tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34787255321729834042024-03-12T23:42:05.756-05:00Cats and CattsA blog about orchids and cats. And sometimes frogs.Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger217125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3478725532172983404.post-24574022060290981262012-06-07T16:17:00.001-05:002012-06-07T16:17:35.191-05:00Shark!<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-yC-ZSLeAP5c/T9EZfFbAI-I/AAAAAAAAAwY/w-Eg1IVPx1w/s1600/playing+with+sharks+june+7+2012+-+Copy+%282%29.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-yC-ZSLeAP5c/T9EZfFbAI-I/AAAAAAAAAwY/w-Eg1IVPx1w/s320/playing+with+sharks+june+7+2012+-+Copy+%282%29.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">'Playing With Sharks'</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cSwRYJaG0ss/T9EZyljoyQI/AAAAAAAAAwg/PpxrHOk-bm8/s1600/wizards+wine+cup+--+june+7.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cSwRYJaG0ss/T9EZyljoyQI/AAAAAAAAAwg/PpxrHOk-bm8/s320/wizards+wine+cup+--+june+7.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">'Wizard's Wine Cup'</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">It's the start of daylily season here in northeast Kansas. It's a few weeks ahead of schedule, but I'm not complaining. Today, I woke up to find three drop-dead gorgeous flowers. I bought them last year from <a href="http://www.blueridgedaylilies.com/website/pricelist/index.html" target="_blank">Blue Ridge Daylilies</a>. I'm most excited about 'Playing With Sharks' (Shooter 2002). Its edge has that</span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> </span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> "shark-toothed" quality that I'm a little obsessed with. 'Wizard's Wine Cup' (Salter 2001) is super pretty. It opened up later in the day to show off. It was a little too coy this morning -- too cupped.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Blue Ridge Daylilies has 'Sharks' for about $25 and 'Wine Cup' for about $15. </span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">I've bought daylilies from a lot of vendors, and I really like the plants from Blue Ridge. They also give awesome bonus plants if you order enough. That's the case with 'Unloosed Dreams' (</span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Kirchhoff 1992). The name seems horrible to me for some reason. How about 'Dreams Unleashed?' Anyway, I (irrationally) had low expectations for it because of the weird name, but it turned out like dynamite. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-XNnMH1mSkns/T9EYbAkPQbI/AAAAAAAAAwQ/_JFuIN_5iI4/s1600/unloosed+dreams+--+kirschoff.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-XNnMH1mSkns/T9EYbAkPQbI/AAAAAAAAAwQ/_JFuIN_5iI4/s320/unloosed+dreams+--+kirschoff.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">'Unloosed Dreams'</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">None of my orchids are blooming, so the daylily garden is the best show in town right now.</span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com25tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3478725532172983404.post-42829478579277004192012-05-28T09:17:00.001-05:002012-05-28T09:17:06.337-05:00Introducing Possum!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Happy Memorial Day everyone! I'm thrilled to announce the arrival of our new cat, Possum. With five cats, Natalie and I are officially Crazy Cat People. </span><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Possum is a three-year-old <a href="http://www.cfa.org/client/breedCornishRex.aspx" target="_blank">Cornish Rex</a></span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">. We acquired him from a lovely couple who were in the process of downsizing their home. They needed to find good homes for many of the cats that they bred and showed, and we were more than happy to oblige. Possum was a champion in his younger years, winning Best of Color at the </span><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">2009-10 </span><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">CFA Midwest as <a href="http://www.cfamidwest.org/color2009_2010.html" target="_blank">"Rocketman."</a> But Rocketman ran into some health problems that damaged his coat and kept him off the show circuit. Possum has several bald patches instead of the <a href="http://www.1920-30.com/fashion/hairstyles/marcel-wave.html" target="_blank">Marcel waves</a> characteristic of the breed. We've worked with our vet the last two weeks to tackle some of his problems and we can already see improvements in his health and coat.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/BTbs4rk4P5w" width="420"></iframe> Possum has been with us for two weeks, but we kept him away from the other kitties during the first week. The cats were already familiar with his smell by the time he arrived on the scene. E</span><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">xcept for Lan Lan, a</span><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">ll of them have made great strides to accept Possum into the household. She's concerned that he's going to take the best morning sun patches on the stairs and that he's going to eat all of the <a href="http://www.friskies.com/Cat-Food/Cat-Treats/Friskies-Crispies-Salmon-Flavor-Puffs" target="_blank">Crispies</a>. They're going to have to work it out. As a result, though, Lan Lan has formed an unexpected alliance with Riley and Sabine.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Possum is incredibly affectionate and sweet. Riley had a much more aggressive play style when we first adopted him, so I'm confident Possum's siblings will adapt. Possum is also Griffin-like in his appetite and pushy approach.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">We will keep you all abreast of Possum updates. I've made a few very short videos of Possum in action -- one of them is above, the other two are <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=85iYDxm7uFY" target="_blank">here</a> & <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hgglS8JGCts" target="_blank">here</a>. Enjoy! </span><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"></span><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> </span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3478725532172983404.post-17024499992902839102012-05-21T17:45:00.000-05:002012-05-21T21:59:24.900-05:00The Scent of Scandal: Greed, Betrayal, and The World's Most Beautiful Orchid -- A Review<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-size: large;">Craig Pittman's <a href="http://www.amazon.com/The-Scent-Scandal-Betrayal-Beautiful/dp/0813039746" target="_blank"><i>The Scent of Scandal</i></a>, published last month by the University Press of Florida, deserves to be read by everyone in the orchid world. The book overviews the conflicting interests and personalities that fueled the <i>kovachii </i>controversy, a scandal that culminated in police raids, arrests, and ruined lives.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Most participants in the orchid world know at least the bare bones of the story: Michael Kovach visited Peru and saw a stunning new species of slipper orchid for sale at a small nursery. He brought the orchid to <a href="http://selby.org/" target="_blank">Selby Botanical Gardens</a> in Sarasota. The Selby scientists realized they possessed the most important orchid discovery of the last several decades and rushed to publish a scientific description of the species. Kovach didn't have proper permission from Peruvian authorities to take the plant</span><span style="font-size: large;"> home</span><span style="font-size: large;">, which might not have been such a big deal if Kovach decided to name the new species <i>peruviana</i> instead of <i>kovachii</i>. Sites with <i>kovachii</i> were stripped bare and plants were sold on the black market for thousands of dollars. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Pittman's book portrays Michael Kovach as self-obsessed and dishonest. Kovach knew he needed <a href="http://www.cites.org/" target="_blank">CITES</a> permits from the import and export countries to travel with the plant. He knew he couldn't wait to acquire the right permits because <i>Orchids</i> was set to publish Eric Christensen's description of the new species as <i>peruviana</i> within weeks. </span><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; font-size: large;">Selby taxonomist Stig Dalstr</span><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; font-size: large;">ö</span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; font-size: large;">m also comes off as shady and self-serving. </span><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The <i>kovachii</i> controversy stems from personal greed and narcissism, but it's also a rich case study in institutional breakdown. Pittman describes Selby as a dysfunctional organizational that, in many ways, invited disaster. The scientists at the Selby Orchid Identification Center didn't see the need to assess the legality of the orchids brought to them by the collectors. </span><span style="font-size: large;">They reasoned</span><span style="font-size: large;"> that they were scientists, not policemen or lawyers, but this attitude inevitably created big problems. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Meanwhile, the Selby leadership failed to oversee the scientists. They were so preoccupied with fundraising and institution-building that the scientists (who were housed in a separate building) developed an autonomous, and somewhat oppositional, culture. The orchid scientists regarded the Selby leadership as glorified wedding planners. In turn, the leadership thought that the scientists failed to appreciate how their botanical research was funded by weddings and fund-raising galas. The lack of mutual respect and communication among the different units at Selby led to a "circular firing squad," culminating in the ousting of Meg Lowman as executive director, mass resignations from the Board of Trustees, and a financial hemorrhage from </span><span style="font-size: large;">legal fees and </span><span style="font-size: large;">lost donations. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i>The Scent of Scandal </i>is terribly compelling. It answers many of the lingering questions that surround the case, and it's full of fascinating personalities. But Pittman makes a couple of minor errors. He twice refers to <i>Phalaenopsis</i> as a "species" of orchid instead of a "genus." And he describes the Greek origin of the word "orchid" as referring to orchid roots (instead of pseudobulbs). Although these seem like little things, </span><span style="font-size: large;">they kind of "jump off the page" if you've read more than a couple of books about orchids (</span><span style="font-size: large;">but</span><span style="font-size: large;"> could be easily fixed in a second edition). </span><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; font-size: large;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; font-size: large;">Craig Pittman's <i>The Scent of Scandal</i></span><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; font-size: large;"> brings needed clarity to the <i>kovachii</i> controversy. He sorts through the contradictory stories, Redlands Show rumors, and web forum gossip to convey the full story in all of its weirdness. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; font-size: large;">Put this book on your summer reading list. You won't be disappointed.</span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3478725532172983404.post-47544764340110715722012-05-19T13:47:00.000-05:002012-05-19T13:47:25.078-05:00To Hybridize Daylilies: Initial Steps<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ToIEjIsSOq0/T7fmslFeLCI/AAAAAAAAAu8/giWyfR9pckU/s1600/Daylily+seedlings+May+2012.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="199" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ToIEjIsSOq0/T7fmslFeLCI/AAAAAAAAAu8/giWyfR9pckU/s320/Daylily+seedlings+May+2012.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">New daylily hybrids in the raised bed, May 2012</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I've been interested in <a href="http://catsandcatts.blogspot.com/2011/07/total-dessication.html" target="_blank">hybridizing daylilies</a> for the last two years. The
first year, I grew my dayliliy collection, considered different breeding
goals, and built a raised bed for the new hybrids. Last summer, I <a href="http://catsandcatts.blogspot.com/2011/07/sharks-seed-pods-and-patience.html" target="_blank">made a lot of crosses</a>. I visited my garden early in the morning armed with bug
spray and a toothpick. Now, half of the raised bed is full of my new
hybrids. It’s very exciting!</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-F4XwRIgE_3o/T7fm8uYD-JI/AAAAAAAAAvE/H8qcr6zhfX4/s1600/Daylily+seedlings+March+2012.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-F4XwRIgE_3o/T7fm8uYD-JI/AAAAAAAAAvE/H8qcr6zhfX4/s320/Daylily+seedlings+March+2012.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Daylily seedlings started in a box, March 2012</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br />I'm raising </span><span style="font-size: large;">three crosses</span><span style="font-size: large;"> this summer: 'Fooled Me' x 'Pat Garrity,' 'Janice Brown' x 'Beautiful Edgings,' and </span><span style="font-size: large;"></span><span style="font-size: large;">'Beautiful Edgings'</span><span style="font-size: large;"> x </span><span style="font-size: large;">'Janice Brown.' </span><span style="font-size: large;">'Fooled Me' and 'Pat Garrity' have orange flowers with a red eye. 'Janice Brown' is a gorgeous pink. 'Beautiful Edgings' is probably my favorite diploid, and it has a yellowish, pink, and white flower with a variable edge. We'll see what happens!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I harvested seeds in August and September and then refrigerated them. I
planted the seeds into 20 oz styrofoam cups in early February. I drilled holes in the bottom of the cups and filled them with a mix of vermiculite, seedling mix, and a little dirt. The cups were placed in a cat litter box </span><span style="font-size: large;"> and kept under continuous florescent light (about 40 watts).</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Zg2ybFGhiI0/T7fnOllHwEI/AAAAAAAAAvM/xNqebGBvH_I/s1600/Project1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="116" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Zg2ybFGhiI0/T7fnOllHwEI/AAAAAAAAAvM/xNqebGBvH_I/s320/Project1.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">'Janice Brown' x 'Beautiful Edgings' = ?</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I've killed a lot of seedlings in the last ten years, and most deaths were caused by improper watering. For my precious dayliliy seedlings, I </span><span style="font-size: large;">watered from the bottom by flooding the litter boxes weekly. Every once in a while I watered the top, but I was careful about it. Problems develop, in my experience, when the top becomes too soggy or if the vegetation becomes too wet.</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">'Beautiful Edgings' x 'Janice Brown' = ?</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I planted about forty seeds and half of them germinated. In April, most of the twenty or so seedlings developed multiple leaves. Orange roots started to poke out of the cup bottoms. At this stage, I transitioned the seedlings to <a href="http://catsandcatts.blogspot.com/2010/08/insane-in-cold-frame-cats-and-catts.html" target="_blank">the cold frame</a>. The transition was slow and careful. At first, I put them out only a few hours at a time, and I brought them indoors when the overnight low dropped into the 40s (F). </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_a13lFUbG_8/T7fnj7yT6mI/AAAAAAAAAvc/Hnagf7EFdWw/s1600/Project3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="111" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_a13lFUbG_8/T7fnj7yT6mI/AAAAAAAAAvc/Hnagf7EFdWw/s320/Project3.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">'Fooled Me' x 'Pat Garrity' = ?</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">In May, after they were adequately hardy, I placed them in <a href="http://catsandcatts.blogspot.com/2010/08/curse-of-free-wood.html" target="_blank">the raised bed</a> where they will stay until they flower. That might happen next summer, but a lot can happen between now and then. Stay tuned!</span></div>
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<br /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3478725532172983404.post-14677540678266293252012-05-16T18:21:00.002-05:002012-05-26T19:59:28.105-05:00Mini Marvels<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hvHBlxWEEbg/T7QFXuw-s5I/AAAAAAAAAuw/btIcFNJcYKA/s1600/christensonia+vietnamicum+may+13+2012.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="226" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hvHBlxWEEbg/T7QFXuw-s5I/AAAAAAAAAuw/btIcFNJcYKA/s320/christensonia+vietnamicum+may+13+2012.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Christensonia vietnamica</i>, near-blooming size!</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Lucinda Winn, one of three
owners of <a href="http://www.jlorchids.com/" target="_blank">J&L Orchids</a>, visited my local orchid society and gave a
<b>wonderful</b> talk about miniatures. We were given a stunning visual
tour of miniature species, and she discussed a good mix of familiar and unusual types. For me, two that stood out were <i>Dendrobium
cuthbertsonii</i> (which stays in bloom 10 months) and <i><span class="taxonname">Amesiella monticola</span></i></span><span style="font-size: large;"> (<b>gorgeous </b>white
flowers).<br />
<br />The photo shows the <a href="http://www.orchidspecies.com/christvietnamica.htm" target="_blank"><i>Christensonia vietnamica</i></a> I purchased. You can buy your own <a href="http://www.jlorchids.com/catalog/all_others3.html#958" target="_blank">here</a>. </span><span style="font-size: large;"><i>Christensonia vietnamica </i></span><span style="font-size: large;">was discovered in the early
1990s. Mine is about a year away from blooming and, when it does, I expect cool-looking green and white flowers on a
very small plant. </span></div>
<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: large;">The genus </span><span style="font-size: large;"><i>Christensonia </i></span><span style="font-size: large;">is named after the renown orchid taxonomist
and author Eric Christensen. Harold Koopwitz described him as "closest to a true genius anyone could ever hope to come across" (<i>Orchid Digest</i> 75:3, 119). Lucinda Winn told me that she knew him as a high school student who came into J&L to buy orchids. I'm sad to say that he died last year at the too-young age of 55; an incredible loss for botanical science and the orchid community. </span></div>
<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Christensen is featured prominently in <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0813039746" target="_blank"><i>The Scent of Scandal</i></a>, a book about the <i>Phrag</i>. <i>kovachii </i>controversy. I'll talk about the book in an upcoming post. Until then, please stop by <a href="http://www.jlorchids.com/index.html" target="_blank">J&L</a> and buy a mini. You know you have room for one more....</span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3478725532172983404.post-54794262386752740092012-05-04T12:34:00.000-05:002012-05-04T20:26:16.696-05:00The Good Fungus: Fungus & Orchid Conservation<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hUybqkglcDI/T6QNrzt7BTI/AAAAAAAAAuk/P6sjcGhwUig/s1600/Liparis_liliifolia.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hUybqkglcDI/T6QNrzt7BTI/AAAAAAAAAuk/P6sjcGhwUig/s320/Liparis_liliifolia.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Endangered </span><i><span style="font-size: x-small;">Liparis liliifolia</span></i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; font-size: large;">I used to be very ambivalent about fungus. On the one hand, I like
mushrooms on my pizza. On the other hand, I'm highly susceptible to
athlete’s foot, and I hate fungus gnats with a burning passion. Now,
after hearing <a href="http://serc.si.edu/labs/plant_ecology/mccormickm.aspx" target="_blank">Melissa McCormick</a> talk at the <a href="http://midamericanorchids.org/" target="_blank">MidAmerican Orchid Congress</a>,
I'm a fungus fan. The MAOC was held in conjunction with the Central
Indianapolis Orchid Society annual show. It was an awesome show. I came
home with a <i>Paph</i>. <i>urbanianum</i> and a lot of knowledge.<br /><br />
McCormick argued that native orchid species should be a central focus
for conservation. She claimed that orchids are both the “pandas of the
plant world” and “canaries in the coal mine” of entire ecosystems. The
beauty of orchids can draw us into caring about conservation botanical
conservation, and this is a good thing because orchids are often the
first species to perish when ecosystems experience stress.</span><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
</span><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /><br />
We need to have “pandas” because its hard to get people excited about
fungus. But fungus is important because all orchid species form
essential relationships with fungi. Orchid seeds have no self-contained
source of food, so they need to find their fungus to develop and
germinate. Some orchids, like the endangered </span><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
</span><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>Liparis liliifolia</i>, require
a singular type of fungi. Having the proper population of insect
pollinators is a key element of orchid conservation, and now we realize
that we need the right fungi, too. To restore orchid populations and
their ecosystem we need to identify the fungal requirements of specific
orchids. This requires fancy DNA techniques like “real-time quantitative
PCR.” And this requires fancy money. <br /><br />
Do you want to help the fungus (and by “fungus,” I mean “orchids,” and
by “orchids,” I mean “pandas”)? You should donate to <a href="http://www.serc.si.edu/labs/plant_ecology/NAOCC.aspx" target="_blank">The North American Orchid Conservation Center</a>. </span>
</span></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3478725532172983404.post-2048920236033590502012-04-29T21:31:00.001-05:002012-04-29T21:31:20.838-05:00Over the Rainbow<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CEOrsDNSsLE/T53qQkKI9RI/AAAAAAAAAt4/o6wyeY1DB5U/s1600/Martin+display.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CEOrsDNSsLE/T53qQkKI9RI/AAAAAAAAAt4/o6wyeY1DB5U/s320/Martin+display.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Cyp</i>. <i>parviflorum</i> v. <i>makasin</i> 'George Ferguson'</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RujMOenK4ws/T53roo1V1wI/AAAAAAAAAuQ/b5vPDJbLDHI/s1600/BOULEY+BAY.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="228" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RujMOenK4ws/T53roo1V1wI/AAAAAAAAAuQ/b5vPDJbLDHI/s320/BOULEY+BAY.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Phrag</i><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">. Bouley Bay (this won an HCC)</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">I've recently returned from the <a href="http://www.kansasorchidsociety.com/OrchidShows/Showindex.html" target="_blank">Kansas Orchid Show</a> in Wichita. It was a
SWROGA/AOS joint operation, and it was totally awesome. I caught a sneak peek of
the displays Wednesday evening and attended several talks on Friday. </span><br style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;" /><br style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;" /><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
</span></span></span></span><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Thursday morning, </span></span></span></span><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">I had the wonderful opportunity to act as a clerk for the ribbon judging team entrusted with evaluating slipper orchids. We
looked at over 70 amazing plants, including the best from <a href="http://www.orchidinnusa.com/" target="_blank">Sam Tsui</a>, a glorious <i>Phrag</i> grown by Dr. Frank Serra, and mind-blowing <i>Cypripediums</i>
from Doug and Beth Martin. Some of them won AOS awards.</span></span></span></span><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nNinufQF57I/T53qimIGzzI/AAAAAAAAAuA/QsIwk3FuKhs/s1600/paphh+hennisianum+var+christianseii.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nNinufQF57I/T53qimIGzzI/AAAAAAAAAuA/QsIwk3FuKhs/s320/paphh+hennisianum+var+christianseii.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Paph</i><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">. </span><i style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">hennisianum</i><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> var. christiansonii</span> <span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">(got an AM)</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">And I remembered to bring my camera! </span></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-RktfDojjagg/T53rJoxGMjI/AAAAAAAAAuI/EWh6onBd1V4/s1600/encyclia+Hereford+Jewel+ccm.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> </span></span>
</span></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3478725532172983404.post-24968760111776329602012-04-24T17:32:00.000-05:002012-04-24T17:32:07.978-05:00Falling for Phals<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KAtMsNwVfHY/T5cmzFrVXhI/AAAAAAAAAtg/P6W3I17rdiM/s1600/IMG_4015.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KAtMsNwVfHY/T5cmzFrVXhI/AAAAAAAAAtg/P6W3I17rdiM/s320/IMG_4015.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Phal</i>. <i>equestris</i>, from the Ron Daley collection</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1uOmjuj_lPE/T5cnduuXeoI/AAAAAAAAAto/uWEINSEf5sY/s1600/equestris+alba.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1uOmjuj_lPE/T5cnduuXeoI/AAAAAAAAAto/uWEINSEf5sY/s320/equestris+alba.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>Phal</i>. <i>equestris</i> var. alba</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-B-HKTYrPqaQ/T5colExtYRI/AAAAAAAAAtw/4oy166gcmiI/s1600/mannii.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="228" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-B-HKTYrPqaQ/T5colExtYRI/AAAAAAAAAtw/4oy166gcmiI/s320/mannii.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Phal</i>. <i>mannii</i> var. aureum</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; font-size: large;">The <i>Phalaenopsis</i> is a gateway orchid for so many people, but not for me. I
quickly killed the first couple of Phals I owned, and I associated Phals
with sphagnum moss problems, grocery stores, and commonness. But I'm a
reformed man. I finally see why people love these plants.<br /><br />
I have three hybrids I adore. They have performed well for me and I have
positive memories associated with them: Fred's Redlip, Fred’s Pimento,
and Nobby’s Amy. The Phal species, however, are really catching my fancy
lately. My favorite is an alba form <i>equestris</i> I bought from Hilltop
Orchids. I have a <i>mannii</i> var. aureum (from Oak Hills Gardens) that
bloomed for me recently. It’s phenomenal. It has only five flowers, but
so much potential. </span><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
</span><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></span><br /><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; font-size: large;"> Don't be surprised if a few more small-growing Phal. species end up in my collection. </span>
</span></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3478725532172983404.post-9925748825371679712012-03-24T21:52:00.001-05:002012-03-24T21:52:33.698-05:00Cats and Catts and Katniss<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-r7g3I3g9H7E/T250m9tG1bI/AAAAAAAAAtM/9vBx-OPst_E/s1600/Brian+and+Katniss.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-r7g3I3g9H7E/T250m9tG1bI/AAAAAAAAAtM/9vBx-OPst_E/s320/Brian+and+Katniss.JPG" width="222" /></a></td></tr>
<tr style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Katniss at Planet Comic Con</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">I attended Planet Comic Con this weekend and had a fabulous time. I saw question-answer sessions with <a href="http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0001850/" target="_blank">Billy Dee Williams</a>, <a href="http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0001579/" target="_blank">Edward James Olmos</a>, and various X-Men creators. The costumed conventioneers represented classic comics, video games, TV series, and films. Many costumes looked like they involved hours of time and yards and yards of fabric. In fact, I'm a little <a href="http://catsandcatts.blogspot.com/2010/08/star-trek-convention-cats-and-catts.html" target="_blank">familiar with the process</a>. But my favorite was this girl doing a perfect Katniss Everdeen. Her costume had the right mix of old and new. I saw <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1392170/" target="_blank">The Hunger Games</a> Friday morning, so I might be a little biased. (I loved the movie, but I recommend you read the book first.)</span></span><br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-c0Hp2UXfLh8/T26EgRnOMMI/AAAAAAAAAtU/TQS9CYseq7k/s1600/Natalie+Brian+and+Robin+Thorsen.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="216" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-c0Hp2UXfLh8/T26EgRnOMMI/AAAAAAAAAtU/TQS9CYseq7k/s320/Natalie+Brian+and+Robin+Thorsen.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Natalie, Robin Thorsen, and Brian</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">The absolute highlight of the convention was seeing <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robin_Thorsen" target="_blank">Robin Thorsen</a> from <a href="http://www.watchtheguild.com/" target="_blank">The Guild</a>. </span></span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">She and <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amy_Okuda" target="_blank">Amy Okuda</a> (Tinkerballa) seemed genuinely cool. </span></span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">I like the whole cast but, between me and you, Clara is, like, 70 to 80% of why I watch the show. </span></span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Robin Thorsen also shined in an episode of <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2113422/fullcredits#cast" target="_blank">Parks and Recreation</a>. I'm not very good at meeting famous people, but </span></span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Robin was so nice! And so pretty! It made my day when she complimented my footwear (blue canvas sneakers with white pinstripes from H&M, if you're wondering). </span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> </span></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3478725532172983404.post-37701437894449225992012-03-24T20:05:00.000-05:002012-03-24T20:05:24.291-05:00If Patience is a Virtue...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Evh6smNkVo0/TxdcIJWAtrI/AAAAAAAAAsY/DH7MVWucX2I/s1600/certostylis+requesiama.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="216" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Evh6smNkVo0/TxdcIJWAtrI/AAAAAAAAAsY/DH7MVWucX2I/s320/certostylis+requesiama.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">... then orchid growers must be extremely virtuous. The average time from orchid seed to orchid flower is about seven years, and some species take over a decade to flower. Waiting years for a plant to bloom can be frustrating, but it's super special when it finally happens. </span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">This is <a href="http://www.orchidspecies.com/ceratostylusrubra.htm"><i>Ceratostylis retisquama</i></a>, a plant I've had in my collection since 2008. It spent time in the vivarium, the main orchid table, and, finally, the Brassavola aquarium set-up. It grows at a slow pace and I've had difficulty in figuring out how to make it happy. I was thrilled when it bloomed recently. The flower was tiny and faded within a few days. Who cares? It finally bloomed!</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Buying full, blooming-sized, plants</span></span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> is sound advice for beginner hobbyists. Sometimes it pays to invest in the future. Many orchid vendors sell flasks, but that's a little too hardcore for me at this stage.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> </span></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3478725532172983404.post-17419366162982503922012-03-15T19:44:00.000-05:002012-03-15T19:44:29.247-05:00Life Just Got Easier<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kbxZG5Mr1fA/T2KLHn4nyvI/AAAAAAAAAsw/R5yAjcnpoAM/s1600/orchid+room+sink.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kbxZG5Mr1fA/T2KLHn4nyvI/AAAAAAAAAsw/R5yAjcnpoAM/s320/orchid+room+sink.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span>Remember when you only had six orchids in your collection and you could
water them all at once in the sink? It took only five minutes. Remember
that? It’s a fading memory for me, too. I've graduated from the sink to
the bathtub, and I've used various empty fish tanks to accomplish my
watering goals. But no more! My fantastic father-in-law swooped in from
Forks, Washington and installed a deep, two-tub, sink in the orchid
room. Normally a chore that takes several hours, I was able to water all
of my plants today in about twenty minutes. I put the orchids in the
tub, turned on the water, and set them back to dry. Amazing! I'm also
able to fill the humidifier without leaving the room to fetch water.
That’s huge. I fill the humidifier everyday from September to
April, and not having to leave the room to fill it up is a major
time-saver.</span></span></div>
<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jVkpowzcxIo/T2KMY4Shd5I/AAAAAAAAAtA/9ToO9EDqQOM/s1600/LL+&+new+faucet.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jVkpowzcxIo/T2KMY4Shd5I/AAAAAAAAAtA/9ToO9EDqQOM/s320/LL+&+new+faucet.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="font-size: large;"><span><br />
<br />
Oh, and Randy also remodeled the bathroom: removed the tub and sink,
tore up the floor, and replaced everything. New mirror. New cabinets.
New light. The crazy thing is that it only took 72 hours and one or two
trips to the hardware store (I might be exaggerating the low number of
hardware store trips). Seriously, it was like one of those house
remodeling shows. <br /> </span></span></div>
<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span>The new bathroom is awesome, Lan Lan loves the new faucet, but have I
told you about the sink in the orchid room? I have? Sorry. I'm just
excited. <br />
<br />
My advice? Boys, when you grow up, make sure that the woman or man you
married has a father who is a general contractor, expert woodworker, and overall awesome dude.<br />
</span></span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3478725532172983404.post-83438648743718622092012-03-09T21:49:00.000-06:002012-03-10T17:25:48.045-06:00Penguin Cam!<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><iframe frameborder="0" height="296" scrolling="no" src="http://www.ustream.tv/embed/10058960" style="border: 0px none transparent;" width="480">&lt;p&gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;nbsp; &amp;amp;amp;lt;other/&amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;nbsp; &lt;/p&gt;</iframe><br /><br /><a href="http://www.ustream.tv/" style="background: #ffffff; color: black; display: block; font-size: 10px; font-weight: normal; padding: 2px 0px 4px; text-align: center; text-decoration: underline; width: 400px;" target="_blank">Broadcasting live with Ustream</a></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Have you seen the <a href="http://www.seaworld.com/">San Diego Sea World</a> penguin cam? It's one of the coolest things ever. </span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; font-size: large;">I haven't seen March of the
Penguins. I'm not sure I would've mentioned penguins if, a week ago,
you had asked me to list my favorite animals. The Penguin cam, though,
quickly won me over to Team Penguin. They are impossibly cute. The
Penguin cam is only
available for a couple of months, so take advantage of it while you can!</span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3478725532172983404.post-39056359890167876462012-03-04T21:06:00.001-06:002012-03-04T21:06:16.930-06:00The Cat Ate My Blog Homework<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-iZ-KnE_QsgI/T1Qs65I-exI/AAAAAAAAAso/mlfv9SW_a7k/s1600/Paphs+in+bloom+March+2012.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-iZ-KnE_QsgI/T1Qs65I-exI/AAAAAAAAAso/mlfv9SW_a7k/s320/Paphs+in+bloom+March+2012.JPG" width="230" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; font-size: small;">Paphs in bloom, March 2012</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span>We're back from hiatus!
There's nothing sadder than a neglected blog, so I'm happy to get back
into orchid and kitty postings. My absence was due to an array of
causes, but the central one, I think, was purely
technological. I replaced my laptop and desktop machines, and the
transition period was slow. My brother and sister-in-law got me a
phenomenal birthday gift -- an iPad2! It’s as life-changing as promised
(and I’m a PC guy), but it’s interface with Blogger (both
the Blogger app and Blogger functionality via Safari) is kind of
horrible. It's taken me weeks to figure out a reasonable process and
routine. All of these are, as the kids say, “first world problems” and, as such, lousy excuses. The time away has taught me that the orchids are going to bloom whether I
blog about them or not. So, I might as well blog about them. Right?<br />
<br />
There’s been plenty of action in the orchid room. I have a few Paphs in
bloom (see above), my <i>B</i>. Little Stars is wrapping up its yearly show, and two
flowers opened today on the only <i>Cattleya</i> in my collection (<i>C</i>. Bob
Betts). The daylily project is also moving forward.
I planted 40 seeds and about half of them have developed into healthy
seedlings. <br />
<br />
And the kitties? They're adjusting to a new food regime prompted by
concerns about Lan Lan’s kidney health. No more free grazing! Special
food! Three of our cats are adapting remarkably well. Griffin, however, demands
more feeding times and extra treats. Some things
never change.</span></span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3478725532172983404.post-22080520475947674912012-01-07T10:10:00.000-06:002012-01-07T21:44:52.455-06:00Kovachii, The Next Generation<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gqUXFhyopBk/TwhaperPv-I/AAAAAAAAAsE/9KYokfHeoeI/s1600/kovachii+hybrid+12+17+2011.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="252" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gqUXFhyopBk/TwhaperPv-I/AAAAAAAAAsE/9KYokfHeoeI/s320/kovachii+hybrid+12+17+2011.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: x-small;">Phrag</span></i><span style="font-size: x-small;">. Peruflora's Cirila Alca x </span><i><span style="font-size: x-small;">Phrag</span></i><span style="font-size: x-small;">. </span><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>schlimii</i></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">In 2007, orchid expert <a href="http://www.pipingrockorchids.com/assets/Glenn-Decker-Nov-2007-Article-AOS-PK.pdf">Glenn Decker said</a> that the "full potential of the <i>Phrag</i>.<i> kovachii</i> hybrids has yet to be seen," and that "once we get into second-generation hybrids we will truly see its potential." I don't see my plant revealing the greatness of these hybrids, but it's mine and it bloomed for me, so I'm happy with it. It's an unregistered hybrid: <i>Phrag</i>. Peruflora's Cirila Alca x <i>Phrag</i>. <i>schlimii. </i></span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Peruflora's Cirila Alca is <i>kovachii </i>x <i>dalessandroi</i>.</span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"> So, there's two rounds of breeding involving three species. Was it all worth it?</span></span><br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-EifESvE2I7w/TwkO7PcikJI/AAAAAAAAAsM/4Tc77p36Mh4/s1600/Riley+and+the+PKs.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="248" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-EifESvE2I7w/TwkO7PcikJI/AAAAAAAAAsM/4Tc77p36Mh4/s320/Riley+and+the+PKs.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Riley and the <i>kovachii</i> hybrids</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">My plant flowered in mid-December and the first bloom (featured here) had obvious "flaws" but I still loved it. The <i>Phrag</i>. <i>dalessandroi</i> should give it the potential to have multiple blooms, but likely at the expense of proper shape. You can see purple and pink having a little bit of an identity crisis, but I'm optimistic that next year's blooms will arrive at a more uniform color scheme. Maybe I'll buy another one from <a href="http://birdsbotanicals.com/">Bird's Botanicals</a> just to make sure.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">If that doesn't work out, I'll blame Riley. I've put him in charge of my small, but growing, collection of <i>kovachii </i>hybrids. It's a lot of responsibility, but the promise of cool purple flowers are totally worth it.</span></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3478725532172983404.post-42814092136605212662011-12-19T19:17:00.001-06:002011-12-19T19:17:51.939-06:00Sukhakulii Without the Warts<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7uRbE3sDfB8/Tu6CFYLHMQI/AAAAAAAAArw/i9SIPoySsEU/s1600/sukhakulii.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7uRbE3sDfB8/Tu6CFYLHMQI/AAAAAAAAArw/i9SIPoySsEU/s320/sukhakulii.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: large;">I've
discussed my affinity for the Brachypetulam subgenus in a number of blog
posts, most notably in the <a href="http://catsandcatts.blogspot.com/2011/01/brachypetalum-hybrids.html">"Brachypetalum: Church of the Subgenus"</a>
series. But I'm finding myself increasingly drawn to the Barbatum
Alliance. I love <a href="http://catsandcatts.blogspot.com/2011/01/st-louis-revelations.html">Maudiae types</a>: regal, classic, and all-around awesome.</span><span style="font-size: large;"> I also like that I can grow these plants without much drama. They seem to like my setup.</span><span style="font-size: large;">
<i>Paph</i>. <i>sukhakulii</i> is one of the most important species of the subgenus.
It's recognizable with its warts and hairs. It's a <a href="http://www.orchidweb.com/orchidofweek.aspx?id=385">freaky looking thing</a>
and definitely an "acquired taste." So, I was a little skeptical when I
purchased this one from Windy Hill.</span></div>
<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: large;">But I love it! Oh my goodness! It's</span><span style="font-size: large;"><i> Paph</i>. <i>sukhakulii</i> var. aureum ('Green Eagle' x 'Green Ghost'), so it's got green going on all day long. </span><span style="font-size: large;">You can buy one <a href="http://www.orchidmall.com/windy.hill/paph.htm">here</a>. </span><span style="font-size: large;">The crazy hairs and warts characteristic of </span><span style="font-size: large;"> <i>sukhakulii </i>just aren't there, and I like it like that. </span><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3478725532172983404.post-75447034291690506142011-12-10T09:33:00.001-06:002011-12-15T19:50:12.370-06:00Nerd Nite!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nrYrvfj7Jg4/TuN9wHOVCAI/AAAAAAAAArk/Skd1kJQllg0/s1600/Makuli+Dec+10+2011.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nrYrvfj7Jg4/TuN9wHOVCAI/AAAAAAAAArk/Skd1kJQllg0/s320/Makuli+Dec+10+2011.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Isn't this the coolest flower you've ever seen? This is <i>Paph</i>. Makuli (<i>sukhakulii</i> var. aureum 'Green Eagle' x Maudiae 'The Queen' AM/AOS) purchased from <a href="http://www.orchidmall.com/windy.hill/paph.htm">Windy Hill Orchids</a>. You can't hear it, but it's screaming, "Take me to a flower show! Take me to a Judging Center!" The petals have a 13.7 cm horizontal spread and the last AM of this particular hybrid (awarded in 2004) had a 14.0 cm spread. The symmetry is gorgeous. I love how the warts line up on the topside of the petals. It's an instant favorite.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Last night, I had an opportunity to show off my enthusiasm for orchids at <a href="http://lawrence.nerdnite.com/">Nerd Nite</a> and I brought the Makuli along as a visual aid. Nerd Nite is nationwide phenomenon based on the idea that nerds should gather to share their passion about nerdy and geeky things. It's a brilliant idea. Typically, Nerd Nite takes place on a monthly basis, is hosted by a restaurant or similar venue, and attracts a crowd for three 20-minute presentations. My talk was titled "Paphiopedilum Dreams: Confessions of an Orchid Freak." I hope to post the video soon. Stay tuned! </span></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3478725532172983404.post-71076471075445696102011-12-08T21:14:00.000-06:002011-12-08T17:33:37.154-06:00Team Bella<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-smf-dAeJ76s/TtQ4tMwiBGI/AAAAAAAAArc/xyFztRDcqtw/s1600/triple+bella+nov+28+2011.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-smf-dAeJ76s/TtQ4tMwiBGI/AAAAAAAAArc/xyFztRDcqtw/s320/triple+bella+nov+28+2011.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; font-size: large;">I love the double bloom! This is <i style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Paph</i><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">. Triple Bella (</span></span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><i>Paph</i>.<i> </i>Bella Lucia and <i>Paph</i>. Triple Trix), last seen under Sabine's supervision <a href="http://catsandcatts.blogspot.com/2011/01/brachypetalum-hybrids.html">here</a>. This plant and my glorious <em>Phrag. </em>have made for an exciting Autumn. A third show-stopper opened yesterday (details soon). </span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">Despite my love of Brachys they're living up to their repuation as a tough <em>Paph</em> subgenus to cultivate. I think I'd do better if <em>all</em> of my plants were Brachys (not happening) and I'd do better if I took my own advice. Like I tell everyone, you'll kill your Brachys if you water them with the rest of<em> </em>your<em> Paphs</em>. Wait another day or two.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">However, our risk of insanity increases exponentially with every complication we add to our watering routine. Is it worth the risk? The fungus-infested plants I've killed say no, but the two flowers above say yes, yes, and YES.</span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3478725532172983404.post-85093249003342375342011-11-14T18:15:00.001-06:002011-11-15T20:35:12.842-06:00Hilltop Hints<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-53F8ooUhHNo/TsMBBdbKUyI/AAAAAAAAArM/CyMewMsrxmA/s1600/Cats+with+Eumelia.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-53F8ooUhHNo/TsMBBdbKUyI/AAAAAAAAArM/CyMewMsrxmA/s320/Cats+with+Eumelia.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Cute Kitties Posing with Fallen <i>Phrag </i>Flower</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">I mentioned in the last post that I was like a kid on Christmas when my <i>Phrag</i>. Eumelia Arias bloomed. It was a big event in the <i>Cats and Catts</i> house. I took it from an <a href="http://catsandcatts.blogspot.com/2010/02/more-watering-days-and-other-things.html">aspiring seedling</a> to its full glory, and the timing appeared to be perfect. Dick Wells from <a href="http://www.hilltoporchids.com/shop/home.php">Hilltop Orchids</a> visited our orchid society on Sunday and I intended to show him the success I've had with one of his hybrids. So, of course, the flower decided to fall off Sunday morning. Drat!</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">I didn't get to show off my <i>Phrag</i>. (well, I brought the fallen flower), but the visit was outstanding nonetheless. Dick Wells shared his vast wisdom with us, gave a potting demonstration, and talked specifically about cultivating <i>Phrag</i>. <i>kovachii</i> hybrids. Here are some highlights:</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><b>Rice hulls are the New Perlite</b> The cost of perlite is soaring, leaving orchid vendors searching for alternatives. Rice hulls dry out at a nice and even rate, and Hilltop has had great success incorporating rice hulls into their standard potting media. You can purchase their mix <a href="http://www.hilltoporchids.com/shop/home.php?cat=314">here</a>. Also, RePotme.com sells <a href="http://www.repotme.com/orchid-potting-media/Rice-Hulls.html">bags of rice hulls</a>.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><b>Epsom salts for the <i>kovachii</i> hybrids </b>Use 2-2.5 Tbs per gallon. Wells recommends spraying the plants with it every 2-3 months (I've used it successfully as a monthly drench). Using it with a fertilizer, however, will nullify the benefit (the plant can only use so much magnesium sulfate at any one time).</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><b>You're Probably Over-Potting</b> Well, I am at least.</span></span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> I've been too squeamish about damaging the roots.</span></span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> I didn't think I was over-potting until I saw Dick give a little demonstration on four or five plants. The roots need even less space than I imagine. The crew at Hilltop Orchids repot 500 to 600 orchids <i>a day</i>, so I trust Dick's judgment.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">I drove home with a couple of new plants -- <i>Phrag</i>. Fritz Schomberg and <i>Phal</i>. <i>equestris</i> var. alba. -- and several new ideas for improving my orchid culture.</span></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3478725532172983404.post-50656555586040988512011-11-08T09:35:00.001-06:002011-11-14T18:31:48.034-06:00Phrag Fabulous<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HBXPHObBw90/TrlIUHFC-2I/AAAAAAAAAq0/Abb0gjivLko/s1600/phrag+eumelia+arias+close+up.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HBXPHObBw90/TrlIUHFC-2I/AAAAAAAAAq0/Abb0gjivLko/s320/phrag+eumelia+arias+close+up.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Phrag</i>. Eumelia Arias</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">I'm thrilled with the first bloom from my <i>Phrag</i>. Eumelia Arias (<i>kovachii</i> x <i>schlimii</i>), originally featured in <i>Cats and Catts</i> on <a href="http://catsandcatts.blogspot.com/2010/02/more-watering-days-and-other-things.html">February 21 2010</a>. I bought it from <a href="https://www.hilltoporchids.com/">Hilltop Orchids</a> -- you can buy one for yourself <a href="https://www.hilltoporchids.com/shop/product.php?productid=16200&cat=268&page=1">here</a>. It was like Christmas morning when it opened</span></span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">, and I have no problem looking right past its flaws to admire its sparkling ruby color.</span></span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> It might sound a little psychotic, but this plant has occupied my thoughts for nearly two years. Here are a few reasons why:</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> </span></span><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-IjS1yCA4-YU/TrlK_t_kHzI/AAAAAAAAAq8/t46oHCXiILw/s1600/Bean+with+eumelia+arias.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-IjS1yCA4-YU/TrlK_t_kHzI/AAAAAAAAAq8/t46oHCXiILw/s320/Bean+with+eumelia+arias.JPG" width="212" /></a></td></tr>
<tr style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Sabine w/ Phrag & its original container</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> 1. It's a high-maintenance plant and, therefore, it's extra gratifying to see in bloom. It's fussy. I drench it with reverse-osmosis water three or four times a week, and the plant receives other perks (dissolved epsom salts once a month and crushed oyster shells four times a year).</span></span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> The need to water it frequently leads me to catch pests and culture problems early. In fact, my tendency to over-water has been stunningly success with this plant. A wet <i>Phragmipedium</i> is a happy <i>Phragmipedium</i>.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><i> </i></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">2. One of Eumelia Arias's parent species, <a href="http://www.blogger.com/goog_671495896"><i>Phrag</i>. </a><i><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phragmipedium_kovachii">kovachii</a>, </i>has a fascinating </span></span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">history. The 2001 discovery of <i>Phrag</i>. <i>kovachii</i> was monumental for the orchid community: the flowers had a deep purple color no one had seen before (opening up a new world of hybridization possibilities) and its flowers were huge. But the drive to be the first to import and describe the new species led to dodgy behavior. Its Western discoverer, <a href="http://www.sptimes.com/2004/11/02/news_pf/Tampabay/Dealer_sentenced_in_o.shtml">Michael Kovach</a>, faced thousands of dollars in fines for illegally smuggling the plant from Peru into the US. The late <a href="http://www.heraldtribune.com/article/20110413/ARTICLE/110419805?p=1&tc=pg">Eric Christenson</a> was inches away from writing the first description of it, but Kovach and the Selby Botanical Garden bum rushed the taxon, and so now we call it <i>Phrag</i>. <i>kovachii</i> (instead of <i>peruviana</i>). Big discovery. Big controversy.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">3. Finally, the flower is super gorgeous and it has a diamond dusting look that's inadequately captured in the photos. It's stare-worthy.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">All in all, it's a highly satisfying orchid. I definitely see more Phrags in my future.</span></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3478725532172983404.post-36311137870658178062011-11-05T13:44:00.000-05:002011-11-06T08:28:07.982-06:00Attack of the Phylogeneticists!<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JUFK3UPPtVQ/TrSf-rX95LI/AAAAAAAAAqs/g2-JPwrXsaU/s1600/Odontoglossum_cristatum_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JUFK3UPPtVQ/TrSf-rX95LI/AAAAAAAAAqs/g2-JPwrXsaU/s320/Odontoglossum_cristatum_.jpg" width="190" /></a></td></tr>
<tr style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span class="st"><span style="font-family: "Lucida Handwriting";">Ceci
</span></span><i><span style="font-family: "Lucida Handwriting";">n'est pas une Ondontoglossum</span></i></span><span style="font-family: "Lucida Handwriting";"></span></div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">If you own any <i>Odontoglossums </i>it's time to change the tag. Molecular phylogeneticists have, once more, unleashed their <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cladogram">cladograms</a> on the orchid community. New DNA studies show that <i>Odontoglossums</i> are not meaningfully distinct from <i>Oncidiums </i>in terms of genetics and evolution. The Royal Horticultural Society (<a href="http://www.rhs.org.uk/">RHC</a>) has decreed that <i>Odontoglossums</i> are now <i>Oncidiums</i>. The RHC creates the official taxonomical reality for the American orchid world (institutionalized in the American Orchid Society). So, we now change our tags from <i>Ond</i>. to <i>Onc</i>. No big deal, right?</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">But what if you're, say, Robert Hamilton, a founding member of the International Ondontoglossum Alliance? What if you've been obsessed with Odonts since 1979? The change might irritate you a little bit. </span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Hamilton's article in the new issue of <a href="http://www.orchiddigest.com/"><i>Orchid Digest</i></a> "Odonotoglossum: Requiescat in Pace" traces the genus's history from its first description in 1816 to its recent demise. Hamilton acknowledges phylogenetics as "valid science," but raises three concerns. The lumping and splitting required of any taxonomical distinction, whether its based on DNA or not, is, ultimately, arbitrary. The DNA relationships ("clades") proposed by the phylogeneticists can result in infinite regress, such that the distinction between humans and chimps (<i>Homo</i> and <i>Pan</i>) falls away. Finally, the decision to lump <i>Odontoglossum</i> into the genus <i>Oncidium </i>fails the "five-year-old test" wherein a child can point to obvious differences between two flowers.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">The "DNA Boys" (as <a href="http://osgkcblog.wordpress.com/2011/04/18/may-1-2011-osgkc-program-patricia-harding-speaks-on-huntleyas/">Patricia Harding</a>
has referred to them) have prompted the orchid community to endure a
lot of nomenclature changes in the last 10 or so years, and these
changes have generate a lot of unbridled hatred toward taxonomists. But
is it warranted?</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">I received poor marks in school for science and math, but I've seen the movie <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0089886/">"Real Genius"</a> enough to feel qualified to comment boldly on scientific disputes. The plot of Martha Coolidge's hit 1985 comedy suggests that you should side with the kids, in this case, the DNA Kids and their Crazy Cladograms. The phylogeneticists aren't setting out to ruin our favorite hobby. They proceed from the simple fact that some orchid species evolved before other orchid species. Discovering and analyzing patterns among those evolutionary relationships might, in the long run, help us grow better and healthier orchids. </span></span><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> </span></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3478725532172983404.post-42637501265189634112011-10-29T21:09:00.002-05:002011-10-29T21:09:49.913-05:00Keikiechtomy is a New Word<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0k04az27NWo/TqyMzDovCgI/AAAAAAAAAp4/kB8effa7L_4/s1600/den+keiki+a.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="215" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0k04az27NWo/TqyMzDovCgI/AAAAAAAAAp4/kB8effa7L_4/s320/den+keiki+a.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A perky keiki atop <i>Den</i>. Berry 'Oda' AM/AOS</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; font-size: large;">This is a difficult post to write -- not because I'm inexperienced in creating fake words -- but Lan Lan is laying directly over my wrists. She bites if I move too quickly.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; font-size: large;">My <i>Dendrobium</i> Berry 'Oda' AM/AOS endured a keikiechtomy yesterday. The link will take you to a photo showing what the plant looked like under Griffin's care <a href="http://catsandcatts.blogspot.com/2009/11/how-are-those-humidity-levels.html">two years ago</a><i>.</i> Now, it's all grown up ... with a kid!</span><br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EXTi5U1OT5g/TqynxccSDII/AAAAAAAAAqA/nv1PtNY9Hos/s1600/den+keiki+b.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EXTi5U1OT5g/TqynxccSDII/AAAAAAAAAqA/nv1PtNY9Hos/s320/den+keiki+b.JPG" width="230" /></a></td></tr>
<tr style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">A Newly Liberated Keiki</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; font-size: large;">Experienced <i>Cats and Catts</i> readers know that keikis are little offshoot plants that grow off of some epiphytic orchid species. They're clones of the mother plant; they have identical genes.<i> </i>"Keiki" means "baby" in Hawaiian</span><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; font-size: large;">, but in other cultures it means "free orchid." "Keikiechtomy" is a word I created a few minutes ago to refer to the process of removing keikis from mother plants. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; font-size: large;">Here's my three-step keikiechtomy process:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>Step One:</b> Use a razor blade to hack haphazardly at the mother plant. Repeat until the keiki falls off.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>Step Two:</b> Pot the keiki in a gigantic pot with poor drainage.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>Step Three:</b> Make sure the keiki is unstable and can be knocked over with ease.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; font-size: large;">Actually, you should do the opposite of most of that.</span><br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qB0zM_eOLb0/TqyqANo5JvI/AAAAAAAAAqI/ozDEFz4ghKU/s1600/den+keiki+c.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qB0zM_eOLb0/TqyqANo5JvI/AAAAAAAAAqI/ozDEFz4ghKU/s320/den+keiki+c.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Keikis sometimes need extra support.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; font-size: large;">It's best to conduct keikiechtomies in the Spring, but my keiki's roots were sufficiently long and I was bored.</span><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; font-size: large;"></span><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; font-size: large;"> I would have placed the keiki and some </span><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; font-size: large;">wet sphagnum moss </span><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; font-size: large;">in a half-opened plastic bag for a month or so i</span><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; font-size: large;"></span><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; font-size: large;">f the roots needed a boost</span><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; font-size: large;">.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; font-size: large;">Lan Lan looked up the word </span><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; font-size: large;">"Keikiechtomy" </span><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; font-size: large;">on Google</span><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; font-size: large;"> and it yielded
zero results</span><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; font-size: large;">, so I'm assuming full and complete
copyright ownership. I shall relinquish my intellectual property rights if, and only if, someone wants to name their punk band
"Keikiechtomy."</span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3478725532172983404.post-77995950972566035352011-10-20T21:45:00.001-05:002011-10-20T21:46:49.821-05:00Phal. equestris: Litte Flower, Big Joy<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cdi28umJ0i4/TqDAe2V7njI/AAAAAAAAApc/4ejN30uA5Zc/s1600/equestris.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cdi28umJ0i4/TqDAe2V7njI/AAAAAAAAApc/4ejN30uA5Zc/s320/equestris.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: small;">Phal</span></i><span style="font-size: small;">. <i>equestis</i> ('Blue Wan Chiao' x self)</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Last year I met an orchid judge who told me that his all-time favorite species was <i>Phal</i>. <i>equestris</i>. I think they're cute, but I honestly didn't understand his excitement about a small-growing <i>Phal</i>. </span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Now, I kind of get it. This genus has potential! Who knew? Two months ago, Peter Lin gave a presentation </span></span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> to the <a href="http://osgkcblog.wordpress.com/">Orchid Society of Greater Kansas City</a> </span></span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">about novelty-type <i>Phals</i> and it made me rethink the future of <i>Phalaenopsis </i>in my collection. In addition to showing a series of eye candy <i>Phal</i> photos, Peter delivered remarkably sane advice about potting <i>Phals</i>. Instead of suggesting either sphagnum moss or bark, he advocated a layered approach: moss on the top, bark in the middle, and foam packing peanuts on the bottom. It's worked really well with my <i>equestris</i> (see below). </span></span><br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--X02F1MSwD0/TqDUYGd33bI/AAAAAAAAApk/2D22nHBW0Jc/s1600/Bean+and+Phal+equestris+Oct+20+2011.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="202" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--X02F1MSwD0/TqDUYGd33bI/AAAAAAAAApk/2D22nHBW0Jc/s320/Bean+and+Phal+equestris+Oct+20+2011.JPG" width="320" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Sabine loves the subtle color of this <i>equestris </i>variety</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">What are "novelty type <i>Phals</i>?" According to Lin, the phrase "novelty type" generally describes a plant that's non-standard and typically refers to a <i>Phal</i> that's smaller, colorful, fragrant, summer-flowering, and having heavy flower substance. Many novelty hybrids have <i>Phal. amboinensis</i> and/or <i>violacea </i>in their parentage.</span></span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> Check out the <a href="http://www.bigleaforchids.com/store/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=32&zenid=epvrhuc8u35hibn4u3gpk5o613">amazing color patterns</a> on the novelty hybrids sold by </span></span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.bigleaforchids.com/">Big Leaf Orchids</a></span></span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">I'd also like to cultivate the small-growing species <i>Phals</i>. I'm thrilled with my <a href="http://www.bigleaforchids.com/store/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=23&products_id=1637"><i>Phal</i>. <i>equestris</i> ('Blue Wan Chiao' x self)</a>. It's bloomed with ease and it radiates a ton of cheerfulness in a small 2" pot. Although <i>equestris </i>isn't my all-time favorite, I can envision a future where it's in my top ten.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> </span></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3478725532172983404.post-34622472464916734182011-10-05T17:11:00.000-05:002011-10-05T17:11:12.523-05:00Photographing the 2011 Wisconsin Orchid Show<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ykS20bp6ObM/Tou31znWE0I/AAAAAAAAApA/LKb4IeX4cfM/s1600/Blc+Gold+of+Old.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="232" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ykS20bp6ObM/Tou31znWE0I/AAAAAAAAApA/LKb4IeX4cfM/s320/Blc+Gold+of+Old.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span id="goog_761565412"></span><span id="goog_761565413"></span><span id="goog_1088887474"></span><span id="goog_1088887475"></span>The <a href="http://www.wisconsinorchidsociety.com/htm/orchidshow.html">2011 Wisconsin Orchid Show</a> at the <a href="http://county.milwaukee.gov/MitchellParkConserva10116.htm">Mitchell Park Conservatory</a> in Milwaukee was awesome! </span></span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">The <a href="http://www.wisconsinorchidsociety.com/index.html">Wisconsin Orchid Society</a> hosted a wonderful set of vendors and exhibitors, and the <a href="http://midamericanorchids.org/">MidAmerican Orchid Congress</a> ran a fabulous Fall meeting program. And, of course, I didn't take enough pictures.</span></span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-pZaElKRgeJ4/Tou4Evp6JXI/AAAAAAAAApE/FHh8wu5EUg4/s1600/paph+tautzianum+x+-barbatum+x+niveum-.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="250" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-pZaElKRgeJ4/Tou4Evp6JXI/AAAAAAAAApE/FHh8wu5EUg4/s320/paph+tautzianum+x+-barbatum+x+niveum-.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0JbsZPu-gtg/Tou4S-ut4tI/AAAAAAAAApQ/n0q_KZIBiCA/s1600/Catts+and+Phals+from+Milwuakee.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="228" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0JbsZPu-gtg/Tou4S-ut4tI/AAAAAAAAApQ/n0q_KZIBiCA/s320/Catts+and+Phals+from+Milwuakee.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">I've attended a handful of orchid shows and I always try to take a lot of pictures. No matter how thorough my efforts appear to me at the time, I typically regret not taking better photos and more photos. The Wisconsin Orchid Show at the <a href="http://county.milwaukee.gov/MitchellParkConserva10116.htm">Mitchell Park Conservatory</a> in Milwaukee presented special challenges. The exhibits were fantastic and well-lit by natural sunlight coming in from the <a href="http://thirdcoastdigest.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/04/5674_domes340x240.jpg">glass space-age dome</a>. Unlike most shows I've attended, the exhibits were set off against a natural background of trees and rock. It was a beautiful setting, but too challenging for my meager photography skill</span></span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">s (I'm more comfortable with a black fabric background)</span></span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> </span></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RQ68LPY9mr4/Tou4LPvX6oI/AAAAAAAAApI/ImM703MRXJk/s1600/Phrag+sedenii+_Edla+AM-.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="196" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RQ68LPY9mr4/Tou4LPvX6oI/AAAAAAAAApI/ImM703MRXJk/s320/Phrag+sedenii+_Edla+AM-.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">A couple of my friends are <a href="http://www.roryamberphotography.com/">photography</a> <a href="http://www.westbirch.com/west-birch-photography-l.html">pros,</a> so I have a sense of what quality photography is supposed to look like and its far distance from my point-and-click universe. I've never taken a class or read a book about </span></span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">photography</span></span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> so I lean on editing software. Photoshop bewilders me. I love <a href="http://www.photoscape.org/ps/main/index.php">Photoscape</a> because it's free, easy to use, does almost everything I want, and takes up very little space on my computer. I also use an old Microsoft program called Picture It! which has a feature that superimposes the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rule_of_thirds">Rule of Thirds</a> on the photo to allow for precise cropping.</span></span><br />
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-eKe4y73L6Bk/Tou4OosoJaI/AAAAAAAAApM/OHJ0EA2HR9o/s1600/Phrag+Wossner+Super+Grande+-Mem+Jean+Lorence+AM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="198" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-eKe4y73L6Bk/Tou4OosoJaI/AAAAAAAAApM/OHJ0EA2HR9o/s320/Phrag+Wossner+Super+Grande+-Mem+Jean+Lorence+AM.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">My basic photographic strategy entails taking a lot of photos and letting </span></span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">only </span></span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">the very best see the light of day. I hope you enjoyed these five. I left <i>a lot</i> in the reject pile</span></span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">. </span></span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> </span></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3478725532172983404.post-76377638021917733112011-09-28T19:52:00.001-05:002011-09-29T08:49:34.563-05:00Postpumpkinism, or, The Cultural Logic of Late Capitalism<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZmU9ARBxwZg/ToNeXmr0qaI/AAAAAAAAAo4/J5Qaa6eKGxs/s1600/Lan+Lan+%2526+pumpkin+2011.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="220" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZmU9ARBxwZg/ToNeXmr0qaI/AAAAAAAAAo4/J5Qaa6eKGxs/s320/Lan+Lan+%2526+pumpkin+2011.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">The pumpkin seeds seemed to have so much promise back in June. I tossed a dozen in the raised bed and another dozen by the compost pile. Eventually, I thinned the seedlings down to three. The rapid and healthy growth encouraged me to indulge the plants' frequent need for water and attention. I saw small pumpkins form by the end of summer and my hopes swelled. I contemplated walking away from my career to pursue pumpkin farming because, after all, I'm so good at it. I'll have so many pumpkins, I thought, I'll have to give them away to an orphanage or something. When I told people about my pumpkins, some responded that they tried and gave up because of squash bug problems. I felt superior because I refused to give into these nasty insects and was prepared to let loose a chemical fury on the brood.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">But squash bugs are unusually persistent. They had a roach-like ability to reproduce themselves despite my toxins. The pumpkin crop itself proved capricious: blossoms that looked so promising failed to mature, pumpkins in an improper position on the straw started to rot, and the heat and bugs did more damage than I wanted to admit. Now, looking over my pumpkin harvest, my total haul will be about 6-7 pumpkins. I definitely need to keep my day job.</span></span><br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-otVYvtQzQh0/ToNegRCuPjI/AAAAAAAAAo8/aXetzmm7Ko8/s1600/Bean+%2526+pumpklin+2011.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="196" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-otVYvtQzQh0/ToNegRCuPjI/AAAAAAAAAo8/aXetzmm7Ko8/s320/Bean+%2526+pumpklin+2011.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">I love all things pumpkin, but this experience has strengthened my identity as a flower gardener. Pumpkins inevitably reference their exchange-value and use-value. While we can appreciate its cylindrical shape and deep orange color, a pumpkin invites us to consider its uses in cooking. </span></span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">We have a</span></span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> sense of a pumpkin's worth through envisioning its transformation into pie or soup. It's difficult or impossible not to assigning a dollar amount to my pumpkins and it's dispiriting to see them sold in the local grocery store for far less than what I spent in pest control, water, and labor time.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Flowers, on the other hand, only reference themselves. They have no use-value and their exchange-value is driven by aesthetic considerations. I never think "Oh, I could make so many pies with those daylilies!" Like modern art, flowers' uselessness is part of their value and appeal. Flowers don't expect anything from us except an occasional arrangement in a vase.</span></span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> </span></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3478725532172983404.post-87440898799102720492011-09-25T11:18:00.001-05:002011-09-25T11:18:31.695-05:00Disco Cattleya<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-eiKd66iClOc/Tn7IQtNWLlI/AAAAAAAAAow/7u_hSvl1Dd4/s1600/riley+and+catt+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-eiKd66iClOc/Tn7IQtNWLlI/AAAAAAAAAow/7u_hSvl1Dd4/s320/riley+and+catt+2.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Riley with <i>C</i>. Arctic Star 'Snow Queen' (1979)</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">A lot happened in 1979. It ushered in the Iran hostage crisis, the Three Mile Island meltdown, and Rod Stewart's #1 hit "Do Ya Think I'm Sexy." But we also had disco and orchids. As the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Salsoul_Records">Salsoul</a> blared on the airwaves, a Miami hybridizer named Roy Fields registered <i>Cattleya</i> Arctic Star (<i>C.</i> Claesiana x <i>C</i>. Fred Cole). I purchased this at a <a href="http://catsandcatts.blogspot.com/2011/01/white-catt-attack.html">January orchid sale</a> and it bloomed earlier in the week. It's like a lot of things created in 1979: undeniably awesome.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BmwfnF56qpc/Tn7KmqkhkqI/AAAAAAAAAo0/LoFgyWODAXU/s1600/Griffin+Me+%2526+Arctic.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="196" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BmwfnF56qpc/Tn7KmqkhkqI/AAAAAAAAAo0/LoFgyWODAXU/s320/Griffin+Me+%2526+Arctic.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Essential keys to happiness: cats and catts!</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i>C</i>. Arctic Snow reminds me why I love <i>Cattleyas</i>. The scent is amazing and the flowers have timeless beauty. In my estimation, a white <i>Cattleya</i> can do no wrong. <i>C</i>. Arctic Star comes from regal heritage, including grandparents <i>C</i>. Vespers (registered in 1921 by Sir George Holford) and the legendary </span><span style="font-size: large;"><i>C</i>. Bow Bells</span><span style="font-size: large;">. <i>Cattleya</i> species <i>schroderae</i>, <i>triane</i>, <i>cinnabarina</i>, <i>intermedia</i>, and <i>loddigesii</i> are all in the background with<i> C</i>. <i>loddigesii </i>contributing to about 45% of its genetic makeup. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i>C</i>. Arctic Snow also reminds me why I can't have too many <i>Cattleyas</i> with my growing set-up. The plant takes up almost as much space as Griffin (see above). But, on the other hand, the orchid doesn't </span><span style="font-size: large;"> relentlessly </span><span style="font-size: large;">beg me for treats.</span><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></div>
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<span id="goog_1329989191"></span><span id="goog_1329989192"></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com4