the 60's for a couple of weeks will usually initiates a spike. Most professional growers agree
that 50 degrees is too low but agree that they can do fine around 59-58. Phals that are subjected to cooler temps can
also be more susceptible to disease. What is more important, is that the difference between the day and night temps
differ 10-15 degrees and not necessarily a certain temp like 58 degrees.
As stated above if a Temp drop of 10 to 15 degrees between day and night is all that is needed, at 50F they will
start to drop leaves and most likely be set back in their growth, but if continuously kept about 90F they will most
likely not flower again. Also both Phals and DTPS like to keep their roots warm, so do not use a clay pot or medium
that retains cold. Most growers recommend plastic pots. Also keep a fan gently circulating the air in the growing
area 24 - 7 to help mix up the air, blending temps and also preventing excess moisture.
Getting of the subject of temp for a minute, make sure your plant is healthy enough to spend the energy to
produce flowers before you even try to bloom it. Now, the most common reason for the Phal not to bloom is
insufficient light, so make sure there are arrangements for the light. Another crucial need is food, make sure you
fertilize according to your own plant food directions.
To make sure all Phals bloom at the same time, a commercial grower will provide all the above conditions to
his greenhouse or warehouse to have blooming orchids for a special selling time. They have learned from experience,
technology, and scientific research, that stress is what makes an orchid bloom. So if you take all these things into
consideration, that is exactly what we do, we stress them out. But remember, only a healthy, well grown, well fed
plant should be stressed or pushed into flowering and most commercial plants are pushed to the absolute limit, so if
that is where you purchased your plant maybe give it a year off to recuperate before you re bloom it, if it even lives.
I read a post on a forum by Mr. S Farrell who has been growing Phals for about 20 years and he wrote he has
seen a noted disturbing trend over the last few years: While the variety of colors and types of flowers have expanded
dramatically, the Quality of the plants overall has dramatically diminished. (when plants were still primarily grown
from seeds) the plants seemed to have better plant growth habits and were stronger plants compared to those grown
today.
Most of the Phals grown today are Clones and are primarily grown to be throw away plants, they are grown
for mass marketing and are not of the overall quality of a few years ago.
There is so much more that could be said but not enough time or space to go on and on, so I hope you have
enjoyed learning a little about one of my favorite orchids. I am including a list of some of the basics of a Phal.
The Basics of Phals and Dtps.
Blooms: Winter-Spring, can bloom year-round
Water: Likes to be damp, not soggy
Light: Low light
Temperature: Warm growing, minimal temp of 55 degrees
Fertilize: FEED ME: Weakly, weekly ---Increase amount by 50% from May-Sept.
Growth Habit: Mon-o-pod-ial, ( which means that they grow leaves from a central stem) grows 1-3 new leaves
per year. Bloom spikes emerge from the base of the 2'nd leaf node from the top, usually in early
fall.
Look for: New leaves in the Summer, Spikes in the Fall, Blooms in the Winter and Spring
Taxonomy: Genus Phalaenopsis; Tribe Vandeae
Natural Cues: Phals are sensitive to the drop in temperature that comes with fall. If grown indoors the plant
should be given 2 weeks of near minimal temps in the fall to initiate bloom spikes.
Re potting: At least every other year.
There was a lot of discussion and tips from other members who are a lot more experienced than I am and
with the amount of people in this discussion on this topic, in my opinion, it really made a good topic for our Sharing
Knowledge section.
VIEWER'S CHOICE
1st Place: Sandy Trahan -- Phal K V Glory
2nd Place: Sandy Trahan -- Den Twinkle
2nd Place: Sandy Trahan -- Den Twinkle
Raffle Plant
Onc. splendidum (Mule Ear) won by Robbie McMeel
Cochleata won by Linda Bourgeois
Cochleata won by Linda Bourgeois
TOS Newsletter
NEW BUSINESS
Ashley announced that the following is our TOS officers for 2012:
President --- Ashley Matherne
Vice President -- Robbie McMeel
Secretary -- Brenda Daigle
Treasurer -- Beverly Matherne
Member at Large -- Karen Breaux
Show Chairman -- Karen Breaux
Ashley also told us that he had received a shorter version of the Orchid Wiz
from them to either sell, auction, or raffle it as a means to make money for our
society. It was discussed and decided if anyone wanted to purchase it, we would
sell it. Robbie McMeel offered to buy it and Beverly said it would have to be
bought at full price. Robbie agreed on decision.
John brought up the fact about the AOS, Awards Quarterly, and unhappy judges
pertaining to pictures and updated info in Orchid Wiz on newly awarded plants.
Papers with lists of birthdays, anniversaries, guest speakers and refresh- ments
were passed around and asked to update whatever information needed up- dating.
Beverly also announced that our **[March meeting]** has changed, it will be
the 1st Wednesday of the month instead of our usual 2nd Wednesday. So mark
your calenders for March 7th to come to the meeting.
Karen Breaux, show chair, talked about the show which is scheduled for May
4-6, 2012 at the mall. Karen explained she wanted to encourage everyone to take
on new responsibilities or challanges different from what they have done before.
Also the most important thing she wanted to talk about, was getting approval
from the mall to book the show. She explained the trouble of getting a call
back and the reluctance of approval. They felt that we abused the rules and
guide lines last year, set forth by them. Anyway if approved, we would have to
be predominately complete with the exhibit (all halls need to be clean and trash
gone) except for minor adjustments by 10:00 a.m. on Friday. Karen is scheduled
to have lunch with Dawn in the near future to finalize said agreement. We will
be filled in at the next meeting. WOW! That brought up a lot of discussion. Also
we need to start planning for a possible move in the future. That topic was
tabled for later discussion.
She asked for a show of hands for chair positions of each department. As it
turned out, very few changes will take place. As of now this is the list:
Exhibit Chairs-- Robbie & Becky McMeel
Welcome Chair -- Linda Boudreaux
Hospitality Chair -- Wanda Gaidry
Trophy Chair -- Beverly Matherne
Staging Chairs -- Ashley Matherne, Jerry Breaux, Robbie McMeel
Publicity Chair -- Linda Bourgeois
Registration Chair -- Brenda Daigle
Show Schedule Chair -- Robbie McMeel
Clerking Chairs -- Ashley Matherne with Sandy Trahan (the duties of this person
also includes remaining at the show until the last judge leaves)
Photography Chair --Monica Walters (not yet confirmed)
Ashley asked to think of new ways to advertise. Also Cassie was chairing
the Gautier Show and pre set up was as usual at Wanda's. So help if you can.
Ashley announced that the following is our TOS officers for 2012:
President --- Ashley Matherne
Vice President -- Robbie McMeel
Secretary -- Brenda Daigle
Treasurer -- Beverly Matherne
Member at Large -- Karen Breaux
Show Chairman -- Karen Breaux
Ashley also told us that he had received a shorter version of the Orchid Wiz
from them to either sell, auction, or raffle it as a means to make money for our
society. It was discussed and decided if anyone wanted to purchase it, we would
sell it. Robbie McMeel offered to buy it and Beverly said it would have to be
bought at full price. Robbie agreed on decision.
John brought up the fact about the AOS, Awards Quarterly, and unhappy judges
pertaining to pictures and updated info in Orchid Wiz on newly awarded plants.
Papers with lists of birthdays, anniversaries, guest speakers and refresh- ments
were passed around and asked to update whatever information needed up- dating.
Beverly also announced that our **[March meeting]** has changed, it will be
the 1st Wednesday of the month instead of our usual 2nd Wednesday. So mark
your calenders for March 7th to come to the meeting.
Karen Breaux, show chair, talked about the show which is scheduled for May
4-6, 2012 at the mall. Karen explained she wanted to encourage everyone to take
on new responsibilities or challanges different from what they have done before.
Also the most important thing she wanted to talk about, was getting approval
from the mall to book the show. She explained the trouble of getting a call
back and the reluctance of approval. They felt that we abused the rules and
guide lines last year, set forth by them. Anyway if approved, we would have to
be predominately complete with the exhibit (all halls need to be clean and trash
gone) except for minor adjustments by 10:00 a.m. on Friday. Karen is scheduled
to have lunch with Dawn in the near future to finalize said agreement. We will
be filled in at the next meeting. WOW! That brought up a lot of discussion. Also
we need to start planning for a possible move in the future. That topic was
tabled for later discussion.
She asked for a show of hands for chair positions of each department. As it
turned out, very few changes will take place. As of now this is the list:
Exhibit Chairs-- Robbie & Becky McMeel
Welcome Chair -- Linda Boudreaux
Hospitality Chair -- Wanda Gaidry
Trophy Chair -- Beverly Matherne
Staging Chairs -- Ashley Matherne, Jerry Breaux, Robbie McMeel
Publicity Chair -- Linda Bourgeois
Registration Chair -- Brenda Daigle
Show Schedule Chair -- Robbie McMeel
Clerking Chairs -- Ashley Matherne with Sandy Trahan (the duties of this person
also includes remaining at the show until the last judge leaves)
Photography Chair --Monica Walters (not yet confirmed)
Ashley asked to think of new ways to advertise. Also Cassie was chairing
the Gautier Show and pre set up was as usual at Wanda's. So help if you can.
****IMPORTANT REMINDER**** 2012 MEMBERSHIP DUES ARE DUE The beginning of a new year is always the time to renew your membership with TOS. Dues are $15.00 per person and payable now. You can come pay in person Wed. or if not able to do so, please make a check payable to Terrebonne Orchid Society and mail to our treasurer at the following address: Beverly Matherne 118 Retreat Drive Bourg, LA 70343 |
SPEAKERS UpDated
REFRESHMENTS LIST
Jan. Brenda Daigle
Feb Ashley Matherne
March - Sandy Trahan
April --TOS Show Review
May --Pat McCann
June Robbie McMeel
July -
Aug. -
Sept. -
Oct. -
Nov. - John Bourgeois
Dec. - Social
Feb Ashley Matherne
March - Sandy Trahan
April --TOS Show Review
May --Pat McCann
June Robbie McMeel
July -
Aug. -
Sept. -
Oct. -
Nov. - John Bourgeois
Dec. - Social
Jan. Wanda Gaidry and Brenda Daigle
Feb. Billy & Rose Guidroz
March- Sandy Trahan & Linda Boudreaux
April-
May Ashley & Beverly Matherne
June - Becky & Robbie McMeel
July --Karen & Jerry Breaux
Aug -
Sept -
Oct - Dot Wu, Mary Claire, Helen H.
Nov - John and Linda Bourgeois
Dec - Social
Feb. Billy & Rose Guidroz
March- Sandy Trahan & Linda Boudreaux
April-
May Ashley & Beverly Matherne
June - Becky & Robbie McMeel
July --Karen & Jerry Breaux
Aug -
Sept -
Oct - Dot Wu, Mary Claire, Helen H.
Nov - John and Linda Bourgeois
Dec - Social
| TOS wants to wish everyone, who has a birthday or anniversary in February "Happy Birthday" and/or "Happy Anniversary" Birthdays: 5th Shirleen Trabegux 7th Karen Breaux 9th Julius Klehm 12th Sonny Navarre Anniversary: 16th Dot & Phillip Wu 21st Becky & Robbie McMeel |
UPCOMING SHOWS or EVENTS:
Feb 25, 2012 -- Tri-Center Judging Workshop Shreveport Houston Dallas ; Shreveport, LA,
8:00 a.m. til 4:00 p.m. Contact: Roy Hofmeister
Apr. 21-22, 2012 -- Houston OS Show; Houston, TX, all day on both days;
Contact: John Stubbings
May 4-6, 2012 -- Terrebonne Orchid Society Annual Spring Show and Plant Sale, Southland Mall.
Houma, LA Contact: Karen Breaux.
June 1-3, 2012 -- New Orleans Orchid Society Annual Show; New Orleans, LA
Contact: Molly Prokop
June 22-24, 2012 Acadian OS Show; Lafayette, LA, Contact: Pat Huval
Feb 25, 2012 -- Tri-Center Judging Workshop Shreveport Houston Dallas ; Shreveport, LA,
8:00 a.m. til 4:00 p.m. Contact: Roy Hofmeister
Apr. 21-22, 2012 -- Houston OS Show; Houston, TX, all day on both days;
Contact: John Stubbings
May 4-6, 2012 -- Terrebonne Orchid Society Annual Spring Show and Plant Sale, Southland Mall.
Houma, LA Contact: Karen Breaux.
June 1-3, 2012 -- New Orleans Orchid Society Annual Show; New Orleans, LA
Contact: Molly Prokop
June 22-24, 2012 Acadian OS Show; Lafayette, LA, Contact: Pat Huval
| PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE |
Hello TOS Members & Friends
People ask me all the time, what orchid is the easiest to grow? My response could be either
Cattleya, or Phalaenopsis, or Dendrobium, or Vanda, or maybe Paphiopedilum.
It is not the Orchid, it is you and how dedicated you are on growing that orchid. If you take the time
to find out what the plant's requirements are and apply it, you should be successful in growing any of the
above orchids.
Make growing orchids fun and you will grow well
TOS President
Ashley Matherne
People ask me all the time, what orchid is the easiest to grow? My response could be either
Cattleya, or Phalaenopsis, or Dendrobium, or Vanda, or maybe Paphiopedilum.
It is not the Orchid, it is you and how dedicated you are on growing that orchid. If you take the time
to find out what the plant's requirements are and apply it, you should be successful in growing any of the
above orchids.
Make growing orchids fun and you will grow well
TOS President
Ashley Matherne
Then
And
NOW
| If you have any comments, you can reach me at 851-0193 or bgdaigle@charter.net |
Old Business
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FYI-- At the last meeting Ashley used the word peloric and I did not know the
meaning of it so I looked it up and thought I would share my findings with you. This
info is from the World English Dictionary
peloria (pɛˈlɔːrɪə) — n
the abnormal production of actinomorphic flowers in a plant of a species that usually produces
zygomorphic flowers
[C19: via New Latin from Greek pelōros, from pelōr monster]
peloric— adj form of the word peloria
FYI Ok so while looking for the meaning of peloric I came across 2 other words that
needed defining.
actinomorphic (of a flower) capable of being cut in only one plane so that the two halves are mirror images
(zy·go·mor·phic [zahy-guh-mawr-fik, zig-uh-] Show IPA adjective Biology .
having bilateral symmetry; divisible lengthwise into similar or symmetrical halves.
meaning of it so I looked it up and thought I would share my findings with you. This
info is from the World English Dictionary
peloria (pɛˈlɔːrɪə) — n
the abnormal production of actinomorphic flowers in a plant of a species that usually produces
zygomorphic flowers
[C19: via New Latin from Greek pelōros, from pelōr monster]
peloric— adj form of the word peloria
FYI Ok so while looking for the meaning of peloric I came across 2 other words that
needed defining.
actinomorphic (of a flower) capable of being cut in only one plane so that the two halves are mirror images
(zy·go·mor·phic [zahy-guh-mawr-fik, zig-uh-] Show IPA adjective Biology .
having bilateral symmetry; divisible lengthwise into similar or symmetrical halves.