Peninsula Orchid Society

Peninsula Orchid Society Speakers Schedule: November 23, 2007

Orchid Propagation & Endangered Hybrids

Bob Hamilton

Born in Berkeley, California in 1946, Bob attended Berkeley Public Schools and the University of California with a major in Physics. He is a career employee at UC Berkeley and works as Principal Engineer in the Department of Electrical Engineering/Computer Sciences' Microfabrication Lab, a 10,000 sq. ft. cutting-edge semiconductor research facility used by more than 360 researchers.

His interest in orchids began in 1975. He specializes in cool growing oncidinae hybrids, specifically odontoglossums. Bob grows in two greenhouses, a home-hobby glasshouse in Berkeley shared with his partner of 32 years, John Leathers and a cooperative greenhouse in Pacifica, California. Bob hybridizes and does his own plant propagation. In addition, he is an expert on the art of making tetraploids.

Orchids have captured the interest of hybridizers and the passion of growers since the end of the 19th Century. With the advent of clonal propagation orchids have changed from plants accessible to the rich to a commodity. Many orchid hobbyists have reacted with a switch from a preference for hybrids to a greater interest in the species.

The gene-pool embodied in modern hybrids was derived from superb species orchids, mostly collected at the beginning of the 20th Century -- the best of the best from nature. Species with these superior these qualities are now rarely if ever found. Mass-market orchid producers, catering to the commodity market, care little about the orchid legacy or the gene pool contained therein. Simply stated, a very precious, irreplaceable gene pool will soon be lost.

Bob's talk introduces plants of my interest, their history and their propagation. His talk discusses the history of orchid propagation and concludes with the laboratory work required for propagation. And he will do his best to present the science entertainingly avoiding the rigor many find boring.

The opportunity table will be provided by Bob Hamilton and John Leathers. The quality of their plants is outstanding, so it should be a great opportunity for our members.

See you there!