Diablo View Orchid Society
August 2026 Newsletter
Event Information
August 2026 Presentation
Tom Pickford
A Bit About Tom
After retiring from the Maritime and Wastewater industries, I started growing Orchids 16 years ago when I inherited 12 plants from a dear friend after she passed. My “collection” now numbers approximately 1000 which goes to show Orchids do have an addictive quality. In addition to growing Orchids, I am active in several Orchid Societies and am a fully Accredited Orchid Judge in the American Orchid Society.
Most people think Orchids are hard to grow, to keep alive and torebloom. I love to help folks understand that this is not in fact the case.
I give a basic hands-on talk on why mounted Orchids are the answer toall your problems.
Dinner with the Speaker
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 13th 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 panther3.ks@gmail.com by noon on Thursday August 13th so we can make a reservation for the appropriate number of attendees.
President's Letter
Most of what has been happening over the last month has revolved around the club’s website.
After many years of service, Ulrike Alhborn has stepped down from the web master's job. Thanks for all of the time you've given Ulrike, to keep the club web site up and running.
The board has hired a professional web master to keep the club's website current and upgrade some features. You can now find the club's website at diablovieworchidsociety.org. If there's anything you would like to see featured let us know. Renewing membership will also be easier with a new Square payment button. And look for September's upcoming auction catalog-don't forget to submit your auction plant descriptions to Diane Bond.
Have a wonderful August everyone!
Mary Christopherson
President, DVOS
UPCOMING DVOS ORCHID EVENT
SAVE THE DATE
DVOS Fall Auction & Picnic will be Saturday September 12th
STARTING AT 8:30 Pot-Luck lunch to follow
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 weeks. 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
NOW IS THE TIME
Send auction catalog information NOW
SEND IN CATALOG INFORMATION NOW!!
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
EXAMPLE CATALOG ENTRY (Yes, this plant will be in the auction!)
001 Rhyncholaeliocattleya Miya's Radiance 'Red Beauty' AM/AOS
Donor: Diane Bond
This is a division of a plant that I got from Carmela Orchids. It was divided September 2025 and currently has one new growth with a sheath.
- Native to Brazil
- Grow in cool to hot temperatures (58-85°F at night).
- Dappled light to bright indirect light.
- Water often especially when actively growing.MUST dry out between waterings.
- Blooms summer.
- 6" pot.
- ORSV/CyMV negative June 2024.
The plant for auction
Bloom on the mother plant October 30, 2020
Show and Tell Winners
Ricardo is presenting Show and Tell with Mary this month
Lancer Smith
Epipactis helleborine
Grown by:Sonya Provaznik
Sonya brings in a beautiful terrestrial orchid that is native to a HUGE range including California. It is deciduous (will die down to the ground in winter). Sonya grows it "wild' in her yard. It grows in part shade in an irrigated area in Walnut Creek. In cultivation (as Sonya proves) you should grow it in the bright indirect light, cold to cool to warm temperatures (50°F -66°F at night). Water well while actively growing.
Novice Growers
Novice First Place
Sobralia Songbird
Grown by: Sonya Provaznik
Sonya brings in a hybrid Sobralia, Sobralia Songbird. In cultivation plant should be grown in bright indirect light, cool to warm temperatures (58°F -75°F at night). Plant should be watered often while actively growing but make sure it has excellent drainage so that roots do not become stale or soggy. Gradually reduce water in autumn through winter.
Intermediate Growers
Intermediate First Place
Miltoniopsis Rene Komoda 'Pacific Clout
Grown by: Ricardo Pastor
Ricardo brings in a beautiful complex Miltoniopsis hybrid. Ricardo grows these plants outside in Richmond. In general cultivation you should grow this plant in bright shade, cool to warm temperatures (58°F -75°F at night). Water heavily while actively growing.
Intermediate Second Place
Phalaenopsis Meen Estrella
Grown by: Henry Shaw
Henry brings in a charming hybrid Phalaenopsis. It is a primary hybrid between Phalaenopsis cornu-cervi and Phalaenopsis tetraspis. In cultivation you should grow this plant in shadded to dappled light, warm to hot temperatures (66°F -85°F at night). Allow mature plants to dry out slightly between waterings.
Intermediate Third Place
Oncidium Sharry Baby
Grown by: Ricardo Pastor
Ricardo brings in this very popular Oncidium hybrid. It is beautiful AND smells like chocolate! Grow this hybrid in dappled to bright indirect light, cool to warm temperatures (58°F -75°F at night). Water just as media starts to dry. Gradually reduce water autumn through winter.
Advanced Growers
Advanced First Place
Cattleya Pacavia
Grown by: Marcia Hart
Marcia brings in this beautiful primary hybrid. Cattleya Pacavia is a hybrid between Cattleya purpurata and Cattleya tenebrosa. In cultivation you should grow this plant in dappled to bright indirect light, cool to warm temperatures (58°F -75°F at night).Mature plant MUST dry out between waterings. I am not certain but my bet is that Marcia grows this plant outside at her home in Concord.
And some more pretty plants
Phalaenopsis Reyoung UltraViolet
Grown By: George Su
George brings in a beautiful hybrid Phalaenopsis. Phalaenopsis Reyoung UltraViolet is a complex hybrid and a good example of modern blue breeding. In cultivation you should grow this plant in shadded to dappled light, warm to hot temperatures (66°F -85°F at night). Allow mature plants to dry out slightly between waterings.
