July 5 Meeting
Fred Clarke to Discuss Mini and Compact Cattleyas
At our July monthly meeting this Friday evening, the 5th of July, Fred Clarke will speak to the Houston Orchid Society about “Today’s Mini and Compact Cattleyas”—a detailed look at the species and latest developments in the breeding and growing of these colorful flowers.
Today, mini- and compact-growing Cattleyas come in many colors and shapes. Learn about the small-growing Cattleya species, the important breeding plants, and what hybrids are available for the orchid enthusiast. In conclusion, Fred will cover the best growing practices for cultivation of these little gems.
Fred Clarke has been growing orchids for 42 years and has been hybridizing for 38 of those years. With more than 34 years as a professional grower and manager in the horticultural industry, Fred applies these skills at his orchid nursery, Sunset Valley Orchids, located in San Diego, California.
Fred 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 Paphiopedilum and Aussie Dendrobium 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 blackest flower ever witnessed.” This grex has received more than 100 awards worldwide with nine FCCs and 30 AMs from the AOS judges!
Fred is an Accredited Judge in the Pacific South Judging Region. His plants have received hundreds of quality awards from the American Orchid Society.
Please bring your blooming plants for the show-and-tell table. The meeting begins at 7:30pm at First Christian Church, 1601 Sunset Boulevard, Houston.
If you haven’t already ordered your official Houston Orchid Society name badge, you can now order yours online.