Contents of latest Issue

Laelia fidelensis Pabst 1967

(Front cover) This striking species from Brazil is the subject of a featured article by Chris Nicholas.  He relates his ideas on growing this species, with obvious spectacular results.

US Crackdown on Orchid Imports

The US Government is threatening to allow the import of orchid plants in tissue culture media or agar containing charcoal.  There has been a 90 day moritorium while discussions continue between the American Orchid Society Inc. and the US Plant Protection and Quarantine officials.

The Australian Orchid Council's Orchids of the Year 2000 award nominations are in and the judging panels around the country are voting on the seventeen nominees.  The results will be announced during the AOC's Annual General Meeting in mid October, but in the meantime we give a preview of all the nominated orchids.  Readers can look, compare and make their own decisions to compare with the judges choices - to be published in our December edition.

Orchids of Tasmania - Part 1

Christine Howells, Kingston Beach, Tasmania, gives us an interesting start to her series on the orchids of our island State.  It is claimed that there are a couple of hundred orchid species n Tasmania - a few lithophytes and epiphytes, but the majority of orchids are terrestrial.  Six photographs included in Part 1.

Orchid Conservation theme of International Conference in W.A.

Orchid specialists and enthusiasts from all around the world will gather in Perth, Western Australia's capital city, in September 2001 for the First International Orchid Conservation Congress.  Helen Richards outlines the events for the Congress and provides photos of four unusual orchid flowers from the west which should be in flower at the time.

Nature's Perfume Smorgasbord

Regular contributor, Rod Rice tackles a difficult topic in this issue - writing about the wonderful perfume array of orchids, supported by six photographs of uncommon orchids.  Have you ever tried putting the sensation of smell into words?  It is not easy.

Cattleya violacea (Rolfe)

A welcome return to this edition of Orchids Australia by regular contributor Peter Taylor, this time featuring the history, habitat and well researched information of this beautiful species from South America.  Peter divulges his secrets in growing this popular species.

Endangered, Rare species given a new lease on life

Steve Wells dabbles in both orchids and websites.  In his first article for us, Steve looks at one of Queensland's conservation-conscious orchid laboratories, Burleigh Park, and their programme to conserve some of the increasingly rare orchid species.  Seven photographs accompany the article.

7th Asia Pacific Orchid Conference, Nagoya, Japan - March 2001

Our webmaster, Colin Hamilton, visited Nagoya for the Conference and gives an insight into the Show held in the Nagoya Dome, as well as his personal impressions.  Ten photographs accompany the text, mainly of displays.  The Champion Orchid was Pot. Love Passion 'Orange Bird', which won for its owner, Hisako Matsumura of Osaka, a brand new (small) car as well as a cash prize.

Peloric markings in a Sarcochilus

Christine Kozlowski writes of her flowering a Sarcochilus hybrid, S. Minirose, with unusual results - suspected peloric markings.  The parents are S. ceciliae x erecta.  As an addendum, the AOC Registrar of Judges, Colin Jennings, provides a short item on What is a peloric bloom?

RHS Orchid Hybrid Registrations

As usual we have the very latest list of orchid hybrid registrations, hot off the press.  Orchids Australia continues to provide these to orchid growers well in advance of many other orchid publications.  In face we are the first to reproduce the list after publication by the Royal Horticultural Society.

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.