Contents of latest Issue

(Front cover) is the winner of the Gold Ira Butler Trophy for 2000 and owned by Kay & Norm Mitchell of Bellinger, NSW. Full details of the annual Ira Butler Trophy and the Bill Murdoch Trophy are given in this issue.  The Bill Murdoch Trophy was won by Les Nesbitt of South Australia.

Planning is well under way for the 16th Australian Orchid Conference to be held in Adelaide in September 2003, and hosted by the Orchid Club of South Australia Inc.  (A web page has been developed and is on our ConneXions page.)

The Australian Orchid Council has appointed Easy Orchids, Woodburn, NSW, as its official tour organizers for the 17th World Orchid Conference to be held in Shah Alam, Malaysia, from 24 April to 2 May, 2002. 

American Orchid Society on the move

With the official opening of their new premises in Delray Beach on 3rd March, we give some background to this huge undertaking and full details of changes to the contact details of the AOS.

High quality of orchid exhibits.

Colin Jennings, AOC Registrar General of Judges, details some of the orchids to gain AOC awards at the AOC Conference held in Burnie in October 2000.

Exploring the Orchid Flora of Aurora Province, Philippines

One of our regular contributors, Jim Cootes, has a passion for the orchids of the Philippines.  Here he tells of the orchids he found in the province of Aurora, describing the environment in both word and pictures, with some rarely seen species orchids.

What's in a Name? - pumilum

Peter Chiles ponders the origin of the name 'pumilum' and its variations for orchids such as Cymbidium pumilum and Laelia pumila.  Just in case you are wondering, pumilum is Latin for small.

How I Grow Paphiopedilums

Jerry Lawliss of Hampton, Virginia, USA, describes how he grows Paphs. in his home.  Very few Australians grow under such conditions, but this article is an education in determination to succeed.  Plenty of photographs of the conditions and blooms

Just Browsing

Colin Jennings has been browsing the old orchid magazines again and relates some of the interesting articles he came across.  Some of these are over 140 years old.

Dendrobium and its Relatives - a new book

Well known orchidists from North Queensland, Dr. Peter Lavarack, Dr. Geoff Stocker and Dr. Wayne Harris, has released their new book on the Dendrobium family.  The book launch was held in the Cairns Botanical Gardens late last year by the Mayor of Cairns, Cr. Kevin Byrne.

and a Review of the book

Dennis Simmons, Editor of Orchids Australia, reviews the book.

Papua New Guinea Orchid Show 2000

The report on what is becoming an annual event is a truly colourful spread over two pages, and I mean colourful in more ways than one!

In Search of Perfect Cymbidiums

"Smaller plants and more spikes please" is the cry, according to nurseryman Peter Chiles, a cymbidium specialist.

Orchids that Glow in the Dark

Colin Hamilton reports on the success of genetic engineering to implant luciferase genes from fire flies into orchids with the result of orchids that glow in the dark.  (It IS true).

Townsville Orchid Society opens Hall Extension

After some years of plans and planning, the Townsville Orchid Society finally celebrated the completion of extensions to its Hall in Kirwan Park.

AOC Conference - Social Pictures

A further report from the successful AOC Conference in Burnie last October, this time on the social side.

Book Review: Orchids, by Greg Allikas and Ned Nash

Colin Hamilton reviews this low price, lavishly illustrated book which is both a coffee table piece and an excellent guide to growing orchids.

Plus… - All the regular features of Computer Corner,  what's winning at Shows around the country, Cultural Notes for various parts of Australia, and our list of upcoming International orchid events through to 2005. There is also a surprise for some lucky Australian subscriber - Orchids Australia free for one year, provided it is claimed in 14 days.