Diablo View Orchid Society

Diane's talk will be on Zygopetalum species and Their Hybrids in the Bay Area.

Diane has been growing orchids in one way or another since high school. Her interest in orchids led to a degree in molecular biology and an early career in plant biotechnology. Her collection has grown and shrunk through moves to Oklahoma, The Netherlands, Iowa and finally back home to the Bay Area and a career in DNA sequencing technology.

Her local orchid society is our own Diablo View Orchid Society where she has held the office of both President and Vice President and is currently a Board member. She is an Associate Judge for the American Orchid Society.

She currently has one temperature-controlled greenhouse and two outdoor growing areas in Oakland.

Members of DVOS are invited to a no-host, pre-meeting dinner with our speaker. We will meet for dinner at 5:00pm on Thursday, August 14th 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, please RSVP to dvosshowandtell@gmail.com by noon on Thursday August 14th 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, August 6, 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!

Dear Orchid Society Members,

I hope this message finds you and your plants thriving. As we move through the growing season, it's a good time to raise awareness about one of the most persistent and frustrating pests we encounter in orchid culture: mealybugs.

These small, white, cottony insects are more than just a cosmetic nuisance — they feed on plant sap, weaken roots and leaves, and can transmit disease. Mealybugs often hide in leaf axils, under sheaths, and at the base of pseudobulbs, making early detection key.

🔍 What to Watch For

• White, fuzzy clumps around new growth, nodes, or roots

• Sticky residue (honeydew) and sooty mold

• Deformed or yellowing leaves, weak growth

• Crawling nymphs near potting media or shelf surfaces

✅ Safe Treatment Options

1. Manual Removal

• Use a cotton swab dipped in 70% isopropyl alcohol to dab directly onto mealybugs.

• For larger infestations, lightly spray affected areas with alcohol. Test first to avoid leaf burn.

2. Insecticidal Soap or Neem Oil

• Effective when used consistently and sprayed thoroughly, especially under leaves and into leaf joints.

• Use early morning or evening to avoid sunburn.

• Avoid oil sprays on heat-stressed or dehydrated plants.

3. Repotting + Media Check

• Remove old media, inspect roots for hidden insects or eggs, and repot into fresh mix.

• Clean pots, benches, and surrounding tools to prevent reinfestation.

4. Biological Control (Optional)

• In outdoor or greenhouse environments, beneficial insects like Cryptolaemus montrouzieri (mealybug destroyer beetles) can help control populations.

🌱 Prevention is Best

• Inspect new plants before adding them to your collection.

• Quarantine new arrivals for at least 2–3 weeks.

• Avoid over-fertilization and excess humidity that can promote soft growth mealybugs love.

• Wipe leaves regularly and check hidden spots during watering.

Let’s all stay vigilant and share what works! If you’ve had success with a particular treatment, feel free to share your experience at our next meeting or email the group.

Together, we can help protect our collections and keep our orchids strong, healthy, and mealybug-free.

Warm regards,

George Su
President
Diablo View Orchid Society

Auction Catalog Information

We have found the catalog to be a very useful tool to attract folks to our auction. SO send information for the catalog! Your plant doesn’t have to be fancy dancy to be in the catalog. See list of information that would be helpful below. It is OK if you don’t have ALL of this information. Just send what you have. You can provide this information (along with images) in an email to Diane (bonddiane9@gmail.com)

• Photo and description of size (inches wide and inches tall) of the plant
• Name (please include the entire name as you know it)
• Any cultural background that you have or can find
• How have you have been growing it?
• Last time it bloomed, was divided, was repotted
• Has it been tested for Virus? If so- what is it’s status? (you do NOT have to virus test)
• Reserve price (if applicable)
• Donor’s name

001 Cattleya purpurata v. carnea

Donor: Diane Bond

This is a division of a plant that I got from California Orchids in 2022. It bloomed mid-July 2025 and was divided in late July.

• Native to Brazil
• Grow in cool to warm temperatures (58-75°F at night).
• Dappled light to bright indirect light.
• Water often especially when actively growing but allow to dry out between waterings.
• Blooms summer.
• 8" pot.
• ORSV/CyMV negative July 2025.

Location: Contra Costa Water District

Time Commitment: Approx. 4–6 hours/month (varies by event schedule)

Diablo View Orchid Society is a volunteer-driven organization dedicated to environmental education and the appreciation of native and hybrid orchids. Through virtual and in-person programs, we connect people with nature, promote conservation, and inspire a love for the natural world.

Role Summary:

We’re seeking a detail-oriented and reliable Audio Visual Volunteer to support our virtual presentations and webinars via Zoom. These events may include monthly educational talks, gardening workshops, orchid care demonstrations, and conservation discussions. Your role is crucial in helping create a seamless and professional experience for both speakers and attendees.

Key Responsibilities:

• Set up and manage Zoom meetings or webinars (screen sharing, waiting rooms, breakout rooms if needed).
• Conduct tech checks with presenters ahead of each event (mic, video, slide deck).
• Troubleshoot basic audio/visual issues during live sessions.
• Record and archive Zoom sessions when requested.
• Communicate with staff and presenters during events via chat or behind-the-scenes coordination.
• Optional: Assist with basic editing or uploading of recordings post-event.

Ideal Qualifications:

• Comfortable using Zoom and familiar with its host controls.
• Calm under pressure and confident in managing live virtual events.
• Reliable internet connection and access to a quiet space during presentations.
• Good communication skills; friendly and professional demeanor.
• Interest in environmental topics, native plants, or orchids is a plus!

What You’ll Gain:

• Be part of a welcoming community of plant and nature lovers.
• Help amplify environmental education and outreach.
• Learn more about native plants, sustainable gardening, and orchid care.
• Build technical and event management experience.
• Receive volunteer hours or a letter of recommendation if requested.
• Free Diablo View Orchid Society membership for a year.

How to Get Involved:

To apply or learn more, please contact George Su at diablovieworchidsociety@gmail.com. Let us know a little about yourself, your interest in the role, and any relevant experience.

Unknown Orchid

Grower David Trebotich

David brought in this beautiful miniature plant covered in blooms. He has lost the tag. Anybody know what this is?

Phalaenopsis Kenneth Schubert 'Taida Violet'

Grower Maggie Woo

Maggie brings in this beautiful blue primary hybrid (Phalaenopsis pulcherrima x Phalaenopsis violacea). It appreciates low light and warm to hot temperatures (66-85°F at night). This plant likes to dry out between waterings. Conditions around the roots should never be stale or soggy. She grows this plant in her home in Danville.

Phalaenopsis sumatrana

Grower Maggie Woo

Here is another of Maggies beautiful Phalaenopsis. This is a species native to Malaysia, Java, Borneo, Sumatra, the Philippines, Myanmar, Thailand and Vietnam. It appreciates low light and hot temperatures (75-85°F at night). This plant likes to dry out between waterings. Conditions around the roots should never be stale or soggy. She grows this plant in her home in Danville.

Rhynchostele NoID

Grower Jim Wert

Jim brings in this Rhynchostele (syn Lemboglossum) that he grows in his greenhouse in Berkeley. (Perhaps Rhynchostele rossii??). The genus Rhynchostele is native to Mexico, Central America and Venezuela.

Catasetum expansum

Grower Chen-Hao Hsu

Chen-Hao brings in another of his beautiful plants that he grows outside in San Jose. Catasetum expansum is a species native to Ecuador at elevations below 2150 ft. It appreciates shaded to dappled light and warm to hot temperatures (66-85°F at night). This plant likes relatively heavy water while actively growing but needs to dry out between waterings. Water should be reduced by mid autumn and allowed a dry rest during winter.

Dichaea glauca

Grower Jan Danciger

Jan brings in this beautiful species that is native to Central America an islands in the Caribbean. It grows in rain and cloud forests at elevations from 2300-6550ft. It appreciates shaded to dappled light and cool to warm temperatures (58-75°F at night). This plant likes relatively heavy water while actively growing but never allow the roots to become stale or soggy.

Phalaenopsis violacea 'Indigo' (xsib)

Grower Henry Shaw

Henry brings in a beautiful species Phalaenopsis (keeping up with Maggie!). This is a species native to , Borneo, Sumatra and Malaya. It appreciates low light and hot temperatures (75-85°F at night). This plant likes to dry out between waterings. Conditions around the roots should never be stale or soggy. He grows this plant at his home in San Ramon.

Cattleya Brabantiae

Grown by Phyllis Arthur

Cattleya Brabantiae is a primary hybrid (Cattleya aclandiae x Cattleya loddigesii). Phyllis' plant is striking in that it has inherited only very faint spots from Cattleya aclandiae. It appreciates dappled to bright indirect light and cool to hot temperatures (58-85°F at night). This plant MUST to dry out between waterings. Conditions around the roots should never be stale or soggy. She grows this plant in her greenhouse in Walnut Creek.

Bulbophyllum makoyanum (syn Cirrhopetalum makoyanum)

Grower Jim Wert

Jim brings in another beautiful species. It is commonly known as the Daisy Orchid. Bulbophyllum makoyanum is native to the Philippines, Borneo, Malaya and Singapore. It appreciates low light and hot temperatures (75-85°F at night). This plant likes to be heavily watered while actively growing. Conditions around the roots should never be stale or soggy. He grows this plant in his greenhouse in Berkeley.

Stenoglottis woodii

Grower Miki Ichiyanagi

Miki brings in a beautiful terrestrial orchid native to South Africa. She grows it outside in Vallejo. It appreciates shaded to dappled light and cool to warm temperatures (58-75°F at night). This plant likes to be heavily watered while actively growing. Conditions around the roots should never be stale or soggy.

Gongora galeata 'Imp' CCM/AOS

Grower Diane Bond

Diane brings in a HUGE species that she grow in an intermediate greenhouse in Oakland. Gongora galeata is native to mountain rain and cloudforests in southern Mexico. It appreciates dappled light and cool to warm temperatures (58-75°F at night). This plant likes to be heavily watered while actively growing, only slight drying between waterings. Water should be gradually reduced in autumn.

Lycaste aromatica

Grower Diane Bond

Diane brings in another species that is native to Mexico, Belize, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua. It appreciates dappled to shaded light and cool to warm temperatures (58-75°F at night). This plant likes to be heavily watered while actively growing, only slight drying between waterings. Water should be gradually reduced in autumn. Diane grows this plant in an intermediate greenhouse in Oakland.