Diablo View Orchid Society

Charles Wilson has been growing orchids for over 40 years. His botanical interests include Bulbophyllums, Cattleyas, Coelogynes, Dendrobiums, and Paphs, as well just about everything in between! He has been an active volunteer on several committees of the AOS and the Mid-American Orchid Congress. He's a past president and lifetime member of the Memphis Orchid Society, and a member of the Atlanta, Portland, Oregon, and Cherry City (OR) Orchid Societies.

Charles holds B.S. and M.S. degrees in zoology and animal behavior from Oklahoma State University, and served for 25 years as Director of the Memphis Zoo. He was accorded "Zoo Director Emeritus" status upon his retirement in 2001.

He and his wife, Susan, are both accredited judges at the Atlanta Judging Center. They live east of Atlanta on the Yellow River, where they enjoy travel and fishing.

If you would like to watch the talk remotely, please send a request for the Zoom link to dvosshowandtell@gmail.com before noon on Thursday, November 13th! We will respond with the link.

Because we won’t have an in-person visiting speaker this month, we will not be meeting for dinner before the meeting. We’ll still enjoy our regular meeting and program as planned—see you there!

We’re getting ready to reprint name tags! If you’ve lost yours or need a replacement, send a quick note to George at diablovieworchidsociety@gmail.com by Wednesday, November 12, 2025. He’ll make sure to have it ready for you at the next meeting.

Dear Members and Friends,

As we enter another exciting season of orchid shows, meetings, and learning together, I want to take a moment to reflect on what truly keeps our society thriving — our volunteers.

Our orchid society is entirely volunteer-run. Every meeting organized, every show table set up, every newsletter published, and every orchid repotted for display happens because someone decided to share their time and enthusiasm. Without these generous acts, our society simply wouldn’t exist.

Volunteering is more than just helping — it’s how we build connections, exchange knowledge, and nurture the next generation of orchid lovers. Whether you can give an hour at a meeting, lend a hand at a show, serve on a committee, or share your growing tips in a presentation, your contribution makes a real difference. Join our Board of Directors; we meet via Zoom on the 3rd Thursday of every month.

I encourage each of you to find a way to get involved for 2026. Even small efforts add up to something beautiful — just like the many blooms that make up a stunning orchid display. Together, we can continue to cultivate not only our orchids but also our community.

If you’re not sure where to start, please reach out to any board member or to me directly. We’d love to help match your interests and skills with a volunteer opportunity that fits you.

Thank you for being part of this remarkable organization — and for keeping our shared passion for orchids growing strong.

Warm regards,

George Su
President
Diablo View Orchid Society

Chaunie Langland gave us a wonderful talk about Barkerias and Comparettias. She brought along blooming Barkeria examples. The oppotrunity table was provided by Marni Turkel with additions from Liz Charlton and Diane Bond. Barkerias were in that mix.

It’s that time again. Please send in your dues for next year so we can continue to keep DVOS going. There are two easy ways to pay- electronic or good old snail mail. See the instructions below. Get those dues in so that DVOS can continue to be the society we all depend on.

Electronic submission of DVOS dues:

https://forms.gle/3FzHywMkM7o1hrSJ9

Electronic payments can be made at:

http://bit.ly/40tnpje

OR

Send a check with your contact information to:

DVOS

Attn: Maggie Woo

401 Woodbine Ln

Danville, CA 94526

It's that time of year again. Our annual holiday party is coming up:

Thursday, December 18, 2025

Set up 6:00PM, Dinner 7:00PM

PLEASANT HILL COMMUNITY CENTER

320 Civic Drive

Pleasant Hill, CA

We will have many of our favorite activities:

• Potluck dinner
• Gift exchange
• We have a liquor license, so you can bring wine or beer if you would like.
• If you're bringing something Vegan or Gluten-Free or Allergens, please be sure to bring a note card so people know what's in the dish.

Free for all for potluck, but if you'd like recommendations:

• A-G Hot Dish
• H-O Desserts
• P-Z Salads

It is ALSO the time of year that we elect our leaders

We need volunteers for the following positions:

• Board Members
• President
• Vice President
• Board Members
• Membership Chair

Committee members

• Show and sale
• Auction
• Greenhouse/garden tour

Kathy and George showing and telling

Wh had NO NOVICE GROWERS this month. C'mon novices! bring those plants in for November.

Intermediate First Place

Paphiopedilum F.C.Puddle

Exhibitor: Diana Vavrek

Diana brings in this wonderful old complex hybrid. This is a hybrid of Paphiopedilum Actaeus and Paphiopedilum Astarte, registered in 1932 . This plant will thrive in dappled light to shade and cool to warm temperatures (58-75°F at night). They DO NOT like to dry out between waterings.

Intermediate Second Place

Cattleya Beaufort

Exhibitor: Jan Dancigar

Jan brings in a Sunset Valley Orchids remake of a favorite small hybrid. This is a primary hybrid of Cattleya coccinea and Cattleya luteola, registered in 1963 . This plant will thrive in dappled light to shade and cool to warm temperatures (58-75°F at night). They MUST dry out between waterings.

Intermediate Third Place

Gomesa radicans

Exhibitor: Judith Johnston

Judith brings in a charming species native to Brazil. This plant will thrive in dappled light to shade and cool to warm temperatures (58-75°F at night). It likes to be watered often while actively growing but must have excellent drainage.

Advanced First Place

Barkeria Lindleyana v alba 'SanBar White Cloud' AM/AOS

Exhibitor: Pat Bacchetti

Pat wins the prize for bringing in a species that is the subject of the talk! This plant will thrive in dappled to bright indirect light and cool to warm temperatures (58-75°F at night). It likes to be watered often while actively growing but must dry quickly after watering. Reduce water in autumn through the winter.

Advanced Second Place

Dendrobium nakaharae

Exhibitor: David Trebotich

David brings in another unusual species to share. This plant is native to Taiwan, growing in moist, dappled shade in forsets at 2200-6500 feet abouve sea level. This plant will thrive in dappled light and cool temperatures (58-66°F at night). It likes to be watered often while actively growing but must dry quickly after watering. Reduce water in autumn through the winter.

Advanced Third Place

Vanda Green Light

Exhibitor: David Trebotich

David brings in this charming primary hybrid of Vanda vietnamica and Vanda falcata. This plant will thrive in dappled to bright indirect light and cool to warmtemperatures (58-75°F at night). It likes to be watered often while actively growing but must dry quickly after watering. Reduce water in autumn through the winter.