Orchids of the Himalayas
Speaker: Stig Dalström. Born and raised in Sweden, Stig became a US citizen in 2007 after having been considered “an alien with extraordinary ability” by the US Immigration Office in 1997. He has degrees in civil engineering and horticulture, is a self-taught watercolor arti
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st, botanical illustrator and experienced orchid taxonomist. He now resides in Sarasota, Florida and is the former Curator of the Orchid Identification Center of the Marie Selby Botanical Gardens, specializing in the identification and classification of certain Andean orchid genera.
Although officially retired, he also focuses on studying the orchid flora of the Himalayas in general and of Bhutan in particular, where he assists the government in developing orchid research and conservation programs. A number of expeditions into isolated areas of the Kingdom of Bhutan have been organized in collaboration with staff from the National Biodiversity Centre (an independent branch of the Ministry of Agriculture and Forests) in Serbithang, Thimpu.
These efforts have added more than 100 new orchid records for the country since 2002, and several species new to science. The Royal Botanic Garden has received a partial face-lift, an orchid display house has been created and a micro-propagation laboratory has been established.
A number of his much-appreciated orchid articles have been published and read by hundreds of scientists and orchid lovers. His latest work is “A Century of New Orchid Records in Bhutan”, dedicated to the new Crown Prince of Bhutan, and published on his 1st birthday this month.
Stig is a highly regarded speaker and will instruct and entertain you with tales of his latest travels, augmented by his great digital presentation. He will have a selection of his books, prints, and other related items for sale.
Jeff Higel, a longtime society member and one of our local orchid vendors, will have a great selection of orchids and media/supplies from Honey Bee Nursery for sale. With two hands-on Growers Clinics upcoming in the next two months, this will be the ideal time to stock up and get great advice.
Venice Community Center (doors open at 6:30 pm)