Bulbophyllum Weekend Overload
 

Here at the Alabama Orchid Society. We just had the best event, so far this year! We decided to try something new, and even pay for airfare, in addition to a speaker’s fee. We opted for Bill Thoms, from Tampa Florida, and I just can’t stop saying WOW! I’ll comment on the presentation later, but let me first begin with how this turned into an intensive orchid weekend, culminating in a spectacular presentation. Flights to Birmingham, from other small cities are not the most convenient. Bill flew in Saturday night, and I just dropped him off, this morning (Monday) at the airport. Bill also accepted my home as adequate accommodations during his two night stay to help keep down our expenses. So how did we fill the time you might ask?


Early Sunday Morning, I took Bill to the working greenhouses at the Birmingham Botanical Gardens, where they keep over 1,000 orchids. We spent a couple of hours there looking at everything. Bill’s observations were so unique, but logically spot on. After a brief tour of the Mountain Brook Villages, Birmingham hills, and unbelievable Birmingham lifestyle, we went back to my place, and together with my good buddy, Ronnie B, we performed a detailed study of my collection. The three of us then went over to Molle C’s home, to inspect her greenhouse, and newly constructed shade house. Bill always asks if he can make suggestions, and we just beg him to do so. Again, the information just poured out.


With just enough time, we went back to my home, to pick up the plants Bill brought, then back to the Birmingham Botanical Gardens for his presentation. We had invited nearby Orchid Societies from Hunstville and Anniston, and they sent representatives. To paraphrase a Paul Simon song,




What a presentation. I won’t divulge the content, but given the fact that Bill has more CCM awards than anyone else, and that he reveals all his secrets for success, rest assured, you get your money’s worth from his speaking engagement. But wait! There’s more! Really? After selling out most of the plants he brought, most of them CTD treated (key word is Colchicine something else you have to look up for another surprise), Bill continued to dispense eye opening advise to everyone who asked.


By this time it’s after 5:00 PM, and I’m exhausted. Off to Beverly V’s home, and a detailed inspection and evaluation of her greenhouse collection. Dinner followed, with more orchid talk. I dropped him off at the airport early this morning for his flight home, and preparation for his next speaking engagement tomorrow.


As many of you who participate in your local orchid societies know, coming up with new, informative and affordable programming can become quite a struggle. Here in Birmingham, we have a very small organization, and budget, but we also have a great hunger for information on orchids. We have developed a (not ready for prime time) presentation where we ask members to bring in interesting and odd examples of their orchids, and in an impromptu manner, peppered with information and humor, we examine and discuss those and other examples in a manner that includes and acknowledges our members, while entertaining and informing them at the same time. We also have several re-potting clinics throughout the year. While our budget is limited, we do bring in nearby authorities for some of our meetings.


The two closest ones are Mark Reinke, Mable Branch Farms, and Tom Harper, Stoney River Orchids. Both are spectacular in their own way. Both have fantastic plants they bring for sale, and I always look forward to their presentations. While I could go on and on about the merits of both Mark and Tom, this Post is about is about exploring new boundaries.


And now we set our sights on our annual Orchid Show, coming up next Month, September 16, 17, & 18, at the Birmingham Botanical Gardens. Mark Reinke will be there, Tom sometimes stops by for a visit, and of course we have ORCHIDS! So in conclusion, as we say here in the south, Y’all Come by now, Y’hear? See you soon!

Good luck with your show! Sounds like you had a great time!

CTD. I confess, I find abbreviations that are used for different things in different fields a bit confusing. I have no idea what it means in relation to orchids but I do know that it is an unfortunate disease. It took me quite a long time to figure out what S/H meant as I knew it as shipping and handling. I still have not guessed the meaning of all of the abbreviations I see on this board mean in relation to orchids. We should have a translation page.

Taken Directly from Bills Web site bulbophyllums.com;

Colchicine (COAL - cha - seen) is a powerful mutagen used initially for gout and now...

FROM WIKIPEDIA:

Since chromosome segregation is driven by microtubules, colchicine is also used for inducing polyploidy in plant cells during cellular division by inhibiting chromosome segregation during meiosis; half the resulting gametes, therefore, contain no chromosomes, while the other half contains double the usual number of chromosomes (i.e., diploid instead of haploid, as gametes usually are), and lead to embryos with double the usual number of chromosomes (i.e., tetraploid instead of diploid). While this would be fatal in most higher animal cells, in plant cells it is not only usually well tolerated, but also frequently results in larger, hardier, faster-growing, and in general more desirable plants than the normally diploid parents.

So this means the plants that survive the Colchicine wash in the lab have already made it through the process and are on their way to greatness.

Not every plant is a tetraploid (4N), but most that come through the process have the best chance for success they can get. I throw out any plants that look "puny" just 'cause...

Now all you need to do is research tetraploid, and what it means in the orchid world.

I just didn't know to what the acronym referred. Thank you for clearing that up. I would never have guessed. Colchicine. Now it makes perfect sense why you were so enthusiastic! :)

Look at the menu to the left. There is an item Glossary.

Is the acronym actually listed in the glossary? I must have missed it.