The Acadian Orchid Society August 2016

President’s Message…

Hello Everyone! It looks like we‟ll have more

really HOT weather through

August. Hopefully, we‟ll be-gin to get some reliefsometime

during the month of Septem-

ber. I‟ve been trying hard to

give my plants extra attention lately to get them through the heat. This past

weekend, I did notice that some of the plants I had

moved outside had very small snails on them! I carefully examined each plant and picked off all of

the snails I found and ended their short-lived lives.

Sorry, fellas! In July, I received an email from C.J.Babineaux.

He wanted to let us know that his beautiful wife

Judy has been diagnosed with an aggressive form

of lymphoma and wanted to let us know why they hadn‟t been attending our meetings. Judy was in

her 4th round of treatments at Our Lady of Lourdes

Oncology in Lafayette. Let‟s please keep them in our thoughts and our prayers. I‟ve sent an email to

get an update and I‟ll let you know when I get

more information.

Here is a little advice I found on Art Chadwick‟s website to help your plants survive the summer

heat:

For the most part, epiphytic plants of all kinds love the summers with their high humidity, gentle

breezes and warm temperatures. But this year

might be the exception as triple digit thermometer readings have become the norm. Orchids are com-

monly found in tropical cloud forests that rarely

exceed 90 degrees F.

(continued on page 3)

August Meeting

and

Program

Our August Program

Will feature a

SWROGA presentation

Of

“Fragrant

Orchid Species”

Dr. Wollard will

deliver the dialogue

@ @ @

Flo Young, Jodeen

Davis and Bill Adams

have very kindly

offered to provide

refreshments.

Date: August 15th

7:00 p.m.

Ira Nelson HortCenter

News from July…

We are already gearing up for Short Course

2016. Our members voted on the topics we

would like to have addressed by the speakers

who will attend this year‟s classes. The chosen

presentations will be:

Peter Linn, of Diamond Orchids, will speak on

Mini-Cattleyas and The Genus Dendrobium.

Jim Roberts, of Florida Suncoast Orchids, will

enlighten us about Growing Dendrobium An-

osmum and its Hybrids, and “What is Wrong

with this Picture” which is a program on pests

and diseases.

Sounds like another really excellent day of fun

and education.

At the July meeting, the updated plaques from

our June show were presented: Meta Flanagin

will hold the trophy for Best Grown Plant for

the coming year. Dr. Dennis Wollard snagged

the plaque representing the Ellis Fletcher

Award for Best Flower. Congratulations to

both, and good growing!

Members voted on their favorites from among

the wonderful flowers presented by their peers.

Winners in each category were described by

AOS Award-winning grower Harold Letz.

They were:

Cattleya: (tie for 1st

place) - C. Thai Rose—

Dennis Wollard and

Schom. exaltata—

Meta Flanagin

2nd—BLC Mem. Vida

Lee—Barbara Alexan-

der

3rd—Epi. conopseum

(magnoliae) Ted Joubert

Vandaceous:

1st—Ascda. Ratchave-

ria Gold—Meta

Flanagin

2nd (tie) - (Renanthera X Ascocenda) KG

Kristy Low - Bill Adams and Pelatantheria

ctenoglossa—Nancy Anne Rowe

3rd (tie) - (Ascf. Twinkle x Christensonia

vietnamica)—Nancy Anne Rowe and Vanda

(possibly Lim Chong Eu) - Laura Tindell

Miscellaneous:

1st—Aeranthes

Grandiose—Meta

Flanagin

2nd—Gramm.

scriptum—

‟Citrinum‟ - Meta

Flanagin

3rd—Den. Little Green Apples “Green Elf‟ -

Carolyn Girouard

(Editor’s apologies: photo is of 2nd place

winner, Grammatophylum scriptum. You must

admit, it’s impressive!)

August Birthdays

Clay Webb—August 2nd Carolyn Girouard—August 5th Lisa Morrison—August 6th Bob Soprano—August 14th Cathy Broussard—August 15th Dr. Dennis Wollard—August 23rd Stefanie Concepcion—August 28th Harold Letz—August 30th Joe Niegel—August 31st Hope you all have had or will have a really great day!

President’s Message (continued from p1)

Cultural extremes can cause „botanical stress‟

whose symptoms vary from yellowing leaves to

shriveled pseudo-bulbs to droopy flowers. Though permanent damage is not likely to occur, plants

may get „stunted‟ for a year or two before they re-

gain their vigor again. Orchids are slow growers to

begin with so it‟s always advisable to give them optimum conditions so that they will bloom annu-

ally. Daily temperatures of 105 degrees F for

weeks at a time will certainly stress most orchids. There are several options available to novice grow-

ers when summers get unbearably hot. The first is

to keep the plants in the shade during the heat wave. Although the light levels may be lower than

normal, the far more dangerous temperature threat

will be reduced. Another idea is to spray the

leaves down with tepid water several times a day (cold water will „shock‟ plants) being careful not to

let any Phalaenopsis crowns remain wet at night-

fall. Also, increasing the air movement around the plants can significantly lower leaf surface tem-

peratures. Hanging plants from tree limbs or using

an outside fan can assist with this effort. As a last

resort, bring the plants inside until seasonal weather returns.

Also, I want to apologize for missing a few meet-

ings, including August. We‟ve had 3 family mem-bers in the hospital for long-term stays within the

last few months. My Dad is still in the hospital

right now.And, my work is requiring me to be in Houston every week, so things have been very,

very hectic. L But, I look forward to seeing all of

you soon! Geanna

Dr. Martin Motes’ Tasks

For August

Finish cutting teretes and reed stem epidendrums early in month.

Reset strap leaf vandas early or not at all.

Dry hard once or twice. Continue anti fungal spray pro-

gram. Apply snail bait lightly twice, ten

days apart.

10 Natural Ways to Get

Rid of Ants

1. Baby Powder: You can dust this di-

rectly on to the ants when you see them

and at all entry points where you think

they might be entering.

2. Cucumber Peelings: Leave cucumber

peelings in the areas where ants appear,

these peelings are toxic to ants and will

ward them off.

3. Vinegar & Water Wipe: Wipe down

any surfaces where ants appear. Counter

tops, tables, and even cupboards. They

dislike the smell of vinegar, ultimately

keeping them away.

4. Bay Leaves & Cloves: Another smell

related trap for the ants. They'll stay away

from the smells they hate most!

5. Coffee Grounds: These can be spread

around your house, but the best place for

the grounds is the garden. It will keep

your flowers and plants ant free!

6. Chalk: Draw chalk lines from there

point of entry. They will avoid it like the

plague!

7. Lemon Juice: Dabbing lemon juice

around doors and windows can keep ants

away.

8. Baking Soda & Powdered Sugar: If

your looking to do more then keeping ants

away use this little mixture to kill the

small intruders! Mix 1 part baking soda

with 1 part powdered sugar. The sugar

will attract them and the baking soda will

kill them.

9. Cinnamon: Using this in the pow-

dered form or in an essential oil spray can

do wonders for keeping ants away and is

easy to clean up.

10. Cornmeal: This is best used out on

your deck to get ants away from your

patio or garden area. Just sprinkle corn-

meal in high traffic areas.