APRIL/MAY 2007 $77.95 R.R.P. (Includes GST) Australian Ee H | i | i ~ Australian Orchid Foundation 107 Roberts Street, Essendon, Vic. 3040 Phone/Fax (03) 9379 3570 www. australianorchidfoundation.org.au Update your records... Orc hi Review .. . has moved The publishers of Australian Orchid Review... }}.. ..|.. have relocated to new premises at Unit 3, 13 Stanton Road, Seven Hills. Please address all mail to: PO Box 26 Seven Hills, NSW 1730 Australia Ph 0296204143 Fax 029620 4102 Email aor@agencygraphicworld.com.au The only change is the address .. . Australian Orchid Review continues to be the same excellent publication it has always been — full of brilliantly illustrated and infor- mative articles, news and views, profiles and plants, cultural notes, shows and show results, book reviews, features on those special orchids, specialist advertisers, future events, still produced by the same people, and much, much more.... From the Editor's Desk im Cootes has written the feature article of this issue with a selec- J tion of endemic orchid species from the Philippines. As readers would be aware, Jim is a regular contributor to the AOR and is one of the words foremost experts on Philippine orchids. Many of the more horticulturally desirable species are entrenched in cultivation in Australia, yet it is amazing how many of these species were only discovered and described over the past couple of decades. A number of these species orchids are available from our growing list of adver- tisers. The winners of the 2006 Victorian Orchids of the Year are announced and illustrated. This is a great initiative of OSCOV (Orchid Societies Council of Victoria) and really should be emulated by the other state bodies. What’s the point otherwise of giving awards if they are not publicised? OSCOV has been a great supporter of the AOR over many years and has been helped immensely by Brian Milligan, who through a wide range of interesting articles, has actively promoted orchids throughout Victoria and Australia. The water crisis continues in most parts of Australia, with many regions subjected to crippling water restrictions. There are three sep- arate and topical articles on this subject in this issue by Brian Milligan, Bill Mather and Carolin Allen. These make very good reading. A new chopped and graded coconut husk product has just been released — OrchidMate™ . Read about this water-saving medium in the article by Murray Shergold of Easy Orchids and Ray Clement of Tinonee Orchids. I am sure this will become a very popular, practi- - cal and cost-effective medium for orchid growers throughout the country. There have been some recent ownership and administrative _ changes within the offices that publish the Australian Orchid Review. The address and phone numbers have changed to the new ’ Seven Hills address, details appear throughout the magazine. It is * now printed by a new company called Agency Graphic World. However, the Australian Orchid Review continues to be the same excellent world class publication it has always been, full of bril- liantly illustrated and informative articles on a full range of orchida- ceous topics. The Australian Orchid Review is a fully independent and privately owned magazine that continues to be the official publication of the Australian Cymbidium Society. This is because membership to the ACS factors in an AOR subscription with their annual fees. It is emphasised that apart from having historical links, the Orchid Society of New South Wales and the Victorian Orchid Club no longer have any financial, editorial or other influence whatsoever over this magazine. The Australian Orchid Review is truly a national publication. aa David Banks Australian Orchid Review davidpbanks @veritel.com.au The Australian Orchid Review, April/May 2007 OUR COVER WERS STR; 2) ene G VING Fo ane E CAL oF SQUARE VANDA POTS ORCHID POTS 165mm x 165mm x 80mm 300mm x 120mm 120mm x 120mm 100mm x 100mm x 60mm 250mm x 150mm 100mm x 75mm Di dinth 200mm x 200mm 80mmx 100mm Sistehiejaciel (la) Une BASKET POTS 200mm x1l00mm 80mmx 65mm Philippines in the 1980's, Vanda javierae ‘Superstar’ AM/AOC-NSW. Plant and photo David Banks 200mm x 130mm 175mmx120mm 70mmx50mm 140mm x 100mm 150mmx1l00mm 50mm x 65mm 80mm x 75mm 125mm x 75mm 21 Jambali Road, Port Macquarie, NSW 2444 Australia Phone: (02) 6581 1735 Fax: (02) 6581 1736 Website: port.tsn.cc/business/orchidpotco/ Email: orchidpotco@tsn.cc Volume 72 — No. 2 April/May 2007 CONTENTS + eS Features: Regular F@atatesi Botanic Gardens | Endemic Orchid Species of the Philippines — A Selection .............. Jim Cootes 4 From the Editor's Desk §........sssssssseeees Melbourne 2 Mounting Orchids «0.00... Serie rate iattiern Brian Milligan 17 TE Ele coerssiayl beietar Retr evtnctes propa errata otal 27 Melbourne’s New Water Restrictions ......ssssssssssssssssussssessssssssseseeee Brian Milligan 20 (NLT NE Sharercriseend baesteo erin riremstoraiesstammeseremueten tmteneatd be The Genus Drakaea and Miss Drake ........sssssssssssssesssssssseeesecssesssen Brian Milligan 21 Showdates.......... (SEATED TEA esse sroreseccrtermnreeseorsranirareneearnasisssiseonte David P. Banks 22 NIV STASSPS NTS cone fraimsmseronccsstucirempennnma rtm nenemteoomss be 63 OrchidMate potting media for orchids .......... Murray Shergold and Ray Clement 24 Buyers Guide weenneeeneeen crests Western Australian Orchid Spectacular 2008 ..........:ccssssssssseen Tony Watkinson 26 2007 Orchid Events — What's Ont... Victorian Orchids of the Year 2006 .....cs..csssssesssssssssssessssseessesassvsess Brian Milligan 29 VALES LOU SASSO ercctemrens, retirees aecrscciecnestisttcesststs ttt edhe Metttem aT eer ra 40 es Editorial copy: Articles for publication and consideration should be sent to: H Al; . it id P. bie ills, Featuring Cymbidiums: . AOR Editor, David P. Banks, PO Box 26 Seven Hills, NSW 1730 F el iA : 4 +e , All other correspondence to: Cymbidiums Australia” compiled by the Australian Cymbidium Society AOR Publisher, Agency Graphic World, PO Box 26 Seven Hills, NSW 1730 ECILOLS, GeD0 | bea certcesteer ct csueneee uence incttret ameseanammeree tea cr 41 Phone: (02) 9620 4143 Fax: (02) 9620 4102 CIOWsO)|OI cu VIDDICIUIT]. CIUD metatenerstianertrt restart rset tninintr ns rrisne nate 41 Advertisers: TWO, Men's LEGACY Prccsatiisiescclotsscessclescterteeteraree settee tn Neer Noe Smith 42 Deaalli i, f : leadline for advertising copy for the 2007 Sydney Orchid Extravaganza ....sscccssssessscccsssssesesessseseseeeescecseeseesessee CCA 47 June/July 2007 issue is Thursday, 10 May, 2007 2007 National Cymbidium SHOW ....-.rstsrsnstsnatanenensnananenatanenaee COSV 48 All advertising bookings and enquiries should be directed to: Building a Cymbidium Collection ..........csssssssesesssssessssssssssvessssessessnsess Noe Smith 49 Barry Badger or Mark Husk VALE: Norma Stafford ........:s:ses00 ... John Tanner 54 Phone: (02) 8825 8900 Fax (02) 9674 1270 Orchids, your garden — stage 3 restrictions and DeyOnd .........ssssesee0 Bill Mather 55 Email: mark.husk@agencygraphicworld.com.au How we are coping with water restrictions ...scsscstsssssseestenssessne Carolin Allen 57 Phone: (02) 8825 8933 Australian Cymbidium Society —hellos and goodbyes ..........:scesseee Rob Smith 58 Subscriptions: 2006, NSWiChristiias! Party seen neater tear ent enn Tt See insert for Subscription information Australian Orchid Review, April/May 2007 3 _ Vanda javierae ‘Superstar’ AM/AOC Endemic enhid< species 2 of the oo - ee selection. / by Jim Coo otes Aérides lawrenciae Amesiella monticola he Philippines are blessed with a won- derful orchid flora. At the present time there are more than 1,100 orchid species recorded from this archipelago of over 7,100 islands. Many more species await scientific description, but with the rapid destruction of the remaining forests many species will never be known to the scien- tific community or orchid enthusiasts. About 80% of the orchid species from the Philippines are found in no other coun- try (i.e. endemic). A number of endemic genera are also found amongst the islands, but they are surprisingly few (seven endemic genera from about one hundred and forty five). There are a number of reasons for the large number of endemic orchid species: 1 the very mountainous terrain of much of the Philippines; 2 the fact that there are many islands; 3 high elevations which create “islands in the sky.” The orchid flora of the Philippines has affinities with Taiwan and China in the north of Luzon. The southern Philippines, particularly Palawan, have links with Borneo whereas Mindanao has links with Sulawesi and New Guinea. During the last ice age (about 20,000 years ago) the sea-levels were about 120 to 150 metres lower than they are at present. Eastern Mindanao, Dinagat Island, Bohol, Leyte and Samar and possibly southern Luzon were all one large island. Masbate, Panay, Negros and Cebu were united. Interestingly the island of Mindoro and the islands of Tablas, Romblon and Sibuyan have never been connected to any other Philippine land mass and all these islands are surrounded by very deep water. Palawan and some of the smaller islands to the north were possibly connected to north-west Borneo. The islands of the Sulu archipelago are also surrounded by deep water and have never been connected to any other land mass. The purpose of this article is to intro- duce newer orchid growers to a selection of the wonderful orchid species that occur within the many islands of the Philippines. Some of the plants shown here are rare, others common, and all are worthy of cul- tivation. Aérides lawrenciae Reichenbach. f. Professor Heinrich G. Reichenbach named this magnificent species in 1883 in the Gardeners’ Chronicle. The wife of the President of the Royal Horticultural Society, Lady Lawrence, had the great honour of having this species named for her. Lady Lawrence’s husband, Sir Trevor, had one of the finest orchid collections in Great Britain, or all of Europe for that mat- ter, at that time. The original plants appear to have been collected by Carl Roebelin, who at that time was working as a plant collector, for the nursery of Frederick Sander. These plants were collected in the south eastern provinces of Cotabato and Davao on the large island of Mindanao. It grows high in the trees at elevations up to 500 metres. Even though this species is of limited distribution there are a number of attrac- tive colour forms known: 1 Aérides lawrenciae var. fortichii is an all-white, or albinistic, form of the species; 2 Aérides lawrenciae var. sanderiana has slightly larger flowers in which the side lobes are cream to yellow in colour; 3 Aérides lawrenciae var. punctata has many spots on all of the floral seg- ments, which do not occur on the nomi- nal species. Aérides lawrenciae is the Queen of all the Aérides species because of its magnif- icent stature. The plant can reach heights of over one metre and a strong healthy specimen can produce a number of inflo- rescences. The pendulous inflorescences can bear up to 35 blooms about 4cm in diameter. The flowers are pleasantly The Australian Orchid Review, April/May 2007 scented, and on a warm afternoon, the per- fume can fill a large room. Amesiella monticola J.E. Cootes and D.P. Banks The genus Amesiella is represented in the Philippines by three species. Two of these species are only recent additions to the orchid flora of these wonderful islands. All the species are plants from the mountains where they happily grow on the trunks and branches of trees and shrubs, usually amongst damp mosses. The eleva- tion where these species occur varies from between 800 to about 1,600 metres. The plants are considered to be minia- tures but the flowers are quite large by comparison. A healthy, well-grown plant of Amesiella monticola can produce two inflorescences each bearing up to four flowers up to 6cm in diameter. Amesiella monticola is closely related to Amesiella philippinensis but the two are readily separated by the length of the nec- tary (spur) and the shape of the side lobes of the labellum. Also Amesiella monticola is very sweetly perfumed, particularly in the evening, which suggests that this species may be pollinated by a moth. One of the most spectacular of all the orchid species, which can be found in the Philippines. Sadly it is also highly endan- gered because of over-collection and indiscriminate, illegal logging and habitat destruction in some of the mountainous areas of Luzon. Hopefully plants of this species will be raised from seed, in flask, taking the pres- sure off the wild populations. This beautiful species is worthy of a place in any orchid collection and by pur- chasing flask-grown seedlings, we are hopefully saving this species in the wild. Bulbophyllum cootesii M.A. Clements This magnificent species came into my possession quite by accident. During my many years of visiting the Philippines I always requested orchid species from the island of Mindanao, from my suppliers. One afternoon I was standing in a Manila nursery and the husband of the proprietor walked behind me and put 4 plants in my hand. He told me that these are very spe- cial plants. I sometimes think back to that time and wonder if he knew what the plants were that I was given. This proved to be a very true statement, because when the plants finally bloomed, they proved to be a species that was unknown to science beforehand. Bulbophyllum cootesii is only known from a small island to the north of Mindanao. It grows as an epiphyte at ele- vations of around 400 metres. The flowers are about 7.5cm tall by 5.5cm in width across the petals. The inflorescence can bear up to 5 flowers that all open at the same time. The Australian Orchid Review, April/May 2007 Bulbophyllum cootesii The plant was named in honour of the author of this article, who was the first per- son to flower this grand species, in culti- vation. Bulbophyllum debrincatiae J.J. Vermeulen Bulbophyllum debrincatiae was named by the Dutch orchid taxonomist Dr. Jaap Vermeulen in 2002 in his revision of the section Hirtula. This was published in the Gardens’ Bulletin Singapore. The plant has been in cultivation in Sydney, Australia for many years but has been grown under the name of Bulbophyllum negrosianum to which it is related. Back in 2001 when my book The Orchids of the Philippines (Times Editions, Singapore) was due for publica- tion I went to Singapore to assist in the colour separations for the illustrations. Dr. Vermeulen was, at that time, working at the Singapore Botanic Gardens. Upon arrival in Singapore I called Dr. Vermeulen and made an appointment to see him at the Gardens. I had requested Dr. Vermeulen to look over my pictures for the genus Bulbophyllum just to be sure that all the species were correctly named. As soon as he saw the picture of Bulbophyllum debrincatiae he informed me that this was an undescribed species. Another picture I had of what I thought was an undescribed species was, in fact Bulbophyllum negrosianum! Bulbophyllum debrincatiae is endemic Bulbophyllum debrincatiae Bulbophyllum facetum _ Ceratocentron fesselii Coelogyne usitana to the mountains of central Luzon where it grows on the vertical and horizontal branches of trees, usually amongst mosses. The elevation in this area is about 1,200 metres. The plant is named after Mrs. Bev DeBrincat, from Sydney, Australia who was the first person to flower the species in cultivation. Bulbophyllum facetum Garay, Hamer and Siegerist The first time that I flowered this beau- tiful species was in 1990. The blooms did me the honour of opening on the morning of Christmas Day of that year. I immedi- ately took a series of slides for future ref- erence and did not know at the time the importance of saving flowers in alcohol. My attempts to identify this species failed so I sent a slide to Dr. Jaap Vermeulen (a specialist in the genus Bulbophyllum), in the Netherlands, who told me that my plant was an undescribed species. Dr. Vermeulen instructed me on how to preserve the flowers and sent containers in which to keep the flowers when it bloomed the following year. As the height of summer was approach- ing, my plant produced 7 buds. I was quite happy that there were plenty flowers. Then I guess no-one should predict what Mother Nature might do next. About three days before the blooms would have opened the daytime temperature in Sydney reached a high of 40 degrees Celsius. The heat in the growing area for my orchids reached 50 degrees Celsius and all the buds on my plant burnt off! Such was my luck that the plant did not bloom again for several years, by which time it had flowered in the United States and was described there by Dr. Leslie Garay, Fritz Hamer and Emly Siegerist. The plant resembles the widely distrib- uted Bulbophyllum lobbii (and that is the species I first thought my plants were, until they flowered). The stunning flowers are about 6.5cm in diameter and a happy plant can produce many flowers, from along the rhizome. One feature of this species is that the flowers only open in the early morning. By mid morning the blooms have closed, only to open again the following day. The rea- son for this is that the area in which this species grows has much heavy fog which starts coming up the valleys by the early afternoon. Bulbophyllum facetum is endemic to mountains of central Luzon where it grows both on trees and rocks, at elevations of around 1,200 metres. Ceratocentron fesselii Senghas 1989 This charming miniature-growing species is only known from a small area in the mountains of central Luzon. Because of the diminutive size of the plant it is vir- tually impossible to see when it is not bear- ing blooms. The first time I was introduced to this species was in the above locality. My guides and I had just started our day’s jour- ney into the forest. A short way along the track one of the boys asked me could I see the flowers in the tree. I couldn’t, so I requested a couple of flowers for closer study. The blooms were soon in my hand and I could not believe what I was looking at. Here was a tiny plant, no more than 3cm across the 4 very leathery leaves, bearing 2 inflorescences, each carrying 4 flowers about | cm in diameter. The next most striking thing about this “orchid gem” was the vivid orange-red colour of the blooms. Since that time I have seen many speci- mens of Ceratocentron fesselii, both in the wild and in cultivation, and the colour of the flowers has proven to be somewhat variable — ranging from yellow to orange- red and other sunset shades. A feature about this species, and other high elevation The Australian Orchid Review, April/May 2007 plants, is that once the plants are grown at lower elevations they seem to lose the intensity of their colour. It is possible that this species is polli- nated by a bird. This is because of the bright colour of the flowers, the very leath- ery leaves, and the exposed habitat where the plant grows. The genus Ceratocentron can be readily separated from its related genera by the small horn-like protuberance on the label- lum. This feature is also the source of the generic epithet. This genus and its only species is endemic to the Philippines. The specific epithet honours Dr. Hans Fessel, a German orchid taxonomist and botanist. Coelogyne usitana Roth and Grub This very spectacular species was only discovered in the late 1990’s. It was named in honour of the original collector Vilmoor Usita, by Jiirgen R6th and Olaf Gru8 in the fine German orchid magazine Die Orchidee. It originates from central-east Mindanao and comes from elevations of about 800 metres, where it grows on the horizontal branches of trees. An interesting feature of this species is the inflorescence, which can bear up to 30 flowers (probably more) over a long period of time. There are usually only one or two blooms open at any one time. The flowers are about 6cm in diameter. The only obvious fault with Coelogyne usitana is the fact that the blooms always face the ground. I believe this is because of the habitat where this plant dwells, which may have constant rain. The colouration of the flowers is almost unique in the genus Coelogyne. I don’t know of any other Coelogyne species in which the contrast of colours is so great. I am often amazed as to how such a spectacular species can escape detection for such a long time. Dendrobium nemorale L.O. Williams Members of the genus Dendrobium have some of the most variable plant and flower forms in the whole orchid world. At the present time there are a number of orchid taxonomists studying the genus using DNA sequences in an attempt to see if all the species currently known as den- drobiums really are members of the genus. Many changes in the nomenclature of den- drobiums can be expected, and I believe, in the not too distant future. Dendrobium nemorale is, to my mind, one of the most charming species in this genus. The plants are not large-growing reaching a height of about 30 to 35cm. The foliage has a rough feeling, sort of like sand-paper, and the leaf sheath is covered in short brown hairs. The flowers are amongst the most unusual, in their colouration and pattern- The Australian Orchid Review, April/May 2007 Above: Dendrobium nemorale Below: Dendrobium sanderae Dendrobium victoriae-reginae Dendrochilum cootesii 10 Diplocaulobium clemensiae ing, in the genus Dendrobium. Louis O. Williams named this plant in 1937 in the Botanical Leaflets of Harvard University. The specific epithet refers to a plant that grows in shaded localities but all the plants of this species I have observed, growing in the wild, have been in full sun light. Dendrobium nemorale is rare, both in cultivation and in the Philippines. It has only been recorded from the provinces of Aurora and Rizal where it grows at eleva- tions of about 500 metres, on the trunks and branches of trees. Dendrobium sanderae Rolfe Amazingly, this species was not scien- tifically described until 1909 when the English botanist, Robert Rolfe, named the plant in the Gardeners’ Chronicle. Mts. Elizabeth Sander, wife of the great orchid nurseryman Frederick Sander, is honoured in the naming of this species. The region where this plant is found, in the mountains of central Luzon, was once inhabited by some very war-like tribes of natives. There is also a variety of this species (variety surigaense) found in the lowlands of Surigao, in the large southern island of Mindanao. It differs from the species by the smaller size of the plant and the wavy edges to the floral segments. Further stud- ies of this group of dendrobiums may well give this variety specific status. Dendrobium sanderae is one of the most spectacular of any of the The Australian Orchid Review, April/May 2007 Dendrobium species to be found in the Philippines. Plants can reach heights of well over a metre and a well-grown speci- men, in flower, is a marvellous sight. The colouration of the side lobes of the labellum is very variable and it ranges from solid brownish purple to almost pure white. Albino clones have beautiful apple- green side lobes. This species is well-known in cultiva- tion and deserves a place in any orchid col- lection. Dendrobium victoriae-reginae Loher As can be seen from the specific epithet, this plant honours Queen Victoria, who at the time of the description was about to celebrate her 60th anniversary on the British throne. Augustus Loher was the botanist/taxon- omist who named the new species in the Gardeners’ Chronicle in 1897. Dendrobium victoriae-reginae is one of the great rarities in the plant world, because the coiour blue is very uncommon in the orchid family. The blue colour is quite variable, and apart from the albino form which is totally white, all flowers that I have seen have a certain touch of blue about them. There are also forms of Dendrobium victoriae-reginae that have violet coloured flowers. The striping on the floral segments is also variable with some clones heavily striped whilst others are almost of pure colour. This wonderful species is a native of the high mountains of many of the islands The Australian Orchid Review, April/May 2007 Euanthe:sanderiana throughout the Philippines. It grows in the mossy forests at elevations of over 1,300 metres. I have observed this plant in the wild and it grows in the damp mosses on the undersides of branches, usually where there is constant air-movement and high humidity. It is also a shade-loving species. Fortunately this species is quite com- mon in cultivation and flask-raised seedlings are readily available (particu- larly in Australia). By growing plants from Grammatophyllum multiflorum flask we are reducing the pressure on plants in the wild. Hopefully in the future, when one desires to go into the wilds of the moun- tains of the Philippines, this wonderfully coloured species will still be able to be observed growing amongst the trees and shrubs. Dendrochilum cootesii H. A. Pedersen Dr. Henrik Pedersen, from Denmark, scientifically described this species in 11 Grammatophyllum multiflorum forma citrinum 1997. Before that time the plant was well established in orchid collections in Sydney, Australia but it was always grown as an un-named species that had came from the Philippines. The problem was to find where the plants had originated. In 1991 I was in the mountains of cen- tral Luzon with an Australian friend. My companion had an interest in members of the genus Paphiopedilum and the area we were in was the habitat of Paphiopedilum haynaldianum, which grows high up in the horizontal branches of tall trees (the majority of Paphiopedilum species grow amongst the leaf litter on the forest floor). Our search for Paphiopedilum haynal- Phalaenopsis philippinense dianum proved to be fruitful and we were soon looking for other orchid genera in the area. On our trek back towards “civilisa- tion” we passed along a ridge and imagine my surprise when I saw a flowering plant of Dendrochilum cootesii. The small plant was growing on the trunk of a small tree amongst short mosses. A quick look around the area revealed a number of other specimens. I collected a number of seed capsules of Dendrochilum cootesii and the seeds were soon growing in flasks upon my return to Sydney. A little further along the track there was a fallen tree and I was able to collect a number of living plants that would have otherwise died because of the sudden change of habitat. Dendrochilum cootesii is almost unique in the genus because of the shape of the floral segments. The size of the blooms is also amongst the largest in the genus. Diplocaulobium clemensiae (Ames) A.D. Hawkes Members of the genus Diplocaulobium have their centre of distribution on the island of New Guinea, where more than 100 species are recorded. The Philippines has only one species of Diplocaulobium and it occurs no where else in the world. It has only ever been col- lected from the islands of the Visayan Sea and on Mindanao. It grows as an epiphyte, often amongst ferns, at elevations of between 500 and 800 metres. It prefers habitats that are very brightly lit and it often grows in full sunlight, at least for some part of the day. This beautiful species was originally described as a Dendrobium but as the knowledge of the morphology of plants improved, separations into distinct genera were able to be made. Diplocaulobium clemensiae is a “one- day wonder” meaning that the blooms only last for a single day. A sudden drop in temperature, because of a storm, is the influence to initiate the flowering hor- mones. Normally the blooms will appear about 9 days after the temperature drop. The flowers of this species are amongst the largest in the orchids of the Philippines reaching over 10cm in diameter. It is a pity that the blooms are so short- lived because people are not so interested in growing these plants. Normally one only sees Diplocaulobium species in the collections of botanical gardens and com- prehensive species collections of private growers. The specific epithet honours Mrs. Jo Clemens, collector of the original speci- mens. Euanthe sanderiana (Rchb.f.) Schlechter This is probably the most important orchid species to be found in the Philippines. The reason for this is that this species is the cornerstone for the majority of hybrids in Vanda and Ascocenda breed- ing lines. Euanthe sanderiana gives its progeny flat flowers; lovely tessellated markings on the lateral sepals; and size to the blooms. The only fault with this species is that the flowers tend to cluster toward the end of the inflorescence. Professor Heinrich G. Reichenbach originally described this orchid as Vanda sanderiana in 1882. He honoured the great nurseryman Henry F. Sander with the naming of this species. In 1914 Dr. Rudolf Schlechter created the genus Euanthe for this species. The reason for the generic change was because The Australian Orchid Review, April/May 2007 Euanthe sanderiana \acks a spur on the back of the labellum, a feature of all Vanda species. The hybridists in Thailand and Hawaii have, over many years, line bred this species and nursery-raised seedlings are always going to be vastly superior in form to any wild-collected plants. Euanthe sanderiana is endemic to the southern island of Mindanao, where it is found in the provinces of Cotabato, Davao and Zamboanga. It is a species of eleva- tions up to about 500 metres where it grows as an epiphyte. It is quite rare in its natural habitat because of over-collection. Grammatophyllum multiflorum var. tigrinum Lindley One of the most spectacular sights, when travelling around in the provinces of the Philippines, is a large plant of Grammatophyllum — mutltiflorum __ var. tigrinum in full flower. The plant is large-growing, with pseudobulbs reaching a height of 15 to 20cm by up to 5cm in diameter. The three or four leaves are at the top of the pseudob- ulb and are about 30cm long by 4cm in width. An interesting feature of the genus Grammatophyllum is the formation of “lit- ter traps” by the roots. Once the plant is firmly attached to its host the roots will produce short, upward-growing “root- like” growths, which are very adept at catching any falling leaves or other litter from the forest. Quite frequently these “litter traps” are also the home of a species of ant, which is quite aggressive if the plant is disturbed in any way. The inflorescences can reach lengths of well over one metre and these can bear well over one hundred very attractive blooms. The flowers are reminiscent of those of a Cymbidium and, in fact the two genera are closely related. There is a great deal of variation in the colouration and the markings on the floral segments. A rare albino form of this glorious species has pure apple-green flowers and only occurs in southern Luzon. This form is known as Grammatophyllum multiflorum var. cit- rinum. Grammatophyllum multiflorum var. tigrinum is endemic to the Philippines. Interestingly it has not been recorded from the large island of Mindanao. It is a species of the lowlands and is very common in cul- tivation. Hippeophyllum wenzelii Ames One of the great joys of entering an orchid nursery, and particularly if that establishment specialises in species orchids, is the opportunity to find a plant that is seldom seen in cultivation or pos- sesses some other unusual feature. Normally when I arrive in the The Australian Orchid Review, April/May 2007 Hippeophyllum wenzelii Philippines one of my first stops, within a day or two of arrival, is at some of the local orchid nurseries that specialise in species orchids. It is always a joy for me (but totally boring for any companion who is not interested in orchids) to spend a few hours looking at what plants are available, and the more unusual the plant the better I like it. Hippeophyllum wenzelii is one of these species. It is only a miniature growing plant, less than 10 centimetres tall, with the leathery leaves arranged in the shape of a fan. The inflorescence is upright and appears from the centre of the leaf fan, bearing many small blooms about 3mm in diameter. At the present time there are only four recorded species in the genus and the Philippines has one of these species, which occurs nowhere else on the face of the earth. The other three species have been recorded from Peninsular Malaysia, Renanthera storiei Sumatra and New Guinea. Hippeophyllum wenzelii has only been found on the island of Leyte in the Visayan Sea in the central Philippine archipelago. It grows as an epiphyte on the trunks and branches of trees at low elevations. I believe that the genus is more widely distributed in the Philippines but because of the small size of the plant and the small flowers it is frequently over-looked by col- lectors who are seeking much larger-flow- ered prizes. Phalaenopsis philippinensis Golamco ex Fowlie and C.Z. Tang To see a Phalaenopsis growing in the wild had always been a great wish of mine. The plants are always sought-after collec- tor’s items and if they are noticed in the forest they are soon collected. One afternoon we were walking along a creek bed (more truly I was slipping and sliding) not looking for anything in partic- ular, when I suddenly lost my footing on a wet, mossy rock. I fell backwards and luckily was saved from any serious injury by a small bush which broke my fall. Imagine my great surprise when I was looking up into the trees above I noticed a plant of Phalaenopsis philippinensis. The plant was growing on the underside of a large branch, in an area which received constant air movement and high humidity due to a nearby waterfall. This beautiful species is only found in the mountains to the north east of the island of Luzon. The beautiful foliage is very dark green and the upper surface is mottled with sil- ver markings. The inflorescence is semi- pendulous and will branch on mature plants bearing many flowers ranging in colour from pale pink to cream to white. The bright yellow side lobes of the label- lum are one of the distinguishing features of this delightful species. The plant was first described by Andres Golamco Jr. in 1984 but there was no Latin diagnosis. Dr. Jack Fowlie and C.Z. Tang re-published the description (with the Latin portion) in The Orchid Digest in 1987. Renanthera storiei Reichenbach f. Members of the genus Renanthera are amongst the most spectacular of all the orchid species known to man. Their bright colours of red and orange, are not very common in the orchid world. The first Renanthera species, R. coc- cinea was described in the late 1790’s from plants collected in Viet Nam and there are about 16 species in the genus. The Philippines has 5 species and the most Sarcophyton pachyphyllus wonderful is Renanthera storiei. This species starts off its life as a terres- trial, at the base of a tree, and as it grows it attaches itself to its host. Plants of this species have been known to reach lengths of several metres. An old plant can bear several inflores- cences each with many magnificent bright red flowers that are about Scm tall’by 4cm across the petals. The inflorescences branch and are always horizontal carrying the flowers on the one level. Professor Heinrich G. Reichenbach named this plant in the Gardeners’ Chronicle in 1880. James Storie is hon- oured with the naming of this plant as he collected the original specimens to arrive in Europe. Renanthera storiei is endemic to the Philippines and is found throughout the archipelago at elevations up to 1,000 metres. The common name for this genus of orchids is the Fire-Orchids, and a most appropriate name it is too. Sarcophyton pachyphyllus (Ames) Garay When one is visiting provincial areas in the Philippines it is quite frequent that an entirely different orchid species will be observed. One time I was in southern Luzon and I was looking at the orchids for sale at a number of road-side nurseries. Amongst the plants on offer was a very large monopodial orchid species that I did not recognise. This plant was about 60 centimetres tall and had very thick, gracefully arching foliage which was very leathery to the Spathoglottis vanoverberghii touch. It didn’t take too long before the plant was in my possession along with a couple of smaller examples of the same species. When I returned to the home of my host, he very excitedly said to me that I had just purchased “‘waling-waling” (which is the local Filipino name for Euanthe sanderi- ana, endemic to Mindanao). I told my host that this could not be so because “waling- waling” did not occur on Luzon and we left it at that. Anyway the plants eventually got back to Manila and as soon as one of my orchid nursery friends saw the plants I was told that they were Sarcophyton pachyphyllus. I was also warned that I will be very dis- appointed when the plant eventually flow- ers, because in spite of the size of the plant the flowers are very small. When the plant did bloom I was absolutely amazed at the number of flow- ers produced (more than 300 blooms) on the upright, branching inflorescence. The blooms are about 7mm in diameter. The specific epithet pachyphyllus, is very appropriate for this orchid. Pachy means thick and -phyllus means leaf. The leaves of this species are about 7mm thick. Spathoglottis vanoverberghii Ames The genus Spathoglottis is well-repre- sented in the Philippines, with 6 species currently recorded, and a number more The Australian Orchid Review, April/May 2007 awaiting scientific description. An inter- esting feature of the Philippine Spathoglottis is that the majority of the species are the colour yellow. This genus of terrestrial species has some of the most spectacular and florifer- ous orchids in cultivation. They are proba- bly the most commonly seen orchid in the Philippines. I have travelled extensively throughout the islands of the Philippines and I don’t believe there is a town I have visited where I haven’t seen a few pots of Spathoglottis growing somewhere. Spathoglottis vanoverberghii was named after a Belgian priest, Father Vanoverbergh, who spent many years in the mountains of the central Philippines working with the native people there. I don’t really know if he was successful in saving souls but he was a very competent botanist and plant collector. He has been honoured with having many species of many different kinds of plants named for him. Spathoglottis vanoverberghii is unusual, when compared to the other members of the genus in the Philippines in that the plant is deciduous when in flower. It is only known from the mountains of central Luzon where it grows, on the ground amongst grasses, at elevations over 1,000 metres. It is certainly one of the most brightly coloured orchids to be found in the Philippines. The Australian Orchid Review, April/May 2007 Trichoglottis atropurpurea Reichenbach f. This wonderful species was first described by Professor Reichenbach in Linnaea in 1876. The specific epithet refers to the very darkly-coloured flowers. It is better known as Trichoglottis brachi- ata but Reichenbach’s epithet has priority by 46 years. _ Trichoglottis atropurpurea is a plant from the lowlands of the Philippines and specimens have even been collected grow- ing on mangrove trees. It is quite widely distributed throughout the islands of the Philippines. The labellum of this species is shaped like a crucifix, and the bright pink coloura- tion of this segment, make this orchid a very attractive addition to any collection. The neat growth habit of this plant and the small amount of space needed in which to cultivate it are all factors as to why this plant should be grown. Plants which have been grown from seed and germinated in sterile flasks, are prefer- able, because these plants, generally grow much better. They are normally much more adaptable to cultivation than a plant which has been collected from the wild. Vanda javierae Tiu ex Fessel and Liickel 1990 Danilo A. Tiu first named this magnifi- cent species in the Philippine Orchid Review in 1984. Inadvertently, the vital Latin portion of the description was not Trichoglottis atropurpurea included in the original paper. It was then necessary for two botanists from Germany to re-describe the plant in the German orchid periodical Die Orchidee. The plant is named in honour of Mrs. Alicia Javier, a well-known orchid nursery proprietor, from Manila, the capital city of the Philippines. When plants of this species were first brought to Mrs. Javier’s nursery she could not believe what she saw, and thought that somehow the flowers had been “faked.” Mrs. Javier’s efforts to get to the bottom of the “fraud” proved fruitless as the flowers were very much real. The plants reach a height of over 60cm but plants this big are rare and the average size is closer to 30cm. Well-grown plants can produce several inflorescences that each will bear up to 10 blooms about 6cm in diameter. The majority of the flowers open at the same time. The pure white colour of the flowers, with some pinkish-brown markings in the centre of the flower, are almost unique in the genus. Only the albino form of the Thai Vanda coerulea bears any resemblance to this species. The large, frilly labellum of Vanda javierae readily separates this from the Thai species. Vanda javierae is endemic to the moun- tains of central Luzon where it grows at elevations of about 1,200 metres. It grows on the trunks and outer branches of trees in brightly lit situations where it receives constant air movement and high humidity Above: Vanda javierae Below: Vanda ustii 16 for much of the day. In its natural habitat this is a rare species that is found in a very small area that is very difficult to reach. Fortunately, flask-grown plants of Vanda javierae are readily available, thus, hopefully reducing pressure on dwindling, wild populations. Vanda ustii Golamco, Claustro and de Mesa This species was only recently scientif- ically described in the February 2000 issue of the Waling-Waling Review. But in fact this orchid has been in col- lections for many years under the incorrect names of either Vanda luzonica or Vanda merrillii. It has been extensively exported from the Philippines as Vanda luzonica var. immaculata for many years. This is another species from the moun- tains of central Luzon at elevations of about 1,200 metres. It grows as an epi- phyte in brightly lit situations. The reason for the specific epithet is a story of some interest. This epithet honours the University of Santo Tomas in Manila. A number of years ago Andres Golamco Jr. was going to describe this plant as a new species. This was after making a study of the species and being satisfied that he was doing the right thing. A short time later, Mr. Golamco was informed by a former President of the Philippine Orchid Society that the University of Santo Tomas was hoping to have an orchid named after the institution. The only stipulation was that the flower must have the colours of yellow, red and white. These were the exact colours of the plant Mr. Golamco was about to describe. So the University of Santo Tomas got its flower named for the institution and we now have another newly described species from the Philippines. As a point of interest the specific epithet is pronounced you-es- tee-ee-eye. The photographs used in this article have been taken by David Banks, Jim Cootes, Ed DeVogel, Gary Yong Gee, Ron Parsons, Andre Schuiteman, David Titmuss, and Danny Tiu. References Ames O. (1982 reprint.) Studies in the Family Orchidaceae Fascicles I & V Cootes J. 2001. The Orchids of the Philippines. Davis R.S. and Steiner M.L. 1952. Philippine Orchids. Swinson A. 1970. Frederick Sander: The Orchid King Valmayor H. 1984. Orchidiana Philippiniana Jim Cootes Riverwood, NSW Email: jecootes@ozemail.com.au The Australian Orchid Review, April/May 2007 Barkeria spectabilis Mounting Orchids ost of the orchid species in our col- lections grow in nature with their roots partly or fully attached to tree branches or trunks. Why then, do we try to grow them in pots? Mainly for conve- nience — most orchids on mounts need to be watered daily during their growing sea- son, whereas those in pots may be left for two or three days between waterings in summer and for a week or two in winter before they need to be watered again. But there are disadvantages in trying to grow some species orchids in pots; it’s only too easy to rot their roots by keeping the pot- ting mix too wet, especially when the orchid is in its natural dormant season and its roots are incapable of transferring moisture to the rest of the plant. Those species with long dormant periods, such as barkerias, Euchile citrina, Laelia speciosa and some oncidiums, grow much better on mounts; cultivation in pots often leads to slow decline unless great care is taken to water only when absolutely necessary. Tree branches are the natural hosts for The Australian Orchid Review, April/May 2007 by Brian Milligan many orchids, so it seems logical to use tree branches for mounts. In nature, how- ever, many orchid species prefer particular tree species and it follows that these orchids may not do as well on some mounts as they do on _ others. Unfortunately in many instances, espe- cially with exotic species, the natural host is unprocurable here in Australia, so we must make do with branches from our common garden trees. Generally the branches of rough-barked hardwood trees, such as oak, casuarina, peach, apricot etc., are most suitable. Orchid roots seem to cling better to rough bark than to smooth, and rot-resistant hardwood is more durable than many softwoods, such as pine. Unfortunately no timber mount lasts for- ever and eventually the orchid will need to be remounted when the mount sheds its bark, rots or is attacked by borers or other insects. Alternatives to tree branch mounts include natural cork (the bark of cork oak trees grown specifically for producing cork, mainly in Portugal). Old hardwood fence palings are also suitable. All of the above mounts dry out quite rapidly and need watering daily during most of sum- mer — even more often on very hot days. Some growers prefer to use tree fern mounts (aged, black material is best), because it retains more moisture and there- fore needs watering less often. However in my experience orchids mounted on tree fern do well for a few years only, before they begin to decline. This behaviour is generally attributed to the development of acidity in the mount. Some growers dip their tree-fern mounts periodically in lime solution to counteract this acidity. Perhaps I should have applied the lime treatment earlier or more frequently because I’ve never had much success in resurrecting sick orchids mounted on tree fern. Many alternatives to timber, cork or tree fern mounts have been tried as orchid mounts. Examples include slate, sand- stone, upturned terra cotta pots and terra cotta agricultural pipes. One ploy to avoid 17 i | Above: Dinema polybulbon Below Right: Polystachya galeata Above Left: Dendrobium loddigesii Below Left: Maxillaria tenuifolia the need for frequent watering is to mount the orchid on a terra cotta pipe, then block one end, hang it from the shade-house roof and then (in summer) fill the pipe with water. Slow diffusion of water through the porous pipe keeps the orchid’s roots damp and also helps to provide a more humid environment. I’ve seen this method used for growing the Australian thumb-nail orchid, Dockrillia linguiformis, but don’t know how well it works in the long term. A recent innovation, which I first heard about a few years ago, is the use of recy- cled rubber floor matting for orchid mounts. These mats are made of shredded car tyre rubber which has been bonded together to form a water-permeable mesh about 12 mm thick. The matting holds a lot of water when first wet but drains and dries quickly because none is absorbed by the rubber itself. These mats are not cheap (about as expensive as natural cork) but The Australian Orchid Review, April/May 2007 have the advantage that they should be almost indestructible, being resistant to decay and to attack by insect pests. Mounts can be cut to size with a pruning saw and drilled like tree branches to attach wire hangers. They have a very coarse surface, to which most orchid roots readily attach themselves. Orchids growing successfully for me on rubber mounts include Dendrobium loddigesii, D. schnei- derae, Maxillaria _ sophronitis, Maxillaria tenuifolia, Dinema polybulbon, Baptistonia echinata, Zygostates grandiflora and Polystachya species. When tying orchids to mounts, it’s important that the plant be secured firmly so that the developing root tips are not damaged when the plant is moved during handling or by wind. The plant should always be placed directly on the mount, never with a layer of moss between the two. A thin layer of moss may be placed over the roots to conserve moisture but the new roots seem to attach themselves faster to the mount if no moss is used (assuming that you can water the plant daily). Nylon fishing line is often used to secure an orchid to its mount. It Right: Polystachya zambesiaca must be pulled tightly enough to fasten the plant to its mount firmly but not so tightly as to cut the pseudobulbs or roots. Copper wire is sometimes used for large plants. I prefer to use plastic-covered wire (Twistie-Tie™ ) because it is less likely to damage the plant, even when pulled tight. Yes, I agree that it’s unsightly, but it can be removed within a year or two, as soon as the roots have taken good hold of the mount. If you are unable to water your mounted orchids often enough to maintain good growth, try placing the mount on the bench rather than hanging it. Hanging mounts seem to dry out twice as rapidly as those lying flat. Mounted orchids are best fer- tilised by dipping the entire mount in a dilute solution of liquid fertiliser. I dip my mounts in very weak solution of Peters XL™ stored in a 40L plastic bin in my glasshouse on most days during the grow- ing season. (Plants accompanying this article grown and photographed by David Banks.) | Brian Milligan, North Balwyn, Victoria Melbourne’s New Water Restrictions ven at the beginning on March 2007 the pessimists were predicting that stage 4 water restrictions would be intro- duced on 1 May 2007. Stage 4 meant that NO mains water at all could be used on your garden (or orchids). It sounded like utter disaster but many country growers have been on stage 4 restrictions for a year or more, and most of them have managed to retain their orchid collections. Fortunately, a new level of restrictions (stage 3A) has been introduced in Melbourne, to take effect from 1 April, which still enables us to use mains water on our orchids on two mornings each week (6-8 am for the youngsters, 8-10 am for mature growers over 70 years old, like me). The designated days are Wednesday and Sunday for ‘odd’ residents and Tuesday and Saturday for those with even house numbers. Level 3A restrictions are expected to remain in force until 1 August, regardless of weather patterns. Those country growers on stage 4 restrictions have managed by using ‘grey’ water collected from baths, showers and clothes washing machines, and by collect- ing rain water from the rooves of their house, sheds and covered shade-houses. If 20 by Brian Milligan you plan to use all the water from your washing machine, it’s important to use special soap, because some laundry prod- ucts are toxic to orchids and other plants. Glenda Warren has been using a product called Earth Choice Liquid for washing her clothes — it’s low in salt and phos- phates, and therefore less toxic to plants than many other products. The safest option is to discard the wash water, and to collect only the rinse water from the wash- ing machine for use on your plants. A better option (provided that rain falls) is to collect and store rainwater, although there is a long waiting list when buying some water tanks, especially the slimline models needed for houses built close to fencelines. The cheapest form of water storage is the plastic garbage bin (one of the best is a 60L bin occasionally available from Bunnings for only $10). I have 5OOL of rainwater stored in plastic garbage bins, and use it to water those orchids that need it at times when tap watering is forbidden. Fanatical orchid growers like me and many of my friends will never part with our orchids, even it means watering the most valuable with bottled water! But I foresee that many people with just a few orchids may find it easier to abandon their hobby, at least until the water restrictions are lifted. My advice to them is to perse- vere in the hope that the drought will soon end. If you grow your orchids under a solid roof, remove part of it so that they can take advantage of any rain that falls, and put plastic picnic plates beneath your cymbid- iums, so that they need to be watered less often. If stage 4 restrictions are eventually introduced, consider moving some of your orchids indoors — there are no restrictions on watering indoor plants, and there prob- ably never will be, because the ban would be impossible to police. Indoor plants require much less water than those grown outdoors, because of lower temperatures and much less evaporation. There is insuf- ficient light indoors to grow genera such as cymbidiums and dendrobiums but low- light orchids, such as Phalaenopsis, paphiopedilums, masdevallias, other pleu- rothallids and many members of the Odontoglossum alliance will probably grow and flower satisfactorily if housed in a well-lit room. | Brian Milligan North Balwyn, Victoria The Australian Orchid Review, April/May 2007 The Genus Drakaea and Miss Drake by Brian Milligan rakaea is a genus of terrestrial orchids found only in southwestern Western Australia. Commonly called Hammer Orchids, each of the nine species in the genus has a single, ovate or heart-shaped leaf, and a single flower carried on a tall, wiry stem. Hammer orchids grow in sandy soil, and flower during spring. The most conspicuous features of the flower are the prominent column bearing the sexual organs, and a warty labellum attached by a hinged strap. Whereas the column and labellum are held above the flower, the narrow, rather insignificant petals and sepals dangle downwards. Although hammer orchids are difficult to find in the wild, they are well docu- mented in the orchid literature because of their unusual method of reproduction. The flowers are pollinated by male thynnine wasps, each of the nine Drakaea species being pollinated by a different species of wasp — this specificity avoids contamina- tion of the gene pool by hybrids. Like most wasps, male thynnine wasps have wings but the females are wingless and spend much of their lives in burrows. Only when sexually mature does the female thynnine wasp emerge from her burrow to climb a nearby grass stalk. She then releases a pheromone (sex attractant) that lures male wasps, often from a con- siderable distance downwind. Firmly grasping her body in his legs, the male takes the female wasp on a nuptial flight before returning her to the burrow (or pos- sibly dropping her from a great height after he has had his wicked way!). Returning to the hammer orchids .. . The labellum of a hammer orchid also emits the same (or a very similar) cocktail of odours as the female thynnine wasp. Thus the male wasp is attracted to the flower’s labellum, (which by no coinci- The Australian Orchid Review, April/May 2007 dence has a similar shape to that of the female wasp), grasps it firmly, and then attempts to embark on his ‘joy flight’. Because the labellum is firmly attached to the flower, all that happens is that the ‘hinge’ swings shut, causing the wasp to plummet headfirst onto the column. In the process his head or back is liberally smeared with pollen. Learning nothing from the experience, the male wasp picks himself up and heads off in search of another ‘mate’. Finding another flower, he repeats the exercise, this time transferring the pollen from his head to the stigma on the column. Thus the flower is pollinated, and eventually a seed pod develops. Drakaea livida The photograph shows two hammer orchid flowers, the one on the left with the labellum in its normal position, while the one on the right has the hinge in the closed position, which brings the labellum very close to the flower’s sexual organs. I took this photograph south of Perth almost twenty years ago, being exceedingly lucky to find two flowers growing close enough together to be able to show the labellum in the two positions (we found fewer than ten plants altogether). The genus Drakaea was named by the famous British botanist John Lindley in 1839. He named it after Miss Sarah Anne Drake, the botanical artist who drew, painted, and made lithographs of many of the orchids and other plants that Lindley described. She lived with the Lindley fam- ily (who called her ‘Ducky’) between 1830 and 1847, and retired to Norfolk only when Lindley’s Botanical Register ceased publication in 1847. | Brian Milligan, North Balwyn, Victoria VICTORIAN INTERNATIONAL ORCHID FAIR eaandtan over 20 Weiner & Interstate Orchid Nursery & Specialist Plant Growers ora 19TH, & 20TH MAY 2007 Ore enone OAM TILL 5PM (3PM. SUND Ey) “Ray Clement (02) 6553 1012 CET ra tea Or Bill &Jan es (03) 9345 6387 mileseme, chariotnetau Visit us on the web at: www. mite com. au 21 Eria marginata Rolfe Text and photos by David Banks ria is primarily a South-east Asian genus of some 400 plus epiphytic and lithophytic orchid species. They are dis- tantly related to Dendrobium but have not enjoyed the same level of popularity in cultivation as that diverse genus. In most cases, Eria species have relatively small flowers that are short-lived, plus the majority of species have blooms that have insipid colours — from dirty cream to greenish yellow. Thankfully they are relatively amenable to cultivation and some of the species can certainly be described as attractive to spec- tacular. As a bonus, many species put on quite a floral display when in full flight and are most eye-catching. It was originally described in The Gardeners’ Chronicle in 1889 by Robert Allen Rolfe {1855-1921}, who was the first curator of the Orchid Herbarium at 22 Kew Gardens in the United Kingdom. He also was the founder of the world’s oldest surviving orchid periodical, The Orchid Review. Eria marginata is a somewhat scarce species in cultivation and in some ways the bloom is similar to some colour forms of our indigenous Dendrobium kingianum. It is distributed from the mountainous regions of Myanmar (Burma) across to West Yunnan province in China, where the pictured examples originally came from. This species is from Section Cylindrolobus that is characterised by hav- ing short, lateral, single to few-flowered inflorescences from the apical part of the pseudobulb (which is up to 20cm in height, topped with three leaves). There are also a few conspicuous bracts behind the blooms that are persistent for some time after the flowers have withered. This species does not appear to have a set blooming season, and most likely relies on a drop in atmospheric pressure (as occurs during thunderstorms or significant weather events) to trigger flowering. I have noted flowerings in April (autumn), August (late winter) and December (early summer). The individual blooms last up to one week, slightly shorter duration in warmer weather. It generally produces its blooms in pairs or as individuals. Cultivation Ihave found this quite an easy subject in cultivation. This is not a tropical lowland species, but one from a cooler, mountain- ous climate. The plant is dormant in sum- mer, with two flushes of new growths pro- duced throughout the year, in autumn then again in spring. It is grown potted in a bark-based mix with the addition of about The Australian Orchid Review, April/May 2007 Left and above: Eria marginata Right: Eria marginata (labellum detail) 10% perlite and 10% river gravel (grade 10-15mm). It is hung under a double layer of 70% shadecloth (grown above Dendrochilum species) and is moved under a fibreglass roof for winter. It has experienced extreme temperature variants: from —2°C in winter to 47°C in mid-sum- mer. It needs to be stressed that these hos- tile conditions are relatively short-lived, otherwise this (and many other) orchids would succumb. It prefers a moist, humid environment, with unimpeded air circula- tion, with the well-drained mix ideally kept on the moist side. I have so far been unsuccessful in “‘self- ing” this species. This is a problem with The Australian Orchid Review, April/May 2007 many rare (in cultivation at least) species where a different clone is almost impossi- ble to find, as mating two different clones invariable produces seed capsules. Obviously mericloning is another option, but such botanicals do not have the mass- market appeal of the more commercial genera and this avenue is rarely followed due to cost constraints and expected demand. If you can secure a plant, this is a most rewarding species to grow and one I am very happy to have in my collection. | David Banks Seven Hills, NSW Email: davidpbanks @veritel.com.au Send a stamped, self-addressed envelope for seedling and flask price list. PO Box 3525, Wamberal NSW 2260 Phone: 0408 994 696 Fax: 02 4384 4304 RETINITIS PIGMENTOSA The major et blindness! If you have RP, or know someone who has, please contact the charity/support group RETINA AUSTRALIA FIGHTING BLINDNESS AOR 024 For information and assistance phone 1800 999 870 www.retinaAustralia.com.au ANOS Mid North Coast Kempsey Speciosum Spectacular and Australian Orchid Species Show Saturday 1st to Monday 3rd September from 10.00am to 4.00pm 57 Spooners Ave, Greenhills, via Kempsey further details email: jzi01935@bigpond.net.au phone: Ernie Baldwin 02 6585 9328 DISTANCE EDUCATION HORTICULTURE, HOME VEGETABLE GROWING, CUT FLOWERS, PLANT BREEDING, TISSUE CULTURE, HERBS, PROPAGATION, HYDROPONICS, ROSES, ACS DISTANCE EDUCATION fest. 1979) 23 OrchidMate™ potting media for orchids by Murray Shergold and Ray Clement fter the orchid itself, the next most important component of orchid cul- ture is the medium on or in which the orchid grows. It is imperative that the root system is healthy if an orchid is to grow and flower well. Therefore the media in which the orchid is growing must be com- patible with the plant’s root system. The media must be able to support the plant, hold just enough moisture but remain aer- ated, maintain a low salinity level and a stable pH level. New South Wales nurserymen Ray Clement of Tinonee Orchids and Murray Shergold of Easy Orchids spent some time investigating the possibilities and conduct- ing trials to take us forward with a new approach to growing media. Over the years we have all seen sphag- num moss, perlite and peat/perlite mixes, quincan gravel, scoria, diatomite and other media introduced. All have a place but all fail at some point, or under certain growing conditions. Pine bark has been the growers favourite for some time now. However it has seemed inevitable that composted pine bark will decline in quality and increase in price until it loses its mantle as the orchid ... are forever growers preferred growing media. Most of the trees grown for timber today are new varieties that are harvested younger with bark of a lesser quality than yesteryears. Being the by-product the growers are not about to start growing pine trees for orchid bark production. j The advent of inexpensive ungraded and unprepared coconut fibre as a cheap mulch has seen many orchid growers try to use these products as presented by chain stores as mulch for general garden plants. This has resulted in a range of results that is not consistent enough for the average hobbyist orchid grower or commercial grower. It also generally has very high salt and tannin content that takes many thorough washes to ensure it is safe to use on sensitive plants. Ray and Murray have worked to pro- duce a product that has the following basic features:- ¢ pH within acceptable range. ¢ EC. (salt) level in every batch is guar- anteed to be low enough not to harm growing plants. ¢ Easy to prepare for use. ¢ Presented in a compact, easy to carry and store form. Growers of quality species and hybrids Nursery opening to public Ist March 2007 9am-4pm Tuesday — Saturday. Internet stock list updated quarterly. Paper copies available on request. 24 e Inexpensive. ¢ Long lasting. * Created as a by-product that is other- wise waste. ¢ Compressed bales are economical to freight. Their recently launched product, OrchidMate™ , fulfils all of the above and more. In some areas of the world coconut fibre has been widely used for decades with success as a growing media. Therefore the challenge has been to under- stand what is different about coconut husk chip and just as we do with other media, grow to utilize its advantages and properly understand its differences. OrchidMate™ is a fresh product unlike bark which is mostly composted before the grower buys it. Thus plants growing in OrchidMate™ will benefit from regular applications of a balanced fertiliser, particularly a soluble product high in Calcium and Magnesium, such as Peters Excel. Nitrogen draw down peaks at 6-9 months usage and needs to be addressed through those months by the addition of extra nitrogen. OrchidMate™ is available graded into 5 usable and distinct grades ARANBEEM ORCHIDS “The Orchid Centre of Australia” Mail Order Specialists Australia Wide Retail, Wholesale and Export FREE Regular Plant Listing Community Pot Listing Premier Selection and Imported Plant Listing All on request Priests Road (PO Box 96) Deception Bay, Brisbane, Qld 4508 Ph (07) 3888 3637 Fax (07) 3888 5271 Email: aranbeem@higpond.net.au Nursery Open: Wed-Sat — 9am-4pm Phone/Mail Orders: Mon-Sat — 9am-4pm Closed: Sun, Mon, Tues & Public Holidays Other times by appointment The Australian Orchid Review, April/May 2007 General purpose for those orchids that love constant mois- ture and whose roots will not rot easily also for general garden plants. Small - 5-8mm for a few delicate orchids. Medium - 8-12mm graded for use in deflasking and with many fine rooted orchids. Large - 12-18mm the most commonly used size and suit- able for a wide range of orchid plants. Extra Large - 20-30mm suitable for large cattleyas, vandas, Dendrobium speciosum and other thick rooted epiphytes and lithophytes Ray and Murray have trialled many ver- sions of coconut fibre before arriving at the formula for OrchidMate™ which is sold with a guarantee of pH range (5.5 — 6.5) and maximum E.C. (0.5). This takes orchid media buying to a new standard as even bark has not been offered previously to these standards. OrchidMate™ has been graded to size and all of the fines have been removed. This is important as coconut husk fibre holds more water than bark. Whilst this is good in times of drought and hot weather it also means that growers need more air to match the increase in water in the pot bought by the Cattleyas Online Quality exhibition cattleyas are our specialty. For a catalogue please phone, fax, or e-mail us as below. You can also visit us on the Internet at www.cattleyasonline.com.au Phone/Fax: 07 3388 0866 Mail: PO Box 4612 Loganholme 4129 E-mail: info@cattleyasonline.com.au AOR 028 World Wide SPECIES ORCHIDS Mail Order Flasks, Seedlings, Flowering size. Burleigh Park Orchid Nursery 54 Hammond Way, Thuringowa, 4815. Ph/Fax 0747 740 008 Lists by mail or email: ian@speciesorchids.com www.speciesorchids.com Propagators of the Rare, Beautiful and Unusual Orchid Species of the World. Accredited CITES & Phyto Export AOR 013 The Australian Orchid Review, April/May 2007 coconut husk fibre for winter especially. The simple way to achieve this is to use OrchidMate™ , one size larger than you would bark for the same repotting job. This is especially important if your plants are exposed to the rain. Many articles have been written about coconut husk chips and one in particular that can be recommended is by Bob Wellenstein of the famous AnTec Laboratories in the USA. This can be read at www.ladyslipper.com/coco3.htm. This is a MUST_read. Wellenstein has con- ducted many trials and his report is com- prehensive to say the least. A key factor is that OrchidMate™ has much better lasting qualities due to its lignum content being five times that of bark. It is recommended that you soak OrchidMate™ overnight before use to avoid the need for excessive watering immediately after potting. Easy Orchids have large numbers of most genera grow- ing in OrchidMate™ and these plants will be offered for sale at shows right around Australia this coming show season. It has also been successfully been used as a medium for clivias, bromeliads and other foliage plants. The price of OrchidMate™ (currently at $10.50/compressed bale) is just a fraction of bark and it is long lasting, thus we believe a new era in orchid media is being ushered in by these two enterprising orchid growers from New South Wales. Murray Shergold Easy Orchids, Woodburn, NSW www.easyorchids.com Ray Clement Tinonee Orchids, Tinonee, NSW www.tinoneeorchids.com 100% ORGANIC ORCHID GROWING MEDIUM PREMIUM GRADE COCONUT HUSK CHIPS SPECIALLY PREPARED FOR ORCHID GROWING friendly. are easy to re-wet. root system. For best results: ORCI EASY ORCHIDS (02) 6682 2635 ORCHIPMATE coconut husk chips are an nic and totally natural byproduct of the coconut industry. ORCHIDMATE coconut husk chips have developed an exclusive preparation technique to present media best suited for orchid growing, Bromeliads, Clivias, etc ORCHIDMATE coconut husk chips are 100% natural, organic, renewable & environmentally ORCHIPMATE coconut husk chips have superior water holding capacity, while maintaining an ORCHIPMATE coconut husk chips protect plants ° excellent air filled porosity and the correct pH. -, Le 4 : & roots from extreme weather conditions in summer & winter & are suitable for all orchids. ORCHIPMATE coconut husk chips will not decompose like bark & Expand by soaking in water, drainand use. Coconut Husk Chips Exclusively supplied by: WATER SAVER se TA er”. ORCHIPMATE coconut husk chips have stable and ideal ph & superior drainage qualities resulting in vigorous growth & strong Specification: E.C.Max 0.5 dS/m pH 5.5 - 6.5 TINONEE ORCHIDS (02) 6553 1012 25 Western Australian Orchid Spectacular 2008 ollowing the success of Western Australian Orchid Spectacular & Conference 2005, there have been calls to “do it all again’. So the Western Australian Regional Orchid Organisation has sanc- tioned the formation of a WAOS 2008 Committee which is well and truly up and running. The two vital items to be decided before anything else could be achieved are the date and venue. The venue chosen for the WAOS 2008 is the Cannington Exhibition Centre on the corner of Albany Highway and Station Street, Cannington. This is next door to the Cannington Greyhound track for those who fancy a flutter on Saturday night. The venue consists of two halls, the large Exhibition Hall where the orchids will be displayed, and the smaller, adjacent Liddelow Pavilion, which has a ready made, well equipped lecture room. (A huge improvement on our last lecture room) There are a number of natural advan- tages to the Cannington Exhibition Centre, such as... Orchid | Species Specialising in species orchids with some hybrids Mail Order specialists Open by appointment only Bill and Jan Miles 405 Main Street Kingston, Victoria 3364 P 03 5345 6387 F 03 5345 6303 E miles@vic.chariot.net.au Props: AOR 041 Website - AOR203 26 Valley Orchids Cymbidium Specialists Lot 8 Wheaton Road, McLaren Vale, S.A. Postal —- PO Box 143, McLaren Vale, South Australia, 5171 Phone (08) 8327 3955 Fax (08) 8327 3966 Mobile 0419 823 724 www.valleyorchids.com.au Check for lots of new photos & special offers — regularly updated, including exciting new seedlings, flowering for the first time Email - graham@valleyorchids.com.au Thousands of new release plants & older favourites available now — Flasks to flowering size & at sensible prices. Mail order service available ** We can now send plants to Western Australia & Tasmania ** ¢ Excellent situation on the very busy Albany Hwy. e Free parking spaces for about 380 cars when the spaces at the front and rear of the Exhibition Hall are combined. ¢On numerous bus routes to and from Perth City. ¢ Only 10km south of Perth City. e Within walking distance of railway sta- tions. eA ready made, modern, well equipped Lecture Room. ¢ Fifteen minutes from Perth International Airport The Western Australian Orchid Spectacular 2008 will be held between the 25th and 29th September 2008. This is also a long weekend with Monday the 29th being a public holiday giving the event three full non-working days for the public to attend as well as Friday the 26th. There are a number of other events happening that weekend too which would be of fur- ther interest for overseas and interstate vis- itors. The Perth Royal Show and the Kings Park Wildflower Week are on at the same time. Set up will be on Thursday the 25th in the Exhibition Hall and the event will be open to the public from Friday the 26th to Monday 29th September 2008. On another front, moves are being made to secure world class lecturers for the Conference from overseas and inter- state. The speakers who have confirmed their attendance so far are: Dr. Henry Oakeley of the UK — Roberto Agnes of Aranda Orquideas, Brazil — Dennis Kao of Ching Hua Orchids, Taiwan. More speakers will be added to this list shortly and you will be advised in future Bulletins. Plans are afoot to repeat the Orchid Tours of Perth and the Southwest. These received rave reviews by all the partici- pants in 2005. Again, there will be limited spaces, so book early! Details of Registration, Show Schedule, etc, will be passed on as they become available. We look forward to enjoying your com- pany in September 2008. So don’t miss out! Mark the date on your calendar. For further information please write to the Secretary, PO Box 4076, Alexander Heights, WA 6064, or email waos @iinet.net.au | Tony Watkinson Publicity, WAOS 2008 “Nicky’s Slippers” One of the world’s leading Paph. breeders. Exciting new Paphs. and Phrags. now available. Contact us for a copy of our colour catalogue — send 3 x 50c stamps NICKY ZURCHER Box 326, Virginia, South Australia 5120 Phone/Fax (08) 8380 9360 AOR 039 Cattleyas — Laelias etc Large Plants & Seedlings + Flasks Plant + Flasking List on request Phone: 02 6628 6356 Fax: 02 6628 6856 Email: jk.heindke@bigpond.com Mobile: 0417 021 789 43 Davey Rd, URALBA NSW 2477 The Australian Orchid Review, April/May 2007 THIS & THAT Mothers’ Day Orchid Show he Aspley Orchid Society will conduct its Mothers’ Day Orchid Show at the Community Hall, Edinburgh Road, Wavell Heights on the weekend of 12-13 May 2007. Doors will be open from 9.00am until 4.00pm daily. Benching of plants will be between 2.00pm and 7.30pm on Friday 11th May, 2007. Our Mothers’ Day Show is special in our Society’s calendar of events for we are able to give financial support to the Aspley Special School which does highly com- mendable work to help students to build up the necessary skills to fit into society. Any support which is given to us in making this show a success, flows on to a most worthy cause. A spectacular display of orchids in bloom will be presented in a wide variety of genera. Plants in flower from members and participating nurseries will be available for sale. Floral arrangements, especially for mother, have been extremely popular in past years. Potting demonstrations and cul- tural advice will be available from our more experienced members. The Aspley Special School will again mount a display of the children’s work. Hans Schaible www.darkstarorchids.com.au The Australian Orchid Review, April/May 2007 Dark Star Orchids FLASKS, SEEDLINGS AND FLOWERING SIZE PLANTS Imported from top breeders in Germany, UK and Thailand African and Madagascan species Paphs, Lycastes, Vandaceous, Bulbophyllums and more RARE SPECIES AND SOME HYBRIDS PO Box 114 Bowraville NSW 2449 Telephone/Fax (02) 6564 4088 darkstarorchids@bordernet.com.au Hills District Orchids (Prop. David P. Banks) Spring Open Day Sunday 7 October 2007 @183 Windsor Road Northmead 2152 NSW Yam til 4pm (please park in Mary Street or Windermere Avenue) Heaps of flowering orchids, rare species and unusual plants for sale, as well as a full range of orchid related supplies and new and exclusive Clivia minata seedlings in a full range of colours. Also attending: Tinonee Orchid Nursery, Macquarie Native Orchids and Miriam Ann Orchids Hosting Dark Star Orchids Open Day on Sunday 2nd December 2007 Phone: David Banks on (02) 9674 4720 or 0412 123 036 E-mail: davidpbanks@veritel.com.au Contact us by email to receive our FREE Orchid Information Newsletter We ask you to support us in our endeay- ours toward the Aspley Special School. Further information is available from Jan Patterson, (07) 3269 7537. | Victorian Country Orchid Clubs Challenge lans are well underway for the 8th Victorian Country Orchid Clubs Challenge to be hosted by the Ballarat Orchid Society and held in Ballarat July 6th-7th-8th 2007. This year the 10 competiting clubs, (Stawell OS, Mid Murray and District OS, Bendigo OS, Ballarat OS, Sunraysia OS, Ararat OS, Warrnambool and District OS, Horsham and District OS and St Arnaud and District OS) will meet at the Eastwood Leisure / Sporting Complex Hall in Eastwood Street Ballarat (opp. City Safeway) for the challenge. The hall will be open for setting up Friday 6th July 9.00am-5.00pm. A spit roast evening meal commencing at 6.30pm (2 courses $13, open to the public) will be held at the same venue. Guest speaker for the evening will be Mr John Maloney from Cops & Kids. Saturday morning, whilst the plants are being judged, a guided bus tour of historic AOR 126 Florafest rty ita PO Box 583 ~=— Bulimba 4171 Phone O4 1219 2362 Fax O7 4630 1102 www. florafest.com.au eMail: barry@florafest.com.au Oncidium Alliance 3 9izes Flowering - Advanced - Compot Sizes Flowering Size Choose any 8 for $100 or 15 for $180 or 25 for $275 or all 30 for $315 Advanced 80mm Pot Size 8 for $75 or 15 for $125 or 25 for $200 or all 30 for $225 Mini Compots (8 plants) $25 - Maxi Compots (15 plants) $45 - Minimum Order $70 All sent freight free within Australia 8969 Aliceara Mervyn Grant ‘Talisman Cove! 7604 Bakerara Truth ‘Silver Chalice’ AM AOS 7629 Beallara Tropic Splendor ‘Golden Gate’ 8926 Beallara Peggy Ruth Carpenter 'Morning Joy’ 8928 Beallara Late Night 'Red' 7648 Burrageara Jungle Moss ‘Rain Forest’ 7627 Colmanara Wildcat ‘Lynx’ 7682 Colmanara Wildcat 'Mutation' 7685 Colmanara Wildcat 'Jaguar' 8980 Colmanara Catatante 'Solar Flare! 8970 Degarmoara Toy Soldier ‘Volcano Queen' 7514 Lagerara Roman Emperor 'JEM' 7633 Miltassia Aztec ‘Hildos’ 7650 Miltonidium Hawaiian Sunset 'Carmela' 8825 Miltonidium Midnight Moon ‘Santa Barbara’ 8904 Miltonidium Issaku Nagata ‘Bright Day’ 8951 Miltonidium Bartley Schwarz 'Big Bart! 8909 Miltassia Shelob 'Webmaster' HCC/AOS 8911 Miltassia Dennis Kleinbach ‘Crowhurst! AM 8963 Miltonia Belle Glade "Everglades Waterfall" 7694 Oncidium Carnival Costume 'Summer Sprite 7692 Oncidium Sharry Baby 'Fantasy' 8813 Oncidium Little Cherry 'Honjo' 8846 Odontocidium Black Beauty 'Multi Spike’ 8953 Odontonia Debutante ‘Fragrant Beauty' 9000 Odontocidium Tiburon 'Sweet Fragrance' 8966 Odontocidium Elske Stoltz ‘Spyhill’ JC AO 9014 Odontobrassia Ken Biven ‘Golden Gate' 8940 Vuylstekeara Monica 'Burnham' 8838 Wilsonara Zoes Fire ‘Satan’ All Easy Growers (Tolerate extreme heat & cold) Prolific flowerers (2 to 3 times per year) We also have plenty of Other Oncidium Specials Check our Website for Coloured Pix This offer available till end of 2007 (ur 2007 & Specials Catalogue Now Available Species - Masdevallia Special Flowering size @ $20.00 Masd. davisii, rolfeana, ignea, maculata, fonocharis, tovarensis, veitchiana, infracta, Pyxsis, peristeria. Dryadella simula, Pleuro. restrepiodes All 12 for $200 post free, while stocks last. e Mt Beenak Orchids 27 Hacketts Creek Rd, Three Bridges, Vic. 3797 Ph/Fax (03) 5966 7253 www. mtbeenakorchids.com.au Email: clivehalls@bigpond.com 27 THIS & THAT Ballarat including the Ex-prisoner of War Memorial will be available, $10pp. Bus will leave Eastwood Leisure / Sporting Complex at 9.15am (approx 1!/2 hrs). The Victorian Country Orchid Clubs Challenge will be open to the public 12 noon-5.00pm. At the Saturday afternoon Seminar (2.00pm start) Mr Jose Portilla from Ecuagenera Orchids Ecuador, one of South America’s largest species orchid nurseries, will give a world class presentation on species orchids in South America. This promises to be a seminar not to be missed as Jose will only be speaking twice in Victoria on this trip to Australia ($5.00 entry). The Saturday night Dinner Raffle and Plant Auction will be held at the Buninyong Golf Club, Midlands Highway, Buninyong (Meal $25.00pp). Light entertainment for the night Maccas Musco (Black & White Minstrel Show). Sunday morning the now very popular “Walk around the Challenge with the Judges’ will commence at 9.30am, the rest of the day is free for you to admire the many varied entries and the very diverse Creative Displays in this the 8th Challenge. The challenge will close at 3.00pm. Commercial sellers Mt Beenak Orchids, Johnston’s Orchids and Sims Orchids will no doubt have several ‘Must Haves’ to entice the avid orchid grower to dig deep into their pockets. Light refreshments will be available at the venue, Entry $2.00pp. For more information phone Beryl] (03) 5334 1137. Payment for meals and bus trip please forward to Secretary Ballarat Orchid _ Society P.O. Box 1814, Ballarat 3350 before 22nd June 2007. Once again the Victorian Country Orchid Clubs Challenge promises to be a very enjoyable weekend and I look forward to seeing you there. @ John Welsh, Chairperson Brisbane Orchid Society — 34th Charity Show he Brisbane Orchids Society is con- ducting its 34th Charity Orchid Show on 21 and 22 April 2007 at Mt Gravatt Showgrounds. The society supports the Pre-School Association for the Education of Deaf Children at Yeerongpilly, Brisbane. The non-profit society has been able to donate in excess of $66,000 from previous shows. A spectacular display of orchids in bloom will be presented in a wide variety of genera, plants in flower, books and orchid accessories will be for sale at very reason- able prices. A feature of the show will be potting demonstrations with expert advice 28 being available from expert growers within the society. Lunch and morning and afternoon teas may also be purchased. Admission will be only $3.00. | Manning River Orchid Society 50th Anniversary he Manning River Orchid Society will be holding an orchid show in August to celebrate 50 years of orchid growing in the Manning River area. The 50th Anniversary Show (sponsored by Hickmans Nursery of Kolodong) will be held from 24 to 26 August 2007 at the Saxby Basketball Stadium, Bligh Street, Taree. The show will be open to the public from 9.00am to 4.00pm Friday and Saturday, closing at 3.00pm on Sunday. The official opening will be on Friday 24 August at 10.00am. A number of orchid vendors and local area societies have indicated their atten- dance. Set up and judging will take place on Thursday 23 August. | The Southport and Districts Orchid Society “Orchid Festival and Trade Fair” he Southport and Districts Orchid Society in conjunction with the Oasis Shopping Centre held its second ‘Orchid Festival and Trade Fair’ on the 17th and 18th of March 2007 at the Oasis Shopping Centre on the Gold Coast and what a festi- val and trade fair it was. With 21 traders, six local society display stands, and a benched judged show it was like being in orchid heaven. Well at least Bill Brown from the Tweed District Orchid society thought so after he scooped the pool with a majority of the show classes including his Grand Champion Dendrobium Genting, congratulations Bill. A special congratulation to Hans and Margaret Donker on winning the Champion Novice with their Vanda Udon Csia x Ascocenda Yip Sum Wah. It makes a show worth while when you see two enthusiastic novice growers like Hans and Margaret win this award. This trade fair and orchid show is now the largest of its kind held in Queensland, and it was pleasing to get the support from the greater Brisbane and Northern NSW areas, including buses coming from as far north as the Sunshine Coast and as far south as Ballina. The Oasis shopping cen- tre management have indicated that there was an increase of 30% in trade compared with this time last year so they want next years show to be even bigger and better. Our thanks go to all those who supported the show and one of the best quotes I heard from the show was from the young lady security guard who said “This was one of my most enjoyable nights at work as all I did was walk around and admire these amazing flowers’. | Tom Rivett, President Southport & Districts Orchid Society Inc. Email: tom@precastsolutions.com.au Western Suburbs Orchid Society (NSW): 70 years strong his year 2007 will mark the 70th Anniversary of Western Suburbs Orchid Society in New South Wales. This landmark anniversary makes Western Suburbs Orchid Society one of the oldest in Australia. Western Suburbs Orchid Society is a friendly club that caters to all types of orchid growers and includes amongst its number many fine growers. The club boasts a strong membership of orchid judges and new members are often astounded by the depth of knowledge and the friendliness of this society. The club holds regular social events throughout the year. A popular highlight is the annual Orchid Crawl, where members generously open their homes to other club members for a day. It’s a great way to see how other people grow their orchids and perhaps pick up a new idea or two along the way. Benching is a high point of all club meetings with over 100 plants regu- larly shown. The quality of plants at any meeting is fantastic. The club is planning a number of func- tions during 2007 to mark this historic 70th anniversary and is very keen to hear from any previous members who may have memorabilia or photos to assist with compiling a complete history of the club. The club is currently under the presidency of Ruth Mitchell. Ruth has been a member of WSOS for 12 years and will lead the club through its 2007 anniversary events. WSOS meets monthly on the third Monday of every month in the Uniting Church Hall in Carrington Avenue, Strathfield, Sydney at 7.45pm. If you have been a member of WSOS in the past or would like to be a member now, you can contact the club through its email address at wsorchidsociety @yahoo.com or visit its website at www.wsosaustralia.com. For further information please contact Ruth Mitchell or Arthur Midgley by writing to PO Box 543, Enfield 2136. | Peter Meyer Email: sales@orchidtrays.com.au The Australian Orchid Review, April/May 2007 o = Vinnie Dinh of North Balwyn won the coveted Victorian Orchid of the Year Trophy for 2006 with Cymbidium Olive Street ‘Dinh’ AM-CC/OSCOV, which was also Victorian Cymbidium of the Year. Photo: V. Dinh. > Victorian Orchids of the Year 2006 he Orchid Societies Council of Victoria (OSCOV) introduced the Victorian Orchids of the Year competition in 1992. Photographs of all orchids that have received OSCOV awards in the cur- rent year are considered, together with any others submitted by Victorian growers. Success in this competition relies not only on growing an orchid of award quality but also on taking photographs of a similar standard. As a consequence, those orchids with the highest awards do not necessarily win this competition. Ninety-five OSCOV awards were granted in 2006 (7 Awards of Merit, 62 Highly Commended Certificates, 6 Awards of Distinction, 19 Cultural Certificates, and one Award of Quality). Several awards recommended during the year were not ratified, either because they were for unregistered hybrids or because their owners failed to provide the necessary photographs. The OSCOV Judging Panel met in February 2007, first to select the winners in the various categories and then to decide the overall winner. The results of their adjudications are as follows: Victorian Orchid of the Year for 2006 (sponsored by OSCOV) was Cymbidium The Australian Orchid Review, April/May 2007 Olive Street ‘Dinh’ AM-CC/OSCOV, grown by Vinnie Dinh of North Balwyn (Melbourne). This striking miniature cym- bidium was also the Victorian Cymbidium Hybrid of the Year (sponsored by the Cymbidium Orchid Society of Victoria) and the Victorian Cultural Certificate of the Year (sponsored by OSCOV). Vinnie will receive OSCOV Gold and Silver Medallions, the OSCOV Perpetual Trophy (an original Syd Monkhouse painting of Rossioglossum grande), and a large framed photographic print of his orchid. Vinnie will also receive the OSCOV-spon- sored Gunter Haar Memorial Trophy for winning the Victorian Cultural Certificate of the Year. All trophies will be presented at a dinner to be held in conjunction with the OSCOV Show at Collectors’ Corner in August. The winners of all other cate- gories will also receive framed photo- graphic prints of their orchids and OSCOV medallions at this dinner. The Victorian Native Orchid Species of the Year (sponsored by the Yarra Valley Orchid Society) was the line-bred interva- rietal Dendrobium speciosum ‘Barry’ HCC-CC/OSCOV, grown by Barry and Beattie Kahn of Johnsonville (eastern Victoria). Sarcochilus George Colthup ‘Sweet Water’ HCC/OSCOV, grown by Ann Murphy and Keith Moss of Frankston South, was Victorian Native Orchid Hybrid of the Year (sponsored by the Mornington Peninsula Orchid Society). Another cultivar of the same grex, that was originally made and registered by David Banks, was Victorian Native Orchid Hybrid of the Year in 2001. The Victorian Cattleya of the Year (sponsored by the Mid-Murray Orchid Club) was Sophrocattleya Royal Beau ‘Jo- Ann’ HCC/OSCOV, grown by Marilyn and Barry Larkin of Cranbourne South, an outer suburb of Melbourne. Victorian Paphiopedilum Species of the Year was Paphiopedilum haynaldianum ‘Hi-Five’ HCC/OSCOV (sponsored by the Stawell Orchid Society), grown by Dieter Weise of Wantirna, another Melbourne suburb. This is a species from the Philippines. Andrew Francis and John Martin of Castle Creek Orchids (Merrigum) won the Victorian Paphiopedilum Hybrid of the Year (spon- — sored by the Ballarat Orchid Society) with Paphiopedilum Fire Fighter ‘Castle 29 é ¥ Above: Cymbidium Olive Street ‘Dinh’ AM-CC/OSCOV also won the prestigious Gunter Haar Above: Marilyn and Barry Larkin were win- Memorial Trophy for the Victorian Cultural Certificate of the Year. It was the best of 19 entries. ners of the Victorian Cattleya of the Year cate- Grower and photographer: V. Dinh. gory with Sophrocattleya Royal Beau ‘Jo-Ann’ HCC/OSCOV. Photo: Barry Larkin. Left: Dendrobium spe- ciosum ‘Barry’ HCC- CC/OSCOV, grown by Barry and Beattie Kahn of Johnsonville, was winner in the Victorian Native Orchid Species of the Year category. Photo: J.N. Williams. The Australian Orchid Review, April/May 2007 Right: Clive and Agi Halls’ Masdevallia Pinwheel ‘Beenak’ HCC/OSCOV was chosen from a field of eight awarded masdevallias as Victorian Masdevallia of the Year. Photos: Clive Halls. Below: Sarcochilus George Colthup ‘Sweet Water’ HCC/OSCOV, grown by Ann Murphy and Keith Moss, was Victorian Native Orchid Hybrid of the Year. Photo: Stephen Early. The Australian Orchid Review, April/May 2007 Paphiopedilum haynaldianum ‘Hi-Five’ HCC/OSCOV, grown by Dieter Weise, was Victorian Paphiopedilum Species of the Year. Photos: D. Weise. Paphiopedilum Fire Fighter ‘Castle Creek’ HCC/OSCOV, grown by Andrew Francis and John Martin, was chosen from 13 awarded slippers as Victorian Paphiopedilum Hybrid of the Year. Photo: J. Martin. The Australian Orchid Review, April/May 2007 Mail Order bookshop Orchid Review The publishers of the Australian Orchid Review are pleased to offer readers popular Orchid books at special discount prices. New titles will be added to the list when when they become available. Just select the book(s) you require and fill in the details on the form provided. COOL FLOWERING ORCHIDS THROUGHOUT THE YEAR by Ross Macdonald Ross Macdonald is a highly respected orchid grower and photographer from the North Island of New Zealand. This volume is devoted to cool growing orchid genera, which are easy to culti- vate in New Zealand and southern Australia. Growers in tropical areas should not be discour- aged, as many of these orchids are indeed adapt able and will grow in a range of climates. Andy Easton has written the foreword. Ross has devoted the first few pages of the book to cultural hints, which are down to earth and give practical information on the basics of orchid culti- vation. Basically this is a pictorial book with over 300 full colour photographs, cov- ering a similar number of orchid species and hybrids. The quality of both the photo- graphs and the colour reproduction is impressive. All of the orchids have been cap- tured using available sunlight and there is no flash photography. There is a wide range of orchid genera covered with particular emphasis placed on cymbidiums, den- drobiums, laelias, masdevallias, the Odontoglossum alliance and Paphiopedilum. COOL FLOWERING ORCHIDS THROUGHOUT THE YEAR ROSS MACDONALD The photographs are arranged in four chapters, referring on their main blooming sea- son. The use of seasons ensures the text is also applicable to growers in the northern hemisphere. This inexpensive book is exceptional value and importantly is written by someone who knows and grows these orchids. | thoroughly recommend this book to orchid growers, as it will be of great value to both novice and experienced enthusiasts. 144 pp, 242mmx 168mm OURDISCOUNTPRICE Sx25 20. Softcover. SESE LE MORE FLOWERING ORCHIDS THROUGHOUT THE YEAR by Ross Macdonald This is the sister volume to Cool Flowering Orchids throughout the Year. It is in the same format and style as the previous book, but also includes some genera that would require artificial heating in cooler cli- mates. This volume covers a further 314 orchid species and hybrids with 344 colour plates. Both texts are highly recom- mend to all orchid fanciers; particularly newcomers who wish to see an array of delightful flowers that they could grow. ees 168mm OUR DISCOUNT PRICE DISCOUNT PRICE 6125.20, Softcover. PUUS POSTAGE AND HANDLING MORE FLOWERING ORCHIDS THROUGHOUT THE YEAR ROSS MACDONALD ORCHIDS Cultivation, Propagation and Varieties by David P. Banks “Orchids” is an irresistible volume for all orchid lovers that offers practical advise to ensure no more flowerless stalks, no more browned and brittle leaves and no more dead and dying plants. Indeed, “Orchids” offers rare insights | and comprehensive advice on how to keep your orchids vibrantly and beautifully healthy. Cultivation, Propagation and Varieties As detailed as it is diverse, “Orchids” explains precisely what your chosen species, hybrids or variant needs in order to flourish at your fin- gertips. With techniques and tips from profes- sional orchid growers and experts, each natural habitat can be reproduced in your home to accommodate your favourite bloom. Fascinating and richly descriptive chap- ters take you through the history of orchid discovery, their geographical distribution and natural habitat, the awesome diversity of colour, shape and size, and all aspects of cultivation. A gloriously illustrated directory of species outlines the main character- istics of some 400 orchids. Illustrated with breathtaking images, “Orchids” is an excel- cats * =" °" OURDNCOUNTPRE $440.95, cessfully. 224pp. Colour throughou was $43,95 RRP (Ind. GT) (Ind. 6S Warne 215 x 280mm Soft c ooo INTRODUCING CATILEYAS Noni J. Mammatt Noni Mammatt's fascination with the Cattleya Alliance, their most beautiful blooms and extensive range of colour combinations, has prompted Noni to share the results of her own trials in suc- cessfully growing and flowering all types of this most beautiful genus under shade- house conditions in the city of Perth in Western Australia. She hopes that as a result of her writing some new growers, as well as the experienced growers of other orchid genera, may be encouraged to introduce the Cattleya Alliance into their collections. QURDISCOUNTPRIE $x6.69,, was $7315 RRP (Inc, GST) GST) msroscenonwONG 24 pages, B&W. THE WORLD OF ORCHIDS - 2 The World of Orchids - 2 has been written by members and friends of the North Shore Orchid Society about orchids grown in Sydney and its environs, and we are indebted to those people for their time and effort. The worl Id ati It has been produced to cover a large range of genera to help not only the novice, but also the experienced grower in their present fields of interest, and to tempt and encourage them to try other genera. It should be pointed out that the methods of cul- ture used by the authors are those which they themselves have found successful. Growers should try any changes to their own culture gradually and on a few plants first, as bees fereane acenty under differ- OUR DISCOUNT PRICE ONROSCUNTIRE S92. 80 pages, colour and B&W. was was $1}290 RRP (Ind. GST) RRP (Incl. GST) Pus POsH6 mo HONS LYCASTE ORCHIDS - Cultivation and Hybridisation A.F.W. Alcorn lycaste orchids are easy to grow, and they produce flowers that range from the beautiful to the bizarre. No book previously has pro- vided detailed cultural requirements of the lycaste, and this book should fill that gap, and encourage new growers to take up the cultivation of this beautiful genus. A section on hybridising contains valuable information on inheritance and genetics that will benefit any hybridiser, not just the grower of Lycastes, as well as helpful hints on how to avoid pitfalls in your hybridising program. Michael Hallett, a friend of Fred Alcorn for a number of years, co-wrote this book with Fred and hos completed it posthumously. He has a back- Sy nf CUADCOUNTPIE $24.00, botany, and a passion for plants, 237 pages, colour and B&W. Was was $2855 RRP (Ind. GST) RRP (Incl. GST) "S/OSUS NOHAONG Lycaste Orchids Cultivation and Hybridisation A. FE W. Alcorn especially orchids. | IN YOUR GARDEN by Robert Friend Just about wherever you live in the world, —] you can grow orchids in your garden. In | this exciting book, Robert Friend shows gardeners how to introduce orchids into the garden by attaching them to trees, fix- ing them to rocks and walls, or planting them directly into garden beds. Stowe Orchids IN YOUR GARDEN #) He has traveled the world from Florida to #] the cool forests of North America, to the | tropics of the Pacific Rim and to his origins in Australasia, searching for new ideas and new ways to cultivate these striking The author asteis more than 500 ame choices for every garden situation and sup- plies seers cultivation poe ae in thorough charts and tables. eo tonics CURD ACOUNTPRIE S14 3.25) offers an array of enate ion a was was $49.95 RRP (Ind. GST) RRP (Incl, GST) PS PostAGe Ato HANDUNG every reader. 220 pages in colour. WHAT ORCHID IS THAT? Edited by Alec Pridgeon The orchid is one of the most passionately cultivated flowers world-wide, and for cen- turies it has been a symbol for the exotic and mysterious in the human imagination. As the brilliant photographs in this book show, the shapes, hues and textures of many of these extraordinary flowers continue to produce a shock of wonder in the viewer. What Orchid ls That? | This book will delight everyone, from the gardener with a casual interest in orchids, to the confirmed enthusiast. It takes in a wide spectrum of orchid genera and more than 1100 species common in cultivation, pre- sented by an international team of experts. The first section, by the General Editor, Alec Pridgeon, introduces orchid habitat, distri- bution, names and classification, hybrids, pollination, how to grow orchids and control pests and diseases, and orchid conservation. The alphabetical section, “Orchids A-Z”, includes descriptions, names and synonyms, geographic distribution, notes on culture, and photographs drawn from collections around the world, showing the bestknown species in cultivation. torre ax ALEC PRIDGEON Whether you are buying, growing or lesen. this is the ultimate guide QUR DISCOUNT PRICE DISCOUNT PRICE $145.25 moe 304 pages, colour. was was $5495 RRP (Incl. GST) RRP (Incl. GST) PuS?osice mo HONS GROWING PHALAENOPSIS AT HOME James Neal This book is essential reading and reference for any person who grows, or is intending to grow, Phalaenopsis. GROWING PHALAENOPSIS Jim, in a simple and easily understood style, explains and elaborates on light conditions, watering, temperatures, fertilisers, pests and diseases. Explanations of the way Phalaenopsis are named and the implications of growing seed- lings, illustrate some of the more difficult ideas for the layman to understand. The colour photography illustrates beautifully the topics under discussion and the orchid names are supplied, where necessary, as a caption. The illustrations drawn mili s son Jamie are pertinent and succinct and make the sub- 56 popes cor end 620. OURDICOUNTPRIES 412,29, 56 pages, colour ae B&W. was was $13475 RRP (Ind. GST) B RRP (Incl. GST) MSrosnse wo wuNG =] ORCHIDS FOR - 2 chids BEGINNERS A Guide to Selection and Cultivation Allison and Mark Webb “Orchids for Beginners” is for those just starting out in orchids. It provides informa- tion about choosing orchids best suited to your conditions and how to grow them. There is advice on what to look for when choosing plants to avoid some common traps and the expense of losing plants unsuited to your conditions. The essential basics of cultivation for beginners are cov- ered _ potting media, mounting plants, repotting and deflasking as well as choos- ing locations and building bushhouses. There are suggestions for growing in country areas as well as indoors. The plant descriptions offer Ses 2 plants to choose from as well as introducing some of OURDISCOUNT PRICE SCOT $10.45, PLUS POSTAGE AND HANDLING the very varied forms of orch 48 pages, colour and BAW. Limited numbers only SARCOCHILUS ORCHIDS OF AUSTRALIA Walter T. Upton Sarcochilus Orchids of Australia is the first | book to cover all aspects of species of the | genus Sarcochilus. Compact plants of great | ~ floral beauty with ease of culture, they are | mostly cool to cold growing, requiring limit | ed space, and for these reasons are quickly | ~ becoming the orchid of the future. j The book gives each individual species a | separate entry, with information on its histo- | ry, synonyms, distribution, habitat, cultivation | and hybrids, along with a drawing showing | the main parts of the plant and flower, plus | Jimmie a colour plate providing an easy means of | identification. a he Hybridising, including intergenerics, is dealt with in detail - most registered hybrids being accompanied by a colour plate. Other chapters include pollination, seed rais- ing and cultural information for the home grower. This is Walter T. Upton’s third book and is a companion to his very popular and saci OURDICOUNTPRIE $433.75, 119 pages, colour and B&W. as was $39.55 RRP (Incl, GST) RRP (Incl. GST) M5 rosuce aw Hous Australian Recommended Our Plus Grand Bestaes Retail Price Discount Postage Total Number of Total : Item & Title Zone Price & Handling Price Copies $ Review 1, Cool Flowering Orchids A$25.30+ A$5.00 =A$30.30 Throughout the Year (Incl. GST) = US$22.75 4 2. More Flowering Orchids A$25.30+ A$5.00 =A$30.30 M a 1 ] O r d e r Throughout the Year (Incl. GST) = US$22.75 3. Orchids — Cultivation, = A$43.95 A$40.95+ A$12.00 =A$52.95 bookshop “Sitges [A [attr | “er [820] esa | 4, Introducing Cattleyas = A$7,.15 A$6.60+ A$3.00 =A$9.60 5. The World of Orchids - 2 = A$11.90 A$9.50+ A$3.00 =A$12.50 e. (Incl. GST) (Incl. GST) = US$9.35 Postage Zones 6. Lycaste Orchids — = A$28.55| A$24.00+ A$3.00 | =A$27.00 Cultivation and Hybridisation (Incl. GST) (Incl. GST) = US$22.00 A Australia, New Zealand 7. Growing Orchids in Your Garden = A$49.95 A$43.95+ A$9.00 | =A$52.95 and Oceania (incl. GST) (Incl. GST) = US$39.70 (Quoted A$ Dollars) 8. What Orchid Is That? = A$54.95 A$45.95+ A$14.40| =A$60.35 (Incl. GST) (Incl. GST) = US$45.25 R_ Rest of World 9. Growing Phalaenopsis at Home = A$13.75 A$12.80+ A$3.00 =A$15.80 (Quoted US$ Doll (Incl. GST) (Incl. GST) = US$11.85 Mass ollars) 10. Sarcochilus Orchids = A$39.95 A$33.75+ A$5.00 =A$38.75 of Australia (Incl. GST) (Incl. GST) = US$29.10 CL] Please indicate ¥ 11. Orchids for Beginners A$10.45+ A$3.00 =A$13.45 if this is a gift (Incl. GST) = US$11.00 TOTAL ORDER Orchid Review For six, twelve or eighteen issues of Australian Orchid Review, fill in the form below and post in now together with your payment. 5 I Ae 2 EAL i, 4 AL CUT ALONG:DOTTED CINE S ene Please tick 0 Renewal 0 New OC Address Change Send to Australian Orchid Review, PO Box 26, Seven Hills, NSW 1730 Australia Phone: (02) 9620 4143 Fax: (02) 9620 4102 Email: aor@agencygraphicworld.com.au C Australia 1YEAR (6 issues) 2 YEARS (12 issues) 3 YEARS (18 issues) 1 A$43.95 (Includes GST) 0 A$79.95 (Includes GST) 0 A$114.95 (Includes GST) [NZ Airmail 0 NZ$58.00 1 NZ$107.00 1 NZ$151.00 (J US Airmail 7 US$60.00 } 1 US$110.00 1 US$165.00 Enclosed is my cheque for___——— CCS s (Payable to Australian Orchid Review) orchargemy| Amex. {|_ Mastercard 0 *Mr/Mrs/Ms Signature Address Postcode Telephone (__) All overseas cheques (except New Zealand) must be in US dollars, or equivalent for credit cards. Credit card sub- scriptions may be telephoned to (02) 9620 4143. C1 Please indicate /_ if this | is a gift subscription and we will include, at no extra cost, a special card bear- ing your good wishes Message ABC ‘how fo orde oan aR REARS eNO ASeI sn SRAAHGS GRAS ERPS Sh an meee ns nH tense een — enn ee a ee ew en a ee a er an St nan eS a ean ot wen ene tewe enn en es enaressnen en seeneeen: SEND TO: Orchid Review MAIL ORDER: PO Box 26 Seven Hills, NSW 1730, Australia PHONE ORDER: (02) 9620 4143 FAX ORDER: Within Aust. (02) 9620 4102 From outside Australia 61 2 9620 4102 EMAIL: aor@agencygraphicworld.com.au PHONE, FAX AND EMAIL ORDERS FOR CREDIT CARD USE ONLY CUT ALONG DOTTED LINES mail order form Enclosed is my cheque for$ (Payable to Australian Orchid Review) *Mr/Mrs/Ms Address or charge my Card expiry date Signature Country Postcode Telephone ( ) CL) Please indicate ¥ if this is a gift and we will include, at no extra cost, a special card bearing your good wishes. Message Mee here for mail order bookshop A cut here for australian orchid review subscription AUSTRALIAN ORCHID REVIEW PO BOX 26 SEVEN HILLS NSW 1730 AUSTRALIA Phalaenopsis Sogo Yukidian ‘Banyena’ HCC/OSCOV won the Victorian Any Other Hybrid category for Michael and Bernadette Matthews. Photo: Michael Matthews. The Victorian Other Orchid Species of the Year, grown by Alan and Jeane Etherton, was Bollea coelestis ‘Jeane’ HCC- CC/OSCOV. Photo: Barry Larkin. The Australian Orchid Review, April/May 2007 33 Right: The Victorian Award of Distinction of the Year went to the striking Phalaenopsis Brother Dalmation ‘Banyena’ AD/OSCOV, grown by Michael and Bernadette Matthews. Photo: M. Matthews. Creek’ HCC/OSCOV. Victorian Masdevallia of the Year (sponsored by the Warrnambool and District Orchid Society) was Masdevallia Pinwheel ‘Beenak’ AM/OSCOV, grown by Clive and Agi Halls of Mount Beenak Orchids. Alan and Jean Etherton of Wendouree (near Ballarat) won the Victorian Other Species Orchid of the Year (sponsored by the Orchid Species Society of Victoria) with a marvellous specimen plant of Bollea coelestis ‘Jeane’ HCC- CC/OSCOV. Victorian Any Other Hybrid of the Year (sponsored by the North-East Melbourne Orchid Society) was Phalaenopsis Sogo Yukidian “Banyena’ HCC-CC/OSCOYV, grown by Michael and Bernadette Matthews of Rupanyup (west- em Victoria). The Victorian Odontoglossum of the Year (sponsored by the Bendigo Orchid Club) was Wilsonara 34 Atunga Terrace ‘Cardinal’ HCC/OSCOV, grown by Frances and Julian Coker of Atlantis Orchids (South Warrandyte), fre- quent winners of this category. ’ Michael and Bernadette Matthews of Rupanyup also won the Victorian Award of Distinction of the Year (sponsored by Melbourne Western Orchid Society) with Phalaenopsis Brother Dalmation ‘Banyena’ AD/OSCOV. The Victorian Seedling of the Year (sponsored by Atlantis Orchids as the Harold and Florence Coker Award), chosen from 19 entries, was Paphiopedilum Fumi’s Delight ‘Grand Slam’ AM/OSCOV, grown by Marilyn and Barry Larkin. Another cultivar of this grex (‘Castle Creek’) was Victorian Orchid of the Year for 2005. Finally, Chris Pegg of Traralgon won the Victorian Award of Quality of the Year (sponsored by the Ringwood Orchid Left: Victorian Odontoglossum of the Year was Wilsonara Atunga Terrace ‘Cardinal’ HCC/OSCOV. Growers: Frances and Julian Coker of Atlantis Orchids. Photo: J. Coker. Society) with a group of Dendrobium Australian Goldrush seedlings _ that included Dendrobium Australian Goldrush ‘Angus’ HCC/OSCOV. Growers from country Victoria have dominated the competition in recent years but the city dwellers did a little better in 2006, winning half of the 14 categories. Of course the city slickers had an advantage, not being subject to the same stringent water restrictions then as were many coun- try growers. The 2007 competition, when all Victorians may be on an equal footing, could well tell a different story! I thank the OSCOV Awards Secretary, Stephen Early, for providing the digital scans of the photographs used in this article. Brian Milligan OSCOV Liaison Officer Balwyn North, Victoria The Australian Orchid Review, April/May 2007 Paphiopedilum Fumi’s Delight ‘Grand Slam’ AM/OSCOV, grown by Marilyn and Barry Larkin, was Victorian Seedling of the Year. The cultivar ‘Castle Creek’ was Victorian Orchid of the Year in 2005. Photo: B. Larkin. Chris Pegg won the Award of Quality of the Year with a group of Dendrobium Australian Goldrush seedlings bred by David Butler of Green Vista Orchids that included Dendrobium Australian Goldrush ‘Angus’ HCC/OSCOV. Photo: C. Pegg. en The Australian Orchid Review, April/May 2007 CULTURAL NOTES Australian Natives Late autumn is a busy time on the native orchid scene. There are quite a lot of species and hybrids in bloom now and some shows where you can see them. Along with the bold and showy D. bigibbum and its relatives there are a number of diminutive species such as Bulbophyllum schillerianum, B. exiguum, Dendrobium schneiderae and the smelly Liparis species also in bloom. These might not have the attention-grabbing char- acteristics of the larger blooms but they are very beautiful and well worth a close look if you get the chance. They show the amazing variety of Australian native orchids. These months also see the first blooms of terrestrial species such as Corybas, Acianthus and Pterostylis for the year. These extraordinary natives are a field of interest in themselves and are often overlooked by growers as they have very different require- ments to the natives of epiphytic origin. Give them a try if you are looking for something out of the ordinary. Some species are quite easy to grow and maintain from year to year and many have been in cultivation for decades. Get advice from experienced grow- ers before purchasing tubers. At home it is time to get ready for winter. Growing orchids, or any plants, is a matter of NN f P ea le the ultimate micro climate for your orchids N Q Special ising in Orchid Houses for over 25 years Desig aatures ¢ Kit form with written instructions and video can be shipped ‘Rete ee K 0 15 N lv i Ne 07 3207 2793 knowing your local conditions and what to expect in the way of temperature range, frost and wind. You also need to know something about the conditions where the parents of your natives originated. This is becoming less important as the hybrids develop, but you still need to know the minimum they need to survive and be sure your housing offers this and some as you want them not to merely survive but to thrive. Note also that some natives need to be exposed to a mini- mum temperature before they will bloom. Dendrobium falcorostrum is an example. Sealed housing and heating will be neces- sary for growers in some areas to keep even cool growing plants alive while those on the coast can get away with some plants of trop- ical origin and no heating at all. Heated houses should have been thoroughly checked by now and damaged panels and vents that don’t seal fixed. Be sure the heater is work- ing. Tubs of water will help maintain humid- ity levels appropriate for the plants you grow as heaters dry the air. It is also a great way to store water and create a heat bank to reduce heating costs. Winter sun will heat the house and reduce heating bills but be sure plants aren’t going to get scorched, particularly under clear glass. The amount of heating you need depends entirely on what plants you grow and where you live. needs) © No Maintenance ¢ Strong © Economical Simplicity ¢ Portability ° Modular (can be lengthened to meet I ce Parade, Thorneside, Brisbane Qid 4158 Fax 07 3822 2307 New-Zealand agents: Roger & Isabel Clotworthy, 223 Range Road, Papamoa, NZ Sen (07) 575 0600 36 Fax (07) 575 0661 Mobile (025) 271 2777 Continue the cleaning of the growing area and plants. Watch as the racemes of spring blooming plants develop and make sure they don’t get tangled in leaves and things. Remove all dead leaves and pseudobulbs from plants now but don’t remove pseudob- ulbs just because they are leafless. Check to see that they have dried out first as many natives continue to bloom from leafless growths. Dendrobium gracilicaule is a good example. Have a look for any changes in your grow- ing area. Things such as trees being removed let in more light, which is great in winter, but may also expose your plants to cold that has- n’t happened before. Cold winds may also get to the plants. Large trees that have grown might block out that valuable winter sun. Lack of water seems to be a continuing concern although the long-term weather reports offer hope of good rain soon. If this happens it would be more of an opportunity to store water rather than an escape from the situation. Move your watering time to morn- ing now so plants get a chance to dry out before the cold of night and, hopefully, you will not get damage from the cold. They may also need less water so cut it back a day or so if appropriate. This is not a good time for repotting in cooler areas as root growth slows with the ORCHID SPECIAL A&B FERTILISERS Food for all Orchid Species Crystalline — fully water soluble — especially manufactured for better orchids. Rich in 8 essential mineral trace elements. ORCHID SPECIAL A (Yellow Compound) 11.13.16 Applied at initiation of flower spikes and continued through to the end of flowering. The high phosphorus and potassium and the low nitrogen content stimulates flowering and ensures a better bloom. ORCHID SPECIAL B (Blue Compound) 30.4.8 For established plants, applied at completion of flowering through to initiation of flower spikes. Young and developing orchids should be fed regularly the whole year. The high nitrogen stimulates plant growth and plant vigour. Packed in 500g and 3kg units. Periodic feeding 15g in 5 litres of water. Regular feeding 2g in 5 litres of water. Campbell Orchid Special A&B fertilisers “just tor good orchids? For the name of your local supplier contact: NSW: Products of Excellence (02) 9417 0277, Beresford Park Nursery Supplies (02) 4966 5477, Frank Slattery Orchids (02) 9150 7985. ACT: C.1.C. Supplies (02) 6241 7477. VIC: Fertool Distributors (03) 9796 4433. QLD: Burnell Agencies (07) 3394 2211, J.C. & A.T. Searle (07) 5497 2022. WA: Nurserymens Supplies (08) 9353 2536. SA: Munns Lawn Co. P/L (08) 8277 8000. NT: Tropigro (08) 8984 3200. A product of COLIN CAMPBELL (CHEMICALS) PTY. LTD. 5 Blackfriar Place, Wetherill Park, NSW 2164 Telephone (02) 9725 2544 Fax: (02) 9604 7768 P.O. Box 6789, Wetherill Park, NSW 2164. The Australian Orchid Review, April/May 2007 : CULTURAL NOTES arrival of cooler weather. Any plants repot- ted now will not be able to spread their roots through the new media and will be at risk of root rots. Only repot emergency cases now: those plants that are obviously in trouble as summer growth was weak or lost. Don’t worry about severely potbound orchids. They should have finished growing for the year and will probably bloom well as a result of the cramped conditions. Deflasking is OK if you have flasks that look as if they will not make it to spring due to over-crowding or lack of media. At this time of year there is less chance of the plants dehydrating, but keep them in a protected place over winter. They will benefit from some heat as well once the cold nights set in. There is plenty to get on with at this time of year, so enjoy the warm days and your natives. Cattleyas Cattleyas and other allied genera don’t seem to be as energetic this year. Mine seem to want a rocket under them. A few other growers I know have encounted the same problem. Maybe a few applications of a higher nitrogen fertiliser and a course of SUPERTHRIVE® added to it. Roots seem to be OK, but growths not so vigorous. When plants are starting to dry — water thoroughly. Fertilise weekly. Check plants for scale. If plants are overgrown you may wish to divide into your plant and pot in your favourite mix. Some of the laelias are cer- tainly moving very well. It seems we will get a nice autumn display. Watch for grasshop- pers as they seem to like them. | Cymbidiums Cymbidiums are still developing their new growths and maturing their bulbs for the flowering season that is just around the cor- ner. Some of the ultra earlies have now left their sheafs, while others are just starting to push up their new spikes. Last week while weeding I noticed many new spikes pushing up through the growing media. Now is the time to clean up old husks etc before the spikes get too long. They harbour snails and weeds. If you wish you can top dress with some ORGANIC LIFE® pellets to give your plants a bit of a push. You could also top dress with some good old fashion blood and bone mixed with some sulphate of potash. The ratio would be about three to one of potash. Some growers have had excellent results by top dressing during autumn with a little NITROPHOSKA BLUE®. While talk- ing about fertilising and if you are in to foliar fertilising you should fertilise with one of the following: PETERS EXCEL Hi “K” or PETERS BLOSSOM BOOSTER or MERRI-FERT. Fertilise weekly at label rates. Watering should only be carried out only when plants just start to dry. With the advent of our rain in the Sydney region one will have to be very careful with your watering. The rain could set off fungi to produce root and bulb rots. Glomerella spp could also be a problem. For insurance it would be wise to give plants a drench with AGRI-FOS 600®, ANTI-ROT® or FON- GARID®. Use at label rate, and give plants a repeat application every ten days while the rainy weather is around. The above fungi- cides can be used even when it is raining. Remember use a wetter with the above sprays. Blackspot could be a problem. You could use MANCOZEB or ZINEB or even ECO-CARB®. Check for spider mites under the leaves. Most hobby growers use ECO- OIL® these days. Start to clean up the flowering area. Get rid of weeds and old dead leaves. Spread plants out to let light into flowering plants. Start to stake up developing spikes. Now is the time to start potting on small seedlings. After potting fertilise with an organic fertiliser such as MAJOR CARP® 80% (heavy) ALSO AVAILABLE 90% (v/heavy) AOR 035 AOR 123 The Australian Orchid Review, April/May 2007 SHADE CLOTH Queensland’s largest range of shadecloth 1830mm 3660mm A 1 ' perm per 50m roll perm per 50m roll OP Q EED 30% (v/light) GREEN $5.25 $245 $10.50 $490 TOR RANTES g 50% tight) GREEN, BLACK $450 $200 $9.00 $400 UA DER®> 70% (medium) GREEN, BLACK $4.95 $235 $9.95 $470 ( GREEN, BLACK $6.00 $275 GREEN $7.15 $205 Polyshade is a waterproof shade cloth. It is available in only one width 1830mm (6’) and offers 50% shade with a 99% UV block-out. Green or Biscuit $8.25 per m, $368.50 per 50m roll. Solarweave is a waterproof hot house fabric. 2050mm width. $4.40 per m. $200.00 per 50m roll. (We can have the Polyshade or Solarweave electronically welded to whatever size you require.) Weed control mat is the safe solution to your weed problem. We stock 915mm (3’) and 1830mm (6’) wide. 915mm $1.20 per m, $48.00 per 50m roll,1830mm $2.10 per m, $87.90 per 50m roll. Larger widths are available (by roll lengths only). ALL PRICES INCUDE G.S.T. NEWMARKET HARDWARE 176 Enoggera Rd, Newmarket, Q. 4051 Ph (07) 3356 0162 ALL CREDIT Ee WELCOME THE ORCHID REVIEW The world’s longest running Orchid journal All the latest AM/RHS, FCC/RHS and CCC/RHS awards in full colour — essential for orchid judges and all growers — six times a year. Articles on growing orchids, for beginners, by experts. Orchids in their natural habitats. Advanced growing, flasking, history, taxonomy and orchid biographies. Orchid hunting and orchid explorers. What to buy, where to buy it and how to grow it . The Orchid Review — 6 issues per year, starting January (ISSN 0030-4476) If a subscription is taken out during the year, back issues of that volume will be sent. Orchid Review with the Orchid Hybrid Registration List: UK £30 All other countries: £40 airmail/£34 surface mail (Europe airmail) Orchid Review without the Orchid Hybrid Registration List: UK£25 All other countries: £33 airmail/£28 surface mail (Europe airmail) To apply contact The Orchid Review, PO Box 38, Kent TN25 6PR, United Kingdom Tel: International code: +44 (0) 1303 813 803 Fax (0) 1303 813 737 DISCOUNT PRICES $12.00 $550 per 30m roll $14.30 $410 per 30m roll Country Orders Welcome. ; detection and eradica- tion of most Tee flying insects Pack of 10 $14.00 (plus $5.00 p+p) Specialist in Orchid growing accessories The Orchid Tray Company PO Box 572, Sydney Markets NSW 2129 i Phone 0416 226 520 VISA . we www.orchidtrays.com.au ORCHIDACEOUS BOOKS Suppliers of Fine Orchid Literature SPATULATA OR ie H IDS é ORCHIDS Papua Recent Arrival $70.00 + post New Guinea Check out all the titles on our Web Site: www.orchidaceousbooks.com.au or ask for a paper copy of our catalogue Grahame & Margaret Muller P.O. Box 4192, Tinana, Qld. 4650 Ph: 07 4122 1251 Fax: 07 4122 4539 Email: books@orchidaceousbooks.com.au 37 Western Orchids Laboratories Suppliers of Tissue Culture Media for orchids and other unusual genera including terrestrials. As a pharmaceutical chemist I have devel- oped the media (over 30 years) to suit all of our laboratory needs from sowing and replat- ing to cloning & the use of colchicine to dou- ble the chromosome count. Our media is freshly made up and comes as a dry powder which can be stored in the freezer for up to 12 months. Our media produces rapid germination, well balanced plants and good root growth When ordering please advise re: orchid genus, replate or sowing solid or liquid cloning Per litre prices (including GST):— 1 to 14 litres 15 to 50 litres 51 to 100 litres Over 100 litres For cloning media add 55c/L Prices include packing and postage; Express Post where practical in Australia for 4 or more litres of medium. Hormone Keiki Paste in 3ml tubes for stem propagation of Phalaenopsis and other genera. $8.80 per pack includes P&P and GST Full Laboratory Service — sowing of green pods, dry seed, replating, cloning and colchicine treatment Tissue Culture Primer — a 20 page document which covers all aspects of laboratory work and media preparation for $3.50 $7.70/L $6.60/L $6.30/L POA We have catalogues for: Disa seedlings and clones — plants and Flasks Flasks of: Australian cymbidium species and Hybrids; hybrids with cultivar cymbidiums Some available as colchicines treated — poten- tial tetraploids Selected cymbidium clones and seedlings A selection of cascading Intermediates Sarcochilus and dendrobium seedlings Aust terrestrials and some exotics Contact us for reconditioned Autoclaves and Laminar Flow Cabinets Contact us: Kevin and Helen Western Western Orchid Laboratories P.O. Box 276, Blackwood S.A. 5051 Email: western@arcom.com.au CUSTOMER ADVICE HOTLINE Phone/Fax (08) 8270 4599 Payment can be made by Mastercard — Visa (please supply number, type, expiry date and name on card) Direct Debit Overseas orders welcome NZ agents are G & N Hill Email: hillcroft@orcon.net.nz 38 CULTURAL NOTES and alternate with MERRI-FERT or PETERS GENERAL PURPOSE plus — don’t forget the SUPERTHRIVE®! Now is the time to push the littlies along before win- ter. | Paphiopedilum The days are drawing in, the weather is cooler and the buds are beginning to appear in quantity in the Paphiopedilum collection. Regular — but not too frequent — watering and fertilising should be continued as before. The idea is to prevent the plants from drying out whilst avoiding an almost sodden condi- tion. Fortunately the open nature of bark mixtures allows a fair degree of latitude with watering, but the potting material is breaking down by now and it will hold moisture for longer than it did when fresh. All watering should, by now, be done as early in the day as practicable. Avoid, if possible, watering when the weather is wet — even in the glasshouse. Shading should be reduced for the winter; this is best done shortly after Anzac Day. As a_ general rule the white Paphiopedilums begin to flower around late April, followed by the greens, the reds, the autumn shades and finally the spotted vari- eties late in the season. Modern hybrids, with their very mixed ancestry, often depart radi- cally from this rule. Many whites, inciden- tally, do not do well under cold conditions. If you grow Paphiopedilums for the show bench it is important to avoid crooked or asymmetrical flowers. This is best done by keeping the stems upright and in good light from the beginning. Keep an eye out for buds caught under leaves and take the appropriate action. Whilst the growing stems are too soft to stake within about 50cm of the bud, they can be staked when they are somewhat longer than this. Staking is seldom necessary if the emerging buds are kept in good, even light. It is a good idea to shift plants, as buds are found, to a bright, evenly lit spot where they can be well spaced and, preferably, faced to the north. This area should be well baited for snails and slugs, which seldom damage Paph. plants but have no such com- punction concerning the buds and flowers. A good Paphiopedilum is more likely to catch the judge’s eye if the flower looks at him rather than at the floor. You can train the flower to look slightly upward by allowing it to open with the stem leaning foreward about fifteen degrees or so. The pot should be put in this position when the bud is about to open and kept there for about a week after the flower has fully opened. The bud and stem must always be vertical when viewed from the Australian Native Orchid Species and Hybrids Cedarvale Orchids Specialist breeders of 50% discount selected stock Listing Available Koss & Khonda Harvey 16 Heather-Anne Drive, DRAPER QLD 4520 Telephone: (07) 3289 1953 email: cedarvaleorchids@bigpond.com.au The Australian Orchid Review, April/May 2007 CULTURAL NOTES front, otherwise the lip will lean to one side. Upda te your Ff ecor als goog I do not advocate any kind of manipula- tion using cardboard, tissues, paper clips or the like. This invariably produces an unnat- ural looking flower which an experienced Australian judge can spot at a glance. | ) Phalaenopsis . Phalaenopsis still seem to have scale and . mealy bug problems, no matter where one ~ 1 lives! Some growers have been trying for Review years to eliminate them! Once in we seem to have them for years. LEBAYCID® seems to Weta has moved work over a period of time. Maybe alternate with ECO-OIL®. Be careful if the weather is hot! You have been warned. The publishers of Australian Orchid Review | Bacterial spots seem to pop up every now have relocated to new premises at and then. Back in the old days, the growers Unit 3, 13 Stanton Road, Seven Hills. then used Condy’s Crystals with great Please address all mail to: results. Back in those days they used 15 PO Box 26 Seven Hills, NSW 1730 Australia grams in 300 litres of water which gave them Ph 02 9620 4143 50ppm. Plants need a reasonable amount of fer- Fe : 02 9620 4102 e tiliser during this late summer period. Some Email aor@agencygraphicworld.com.au growers who like to mix their own make up a mix of 1.3 grams calcium nitrate add 0.84 The only change is the address . . . Australian Orchid Review continues to be the same potassium nitrate per one litre of water. excellent publication it has always been — full of brilliantly illustrated and informative arti- Drench weekly during March. If plants look cles, news and views, profiles and plants, cultural notes, shows and show results, book a bit on the yellow side, drench with MAJOR reviews, features on those special orchids, specialist advertisers, future events, still pro- CARP weekly. duced by the same people, and much, much more.... LATE NOTE: News just came to hand, some growers have used Condy’s Crystals by making up a stock solution of 10 grams in 20 litres of water, then put this solution through a 16-1 Hozon. a Vandaceous Watering:— Don’t allow to dry out. If orchids are in teak baskets or in pots without potting mix, then water thoroughly every morning. In hot dry conditions, a later after- noon misting is also beneficial. If orchids are in potting mix then watering every second day will probably be sufficient with a mist- ing on alternate days. Light:— Strap leaf vandas, ascocendas and other genera with wide leaves require 50% to 70% shade. Semi-terete and other narrow leaf types require less. Fertiliser:— Continue as for Feb/March. Fertilise weekly, alternating over a four weekly cycle as follows — Wk. 1. Inorganic low nitrogen —- Campbells | Si A. Flowfeed HP8 or Aqua-K. Wk. 2. Wuzall Foliar or similar. Wk. 3. Inorganic low nitrogen — as for Wk. 1. Wk. 4. Organic — Fish Emulsion or Nitrosol. Let your orchids Aussie Shade & Hot Houses can offer you the Pest Control:— Fungicide every six weeks ultimate in plant protection all year round Ce “d ’ ; : ; , : on : (e.g. Daconil, Ridomil MZ WP or wettable Designed and manufactured in Australia with high : Weteieila all states ; Sulphur. quality materials, our modular range offers the 1300 88 11 43 Use Diazanon, Malathion or Pyrethrum to perfect environment for your growing needs. www.aussieshadehouses.com.au control scale and insects. | MODERN - ELEGANT - STYLISH AOR 010 The Australian Orchid Review, April/May 2007 39 We grow Asco’s, Cattleyas, Dendrobiums, Oncid Alliance, Sarcs, Species, Paphs and many other genera. " Web: www.rosellaorchids.com.au E-mail: allan@rosellaorchids.com.au Phone: 02 6629 1440 Hours: By appointment only Send SAE for listing: PO Box 293, Clunes, NSW 2480 K & H ORCHIDS Paphiopedilums Well grown seedlings species and hybrids 70mm pots Phalaenopsis Well grown seedlings species and hybrids 80mm pots to flowering size 120mm pots Phone, write or email for current listing K & H Orchids PO Box 308, Beenleigh, Qld. 4207 Ph: (07) 3287 2343 Email: ksma8143@bigpond.net.au Australian rchid Review WELCOMES EDITORIAL CONTRIBUTIONS Please ensure that all slides, photographs and electronic files are clearly marked with the author’s name and address Address editorial to: The Editor David P. Banks Australian Orchid Review PO Box 26 Seven Hills NSW 1730 AUSTRALIA Email: davidpbanks@veritel.com.au 40 Vale Lou Sasso, OAM 1905 - 2007 orn in Southern Italy, Lou Sasso migrated to Australia in 1924 as a nineteen year old who spoke no English. It would be fifty years before he returned to Italy again, but during that time Lou developed a love of orchids and of being part of the world-wide orchid fraternity. Lou travelled extensively and as an international orchid judge was invited to judge at major orchid shows and conferences around the world. He was an excellent orchid grower and exhibited success- fully both here and overseas. In the early post-war years Lou staged magnificent displays at orchid shows in Sydney Town Hall and elsewhere. He won the Sanders Cup, a huge sterling silver bowl, on fourteen consecutive occasions, together with many gold medals. But as well as being fiercely competitive, Lou also put much effort into help- ing the orchid societies. Over the years he was president of several societies, including the OSNSW for two terms, and patron of others. Even in his late nineties he regularly attended monthly meetings and helped in judging the orchids on display. He was instrumental in creating a large glass-house at the Blind School in Sydney and stocking it with orchids. Lou was active in the exporting of orchid flowers and one of the first to be involved in this industry. In the Australia Day Awards of 1986 Lou received the Order of Australia Medal for achievements in the orchid world and service to the community. In later times his orchid collection contracted in size but Lou was still active until comparatively recently, especially in growing his beloved Paphs. In the world of orchids Lou Sasso was truly a legend in his own time and his many friends will miss him greatly. P| OSNSW Honorary Secretary PO Box 5396, Chullora NSW 2190 A) Following the successful tour last August, plans are underway for two further tours during July/August 2007. For further information please phone or email: Phil Spence 02 4384 4352 Geoff Stocker 07 4096 5362; gstocker@austarnet.com.au or Karen Davidson, Niugini Holidays (Lic No 3074890) 07 4039 2251; karen@nghols.com orch ids@tinoneeorch ids.com www.tinoneeorchids.com AOR 034 The Australian Orchid Review, April/May 2007 €:9 Cymbidiums Australia PRESENTED BY THE AUSTRALIAN CYMBIDIUM SOCIETY INC. Kditor’s Report WA cae to the April/May issue, Summer is gone, we’re well into autumn and the show sea- son will soon be upon us, how did we get this far into 2007 so quickly? There have been few issues to have focused everyone’s attention like the issue of water, or more pre- cisely the lack of it, at least in the southern states. We certainly live in a country of extremes, while down south we’ve suffered through a worsening decade long drought, up north we’ve seen floods, bad enough in themselves without watching all that water drain out to sea. This issue contains two articles relating to water and the changes to our cultural practices necessary to keep our cymbidiums alive while coping with tightening water restrictions. Bill Mather and Carolin Allen focus on different aspects of dealing with water restrictions. While winter might provide some relief, it could well be very temporary and all too soon the weather will warm up again and our water problems may well continue for some time yet. Hopefully, you'll find something useful among these articles which may help either now Editors or in the future. The Cymbidium Orchid Society of Victoria provides news of this years National Cymbidium Show including dates and venue, while Peter Moore has information about Sydney’s Orchid Extravaganza to be staged in August. Peter Moore also gives us a report on the CCA (NSW) Christmas party, 2006. Also from NSW, John Tanner pays tribute to the late Norma Stafford who passed away on the 30 November, 2006. Norma will be greatly missed by the Sapphire Coast Orchid Club, the CCA and all in the orchid community who knew her. Noe Smith brings us the first part of a series of articles tailored for those who may be beginning their cymbidium journey with a look at some of the readily available meri- clones which would provide a great start to any collection. Finally, join Rob Smith as he takes a look at two outstanding per- sonalities who featured promi- nently in the development and pop- ularisation of Australian native cymbidium hybrids, Doctor Miles Seton and Dean Roesler. Good growing and good health. Your Editors Noe Smith 24 William Hunter Court, Rosebud, Vic 3939 Tel/Fax: (03) 5986 1121 Email: aussiecyms@internode.on.net Rob Smith | HOW TO JOINA CYMBIDIUM CLUB IN YOUR STATE CYMBIDIUM CLUB OF AUSTRALIA INC. Meetings are held on the 2nd Thursday of each month (except December, January and February) Meetings commence 8.00 p.m. Venue: Lakemba Chapter Remembrance Hall, 220 Lakemba Street, Lakemba, Sydney, N.S.W. For further details contact Secretary, Peter Moore, 10 Stephanie Street, Padstow, N.S.W. 2211 Phone: (02) 9721 0572 President, Geoff LeMarne, Phone: (02) 9449 9648 Web: www.ccansw.com.au CYMBIDIUM ORCHID CLUB OF SOUTH AUSTRALIA INC. Meetings are held on the 4th Wednesday of each month (except December and January) Auditorium open from 7.00 p.m. — Beginners’ Group commences 7.20 p.m. Main Meeting commences 8.00 p.m. Venue: Burnside Community Centre, 401 Greenhill Road, Tusmore, Adelaide, S.A. For further details contact Secretary, Jeanne Hall, 18 Coorilla Avenue, Glenelg North, S.A. 5045 Phone: (08) 8294 5562 President, Ray Brady, Phone: (08) 8252 3812 THE CYMBIDIUM ORCHID CLUB OF WESTERN AUSTRALIA INC. Meetings are held on the 3rd Monday of each month (except January and February) Benching of plants commences 7.15 p.m. Popular Vote commences 7.50 p.m. Main Meeting commences 8.00 p.m. Venue: Belmont Sports & Recreation Club, Abernethy Rd, Belmont, W.A. For further details contact Secretary, Alice Lang, 20 Urch Road, Kalamunda, WA 6076 Phone/Fax: (08) 9257 1056 President, Helen Stretch Phone: 0419 197 043 THE CYMBIDIUM ORCHID SOCIETY OF VICTORIA INC. Meetings are held on 2nd Tuesday of each month (except January) Popular Vote commences 7.50 p.m. — Main Meeting commences 8.00 p.m. Venue: Mt. Waverley Youth Centre, Millers Crescent, Mt. Waverley, Victoria. For further details contact Secretary, Jenifer Robertson, 54 Worthing Road, Devon Meadows, Victoria 3977 Phone: (03) 5998 2226 President, Glenda Coutts, Phone: (03) 5998 2535 The Australian Orchid Review, April/May 2007 Doctor Miles Seton and Dean Roesler. Cym. Jumbuck ‘Dark Invader’ typical of the darkest forms from Cym. Jumbuck, a crossing that pro- duced colours from smooth reds to dark red/browns. 42 Text Noe Smith — photography Dean Roesler Ares native Cymbidium hybrids incorporating the species Cymbidium suave have hardly been mentioned among these pages since the passing of Dean Roesler on Anzac Day 2005. That fact only indicates the level of respect and affection Cymbidium growers accorded the man and the need for time to pass. Such was Dean’s enthusiasm for these particular unique Cymbidium hybrids and his cham- pioning of the man who created more of them than any other single hybridiser, that hybrids such as cymbidiums Jumbuck, Koala, Bunyip and Piccaninny became well known and popular orchids rather than just obscure footnotes among the thousands of Cymbidium registrations. The hybridiser Dean came to respect and regard as a dear friend was Doctor Miles Seton and through these pages Dean told the story of the years of work, trials, failures and successes involved in Dr. Seton’s efforts to produce hybrids from the species Cymbidium suave. Between these two men an outstanding legacy has been left for the rest of us to enjoy and through Dr. Seton’s work and Dean’s telling of his story, together with his own hybridising experiments with Cymbidium suave, the impetus has been created for others to continue working along similar lines. Cymbidium suave is no easy subject to work with and hybridising with it can pro- duce many more failures than successes, but through the work of Dr. Seton and Dean Roesler, those who follow have data available to provide a starting point for success. It is always the case that trail blaz- ers have to do much more work for limited returns than those who have the benefit of drawing on their work. Certainly others produced hybrids using Cymbidium suave and deserve recognition for their efforts, but I doubt anyone devoted the time and single minded com- The Australian Orchid Review, April/May 2007 mitment to working with Cymbidium suave and trying to understand the prob- lems and complexities of this species than Doctor Miles Seton did. Dr. Setons work was undertaken purely for the challenge Cymbidium suave provided, his fascina- tion with the species and the enjoyment he got from the meagre results his early years working with the orchid provided. For Dean, his imagination was captured by the beauty he saw in the distinctively marked labelums of the hybrids flowers and the floriferous little plants that resulted from Cymbidium suave hybrids. Deans biggest disappointment was the difficulty he experienced in getting pods from his own Cymbidium suave crossings to maturity in the often inhospitable South Australian climate where during the sum- mer months extreme temperatures and low humidity levels could wreak havoc with developing seed pods. Some seasons every pod would be lost within a few days of a spell of hot weather where daily tempera- tures could reach into the forties and night temperature might remain in the mid to high thirties. All of those yellowed pods which dropped so quickly from the plants were lost possibilities, even though many Cymbidium suave crossings would pro- duce pods barren of viable seed, just some of them may have been fertile. Despite the problems of a less than ideal climate Dean was successful with some of his crosses though sadly his failing health and his passing at only meant that he only saw a few of his Cymbidium suave hybrid seedlings flower. While these orchids will never be to everyone’s taste, (they don’t exhibit clas- sic showbench flower form, flower during the show season, or suit commercial requirements) they are extremely popular with hobby growers. It is often the case that photographs of individual flowers do not flatter them as the lack of fullness of shape is highlighted, but to see these little orchids in full bloom on a well grown plant of reasonable size, is to see them at their best, a mass of cascading flowers with colour and charm which never fails to draw attention and admiration. Some have criticised Dr. Seton’s hybrids for a lack of attractive colour, a statement which could only be based on experience of a very lim- ited selection of the many clones of his best hybrids, or from having seen only a few inferior photographs. Unfortunately many of the photographs in Deans collec- tion were hastily taken and or were shots of sub standard flowerings on small divi- sions in poor condition after their ship- ment from Doctor Seton’s home in NSW where they had suffered from little care and attention in the months following his passing. Gradually a library of pho- The Australian Orchid Review, April/May 2007 % Mi AN Cym. Bunyip ‘Lucy Delilah’ typical of the bright pink tones from this crossing. Cym. Koala ‘Kid’ orange tones from a cross which produced mainly bright yellows. 43 tographs is being compiled by those friends of Deans who were charged with preserving the collection and continuing to experiment with the next generation of hybrids and as photographs become avail- able of representative flowerings we aim to feature them in these pages. Certainly there is no lack of colour among Doctor Seton’s hybrids with soft and lipstick pinks, bright clear yellows, greens, oranges, smooth vibrant reds, dark browns and almost black reds featuring. After a number of years flowering and assessing Dr. Seton’s collection, Dean Roesler began to mericlone a number of the hybrids he considered to be the best, based on growth habit, floriferousness, colour and overall eye appeal and those plants are now either growing in hobbyist collections around the country, or are being grown on by commercial nurseries for sale both in Australia and overseas. In this way Dean’s dream of making these charming cymbidiums available to as many Cymbidium lovers as possible and providing stock for future hybridising work by those interested will be realised. In the year before Dean’s passing the Cymbidium Orchid Society of Victoria staged an auction of divisions from some Cym. Piccaninny ‘Precious’ a lighter coloured form from this cross which produced strong red to a | almost black flowers. Cym. Jumbuck ‘Corey Jack’ another dark and ri h 44 The Australian Orchid Review, April/May 2007 of Doctor Miles Seton collection, with plants being selected by Dean. Dean would be pleased and satisfied to see many of those divisions now appearing in flower on club benches at September, October and November meetings. Likewise, in terms of ongoing hybridisation, several of Dr. Seton’s Cymbidium suave hybrids have already been identified as fertile (though the amount of viable seed pro- duced from crossings is generally quite low) and no doubt more will be found over coming years. With breeding being under- taken by several hybridisers across the country based on Dr. Seton’s hybrids, Cymbidium suave itself and the other two Australian native Cymbidium species, cymbidiums madidum and canaliculatum, as well as their hybrids, the work of these two gentlemen is already providing the impetus for future generations of hybrids based on these unique orchids. While both Doctor Miles Seton and Dean Roesler led full lives and gave much to society in areas other than in orchid terms, the contribution they made through their work with and championing of Cymbidium suave as a parent in Cymbidium hybrids, is a legacy they could both be justifiably proud of. | Cym. (Piccaninny x madidum) one of the first seedlings Dean flowered from his own hybridising ly coloured Jumbuck with full flower form. efforts using Dr. Seton’s Cym. suave hybrids. The Australian Orchid Review, April/May 2007 45 The Cymbidium Club of Australia (NSW) Inc From Friday 10th August to Sunday 12th August 2007 Battack Orchids The Orchid Oasis Nicky’s Slippers Shenandoah Orchids Tinonee Orchids Rosella Orchids Robert Giles Orchids Australian Orchid Nursery Fon Ping Orchids David Keanelly Orchids David Wain Orchids Mint World Orchids Selective Orchids Johnston’s Orchids The Orchid Tray Company To be held at the Dural Recreation Centre, “Ellerman Park” Kenthurst Road, ROUND CORNER, DURAL (Entrance from Pellitt Lane) Come along and see some of the best flowering orchids on display in the country and purchase some top quality plants Admission $4.00 FREE Parking Refreshments provided all day by the Round Corner Bush Fire Brigade For more information please contact Peter Moore 02 9721 0572 or Keith Harris 02 9520 8551 46 The Australian Orchid Review, April/May 2007 CYMBIDIUMS AUSTRALIA 2007 Sydney Orchid Extravaganza Cymbidium Club of Australia (NSW) his years Orchid Extravaganza will once again be held at the Dural Recriation Centre, “Ellerman Park”, 25 Kenthurst Road Round Corner Dural. Open to the public from Friday 10th. to Sunday 12th. inclusive, between 9am. and 5pm. daily. This is the event on the Sydney orchid calendar that really should not be missed. If you are looking for a relaxing day out looking at top quality orchids, especially cymbidiums and are interested in learning more about them and how to grow them, then this show is the place to be. If enjoying a nice lunch, morning or afternoon tea, while basking in the autumn sunshine and a serene rural setting if the mood takes you, or perhaps purchase an orchid plant or two to enhance your col- lection appeals then this is the show you must attend. There will be many orchids around the perimeter of the venue which will grab your attention and will be available from our vendors beginning with our major show sponsor The Orchid Mart, who will have many excellent cymbidiums for sale. Australian Orchid Nursery (Vic.) will have a large range of seedlings, clones and flowering plants of top quality. Mini World Orchids will be a prominent vendor again this year. Tinonee Orchids will be selling a new range of miniature seedlings which will be highly sought after. Battack Orchids, The Orchid Oasis and Shenandoah Orchids will once again be selling some of New South Wales’ best cymbidiums, while Selective Orchids and Rosella Orchids, both from NSW will be here again. Our interstate vendors will again be rep- resented by David Keanelly Orchids yd © DAVID KEANELLY ORCHIDS 22 Emmett Street Golden Square Victoria 3555 Phone (03) 5442 4806 Mobile 0411 352 036 Email dkorchids@smartchat.net.au The Australian Orchid Review, April/May 2007 CYMBIDIUM ORCHIDS Quality Cymbidium Mericlones for the showbench or enthusiast Telephone or Write for Catalogue (Vic.), Johnsons Orchids (SA.), Nicky’s Slipper Orchids (SA), with all these ven- dors bringing excellent orchids to wet your appetite. This year we also welcome to our show Robert Giles Orchids (NSW), Wain’s Orchids (Vic.), Fong Ping Orchids (Qld.) and for all your orchid accessories we welcome The Orchid Tray Company. The centre of the venue will encompass hundreds of show bench orchids including table top displays, cut stem classes and sin- gle bloom classes along with floor dis- plays and with a massive 86 classes and 15 championship classes to be judged it should be a spectacular display. Don’t forget whilst you are there to have a cuppa and something to eat, which will be expertly provided by the Dural Round Corner Bush Brigade and all profits will go to this very valuable community service, so please come along and support them. Loads of free off street parking and being just 400 metres from the Round Corner Dural shopping centre makes this a must see show. a CCA (NSW) § Miriam Ann Orchids Alan & Miriam Merriman 89 Levy Street, Glenbrook NSW 2773 The Orchid People Sydney’s only one stop Orchid Shop We carry a large range of orchid requisits Port Pots always in stock We have a large range of Tassie Spag. Moss in all pack sizes Stakes - Water Breakers Nie-co Rolls Thermometers PH and EC Meters Sydney Agent for Woolf Orchidculture ALAN’S FERTLIZER HANDBOOK Price $10.45 including postage ALAN’S PEST and DISEASE HANDBOOK Price $18.70 per copy including postage * Nursery open most weekends for all your orchid requisits * Growing classes held monthly PHONE: 0247 395 141 Fax 0247 398 090 email: mirannorchids@pnc.com.au BANKCARD, MASTERCARD AND VISA 47 CYMBIDIUMS AUSTRALIA 2007 National Cymbidium Show Text by The Australian Cymbidium Society hile the usual rotation of the National Cymbidium Show would indicate that this years event would have been staged in NSW, hosted by the Australian Cymbidium Club (NSW), circumstances have meant that the Australian Cymbidium Society has had to look for an alternative venue and host state club for the 2007 National Cymbidium Show. The end result has been to have the show staged in Victoria again this year and hosted by the Cymbidium Orchid Club of Victoria. With only limited time available for any other state to source a venue, sponsors, etcetera, Victoria was seen as the best option as South Australia is already well advanced with preparations to host the 2008 show and could not transfer those arrangements to 2007. COSV on the other hand already had arrangements in place to stage a show in Ararat with sponsorship, a venue and support from Ararat Rural City under the title of the Cymbidium Festival (an event held each year between national shows in Victoria, with essentially the same show schedule as a national show). As a result the 2007 National Cymbidium Show will be held in conjunc- tion with the Cymbidium Festival at Ararat with the event being staged in September. Following confirmation of the National Bribie Island Attractions Relaxed informal friendly atmosphere Competitive show — Displays by Societies Banquet dinner — Light refreshments — Tours Batting reov01 srrorrcoey CST CABOOLTURE magn SHIRE COUNCIL Vendors Alice’s Orchids Aranbeem Orchids Brighton Orchid Nursery Orchids 48 Island accommodation readily available Bribie Island Orchid Society Inc. PO Box Telephone 07 3410 1919 or email lynn@bribieisland Burbank Orchid Nursery Cedarvale Orchid Nursery Dendi Orchid Nursery Down Under Native Cymbidium Show being in Ararat for 2007 the ACS contacted Leon Van Rijn of Fleurijn Orchids-Holland with a view to securing his sponsorship as naming rights sponsor again this year. The ACS is pleased to report that Leon did not hesitate to once again commit- ting his financial support to the event, even at short notice and in a year when he was expecting not to have to put his hand in his pocket and sponsor a national cymbidium show. The ACS extends it’s thanks to Leon for his generosity in making this commit- ment in late February when under normal circumstances such arrangements are made up to twelve months in advance. The end result is that the ACS is pleased to announce that the 2007 Fleurijn Orchids- Holland National Cymbidium Show will be staged in Ararat Rural City and hosted by The Cymbidium Orchid Society of Victoria. A special show committee has been formed by COSV to get everything in place and ready for the second full weekend in September with a full show schedule in place including the addition of any and all addi- tions resulting from the 2006 ACS delegates meeting. The show schedule, all details of the event and contact details etcetera will appear in the Plant sales — Commercial ~ Unlimited Free Parking growers in attendance . Folk art, crafts, floral art, woodcrafters, jewellery, pottery etc Coasts | special entry price Contact Secretary Lynn Hauck Easy Orchid Nursery Robertson Orchid Rosella Orchid Nursery Tinonee Orchid Nursery Woolf Orchidculture _ Bus Groups welcome — 27 Bribie Island, Queensland 4507 rchidsociety.com — BR Gardens Designer Framing Fly Free Zone Horticultural Solutions JPR Fertilizers next issue of Cymbidiums Australia/ Australian Orchid Review. The ACS apologizes to any exhibitor, sponsor or show visitor who may be incon- venienced, having expected the show to be held in NSW during August. But hopes any and all cymbidium enthusiasts will be able to join us in Ararat in September for what will certainly be the best and biggest display of cymbidium orchids gathered in one place and the greatest opportunity for ALL cym- bidium enthusiasts to gather, talk, swap and/or buy desirable cymbidiums, and gen- erally enjoy each others company and make new friends. One of the driving forces behind the formation of the ACS (and its first presi- dent) Graham Guest, once described the National Cymbidium Show as, “A gathering of the clans” and that is exactly what it is. Along with the opportunity to view and enjoy many of the best cymbidiums in the country, the opportunity to enjoy each others company is the prime reason for staging our national cymbidium shows. Come and join us in Ararat this September for the biggest and most important cymbid- ium event in 2007 the Fleurijn Orchids- Holland National Cymbidium Show. O The Committee, COSV rchid Society Inc ting the ouncil of Queensland ORCHID FESTIVAL chid Fantasy 8-11 June 2007 at Bribie Island State High School, First Avenue, Bribie Island Qld - Entry $4.00 Guest Speakers ' Wheelchair friendly access Short drive to attractions at Brisbane, Sunshine & Gold Gary Yong Gee, Murray Shergold, Ray Clements, John Woolf, Dennis Deihm, Wayne Harris, David Martin AOR 027 Orchidaceous Books Peters Glen Shadehouses Terra Potta Pots Unique Jewellery WonderGrow Products The Australian Orchid Review, April/May 2007 While many of the articles published V V in these pages describe and illustrate new cymbidiums, whether seedlings or recently shown newer hybrids, these plants are generally not available to grow- ers, at least not for several years to come. So where does a newer cymbidium grower start if they want to build a collection of rewarding, reliable growing and proven plants? The range of cymbidiums avail- able either as mericlones or seedlings can be quite bewildering to even experienced growers, let alone someone new to orchid growing. The following list of mericlones is intended ONLY as a guide to some of the proven and commonly available clones which anyone should have a reasonable chance of finding at orchid nurseries either locally, or from interstate suppliers by mail order. It is by no means an exhaustive list, but does include reliable, good quality plants which could provide the basis of a respectable collection. Cym. Sarah Jean ‘Ice Cascade’ or ‘Jennifer’. While the Cym. Sarah Jean cross is certainly not new, it remains one of The Australian Orchid Review, April/May 2007 "a "Ie ) I. bg 4° © by Noe Smith Cym. Ruby Valley ‘Clare’ the benchmark miniature flowered cym- bidiums, is a reliable grower and proven flowerer. Both ‘Ice Cascade’ and ‘Jennifer’ are regarded as among the best of the Sarah Jeans and both when grown to reasonable sized plants are capable of putting on impressive and beautiful floral displays. ‘Ice Cascade’ as the name sug- gests has white flowers, while ‘Jennifer’ is a clean concolor type green. ‘Ice Cascade’ should be available in sizes from small plants to flowering size and obtaining a plant of this cymbidium shouldn’t be diffi- cult as more mericlones of this orchid have been sold in Australia (and perhaps the world?) than any other and it is still in high demand today. Cym. Anna Szabo ‘Geyserland’. This nicely shaped small standard flower is one of the best growing and reliable flowering , white cymbidiums available. Hybridized by New Zealand’s Andy Easton, it has been immensely popular in Australia for the past decade or so and is also commonly available. Like Cym. Sarah Jean ‘Ice Cascade’ this orchid is still a regular show 49 Cym. Coraki Gold ‘Kimberley’ winner when well grown and presented, but is also highly rewarding when simply grown for it’s beautiful flowers. Cym. Ruby Valley (various clones avail- able). This hybrid has been around for about ten years and has proven to be very popular because of it’s shapely dark red Cym. Sims Vision ‘Barcelona’ intermediate sized flowers. Many of the Cym. Ruby Valley’s have won shows and awards and several clones should be avail- able. Some varieties have arching to upright flower stems and other display their flowers in a hanging (pendulous) habit. Cym. Sims Vision ‘Barcelona’ This blush pink/white colored flower is of small standard size, (about 95 tol00 mm across) and it’s vigorous growing plants can carry good numbers of flower spikes while still of only moderate size. It’s pretty flowers are highlighted by a broad red band around WWW. EASYORCHIDS. COM 50 Buy Bulk and Save 80mm $25.00 per 500 were $56:60 100mm $25.00 per 230 were $49;€0 150mm $20.00 per 125 were $38:60 EASY ORCHIDS Phone: 02 6682 2635 Fax: 02 6682 2605 The Australian Orchid Review, April/May 2007 Cym. Fair Delight ‘Polar Bear’ the edge of the lip making for an eye catch- ing display. Cym. Coraki Gold ‘Kimberley’ This striking bright yellow large flower type is one of the best from a successful hybrid made by Bryants Orchids. Typical of the cross, ‘Kimberley’ has a broad red band around it’s white lip which sets of the bright yellow flowers to perfection. While it has proven to be a successful show orchid, it is also a reliable grower and flowerer and is worth adding to a collec- tion for those reasons alone. Cym. Fair Delight ‘Polar Bear.’ Another white flower, this time of the large flower type. (over 110mm across) While there are plenty of good quality white cymbidiums of this type, “Polar Bear’ seems to be one of the best of recent years in terms of it’s versatility, it grows and flowers well in most southern Australian areas and is a consistent performer on the show bench as well as being incredibly beautiful. Another fine example of Bryants Orchids hybridiz- ing. Cym. Valley Splash ‘Awesome’. This clone from the successful cross made by Valley Orchids is the most well known of the Cym. Valley Splashes. A white flower of good size with a “splash” type pink blush on each petal and sepal, ‘Awesome’ produces plenty of flowers and has been a regular show winner. There are several other Cym. Valley Splash clones available which could equally demand a place in any cymbidium collection. Cym. One Tree Hill. (‘Beenak’, ‘Doris’, ‘Johns Quest’ and others.) Another hybrid from Andy Easton, Cym. One Tree Hill has been a most popular cymbidium for close on fifteen years with several clones doing well on the show bench and gaining awards of quality. All of the One Tree Hills The Australian Orchid Review, April/May 2007 51 CYMBIDIUMS AUSTRALIA Left: Cym. One Tree Hill ‘Beenak’ carry intermediate sized flowers in yellow shades, some with red banded lips, others in concolor tones. ( No red pigment in the flowers, the lip areas which are red in nor- mal types are yellow in these concolors.) Cym. Gentle Touch “Bon Bon’. Intermediate sized flowers with green petals and sepals, white lips with a red edge. “Bon Bon’ can carry lots of flowers and puts on an impressive display. It does well on the show bench due to its shapely flowers and the fact that it can produce lots of them in relation to the size of the plant. Cym. Khan Flame ‘Tuscany’ or ‘Raquel’. Another cross from Bryants Orchids, this one producing big shapely flowers in colors from pink through red to dark red/browns. These are strong grow- ing plants with tall spikes and plenty of flowers. ‘Raquel’ is a smooth mid pink with a red banded lip and ‘Tuscany’ is an impressive rich brown, also with a red banded lip. While ten plants is a very small selec- tion from the hundreds of cymbidiums commonly available and it would be easy to include many others, every collection has to start somewhere. Anyone growing schacéiers 2007 Catalogue We have our 2007 16 page catalogue available listing a huge range of clones and seedlings as well as interesting notes on fer- tiliser and potting mixes. Please note that unfortunately we are no longer able to offer mail order sales apart from our special new releases. Please send a stamped self addressed envelope for the catalogue. Special New Releases Watch this space each issue for exciting special new releases sent mail order anywhere in Australia. Flowering Showbench and Cascading Cymbidiums Potting Requisi We specialise in an extensive range of the best showbench cym- i) STE es bidium clones available in Australia. These are available in a range of sizes from 5 inch pot size to flowering and all are available from the nursery on Fridays March 1 to December 1. As well we sell divisions of superior new seedlings every week from the nursery as well as hundreds of flowering cyms sold on a “first come, first served” basis. We have an extensive range of miniature and inter- mediate cyms and we specialise in the ever popular cascading cymbidiums in flower. Cymbidium Seedlings A range of showbench seedlings is available from the nursery. Keep watching Special New Releases for Coco Jim ‘Starquest’ seedlings. Our very successful cymbidium fertilisers and potting mix are always available from the nursery. Please ring first if you need larger quantities to give us time to prepare these. Commercial Sales: Overseas and Australia We are Australia’s largest producer and hybridiser of cymbidium cut flowers and flowering potplants and are consistent winners at all the major shows we exhibit in. We offer an extensive range of flasks for overseas commercial ventures for both pot plants and cut flowers and can offer most of the best varieties grown com- mercially throughout the world. Please feel free to contact us to discuss your commercial requirements for our very competitively priced flasks. > 0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-@-0-0-0- 0-0-0 -0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-6-0-0-0-0-0-0-¢ New Opening times Address _ The nursery is now open Fridays 9am to 2.30 pm every Friday excluding Nursery located 50 minutes northwest of Sydney Airport at e public holidays from March 1 to December 1. 30 Mansfield Rd Galston NSW 2159. Tel 02 9653 1784 Friday9-4. 2 i¢ a 52 The Australian Orchid Review, April/May 2007 CYMBIDIUMS AUSTRALIA Left: Cym. Valley Splash ‘Awesome’ cymbidiums today is spoilt for choice with so many good plants available. These plants may not be the very latest in breed- ing, but they are proven plants of good quality, while also having attractive flow- ers. It is important that cymbidium grow- ers just beginning their journey have rewarding and reliable plants which will encourage them and all of these (as well as many others) should do that. Over coming issues we will look at the amazing variety available among cymbid- iums, from show types to novelties, species and specific groups such as pendu- lous miniature flowered types and where necessary discuss their particular cultural needs. For those interested in expanding their collections to include seedlings, we will look at some of the most important and successful current stud plants and the sort of results they are producing. Enjoy your cymbidiums and good growing. | Noe Smith 24 William Hunter Crt. Rosebud, Vic. 3939. Below: Cym. Gentle Touch ‘Bon Bon’ Butterfly Kisses ‘Viridian’ First release — Sage Horticultural 2003 Seedling of the Year 2007 Colour Catalogue SPRINGFIELD ORCHIDS 32 Lyndhurst Road, Kalamunda WA 6076 Phone: (08) 9293 3196 Email: nado@iinet.net.au Phone, email or write for your copy AOR 156 Prop: Nado Lenkic S| Special Offer 80mm pots pack of 500 - $25.00 100mm pots pack of 230 - $25.00 150mm pots pack of 125 - $20.00 SY Bee, asusserstee, Ph 02 6682.2635 wits Woodbum. NSW.2472 Fax: 02 6682 2605 L “ORCHIDS FOR EVERYONE’ The Australian Orchid Review, April/May 2007 53 NATIVE ORCHIDS Latest Release Seedlings Flowering Size Plants Hot/Cold and Cold Growers We only stock quality plants from Australia’s best hybridists Native species including Dendrobium, Cymbidium and Sarcochilus LARGE SPECIMENS AVAILABLE We also stock treefern, slabs, stakes, pots, sphagnum and bush moss, orchid bark B&T Ferns & Orchids 30 Wiseman Road Silvan, Victoria 3795 Fax/Phone: (03) 9737 9694 Melway Ref. 123 AOR 089 Open 7 days a week PIONEER ORCHID FARM We grow and sell stunning cymbidiums. Thousands in flower. Huge specimens of named varieties or first flowering seedlings. Brilliant colours, fabulous massed display. Prices for everybody. “You’ve seen nothing like this” Open 7 days a week 735 Portarlington Road, Leopold, Geelong Victoria ph 03 5250 2058 0409 355 388 AOR 029 54 CYMBIDIUMS AUSTRALIA VALE Norma Stafford February 22nd, 1938 to November 30th, 2006 Nears came to Bega to work as a nurs- ing sister at the Bega Hospital in her early 20’s. John’s father, seeing her walking down the street one day, said to John, “If you don’t marry that girl you’ve got rocks in your head”. John wooed and won her hand and over the years five children were born. At the same time a passion for water skiing developed and she and John tray- elled New South Wales to power boat and water ski meets. A great circle of friends developed around this passion and Norma and a group of friends formed a skiing team. To those who only met Norma later in life, photos of this period are a fascinating insight into this time. In her youth Norma regularly visited a rela- tives farm in the Gloucester area north of Sydney, where many native orchids grew naturally and so developed a love of orchids which was to last all her life. Norma was involved in the formation of the Sapphire Coast Orchid Club in the early 1980’s and served 10 years as president and some 12 years as secretary. Her nursery at Kalaru became a favorite meeting place for orchid growers and friends from all over NSW, Victoria and further a field. She became an orchid judge and earned great respect for her knowledge, com- mon sense and natural manner. Many was the time that she and other judges would leave home at four or five o’clock in the morning to judge at shows up the coast. She showed leadership qualities and had the happy knack of getting from people more than they thought they had to give. Many took positions on committees, as officers of the club, became judges and show marshals who would never have thought themselves capable of such respon- sibilities. Everyone felt they were special to Norma and they were. Her last outing was to the National Show at Port Macquarie at which she judged and also caught up with many old friends as well as quite a few new plants. Norma’s other passion was always her family. She is survived by her five chil- dren and fourteen grand children and she loved each and every one dearly. Her passing left a huge hole in her family and her community. John Tanner, Pambula NSW PHONE: 041 239 1989 TOM BURIAN ORCHIDS Nursery open weekends (other times by appointment only) * * * LOTS OF NEW RELEASES AVAILABLE * * * TOM BURIAN ORCHIDS R.S.D. 87, STRATHALBYN, S.A. 5255 Nursery at:— Lot 25 Heinjus Road, Strathalbyn, S.A. 5255 Phone: 041 239 1989 The Australian Orchid Review, April/May 2007 Fe some orchid enthusiasts growing specialised climate orchids is their self imposed challenge, for others growing familiar cool climate and intermediate cli- mate compatible species and hybrids to perfection and or for competition or award gives true personal satisfaction. What we devote our time and efforts to is our per- sonal choice. Whatever we choose to grow the fact is that to a greater or lesser extent the cur- rent water shortages and restrictions which apply across the southern states are having an impact at some level on how we approach the growing of our orchids regardless of genera or type. The following thoughts and information are aimed at suggesting some options which may be applicable, to some degree, for anyone facing the current restrictions and those which may be imposed in the near future. In his book “The Specialist Orchid Grower” the late Jim Rentoul wrote under the heading ‘Orchids and Climates’ to the effect that success depends on identifying the needs and grouping plants for the pro- vision of an appropriate climate in your collection. The ambient climate where you live should influence your choice of plants and if you want to excel with a genus or collection you should not chal- lenge to deeply the climate that you pro- pose to create. All growing is artificial once any enclosure is used to modify the local environment. Within an enclosure there may be up to four microclimates available from ground level to roof and the ease with which some orchids may be successfully cultivated may depend on finding the best available place within your enclosure. For our plants to survive this extraordi- narily long drought and the current neces- sary restrictions imposed on us, which are severely restricting our use of mains water other than for the purposes of drinking, food preparation and hygiene, we need to reassess our watering practices and look to alternatives. Fortunately for those of us relying on Melbourne’s water supply, access to good quality water with negligi- ble levels of dissolved calcium and mag- nesium salts means we are not exposed to the problems of “hardness” as experienced by some other cities and areas. One of the obvious options to supple- ment restrictions on the use of mains water (and possibly it’s total prohibition) is the The Australian Orchid Review, April/May 2007 hids by Bill Mather use of “grey” water, therefore some men- tion of the effects of soaps and detergents is in order. Old fashioned soap worked because it contained surfactants — chemicals that lowered surface tension in water, broke down fatty materials and releasing the fab- ric or objects hold on dirt particles. Later, antiseptic phenols in the form of carbolic were added to washing compounds to counter bacteria which could cause dis- ease. These soaps did not degrade and residues accumulated in waterways and treatment plants. By the 1950’s rivers often carried foam and the water became toxic from waterborne organisms. Manufacturers then devise biodegradable washing powders, the effectiveness of which was countered by the calcium and magnesium ions in hard water binding to the surfactants and leaving scum on the water and clothes. So “builders” were added to bind and remove these ions and thereby “soften” the water. Phosphates are , your garden — age 3 restrictions and beyond the most commonly used builders in mod- ern detergents, but these in turn create problems for the safe and useful disposal of “grey water”. The breakdown of phos- phorus complexes in detergent waste water (including human and industrial wastes) creates freely available phos- phates that in excess cause havoc in aquatic ecosystems. Toxic algal blooms and oxygen depletion in the waste water may have serious consequences for aquatic organisms. Although some manu- factures are marketing so called phosphate free detergents, these claims may be ques- tionable. (Unfortunately government leg- islation in this area has hardly been cutting edge. Ed.) Later we will look at the use of grey water as an option for watering orchids. In Melbourne and other areas we are now used to the rules limiting the use of mains water in our gardens, which also in most cases includes the watering of orchids. Our stage 3 restrictions limit 1265 Western Port Hwy. Langwarrin. Vic. 3910 Introducing... First flowering in 2006. Our Cymbidium breeding policy was formulated years ago to. specifically produce small plant habit, upright self supporting racemes, feature lips, improved shape and a wide variety of great colours. We are now seeing the results. Don’t miss our future flask lists! Our 2007 Cymbidium flask list is now ready for distribution by e-mail only. To request a copy, please e-mail us at the address below. It will feature approximately 150 crossings and will cover a full colour range and flowering all sea- sons. A wide range of new parents are also featured. We are now on Broadband and we are in the process of designing colour photo brochures of our stock for distribution by e-mail to our regular clients. A sample copy is available. We are continuing with our cool growing other genera and lists are also due for release early i in the near future. Alllists are now available only by e-mail in Adobe PDF formats — please specify genera (free PDF Readers programs are readily available). Those wanting regular e-mail lists should contact us’ indicating the specific genera lists required. PLEASE NOTE OUR E-mail address: glenorchids@nex.net. au and visit our Web Site: www.glenorchids.com.au Phone: (03) 9782-2668 For directions to our Nursery see: Melways Map: 136 G-3 55 How YOUR COMPUTER CAN HELP YOUR WINDOWSILL AMERICAN OR Grae SOC We Wy If your sunny windowsill is lonely and in need of something green and flowery, log on now to the American Orchid Society’s very popular Web site — www.dos.org — for helpful and exten- sive tips on orchid growing. Enjoy inspiring color photographs, a calen- dar of orchid events and other helpful orchid advice. Orchid Forum, devel- oped as an information exchange plat- form, is visited regularly by novice and advanced growers throughout the world. Founded in 1921, the AOS is the world’s number-one orchid-information source — just ask 30,000 members worldwide. On-site membership appli- cation is available along with conve- nient, secured shopping in The AOS BookShop and Orchid Emporium. American Orchid Society 16700 AOS Lane Delray Beach, Florida 33467 Telephone 561-404-2000 Fax 561-404-2100 E-mail TheAOS@aos.org Web site www.aos.org 56 CYMBIDIUMS AUSTRALIA watering to two days a week, (either, Sat./Tues. or Sun./Wed.)with a maximum of eight hours broken up as follows, 6am to 8am and 8pm to 10pm. Automated dripper systems can be used your two allo- cated days from midnight to 4am. From my enquiries with my local water author- ity, one may apply for an exemption to spread the eight hours over four days, such an application needs to be supported by details of size, quality and value of the collection. (I am also informed that auto- matic misting may be exempted?) Reducing household consumption of mains water may seem to have little to do with keeping our orchid collections alive, but reduced use may help, if only a little, to stave of even more inconvenient restric- tions and of course some water saving options can lead to water being directed to our orchids. Collection of grey water from showers washing machines (rinse cycle) and the rinse water from washing up will all pro- vide grey water which may be suitable for watering orchids. In the case of washing machines which can use surprising amounts of water dependant on type, diver- sion via a water saver costing around $9 inserted into the trough outflow pipe exter- nal inspection port can deliver water to a tank or other form of storage. Of course the biggest supplement to mains water usage can come from the installation of a tank which collects rain water from a house roof via the down pipe, (say at least 2,000 litres) which can be used for orchids or other pur- poses. Just a few words about maintaining a garden during water restrictions, forget about displays of annual flowers and con- centrate on maintaining well established and deep rooted trees and native flowering shrubs. Loosen the soil to form a basin around the trunks and fill the basin with mulch and water regularly with suitable grey water. I strongly recommend sub sur- face irrigation via a 250mm _ vertical drainage pipe inserted beside the basin. This minimises water loss from run off and surface evaporation. Forget about soft vegetables. Many kitchen herbs are quite hardy. My tomatoes are thriving under a shade cloth tent on limited grey water daily. Citrus trees are surviving adequately with basins, mulch and grey water. Depending on the size of your collection and the availability of grey and tank water, it may be necessary to consider culling your collection of orchids, with the less valuable, outdated, or excess plants and divisions being sacrificed. Some genera, particularly those without pseudobulbs (eg. Masdevallias, Phaphiopedilums and the like) may be difficult to sustain and man- age without regular access to good quality water. Good friends Bob and Pam Mason have maintained their orchid collection in Bendigo, where stage 4 water restrictions have been in force for two years, with only grey water. With careful monitoring of cul- ture and minimal use of selected household detergents their orchids have survived sat- isfactorily and continued to flower. Despite their success, I would advise retaining a control selection of plants (destined for culling) for observation and assessment when watered exclusively with grey water. The floor of your orchid house should also have a moisture bank of scoria or some- thing similar about 70mm thick based on weed cloth and preferably planted with babies tears which need little light to sur- vive and thrive. Also several large trays filled with grey water will improve humid- ity in closed houses. I believe that given these sorts of measures many orchids will survive stresses even they may not flower to their potential. Having regard to the quality of Melbourne’s water supply, I believe that the use of detergent softeners is unneces- sary in the laundry and by omitting them their possibly harmful effects will be miti- gated when using grey water from the washing machine. Further that soaps and detergents are marketed indiscriminately in Australia regardless of the complications posed by various sources of mains water. Buyer beware! Finally, be optimistic and reflect on the motto of the RAF Dambusters attacking reservoirs during WW2, “Apres moi le del- uge’’. Best of luck! | Bill Mather 70 Winston Rd., Viewbank Vic. 3084. References: 1. Internet — WaterCare “The Disposal of Soaps and Detergents” EPA 547/04, April 2004. 2. Yarra Valley Water. 3. The Orchid Growers Manual — Gordon C. Morrison 1988. Sick of writing plant tags? - THEN WE CAN HELP YOU - Small Runs of printed tags - Great prices - Quick Turn-a-round cet) aussie plant tags ps Contact David or Pauline Brewster at Email: apt@tags.net.au Web: www.tags.net.au 9 The Grove, Tel: (03) 9761 1100 Boronia, Vic. 3155 Fax: (03) 9761 0892 AOR 020 The Australian Orchid Review, April/May 2007 How we are coping with water restrictions think most of us coped with stage 2 water restrictions with little trouble, but since the introduction of stage 3 restric- tions and now with stage 4 restrictions imminent, things are becoming more diffi- cult. In response to the introduction of stage 3 restrictions we decided to become as water conscious as possible, both to cut down on our total water use and to keep our orchid collection growing as well as possible. Before Christmas we bought a grey water hose which is fitted to our washing machine hose. This allows for the first rinse to be pumped onto a small patch of grass to keep our two dogs happy. That first rinse is allowed to run onto the grass, subsequent rinse water, (approximately 100 litres) is collected and used to water our garden plants. We haven’t been game enough to use this water for our orchids yet, but if stage 4 restrictions are imposed we will certainly be using this water for the orchids when no other water is available. We gave one of these grey water hoses to David’s mother at Christmas time and while some people thought we were mad it quickly became become one of her favorite gadgets once she saw how much water it could provide for her plants. We looked at more water saving ideas like many people have and are doing. We thought that if we saved water around the home we could justify watering our cym- bidiums. Two baby baths were bought and placed in the showers and we started using a bucket to collect the cold water which runs through the pipes while waiting for the hot water and while adjusting the Text and pictures by Carolin Allen shower temperature. This clean water is transferred to a 100 litre bin and by the end of a week we have around 75 litres which is used to water our miscellaneous genera via a watering can. We shower standing in the baby baths and this water is collected for the garden, about another 350 litres per week. The garden plants appear to be thriving using this grey water and it’s use has meant that all the allowable watering time under stage 3 restrictions can be devoted to our cymbidiums if necessary. We then moved on to ideas on how to save clean water for our orchids and while we couldn’t afford to buy a large tank we found other alternatives. Last winter they changed rubbish con- tractors where David works and as a result all the 240 litre rubbish bins had to be changed to those of the new contractor. A number of old bins were left behind from the previous contractor, apparently they weren’t theirs so they left them behind to be disposed of. Rather than see them go to the dump, David asked the facility man- ager if he could have them and we ended up with nine 240 litre wheelie bins. We gave away a couple to friends and David left some at work in case other workmates wanted them as he didn’t want to be greedy and we finished up with six. With the introduction of stage 3 restrictions the bins were quickly put into service and the rest of the still unclaimed and unwanted bins came home as well. We have six down pipes on our house and all now have water Above: Tap fittings required for bin conversion. Right: Tap fitted to wheelie bin. The Australian Orchid Review, April/May 2007 diverters fitted to collect rain water into the bins and this adds up to quite a bit of water. The down pipe diverters came from Bunnings Hardware and are quite inge- nious and easy to open and close as shown in the accompanying photographs. David fitted the bins with tank fittings and taps from a local irrigation supply store. The bins gravity feed into a 200 litre barrel located in our hot house. This barrel, fitted with a “Davey” swimming pool water pump had been set up for for several years, but now on very hot days when we can’t water with mains water we use this supply to cool down the plants in the evenings. This barrel and pump also means we can water our orchids at any time (as long as we’ ve had enough rain to fill the bins and barrel). A very dear friend offered us a 1000 litre tank and pallet which we gladly accepted and after painting the black tank and pallet to match the house, both were set up on a stand made from concrete blocks. This tank is also situated to gravity feed into the barrel in the hot house and now with tank, bins and a couple of extra overflow barrels we can collect and store some 3000 litres of water. To help save water we have also put all of our large cymbidiums (seven inch pots and above) onto deep saucers from Garden City Plastics, while our smaller plants are sitting in disposable plastic sweet plates CYMBIDIUMS AUSTRALIA Down pipe with water diverter closed. available from cheap and $2 shops. Since doing this we have noticed that the plants remain moist and did not dry out over sum- mer. When it’s time to water some of the plants still had a little water left in their saucers or plates and if the plants were knocked from their pots the mix was still damp. Using this method you have to remember to flush the plants out once a week so that the water does not become stagnant. We also changed our pot- ting media to a blend which retains more moisture. Our mix had been strait com- Right: Mature plants in saucers. Below: Small cymbidium plants in disposable plates. 58 Down pipe with water diverter open. posted pine bark of 5-10mm, we are now using a mix of six parts composted bark and four parts coarse coco peat with the top of each pot sprinkled with Canunda shell and coarse dolomite lime. Our final move was to institute a big cull of our plants. After all why waste water on struggling plants? Any plants with labels dating back as far as the early ’90’s (yes, there were a few) and which had not flow- ered, along with any plants not growing or progressed to a certain standard have now gone! Between our green waste bin and our neighbours those plants have gone to the great garden in the sky, or perhaps and more appropriately, down to the furnace of Hades. Good growing and I hope you get a few ideas and some encouragement from this article. |_| Carolin Allen 18 Wootten Cres., Langwarrin Vic. 3910. Australian Cymbidium Society — hellos and goodbyes f Bees Australian Cymbidium Society Inc. warmly welcomes three new state del- egates to its committee in David Brooks from the CCA (NSW) who joined us prior to the November AGM /delegates meeting and Ben Knobben and Peter Hall, both from the COCSA who have recently been elected to represent their state. All ACS delegates welcome them and look forward to a long, friendly and cooperative rela- tionship in the future. With two new delegates from South Australia it means along with Murray Weston’s retirement announced last issue, Alec Canala has also resigned from his ACS delegates role. The ACS extends it’s thanks to Alec for his active participation during his time as a delegate for COCSA and commends his commitment both on behalf of his club as well as the aims and ideals of the ACS, Alec was a valued con- tributor and a passionate advocate for progress, particularly in regard to judging matters. The ACS will miss his input and wishes him well. | Rob Smith, ACS secretary Update your records... ™, Australian Review ... has moved The publishers of Australian Orchid Review have relocated to new premises at Unit 3, 13 Stanton Road, Seven Hills. Please address all mail to: PO Box 26 Seven Hills, NSW 1730 Australia Ph 0296204143. Fax 02 9620 4102 Email aor@agencygraphicworld.com.au The only change is the address. . . Australian Orchid Review continues to be the same excellent publication it has always been — full of brilliantly illustrated and infor- mative articles, news and views, profiles and plants, cultural notes, shows and show results, book reviews, features on those special orchids, specialist advertisers, future events, still produced by the same people, and much, much more.... The Australian Orchid Review, April/May 2007 Peace Ae coc Se eee ne 2S SHOWDATES DATE TIME SEASON ORCHID SOCIETY SHOW ADDRESS New South Wales Orchid Society of NSW Horticultural Pavilion 5-18 April 9.30am-7.00pm Autumn Royal Easter Show Homebush Showgrounds, Homebush 12-13 April- Shopping Centre Hours Autumn City of Lismore OS Lismore Central Shopping Centre 14 April Close 2.00pm Autumn Show Carrington Street, Lismore 25-28 April Shopping Centre Hours Autumn Newcastle 0S Edgeworth Town Shopping Centre Autumn Show main Road, Edgeworth 4-5 May 10.00am-7.00pm Autumn Maclean District OS Maclean Bowling Club Maclean Orchid Show Maclean 4-6 May Shopping Centre Hours Autumn North Shore OS Forestway Shopping Centre, Frenches Forest 9-11 May Shopping Centre Hours Autumn Grafton District OS Grafton Shoppingworld Grafton Autumn Orchid Show __ Grafton 10 May 9.00am-4.00pm Autumn Nambucca Valley 0S Scout Hall 11 May 9.00am-4.00pm Autumn Orchid Show Partridge Street, Macksville 12 May 9.00am-3.00pm 10-12 May Shopping Centre Hours Autumn Central Coast & Lakes OS Lakeside Plaza Shopping Centre Lakeside Plaza, The Entrance 11-13 May Shopping Centre Hours Autumn Ballina & District OS Ballina Fair Shopping Centre Fox & Kerr Streets, Ballina 41-13 May Shopping Centre Hours Autumn Western Suburbs 0S Strathfield Plaza Autumn Show Strathfield 17-19 May Shopping Centre Hours Autumn Hawkesbury & District OS Richmond Market Place March Street, Richmond South West Rocks Country Club, South West Rocks 19-20 May Club Hours Autumn Macleay Valley OS Casino & District OS Presbyterian Hall 24-25 May 9.00am-5.00pm Autumn : ; Autumn Orchid Show Hickey Street, Casino (Fire Station street 8.30am-1.00pm 24-25 May 8.30am-9.00pm Autumn Tweed District OS Tweed City Shopping Centre 26 May 8.30am-4.00pm Autumn Show Minjungbal Drive, Tweed Heads South 31 May Shopping Centre Hours Autumn Cumberland Orchid Circle Carlingford Court 2 June Orchid Display Cnr Carlingford & Pennants Hills Roads, Carlingford 9 June 10.00am-4.00pm Winter Camden Haven OS Laurieton United Servicemen’s Club 10 June 10.00am-3.00pm Seymour Street, Laurieton 14-17 June Shopping Centre Hours Winter Orchid Society of NSW St Ives Shopping Village Winter Show Mona Vale Road, St Ives 19-23 June Shopping Centre Hours Winter Boolaroo OS Wallsend Plaza Winter Show Cowper Street, Wallsend 20-21 June 8.30am-9.00pm Winter Manning River OS Manning Mall Shopping Centre Manning Street, Taree 22 June 8.30am-1.00pm Winter Show Maitland & Coalfields DistOS | Raymond Terrace Market Place 21-23 June Shopping Centre Hours Autumn Autumn Show 21-23 June 9.00am-5.00pm Winter Sutherland Shire OS Swanes Nursery 24 June 9.00am-3.30pm 55th Winter Extravaganza 80 Port Hacking Road, Sylvania 27-30 June Shopping Centre Hours Winter Newcastle OS Stockland Glendale Shopping Centre Winter Show Lake Road, Glendale 30 June 11.00am-4.00pm Winter Shoalhaven OS Berry Showground 4 Jul 9.00am-4.00pm Winter Show Cnr Victoria & Albert Streets (in Masonic Hall 3 July 7.30am-10.00pm Winter Panania-East Hills OS Sports Pavilion, Panania-East Hills RSL Club Winter Show Childs Avenue, Panania 4-7 July Shopping Centre Hours Winter Cumberland Orchid Circle Westfield Shoppingtown Winter Show North Rocks Road, North Rocks 4-8 July Shopping Centre Hours Winter Fivedock RSL OS Rhodes Shopping Centre Winter Show Rhodes 8 July 9.00am-3.30pm Winter Maroondah OS Beaumont Hall, Blackburn High School Market Day & Winter Show Cnr Williams & Springfield Roads, Blackburn 11-14 July 9.00am-4.00pm Winter Illawarra District OS Mlawarra Yacht Club Winter Show No. 1 Northcliff Drive, Warrawong cer eerie Oc" cin adisi PL a eG 42 July 10.00am-4.00pm Autumn Batemans Bay Orc/Foliage Soc + Stocklands Plaza Exhibition Day Perry Street, Batemans Bay 42-14 July Shopping Centre Hours Winter Eastwood & District OS Eastwood Shopping Square Winter Show Rowe Street, Eastwoo' 12-15 July Shopping Centre Hours Winter Campbelltown & District OS McArthur Shopping Square, Kellicar Road, Campbelltown 14 July 9.00am-4.00pm Winter Southern Riverina OS Anglican Church Hall Winter Show Princes Highway, Milton 15-21 July 9.00am-5.30pm Winter Fairfield District OS Stockland Wetherill Park 19 July 9.00am-9.30pm Winter Show Polding Street, Wetherill Park 19-20 July Shopping Centre Hours Winter Maitland & Coalfields DistOS Cessnock Market Place 21 July Close 3.30pm Winter Show Central Coast & Lakes OS Lakeside Plaza Shopping Centre, 19-21 July Shopping Centre Hours + Winter Lakeside Plaza, The Entrance 20 July 9.00am-5.00pm Winter Eurobodalla Orchid Club CWA Hall 21 Jul 9.00am-3.00pm Winter Show Queen Street, Moruya 26-27 July 8.30am-9.00pm Winter Tweed District OS Tweed City Shopping Centre 28 July 8.30am-4.00pm Winter Show Minjungbal Drive, Tweed Heads South 5-7 August Shopping Centre Hours Winter Hawkesbury & District OS Blacktown Westpoint, Patrick Street, Blacktown 8-11 August Shopping Centre Hours Autumn Illawarra District OS Gateway Shopping Centre Autumn Displa' Crown Street, Wollongong 10-12 August 9.00am-5.00pm Winter 2007 National Orchid Dural Recreation Centre Extravaganza 95a Kenthurst Road, Dural Round Corner 18 August 10.00am-4.30pm Spring Belinger Valley OS Uniting Church Hall Annual Show Belingen 24-25 August 9.00am-5.00pm Spring Eurobodalla Orchid Club Sport & Leisure Centre 26 August 9.00am-12.30pm Spring Show Blue Water Drive, Narooma The Australian Orchid Review, April/May 2007 59 SHOWDATES DATE TIME SEASON ORCHID SOCIETY SHOW ADDRESS 26 August-1 Sept 9.00am-5.30pm Spring Fairfield District OS Stockland Wetherill Park 30 August 9.00am-9.30pm Spring Show Polding Street, Wetherill Park 28 August- Shopping Centre Hours Spring Boolaroo OS Belmont Citi Centre 1 September Spring Show Belmont 29 August- Shopping Centre Hours Spring Cumberland Orchid Circle Winston Hills Mall 1 September Spring Show - Caroline Chisholm Drive, Winston Hills 3-7 September Shopping Centre Hours Spring Eastwood & District OS Macquarie Shopping Square Spring Show Talevera Road, North Ryde 5-8 September Shopping Centre Hours Spring Newcastle 0S Stockland Jesmond Sub ay Centre Spring Show Blue Gum Road, Jesmon 8 September 10.00am-3.30pm Spring Panania-East Hills OS Senior Citizen's Hall Spring Show Anderson Avenue, Panania 12-16 September Shopping Centre Hours Spring Fivedock RSL OS Rhodes Shopping Centre Spring Show Rhodes 14 September 11.00am-4.00pm Spring Shoalhaven OS Presbyterian Church Hall 15 September 9.00am-4.00pm Spring Show Kinghorne Street, Nowra 22-23 September 9.00am-3.00pm Spring Illawarra District OS Legacy House Winter Show 96 Market Street, Wollongong 28-29 September 10.00am-7.00pm Spring Maclean District OS Maclean Bowling Club Maclean Orchid Show Maclean 29 September 9.00am-5.00pm Spring Maroondah OS Beaumont Hall, Blackburn High School 30 September 9.00am-4.00pm Spring Show Cnr Williams & Springfield Roads, Blackburn Queensland 6-8 April 9.00am-4.00pm Autumn Queensland OS Auditorium Autumn Show Botanic Gardens, Mt Coot-tha, Brisbane 7 April 8.30am-5.00pm Autumn Bribie Island OS Indoor Bowls Club Hall Orchid Display & Market Day _ First Avenue, Bribie Island 12-13 April 9.00am-9.00pm Autumn North Queensland OS —Cairns _Raintrees Stopping Centre 14 April 9.00am-1.00pm NQOS — Cairns Autumn Show __ Alfred Street, Manunda, Cairns 12-14 April Shopping Centre Hours Autumn Pine Rivers OS Deception Bay Shopping Centre PROS Autumn Show Deception Bay Road 13-14 April 9.00am-5.00pm Autumn Townsville OS Townsville Orchid Society Inc Hall 15 April 9.00am-4.00pm Autumn Show Joe Kirwan Park, Charles Street, Kirwan 14-15 April 8.00am-4.00pm Autumn West Bribane OS Brisbane Botanic Gardens Auditorium WBOS Autumn Show Mt Coot-tha 20 April 9.00am-4.00pm Autumn Sunshine Coast OS — Caloundra Caloundra Uniting Church Hall 21 April 9.00am-3.00pm “Orchids in April 2007” Cnr Queen and Ulm Streets, Caloundra 20 April 8.30am-4.00pm Autumn Ipswich OS Bundamba Primary School Hall 21 April 8.30am-2.00pm Autumn Show Brisbane Road, Bundamba 21 April 8.00am-5.00pm Autumn Brisbane OS Community Hall 22 April 8.00am-3.00pm 34th Charity Orchid Show Mt Gravatt Showgrounds, Logan Road, Mt Gravatt 3-5 May -8.00am-5.00pm Autumn Atherton Tablelands OS Council Chambers Autumn Show Mabel Street, Atherton 3-5 May 8.00am-5.00pm Autumn West Moreton Orchid Group City Square Shopping Centre Autumn Show Brisbane 4-7 May 9.00am-4.00pm Autumn Darling Downs Orchid Society Walshs Seeds Autumn Show Ruthven Street, Toowoomba 5 May 8.30am-5.00pm Autumn Gympie & District OS “The Pavilion” 6 May 8.30am-2.30pm Cooloola Garden Expo Gympie Showgrounds, Gympie 8-12 May Library Hours Autumn Redcliffe District OS Redcliffe City Library Oxley Avenue, Redcliffe 10-11 May Shopping Centre Hours Autumn Ayr & District OS Burdekin Centrepoint Queen Street, Ayr 10-11 May Shopping Centre Hours Autumn Blackwater & District Town Square, Shop Centre Orchid & Foliage Club Blain Street, Blackwater 10-11 May 9.00am-9.00pm Winter North Queensland OS — Cairns Mt Sheridan plopainei centre 12 Ma 9.00am-1.00pm Mothers Day Show 106 Barnard Drive, White Rock 10-12 May Shopping Centre Hours Autumn Pine Rivers 0S Taigum Shopping Centre PROS Mothers Day Show 10-12 May Shopping Centre Hours Autumn Townsville District Castletown Shopping Centre orchid & Allied Plants Assoc Hyde Park 11-12 May Shopping Centre Hours Autumn Emeral Orchid & Foliage Soc vile Shopping Centre mera 11-12 May Shopping Centre Hours Autumn Lockyer Valley OS WoolWorihs Complex ainian 11 May 8.30am-5.00pm Autumn Noosa Dist Orc & Foliage Soc ~= CWA Hall 12 Ma 8.30am-3.00pm Noosa Mothers Day Show Main Street, Cooro 11-12 May 8.00am-4.00pm Autumn Bundaberg OS Civic centre 13 May 8.30am-1.00pm Annual Autumn Show Bourbong Street, Bundaberg 12-13 May 9.00am-4.00pm Autumn Aspley OS Community Hall : Mothers’ Day Show Edinburgh Castle Road, Wavell Heights 12-13 May TBA Autumn Pumicestone District O&FS Ningi Community Hall Mothers’ Day Show Bribie Island Road, Ningi 13 May 11.00am-3.00pm Autumn Proserpine Orchid & Rollage Cannonvale State School ‘ Plant Soc — Mothers Day Fete Cannonvale Beach 19 May 10.00am-3.30pm Autumn South Burnett Uniting Church Hall Autumn Orchid Show Alford Street, Kingaroy 60 The Australian Orchid Review, April/May 2007 DATE TIME SEASON ORCHID SOCIETY SHOW ADDRESS 24-26 May Shopping Centre Hours Autumn Casino & District OS Prestbyterian Church Hall Hickey Street, Casino 9-10 June TBA Autumn TQOC, 42nd TQOC Conference _Lannercost Street, Ingham, North Queensland 9-10 June 9.00am-5.00pm Winter Bribie Island OS Bribie Island State High School, First Avenue, Bribie Island 11 June 2.30pm - Award Presentation Island Orchid Fantasy - 2007 _ STOCQ Orchidfest 9 July 9.00am-10.00pm Winter Atherton Tablelands OS Atherton Showgrounds 10 July 9.00am-5.00pm Agricultural Show Robert Street, Atherton 12-14 July Shopping Centre Hours Winter Mackay & District OS Mt Pleasant/Greenfields Shopping Centre Autumn Show Mackay 13-14 July 9.00am-5.00pm Winter Townsville OS Townsville Orchid Society Inc Hall 15 July 9.00am-4.00pm Winter Show Joe Kirwan Park, Charles Street, Kirwan 13-14 July 9.00am-5.00pm Winter Caboolture OS Memorial Hall 15 July 9.00am-2.00pm Annual Winter Show King Street, Caboolture (opp. K-Mart) 27-28 July 10.00am-4.30pm Winter Tully & District OS Tully Showgrounds Tully District Show Gates open 8.00am 4-6 August 9.00am-4.00pm Winter Darling Downs Orchid Society Walshs Seeds Combined Winter Show Ruthven Street, Toowoomba 23-25 August Shopping Centre Hours Winter Pine Rivers OS Deception Bay Shopping Centre PROS Winter Show Deception Bay Road 25 August 8.30am-4.00pm Spring North Brisbane OS The Auditorium 26 August 9.00am-4.00pm 2007 Annual Spring Show Brisbane Botanic Gardens, Mount Coot-tha 28 September 9.00am-5.00pm Spring Glasshouse Country 0S Beerwah Community Hall 29 September 9.00am-3.30pm Spring Show Peachester Road, Beerwah ACT 22 September 11.00am-5.00pm Spring Orchid Society of Canberra St Johns Church 23 September Noon-4.00pm Constitution Avenue, Reid, Canberra Victoria 26-27 May 9.00am-5.00pm Autumn Maribyrnong OS Maribyrnong Community Centre Autumn Show Randall Street, Maribyrnong 14-15 July 9.00am-5.00pm Winter Maribyrnong OS Maribyrnong Community Centre Winter Show Randall Street, Maribyrnong 9 June 9.00am-5.00pm Winter Melbourne Eastern OS Uniting Church Community Hall, Burwood Heights 10 June 12.30am-4.30pm M.E.0.S. Winter Show Cnr Blackburn Road & Burwood Highway 11 June 9.00am-4.30pm Burwood East 20 July 9.00am-5.00pm Winter Horsham & District OS Senior Citizens Centre 21 July 9.00am-4.00pm Winter Orchid Show 7 Roberts Avenue, Horsham 20 July 9.00am-9.00pm Winter Sunraysia Orchid Club Centro Mildura Plaza 21 July 9.00am-5.30pm Winter Show Cnr Deakin Avenue & 15th Street, Mildura 22 Jul 10.00am-5.00pm 21-22 July 10.00am-4.30pm Winter Geelong Orchid & Indoor Plant Christchurch Hall Winter Show Cnr Moorabool & McKillop Streets, Geelong 3-4 August 9.30am-5.00pm Winter Stawell OS Laidlan Park, Trackside Taberet 5 August 9.30am-4.00pm Stawell Winter Show Patrick Street, Stawell 5-11 August Shopping Centre Hours Autumn Mornington Peninsular OS Parkmore Shopping Centre Keysborough Orchid Show Cheltenham Road, Keysborough 17-18 August 9.00am-5.00pm Winter Orchid Soc Council of Victoria Collectors Corner at Garden World 19 August 9.00am-4.00pm Melbourne Orchid Spectacular 810 Springvale Road, Braeside 23-26 August Shopping Centre Hours Winter Gippsland Orchid Club Mid Valley Shopping Centre Winter Show Morwell 15 September 9.00am-5.00pm Spring Bairnsdale & Dist. Orc Group = Lucknow Memorial Hall 16 September 9.00am-4.00pm Annual Spring Show Omeo Highway, Lucknow 29 September 9.00am-5.00pm Spring Melbourne Eastern 0S Uniting Church Community Hall, Burwood Heights 30 September 12.30am-4.30pm ‘World of Orchids’ Show Cnr Blackburn Road & Burwood Highway, Burwood East 5 October 1.00pm-5.00pm Spring Bendigo Ochid Club YMCA Leisure Centre 6 October 10.00am-5.00pm Annual Spring Show Browning Street, Kangaroo Flat 7 October 10.00am-4.00pm South Australia 30 June 12 noon-5.00pm Autumn SA Orchidaceous Society Klemzig Community Hall 1 July 9.00am-4.00pm Autumn 0.G. Road, Klemzig 6 July 12.00noon-5.00pm Winter Murray Bridge & Dist Orc Club Town Hall 7-8 July 10.00am-4.00pm Winter Orchid Show Bridge Street, Murray Bridge 18-21 July Shopping Centre Hours Winter Whyalla Orchid Club Westlands Shopping Centre Winter Show Whyalla Morrie 20 July 10.00am-4.00pm Winter Port Augusta Orchid Club Port Augusta Garden Club Room 21 Jul 10.00am-2.00pm Winter Show Cnr Elizabeth Terrace & Paringa Road, Port Augusta 21-22 July 10.00am-4.00pm Winter Port Lincoln Orchid Club Kallinyalla Nursery Winter Show Shaen Street, Port Lincoln 29 July- Shopping Centre Hours Winter SA Orchidaceous Society Stockland Parabanks 4 August Winter Shopping Centre 19-22 September Shopping Centre Hours Spring Whyalla Orchid Club Westlands Shopping Centre Spring Show Whyalla Morrie Western Australia 3 May 8.00am-9.15pm Autumn Bunbury OS Australind Shopping Centre 4-5 May 8.00am-5.30pm i Autumn Show Bunbu 10 May 8.00am-8.00pm Autumn Geraldton OS Northgate Shopping Centre 11 May 8.00am-6.00pm Northgate Mothers Day Geraldton 12 May 8.00am-1.00pm Display The Australian Orchid Review, April/May 2007 61 DATE TIME SEASON ORCHID SOCIETY SHOW ADDRESS 24-26 May Shopping Centre Hours Autumn Wanneroo OS ‘ Warwick Glove S/c Autumn Show Beach Road, Warwick 5-7 July Shopping Centre Hours Winter Wanneroo OS Newpark S/c Winter Show Marrangaroo Drive, Girrawheen 19 July 8.30am-9.00pm Winter Albany 0S North Road Shopping Centre 20 July 8.30am-6.00pm Winter Show North Road, Albany 21 July | 8.30am-12.30pm 26 July 8.00am-9.15pm Winter — Bunbury 0S Bunbury Forum Shopping Centre 27-28 July 8.00am-5.30pm Winter Show Bunbu 20 September 8.30am-9.00pm Spring Albany 0S North Road Shopping Centre 21 September 8.30am-6.00pm spring Show North Road, Albany 22 September 8.30am-12.30pm 27 September 8.00am-9.15pm Spring Bunbury OS Bunbury Forum Shopping Centre 28-29 September _8.00am-5.30pm : Spring Show Bunbury Northern Territo 2 June 9.00am-5.00pm Winter Litchfield OS. Mararra Indoor Stadium 3 June 10.00am-5.00pm NT Orchid Spectacular Abala Road, Mararra New Zealand 14 April 1.00pm-3.00pm Autumn Auckland Orchid Club Hobsonville Hall Hobsonville Road, Waitakere Ci 28 April Noon-3.00pm Autumn New Zealand OS Auckland Horticultural Rooms 990 Great North Road, Western Springs, Auckland 23-24 June 10.00am-4.00pm Winter Wanganui OS Raceway Complex “Orchids for Everyone” Purnell Street, Wanganui 8 July 1.30am-4.00pm Winter Waikato OS. Hamilton Gardens Waikato Winter Show Chartwell Room & Rotary Lounge 19 July 10.00am-5.00pm Winter New Zealand OS Mount Albert War Memorial Hall 20 Jul 10.00am-4.00pm New North Road, Mount Albert, Auckland 8-9 September 9.00am-4.00pm Spring Capital City OS Begonia House Spring Show Wellington Botanic Gardens 20 September 10.00am-5.00pm Spring New Zealand OS Mount Albert War Memorial Hall 21 September 10.00am-4.00pm New North Road, Mount Albert, Auckland 2006 New South Wales Christmas Party We having survived another year’s orchid flowering and show season we headed into the festive season and Christmas func- tions. For the Cymbidium Club of Australia (NSW) inc. the best part is that we hold our Christmas func- tion early, in November, so there is little chance of it clashing with other functions. This means that the majority of our members have the opportunity to attend and share the celebrations with their friends and fellow members. Over the last few years our club has adopted a change to such func- tions, where as a result of fund raising during the year, a spectacu- lar spread of seafood, hot and cold meats, along with salads and the appropriate accompaniments is provided. The meal is served as a smorgasbord and appears to. go down well with the members. Following the mains there was a short break before everyone turned to the sweets with enthusiasm, this was followed by coffee and tea. As in past years most of our able members attended and had a wonderful time. With the busiest time of the year over, it is a great opportunity for all members to catch up again with other members and friends they may not have seen for some time. 62 Text Peter Moore — photography by Fay Harris Mal and Fay Ferguson received the trophy for seedling of the year from secretary Peter Moore. The usual monster raffle was well sup- ported thanks to the efforts of Norm Shipway and Rose Gibson and most of the members present went home with a raffle prize of either a Christmas hamper, or one of the many donated seedlings which with a little luck will prove to be cham- pions in future years. The club also presented the tro- phy for seedling of the year on the night, this year the trophy went to Mal Ferguson. This would also be an appropri- ate time to thank some our hard working members and generous sponsors and supporters for their efforts during the year. There are many people who assist the secre- tary in his efforts to keep our club moving forward. Firstly, Betty, Frank and Michelle Moore, for without their support and efforts half the jobs would not get done on time. Our president, Geoff LeMarne and the CCA committee, for their support shown to me and for their own individual efforts. The Quest Appartments, Castle Hill and the Good Guys, (Nash Patel) Castle Hill, for their gen- erosity in donating prizes for our raffle. A special mention to Doctor Ceong Tay for his ongoing support to the club and of course, to the members who give their unconditional support and time during the year. Best wishes to all for the new year. Peter Moore 10 Stephanie Street, Padstow, NSW The Australian Orchid Review, April/May 2007 Editor: David P. Banks E-mail: davidpbanks@veritel.com.au Address editorial to: The Editor, Australian Orchid Review, PO Box 26 Seven Hills, NSW 1730 Australia Phone: (02) 9620 4143 Fax: (02) 9620 4102 Email: aor@agencygraphicworld.com.au The Australian Orchid Review is the official publication of the Australian Cymbidium Society. To join an orchid society contact these secretaries New South Wales Veronica Clowes P.O. Box 5396, Chullora NSW 2190 Phone: (02) 9649 2719 Email: honsecosnsw@yahoo.com.au Australian Orchid Review Queensland Maree Illingworth P.O. Box 126BC, Brown Plains 4118 Phone: (07) 3800 3213 Email: r.millingworth@uq.net.au Victoria Diane Sharam 1 Tynan Street, West Preston, 3072 Phone: (03) 9478 9764 Fred Stewart 26 Bryson Grove, Lower Templestowe 3107 Phone: (03) 9850 6185 Email: fred@blaze.net.au South Australia Coralie Hills G.P.O. Box 730, Adelaide 5001 Phone: (08) 8721 3213 Don Higgs P.O. Box 134, Myponga SA 5202 Phone: (08) 8558 6247 Email: jhiggs@internode.on.net While the Proprietors of the Australian Orchid Review endeavour to assure the reliability of advertising and editorial, neither the Proprietor of the “Australian Orchid Review” nor the Editor and the affiliated Orchid Societies can assume responsibility for the advice or transaction between advertisers and readers. The opinions and recommendations — that may appear in this publication regarding the selection and use of specific plant-care products, including but not limited to pesticides, fungicides and herbicides, are those of the individual authors, and not those of the Australian Orchid Review, which neither adopts nor endorses such opinions and recommendations and disclaims all responsi- bility for them. When selecting and using such products, readers should seek and obtain the advice of the manufacturer and of responsible government departments. Western Australia R. McGrath P.O. Box 58, Como 6152 Phone: (08) 9367 9306 Tasmania Jan Dicker G.P.O. Box 467, Hobart 7001 Phone: (03) 6247 9636 Northern Territory Tammie Coyne P.O. Box 38493, Winnellie 0821 Published and printed by AGENCY GRAPHIC WORLD ABN. 82 003 531 253 PO Box 26 Seven Hills, NSW 1730 Australia Phone: (02) 9620 4143 -Fax: (02) 9620 4102 ADVERTISERS INDEX BUYER’S GUIDE American Orchid Society ........ccccccseessseseeseeeeees 56 ANOS Mid North Coast ...... 10) Aranbeem Orchids ........ 124 Aussie Plant Tags .......:s0 56 Aussie Shade & Hot Houses.............++ 1309 Australian Correspondence Schoodl..... 123 Australian Orchid Foundation.............. Australian Orchid Review... B & T Ferns and Orchids..... Bribie Island Orchid Society .... Burleigh Park Orchid Nursery.. me : Campbell, Colin.......... 36 Cattleyas Online .... wa Cedarvale Orchids...... 38 Dark Star Orchids........... David Keanelly Orchids... DemaniOrchidSweamprriastonmmrssssreatrrmiertestert 24 Easy Orchids ............. ..50, 53 El Dorado Orchids ..... eiotmemcie 38 Florafest Orchids........ vere ney Glenwood Orchids ..... ans 05 Hills District Orchids .. mT moi K&H Orchids ..........0. int 40 Miriam Ann Orchids.... 47 Mount Beenak............04 itt Newmarket Hardware..... mol Nicky ZUrCheP oo. eeseeeseeeees 26 National Orchid Extravaganza 146 Orchidaceous Books.............. Per (4 Orchid Pot Company, The .......::ssssssssssssesesesesesssesenenes 3 Orchid Productions............. nn ne) Orchid Review (UK)........ te nual, Orchid Species Plus ...... rt 126 Orchid Tray Company ........ _— neo i Peters Glen Shade Houses raele) Pioneer Orchid Farm.............. nd: Retina Australia... Rosella Orchids.... i Schaeffers Orchids ............ rot Springfield Orchids .... Stockers Nursery ....... Tinonee Orchids......... Tom Burian Orchids Valley Orchids..........ssseeseseee Western Orchid Laboratories.........cccscscsessesseseerees 38 The Australian Orchid Review, April/May 2007 THE ORCHID ACADEMY — Corres- pondence courses on all aspects of orchid growing for beginners, advanced growers and anyone contemplating employment in the orchid industry. Clear, concise courses written by qualified trainer with over 50 years’ experience in orchids. For brochure phone or fax (07) 5596 7429 or visit our website: www.theorchidacademy.com.au Buy, sell or swap. Five lines (approximately thirty words) for only $30, each additional line (approximately six words) $4 (includes GST). ORCHID NURSERY WHOLESALE ¢ Same owner since 1985. ¢ Located in Sydney’s Hills District. ¢ Well established Market. ¢ Easy operation. Phone 0416 149 400. 2007 ORCHID EVENTS — WHAT’S ON! April 21-22 — Brisbane Orchid Society 34th Charity Orchid Show, Mt Gravatt Showgrounds, Brisbane QLD May 18-20 — Victorian International Orchid Fair — Greensborough VIC June 7-9 — Sub Tropical Orchid Council of Queensland Triennial Orchid Expo — Bribie Island QLD July 8 — Tinonee Orchids Open Day NSW August 10-12 — 2007 National Orchid Extravaganza, Dural Recreation Centre, Dural NSW August 24-26 — Manning River Orchid Society 50th Anniversary Show, Taree NSW September 6-9 — Flora Fest, Mt Penang NSW September 29-30 — Orchid Heaven 2007, Bega NSW October 7 — Hills District Orchids Spring Open Day, Northmead NSW December 2 — Dark Star Orchids Open Day, Northmead NSW 2008 September 27-29 — Tasmanian Orchid Conference 2008 63