Speaker: Roy Tokunaga

Topic: “Dendrobiums – Species, Hybrids and Culture”

Roy Tokunaga grew up on the beautiful island of Maui and earned a Bachelors in Education degree from the University of Hawaii in 1973. While in the honors program, Dr. Yoneo Sagawa, his favorite mentor, introduced him to orchids and the new emerging technology of orchid seed germination and cloning. He was recruited to work at E&R Orchids, where he honed his germination and cloning skills for seven years.  At about the same the time, Harry Akagi was growing bromeliads, and in 1981, Harry and Roy established an orchid lab in Waimanalo on the island of Oahu, giving birth to H&R Nurseries. They have their own laboratory and grow their orchids under two acres of shade houses.

Today, Roy is credited with 40-plus years of experience in hybridization with several thousand hybrids delivered.  He has been refocusing H&R to excel in the culture of species as well as providing outstanding hybrids in the Dendrobium and Cattleya alliances.  He is a long time member of several Hawaiian orchid societies and an accredited American Orchid Society judge since 1990.  He was one of the keynote speakers at the recent Sixth Annual Cattleya Symposium and continues to share his knowledge and love of orchids with society members around the country.

Roy will discuss and illustrate Dendrobium hybridization and culture and will include many of the tips and techniques for our growing requirements that he’s developed over the years. He’s a great speaker and looks forward to answering questions from his audience. He’s promised to bring many of his exceptional plants for sale as well as bringing pre-orders.

Venice Community Center.  Doors open at 6:30.