Contents of latest Issue

(Front cover) is the winner of the Gold Ira Butler Trophy for 2001 and is owned by Stewart & Helen Penman, Kyogle, 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 Tony & Jacqueline Blewitt, for their Dendrobium speciosum var. curvicaule 'Daylight Moon' FCC/AOC-NSW.

The Australian Orchid Council Inc. has a new Secretary, Irene Bodell, of New South Wales.  To introduce Irene to the wider AOC family, Irene tells us how she became stricken with the popular orchid growing malady.

On 19th November last, nine South Australian trainee judges graduated from the AOC Judges Training Course at a special dinner.  Kel Staples presented the new Judges with their AOC Certificates of Appointment.  The dinner was attended by Presidents, Secretaries and Registrars of Judging from the orchid clubs of which the new Judges are members. 

Selected Species: Pescatorea coronaria  Reichb.f.

Peter Taylor returns this month with another of his wonderful tales of the history, mystery and intrigue on the discovers of this magnificent species from South America (Costa Rica to Ecuador).  Peter also describes his growing conditions and gives a word of warning - it is not an easy plant to acquire.  The two page article includes a half page superb photograph of his plant, taken by James Indsto.

Madevallias and Lucastes as complementary plants

Gary Hart, of Caringbah, NSW considers these to the the David and Goliath of orchids, and grows both in his Sydney suburb.  Gary describes his growing conditions for both, including how his Lycastes are used to hang above and provide additional shade for the small Masdevallias.  Gary is also a photographer and has provided nine excellent illustrations.

Pleione Vesuvius AM/AOC 2000.

Rex Johnson visits Geoff Hawley in northern Tasmania and gets the low down on how Geoff grows this popular genus (well in the colder climate areas of Australia) which led to his plant of Pleione Vesuvius being awarded an AM/AOC at the 15th Australian Orchid Conference held in Burnie in October 2000.  Rex has also provided a superb photograph of a single flower.

WOC 16 Proceedings - they are on their way.

We report that at long last the Proceedings of the 16th World Orchid Conference are on their way come mid March.  The book also will contain a CD of 200 photographs of the Conference not used in the Proceedings.  (Addendum: The Publishers are currently contacting all who ordered the Proceedings to confirm their current address.)

Roy Hargreaves - Ardent SA Orchid Conservationist turns 90.

Colin Jennings, SA, provides us with a short perspective of a man who has contributed so much to the conservation of orchids, not only in South Australia, but reaching beyond the State boundaries.  Roy has just turned 90 and maintains an active interest, albeit at a slower pace than previously.

Countdown to the World Orchid Conference 2002

This is your last chance to join the activities/festivities of the 17th World Orchid Conference in Malaysia in April.  For more information visit their website (See Forthcoming Major Orchid Conferences on this website).

Just Browsing... with Colin Jennings

Colin has been doing some more reading of old orchid publications from the UK, including the birth of The Orchid Review in 1893.  These snippets provide a fascinating insight into the world of orchid collecting and growing 100+ years ago.

A Phalaenopsis with an odd habit

Ed Wright of Texas, USA, has provided us with a story of an amazing plant of Phalaenopsis amabilis, to which he has given the clonal name of 'Texorco Ed' and has been awarded JC/AOS from the American Orchid Society.  This plant is almost the Popeye of the orchid world, but Ed doesn't have to feed it spinach!  Beautiful flowers come in abundance from this plant, as do the keikis!  Ed has provided us with four photo illustrations.

Storage of Chemicals

An area that we orchid growers tend to get very lax about is the proper storage of the chemicals we use.  In this article Ronald Boyd of Kianga, NSW provides some worthwhile advice to us all.

The Orchid Awards of the late Gordon Vallance

Colin Jennings, AOC Registrar General of Judging, takes a look at the legacy of Gordon Vallance and the awards he obtained for his magnificent collection of the Cattleya alliance.

Dimorphorchis lowii (Lindl.) Rolfe

Colin Jennings gives us a look at this somewhat weird species discovered by Sir Hugh Low in the jungles of Borneo.  Photos by Geoff Stocker of Bruce Gray's plant.

Orchids as Weeds?

Des Pike of Darwin read in a recent edition of The Australian of an orchid spreading from South Australia "like a weed".  He decided to do some research via the internet, and writes his findings for us.

Some Novelty Australian Bulbophyllums

Regular contributor Rod Rice, gives us a look at some of the 28 species of Bulbophyllums found in Australia, though few are very well known, overshadowed by the spectacular species from SE Asia and Papua New Guinea.

Book Review: Growing Orchids, by David Banks

Dennis Simmons looks at this new book from well known Sydney orchidist, David Banks.  David, well known for his off-the-cuffs lectures and superb photography, has compiled his new book on how to grow orchids, specifically targeted at the non-technical grower.  Dennis highly recommends - and it is only $24.95.

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.