OCTOBER 2005  (Vol. 17 No.5)

THIS MONTH'S FEATURES:

FRONT COVER:

Phrag. Schroderae ‘Sunshine’ HCC/AOC 2005

A recent Award from Victoria.  Owner: S & H Hauser  (Photograph by C Barrett)

17^th AOC Conference

The 17^th AOC Conference is fast approaching, and will be held in Port Macquarie from 19-23 July, 2006.  We include a progress report from the organizing Chairmen, Ken Siew and John Carter.  After a bumpy start, everything is now on track for a memorable Conference and Show.  Speakers have been announced and Early bird Registrations are now open.  (For downloadable Show Schedule, Registration Form and Accommodation Guide, click here.)

Culture and Propagation of Australian Terrestrial Orchids – Les Nesbitt

Les specialises in propagation of our Australian terrestrial orchids from his nursery in the Adelaide area, so we are pleased to bring his growing tips to a worldwide audience.  Illustrations are provided of some of the hybrids Les has created with the Thelymitra genus (Sun orchids).

Be Water Wise

Colin Hamilton has written for us some advice on water saving ways, considering the dire straits that some of our major cities are in from continuing drought and their severe water restrictions.  He has collected some advice from around Australia on saving water in general and offers some advice in relation to growing orchids in these conditions.

An Orchid By Any Other Name  Would Smell as Sweet – Part 5

Gary Yong Gee continues his series on species orchids, based on his lecture at the 16^th Australian Orchid Conference held in Adelaide in 2003.  This month he has chosen the Dendrobiinae group and their recent splits, including Dockrillia.  This is accompanied by 21 excellent photographs.

Book Review – ABC Gardening Australia: Flora’s Orchids

Colin Jennings reviews this new book from the very popular ABC television programme “Gardening Australia”.  It contains a wealth of information on over 1500 species and over 1300 photographs.

Townsville Orchid Society’s New Hall

Few orchid societies are lucky enough to own their own premises, and one is the Townsville Orchid Society.  President, Wal Nicholson, reports on the recent drama of being told they would have to move their old hall from City Council owned land (after 20 years), the trials of finding a new site, and the construction of their new hall, through to its official opening on 17^th July.  The front of the single storey building has two bright murals – one depicting the society’s emblem Phalaenopsis amabilis and the other the Queensland State emblem Dendrobium bigibbum.

An Unusual Dendrobium kingianum

Alan Englert found an unusual mutation of Dendrobium kingianum on the North Coast of NSW back in the late 1980’s.  This form has completely separate petals around the column, independent of the normal petals and sepals.  Illustrations include colour photographs and pen and ink drawings of floral segments.

90 and Still Growing Orchids: Flo Landsberg

Colin Hamilton and Eleanor Dean write of a special celebration for a special member of the Rockhampton Orchid Society – Flo Landsberg – on her 90^th birthday.  Colin interviewed Flo on how she became interested in orchids (the result of a family present for Mother’s Day). Flo has a modest collection as part of her retirement village garden, which regularly takes prizes in the city’s annual garden competition.

Selected Species – Maxillaria sanderiana

This segment by Peter Taylor is eagerly awaited each issue and has been part of Orchids Australia now for 10 years.  Peter’s knowledge of species orchids is extensive and once again this month he outlines the discovery, habitat and growing conditions for his chosen species.  Peter also provides tips on how he grows the orchid.  This month he has chosen the fragrant Maxillaria sanderiana.

 Vale – Joan Male

Joan Male will be remembered as a lovely outgoing lady, orchid grower and judge, and a livewire in the orchid community, especially in SE Queensland as well as her home town of Caboolture.  Sadly missed.

Training Programme for Pencillers

Richard Fishlock writes of a new programme developed in Adelaide to train the ‘pencillers’ or scribes, so important in the execution of show judging. 

Do It Yourself On-line

New Yorker, Iris Cohen, has provided us with her article on how to check out the RHS Orchid Hybrid Registrations on-line, whether you are looking to see if a new hybrid has been named or want to find the parentage of a named hybrid – all in simple language.

 Step Softly: Environmental Stewardship

One of our regular contributors is Marilyn Light from Canada.  This time Marilyn writes a word of caution to us all – take great care when orchid hunting in the wild to avoid trampling those precious terrestrial orchids.

 Walking the Wimmera: August 2005

Orchid hunter and regular contributor, John Richards, provides another story of an excursion into the Wimmera in the winter month of August.  Although a hunter, John only shoots with his camera, and here he provides three photographs of his encounter with the species Pheladenia.