FEBRUARY 2008  (Vol.20- No.1)

FRONT COVER: Cymbidium devonianum - Photo by: John Nicholls

This month's features:

This charming, elfin species from the hot, coastal plain of the state of Bahia in Brazil presents, as Veitch writes; "bold contrasts in colour", and whilenot particularly easy to grow shouold be in the collection of all species enthusiats.

The President’s Word

I hope Christmas was a happy and safe time for all readers. and that 2008 has started well for you all.

Each year brings challenges and 2008 will be no exception. With water restrictions those challenges will include rethinking on water and the way we use this increasingly expensive, and scarce. resource. Here in Tasmania several orchid growers are installing tank to collect the run-off from roof areas, a positive move to use water which would otherwise be wasted, and also a positive movee in reducing the cost of growing orchids.

Rudolf Jenny: The Subtribe Stanhopeinae, a group of weird and beautiful Orchid Genera

The species are difficult to cultivate and to keep alive for a longer time (e.g. Trevoria)

Plants are difficult to find (seldom in nature) and difficult to obtain (CITES regulations)

Plants are difficult to name or to obtain with correct names (e.g. Stanhopea and Gongora)

Plants are unknown to growers

In order to change at least the last of those points, genus shall be introduced with one species in abetical order.

Dr. R.B. Longmore: Orchids as Food and Medicine

While we as orchid growers admire and research orchids from world-wide sources for their beauty and variation and even for the different types of foliage, orchids are also part of the real world for many societies and cultures. They are part of a people's environment and landscape and constitute a resource to be used when appropriate. In any society there are basic needs, which are food, clothing, shelter, the provision of clean water and safe disposal of waste. In addition to these basic needs there are secondary requirements such as medicines for ills, dyes, cosmetics, crafting materials and the like.

Colin Jennings: 20 Years of "Orchids Australia"

Ithis issue of Orchids Australia is the first for our twentieth year of publication.

When I realised the significance of the year I decided to do some research relating to our history. In 1989, Don Gallagher and a small team of helpers in South Australia presented the first issue of Orchids Australia as the official publication of the Australian Orchid Council. At that time we had an associate in each of the states who was responsible for providing newsworthy material from their state's clubs.

The first issue carried fifty two advertisements; the December issue of 2007 carried forty five, including several contra arrangments with overseas orchid societies and publications. It is also worth acknowledging that there are seven of our original advertisers who are currently advertising with us. To them and all our previous and current advertisers we say a sincere thankyou. It is through the contributions of our advertisers that we are able to maintain the annual subscription for Orchids Australia at a competitive rate.

And much more . . .