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OCTOBER
2004 (Vol. 16 No.5)
THIS
MONTH'S FEATURES:
FRONT
COVER:
Christiara.
Renee Gerber 'Timberlea' AM/AOC-QLD
Awarded
Lycastes
Rex
Johnson of Tasmania has followed up on Gary Hart's article in our June edition
by delving into the AOC Awards and reviewing the genus Lycaste. These
lovely cool-growing orchids are easy to cultivate in southern part of
Australia. The Late Fred Alcorn did much to advance the hybridizing in
this genus and these awards are a testimony to his work. The article is
illustrated with eight photographs.
A
New House and My Orchids
Rob
McNamee tells of the trials and tribulations of having to move house and
orchids. Rob's experience was complicated by plans to sell one house and
live for a time in his partner's house. Unfortunately(?), both houses sold the
same day and the best laid plans of mice and men went horribly wrong -
especially for his orchids.
Tuberolabium
rhopalorrachis (Rchb.f.) J.J. Wood
Colin
Jennings, Registrar General of Judging, provides a look at a not-too-common
species, which received a CBM/AOC in 2003 for Margaret Tierney of Queensland.
It is not a rare plant in its native habitat which ranges from Thailand and
Malaysia to Sumatra, Ambon, Java, Borneo and the Philippines. It is not
common in cultivation in Australia. Excellent photograph by Gary Yong Gee.
Variety
in Non-Standard Paphiopedilums
Regular
contributor Gary Hart has been taking a look at some of the non-standard Paphs
and their variety of shapes and colours. Six great photographs provided
with the assistance of The Australian Paphiopedilum Society.
Adventure
- Walking the Wimmera in July 2004
In
a new regular series, John Richards records his trip last July to Halls Gap and
the Wimmera (Grampian Mountains in Victoria). John must have extremely
good eyesight to have spotted (and photographed) Corybas incurvus and a
number of Pterostylis species. Four of John's great photographs are
included.
Lost
Vanda Rediscovered
Colin
Hamilton relates a tale of woe and joy - Peter O'Byrne of Singapore thought he
had discovered a new Vanda species in Indonesia, only to later find it had be
described in 1907. However, disappointment turned to elation when it was
found that this orchid, Vanda arcuata, had not been seen since
then. With a shape reminiscent of Vanda luzonica etc, it is
basically white with red-brown spots, so heavy at first glance they give the
impression of a candy-striped Vanda. Peter has provided two excellent
photographs.
Vale
- Harry Lodge
Australia
has lost one of its great orchid men - Harry Lodge of Western Australia.
Harry passed away on 15th August at the age of 88. Harry was Life Member
of a number of orchid societies in WA, and an inaugural member of the Orchid
Society of Western Australia. In 1991 the Australian Orchid Council
bestowed an Honorary Fellowship on him.
Just
Browsing with Colin Jennings
Colin
found an interesting story in the March 1925 issue of The Orchid Review (UK)
on Cymbidium cultivation, written by one Mr William Turner. He also found an
interesting article on Orchid Culture 1864 which bears a second look.
Is
C. Bob Betts all it seems?
Colin
Hamilton picked up on a remark in a US nursery catalogue which suggested that
one of the registered parents may not have been as recorded. He followed
this lead up with two well known orchid growers in the USA, and provides their
comments. Seems that C. Bob Betts is most likely (C. Bow
Bells x C. Gravesiana) not (C. Bow Bells x C. mossiae).
How
I Grow Scaphosepaluym
Rex
Johnson of Tasmania relates a short history of this little known species, and
how he grows them in the cool climate of Underwood, Tasmania. Three large
photographs, by Rex, accompany the article.
Cymbidiums
Gary
Hart lives in a southern suburb of Sydney where Cymbidiums are prevalent.
In this article Gary describes his method of growing these beauties, illustrated
with three fine photographs.
Floral
Arrangements at the Chelsea Flower Show
Heather
Fishlock was privileged to attend the world famous Chelsea Flower Show in London
earlier in the year. For something different, Heather has written of the
Floral Arrangements section and provided six excellent photographs which speak
for themselves.
Orchids
and Horticultural Exhibitions
Regular
contributor and traveller, Marilyn Light of Quebec, Canada, provides her ideas
on preparing displays for orchid shows. There is plenty of food for
thought here.
Are
Orchids Parasites?
Colin
Hamilton reports on a discussion on the Orchid Guide Digest which drew some
humour from contributors on this topic. Most agreed that they are
parasites because they attach themselves to your wallet and suck it dry!
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; 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
2008.
There is also a surprise for some lucky Australian subscriber - Orchids
Australia free for one year, provided it is claimed in 14 days.
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