October 2022 Newsletter
Please submit your Orchid Show & Tell pictures to Lynne by Monday Oct. 3rd, 2022 lynne.murrell@outlook.com

    RSVP to the October 4th Member Meeting 

Guest Speaker: Jim Heilig 
​Topic: 
‘Basic Genetic and Breeding Concepts of Orchids'

Jim has been growing orchids for over 20 years. Over that time his interests have revolved
around Phalaenopsis and other Vandaceous species along with many other genera. He has been
breeding orchids for over 10 years with a particular interest in exploring the genetics of various
Phalaenopsis species in simple hybrids (primary and near primary) with a goal of bringing
fragrance back into standard hybrids that have the grace and floriferousness of the species in
their background. More recently he has focused on propagating Angraecoid species while
dabbling with a few hybrids. While Jim has grown orchids under lights for many years he is
currently exploring species and hybrids that can be grown outdoors in his Coastal Monterey Bay
area garden. Those requiring cozier environs are grown in a small greenhouse.

​Jim began his judging career at the Great Lakes Judging Center in Ann Arbor, MI and is
currently a judge at the Pacific Central Judging Center. He has held several leadership position in
his local orchid society, the AOS, and at both Judging Centers.

In his day job Jim works as a raspberry breeder. His focus is on prebreeding which involves
discovering novel traits in wild or unadapted germplasm and introgressing those traits into
adapted backgrounds to improve disease resistance and flavor, among other traits.

​For his talk, Jim will discuss basic genetic and breeding concepts as they pertain to orchids. He
will share his experiences and observations on some of his work to explain these concepts with
examples from his breeding program. Having a better understanding of these concepts can help
those interested in preserving species or growing hybrids to make informed decisions on
acquiring plants for their collection or propagate them. 

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Meeting Timeline

6:30 PM 
In-person only PLANT ENTRY for AOS JUDGING

7:00 PM
Announcements

7:15 PM
Guest Speaker:
Jim Heilig
​
Topic: 
​​Basic Genetic and Breeding Concepts of Orchids

8:00 PM
Show & Tell - (both in-person AND virtual by ZOOM)

followed by the "Opportunity Table" - we will raffle off  orchids for in-person attendees, and for both the online and in-person attendees we will offer a chance to win $20 gift certificates to redeem for orchids from Sunset Valley Orchids.
​
Show & Tell:
Everyone is encouraged as always to share orchids they have in bloom with the group in-person OR by sending pictures to share ahead of time:
​
Please send your Show and Tell pics to Lynne by email (lynne.murrell@outlook.com) by NO LATER THAN the day before the meeting to give her time to prepare.

Additional Show & Tell Guidance:
You can help Lynne optimize the show and tell experience by selecting your top 3 plants to share so we have time to get to everyone’s contributions - label your photo files – or include the names for her to do it for you – and particularly for miniatures, try to include one picture of the flower and one of the plant including a coin or ruler or hand in one of them to help us judge the size.

How do you win an opportunity plant?
Names of all attendees that are paid members of SFOS will have their name included once in the raffle ticket pool to be drawn at the end of the meeting.

1) You must be in attendance at the meeting.
2) You must be a paid member of SFOS - so pay your dues if you have not done so already

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