Tim Culbertson

[Keysguy]

Seeing as I recommended this forum be opened, I guess I might as well get things started.

This past weekend the New Hampshire OS hosted Tim Culbertson whose topic was Parvisepalum Paphiopedalums (or Parvi Paphs for short). Tim was actually making the rounds at several of the New England societies (I believe he presented different topics at each) which is a convenient way for us to share expenses as Tim is from Southern California.

Tim gave an outstanding presentation that covered every facet of this subgenus. He is a school teacher by trade so his presentation was entertaining as well as educational. He also brought an interesting collection of plants for sale. I highly recommend him.

Here is a bio which he gave us,
Accredited AOS Judge Tim Culbertson will explain how to grow these magnificent orchids which are vigorous, have low demands on light and fertilizer, flower well and can be grown on a windowsill.

He will also identify some of the important species in the background of modern Parvi paph hybrids as well as discussing some of the newer hybrids on the market today.

Tim began growing orchids as an offshoot from working at Longwood Gardens in Philadelphia just after college. From the very beginning it was all about Paphs, particularly awarded and select clones of historic importance, of which his collection numbers nearly 3000. He loves finding old, rare stepping stones in paph breeding and also does some hybridizing of his own.

Tim is an accredited judge with the American Orchid Society, and has served in various capacities with various orchid societies in California and on the East Coast. In addition to Longwood, he worked at the Smithsonian Institution tending to their orchids, and for years for the United States National Arboretum, collecting rare plants and documenting cultivated species and hybrids for their herbarium.