He is a passionate orchid grower whose curiosity in orchids is broad and varied. Although developing Cattleya hybrids has been his sustaining interest, he is also actively creating new Bulbophyllum and Paphiopedilum hybrids plus some others to be named if they work out!
His pioneering work in Catasetum intergeneric hybrids led to the development of several notable hybrids, most recently the grex, Fredclarkeara After Dark, which produced “the closest flower color to black ever witnessed”. This grex received seven FCC’s and three AM’s on the first flowers shown for judging.
Fred is an Accredited Judge in the Pacific South Region. His plants have received hundreds of quality awards from the American Orchid Society. For those of you who know the San Diego area, Fred is also the manager of the Carlsbad Flower Fields in Carlsbad.
Fred’s presentation will be on “New Hybrids with Catasetum, Cycnoches and Mormodes” Catasetum, Cycnoches and Mormodes are three related genera from the Tribe Cymbidieae. Individually, each has been considered an orchid oddity, or “botanical”, of interest mainly to the seriously addicted enthusiast. These plants have a brief deciduous period in winter, when the plants need a definite dry rest period bordering on neglect. These robust orchids are native to lowland tropical forests in Central and South America and are usually grown in warm or intermediate conditions.
Commercially, Catasetum, Cycnoches (or ‘Swan’ orchids) and Mormodes (or ‘Goblin’ orchids) have occupied a small market niche on the edge of a sea of cymbidiums, Cattleyas, Phalaenopsis, Dendrobiums, Epidendrums, and so on.
This talk will feature a widescreen computer slide show on some of some excellent species of Catasetum, Cycnoches and Mormodes.
You don’t want to miss his very interesting presentation. Fred will be supplying the raffle table and bringing orchids for you to purchase. In addition, if you would like to pre-order from his website, he will bring the orchids to you at the meeting, and give 10% of the sale to our society! What a deal, both for you and for the society! Take advantage of this offer!
Fred Clarke
Sunset Valley Orchids
1255 Navel Place
Vista, CA 92081
(760) 639-6255
fred.clarke@worldnet.att.net
ww.sunsetvalleyorchids.com |
