pansy orchid). There are now available hybrids of this vari- 

 ety in reds and whites with what appears to be a waterfall 

 cascading down the lip all this in a four-inch flower and on a 

 seven-inch plant 



Are you interested in our own native slipper orchids? 

 They are not adaptable to cultivation, but South American 

 and Asian varieties are. Phragmipedlum caudatum has 

 petals that can be two-feet long. They will stop growing 

 when they reach the ground. This mechanism evolved to 

 facilitate pollination by terrestrial insects. Asian phaphio- 

 pedilums can be just as spectacular with some forms having 

 huge pouches as though they were blowing bubble gum. 



There are some orchid growers that specialize only in 

 miniatures. These orchids are usually the most challenging, 

 like bonsai growing. The flowers from these plants can 

 usually only be appreciated while being viewed through a 

 magnifying glass and a thimble can serve as a poL 



Admittedly, orchids out of bloom are not what could be 

 called a pretty plant and are affectionately known as "cab- 

 bages" among orchid growers. However there are some 

 orchids that are grown for their foliage, and are referred to 

 as jewel orchids. Their leaves are nicely variegated with a 

 velvety purple sheen, sometimes with red or gold veining. 



This article asks the question: Why grow orchids? Along 

 with the sensual and cerebral reasons that I have men- 

 tioned, most commercial growers will be interested in their 

 economic value. Some orchids serve as excellent cut flowers 

 as well as pot plants. They are capable of holding their 

 blooms for months. Modem breeders are now producing 

 groups of orchids in more vibrant colors and hues. Literge- 

 neric hybridizing with miniature laelias, sophronitis and 

 broughtonias has also reduced the size of the cattleya plants, 

 making them more adaptable to home light or window sill 

 culture. For instance, the late Dick Valentine of Wolfboro, 

 New Hampshire, was known throughout the worid for his 

 early-blooming miniature cymbidiums. By selective breed- 

 ing, the plant size of this genera was reduced while still 

 retaining an impressive flower size. Many of his varieties are 

 commercially available with 'Valentines Love' being one of 

 the more famous. 



I hope I have stimulated at least some interest in orchid 

 culture and/or ecology. I invite you to broaden your 



horizons and open your growing space ta orchids. There are 

 serious, capable, and successful orchid growers throughout 

 the New England area to prove my argument 



So next spring I hope to meet some of you in some bog 

 observing our native orchids or at least attending the next 

 New Hampshire Orchid Show. 



Again I invite everyone to the New Hampshire Orchid 

 Society Meeting in Manchester. Good growing! ^ 



Emmett Ross grows and hybridizes his orchids at Cape 

 Neddick Gardens, PO Box 272, Cape Neddick, ME 03902. 

 He is currently a graduate student in Plant 

 at UNH, Durham. He can be reached there 

 (603) 862-1114. 



TIPS 



From the Griffin Guru 



YOUR PARTS DEPT. 



At a recent seminar, I heard a speaker touch upon 

 this subject and I would like to pass on his com- 

 ments for your consideration. 



What have you got stocked in your Parts Dept. 

 that would handle a malfunction at 3 AM some dark 

 morning? The average greenhouse uses a wide va- 

 riety of motors and switches and valves and other 

 unique stuff. Some of which is hard to replace 

 even when it's not 3 AM. 



First thing to do — ^walk though each part of your 

 operation — boiler room, headhouse, each green- 

 house. List all the working equipment by location 

 from thermostats to oil burners to pumps. Note the 

 model and/or part number of each. You might 

 even write down where it was obtained. This will 

 be of great value to you when a problem develops. 

 Time will be saved. Also, it will be a handy refer- 

 ence for your back-up person if you're not on site. 

 The other suggestion would be that if you have on- 

 line a number of the same pumps or thermostats, 

 etc., you might consider putting a back-up in your 

 Parts Dept. 



The New Hampshire Orchid Society 



Of'^^-sv 



'/O sO' 



presents its 1993 



Spring Orchid Show 

 March 17 - 21 



The Center of New Hampshire 



700 Elm Street 



Manchester, NH 



Jot Information Contact: Qortfon/JJita La'Bonte 603-627-5397 



The Plantsman 

 20 



