Page 77

South Bay Accent - Feb/Mar 2017

makes that prospect especially unsettling is that the specter of extinction comes during a time that researchers are beginning to unlock the healing properties of orchids and other plants that could help millions of people, he says. Pointing to the research on orchid pheromones, chemical substances created by the plants to attract beneficial pollinators, Rogers wonders if “maybe that’s old Mother Nature’s way of getting people to take care of her own.” His notion echoes the central premise of Michael Pollan’s “Botany of Desire.” To Rogers, the pheromones combine with botanical beauty and mystery to create orchid love, and in turn, foster orchid preservation. That strong bond of affection may ensure survival for, as most of us know from our own experience, love conquers all. n February/March 2017 75 Vanda Pakchong Blue ‘Maryam’ AM/AOS FROM TOP: ANGELIC NGUYEN; DIANE DEMPSEY MURRAY maintains about 3,000 plants outside and 150 to 200 inside. “I teach people how to grow orchids not so they can win competitions, but so they can spend more time enjoying them than taking care of them.” SHOW AND TELL Orchid societies and the shows they sponsor are among the best ways for people to get into the hobby. The groups are led by passionate hobbyists willing to share years of knowledge with newcomers. Meetings usually include show-and-tell time along with hands-on skill-building sessions. “Opportunity tables” offer participants a chance to win coveted, prized plants. “The easiest thing to do is to join an orchid society and come to a meeting, and you will learn a lot more,” says Nguyen, “instead of trying yourself and killing so many of them!” One of the biggest shows in the country is the annual Pacific Orchid and Garden Exposition organized by the San Francisco Orchid Society, held this year Feb. 24-26. Davidson organizes the San Jose Orchid Exposition, held the first weekend every June. PHEROMONE ALLURE For a plant group with such widespread popularity, surprisingly little has been documented about its biochemistry. “The more I know about them I feel like I know nothing,” Nguyen says. We do know that development and climate change are threatening orchids, experts agree. Rogers says he fully expects mass extinctions in coming years. What THERE ARE NICE ORCHIDS, AND THEN THERE ARE ‘NICE ORCHIDS.’” —Bruce Rogers


South Bay Accent - Feb/Mar 2017
To see the actual publication please follow the link above