Mary will be speaking to us about one of her favorite orchid destinations, Papua New Guinea (PNG) offers an incredible visit to a country that is tangled in time. Her lecture, The Orchids and Tribes of Papua New Guinea is based on multiple PNG expeditions, covers the Port Moresby area (nature parks, the amazing cultural museum, Varirata National Park), the Western and Southern Highlands (Mt. Hagen area, also Mt. Wilhelm), New Britain, and the islands of the eastern cape (Normanby, Fergusson). Fantastic scenery, visits with some of the many tribes, a sing-sing, a moo-moo (traditional pig roast), birds of paradise, and of course, orchids. Expect incredible photographs of orchids in the wild, many rarely if ever seen in cultivation.

Mary has been interested in plants for most of her adult life, and has been growing orchids on and off for the last 40 years, despite several cross country moves as part of her “other life” as a biomedical scientist. Her passion for orchids was rekindled when she moved to the San Francisco Bay area in 1997 and attended an orchid show. Returning home with a few plants, she decided to join a local orchid society to learn more about taking care of them, and from these beginnings, her current passion grew exponentially! Now Mary truly has put her roots down, and has orchids in two greenhouses, five lath houses, her front porch, sun room, and anywhere else she can put them. Her collection of about two thousand plants, mostly species, is rich in masdevallias and other miniature orchids of many different genera. Mary has traveled extensively to see orchids in situ, including many countries in Central and South America, Southeast Asia, as well as Australia, Papua New Guinea, South Africa, Madagascar, Europe & Mediterranean islands, the USA and Canada. She has co-authored six botanical books with co-author and photographer Ron Parsons “Masdevallias, Gems of the Orchid World”, “Calochortus, Mariposa Lilies and their Relatives”, “A Compendium of Miniature Orchid Species” (a two book set), “A Bay Area Guide to Orchids and their Culture” “The American Orchid Society Guide to Orchids and their Culture”, and the recently released “The Compendium of Miniature Orchid Species, 2nd edition” (a four book set).

Mary has served as president and vice president for both the Peninsula and San Francisco Orchid Societies, and is currently president and chief executive officer of the Orchid Conservation Alliance and a director of the Orchid Digest.

Members of DVOS are invited to a no-host, pre-meeting dinner with our guest speaker, Mary Gerritsen. We will meet for dinner at 5:00 pm on Thursday, June 12th at:

Aung Burma

2151 Salvio St Suite E

Concord, CA 94520

This restaurant is a 5-minute drive from the meeting venue. If you wish to attend, RSVP to bonddiane9@gmail.com by noon on Wednesday, June 11, so we can make a reservation for the appropriate number of attendees.

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, June 11, 2025. He’ll make sure to have it ready for you at the next meeting.

Curious about repotting, watering, or why your orchid isn’t blooming? You’re not alone—and we’re here to help! Each month, we’ll feature tips and tricks from fellow members on everything from pest control to the best growing conditions.

Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned grower, no question is too small. Bring your questions to the next meeting or email them beforehand—your question might even be featured in an upcoming newsletter!

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

Mail in the submission of DVOS dues:

1. We ask for the following LEGIBLE information:

• First Name
• Last Name
• Email address
• Phone number
• Address

2. Write a check for $30, payable to Diablo View Orchid Society.

3. Mail the check along with the information indicated above to:

Maggie Woo

PO Box 492

Danville, CA 94526

You will be notified by email of the receipt of funds and the membership form.

Dear Orchid Members,

I want to take a moment this month to talk about something we all experience—failure.

When I first started growing orchids, I believed success meant getting everything perfect. I obsessed over watering schedules, light levels, humidity, and repotting methods. And yet… I still lost plants. I still watched buds blast, leaves yellow, and roots rot. I was discouraged more times than I can count.

But here’s what I’ve learned: every failed orchid taught me more than any success ever did.

That overwatered Phalaenopsis showed me the importance of root health. The Cattleya that refused to bloom reminded me to check my light levels. And the Dendrobium that finally thrived after three years of struggle? It taught me patience.

Orchid growing isn’t about having a flawless collection—it’s about learning, adapting, and enjoying the journey. Each mistake is a stepping stone to better understanding, and every challenge is a chance to grow—not just for the plant, but for us as growers too.

So if you’ve lost a plant recently or are struggling with one now, you’re not alone. Don’t be afraid to ask questions, share your experiences at meetings, or reach out to fellow members. That’s what our society is for—supporting each other through the ups and downs.

Let’s continue to learn together, grow together, and yes—occasionally fail together.

Warm regards,

George Su
President
Diablo View Orchid Society

Great reason to visit Sacramento. Make a day of it! Contact Diane Bond (bonddiane9@gmail.com) or see her at the meeting for $20 advanced tickets.

Dennis Olivas telling us all there is to know about growing orchids at the May meeting

Cattleya mantiqueirae

Grown by Chen-Hao Hsu

Chen-Hao brought in brought in this tiny species that is native to Brazil in the states of Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo at elevations ~5000 ft. In cultivation is should grow in cool to warm conditions (58-75°F at night) . It should be watered heavily while actively growing but roots should dry rapidly after watering. Water should be reduced in fall through winter. Chen Hao grows this plant outside in San Jose.

Phalaenopsis Nobby's Shadowy

Grower Michael Solari

Michael brings in a beautiful hybrid novelty Phalaenopsis. This plant will thrive in low light and hot to warm temperatures (66-85°F at night) . Allow mature plant to dry out a bit between waterings.

Howeara Lava Burst 'Puanani' AM/AOS

Grower Jonathan Newsome

Jonathan brings in a perennial favorite hybrid. Lava Burst is tolerant of a wide range of conditions. It is happy in dappled to bright light and intermediate to hot temperatures (58-85°F at night).

Dendrobium Kkngianum 'Madam'

Grower Sonya Provaznik

Sonya brings in a beautiful Dendrobium kingianum . It is a wonderful, tolerant species in our area. It should be able to grow outside in our area as long as you protect it from winter rains and frosts.

Brassocattleya Keowee 'Mendenhal' AM/AOS

Grower David

David brought in a beautiful hybrid for us to see. You can see the beautiful wide spotted lip it gets from it parent Brassavola nodosa. This plant should be happy in bright indirect to partial sun conditions, intermediate to hot temperatures (58-85°F at night). This plant MUST dry out between waterings.

Dendrobium hybrid

(Dendrobium Super Star x Dendrobium moniliforme Np2)

Grower Diana Vavrek

Diana brought in a beautiful Dendrobium hybrid from Frank Fordyce breeding. She says that is is a very robust easy grower in her collection.

Brassolaeliocattley hybrid

(Laeliocattleya Green Veil x Brasavola nodosa)

Exhibitor Chen-Hao Hsu

Chen-Hao brought in another B nodosa hybrid. This plant should be happy in bright indirect to partial sun conditions, intermediate to hot temperatures (58-85°F at night). This plant MUST dry out between waterings. Chen-Hao grows it outside in San Jose.

Bulbophyllum falcatum

Grown by David Trebotich. David brought in this monster of a plant for us to see. This species is native to tropical West Africa. It grows in shaded conditions and warm to hot temperatures (66-85°F at night). It likes to be watered often when actively growing but should have excellent drainage . Water should be reduced in the fall and winter. Thanks for hauling that monster out for us to see David!

Rhyncattleanthe Love Passion 'Island Romance'

Grower Phyllis Arthur

Phyllis brought in another one of her beautiful Cattleya hybrids. This is a complex hybrid with 17 species parents contribution to these bright orange flowers. This plant will thrive in dappled to bright indirect light and cool to warm temperatures (58-75°F at night). This plant MUST dry out between waterings.

Epidendrum Wedding Valley 'Sakura Komachi'

Grower Miki Ichiyanagi

Miki brings in a beautiful pink Epidendrum hybrid. This plant should like bright indirect light and will probably tolerate partial sun. It will grow in cool to warm temperatures (58-75°F at night) and MUST dry out between waterings.