August 2 - Hybridizing Orchids
Dr. Courtney Hackney

    Courtney will talk about the concepts hybridizers employ when they make hybrids, using some of his own hybrids as examples. Each species imparts certain traits such as color, form or size to its progeny and hybridizers strive to combine these traits to improve on Mother Nature.
    Dr. Hackney is Emeritus Professor of Biology and the former Director of Coastal Biology at the University of North Florida in Jacksonville. Courtney began growing orchids in the Florida Keys in 1962, while working for a small orchid nursery and has continued his interest in both orchid hybridizing and orchid culture since then. He grows many different genera, but his favorite is the Cattleya Alliance. In 2004, he published “American Cattleyas”, the culmination of a decade of study and interviews, which summarizes in old photographs and print how all of the modern cattleyas came to be. The book also describes what we know about cattleyas and cattleya hybrids, how to grow them, and what to expect from modern hybrids.
    Plants will be available on the sales and raffle tables. Friends and guests are always welcome!
When:   Tuesday, August 2, 6:30 til 9 pm
Where:   Memorial Lutheran Church
3375 US 1 South, St. Aug 32086