Meeting Wednesday, Jan. 4, 2017 – 7:00 pm

Ted Kellogg:  Ribbon Judging – Putting Your Best Plant Forward

I’ve enclosed a picture of a ‘blue ribbon’ Cypripedium acule growing in Rhode Island.  Of cypacule1course, any orchid plant surviving in the wild and reproducing is a winner in Nature’s Show.  This plant, blooming in 2011, in a forest cemetery was among many others of the same genus.  No other species of orchid was in bloom at that time. It was the only one with the very dark colored pouch.  If a team of orchid judges had been asked to place blue, red and yellow ribbons on the best Cypripedium acule growing in this natural setting, the plant pictured would have received the blue ribbon.

But what if those judges were looking at an orchid show with many exhibits.  If they had been at the Venice 2016 show, they would have seen 214 plants entered for ribbon judging.  The registration committee had placed each of these plants into one of 90 groups (classes).  The classes held from 1 to 13 plants each.  A team of orchid judges looked at each class and awarded blue-1st, red-2nd, or yellow-3rd ribbons as they wished.  What criteria did they use?  Sometimes a class with 1 entry got a red or yellow ribbon, or maybe didn’t get a ribbon.  Why?  Sometimes the judges decided two plants in a class each deserved a blue ribbon.

What did the judges look at?  Why was one plant awarded higher than another?  I’ll try to explain what the judges consider in ribbon judging.  I’ll give suggestions for you to impress the judges that you have put your best plants forward.

Orchid Envy, one of our own local growers here in Venice, will have a great selection of quality plants for sale.

Venice Community Center.  Doors open at 6:30.

Pre- Orders for November 2, 2016 Meeting

Pre-order information

Fred Clarke, Sunset Valley Orchids, Wednesday, November 2, 2016

We‘re all looking forward to Fred’s return visit to Venice at our monthly meeting on Wednesday, November 2, 2016. He will be speaking on Mini-Catts and will be bringing his best orchids for sale and will also be accepting pre-orders. Pre-orders may be placed from his website at www.sunsetvalleyorchids.com.

Place your order via:  Email: Fred Clarke@att.net

Mail: Fred Clarke, 1255 Navel Place, Vista, CA 92081

BE SURE TO INDICATE THAT THIS IS A PREORDER FOR THE VENICE AREA ORCHID SOCIETY ON NOVEMBER 2, 2016.

 By preordering, you will avoid the packing/shipping costs and still qualify for the Discount Schedule (See website…Ordering Information)

Preorders must be received by October 26 and payment in full (cash, check, Visa/MC) is due at time of pick-up at the meeting.

Meeting Wednesday, September 7, 2016 – 7:00 pm

Speaker: Mac Rivenbach

Topic:  Introduction to the Philippines Species          Mac rivenbark photo - jpeg.

Mac Rivenbark and his wife Helen opened Mac’s Orchids in Fort Lauderdale, Fl., in 2002, specializing in Asian orchid species, and have been members of the Fort Lauderdale Orchid Society since 1999.

He is a Chemical and Hygiene Specialist by profession and served a tour in the US Marines.  His passion for orchids grew after many fascinating trips to the Philippines and other parts of Asia and he was inspired to grow and collect different varieties of Asian species.  As of today, Mac has over 300 varieties of different Asian species that thrive here in Florida.  Mac’s goal is to propagate these species and to help educate and inform others on the passion and ease of orchid growing.

Mac and his wife have belonged to many organizations and orchid societies including Mac serving as a past president of the Fort Lauderdale Orchid Society. Mac’s program will consist of an educational and entertaining PowerPoint program and will also include many of Mac’s culture tips as well as many beautiful photos.

His passion is infectious and he’s looking forward to answering your questions. He’ll be bringing a great selection of his outstanding orchids for sale.