The Illinois Orchid Society is hosting the Spring Mid America Orchid Congress meeting, April 27 through April 29. I have put together what I hope you will think is a great line up of speakers for this meeting. The lectures are open only to MAOC registrants. Please go to www.iosoc.com for registration forms. The orchid show will be held at the Chicago Botanic Garden, the Lectures will be across the street (highway) at the Renaissance North Shore Hotel. Please come, it is a chance to talk in person with the holder of propagation license number one from IRENA about Phrag kovachii. See you there - Leo Schordje Speaker Schedule for the Spring Show and MAOC Meeting
Saturday April 28, 2007 1:00 pm - Patricia Harding The Huntleya Clade, This is the group of orchids covering the genera Huntleya, Pescatorea, Stenia, Kefersteinia, and Chondrorhyncha among others. She is currently working on a book that will cover the known species of the group, and will share some of her work along with many pictures, stories, and cultural advice for this group. Patricia is retired from the workforce and now does orchids, as a writer, traveler, photographer and observer, with a little orchid growing on the side. When she's not traveling she lives in Oregon. 3:00 pm Eric Christenson PhD. The New Maxillaria Dr. Eric Christenson is has been studying the Maxillaria of Peru and has recently described several new species, with more in the works. He will do a survey of the genus with a focus on the wonderful large flowered species of Peru. Eric A. Christenson has extensive education and experience with orchids, including a bachelors degree in horticulture, a master's degree in genetics, a Ph.D. in orchid taxonomy, and more than five years experience as director of a micropropogation laboratory specializing in the clonal propagation of Phalaenopsis. He is particularly known for his articles, which attempt to bridge the gap between taxonomy and horticulture. Sunday April 29, 2007 11:00 am Hadley Cash of Marriott Orchids. The Adventure Begins, The Latest in Complex Paph Hybridizing at Marriott Orchids. Hadley Cash recently published an overview of his Paph breeding program in Orchid Digest. He has been an avid grower for over 20 years and maintains a 6000 square foot greenhouse with over 75,000 slipper orchids in Kernersville, North Carolina. Hadley will have plants available for sale before and after the lecture. You may order for delivery at the show, [EMAIL PROTECTED] or visit www.mariottorchids.com 1:00 pm Eric Christenson The Orchids of Peru. Eric Christenson has been working for many years often with David Bennett to develop a modern inventory of the orchids of Peru. He will showcase the more spectacular species and touch on the state of orchid conservation in Peru. 3:00 pm Alfredo Manrique Phragmipedium Kovachii: Habitat, Culture and Conservation. In 2002 the discovery of a new Phragmipedium in north of Peru was released , In 2003 I(Alfredo) was allowed to collect five plants , with the collection we gathered data about soil ( Ph 7.9 , Ec 0.4 dS) , Water quality (10 to 20 ppm of TDS) rain pattern ( Almost daily ) Temperature ( from 9ºC to 30ª ), and other information available that would help to understand the species needs. As today the 5 plants survived and have been divided in to 25 plants , crosses have been made and several dozens of different hybrids created. Despite the loss of thousands of plants from the few habitats discovered due to illegal collecting, the species still exists in the area in unreachable cliffs, the Peruvian Natural Resources Department declared the area banned for forestry or agriculture, the City of Moyobamba declared the site a Natural reserve and the visit to the area is restricted. Alfredo Manrique is the proprietor of Centro de Jardineria Manrique, an orchid nursery in Lima, Peru. He also is the Past President Club Peruano de Orquideas 2001- 2005. Alfredo will have flasks of Phrag kovachii available for sale before and after the lecture. If you would like order ahead for delivery at the lecture, Leo Schordje will forward on to Alfredo Manrique your order, contact him at [EMAIL PROTECTED] or (847) 309 3821. _______________________________________________ the OrchidGuide Digest (OGD) [email protected] http://orchidguide.com/mailman/listinfo/orchids_orchidguide.com

