Diablo View Orchid Society
June 2026 Newsletter
Event Information
June 2026 Presentation
The 3 A's of the Orchid World: Angraecum, Aerangis, and Aeranthes
For this month's meeting, we will be given a dynamic presentation shared by Peter T. Lin that offers a fast-paced look into the captivating world of Angraecoid orchids. He will explore three of the family's primary genera, highlight several lesser-known gems, and showcase some of the stunning hybrids created over the years.
Peter started growing orchids over 40 years ago, but then stopped due to school and starting a career. It wasn't until about 25 years ago that the orchid "bug" came back and he is now heavily involved once again! He is an accredited judge with the American Orchid Society, and a hybridizer of mini-catts. He enjoys meeting with other orchid enthusiasts, and can often be found at various orchid shows and societies around the country.
Due to limited growing space, Peter likes to specialize in miniature orchids, both species and hybrids, and has received numerous AOS awards. His interests in orchids include Dendrobiums, Angraecoids, and Neofinetias. He is also known as "Mr Sophronitis" as he has a passion for growing and collecting them. He maintains a collection of a several thousand orchids at his home in Southern California in 3 small greenhouses, outdoors, as well as an offsite greenhouse.
Due to Peter's presentation being carried out live via Zoom, there will not be a speaker dinner.
President's Letter
Dear Members,
I’d like to begin by saying what a wonderful day we enjoyed on May 21st at Mary Nisbet’s greenhouses in Bolinas. The sun was shining, the weather was warm with a refreshing breeze, and the plants were absolutely beautiful. Our members brought a delicious and varied assortment of dishes for lunch, and everyone had a wonderful time.
Our next special event will be the annual plant auction in September, so now is the perfect time to divide your larger orchids and consider donating one or more of the new plants to the auction. This event is our most important fundraiser of the year and helps keep our club thriving. Following the auction, we will enjoy a potluck lunch, providing an opportunity to relax, visit with friends, and extend the fun. It is always one of the highlights of the year.
Our June speaker will be Peter T. Lin, who will introduce us to the “Three A’s” of orchids: Angraecum, Aerangis, and Aeranthes. These fascinating genera are unfamiliar to me, so I plan to be taking plenty of notes and look forward to learning alongside all of you.
Finally, June 21st is Father’s Day. To all the fathers and grandfathers in our club, thank you for your continued support and participation. We wish you a wonderful celebration and a very happy Father’s Day!
Warm regards,
Mary Christopherson
President, DVOS
UPCOMING DVOS ORCHID EVENTS
The 2025 auction in action
Our intrepid treasurer Maggie
Auctioneer extrordinaire Dennis
Too many cooks in the kitchen??
DVOS Fall Auction & Picnic
Our auction is coming up
Saturday, September 12, 2026 , starting at 8:30am for prep.
Pleasant Hill Park
147 Gregory Ln
Pleasant Hill, CA 94523
Area #3 (just north of the parking lot in the southeast corner of the park)
We need EVERYBODY to participate.
Please:
- DONATE, DONATE, DONATE
- Now is the time to get out there and divide. Donate your established divisions to the auction.
- Communicate with your orchid-growing friends about donating to our auction. They don’t need to be members of DVOS to donate!
More details will be made available in the next few newsletters. The important thing for you to do NOW is:
- SAVE THE DATE
- Start identifying and preparing plants to donate.
- Send in photos and information for the auction catalog.
When?
Saturday, Sep 12, 2026, 08:30 AM
Where?
147 Gregory Ln, Pleasant Hill, CA 94523, USA
Upcoming Regional Events
California Sierra Nevada Judging Center of the American Orchid Society presents
Speakers Day
When: Saturday August1, 2026 9AM-5PM
Where: Charmichael Elks Lodge
5631 Cypress Ave
Carmichael, CA
Cost for AOS members and member of AOS sponsoring societies (that's us!): $10 in advance
Cost for AOS members and member of AOS sponsoring societies (that's us!) at the door $20
General admission: $30
Speakers:
Francisco Miranda
Fred Clarke
Roy Tokunaga
Vendors;
There will be 5 vendors from across the country.
AOS judging:
AOS judging will take place and be explained for the audience.
Auction:
Exciting, high quality plants, books, wines for auction
SO- You would be crazy to not take advantage of this day. Advanced tickets can be purchased at the DVOS meeting from your friendly CSNJC judges:
Kathy Barrett
Diane Bond
Nancy McClellan
Dennis Olivas
Tom Pickford
Or contact any one of them and they will get you tickets.
George Su
April Show and Tell Winners
Henry is presenting Show and Tell with Mary this month
Henry has a tiny one
Team Henry/Liz
Liz eying a beautiful Brassavola
Lancer Smith
Dendrobium Ovation
Grower: Liz Charlton
Liz brings in this beautiful primary hybrid (a cross between Dendrobium cyanocentrum and Dendrobium parvulum) that was registered in 2018 by Marnie Turkel. Both species parents are native to New Guinea. They grow in rain forests at elevations from 2600-8700 feet above sea level. They like to grow in shaded light, warm to hot temperatures (66°F -85°F at night). They like to be kept moist but not soggy
Novice Growers
Novice Grower First Place
Cattleya tigrina
Grower: Claire Conger
Clair brings in this beautiful species that is native to Brazil. It is found in swamps near the coast from near Rio de Janeiro ranging South. It likes to grow in bright indirect light and warm to hot temperatures (66°F -85°F at night). It likes to be watered often but it's roots need to dry out between waterings.
Novice Second Place
Epidendrum paniculatum
(syn. Epidendrum floribundum)
Grower: Sonya Provaznik
Novice Third Place
Phalaenopsis NoID
(Dennis says it is Phalaenopsis OX Firebird)
Grower: Mary Christopherson
Mary brings in another of her beautiful hybrid standard Phalaenopsis. It likes to grow in low light and warm to hot temperatures (66°F -85°F at night). It likes dry out slightly between waterings.
Intermediate Growers
Intermediate First Place
Phalaenopsis NoID
Grower: Kaitlyn Strom
Kaitlyn brings in a beautiful hybrid Phalaenopsis. She says it is fragrant during the day. It likes to grow in low light and warm to hot temperatures (66°F -85°F at night). It likes dry out slightly between waterings.
Intermediate Second Place
Cymbidium NoID
Grower: Ricardo Pastor
Ricardo brought in a beautiful Cymbidium NoID. Provide bright, indirect light, maintain a temperature range of 50-75°F at night, ensure good air circulation, water thoroughly when the potting mix is dry, and fertilize regularly during the growing season.
Intermediate Third Place
Phalaenopsis Telu
Grower: Kaitlyn Strom
Kaitlyn brings in a beautiful hybrid Phalaenopsis. It is a primary hybrid of Phalaenopsis tetraspis and Phalaenopsis lueddemanniana. It likes to grow in low light and warm to hot temperatures (66°F -85°F at night). It likes dry out slightly between waterings.
Advanced Growers
Advanced First Place
Dendrobium Nestor v. coerulea
Grower: Liz Charlton
Liz brings in this beautiful primary hybrid in the section Nobile. It is a primary hybrid of Dendrobium parishii and Dendrobium anosmum. It likes to grow in dappled light and cool to hot temperatures (58°F -85°F at night). Keep moist in spring/summer while plant is actively growing. Reduce water in the cool months. It likes to grow in a pot that is small for the size of the plant
Advanced Second Place
Coelogyne nitida
Grower: Jim Wert
Jim brings in a species native to Nepal through Sikkim and Bhutan to the Khasi Hills in northeast India, upper Burma, Yunnan Province of southwest China, Thailand, and Laos. Throughout their habitat, plants are found at 4900-7550 ft above sea level. It likes to grow in shaded to dappled light and cool temperatures (58°F -66°F at night). Water heavily while actively growing but do not allow medium to become stale or soggy. Reduce water as new growths mature through winter.
Advanced Third Place
Dracula minax
Grower: Jim Wert
Jim brings in this weird species native to Colombia. It likes to grow in shade and cold to cool temperatures (50°F -66°F at night). Water heavily while actively growing but do not allow medium to become stale or soggy. Reduce water as new growths mature through winter but never allow to completely dry out.
