Volume 11 No.1 - FEBRUARY 1999

CONTENTS

FRONT COVER: Dendrobium Tie-Dye 'Royal Purple' - winner of the Ira Butler Gold Trophy for Champion Australian Native Orchid Hybrid of the Year 1998. The delighted owners are Norm and Kay Mitchell, Bellingen, northern New South Wales. The hybrid was made by Neil Finch.

The Bill Murdoch Trophy for Champion Australian Native Species Orchid of the Year 1998, was awarded to Fred Fear of New South Wales. The orchid, Dockrillia nugentii 'Jeffrey' AM-ACC/ANOS, was described as :superior in every way". Magnificent photos were supplied by the Ira Butler Trophy Committee for this and the above award.

An Aura of Fragrance. Marilyn Light again graces our pages with an unusual topic - the fragrance of orchids. The perfume rises from her writing and the superb photography of husband Michael MacConaill shows us some unusual orchid blooms.

Destruction of an Orchid Habitat. Greg Allikas documents the systematic destruction of the habitat of Encyclia tampensis in Florida. It began with the introduction of Melaleuca spp. (trees) from Australia to soak up the water from the marshes, home of the cedar trees and, in turn, the host of the orchid. Words and photos present a graphic story. Somewhere the same thing is happening near you!

Handling the Ogre of Virused Plants. Richard Fishlock relates his experiences in South Australia with the formation of a Virus Advisory Panel and their desire to assist growers to "clean up" their collections, even to the extent of arranging to have plants tested. Maybe other societies might think about following the SA lead.

Selected Species - Laelia pumila. Peter Taylor's regular feature is always a wealth of information, and this month is no exception. Peter delves into the history of his subject and it makes for fascinating reading. The accompanying photographs are of Laelia pumila var. coerulea 'Tokyo', showing the full flower and a close-up of the lip.

The Cymbidium Page. Julian Coker writes in each issue on some aspects of Cymbidium culture, and in this issue he explores the implications of "AxB or BxA?". A selection of photos of two parents and four progeny illustrate his point.

Orchid Stamps from Jersey. Yes, Jersey is issuing a set of six stamps on 19th March featuring orchid hybrids from the Eric Young Orchid Foundation, plus a miniature sheet with one stamp (different orchid) off to one side, with the background to the sheet being the Foundation's Gold Medal winning display of Miltonias at the Chelsea Flower Show 1996. The stamps commemorate the World Stamp Expo '99 being held in Melbourne, Australia in March. Very attractive set to add to your orchid collection.

Orchids for the New Millenium. This is an interesting contribution from Gordon Tingley in Canada which relates the recent history of orchid discoveries. He ends the story with a promo for the World Orchid Conference in Vancouver in April.

Book Reviews:
Orchid Growing in the Shoalhaven District. David Banks reviews this updated version of a cultural book originally intended for members of the Shoalhaven Orchid Society, but now finding wider appeal. Checklist of Australian Native Orchid Hybrids. Colin Hamilton reviews this recent publication by the Australasian Native Orchid Society Inc.

The Astonishing Stanhopeas. David Banks reviews this comprehensive book by Barney Greer, with over 50 species represented.

Coelogyne bilamellata. Jim Cootes describes this unusual species from the Philippines, as well as its history and requirements in cultivation. Photo by David Titmuss of a plant grown by David Banks, as well as a habitat photo by Jim Cootes.

Trichoglottis amesiana. Another of the Jim Cootes series on unusual orchids, again from the Philippines where he now lives. Excellent photo of Jim's plant by David Titmuss.

Registrar General's Page. Colin Jennings, AOC Registrar General of Judging, delves into the most recent awards of Cymbidiums and asks "Why aren't there more Cyms being awarded?" The twelve award photos published were from 1996 to 1998.

Tropical Queensland Orchid Council Conference, Ingham - June 1999. The Conference and show is being held from 11th to 14th June in far north Queensland. This annual event travels around the northern part of the State. The story is an update on speakers and events orchid growers can look forward to over the long weekend.

New York People. Colin Hamilton meets Charles Marden Fitch, world famous orchid photographer and writer of several books on orchids, other horticultural interests and, of course, photography; and Harry Zelenko, author of the Pictorial Encyclopaedia of Oncidium - a massive work thirteen years in the making. We visit Harry's roof top greenhouses without getting stuck!

Vale - Jim McQueen. The orchid world has lost one of Australia's orchid species authorities. From the Apple Isle, Tasmania, came the news of his death at age 64. The two books that will ensure he is long remembered are: "Miniature Orchids" and "Orchids of Brazil", both written in association with his wife Barbara, and published in 1993.

My Problems and Success Using a Ring Flash. Rex Johnson follows up David Banks' December article on "Ten Tips for Better Orchid Photography", explaining the problems he encountered with using a ring flash and how he overcame them. His photographs of "how", and the resulting photo of a miniature native orchid, Caleana major, which resembles a tiny duck, are great.

The Whys and Wherefors of Fertilizer. Barry Paget reminds us of the elements that make up the different types of fertilizers, and the needs of our orchids. The subject is comprehensively covered and of interest to newer growers and a "refresher" for long time growers.

15th AOC Conference 2000 - 'Orchids in Tiger Country'. It is not too soon to start thinking about where you will be or should be in October 2000, when the Burnie Orchid Society in Tasmania hosts the 15th Aust. Orchid Council Conference. It is also the 40th Anniversary of the AOC. 'Orchids in Tiger Country' - Tasmania was once home of the Tasmanian Tiger, now considered extinct by most but not all. Big prize money for anyone exhibiting one of these! We give a general run-down on the Conference programme as it stands at the moment.

Other Things: There are details of the coming spring shows around Australia, workshops, our usual departments such as Cultural Notes, Computer Corner and more.

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