International Vanda & Slipper Orchid Symposium

Chu Xuan Canh (12 Apr 1976) from Vietnam is not a professional biologist or botanist, but an orchid lover following his curiosity about the natural world initiated during lengthy childhood trips and explorations. His passion began when he was only 14-15 years old, and Canh has since spent more than 30 years travelling to different regions across Vietnam to study orchids in their habitat, take pictures and collect/grow.

In Vietnam, almost 1,250 orchid species have been reported; more and more new species have been discovered in the last 10 years. Canh has discovered several new orchid species, and has co-authored the descriptions of many new species.

With primary focus on Paphiopedilum, Canh spent 13 years exploring every vietnamese Paphiopedilum species in situ, making photos of the plants and their flowers.

Paphiopedilum canhii was found by Canh in 2009 and declared as new species in the journal published by American Orchid Society (AOS) in May 2010 (Paphiopedilum is the family of the species, canhii is the species name - named after the name of the person discovered it). This has once again proved that Vietnam is one of the most biologically-diverse countries in the region, with many species and many locations not yet studied.

Canh has consolidated all the photos of all Paphiopedilum taken in their habitat to make a photo book and planned to publish in October 2022.

“For me, studying orchid is not only about passion nurturing, but also about bringing people together to grow orchids better. I’m highly aware of the responsibility of nature conservation, hence I would like to contribute my part in promoting the sustainable cultivation of orchid as well as sustainable exploitation.” - Chu Xuan Canh

The orchid subtribe Aeridinae contains some of the world’s most well-known and prized orchids. While Phalaenopsis and Vanda have become household names, there are many other related plants that are still virtually unknown to orchid hobbyists. Explore this beautiful and sometimes bizarre group of orchids, their potential in hybridizing, and discover something “new” to expand your collection.

Marc Hachadourian is Director of Glasshouse Horticulture and Curator of the Orchid Collection at The New York Botanical Garden. He has been part of the botanical garden staff for over 20 years overseeing the diverse glasshouse plant collections and the living content for the seasonal exhibitions. He also leads the CITES Rescue Center Program, which rehabilitates endangered plants by working with the US Fish & Wildlife Department. An AOS judge and member of the SITF Taskforce, he has been growing and exhibiting orchids for 40 years. Recently, he published his second book Orchid Modern (Timber Press), a creative and informative book on home orchid growing. Marc has dedicated himself to increasing public awareness about the importance of global plant conservation and the appreciation of plant biodiversity, especially orchids and orchid growing.

Martin R. Motes Ph.D., the author of The Genus Vanda, a Research Associate at Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden, has maintained a lifelong interest in the genus Vanda. He began as a boy in the late 50’s collecting the new hybrids which were coming out of Hawaii and Singapore and growing them in a shade house in Miami. While still in high school, he started to import Vanda species from India, Indonesia, the Philippines and Thailand in substantial quantities in order to select the best flowered forms for hybridization and for propagation. His career in horticulture, like the careers of most American males of his generation, was disrupted by the war in Vietnam. Following a Ph.D., several years teaching college in Ohio, and a Fulbright lectureship in Kosovo, he was able to return to his beloved Florida and begin breeding with the remnants of his Vanda collection. Motes continues to breed hybrids and improve Vanda species. He continues his research of the genus as well.

I am a genuine Central Florida native who grew up on the Little Wekiva river in Longwood. That is where, along with my father showing me around the yard on a daily basis, I fell in love with plants in general. I was very intrigued with all the vegetation surrounding the river. It wasn't until I started having a family of my own, around 25 years of age, that I started growing orchids. I had always admired them from afar at stores and thought, oh my goodness, there is no way I could keep those alive, as there was a certain stigma that they presented with their graceful arching flowers. I gave it a try and the rest is history! I would certainly be lying if I say I never killed any!! I learned by trial and error that is for sure!

My lecture will be based upon the, what people believe to be complex, but nonetheless are not, routines that I adhere to in order to produce optimal growth/blooms and cultural awards. Everybody has their own recipe for success, some more so than others of course. I have gathered some pretty detailed knowledge over the years that have led to several quality and cultural awards. I would love to share my intel so others can enjoy beautiful plants and most importantly blooms!