Contents of latest Issue

FEBRUARY 2004 (Vol. 16 No.1)

THIS MONTH'S FEATURES:

FRONT COVER:

Dendrobium speciosum var. grandiflorum 'Jelita' received a Bill Murdoch Award of Special Recognition for 2003.  It was line bred by Ted & Barbara Gregory (Merrellen Orchids) and owned by Bevan Burnham.  This is by way of an introduction for the results of the annual Ira Butler Trophy and the Bill Murdoch Trophy.  (Photo supplied by the Ira Butler Committee - photographer not identified).

From the President, Editor and Programme Director.

Our new Editor, Coralie Hills, provides some background information;  the new AOC President, Jim Smith, from Tasmania, continues the traditional message from the President and some valuable notes; and Jim Shaughnessy our new Programme Director (replacing Gerald McCraith who stood down at the AGM) outlines his duties and how Societies may apply for one of the many slide programmes the AOC has to offer.  (Note: A downloadable and printable list is available on this website - see the Main Menu).

Tiger Burning Bright

Rebecca L. Weber came across a tiger in the Singapore Botanical Gardens - the tiger orchid, Grammatophyllum speciousum.  Rebecca relates her amazement at confronting this gigantic orchid and provides information on visiting these magnificent Gardens.

Papua New Guinea orchid exploration - Part 2

Wolfgang Bandish continues his detailed account of his latest expedition into the wilds of Papua New Guinea, always intriguing to orchid growers and considered one of the last orchid frontiers.  The first part of this article appeared in our December 2003 edition.  The article is accompanied by 15 colour photographs, as well as thumbnails of the five members of the expedition.  Wolfgang Bandish is Director of the National Capital Botanical Gardens, Port Moresby, PNG.

16th  AOC Conference and the Orchid Awards

This article continues on from the report on the Conference contained in our December 2003 edition, and includes many of the AOC Awards made by the judges at the Conference Show, held in Adelaide in September.  There are 18 award photographs included from photographer John Seidel.  Congratulations to the owners of these fine orchids.

Another Milestone

As Acting Publications Director, Colin Jennings reflects of the past 15 years of Orchids Australia, as we commence our 16th year of publication.  Who better to tell the tale - Colin has been part of the magazine since its concept in 1988 leading to the first issue in February 1989.

Tributes

As you may be aware both Len Brombal and Dennis Simmons retired at the September AGM.  Len had been our long suffering Treasurer for 10 years as well as part of the Publications Committee handling subscriptions for Orchids Australia and sales of other bookshop items, ably assisted by his wife Lina.  For his devotion and dedication (all volunteer work) Len was awarded Fellow of the Australian Orchid Council (FAOC) at the September meetings.  

Dennis Simmons took over the reins of Editor of Orchids Australia at the end of 1999 and completed four years in that position, operating from outside Cairns in North Queensland.   Dennis had to stand down as a result of changes to his work situation at The Cairns Post newspaper.  Colin Jennings pays tribute to Dennis and his wife Christine for their labour of love.

Many people are shocked to learn that the AOC does not operate a full time office, or indeed any particular office.  All the Executive and Officials are volunteers, including providing this website.

Trends in Paphiopedilums

Gary Hart looks at the upsurge in interest in growing Paphiopedilums in the last decade in Australia.  Gary lives in an outer Sydney suberb and has provided some of his photographs and a few from the Australian Paphiopedilum Association.

Parvisepalum Paphiopedilums

To compliment the above article, Gary also writes of the impact of the introduction of these 'Chinese' paphs some years ago, continued by the recent addition of some new species, not to mention the exciting world of hybridising.  The article is illustrated with seven photographs provided by the Australian Paphiopedilum Society Journal.

Habitat Protection or Destruction

The new AOC Conservation Director, Alan Stephenson, reflects on the conservation of mainly terrestrial orchids in their natural habitat in the last couple of years, when threatened by land clearing, roads and other development.  

Yellow Phalaenopsis Breeding - Part 3 

Canadian Howard Ginsberg concludes his series on the advancement of yellow Phalaenopsis breeding.  Although living in Montreal, it just goes to show how international orchid growing and sharing of information is today, aided by the electronic technology to move data and photographs around the world in minutes.  

Plus…

All the regular features of: the very latest RHS Orchid Hybrid Registrations (our list is second only to the RHS publication) the latest list of Australian Orchid Council Awards for 2003; Computer Corner,  what's winning at Shows around the country, Cultural Notes for various parts of Australia, Orchid Show dates across Australia, and our list of forthcoming 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.