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1 April 2015 Foundation Date January Thelymitra ixioides Spotted Sun Orchid Postal Address PO Box 411 WOODRIDGE 4114 Queensland Australia Patrons: Logan City Mayor Pam Parker and Graham Oldham President Laurie Baxter Ph Vice President Trevor Cook Ph Secretary Jan McKenzie Ph Treasurer Doug Mogg Ph Ph Committee Members Adrian Bergstrum Ph Myrella Coppus Ph Maree Illingworth Ph Trevor Law Ph Phillip McCallum Ph Pam Price Ph Kurt Raup Web Master Ph Val. Marsden Ph Web Address: Next Monthly Meeting: Tuesday 21st April 2015 Commencing at 7.30pm Logan Central Community Centre Cnr Jacaranda Ave & Wembley Road Logan Central. Next Committee Meeting: Tuesday 5th May 2015 Commencing at 7.30pm Logan Central Community Centre Cnr Jacaranda Ave & Wembley Road Logan Central. Plant Name: Exhibitor: Thrixspermum platystachys John Roberts Housing: Bush house:-70%shade, grows over a bath filled with water for very high humidity, air movement essential, cannot tolerate frosts. Feeding: Fertigator feeding of what is going on the day. Normally weekly in warmer months, monthly in winter. Watering: Tank water once a week on winter mornings, twice or three times a week in the peak of hot weather in the late afternoon. Potting Medium: plant is mounted on cork. Any other Cultural Notes: This Australian species grows from the Johnson River region South West of Innisfail to the Range half way up Cape York. Thrixspermums occur throughout North Australia into Asia and the Pacific Islands. The flowers only last a day, but they flower several times from late Spring through to Autumn. From Orchidwiz ORIGIN/HABITAT: A miniature to small sized, hot growing lowland monopodial epiphyte from Queensland Australia to Papua and New Guinea in lowland forests at elevations of 10 to 460 meters. -- Source: Jay Pfahl's IOSPE at Judges for the April 17th, 2015 Meeting John Roberts, Adrian Bergstrum, Lynda Rapkins and Les Burrow. Work Roster for April 2015 Hall Set-up at 6.30pm Those that can come early. Supper: Val Marsden and

2 Editorial This months Newsletter has most of the usual information. Page 2 has the shows to come, potting supplies and a request from Adrian, the guest speaker for the April meeting is not known at this stage. Page 3 has the Minutes from the March meeting and the Committee Notes for April 7th Page 4 has the Judges Choice for March with Page 5 having the photos of the winning plants. Page 6 has info on the next Cultural Meeting which will be on Orchid diseases and some notes! newsletter had already been printed. Page 9 has Part 1 of a 2 Part article from the American Orchid Society Magazine " #!. Pam has been working on our bus trip which is planed for later in the year, it will be a trip to the Toowoomba Orchid Conference in July, we will keep you informed about this, see her note on the bottom of Page 3. Happy growing and check your plants regularly, watering can be reduced now as the weather cools down, most plants would only need watering approximately every 3 days, as the nights get colder water in the mornings so the plants are damp but not wet by nightfall. Reg COMMITTEE NOTES April, 7th, 2015 The committee discussed arrangements for the upcoming table-top display at the Brisbane Orchid Society Show at Mt Gravatt State School on 18 th and 19th April. Set-up is at 4pm on Friday 17th April. Please contribute flowering plants for the display. Pick-up again on Sunday afternoon. $ # % & ' (! plants for sale as possible. Remember the display. Jan McKenzie POTTING SUPPLIES ORCHIATA Bark is available FROM Ken Martin, Phone Dianna Street UNDERWOOD. It is available in 4 sizes, Small 6-9mm, Medium 9-12mm, Large 12-18mm and Extra Large 18-25mm. The price to LADOS members is $25.00 per 40L bag Coconut Chips are available in 2 sizes, small and large from $11.00 per block. Ken has also taken delivery of Perlite which is now available from him. Adrian has sourced Charcoal in 10L $10 a bag and is available from Ken. When buying a quantity of any product Adrian has requested that you ring him so a suitable supply of stock can be brought to the hall as it makes it possible for other members to purchase product. You can call him Adrian Bergstrum or abergstrum@hotmail.com. It is probably best to call before lunch as Adrian works an afternoon shift at WW bulk store. GUEST SPEAKER FOR THE APRIL MEETING The guest speaker on 21st April is to be a surprise. SHOWS TO COME 16/18 April City of Lismore O. S., Lismore City Library 17/19 April Townsville O. S., Charles St Kirwan. 18/19/April Rockhampton O. S., High School Hall, Campbell St. 18/19 April Ipswich O. S., Silkstone State Primary School Hall. 18/19 April Brisbane O. S., Mt Gravatt State School. 30 April/2 May Caboolture O. S., Morayfield Community Centre. 30 April/2 May Mackay & Dist. O. S., Mt Pleasant Shopping Centre. 30 April/2 May Pine Rivers O. S., Aspley Hypermarket, Aspley. 1/2 May Maclean Dist. O. S., Maclean Bowls Club. 1/3 May Gympie & Dist. O. S., The Pavilion, Gympie Showgrounds. 2 May Redlands O. S., Donald Simpson Centre. 6/8 May Redcliffe Dist. O. S., Redcliffe Library. 7/9 May Gold Coast Dist. O. S., Pines Shopping Centre. 8/9 May Innisfail O. S., venue to be advised 8/9 May Lockyer Valley O. S., Gatton Shire Hall. 8/10 May Bundaberg O. S., Bundaberg Civic Centre. 9 May Pumicestone Dist. O. S., Ningi Hall. 9 May Toowoomba O. S., St Pauls Lutheran Church Hall. 9/10 May Aspley O. S., Com. Hall Edinburgh Castle Rd Wavell Hts. 9/11 May Ballina Dist. O. S., RSL Club Ballina. 19/11 May The Atherton Tableland O. S., Anglican Church Hall Vernon St. 2

3 MINUTES GENERAL MEETING LOGAN & DISTRICT ORCHID SOCIETY INC. 17th March 2015 OPENING President Laurie Baxter opened the meeting at 7.35 pm. WELCOME to all members and visitors. Welcome to our judges :-Gary Yong Gee, John Roberts, Arthur Cornell and Mick Billiau. Stewards for the evening were Gary Kapernick and Bev Pritchard. Scribes for the evening were Olympia Pearce and Glynis Cox. APOLOGIES as per register MINUTES The minutes of the February meeting, published in the Newsletter, were passed on a motion of Norm Roulstone. Seconded Graham Maggs. CORRESPONDENCE INWARDS AND OUTWARDS were accepted on a motion by Jan McKenzie, Seconded Jim Zimmerman. FINANCIAL STATEMENT Treasurer Doug Mogg moved and Ken Martin seconded that a statement showing balances of General Account $12, Investment Acc. $ be accepted and that the following accounts be accepted for payment. R. Illingworth $42.70 Postage. (Full details on file) NEW MEMBERS Ron Jenkins was welcomed to the Society. GENERAL BUSINESS The President, Laurie Baxter, reminded members of the Centro Display and sales, and the need to get behind this. Set-up on Wednesday 7 th May 4pm, Thursday, Friday and Saturday sales. He explained that this is a chance & & ( ) & & ( &! * s Day), but if not put a photo on the plant. $50 booking fee so need to be organised to cover this cost. Brisbane Orchid Society Show, 18 th and 19th April, Mt Gravatt State School Hall. We are doing a display. We need a variety of good flowering plants. Set up is 4pm on Friday 17 th April. Our Members are able to bench some plants as it is an open show. Laurie explained to the members that the committee is looking at ways to improve the use of the library. The Committee will bring the library cupboard out into the hall if membership wants increased use of the library. Pam Price will organise a bus trip to the Toowoomba Conference and Show on Fri 24 th July leaving at 7.30am with a 4pm return. Cost will be $15 each which includes $5 entry to the show. Pam will organise lunch at another venue. This trip is subsidised by the Society. Twenty members have already indicated interest. Thanks you to Pam. TRADE TABLE REPORT Adrian Bergstrum showed the members the new pots that he has ordered in and explained the situation with fertilizers. Members were reminded to check the dates on gift vouchers. Kitchen volunteers for supper in April, Val Marsden and Myra Westphal Scribes for April, Dale Lynch and Alf Filia. +, -., / / 5 6 / /. 8! fertilizers. He said it was a good meeting and that the next meeting is on Easter Saturday, the subject will be pests (of orchids) Guest Speaker for the evening was Kurt Raup who spoke about the Society Website. Thank-you Kurt for all the hard work in developing the website and for delivering an informative talk. 9, : ; < = 0 / : 6 CULTURAL AWARD Rossimlmiltonia (Rsm). San Damiano Star *79% Merv Stewart SPECIAL INTEREST AWARD Thrixspermum platystachys John Roberts LUCKY EXHIBITOR Jan McKenzie POPULAR VOTE Open Epi. porpax Ken Haase Intermediate/Novice Onc. Sharry Baby Kurt Raup RAFFLE was drawn. CLOSURE Meeting closed at 9.30 pm Secretary Jan McKenzie DATE CLAIMER FRIDAY 24 th JULY 2015 BUS TRIP TO THE TOOWOOMBA ORCHID SOCIETY 60 TH BIRTHDAY CONFERENCE AND SHOW COST INCLUDING ENTRY INTO SHOW WILL ONLY BE $15 > OUR SOCIETY WILL SUBSIDISE THE BALANCE. LUNCH AT YOUR EXPENSE WILL BE AT A CLUB OR HOTEL MORE DETAILS IN THE MAY NEWSLETTER Pam 3

4 JUDGES CHOICE RESULTS FOR MARCH, DENDROBIUMS: 1 Den. Jaihan Baxter L 2 Den. Airy Soft Pink Stripe 'Delicate' Mogg D 3 Den. Masako Taki Stewart M 2 CATTLEYAS Over 100mm: 1 Rlc. Mem. Crispin Rosales 'Victory' Mogg D 2 Rlc. Glenn Maidment 'Southern Cross' Baxter L 3 Rlc. Island Charm 'Carmella' x Dream Trader 'Treasure' Haase K 3 CATTLEYAS mm: 1 Unknown Cook T 2 Rlc. Yen Corona 'Green Genii' Maggs G 3 Rlc. Toshie's Magic * Pritchard T & B 4 CATTLEYAS Under 60mm: 1 Rth. Free Spirit 'H & R' Haase K 2 Rth. Sak's Fanfare * Haase K 3. Elusive Dream 'Rose' Haase K 5 CATTLEYAS Novelty or Cluster: 1 Ctt. Deception Drop * Maggs G 2 Ctt. Netrasirl Fireball Maggs G 3 C. Caudebec x Baby Wintergreen Baxter L 6 PAPHIOPEDILUM: 1 Paph. Maudiae 'Sunnybank' x Magic Gem' Tierney M 2 Paph. Edna Ratcliffe Tierney M 3 Paph. Helen Congleton Tierney M 7 VANDACEOUS ALLIANCE Flowers up to 40mm: 1 Van. Pine Rivers 'Pink' Haase K 2 V. Wacharin Ken Haase 3 Van. Mishimo Lime 'Chao Praya' Roulstone N & T 8 VANDACEOUS ALLIANCE Flowers over 40mm: 1 V. Pachara Delight Baxter L 2 Pda. Pure Delight * Mogg D 3 V. Pakchong Blue 'Giant Blue' Mogg D 9 PHALAENOPSIS: 1 Phal. Peter Blue Sky McKenzie J & I 2 Phal. Unknown Coppus M 3 Phal. Unknown Coppus M 10 ONCIDIINAE: 1 Enc. Pacific Paranoia 'Other Side of Cool' Haase K 2 Alcra. Pacific Nova 'Okika' Haase K 3 Gbt. Sweetheart Jonel 'Everglades' Roulstone N & T 11 MISCELLANEOUS LARGE 50mm and over: 1 Bulb. Wilmar Galaxy Star Illingworth R & M 12 MISCELLANEOUS SMALL Under 50mm: 1 Spa. Bill Southwood * Baxter A B C D E E D F 15 AUSTRALIAN NATIVE SPECIES: 1 Den. bigibbum var. superbum Stewart M 2 Liparis condybulbon Coppus M 3 Den. bigibbum Pritchard T & B? G A H I J K L C L B M N O 16 SPECIES EXOTIC SYMPODIAL: 1 Epi. porpax Haase K 2 B. nodosa Pritchard T & B 3 Psp. papilio Haase K 17 SPECIES EXOTIC MONOPODIAL: 1 Aergs. biloba Tierney M 2 Angcm. longicalcar Roberts J N 3 Angcm. leonis 'Her' Roulstone N & T 18 INTERMEDIATE CATTLEYA ALLIANCE: 1 Gur. bowringiana Raup K 2 Ctt. Portiata 'Blue' x Portiata 'Blue Grotto Lynch R & D 3 Lc. Golden Girl Raup K 19 INTERMEDIATE DENDROBIUM ALLIANCE: 1 Den. Topaz Rosie 'Topaz' Lynch R & D 2 Den. antennatum Tierney T 3 Den. Chao Praya Candy x Classic Gem Lynch R & D 20 INTERMEDIATE ANY OTHER GENUS: 1 Onc. Sharry Baby Raup K 2 V. Usha Raup K 3 Brat. Aztec 'Toni' Lynch R & D 21 NOVICE CATTLEYA ALLIANCE: 1 C. Unknown Filia A & K 2 Rth. Burana Beauy 'Burana' Filia A & K 3 Rlc. California Girl 'Orchid Library' Filia A & K 22 NOVICE DENDROBIUM ALLIANCE: 1 Den. Masaku Taki Blue x White Fairy Parry L 2 Den. Burana Stripe Parry L 3 Den. Sakura Kehoe A 23 NOVICE ANY OTHER GENUS: 1 Rnc. Pacific Paranoia 'Other Side of Cool' Filia A & K 2 Phrag. longifolium Parry L 3 Brsdm. Golden Gamine 'White Knight' Parry L Cultural Award Rossimlmiltonia (Rsm). San Damiano Star * 79% Merv Stewart Special Interest Plant of the Month Thrixspermum platystachys Popular VoteP Epi. porpax Open John Roberts Ken Haase 13 AUSTRALIAN NATIVE HYBRID DENDRONBIUM: 1 Den. Pearl Vera Illingworth R & M Popular VoteP Novice & Intermediate Onc. Sharry Baby Kurt Raup CORRECTION TO PLANT TAGS Would all Members who will bench orchids at any future meetings, please change their plant tags as necessary, so that we do not have to do these alterations continuously. Changes are marked with * Tabling Statistics: 123 Plants Benched by 21 Members 4

5 1. Dendrobium 1 st. Den. Jaihan Baxter L 2. Cattleyas Q Over 100mm 1 st. Rlc. Mem. Crispin Rosales 'Victory' Mogg D 3. Cattleyas Q 60mm to 100mm 1 st. Unknown Cook T 4. CATTLEYA Under 60mm 1 st. Rth. Free Spirit 'H & R' Haase K 5. Cattleyas Q Novelty or Cluster 1 st.ctt. Deception Drop * Maggs G 6. Paphiopedilum 1 st. Paph. Maudiae 'Sunnybank' x Magic Gem Tierney M 7. Vandaceous Alliance Flowers up to 40mm 1 st. Van. Pine Rivers 'Pink' Haase K 8. Vandaceous Alliance Flowers over 40mm: 1 st. V. Pachara Delight Baxter L 9. Phalaenopsis 1 st. Phal. Peter Blue Sky McKenzie J & I 10. Oncidiinae 1 st. Enc. Pacific Paranoia 'Other Side of Cool' Haase K 11. Miscellaneous Large Q 50mm and over 1 st. Bulb. Wilmar Galaxy Star Illingworth R & M 12. MISCELLANEOUS SMALL Under 50mm: 1 st. Spa. Bill Southwood * Baxter L 13. Australian Native Hybrid Dendrobiums 1 st. Den. Pearl Vera Illingworth R & M 15. Australian Native Species 1 st. RDen. S T U V Wbigibbum X X W Y var. superbum Stewart M 16. Species Q Exotic Sympodial 1 st. Epi. porpax Haase K 17. Species Q Exotic Monopodial 1 st. Aergs. biloba Tierney M 18. Intermediate Q Cattleya Alliance 1 st. Gur. bowringiana Raup K 19. Intermediate Dendrobium Alliance: 1 st. Den. Topaz Rosie 'Topaz' Lynch R & D 20. Intermediate Q Any Other Genus 1 st. Onc. Sharry Baby Raup K 21. Novice Cattleya Alliance: 1 st. C. Unknown Filia A & K 22 NOVICE Dendrobium Alliance: 1 st. Den. Masaku Taki Blue x White Fairy Parry L 23. Novice Any Other Genus: 1 st. Rnc. Pacific Paranoia 'Other Side of Cool' Filia A & K 5

6 MIRIAM ANN ORCHIDS NEWSLETTER MAY 2015 TECH PAGE. In the last issue of these notes I mentioned what is alkaline hydrolysis. A large number of commonly used pesticides, other than those formulated for ULV applications are decomposed quite rapidly in alkaline water. This decomposition is called alkaline hydrolysis. Many chemicals are affected in this way. In Australia, the majority of water mixed with pesticides is alkaline, and therefore decomposition can proceed at a rate rapid enough to affect the degree of control obtained. Nufarm Ltd have U-700 that has been formulated to help control this problem. Most pesticides will be stable within a p.h range of 4.5 to 7.0. Check water to see if the p.h is below p.h 7 BEFORE mixing the chemical in it. Add U-700 to reduce the p.h. Then add the chemical. Which chemicals are affected? Below is a short list of some chemicals that are affected. GLYPHOSATE (Round Up) - Performs best at ph 4 DIPEL Incompatible in high alkaline water CARBARYL ph 6 = 150 days ph 8 2 days ROGOR ph 2 = 21 hours, ph 9 = 48 minutes MALATHION keep below ph7 For example a spray of ROGOR will lose half its activity in 48 minutes at a water ph of 9!! For orchid growers the use of ROVRAL is very sensitive to high ph of spray water. I hope this enlightens you. PRIMABUFF BB5 does the same thing! NEWS FROM THE PAST. Over time many orchid brews get changed, or the recipe had a change when written down. One of these special brews is DENTS COMPOST. The other day I was browsing in a back issue of the Parramatta and District Orchid News, in fact it was the January 1971, volume 7 No 1. Believe it or not I was President and Editor then I then came across a copy of the Z % $ [ # # [ $ ( $ Z \ 8! Z ] 6 Bags fresh hardwood sawdust 6 Double handfuls of dolomite 6 Double handfuls of Blood and Bone 1 Bag dry poultry manure (could use pellets) mix thoroughly wetting sufficiently to make the whole batch moist, not wet. Store on BARE SOIL. Turn over once a week for 4 ^ 5 weeks. There after once a fortnight. I ready for use in 4months, not before. The moisture will heat and tend to dry out when turning, add water with a hose to keep mixture moist It will heat up to 140 ^ 160 degrees F (42 ^ 58degreesC). As the conversion of raw wood in the sawdust to make food for the plants is accomplished by Bacteria and Fungi which is evidenced be the heat it develops, it is important the air and moisture is adequate, the mixture should therefore be piled no higher than 30 inches. When potting add a handful of fine bone dust to a bucket of compost. This is important. When potting allow plenty of room for future growth. DO NOT LOOSELY PACK, compost should be as firmly as possible, use plenty of water all year round, never let dry out. Pot every year as the plants! ] ] [ ( $ & _ Z ` # Nursery would have seen the piles of made up DENTS there! ALAN & MIRIAM MERRIMAN MIRIAM ANN ORCHIDS 89 Levy Street, GLENBROOK NSW 2773 PHONE FAX MOBLE mirannorchids@pnc.com.au The Logan and District Orchid Society Inc. Saturday Cultural Information Meeting Invitation to all Logan & District Orchid Society Inc. members to attend the meeting of the The Logan and District Orchid Society Saturday Cultural Information Meeting, at 51 Lionheart Street, Forestdale 4118 The meeting will be at 9.30 am on Saturday the 2nd of May 2015 The topic for the May meeting is Orchid Diseases. Please bring along any problem plants or a plant in need of a repot and if time permits we can discuss these problems and repotting methods. As with previous meetings it would be appreciated if you would contribute $1.00 towards the cost of photocopying. Our phone number is: Our address is: 51 Lionheart Street Forestdale 4118 Maree and Reg are looking forward to seeing you on the 1st Saturday in May. 6

7 Some Plants Tabled at the February Meeting Cattleya Over 100mm featured a plant with eye-catching a b c c d e c f g a g b g h i j k f c l d m g h k j n j h o p c q r p s o t e e j r d j h o e were not overly broard, a filled in shape none-the-less l j e q b o j k u v p j a j e o w i g h j x y b g s h o p j a b c c d t e i c b c q l z g e being somewhere between apple and lime green. Lip shape complimented the overall flower form and featured goffered yellow mid-lobe edging backed by purple to the bases with veining of a similar tone receding to basal region and inner area of side lobes creating two eyes; these segments enveloped the columns in common with most Cattleyas, the exterior of the tubes thus created was brushed a reddish tone. c b k j h j b b j } ~ j d c h p s f f c h t x The plant was named Rlc. { Rlc. Magic Colors x Rlc. Norma Briscoe. On the label each grex of the crossing was designated as being Brassolaelaecattleya (Blc.) and generally those branded as such will prove to be Rhyncolaeliacattleya (Rlc.). c z j n j l e c d j ~ g j b s g e z j l h t o o l g h e f j l l j k o c o p j g o o b j g genus and with Guarianthe, for example being split from it, any registrations before the changes need to be checked; if unsure I endeavour to verify if title entered on label is what the grex still should bear. When doing the r l j x i p j i o p l c q r p o p j ƒ u u u g o g a g e j c h } g r s i c b c q l e t m g y y b s h r o p j h r b s e p e y j b b s h r ˆ g e w o p c q r p o s o z g e c h o p j b g a j b m q e s h r } c b c q l e t z s o p o p j } q t r c o h c result, a corrective search revealed the American form of spelling. This grex, incidently, was registered by a Japanese nursery in Cattleya Under 60mm presented a Rth. (Pot.) Free Spirit } Š ƒ t i g l l s h r g e s h r b j a b c c d y b q e c h j a q k m f b c z j l colour was totally yellow, the flat bloom of pleasing shape and like the aforementioned the segments were, though not broard, of good form; their other common factor being that each is deserving of its growing space. w h s e i j b b g h j c q e z g e g r c h s e s g h c e q l j } Œ b q j g o j l g s b s h r t i g l l s h r o z c e y s j e j g i p z s o p f c q l a b c c d e g h k c h j a q k m o p j f b c z j l e t y g b j a g e j o c h j z g e a l q e p j k a b q s e p o c the tepal tips, the lips were dark inkish blue to their bases with lines of this colour radiating into the forward edges that were washed and spotted paler bluish tones. A Dendrobium Juleen High (Den. johannis x Den. lasianthera), had four spikes of from fourteen to eighteen blooms respectively, the spiralled tepal segments all showed a reasonably equal degree of twisting, the flowers were of a bluish tone and were nicely displayed upright spikes. In Species Sympodial two Dendrochilums were tabled, the most floriferous was a Ddc. micranthum which appeared to be of the shorter growing type and boasted in excess of twenty spikes. The flowers, when one looks down the spikes, are almost hidden due to the hooded effect of their bracts and were of a pale somewhat lemon tone, signalling that they were probably just opening. Although the buds of my clones are darker on opening than those of the plant tabled, one must allow for differing cultural conditions and just as importantly clonal variations. I have the taller growing type which opens the same in colour as the shorter form, but shows a distinct tan colour over the more orange colouration of the other. The darkening of colour seems to me to become more intense with age. The other plant looked very much like the Ddc. micranthum flowerwise, blooms perhaps a little more spaced on their spikes, and was labelled Ddc. uncatum. Ddc. micranthum was once known as Ddc. magnum, and some treat it as a variety of Ddc. latifolium. Would appreciate any member with information regarding the correct nomenclatural status of this species making it available. Bulb. carunculatum a sequential bloomer, had a single bloom with bold yellow ventrals, the dorsal and petals being slightly paler with fine longitudinal stripes. The dorsal was only marginally shorter than the ventrals. The red labellum, somewhat terete, tapered to a point and was bent downwards at right angles. Bulb. dearei carried on separate spikes two predominantly yellow blooms, the dorsal sepals were the broadest segments, of a darkish honey-tone they were of a hooded form that covered the column and petals and were heavily covered with fine spotting while the ventrals each carried a red stripe to their mid-lines. Paphiopedilum Dragontale a plain leaved type whose a b c c d e t k l c c y s h r y j o g b e z j l j d g l j k b e y s l g b b j k o p l c q r p their full length, apart from lips segments were predominantly yellow-green, sepals had vertical brown stripes with petal bases spotted this tone for more than half their length, these spots becoming smaller over the darker tips. Pouches were more creamy to bases and tips with upper portion brushed and finely veined a mahogany tone. Brs. ƒ j x } p c s i j t p g k g e b s r p o b g l i p j k e y s j i g l l s h r o j h blooms with yellow-green tepals each with several dark spots and bars to their bases, the more cream than green lips had broad tips that were more finely spotted than other segments. Another Brassia showing the spidery form of the Brs. Rex just mentioned was Brs. Mem Fritz Boedecker with fourteen blooms on a reasonable length of arching spike, blooms e s d s b g l d paler g l s h green r e o c and o p j } of ƒ j narrower x t a q o e p c segments, z s h r g d g but l j not k dis- Brs. verrucosa influence. I checked the breeding of this clone out of curiosity to find it to be Brs. (arauigera x Rex). Now Rex is Brd. verrucosa x gireoudiana g h k w i g h t o l j i g b b g i b c h j c f Brs. Rex showing marked Brs. verrucosa characteristics so this latter species must be dominant, it would appear, to the Brassia arcuigera (Syn. longissima z p s i p } Ž l s o t z g e registered under). 7

8 ¼ Some Plants Tabled At The March Meeting Species Monopodial featured an Aerangis biloba with a pendulous spike of six pure white blooms plus six buds. With this species the apical bloom opens first with the balance opening in succession towards the spike base; these blooms have the spurs or long nectaries (in relation to flower size) common to the angraecoid types. The leaves had cleft, or bilobe tips and I hereby quote the author, Isobyl la Croix, of the book Aerangis, which š š œ ž Ÿ œ š Ÿ š š š Angnraceum bilobum in 1840 from a plant collection in Ghana, and Schlecter transferred it to Aerangis in The epithet bilobum must refer to the bilobed tips of the leaves a feature common to all species of aerangis, but few were ª š «The biloba displayed at our meeting was growing (seemingly quite happily) on a length of tree stem or branch with bark attached; this was a piece of callistemon its owner informed me. An Angcm. leonis presented three white flowers from two spikes, interestingly the spurs of these blooms are of an (inverted) u-shape; the leaves are gently curved in a shallow accent style. This is one of the smaller growing Angraecums. Representing the other end of the size spectrum of Angraceums to the previously mentioned plant was Angcm. longicalcar which carried seven blooms and two buds on a long straight spike which was presented at a bold angle, these flowers had green tepals and white lips and quite long spurs. As most months I make copies of my articles, I was able to ascertain that when tabled in March last year this š ± ž Ÿ ² š ³ š ² š ª µ š ² ² time that its clean foliage and general good culture was an example of how orchids, not just angraecums, should be grown and displayed, that still holds true for this season. In Novice Any Other Genus was a Rhynchonia Pacific š ¹ º š ²» ž the generic title of Odontonia (Odtna.), more on this later. It carried five blooms and one bud on a spike of adequate length in relation to plant size, their lips were purple while the tepals had pale brown spotting that was muted by an overlay of pale green and edged lavender, this effect showing through to the rear thereof, and having full length green central stripes. A couple of plants of this clone were tabled in Oncidiinae, these were larger plants hence each carried more flowers; however, I noticed with one in particular that although some lips had rounded tips, as with the novice plant, those of other flowers were noticeably pointed, these blooms were on the same spike. These latter plants were also labelled as Odontonias and as Odontoglossum is no longer a valid genus, with most being sunk on Oncidium, I thought it would probably be a Miltonidium, but the R.H.S. check proved it to be a Rhynchonia (Rnc.). The Rhyncostele parent was the former Odm. bictoniense, now Rst. bictoniensis. It was š š ³ ¹ ³ ž š º š ² Orchid hybrids addendum but had transferred to Rhynchostele for the edition; this grex was registered in 2004, so the information of its being of the Rhynchosia (hybrid) genus was available from then on so propagators would have been able to embrace correct nomenclature and avoid confusion among their customers, particularly novices. In Dendrobium section a Den œ œ ž š º presented four spikes, and while three were fairly short with only a few blooms open, the main and most floriferous spike, which was of a slightly arching habit, carried nineteen blooms and two buds, the majority of which were well presented. Their colouration was predominantly a pale cream-green, the lip bases were of a wine tone and the tepal bases were lightly brushed this colour. An upright spike with seventeen blooms (plus four š Ÿ º ² š ª º š ½ š ž buds) on Den. ¼ in a very good display. The blooms perhaps were not of ² ž ² ³ š š to meeting in the dorsal centres, this can often though, ² be preferable (pers. opinion) to heavy overlapping. The ž š -pink with striping and veining in darker tones while the lip throats ž ž ³ ± ² these two dendrobiums. A Bulb. Wilmar Galaxy Star produced from the bulb bases five lengthy spikes each carrying (typically) a single bloom, each a predominantly yellow tone spotted and striped red more heavily spotted to reverse of dorsal sepal, ventrals brushed red longitudinally, lips brownish with recurred tips. This primary hybrid appears to be more influenced by its Bulb. dearei parent, an example of which was tabled at last months meeting. A Cyc. Brown Passion had three inverted or non¾ resupinate blooms of a green base tone spotted all over reddish reddish brown, lips white, with red flushing to their tips, the balance of mid-lobes flushed with minute spots of this colour. Oncidiinae featured an Aliceara š ² š ¹ ª š ª with three spikes one with buds only, others with nine and ten predominantly yellow blooms, tepals were blotched and spotted brown, the lips being a brighter yellow tone each with a couple of spots to their bases around the lamellae. 8

9 ì í î ï ð ñ ò í ó ô õ ñ Roots!Ú Û Ü Ý Þ Ú ß à à ß á â ã ä ß à ß å æ ç è ä é ê Û ë Þ æ æ Û Ú ß à à ß á IF THERE IS only one thing that you need to know to successfully grow orchids, it is that orchid roots are different from the roots on your other houseplants. The orchid root consists of an inside core (cortex) that is very tough and carries nourishment and an outside covering (velamen) that is a sponge like material that absorbs water, fertilizer and oxygen. Healthy root tips are bright green (and sometimes red). The longer the green portion, the faster the root is growing. Sue Bottom FUNCTION OF ORCHID ROOTS Many orchids are epiphytes, meaning they grow on trees, where the roots attach the plant securely, search out nutrition and absorb dew and rainfall, among other things. À Á Â Ã Ä Å Æ Ç Ä È É Ä Å Ê Ë Ì Ê Ç Ä Ë Í Î Ï Ð Ê Ð Ð Ï Í Ñ È Î Ì Ç É Ä Å Ê Ë Ì Ò Å Ó Ñ Ê Ó Ì Ô Í Ï Ñ Ì Ð Ê Õ Ä Å Ñ Ó Ì Ì Ï Ç Ö Ç Ì È Ë Ä Ä Ñ Ó Ê Ó Ó Ì Ì Ï Ç Ö Ê Ç Ì È Õ Å Ð Ä Ë Ø Ï Ç Ö Ù Absorb Water When dry, orchid roots are white but they should quickly turn green when they are watered. When wet, the velamen acts like a sponge, swelling up with water to be absorbed later by the plant. When dry, it acts as an impermeable barrier to prevent water loss from the plant. Attach to Substrate Although aerial roots can also take up water and nutrients, their primary purpose is to keep the orchid attached to its surface. Aerial roots, once attached, may become flattened to provide more attachment surface area. The roots cling to any substrate so well that at times it can be very difficult to remove these clinging roots from whatever they are attached to. There is more velamen on aerial roots and they are adapted to the cyclical drenching and drying of intermittent rainstorms. These roots will become soft and green when they have been continually wet for 10 minutes or so, only then will they absorb water. Gas Exchange One very important function of epiphytic roots is the exchange of gases, mostly to take in oxygen and expel carbon dioxide, so they enjoy being exposed to moving fresh air. Most orchids can't be grown in potting soil. Special highporosity potting mixes have been developed to ensure there is sufficient air around the roots. Photosynthesis Another job for some roots is to photosynthesize, which is why you often see orchids grown in translucent pots. There are some orchid species that do not have leaves, but obtain their energy solely from chlorophyll in their roots. Temporary Storage Many roots also provide temporary storage for food and water. REPOTTING New orchid growers are often terrified of the prospect of dividing and repotting orchids. Without some friendly assistance, new growers will often leave plants in the same potting mix long after that mix has degraded, so the plants lose their roots and struggle to survive. Potting orchids in a good mix at the proper time will help ensure their survival and your self-confidence in growing orchids. The best time to repot your orchid is when new roots are just emerging because the plant will become acclimated the most quickly at this time. If you're careful, you can repot when new roots are 1/4-1/2 inch (about 6-12 mm) long. These new roots can be easily broken during the repotting process and when damaged, they will not regrow, so if they're longer than 1 /2 inch (12 mm), wait until they are 4 inches (10 cm) long or more before repotting. It these longer roots are broken during repotting, they'll branch and continue to grow. Root growth for some orchid species is almost impossible to initiate except at very specific times in the growth cycle. Some bifoliate Cattleya species only put out a very small number of roots in a given year and if these are damaged or destroyed, there will be no regrowth until the following year at the same time. Bifoliate cattleyas should only be repotted when new roots emerge from the new growth. Taming Aerial Roots When you have a plant that has its aerial roots hanging outside the pot, the roots do not respond well to being placed inside the pot and covered with growing mix. It is better to place these roots in a bulb pot with a few large chunks of lava rock and after the roots begin to branch, add additional potting mix a little bit at a time. Change in Potting Mix Orchid roots become accustomed to their growing environment. When there is a substantial change in this environment, the plant has to grow a different set of roots acclimated to the new conditions. The roots of an orchid that has been mounted or grown in a coarse medium tend to be hard and resistant to drying, unlike the fat, soft roots found in a sphagnum moss, peat or other water-retentive mixture. Roots on plants grown in sphagnum will not easily adapt to epiphyte-like conditions, nor will roots grown in a coarse, dry medium adapt to sphagnum moss. Roots of both will die if there is a radical change in the type of medium, although new roots will grow and establish in any medium. ö ø ù ú û ü ý þ ø ù ÿ þ ö ü ö 9