November 2024 Speaker Bio
​
David Edgley, Chair of the AOS Judging Committee

"Phalaenopsis: Soup to Nuts"

Everything you always wanted to know about Phalaenopsis but didn't know who to ask.  In this comprehensive program, David covers a wide variety of topics such as what is an orchid?  Do I need to feed them?  What about ice cubes?  Can I trim wandering roots?  Also, fertilizer, watering, potting, roots, pots, media, virus, magic elixirs, advanced topics like "where do baby orchids come from?" and much more.


David has been growing Phalaenopsis for decades, introduced them as a teenager living on a Navy base in the Philippines.  A hobby grower, David has been active in local societies and shows, spreading the good news about Phalaenopsis.  In his small and rather crowded (10'x12') greenhouse in the Pacific Northwest in the small tourist town of La Conner, Washington, David grows hundreds of orchids, primarily Phalaenopsis.  In addition, David has made a few of his own crosses.  Over the years, he has killed his fair share and hopefully learned most of what not to do.  Having tried nearly every possible potting media (except shredded newspaper), and fertilizer fad, David has learned some hard but valuable lessons over the years.  Some of David's favorite Phalaenopsis are Harlequins, multi-florals, reds, oranges, yellows and, of course, novelty hybrids.  Favorite species include Phal. schilleriana, equestris, tetraspis, and bellina.  He is an accredited American Orchid Society judge, former AOS trustee, and treasurer of the International Phalaenopsis Alliance (IPA), and chair of the AOS Judging Committee.
 

---