Author Archives: Jay Loeffler

Speaker – Allen Black                                                                          

Topic – Brassavola/Cattleya Alliance Breeding – Spiders And Stars

Join us for this month’s program as Allen Black will be presenting a talk on his favorite genus, Brassavola/Cattleya Alliance Breeding.

Allen Black was exposed to the pleasures of horticulture at a very young age in central Pennsylvania.
Early exposure to houseplants, flower beds, and vegetable gardening was common for Allen in his formative years.
He is hobbyist orchid grower and breeder (i.e., non-commercial) living in Richmond, VA.
He has been growing and breeding orchids for over 25 years.
His main breeding efforts have been directed at Brassavola-Cattleya alliance novelty hybrids.
He has just registered his 80th orchid hybrid!
He performs his own orchid laboratory work, including flask media preparation, seed sowing, & replating.
He has traveled throughout Central and South America to see orchids growing in the “wild”.
Some of the results of his Orchid breeding efforts can be seen on his web
site: Allen Black’s Brassavola & Other Orchids

Novelty Brassavola/Cattleya Alliance Breeding – Spiders And Stars
Are you growing weary of the meristem, more-of-the-same, big, round, beautiful, Cattleya alliance hybrids?
Do you want some “different, unique, or exciting”?
This presentation is for you! There’s still hope in the orchid breeding world!
Explore the breeding results of hobbyist orchid breeder, Allen Black.
His breeding efforts have been directed at developing novelty flowers, something different, beautiful, & unusual.
He approaches breeding as an art form. Breeding Brassavola/Cattleya alliance is his specialty.
The presentation includes lots of beautiful pictures and covers the following topics:
– Breeding goals.
– Brassavola species – My favorite parents.
– Brassavola primary hybrids.
– Brassokeria (Brassavola X Barkeria hybrids).
– Other wild & wonderful Brassavola/Cattleya alliance hybrids.

Meeting starts 7:00 – Doors open at 6:30.
Venice Community Center

Speaker – Dr. Courtney T. Hackney                                                                                                         

Topic – Getting Your Orchids To Rebloom

Join us for this month’s program as Courtney will be presenting a talk on his favorite genus, Cattleyas.

Professor Hackney is the Director of Coastal Biology at the University of North Florida in Jacksonville, Florida. He began growing orchids in the Florida Keys in 1962 while working for a small orchid nursery and has continued his interest in both orchid hybridizing and orchid culture since then. He grows many different genera, but his favorite is the Cattleya Alliance. He has about 500 mature cattleyas and even more seedlings, but his favorites are classic clones, some of which appeared in orchid collections over 100 years ago. He makes 8-10 hybrids and species sib crosses per year in various genera.

He wrote a Growing Tips column for 20 years, which ended in December 2013 that appeared in newsletters around the country and has published in Orchid Digest. In 2004, he published “American Cattleyas”, the culmination of a decade of study and interviews, which summarizes in old photographs and print how all of the modern cattleyas came to be. The book also describes what we know about cattleyas and cattleya hybrids, how to grow them, and what to expect from modern hybrids.

He and his wife Rose live in Jacksonville, Florida adjacent to a tidal swamp. Rose paints and he enjoys the Epi. conopseum growing in the trees in his backyard, while he conducts his research in the swamp. His orchids are now enjoying residence in a new 24’x25’ Florida shade house adjacent to the swamp.

Courtney and Rose will have plants and their books for sale.

Meeting starts 7:00 – Doors open at 6:30.
Venice Community Center

February Growers Clinic

Hands-on Orchid Repotting Clinic

Thursday, February 14th, Venice Community Center Room D, 7pm

Joanna Shaw and the Growers Clinic team will lead a Hands-on Orchid Repotting session at the Venice Community Center at 7:00 p.m. They will explain the supplies, tools and planting media, demonstrate basic procedures and share their tips of the trade. Participants will then repot their own orchid with the assistance of several experienced growers and helpers. We will work in teams of 4 or 5 around a table with each person bringing an orchid that needs repotting  as well as a suitable pot to replant the orchid and a sterile pair of shears.

With only two hours available and a large turnout expected, it is critical that everyone adhere to the instructions below:

• All plants must be removed from their pot and all old planting media and dead roots must be removed prior to the clinic

• Only one plant per person

• Bring your pot and shears

• Please make sure your plant is free from pests or diseases.

Media and supplies for most orchids will be provided.

Bring your problem plants for expert help. Guests are welcome.  ccent