Re: [OGD] Orchid Names
Hello Robert Riefer, In your original post you you attributed The confusion, aggravation, and cost of modern day nomenclature is the result of being based upon an outdated, early 19th century hypothesis, which is the archane and absurd idea the Theory of Evolution. This implies that you believe in Creationism (or maybe something else I am not aware of). One question I have always wondered about, how does Creationism organize the plant kingdom so that it would not be confusing? What is the governing belief or logical thinking behind the organization? I am unaware of any system of nomenclature that is not based on the theory of evolution and trying to understand the relationship between organisms. Even horticultural names of hybrids use genus. Mark Sullivan ___ the OrchidGuide Digest (OGD) orchids@orchidguide.com http://orchidguide.com/mailman/listinfo/orchids_orchidguide.com
[OGD] Heating over the winter
With the jump in the price of energy, supposedly there will be high heating bills this winter, I was wondering what effect this maybe having on people who grow orchids especially in colder climates? Have energy prices jumped up dramatically this year in Australia, Europe, and the rest of the world? Changing how you will heat the greenhouse? Dropping growing warm to intermediate orchids to grow more cool growers? Not growing orchids? How have growers in the southern hemisphere done this winter? With oil prices looking like they will be going up for years to come, growing warm growing orchids looks expensive in cold winter climates. Mark ___ the OrchidGuide Digest (OGD) orchids@orchidguide.com http://orchidguide.com/mailman/listinfo/orchids_orchidguide.com
Re: [OGD] pollinating vanilla in Michigan + recipes (US)
Humphrey dries the beans in airtight sealable plastic bags in the sun for a couple of weeks. The beans will turn dark and shrink. He then cuts them into 1-inch pieces and steeps them in vodka for about two months. The bags can't be to airtight as where would all the moisture go if he is drying the beans. ___ the OrchidGuide Digest (OGD) orchids@orchidguide.com http://orchidguide.com/mailman/listinfo/orchids_orchidguide.com
[OGD] Wildlife set for final victory along the Iron Curtain
But this no-man's-land of old was also home to an astonishing variety of wildlife that flourished where the barrier separating communist east from capitalist west stood.If plans stay on course and the political will is backed with financial resources, the Iron Curtain trail could become one of the longest nature reserves on earth. The former border is part of a European green belt 4,200 miles long. If the European Union gets its way, the entire interlinking nature reserves will stretch for 4,250 miles, starting at the Arctic Sea, running along Finland's border with Russia, through the Baltic states and Poland to Germany, then skirt Austria's border with the Czech Republic, Slovakia and Hungary before following the Danube to the Black Sea. Heron colonies, otters, the black stork and the lady's slipper orchid can be found. Rare moss grows on the concrete stumps that once housed automatic guns, bats nest in the remains of bunkers and watchtowers and rare egrets, warblers and other species delight nature lovers from around the world. http://www.independent.co.uk/news/europe/wildlife-set-for-final-victory-along-the-iron-curtain-832856.html ___ the OrchidGuide Digest (OGD) orchids@orchidguide.com http://orchidguide.com/mailman/listinfo/orchids_orchidguide.com
Re: [OGD] Orchids for the Chelsea Flower Show / impounded in, theNetherlands
Technically under CITES confiscated plants are suppose to be returned to their country (State of export) of origin if at all possible. At the very least that country is suppose to be consulted before the confiscated plants are to be put in a rescue center. Countries that are a party to CITES do interpret CITES in different ways. A stricter interpretation and a consistent interpretation across countries of CITES would strengthen the treaty. Hopefully the Netherlands will consult with the Cayman Islands government or the UK government will be consulted. The Cayman Islands are a British overseas territory, so I am not sure how that will work. From CITES Article VIII Measures to Be Taken by the Parties 1. The Parties shall take appropriate measures to enforce the provisions of the present Convention and to prohibit trade in specimens in violation thereof. These shall include measures: (a) to penalize trade in, or possession of, such specimens, or both; and (b) to provide for the confiscation or return to the State of export of such specimens. Skipping to number 4 of Article VIII 4. Where a living specimen is confiscated as a result of measures referred to in paragraph 1 of this Article: (a) the specimen shall be entrusted to a Management Authority of the State of confiscation; (b) the Management Authority shall, after consultation with the State of export, return the specimen to that State at the expense of that State, or to a rescue centre or such other place as the Management Authority deems appropriate and consistent with the purposes of the present Convention; and consistent with the purposes of the present Convention; Seconding Marc's challenge: I have proposed this challenge many times and I will again ask yourself - When was the last time you contributed to orchid conservation? If you cultivate rare species propagate them, volunteer your expertise at a botanical garden, promote orchid conservation when you lecture, contribute time and funds to orchid conservation organizations and the list would go on from there. It is about time that as orchid enthustiasts we give a little back to this group of plants for all the beauty and pleasure that they have brought into our lives and to increase the chance that they will be around for many generations to come. and taking the opportunity when it presents itself, I invite anyone to ask their orchid society to participate in 1% for Orchid Conservation. Participation in 1%FOC means that an orchid society pledges to donate 1% or more of its net revenue each year to the in situ orchid conservation organization or project of their choice. Orchid societies determined the amount of their donation and where it goes. 1% for Orchid Conservation and the Orchid Conservation Coalition does not take donations, pool donations, or handle money in anyway. No fees. It is a coalition. Get your orchid society and members involved in orchid conservation. Orchid conservation is just as an important aspect of growing orchids as education, and flower judging. For more information on how to get your society involved visit: http://www.orchidconservationcoalition.org or e-mail me at [EMAIL PROTECTED] A list of some of the orchid conservation organizations out there is located at: http://www.orchidconservationcoalition.org/conservationorgs.html The Orchid Conservation Alliance does take donations from individuals and orchid societies. Their goals can be found here as part of the OCC update: http://www.orchidconservationcoalition.org/update/12.html The Orchid Conservation Alliance website is: http://www.orchidconservationalliance.org Mark Sullivan ___ the OrchidGuide Digest (OGD) orchids@orchidguide.com http://orchidguide.com/mailman/listinfo/orchids_orchidguide.com
[OGD] Orchid Conservation
The Orchid Conservation Coalition has started a new initiative to document and bring stories of orchid habitat loss, preservation and restoration to the orchid growing community and the public. The first seven orchid conservation stories can be seen at: http://www.orchidconservationcoalition.org/hl/index.html The stories include three from Australia about Calochilus pulchellus, Corunastylis superba, Prasophyllum affine and Cryptostylis hunteriana. Corunastylis superba is known from one area, part of which has been wiped out by the placement of a gas line. Road building may have done in the rest. On these web pages you can read about the struggle to save Calochilus pulchellus, Prasophyllum affine and Cryptostylis hunteriana from development. Only formally described in March 2007, Calochilus pulchellus was known from 25 plants before 5 of those orchids were threatened by destruction from development. The story tells of relocating the orchids literally in front of the earth clearing machinery. The ultimate success of this relocation is yet to be determined. There is a picture of deforestation in Bolivia near where the second ever plant of Masdevallia vasquezii was found and the only site for Masdevallia burianii. The story from Ecuador is about the commercial growing of naranjilla in the Pastaza River valley. This is the same valley that the EcoMinga Foundation (http://www.ecominga.net) is trying to save in part with its Rio Anzu Reserve. From Indonesia, there is a story about the regular burning of fields and forests in Central Sulawesi. This forest is very rich in orchids, many of which are still undescribed and known from nowhere else. From Nebraska, USA, there is a story about the saving by volunteers and Omaha Henry Doorly Zoo of Cypripedium candidum from a habitat that had become a lost cause because of development of roads and houses. This site is only one of seven known sites of Cypripedium candidum in Nebraska. The stories and pictures come from a number of people who read and post on the OGD. You will recognize many of their names. I thank them for their contributions. There is an introductory article (pdf) with picture that is free to use in orchid organization newsletters. http://www.orchidconservationcoalition.org/pdf/articles/OCCHabitatloss1.pdf There are also other conservation articles written by a number of people that can be used in orchid organization newsletters. http://www.orchidconservationcoalition.org/articles.html The purpose of the Orchid Conservation Coalition is to raise money and awareness for orchid conservation. The OCC has a program called 1% for Orchid Conservation to raise money for in situ orchid conservation that orchid societies can participate in. The Orchid Conservation Coalition does not accept donations itself and does not pool money to donate. Mark Sullivan ___ the OrchidGuide Digest (OGD) orchids@orchidguide.com http://orchidguide.com/mailman/listinfo/orchids_orchidguide.com
[OGD] Climate Change, Sustainability and Conservation
I agree with Charles Ufford about global warming or cooling. The popular term of global warming is really a misnomer and the term climate change is better. The term global warming gets people focused on temperature when as Charles points out it is about a lot more. When scientists talk about climate change happening or not happening they are talking about the change happening over a short period of time not to be confused with a gradual climate change. Species like orchids can evolve to a gradual climate changes in rain pattern, temperature, and seasonal change. They have a harder time with more abrupt change. They just can't pick up and walk away from a habitat that is changing. It is hard to predict the future especially with a system that has lots of variables. Scientists and people can come to different conclusions based on experience, knowledge and politics. The majority of scientists believe based on studies that there is a high likelihood that the climate will change rather abruptly and the main cause is human action. They believe that the likelihood of this possible abrupt climate change should require action by the world. Of course there are people and scientists (who are people too) that have varying ideas about the magnitude of the change, our ability to do something about it and whether we should care. The decision to take action or not take action on climate change does boil down to a cost/risk/value/benefit assessment. This is what the high school teacher in his video breaks down regardless of what we actually know of the outcome of climate change. The letter from a hundred scientists to the UN climate conference opposing the direction the UN is taking the world makes a similar argument but in the opposite direction. One statement “Balanced cost/benefit analyses provide no support for the introduction of global measures to cap and reduce energy consumption for the purpose of restricting CO2 emissions.” One thing that is wrapped up in the climate change argument but is not addressed by the above is sustainability. Sustainability is a big topic but in terms of climate change we are talking about the sustainability of producing energy, which is where all the CO2 is coming from. The world runs on fossil fuel. The use of fossil fuel is increasing exponentially as developing countries like China grow. Fossil fuel is a finite fuel on this planet and we will eventually run out. Where we are as far as reserves is questionable and depends on what you want to include as reserves. The question is do we want to drill for oil in places like Alaska, the coast of California and east Florida, and also strip mine up a good portion of Canada and other places for oil shale? When do you start conserving fossil fuels and start moving money towards other fuels? It basically comes down to a consensus on cost/risk/value/benefit. The better you understand the costs, the risks, the values and the benefits of an issue the better decision you will make. As far as climate change just being another good way to redistribute wealth from the first world countries to the third world countries. Human history is a good part just the continuing redistribution or preservation of wealth. I am sure the American Indians, the Aborigines, and many other indigenous people would have liked a say in wealth distribution. Weaker or third world countries often got the short end of the deal. Arab countries are probably the one exception though I'm sure it started out poorly for them also. When oil companies get tax breaks or logging companies get to buy tree below value and at a cost to governments this is a shifting of wealth from the public to the private. When the US finances its debt with the Chinese this is a transfer of wealth. Again it just comes down to a cost/risk/value/benefit assessment. Conservation is about valuing what you have, understanding the benefits and being willing to bear the cost of preservation or the cost of restoration if you didn’t understand the value and benefit in the first place. It is about being smart with the resources you have and your actions. Species including orchid species are disappearing at an alarming rate much at the hands of humans. I think if the public knew and understood the costs, risks, values and benefits of these species and habitat and how we impact them. We would make different choices. Mark ___ the OrchidGuide Digest (OGD) orchids@orchidguide.com http://orchidguide.com/mailman/listinfo/orchids_orchidguide.com
[OGD] Seeds in sugar solution.
In my lab we soak seeds first in a sugar solution to germinate the contaminants so they are easier to kill. Hello Peter, How long is this? Mark ___ the OrchidGuide Digest (OGD) orchids@orchidguide.com http://orchidguide.com/mailman/listinfo/orchids_orchidguide.com
[OGD] Wettest place on earth
As to this wettest-place-on-earth talk, San Francisco used to make that claim until someone suggested that the reference was to precipitation. Hello Rick, I thought it was New Orleans that use to claim the wettest place on earth until the other wetness came and they need scuba gear to get into the house. They are still spinning. I am sure they would gladly not want the moniker if it meant no swimming to the refrigerator or bar in the future. Laisser le bon rouleau de temps Mark ___ the OrchidGuide Digest (OGD) orchids@orchidguide.com http://orchidguide.com/mailman/listinfo/orchids_orchidguide.com
[OGD] A good explanation of why we should take action on global warming
This popped up on another forum some of you I know participate on, but for others this high school teacher does a good job explaining why we should take action on global warming. http://tinyurl.com/ys88yl or http://www.switched.com/2007/12/19/high-school-teachers-global-warming-video-a-youtube-hit/ Mark ___ the OrchidGuide Digest (OGD) orchids@orchidguide.com http://orchidguide.com/mailman/listinfo/orchids_orchidguide.com
[OGD] re unusual e-mail
Hello Jerry, The spoofing of your domain name in the spam e-mails has nothing to do with your security settings, and the spam e-mails are not coming from your computer, and probably not from your ISP. The spammers are sending out the e-mails from their computers or more likely zombies. They use legitimate domain names like yours to get around spam filters. Bank and financial domains are heavily spoofed. How to stop it? You could use the e-mail routing information to try and trace the e-mail back to the sending ISP. Then ask the sending ISP to shut down the spammers account. But if it is coming from a zombie computer? There have been a few spammers prosecuted in the USA. But the short answer, there really isn't anything you can do about it. The problem is spammer can live anywhere, use any ISP located anywhere, use zombie computers, and close and open accounts at will. What really needs to happen is people need to stop responding and buying things from spam e-mails, and that is not going to happen. Sorry, Mark It seems that someone has taken my e-mail address and is using it to send out unauthorized messages. All of our security settings are in full force so we don't know why this is happening. We will try and figure this out as soon as possible. Our apologies for any offensive e-mails that may be being sent. If anyone has a suggestion or idea as to why this is happening let me know Jerry, Orchids Limited. ___ the OrchidGuide Digest (OGD) orchids@orchidguide.com http://orchidguide.com/mailman/listinfo/orchids_orchidguide.com
Re: [OGD] Phalaneopsis question ( Leaf Lesions/Microfungus)
Steve Wilson, I am sorry to hear that all your Phalaenopsis with the problem died, especially the old one you were fighting to keep. Anyone interested in the Phalaenopsis leaf lesion/micro fungus problem (It goes by a few names), there has been plenty written about it (especially around early 2004 when Steve brought it up) on the OGD and can be looked up in the archives, or send me e-mail and I will send you the posts. As some may know I gave a sample of a leaf to the California State Agricultural Dept. They looked at it under a electron microscope, and found nothing. The verdict: no fungus, no bacteria, and no virus. The plant pathologist opinion is that it is a physiological and cultural problem. The test was only done on one leaf from one Phalaenopsis, so the conclusion may or may not pertain to any other Phalaenopsis with this problem. I have three Phalaenopsis with this problem that I have been playing around with and trying to “cure”. After getting the results back from Cal State Ag, I tried a little experiment to see if I could “infect” a Phalaenopsis. I bought two Phalaenopsis hybrids (same size and type). I grew them for about 8 month separate from all other plants to see if they would show any sign of disease. They remained healthy. I then scooped a leaf from an “infected” Phalaenopsis with a sterile gouge. I took the scooped out part of the “infected” leaf and placed it into a scoop I had made in one of these new healthy Phalaenopsis, and secured it with tape. I continued to grow these new healthy Phalaenopsis together away from all other plants. After a year and a half, both the Phalaenopsis I intentional infected and the control showed no sign of the disease. Both remained healthy. I realize this is a n=1 experiment, but that is all I can do. I also tried to “infect” /Cassia occidentalis/, which I got from AJ Hicks, and nothing happened. /Cassia occidentalis/ is an indicator plant that catches just about everything. http://image.fs.uidaho.edu/vide/famly076.htm#Cassia%20occidentalis None of the three Phalaenopsis, I have are “cured”. They often will grow new leaves without lesions that will remain that way for sometime, but eventually lesions will form. I think the lesions are becoming less and not as crippling, but they are still there. I do think that the problem is a physiological and cultural problem. I think the problem happens in other orchids. It just looks different, like the Oncidium Sharry Baby spotting. I am still looking for a follow up to this article: In Orchids Magazine, January 2004, page 54, “What Causes Those Spots?” by Mani Skaria, PhD, Yin-Tung Wang, PhD, and Larry Barnes, PhD, they are doing a “Microscopic Study of Leaf Lesions of Oncidium Sharry Baby ‘Sweet Fragrance’. The conclusion of the article is they have eliminated a number of possibilities and are down to a virus infection or nutrient imbalance. Their next steps are a leaf mineral analysis, and some preliminary virus diagnosis. I have yet to see a Phalaenopsis cured of this problem. Nothing that I have tried culturally to “cure” the problem has worked so far. Some seem to be able to live fine with the lesions. One of my Phalaenopsis with the lesions is in bloom right now with many flowers. The fate of Phalaenopsis with this problem may very well be the same as Steve’s. Mark Sullivan In God We Trust, everyone else bring data. ___ the OrchidGuide Digest (OGD) orchids@orchidguide.com http://orchidguide.com/mailman/listinfo/orchids_orchidguide.com
Re: [OGD] Algae
Hello Gerald, I will give my 2 cents to your questions: Is algae a problem with respect to the health of the orchid? Properly watered what orchids would be exposed to algae? What I am asking is which orchids commonly available to the average home grower require being so continuously damp that algae would form? I don't think algae is particularly a problem with respect to the health of an orchid. The only orchids that I know of that would be exposed to algae are those grown in clear pots. Algae needs light and moisture to grow. The algae on the side of a clear pot probably stop some airflow and retains more moisture on the edge of the pot then if it was not there. Since the algae needs light to grow it will not grow too far into the potting mix and clog up the potting mix. As far as competition for nutrients, there is more then enough fertilizer flowing through most pots that this would not be a problem. My two cents Mark ___ the OrchidGuide Digest (OGD) orchids@orchidguide.com http://orchidguide.com/mailman/listinfo/orchids_orchidguide.com
Re: [OGD] Mildew on Catasetinae
Hello Terry, You could try spraying the under leafs with a weak vinegar water solution or other weak acidic solution (lemon juice or phosphoric acid and water). I imagine you would have to spray at regular intervals. Spraying the sap off before the mildew forms would be preventative. Mark Sullivan ___ the OrchidGuide Digest (OGD) orchids@orchidguide.com http://orchidguide.com/mailman/listinfo/orchids_orchidguide.com
Re: [OGD] Active Oxygen
Hello Cody, To answer your question: can I use it in my fertigation system to control the algae growth in the pots that have orchids and algae growing in them, is it safe for the roots of the plants? Hydrogen peroxide is an oxidizing agent, but it breaks down fairly quickly into water and oxygen so it will not be effective in a fertigation system for algae control. Safe for roots of the plant, depends on concentration. Has anyone else tried other products other than chlorine for algae or sterilization? Heat can be used if no plant is involved. Consan, Physan or anything like that will also work, but I would not use it constantly on pots with orchids in them. Algae exists like fungi, you have to have a certain amount of acceptance when growing in a non sterile environment. You could always repot with fresh medium and a clean pot when algae shows up, but that would be a lot of work. Smile. Mark ___ the OrchidGuide Digest (OGD) orchids@orchidguide.com http://orchidguide.com/mailman/listinfo/orchids_orchidguide.com
[OGD] Kyoto Protocol
As I understand it, only 38 industrialized nations have mandatory limits under the Kyoto protocol. The rest, e.g., China, India, Indonesia, Brazil, Mexico, etc... are supposed to make voluntary cuts. ___ the OrchidGuide Digest (OGD) [EMAIL PROTECTED] http://lists.orchidguide.com/mailman/listinfo/orchids
[OGD] CITES and Hybrids
I wonder if the average inspector will be able to identify species orchids intentionally mis-labled as hybrids. ___ the OrchidGuide Digest (OGD) [EMAIL PROTECTED] http://lists.orchidguide.com/mailman/listinfo/orchids
