Peninsula Orchid Society

Peninsula Orchid Society Speakers Schedule: April 25, 2008

Everything you always wanted to know about those nasty little creatures in our greenhouses, but were afraid to ask!

Gerardus B. Staal, PhD - Pest, Diseases and other Nuisances

Gerardus is a Dutch native with a master's degree in tropical agronomy and a doctorate in entomology. He worked as a research entomologist for Bay Area companies developing both conventional pesticides and selective pesticides based on insect hormonal systems. He retired from entomology in 1990.

Gerardus' experience with orchids spans over 30 years. Today his interests are in hybridization and propagation. His flasks are commercially available under the Peninsula Hybrids label with emphasis on cool growing orchids from tropical regions. He has registered hybrids in the Odontoglossum, Cattleya and Pleurothallid alliances. More recently, Gerardus has assembled a cross section of Bulbophyllum and cooler growing Dendrobium species of which many hybrids and species propagations are now in the flasking stage.

Gerardus' work has been acknowledged by many AOS awards, including 3 (joint) Awards of Quality for Masdevallia hybrids and several Awards of Distinction for novel directions in hybridizing. He has received many Certificates of Botanical Recognition for species new to the judging system. One new trigeneric hybrid genus was named Staalara. (The hybrid was Staalara Gerardus AD/AOS.)

Gerardus has served on the boards of three local orchid societies (MOS, POS, OSC), a term as president of the Pleurothallid Alliance and has been a member of the AOS Research Committee. He frequently lectures in orchid societies on topics such as Pleurothallid hybridizing, Epidendrums and their allies, Bulbophyllums, and Pest and Disease Control in Orchids.

Gerardus will share his in depth knowledge about the various pests that affect orchids, how to recognize them, and what to do about them. He will provide some suggestions as to possible treatments for these pests. This is a very informative lecture that will provide much needed information to all orchid growers, from the novice to the expert. Gerardus will also provide some wonderful plants for the opportunity table. Sure to please.