Orchids - The Orchid Society of Great Britain

Transcription

Orchid
Journal
VOLUME 60 No 3 August - September - October 2011
Society of Great Britain
60
years
1951
2011
The Orchid Society of Great Britain
Registered Charity No. 261273
Officers of the Society
www.orchid-society-gb.org.uk
Committee Members
#President: Dr Henry Oakeley
77 Copers Cope Road, Beckenham, Kent, BR3 1NR
tel: 020 8658 0358
e-mail: [email protected]
Mr Marc Harris
7 Bandon Rise, Wallington, Surrey, SM6 8PT
tel: 020 8647 7434
Vice Presidents: Mrs B Arnold, Mrs J Kelleher, Mr T
Lewis, Dr E Watson
Editor: Lady Samantha Hurley
17 Veronica Road, London, SW17 8QL
tel: 020 8673 7751 mob: 07900 250247
#*Chairman: Mr Roy White
30 Acorn Grove, Ruislip Gardens, Middlesex, HA4 6LP
tel: 01895 632689 mob: 07980 630235
#Secretary: Mrs Val Micklewright
103 North Road, Three Bridges, Crawley,
West Sussex, RH10 1SQ
tel: 01293 528615
#Treasurer: Mrs Sally Mill
82 Hazelwick Road, Three Bridges,
West Sussex, RH10 1NH
tel: 01293 547896
#Membership Secretary: Mr Walter Lefley
39 Hainault Road, Romford, Essex, RM5 3AA
tel: 01708 788389
Programme Secretary: Position vacant
#Displays Manager: Miss Valerie Pugh
4 Reynard Close, Horsham, West Sussex, RH12 4GX
tel: 01403 251176
Librarian: Mr Derek Belcher
7 Derby Road, Cheam, Sutton, Surrey, SM1 2BL
tel: 020 8715 3635
Chair Judging: Mrs Dusha Hayes
62 Link Lane, Wallington, Surrey, SM6 9DZ
tel: 020 8647 8496
Sponsorship Secretary: Miss Mary-Jane Hawkins
mob: 07905 527089
170 • OSGBJ 2011, 60(3)
Mrs Diana Neophytou
Downland, 25 Blenheim Road, London SW20 9BA
tel: 020 8542 4335
Mr Francis J Quesada-Pallares
50 Fir Tree Gardens, Shirley, Croydon, Surrey, CR0 8JQ
tel: 020 8777 2904
Advertising Secretary: Mrs Kim Solomon
31 Burghley House, Somerset Road, Wimbledon,
London, SW19 5JB
tel: 020 8946 4410 mob: 07717 222403
#Trustees of the Society
*Representatives to British Orchid Council
The Journal (ISSN 0306-2996)
Editor: Lady Samantha Hurley
17 Veronica Road, London, SW17 8QL
tel: 020 8673 7751 mob: 07900 250247
Layout & typesetting: Smallfish Designs Ltd
Printed by: Impress Print Services Ltd
The Journal is printed on paper
with a certified Chain of Custody
for wood fibre. At least 70% of
the fibre originates from certified
sustainably managed forests.
Editor’s notes
The display team
produced yet another
inspiring orchid
wonderland at the
Chelsea Flower Show,
winning a Silver-Gilt
medal. Many
congratulations to
everyone who had a
hand in this year’s display, in particular James
Green, who worked tirelessly despite an
increasingly bad back. Only a month later, Val
Micklewright and her team’s diamond-themed
display at Peterborough won a Silver medal.
At the AGM the Society thanked Iona Macphie
who stood down as Programme Secretary, Betty
Barber and André Roux, who completed their
three years as Committee Members, and
welcomed Marc Harris and Diana Neophytou
who were elected to the Committee.
We are delighted that the Hinckley & District
Orchid Society, the Suffolk Orchid Society and the
Orchid Society of the Southern Cape have
become affiliated and we look forward to
working with them.
I am grateful to Andy Easton, Chris Barker and
Andrew Stevens for their contributions to this
issue. Perhaps they will inspire others to write.
My thanks to Andy Easton for pointing out an
error in the last issue (OSGBJ (2011), 60(2): 146);
the photograph labelled Colmanara Wild Cat is,
of course, Beallara Marfitch ‘Howard’s Dream’.
Welcome to our new members who joined the
Society at Chelsea this year; we hope to see you
at the Introductory Seminar on 6 August and at
meetings throughout the year.
The copy deadline for the next issue is
10 September 2011.
Contents
Officers of the Society .................................................... 170
Editor’s Notes ..................................................................... 171
Letter from the President, Henry Oakeley ............... 172
Letter from the Editor, Sam Hurley ............................ 181
The decline of decorative cymbidiums
by Andy Easton ................................................................. 182
Durham Orchid Show − report ................................... 186
Malaysia and Singapore: more orchid hunting
by Chris Barker .................................................................. 192
OSGB Spring Show − report ......................................... 197
Chantelle Orchids by Sam Hurley .............................. 204
Orchid growing in Riga, Latvia
by Andrew Stevens .......................................................... 207
OSGB Autumn Programme .......................................... 208
Note from the Librarian ................................................. 208
Trip to Peru and Ecuador – details ............................. 209
15th European Orchid Congress,
Budapest – details ........................................................... 209
Napier Hall Meetings:
April report by Michael McIllmurray ................... 212
May report by Iona Macphie ................................... 216
June report by Mary-Jane Hawkins ...................... 222
Table Show report by André Roux ........................ 227
The RHS Orchid Committee Awards ......................... 238
Trophies awarded at the AGM ..................................... 242
Advertisements ................................................................ 243
Services to Members:
Meetings, Cultural Advice, Website, Library,
Displays .......................................................................... 250
Show Diary ......................................................................... 251
Photos by Henry Oakeley unless otherwise stated
Front Cover: Phalaenopsis tetraspis, a species
from northwest Sumatra, shown at Napier Hall
by David Martin in June 2011
Back Cover: Restrepia brachypus (previously
Restrepia striata), a species from the Andean
regions of South America, shown at Durham
Orchid Show in April 2011
OSGBJ 2011, 60(3) • 171
Letter from the President
Henry Oakeley
Chelsea Flower Show – Silver
Gilt Medal
Once again the OSGB exhibited at the
Chelsea Flower Show in May, producing a
landscaped vista of lake, waterfall, stream,
cave, and ancient mine, planted with orchids
in a naturalistic style.
Our Sponsors – Sri Lanka
Tourism
We are hugely grateful to our sponsors for
their financial assistance, but especially for
their kindness and ‘always willing to help’
attitude. Two young women in Sri Lankan
national dress gave out leaflets all week for
visitors to complete – indicating which
orchid was their favourite. One thousand five
hundred leaflets were completed, and one
was pulled out of a hat at the AGM to give
the lucky couple a holiday for two in Sri
Lanka. Sanjika Perera and Nabeel Sharif from
the Sri Lankan Tourism office worked hard for
us, and we are most grateful.
Fitting in the fibreglass replica of the Sigiriya
fortress and lions’ feet sculptures, provided
by our sponsors, at the very last minute, was
a difficult task and did not come off very
well, but we tried. However, the Sri Lankan
High Commissioner and his wife came to the
exhibit, and were so nostalgic over the
replica fortress that they took it home at the
end of the show.
This was our 52nd Chelsea, and we have now
equalled the record set by Burnham
Nurseries. We may well do another one....
Sponsors of our Chelsea exhibit, Sri Lankan Tourism (Nalin Perera, Sanjika Perera, piper, Nabeel Shariff, Vinura Perera)
The waterfall cascaded down between slate scree and a mossy bank on
which grew Stenoglottis and Dactylorhiza
OSGBJ 2011, 60(3) • 173
Setting up at Chelsea
Few people realise the work that goes on to
make an exhibit look ‘natural’. Two electric
pumps are hidden under the staging to
circulate water through a stream and a
waterfall into a lake; the lake needs a carefully
laid butyl liner with the edges all at the same
level; the cables of 34 miniature halogen, LED
and fluorescent spotlights snake under and
over everything; the mine is constructed of
discarded pallets covered in black cloth and
chicken wire netting, using power drills and a
powerful stapler. Two towers of Phalaenopsis
hybrids are painstakingly created around a
Monstera (Swiss cheese plant), tied on with
duct tape and then mossed up to hide the
pots and tape. Lifting them high onto the top
of the mine is a hazardous business (one
tower snapped, precipitating the creation into
a mass of broken flower stems and the
emergency use of Roy White’s broom handle
to provide reinforcement). Fixing guy lines to
prevent them blowing over in the gales that
were sweeping into the marquee was a job
for James Green who delights in standing on
Heath Robinson structures three metres
above the ground.
One side of the mine is then covered with
cork bark slabs; 30 plastic pots are secured
with two screws in a hopefully artistic
manner to take pots of purple cattleyas;
green sheet moss, ferns and ivy are used to
cover the pots, wired in to the chicken wire
netting underneath. On the other side of the
mine, the lake is filled and checked for leaks;
wire netting caves and artificial slopes are
made and illuminated. Plants are positioned
in groups (nothing is worse than orchids
arranged in rows and columns like a troop of
soldiers); sheets of 5cm builders’ polystyrene
are laid over supports, and holes cut through
to take the pots. Moss and bark chippings are
laid over the polystyrene so the orchids
appear to be growing out of flat ground, all
pots and rims now being invisible. Islands in
the lake are created, and these, with sinuous
tree trunks, are decorated with orchids and
more moss. Black cloth is pinned round the
exhibit base and black dye is poured into the
lake to hide the wrinkles in the liner.
Finishing touches, spraying the moss with
water, hiding the edges of the butyl liner, etc,
are completed and the plant labels – created
on the site by Wally Lefley with Mike
McIllmurray – are placed on sticks and deftly
inserted. Electricity on, check the waterfall is
working and all is ready for judging.
The People
Phalaenopsis towers rose above the display as it began
to take shape (Photo by Sam Hurley)
174 • OSGBJ 2011, 60(3)
The Society is grateful to everyone involved.
Roy White was in charge, celebrating his 79th
birthday during the build-up. James Green
did most of the building and organised the
electrics. Peter White collected plants from
Holland, and Sam Hurley and Alan Smith
drove the van. Valerie Pugh masterminded
the paperwork and members helped to
create and man the stand during the show.
A huge thank you to all including: Alan
Barlow, Jeanette and Kenneth Beaney, Anne
and Derek Belcher, Mary Betts, Mick Boddy,
Mike Buckingham, Paul Crowder, Ian and
Sylvia Christie, Terry Comper, Diogo Correia,
Judy Feasey, Debbie Green, James Green, Pam
and Peter Hall, Marc Harris, Mary-Jane
Hawkins, Penny Hayes, Dusha Hayes, Don
Hays, Sam Hurley, Len Jeffries, Jo Kelleher,
Walter Lefley, Iona Macphie, Trea Martyn,
David Mathers, McBean’s Orchids, Michael
McIllmurray, Derek and Val Micklewright, Sally
Mill, Colin and Pam Millar, David and Helen
Millner, Diana Neophytou, Bernard Opare,
Brenda and Mike Penney, Val Pugh, Francis
Quesada-Pallares, André Roux, Linda Seal,
Philip and Ray Shepherd, Chantelle Shih, Alan
and Wendy Smith, Alan and Kim Solomon,
Trudy Statham, Dave Thurtle, David and
Kathie Trendell, Peter White, Ted Wren and me.
Clare Green and Alex Denman, from the RHS
were wonderful in their understanding and
help in providing tickets; without Robin
Selby’s team to provide the base
construction of the exhibit we would not
have even started. We need a lot of tickets to
man such a large stand and, for the build-up,
we need sufficient to provide for training
members who are new to exhibiting.
Roy White and James Green at Chelsea 2011
The completed display included a mine, waterfall, lake and spot lit orchids in caves
OSGBJ 2011, 60(3) • 175
The plants
Jo Kelleher won the Librarians Cup with 9%
of the popular vote for her Masdevallia
veitchiana, a total of 136 votes, nearly 50%
more than her nearest challenger.
Jo Kelleher’s Masdevallia veitchiana, winner of the
Librarian’s Cup
Chantelle Shih’s Cattleya hybrids did very well
with four of them coming in the top 20 –
garnering a total of 200 votes. It is many,
many, years since we have seen large
flowered cattleyas at Chelsea, and it is
astonishing that they have become so hard
to find in the trade during the past 30 years.
Chantelle is one of our members with a
nursery, specialising in Cattleya which she
imports from her brother’s nursery in Taiwan.
It is always important to have some different
orchids in the exhibit – something visitors
(and judges) have not seen before, or not
often. Chantelle’s cattleyas did this for us this
year. Now that I have given up growing
Lycaste and Ida I will try my hand at cattleyas
again.
The plant which would have won the
connoisseurs’ prize, if there was one, was
Mike Penney’s Epidendrum parkinsonianum,
hanging over the mouth of the cave as it has
done on several occasions before. It was
huge, well flowered and brilliantly grown!
One sad fact which emerges from this
Chelsea is the dwindling number of plants
available from the amateur members of our
Society, an observation that is also reflected
in the table shows at the monthly meetings.
What to do? Your Committee is keen to
continue Chelsea exhibits as they introduce
many new members to the Society and to
orchid growing.
A group of Chantelle Shih’s Rhyncholaeliocattleya
(previously Potinara) Taichung Beauty ‘Rouge Cattle’
176 • OSGBJ 2011, 60(3)
Other orchid exhibits at
Chelsea
McBean’s Orchids had Odontoglossum (now
Oncidium) hybrids in abundance, Cymbidium,
Brassia and Dendrobium on mossy tree pillars,
with Cypripedium in the foreground and
gained a Gold Medal. McBean’s were the only
UK commercial grower to exhibit and the
RHS is lucky to have Liz and Chris Johnson, its
owners, who have the ability, with their staff,
to put up such a splendid display.
The Taiwan Orchid Growers Association
(TOGA) had a white palace, complete with
glass chandeliers. Taiwan is the world leader
in Phalaenopsis hybridising and
meristemming and TOGA were keen to
emphasise their dominance in the
‘windowsill’ market. They won a Gold medal
with an exhibit which was a great
improvement on their display last year.
Epidendrum parkinsonianum above the cave mouth
(Photo by Sam Hurley)
The amateur exhibit (costing some
£200,000+) from Thailand took one’s breath
away for it sheer exuberance. A Thai temple,
McBean’s Orchids displayed a wide variety of Odontoglossum (now Oncidium) hybrids
OSGBJ 2011, 60(3) • 177
The Taiwan Orchid Growers Association produced a white palace full of Phalaenopsis hybrids
A Thai temple made of dried flowers, surrounded by a sea of cut flower orchids
178 • OSGBJ 2011, 60(3)
Yusofara URG ‘Bright Garden’ (Aranthera Beatrice x
Ascocenda Fuchs Gold)
with elephants and fish, made entirely of
dried flowers swam in a sea of cut flower
orchids. It had taken 100 people a whole
month to prepare it in Thailand. Shipped to
Chelsea in boxes, it was reassembled by a
team of dedicated workers; a truly wonderful
confection! A Gold medal, of course.
RHS Awards
Not every plant that goes before the RHS
Orchid Committee gains an award, and
sometimes this is because they are so rare
that there is nothing to compare them with,
to assess their quality as superior plants for
exhibition. One such a plant at Chelsea was
an unregistered hybrid between Aranthera
Beatrice x Ascocenda Fuchs Gold which
contains four different orchid genera
(Arachnis, Ascocentrum, Renanthera and
Vanda) known as a Yusofara. When an orchid
contains four or more genera in its make-up,
the hybrid genus (a ‘nothogenus’) is given a
name, preferably after someone involved
with its breeding, with the suffix –ara. Syed
Yusof Alsagoff is a distinguished orchid
Syed Yusof Alsagoff, distinguished Singaporean orchid
breeder
hybridiser from Singapore and this beautiful
plant, named after him, has a striking,
luminous gold colour. (Ed: URG stands for
‘unregistered grex’ and indicates an
unregistered hybrid name.)
The genocide of names: the
burial of Odontoglossum and
all its extended family
The genus Odontoglossum has been merged
with Oncidium and while many of us think it
easy to tell them apart, not all oncidiums are
yellow dancing ladies. Despite objections to
the DNA studies which concluded that they
were inseparable, the RHS has now also
accepted the work published in Genera
Orchidacearum (Volume 5) in respect of its
use in the hybrid register. So, all our
Odontoglossum hybrids are now Oncidium
hybrids. Nobody in the amateur orchid
growing world has ever heard of Oncidium
crispum (described in 1833, now renamed
Gomesa imperatoris-maximiliani), but
because Onc. crispum was named before
OSGBJ 2011, 60(3) • 179
Odontoglossum crispum (in 1845), we cannot
retain any part of the latter name. Those
wonderful plants that stirred the avidity and
passion of late Victorian and Edwardian
collectors, paying a thousand pounds for a
single plant, are no more, but obscurely
relegated to Oncidium alexandrae. Sic transit
gloria (meaning ‘thus glory passes’ and not
referring to the travel sickness of a lady
called Gloria). Objectors should write to the
Nomenclature Committees of the
International Code on Botanical
Nomenclature, not to me. However there is no legal obligation to
accept the new names and if we wish to
continue to use the old name (or new
synonym) we are perfectly entitled to do so.
All the established intergeneric hybrids –
nothogenera – of Odontoglossum (there are
95) will be replaced so our friends –
Odontoglossum crispum is now to be called Oncidium
alexandrae
180 • OSGBJ 2011, 60(3)
Stewartara (Joyce Stewart), Maunderara
(Cedric Maunder), Withnerara (Carl Withner),
Sanderara (one of the Sanders orchid
growing family), Vuylstekeara (Charles
Vuylsteke), Andreettara (Padre Andreetta),
Humboldtara (Alexander von Humboldt) etc
– as well as the easier ones to remember
such as Odontonia, Odontobrassia and
Odontocidium, are no more. When the Orchid
Registrar replaced all the nothogenera
named after Singaporean growers with
unrelated persons, on the separation of
Paraphalaenopsis from Phalaenopsis, I did
suggest that the eponymous names might
somehow be conserved by the addition of
some prefix – eg Neostewartara – but
suspect this is another lost cause. The Orchid
Registrar will continue to keep the old and
new names on the RHS hybrid register.
Oncidium bifolium, a typical yellow Oncidium
Letter from the Editor
Sam Hurley
Programme Secretary
On behalf of the Society I should like to offer
our thanks to Iona Macphie who stood down
as Programme Secretary at the AGM in June.
Iona has served the Society in this position
since 2008, having been Sponsorship
Secretary for three years before that. Her
erudite prose has been appearing in the
Journal for even longer.
Iona has arranged the excellent speakers
that we enjoy at the Napier Hall meetings,
reports of which reach all the Society’s
members through the Journal; she has
frequently entertained the speakers in her
home. Iona has been responsible for a
plethora of new ideas and initiatives which
have quickly become part of the OSGB
calendar. She has organised guided walks for
members to see native orchids and
masterminded the Christmas photographic
and art competition. Iona initiated the
introductory seminar for new members each
August, and dealt with all the details that
ensured the success of our Spring and
Autumn Shows. She also introduced the
helpful large-print name badges for us to
wear at meetings, produced all the
information needed by members manning
the displays at Chelsea and a multitude of
other important little details.
Iona was the first person I met when I
arrived at my initial meeting and was
welcoming and encouraging from the start.
Her husband, Norman, has also given
generously of his time; driving vans,
collecting plants for displays and controlling
the PA system. They have been great
supporters of the Society for many years and
we hope they will continue to be so; we have
much to thank them for.
Bulbophyllum medusa, one of the many orchids now
available from the Ooi Leng Sun Orchid Nursery through
Peter White (Photo by Chris Barker)
A notable absence at
Peterborough
Benjamin Ooi’s orchids from the Ooi Leng
Sun Orchid Nursery in Malaysia were sadly
missed by visitors to the Peterborough Show
in June. The plants were unfortunately
delayed by customs and paperwork and were
not cleared until after the show.
The good news is that the plants can now be
purchased from Peter White, tel: 01295 712159,
email: [email protected].
For a full list of plants available visit
www.peterboroughinternationalorchidshow.
org.uk
OSGBJ 2011, 60(3) • 181
The decline of decorative
cymbidiums
Andy Easton
Having just got off the phone with Keith
Andrew after one of our regular Sunday chats
(a quasi-religious experience), I am greatly
encouraged by his comment that the
Bournemouth Orchid Society Spring Show
that he helped judge in February 2011 had the
best crop of cymbidiums he has ever seen.
From the mouth of the master English
hybridizer of my era, no less.
One type of Cymbidium that seems to have
fallen off the radar is the group loosely termed
‘Decoratives’. I do not adhere to the view that
these are just cymbidiums with big arching
spikes but expand it to include all sorts of
sizes, shapes and scents even; with an
unwavering proviso that they must be easy to
grow and flower under a wide range of
conditions. I feel the Cymbidium hobbyist tent
should be big enough to include everyone
Cymbidium lowianum produces durable hybrids
182 • OSGBJ 2011, 60(3)
from windowsill growers to advanced
hobbyists with an attached or free-standing
greenhouse in the garden.
Let’s be democratic and talk about two of the
main decorative types. Any primary
Cymbidium lowianum hybrid will be very
durable, relishing any summer sun even to the
extent of a long sojourn outside on a porch or
similar, while accommodating quite cool night
temperatures in winter providing the medium
is kept on the dry side. The particular hybrid I
have chosen is a failed C. lowianum ‘Pitt’s’
offspring, C. Piñata x C. lowianum; failed in the
sense that the breeder hoped to get some
spotting to pass through from the C. Piñata
parent. But this plant has bloomed with four
arching stems of 23+ flowers in a four litre
(15cm) pot and I note that it has been open for
weeks without losing its intensity of colour.
Cymbidium (Piñata x lowianum) (Photo by Andy Easton)
Cymbidium iansonii has contributed to modern day red cymbidiums (Photo by Andy Easton)
Cymbidium Penny Hanchey (Photo by Andy Easton)
OSGBJ 2011, 60(3) • 183
Cymbidium insigne
Cymbidium Sarah Straub (Photo by Andy Easton)
Cymbidium sinense
Cymbidium eburneum has been used in hybridizing for
over 100 years
184 • OSGBJ 2011, 60(3)
In a proud tradition stretching back to
European hybrids like C. Pauwelsii, anything
with C. lowianum as an immediate parent will
be always be a late spring star.
We have a great interest in C. iansonii hybrids
and do not accept the view of a few that it is
merely a colour form of C. lowianum. One of
the best of our recent hybrids in this type is
C. Penny Hanchey (Sensational Vintage x
iansonii), and the flower is as charming as my
old university teacher it is named for. There is
no doubt that C. iansonii has played a crucial
role in the development of modern day red
cymbidiums but sometimes a return to the
species with a different hybridizing
perspective can be quite rewarding. The
flowers of this hybrid last a very long time and
it is happy in both summer sun and a cool
winter if the medium is not over-watered.
A very new hybrid in a very old style is
C. Sarah Straub. Named for a stewardess
who used to spoil orchid lovers from
California on the old TWA airlines flights
from Los Angeles to London, it is a very
simple fusion dominated by two very
different species, C. insigne and C. sinense. A
percentage of them come out as albino
whites while the majority are sweet pinks, on
tall, self-supporting spikes, with two to three
spikes in 12.5cm pots. With the thin C. insigne
foliage type dominant over the broader
C. sinense leaf, these plants will happily
perform on a windowsill or in a mixed
greenhouse maintained at higher
temperatures than are normally
recommended for cymbidiums.
Finally, an old hybrid that most readers will
however have never seen, is C. Gottianum, the
primary hybrid of C. eburneum and C. insigne
which was registered by Sander’s and first
awarded by the RHS in 1911, exactly a century
ago. The plant shown comes from a diploid
remake of ours dating back to the 1990’s and
it is both compact of habit and rewarding in
its free-blooming character. The plant shown
has four spikes open or out of sheath, tending
more to the C. insigne blooming season with
two short spikes as a bonus around the
normal C. eburneum season, later in spring.
Again we see the compact bulbs that are
typical of both parents with fragrance from C.
eburneum and a concolor lip dominating over
the C. insigne spots. As with both parental
species, the foliage is thin and the plant is an
ideal subject for largely indoor culture with
maybe a month or two outside in midsummer.
Ed: Keith Andrew ran his nursery in Plush,
Dorset in the 1970s, breeding Cymbidium
devonianum hybrids and much else. He still
keeps in touch with Cymbidium hybridisers
around the world.
Cymbidium Gottianum ‘White Dove’ (Photo by Andy
Easton)
OSGBJ 2011, 60(3) • 185
Durham Orchid Show, April 2011
Sam Hurley (Photos by Sam Hurley)
The OSGB was proud to support an orchid
show held at Josephine Butler College,
Durham University, on 10 April. The show
was organised by Chris Barker of the
Darlington & District Orchid Society and
Peter White of the British Orchid Growers’
Association with the help of Durham
University Botanic Garden. Visitors were able
to enjoy everything that the beautiful city of
Durham has to offer, all blessed with
glorious weather and the warmest of
northern welcomes. (Ed: Josephine Butler
College, Durham University is named after
Josephine Butler (1828-1906), a 19th century
British social reformer who played a major
role in improving conditions for women in
education and public health.)
OSGB members from around the country
converged on Durham and many members
from the southeast headed north for the
weekend, on a coach arranged by Val
Micklewright with plants for an OSGB
display. On Saturday morning, members
were given a tour of the Botanic Garden by
head gardener Mike Hughes. The garden is
relatively young, begun in the 1970s on
farmland bought by the university, but now
extends over a 25 acre site which provides a
collection of plants from all over the world
for the purpose of study, research and
education to the university. Housed in part
of the twin-span greenhouse is an orchid
collection tended by Jacqui Robson, a
volunteer Friend of the Botanic Garden.
Most of the plants have been donated to the
collection over time with unknown
provenances. Jacqui and her colleagues are
Durham Cathedral above the River Wear
Chris Barker of the Darlington and District Orchid
Society and the OSGB
Mike Hughes, head gardener of the Durham University
Botanic Garden, and Jacqui Robson, Friend of the Botanic
Garden in charge of the orchid collection
consequently growing a mixed collection,
but favour the vandaceous types and
coelogynes for the simple reason that they
grow well in the existing conditions. As
OSGBJ 2011, 60(3) • 187
many of the plants are un-named, Jacqui has
to wait for them to flower before she can
identify them. However, also housed in the
greenhouse is a case of stick insects
(Phasmatodea). The stick insects are able to
escape from their cabinet and make straight
for the tempting plants nearby, causing
much frustration as flowers, buds and soonto-be-identifiable plants become stick insect
breakfast.
Saturday afternoon was spent setting up the
hall; the many BOGA traders laying out their
wares and the visiting orchid societies
(Cumbria, Darlington & District, North East
Phalaenopsis hybrid damaged by hungry stick insects
OSGB display at the Durham show, winner of a Highly Commended rosette
188 • OSGBJ 2011, 60(3)
Anne Marley’s Dendrobium aphyllum, winner of Best in Show at Durham (Photo by Henry Oakeley)
of England, OSGB and Scottish) creating their
displays. The OSGB’s display was designed by
Alan Smith assisted by Penny Hayes, MaryJane Hawkins, Walter Lefley, Francis
Quesada-Pallares, André Roux and Kim
Solomon while Sally Mill took charge of
registration and judging.
Judging of the table show began early on
Sunday morning, before the free show
opened to the public. There was a steady
stream of visitors throughout the day; trade
was brisk and the lectures by Peter White,
about trends in Paphiopedilum hybridising,
and by Henry Oakeley about orchid hunting
in Peru, were well attended. The Best in
Show went to Dendrobium aphyllum grown
by Anne Marley of the newly affiliated North
East of England Orchid Society.
Robert (Bob) Gowland of the Darlington & District
Orchid Society
OSGBJ 2011, 60(3) • 189
One particular exhibitor, Robert (Bob)
Gowland of the Darlington & District Orchid
Society, made an impression with his
exquisitely and unusually mounted orchids.
His Cattlianthe (previously Slc.) Jewel Box
‘Scheherazade’, a ruby-red hybrid first
registered in 1962, is grown in a shallow pot
on rock, with bark underneath and moss over
its roots.
He mounts some of his orchids on fallen
branches which he collects on his walks. He
gathers live moss where he can and jet
washes it to remove bugs; he then mounts the
plant onto the sterilized branch, placing the
roots beneath, rather than on top of, the moss.
He finds that this makes it easier for the plant
to attach itself to the mount and the
dampened moss helps to keep the roots moist.
Rhynchostele (previously Odontoglossum) bictoniense
mounted on wood with moss covering its roots
Bob’s Gomesa longpipes (previously
Oncidium eurycline) has been growing on a
piece of hollow cork since 2005 and won first
place in its class. He also exhibited, among
others, a delightfully mounted specimen of
Oncidium cheirophorum and Neofinetia
falcata 'Fukiran'. Bob makes his own bespoke
mounts, using one part white cement to five
parts bark, producing pleasing shapes ready
to receive his orchids; his hand-made
wooden display baskets make the mounts
more stable.
Members of BOGA kindly donated orchids
worth £500 to the Botanic Garden. Such was
the success of the show that another is
planned for next year, to include sales,
displays by local orchid societies and a
competitive table show, on 9 September
2012.
Orchids donated to the Durham University Botanic
Garden by members of BOGA
190 • OSGBJ 2011, 60(3)
Cattlianthe (previously Slc.) Jewel Box ‘Scheherazade’ is
grown on rock in a shallow pot by Bob Gowland
Malaysia and Singapore: more
orchid hunting
Chris Barker (Photos by Chris Barker)
Last year I wrote about the Ooi Leng Sun
Orchid Nursery based in Penang (Ed: see
OSGBJ (2010), 59(2): 100), and promised to
write more about looking for orchids in the
wild with Michael and Ben Ooi.
Our first outing was to the island of Langkawi
and the many smaller islands that surround it.
Langkawi is situated a few miles off the
northwest of Malaysia and it is one of the
most popular tourist destinations in Malaysia;
but we were not after sun and sand, we
wanted to see orchids in their natural habitat.
Paphiopedilum niveum growing on a cliff face close to
the high water line
Staurochilus fasciatus (previously Trichoglottis fasciata)
cascading down a rocky cliff face
192 • OSGBJ 2011, 60(3)
On our first day Michael and Ben had
arranged for a friend of a friend to take us out
in a small fishing boat to see some of the
small islands off the coast of Langkawi. Jean
and I sat in the bow of the boat and enjoyed
the fantastic scenery; all the small islands
ahead of us looked like a scene from a James
Bond movie. The whole area is designated as a
national park and within a few minutes we
were stopped by two park rangers in a
speedboat wanting to check what two
English people were doing on a small fishing
boat. Michael had little trouble explaining
that we were two orchid tourists just looking
for orchids to photograph. It was good to
know that the habitat was well patrolled and
the orchids are protected.
The first objective was an island where we
hoped to find Paphiopedilum niveum. Michael
had warned us that we were unlikely to see
them in flower in February; May is the best
time of year. The location looked ridiculous, a
vertical cliff face in full sun for most of the
morning; we were searching just above the
high water line with little sign of any
Cymbidium finlaysonianum growing along the cliff tops
in full sun
vegetation. When our eyes started to tune in
we were delighted to see the leaves of a
P. niveum clinging on to some twigs wedged
on a small ledge. We saw a few more clumps
of P. niveum and then after a few more
minutes we saw a flash of white on the cliff
face, and as the boat edged in closer were
delighted to discover that we had found a
plant in flower. Michael and Ben told us that
had we been there in May the cliff face would
be dotted with these flowers but if we were
to land on the island and climb to the top
where it was covered in denser vegetation, no
P. niveum would be found. They seem to
prefer the harsh conditions of the cliff face.
Jean grows P. niveum in her greenhouse at
home and I came away thinking that she
really needs to turn the heater up by about
10ºC, give the plants full sunlight, (in the UK I
think this means buying some expensive
lights) and throw the occasional bucket of salt
water at them.
We continued to move from island to island
and many had orchids cascading down the
rock faces. On the top of a few islands we saw
very healthy specimens of the warm growing
Cymbidium finlaysonianum growing in full
sunlight, on other cliff faces Staurochilus
fasciatus (previously Trichoglottis fasciata) was
growing down almost to the sea. On another
island we found a Bulbophyllum species that
Michael was unable to name because it was
not in flower. Every island seemed to have its
own colony of orchids but apart from the
Vertiginous cliff faces, home to Paphiopedilum niveum
OSGBJ 2011, 60(3) • 193
Anoectochilus albolineatus flowers
P. niveum none were in flower in February.
However, this did not detract from the
excitement of seeing our first tropical orchids
in situ. We sailed back to the main island
feeling very privileged to have had such an
amazing day.
Our next outing was back on the Malaysian
mainland where we took a narrow twisting
road up Gunung Jerai, a mountain peak
rising to a height of 1,217m in the northern
state of Kedah. The jungle-covered mountain
is renowned for its rare flora and fauna and
is a protected forest reserve. Half way up we
stopped for a short jungle stroll and as we
climbed out of the car we immediately
spotted a plant of P. callosum growing right
by the road side. Michael said that there was
little hope of this plant surviving, once it was
in flower someone would dig it up but that
Anoectochilus albolineatus growing in the jungle leaf
litter
194 • OSGBJ 2011, 60(3)
Dendrobium Margaret Thatcher in the Mandai Orchid Garden
there were many more that would remain
untouched deeper in the jungle. By the time
we had walked 20 paces into the jungle we
were surrounded by trees that were dripping
with orchids, and we identified Bulbophyllum
apodum; Bulb. dayanum; Dendrobium
linguella; Eria thwaitesii (previously Eria
velutina); Podochilus muricatus; Spathoglottis
plicata and more P. callosum; again it was
the wrong time of the year and none of
these were in flower.
In the leaf litter we were also fortunate to
find two jewel orchids, Anoectochilus
albolineatus and Corybas pictus. As well as the
orchids we also saw many examples of the
pitcher plant, Nepenthes albomarginata. It
was a day to remember and we look forward
to a return trip which might coincide with the
flowering season of some of these orchids.
Mokara Chao Praya Boy in the Mandai Orchid Garden
OSGBJ 2011, 60(3) • 195
After our time in Malaysia we travelled south
to Singapore for some simple orchid hunting
in botanical gardens. The Singapore Botanic
Gardens should not be missed by any plant
lover who is planning to go to the WOC in
November; it is here that you will find the
National Orchid Garden. Over seven acres of
skillfully landscaped slopes provide a
beautiful setting for a large range of orchid
species and even more hybrids. I have to
confess that for me one of the highlights of
the visit was the Frangipani (Plumeria). This
time we were there at the right time of the
year and the trees were covered in beautiful,
fragrant flowers.
Also worth a visit is the Mandai Orchid
Garden with a sloping hillside of about five
acres covered in orchids; when visiting this
garden you will need to be a lover of all
things vandaceous, and the very popular
‘antelope’ dendrobiums.
Dendrobium sutiknoi, one of the popular 'antelope'
dendrobiums, so-called because the long upright petals
resemble the horns of an antelope
196 • OSGBJ 2011, 60(3)
In both of these gardens, look out for the
national flower of Singapore, Vanda Miss
Joaquim
If you are still undecided about going to the
WOC in Singapore, then my advice would be
to take the plunge and make it into a holiday
of a lifetime. There is so much to enjoy and
see out there; beautiful scenery, fantastic
plants, exotic food, friendly people and
wonderful hospitality. I have not even
mentioned the delights of sitting in the Long
Bar at the Raffles Hotel sipping your
Singapore Sling; you might need to take out a
bank loan if you plan to have more than one.
The 20th World Orchid Conference will be
held in Singapore, 13–20 November 2011.
For details or to register, visit
www.20woc.com.sg
Vanda Miss Joaquim is the national flower of Singapore
OSGB Spring Show at Wisley,
April 2011
Sam Hurley and Henry Oakeley (Photos by Sam Hurley)
A visit to the Spring Show in The Glasshouse
gallery at RHS Garden Wisley offered the
opportunity to see Wisley as it put on its
spring clothes, the chance to see a large
number of orchids, primped and preened for
showing, and the added pleasure of meeting
members of the OSGB in a location slightly
more exotic than Napier Hall, Westminster.
David McLaughlin, horticulturist in charge of
the Wisley orchid collection, and his team
produced orchid displays with plenty of wow
factor. In the atrium of The Glasshouse,
colour-rich block planting caught the eye:
dendrobiums, miltonias and oncidiums
beneath delicately fringed tree ferns and
RHS Garden Wisley’s colourful orchid display in The
Glasshouse
palms alongside giant woks overflowing with
beallaras, brassias and paphiopedilums.
OSGB members were invited to hear cultural
talks by David and join tours of the growing
houses. The Wisley orchid collection is semieducational and David maintains that plants
must earn their keep; they need to grow
vigorously, look good and represent clear
characteristics of their genus. Members of
the public were welcomed to the show and
encouraged to join the Society. An impressive
specimen of Phaius tankervilleae stood guard
at the entrance to the gallery and many
visitors couldn’t believe that it too, was an
orchid.
Phaius tankervilleae, the first tropical orchid to flower in
the UK in the 18th century
OSGBJ 2011, 60(3) • 197
OSGB Spring Show at Wisley, April 2011
Wessex Orchid Society’s display at the Spring Show
Visitors enjoyed exhibits by Jo Kelleher and
the Wessex Orchid Society as well as the
plants entered for judging. After a long
winter, it was a joy to see so many wellflowered plants on show. They all really
deserve a mention but I am grateful to Henry
Oakeley for describing four of the more
unusual species in detail.
Cleisostoma arietinum is extremely rare in cultivation
(Photo by Henry Oakeley)
198 • OSGBJ 2011, 60(3)
Cleisostoma arietinum
This delightful miniature, grown by Jo
Kelleher, is found from Assam in northern
India, through Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia, and
Thailand (where it is very common) and into
Peninsular Malaysia. There are 92 species in
the genus, and they extend into the Pacific
Islands and Australia but only a few are in
cultivation. Cleisostoma arietinum is barely in
cultivation, only two websites listing it could
be found on the internet and only one picture
– which must almost be a record for Google
which specialises in finding a hundred
thousand websites even for the most obscure
Dipodium scandens (previously Dipodium pandanum) is found in Indonesia, Malaysia and Borneo (Photos by Henry
Oakeley)
of queries. The plants probably enjoy warm
conditions (winter min 15ºC) and light shade
in the summer, but none of my books give any
habitat details at all – although dozens of
other species are well documented.
Cleisostomas are found from sea level to over
1,000m, but always in tropical areas.
In cultivation C. arietinum is grown
epiphytically on a tree fern slab with some
Sphagnum moss, or in a pan, watered well
when growing but drier when at rest; it needs
high humidity at all times. Cleisostoma
parishii, from China and Myanmar, is selfpollinating – which is common in plants at
the extreme edge of their range – but it is
likely that this is not the case for C. arietinum,
growing in the middle of the geographical
distribution of the genus. It has terete leaves –
fleshy, succulent, almost circular in crosssection – as do many monopodial orchids, as a
way of storing water. The flowers may be as
many as 40 on the scape, each 0.5cm across.
Dipodium scandens – a rare species from a
remarkable genus
Ian Wybrow’s plant created much interest
among species enthusiasts, as I do not think
any of us had ever seen it. At first sight it looks
like the African species Ansellia africana, but it
has a most curious hairy lip which is absent in
Ansellia. It was first described by Blume in
1849 as Leopardanthus scandens, the genus
name meaning ‘leopard flowers’ in reference
to its orange colour and spots, scandens
because the full grown plant has tall,
monopodial stems (like vandas) that sweep
downwards when growing epiphytically. It
was rediscovered and named Dipodium
pandanum in 1902 by F M Bailey as the leaves
look like those of a Pandanus, but as it already
had been named ‘scandens’ this was corrected
to Dipodium scandens in 1905 by J J Smith.
Dipodium scandens is the correct name,
‘Dipodium’ referring to the two little stalks
OSGBJ 2011, 60(3) • 199
that connect the pollen masses to the sticky
pad (viscidium) in this genus. It is found in
Indonesia, Malaysia and Borneo, presumably
enjoying the hot humid conditions of these
countries – but this species is so rare that
habitat information is not available from any
of the standard orchid books. There are
around 25 species within the genus,
distributed from China to Australia. They are
remarkable in their evolutionary diversity;
some are terrestrial saprophytes with no
leaves, some are terrestrial with leaves, some
like this species are monopodial in habit, with
perpetually growing stems, covered in leaves,
branching irregularly and producing roots
along the stem. In nature, while potentially D.
scandens could grow up to many metres tall,
climbing up trees from the ground, the base
of the stem gradually loses its leaves and rots,
leaving the top part of the plant as an
epiphyte with its roots clinging to the tree. In
our own European orchids we have genera
such as Neottia that have saprophytic and
non-saprophytic terrestrials (N. nidus-avis, the
Bird’s Nest Orchid and N. ovata, the
Twayblade), but none which also include
monopodial orchids and epiphytes as well.
Cultivation: Grow it like an Arachnis in a hot
greenhouse (min 25ºC) with bright light all
year. Despite their showy flowers and genetic
plasticity there are no hybrids (the RHS hybrid
register lists two natural hybrids D. punctatum
and D. squamatum, but the Kew Monocot list
says the former is a synonym of the latter and
that it is a species).
Ponthieva maculata
We are so used to the shiny stems of the
European terrestrial orchids – and most
tropical ones as well – that a hairy orchid
comes as a bit of a shock. It is a curiosity too
as to its pollination mechanism for instead of
producing nectar, it produces oil which is
200 • OSGBJ 2011, 60(3)
Ian Wybrow's Ponthieva maculata displayed the unusual
hairy leaves and stems of this species (Photos by Henry
Oakeley)
collected by halictid bees. The Halictidae
being a very ancient family of bees whose
ancestors are found embedded in Eocene
amber from 50 million years ago. Bees may
collect oil because its fragrance is a
pheromone to attract female bees. The
arguments about this are not yet concluded,
but one wonders if there were orchids around
so long ago for the bees to pair up with. The
observation that Ponthieva – a genus of 65
species – is distributed from southeast United
States to Chile, suggests that this too is a very
old genus for it to have spread so widely.
Forty-five years ago, when Alex Hawkes
published his Encyclopaedia of Cultivated
Orchids, he only knew of 25 Ponthieva species,
and in this the genus mimics many other
orchid genera whose numbers know to
science have immensely increased during this
time. This species is found in woodland, from
Mexico to Ecuador, first discovered by
Theodore Hartweg in Bogota, Colombia in the
1840s when collecting for the Royal
Horticultural Society. It is called maculata,
being Latin for ‘spotted’, referring to the
spotted lateral sepals. The flowers are upside
down with the spotted lateral sepals
uppermost, the yellow, red-striped petals
close together pointing downwards with the
striped dorsal sepal behind. The lip is
rudimentary, above the pollen and stigma.
The genus, Ponthieva, was named after Henri
de Ponthieu, a French merchant in the
Caribbean, who sent the type for the genus,
Ponthieva glandulosa, to Sir Joseph Banks in
1813. It was described by Robert Brown, the
curator of Banks’ herbarium. I have seen
Ponthieva cornuta growing terrestrially in
Peru in heavy shade, leaf mould, at 2,000m
and other Ponthieva in Sphagnum moss beds
on the steep sides of wooded paths at
3,000m.
The reason for the hairy stems, leaves and
reverse of the flowers has not been explained.
The related genus, Cranichis, is similar. Eric
Hagsater et al. (in Orchids of Mexico) suggest
that the hairs might deter herbivores, but the
hairs do not sting and I have not tried eating
them so cannot tell if they contain chemicals
that might deter a cow.
Prosthechea guttata
Many of the orchids we see at the shows and
at the monthly meetings are old friends. When
I take a photo I record the date so can track the
flowering times year on year – this plant
flowered in April this year and in June last year
(see page 203). Earlier flowering consequent
on the hottest April since records began has
been to blame for many plants flowering
earlier. Anguloas have been an exception, for
while the flowering season normally begins in
April, I only had two species out by the end of
May and the rest are only beginning as we
head past mid-June. Local idiosyncrasies are
excluded as the anguloas and angulocastes in
Richard Hartley’s collection in Stoke-on-Trent
are even later this year.
Its name reflects the hopeless instability of
botanical nomenclature as it has moved from
Epidendrum guttatum (1845) to Encyclia
guttata (1918) to Epidendrum maculosum
(1935) to Encyclia maculosum (1952) to
Prosthechea maculosa (1997) before being
finally (so far) transferred to Prosthechea
guttata by the late Eric Christenson in 2003. It
is a relief to have the Kew Monocot Index
which lists the synonymns – as these prior
names are called. Armed with the above
information I looked it up in The Orchid
Growers Manual (1894, 7th Edit) only to find
that Epidendrum guttatum was then regarded
as a synonym of Oncidium luridum guttatum
and this had Oncidium cuneatum, Oncidium
boydii and Cymbidium guttatum as synonyms.
There are many difficulties for the historians
of our orchids....
It grows as an epiphyte in oak and pine
woodlands in Mexico between 400–500m,
but is not listed in Hagsater’s monumental
Orchids of Mexico published in 2005 – does
this mean it is extinct in the wild? It is widely
available in cultivation as reflected by the
number of pictures to be seen on the internet.
OSGBJ 2011, 60(3) • 201
Trophies
Henry Oakeley awarded the trophies towards
the end of the afternoon. Sheila Bicknell again
produced cymbidiums to marvel at and won
the BETOC Spring Show Cup for an orchid
hybrid made over 50 years ago for one of her
specimen plants, Cymbidium President Wilson
(first registered by Sanders in 1917).
Sheila Bicknell with Cymbidium
President Wilson
Jean Green took home six trophies, including
the RHS Banksian Medal (for gaining the most
1st, 2nd and 3rd prizes) having produced
everything, including corsages, from
dendrobiums to vandas. The Dorothy Pestell
Cup for Best in Show was won by Roger Mills
for his plant Cypripedium Ulla Silkens.
Jean Green with Paphiopedilum Ho
Chi Minh
Roger Mills, winner of Best in Show
OSGB Spring Show April 2011
Trophy Winners
Dolores Rands Trophy
Sally Mill
Dulcie Rands Trophy
Colin Carter
Sir Jeremiah Colman
Bowl
Christine Carter
Nanyang Trophy
Jean Green
Leonard Page Cup
Jean Green
Joe Alderton Trophy
Sally Mill
Pat Akehurst Trophy
Mike
Buckingham
Dixon Trophy
Michael
McIllmurray
Penney Trophy
Jean Green
Lampard Trophy
Colin Carter
Peppe de Lullo Trophy
Michael Penney
Alcock Cup
Jean Green
Robert Elliott Cup
Michael
McIllmurray
Rittershausen Challenge
Trophy
David Martin
Dorothy Pestell Cup
Roger Mills
RHS Banksian Medal
Jean Green
BETOC Spring Show Cup Sheila Bicknell
Sussex Shield
Jean Green
202 • OSGBJ 2011, 60(3)
Sally Mill’s Prosthechea guttata seen at the Spring Show
– is it extinct in the wild?
Chantelle Orchids
Sam Hurley (Photos by Sam Hurley)
I have noticed that orchid growers can often
recall exactly from where they purchased a
specific plant. In fact, the very name of the
supplier in question frequently prompts a
nostalgic smile. Many of the old firms are
long gone and as we continue to say
goodbye to some of our British nurseries, it is
good to know that new businesses are
opening to fill the gaps. I recently visited
Chantelle Orchids in Kenilworth,
Warwickshire which was founded two years
ago by Chantelle Shih and offers a range of
orchid species, hybrids and miniatures grown
in Taiwan. She imports her orchids directly
from Hsiang Yu Orchids in Taiwan, a wellknown nursery owned by her brother.
Chantelle currently receives several
shipments a year and plants can be ordered
from her website or directly from her at the
many shows she attends. She has found that
her plants travel most successfully from
Taiwan, and continue to grow well, when
they are shipped in their original pots and
compost, rather than being shipped with
their roots wrapped in moss. She has created
a growing house alongside her home to
accommodate the increasing numbers of
plants she imports, although she is already
looking for larger premises.
Among her plants I saw a beautiful white
species, Neobenthamia gracilis, first
described by Rolfe in 1891 and named for
George Bentham, botanist and President of
the Linnaean Society. It is a lithophytic
orchid from eastern Tanzania and grows at
low to mid elevation on dry rock faces and
mossy ledges. The flowers are fragrant,
nodding pompoms held atop stems up to
Chantelle Shih and her brother Yung Hsiang, at Hsiang Yu Orchids in Taiwan (with Rhyncattleanthe (previously Blc.)
Young-Min Orange and Angraecum Crestwood ‘Tomorrow Star’)
Rhyncattleanthe (previously Lc.) Angel Kiss
OSGBJ 2011, 60(3) • 205
Chantelle Orchids
one metre tall, with grass-like leaves. It is
intermediate to warm growing and needs
good light.
However, Chantelle is the person to go to for
colour, which is available from hybrids such
as Rhyncholaeliocattleya (previously Blc.)
Village Chief North ‘Green Genie’. She has a
wide range of award-winning Cattleya
hybrids, even if it is hard to keep up with the
name changes (eg from Blc. to
Rhyncholaeliocattleya) as genera are reclassified.
Neobenthamia gracilis has fragrant flowers like nodding
pompoms
Chantelle Orchids, 63 Elmdene Road,
Kenilworth, Warwickshire, CV8 2BW. Tel:
01926 850166, mob: 07510 309646, e-mail:
[email protected],
website: www.chantelle-orchids.com
Rhyncholaeliocattleya (previously Blc.) Village Chief North ‘Green Genie’
206 • OSGBJ 2011, 60(3)
Orchid growing in Riga, Latvia
Andrew Stevens (Photo by Andrew Stevens)
I have been collecting orchids for some time
now, and I recently enjoyed a holiday in Riga,
Latvia, with two lovely people, mother and
daughter, who grow orchids in their flat. We
met through sharing our orchid photographs
on Facebook. They inspire me to tell their
story, and it gives me great pleasure to tell
others that you don’t need a greenhouse to
grow orchids.
You can see in the picture that they are very
successful in what they do. Many of the
orchids are kept on their enclosed balcony
where plants are placed on every available
surface and hung from wire mesh on the
walls to fit in more plants. The collection
numbers around 300 plants and is varied but
includes Angraecum, Cattleya, Masdevallia,
Phalaenopsis and Stanhopea.
large tree immediately outside their window
cuts out much of the midday light. They are
so dedicated that they water often and mist
every day, which can take them many hours
sometimes with the number of orchids they
have.
They feed the orchids not with an orchid
fertilizer, but with a substance which, in
Latvia, is called ‘horse apples’ (horse manure).
They make sure the ‘apples’ are well rotted
and use a weak mixture, which proves
effective. They have three fans for air
circulation and the humidity levels are not
very high but this doesn’t stop the orchids
from flowering.
It is wonderful that someone who works fulltime still finds so much time to dedicate to the
care of their orchids. I commend them both.
They have numerous grow-lamps because a
Orchids growing on every available space in an enclosed balcony in Riga, Latvia
OSGBJ 2011, 60(3) • 207
OSGB Autumn Programme
Iona Macphie
Popular speaker Chris Purver, from the Eric
Young Orchid Foundation, will be the guest
lecturer in September, talking about
Miltoniopsis, Oncidium and their hybrids. In
October the speaker will be Malcolm Moodie
who until recently ran MAM Horticulture.
His topic will be the very important, and at
times controversial, subject of orchid
nutrition.
Dendrobium brymerianum seen at the Autumn Show in
2010
The OSGB autumn programme is not to be
missed! On 13 August, there is a Society tour
of the Lullingstone Castle gardens in Kent.
There are still places available, book with
Iona Macphie, on 07963 100480 or
[email protected]. The cost is £8
per person which is the usual price visitors
are charged, but we will have an exclusive
tour with Tom Hart-Dyke himself and this
will take place in the morning at 10.30 before
the gardens open to the general public.
Directions are available on the Lullingstone
Castle website: www.lullingstonecastle.co.uk
The Autumn Show on Saturday 5 November
will again be held in conjuction with the
Wraysbury Orchid Event. Directions to
Wraysbury Village Hall can be found in the
Annual Supplement or contact the Secretary.
Doors open at 10.00 (07.30 for exhibitors),
judging will be at 09.00 and the show will
close at 16.00. Trade representatives at the
show will include Burnham Nurseries,
Laneside Hardy Orchid Nursery and Peter
White. Drinks, ploughman's lunches and
Betty Barber's delicious cakes will be
available.
Finally, having stepped down from the
Committee at the AGM, this is my last report
for the Society as Programme Secretary.
Many thanks to members for their kindness
and support over the years.
Note from the Librarian
Now that a current list of all books in the
Library can be found on the website,
www.orchid-society-gb.org.uk, the
Librarian, Derek Belcher, will be bringing a
smaller selection of books to the Society’s
meetings. Please contact Derek if there are
specific books you wish to borrow and he
will bring them to the monthly meetings
208 • OSGBJ 2011, 60(3)
for collection; if you wish to read around a
set subject he will bring a selection for you
to choose from. As always, books may be
borrowed for four weeks and can be
borrowed by post although the borrower is
asked to pay outward and return postage.
Contact Derek Belcher: tel: 020 8715 3635, 7
Derby Road, Cheam, Sutton, Surrey, SM1 2BL.
Trip to Peru and Ecuador
Sally Mill
The OSGB has now run two very successful
trips to Ecuador, one in March 2006 and one
in April 2009. We are now arranging a third
trip, to include northern Peru, for November
2012. This promises to be a ‘once in a lifetime
trip’ to see orchids in their natural habitats.
In Peru we will visit Inca sites at Cuzco and
Machu Pichu as well as many orchid
habitats. In Ecuador we will see
Phragmipedium besseae and Cattleya
maxima, as well as hundreds of other
orchids, and visit the wonderful Ecuagenera
nursery.
You don’t need to be really fit to enjoy this
tour as many orchids can be seen at the sides
of roads and tracks but there will also be
forays into the jungle or scrub for those with
a little more stamina. However, there is one
thing health-wise to bear in mind; many of
the areas visited are very high, ie above
3,000m.
Details:
Tour: 15 days (depart 15 November and return
2 December 2012) fully inclusive
(except beverages) guided-tour run by
Ecuagenera, whose knowledge of the
local orchids is unsurpassed.
Cost: US$2,500 per person in a double room,
US$3,000 for a single room, plus flights
(approx. £1,000). Deposit of US$500
(£300) per person due now.
If you have read articles in the Journal about
trips to Ecuador or Peru, or Society talks have
enticed you to visit these wonderful orchidrich countries, please contact Sally Mill on
01293 547896 for more information.
Alternatively, e-mail the Editor,
[email protected]. The few remaining
spaces will be filled on a first come, first
served basis and, as this trip is only just over
a year away, anyone who is interested will
have to commit to the trip and pay their
deposit immediately.
The 15th European Orchid Congress
and Show
Budapest, Hungary, 12−15 April 2012
Next year’s congress will be hosted by the
Hungarian Orchid Society (Magyar Orchidea
Társaság) in Budapest. The weekend will
include displays, sales and lectures along
with an opportunity to join excursions to the
Botanic Gardens at Vácrátót and to Lake
Balaton and Mount Badacsony. On the
evening of Saturday 14 April a Gala Dinner
will be held during a three-hour cruise on the
River Danube, culminating in the prize giving
ceremony.
The show will be held at SYMA Event Centre,
Budapest, Hungary, website:
www.eocbudapest.hu/aindex.php
OSGBJ 2011, 60(3) • 209
Cattleya hybrids on cliffs of cork bark on the Society’s
display at the Chelsea Flower Show in May 2011
Napier Hall Meetings: Report of
Proceedings
The species are found widely spread across
the northern hemisphere down as far as the
Himalaya, with an odd outlier in Central
America – Mexico, Guatemala and Honduras.
Generally they grow in alkaline soils in
forested areas with lots of light but no direct
sun; they are very sensitive to sunlight and
susceptible to sunburn. However, as usual,
there are exceptions and it is advisable to
learn about the natural habitat of a species
one desires to grow so that the conditions
may be matched as much as possible.
Cypripedium calceolus, the British native lady’s slipper
orchid
April 2011 – Maren Talbot: Cypripediums
Michael McIllmurray (Photos by Maren Talbot
and Suzanne Davis)
Of all the orchids, those that stir the
emotions most are probably the slipper
orchids, both within and beyond the orchidgrowing fraternity. There are five genera of
slipper orchids, paphiopedilums from eastern
areas of the world, phragmipediums from
South and Central American territories
(along with mexipediums and
selenipediums), and cypripediums from
northern temperate regions. Our speaker at
the April meeting was Maren Talbot, who has
promoted the emerging interest in
cultivation of terrestrial orchids, particularly
cypripediums and now has a nursery making
many species and hybrids of this genus
available for us to grow.
There are 45 species of Cypripedium and
more than 100 hybrids have been registered.
Cypripedium macranthos (previously C. speciosum)
(Photo by Henry Oakeley)
Perhaps the best-known Cypripedium species
in this country is Cypripedium calceolus, our
British native lady’s slipper, which has been
known for over 500 years and has an
attractive and dainty purple flower with a
yellow pouch. Since the days when Victorian
herbalists and botanists collected the plants
in wholesale fashion the species has become
critically endangered, with the population
falling as low as a single plant. In recent
years the Sainsbury Orchid Conservation
Project has sought to re-establish this plant
through the British countryside and after
many highs and lows it is growing at a few
protected locations. So the species is
hanging on by its fingertips here, but
fortunately it remains widespread across
Europe and northern temperate regions
excluding America.
If there is a beginner’s orchid in this genus it
is C. reginae, a North American species, which
is white with a pink pouch. It is a good
subject for garden cultivation where a single
clump of several plants can be in flower for
two or three months.
OSGBJ 2011, 60(3) • 213
Napier Hall Meetings
Cypripedium plectochilum (Photo by Chris Barker)
Cypripedium reginae, from North America, is suitable for
garden cultivation (Photo by Chris Barker)
As well as these, Maren showed pictures of
many of the Cypripedium species, some
extremely attractive, others described as
‘somebody must like them’. The Central
American species is C. irapeanum, three feet
tall with a bright yellow flower, but tricky to
grow. Many species are native to China and
countries nearby, such as C. wardii with small
flowers; C. singchii with a stunning
multifloral spike; C. henryi; C. yunnanense;
C. plectrochilum with flowers likened to one
of the seven dwarfs; C. debile and C.
lichiangense with dwarf glossy leaves and a
shiny speckled flower.
Cypripedium lichiangense is named after the town of
Li-chiang in Yunnan, China
214 • OSGBJ 2011, 60(3)
Cypripedium macranthos was described in
Eastern Russia in 1747. Several species are
found in North America including
C. californicum, a small multifloral, fairly easy
to grow; the rose-scented C. fasciolatum;
C. parviflorum; C. kentuckiense; the more
difficult C. acaule and C. arietinum, the ram’s
head slipper orchid that has a hairy, pointed
pouch.
Cypripedium kentuckiense (Photo by Henry Oakeley)
Cypripedium guttatum
Cypripedium arietinum, the ram's head slipper orchid
Cypripedium formosanum (Photo by Chris Barker)
Cypripedium formosanum, a plant of which
happened to be on the show bench, is
affectionately known as the toilet bowl
orchid, for obvious reasons! One species,
C. guttatum, occurs across most of the range
from China through Siberia and Europe to
North America and has a small flower that
never opens completely.
When grown from seed, plants take from
four to 12 years to flower. Especially during
their early winters they require cold in order
to develop. The seeds will germinate in the
dark. During the first year they require a
mycorrhizal association which becomes less
critical until about five years old and at this
stage the plants can be transplanted safely
OSGBJ 2011, 60(3) • 215
into the garden. The growth cycle is from
April until November, with a winter rest.
During winter the temperature can drop to 20ºC without harm and the summer
maximum is preferably 28ºC with plenty of
gentle air movement. Composts or soil
should be well-drained, never soggy and
never dry. Tap water is fine for most but
rainwater is preferred for acid loving species
and hybrids, and light feeding to about
600µS can be applied weekly during growth.
Because of the susceptibility to direct sun a
northerly, northeasterly or northwesterly
aspect is ideal. New growths, particularly
emerging growths in spring, are highly
attractive to slugs and snails. While the
plants are dormant a steady cool
environment should be provided at
refrigerator temperature. Pots in which the
plants are growing should be sunk into the
ground in winter to achieve this.
The plants have shallow roots and pot grown
specimens need broad shallow containers,
ideally clay pots. A variety of free-draining
composts are suitable. These may contain
one part of John Innes No 1 or similar with
four parts of inorganic materials such as grit,
super coarse perlite, well washed pumice or
Seramis granules. A mulch of shredded
beech leaves or pine needles in September or
October, after the growth dies back, is
helpful. To grow plants in the garden, a
north-facing site just away from tree cover is
ideal and lots of companion plants such as
ferns in the vicinity will provide mechanical
support. The soil should be free-draining and
drainage materials need to be added to
heavy ground. On very heavy ground a raised
bed would be better. Equally on sandy soils,
some humus needs to be added. The size of
the planting hole can be determined by
216 • OSGBJ 2011, 60(3)
spreading the roots on the surface before
planting. The hole should be 8cm deep. As
with pot-grown plants, it is helpful to add a
winter mulch. As the plants grow, the
rhizome expands year on year. When the
clump reaches 25–30 flowering shoots it is at
its optimum size and clumps larger than this
need to be divided or they start to
deteriorate. The clumps can be split exactly
as herbaceous plants, wetting the roots first
to make them less brittle.
As the costs of maintaining tropical orchid
houses continue to escalate perhaps this is
the direction to which future orchid growers
will be attracted. Availability of different
species is better now than it has ever been
and the exotic touch will be added to more
and more gardens as time goes by.
Heritage Orchids, 4 Hazel Close, Marlow,
Buckinghamshire, SL7 3PW. Tel: 01628
486640, e-mail: [email protected],
website: www.heritageorchids.co.uk
May 2011 – Kenneth Bruyninckx: Chinese
cymbidiums
Iona Macphie (Photos by Kenneth
Bruyninckx)
We were delighted to welcome Kenneth
Bruyninckx of Akerne Orchids in Belgium to
talk to us about Chinese cymbidiums. These
are becoming increasingly popular with
orchid enthusiasts, their compact size
making them easier to accommodate in
limited growing spaces than their standard
cousins. The first half of Kenneth’s talk was
an illustrated introduction to the Cymbidium
species in the Jensoa section of the genus
that grow in China. This included all twelve
species of the Jensoa section, with the
exception of Cymbidium munronianum
Cymbidium goeringii ‘Chengdu’, one of Kenneth’s favourite
clones in the private collection of Akerne Orchids
which, although closely related to C.
ensifolium, is found in Sikkim and Bhutan
but not in China. The second half of the
presentation concerned hybridising with,
and culture of, Jensoa section cymbidiums.
Species
Through a series of lovely photographs,
Kenneth illustrated most of the eleven
Jensoa section species that grow in China,
although your reporter has to admit that the
differences between some of the recognised
multifloral species would appear to be rather
subtle! Kenneth’s slides, some kindly lent by
Henry Oakeley, showed the variation in
colour of the flowers and foliage in many of
the species, in particular the variegated
forms that are much admired and coveted by
collectors in the east. Members can get a
flavour of the variety of forms in this group
by looking at Henry Oakeley’s article in a
previous issue of the Journal (OSGBJ (2010),
59(2): 109).
Cymbidium cyperifolium grows between
700–1,800m and has three to seven flowers
on a spike, which are lemon scented. This
species is often confused with C. faberi, some
clones of which have up to 20 flowers and
grows at a much wider altitude, being found
anywhere between 700–3,000m.
Cymbidium defoliatum is a small, little
known deciduous species with three to four
fragrant flowers on a spike with a limited
distribution between 1,000–1,500m. It has
only been found in China. Cymbidium
ensifolium was the first species to be
described in the section Jensoa and the first
to be introduced to the west. It is found in
the southern half of China and in Tibet.
Some clones are fragrant and a few have
variegated leaves. Cymbidium goeringii has
218 • OSGBJ 2011, 60(3)
many synonyms and is widely distributed in
southern China and Japan where it has been
cultivated for centuries. It is distinctive on
account of the fact that it generally only has
a single bloom on each flower spike. It grows
at a wide range of altitudes and displays
great variation in flower shape and colour.
Several named clones exist, some with round
flowers but these are not seen in Europe.
Cymbidium nanulum differs from most other
species in having an underground rhizome
rather than pseudobulbs. It has a limited
distribution in Yunnan province. Cymbidium
kanran is very fragrant and there is
considerable variation in the number of
blooms individual clones have on one
inflorescence. It is generally a high altitude
plant, growing between 400–2,400m.
Cymbidium omeiense has been the subject of
taxonomic debate, having at times been
considered to be a small variety of C. kanran
or C. faberi. It is now accepted to be a
distinct species but closer to C. ensifolium
than the aforementioned two species.
Cymbidium qiubeiense has very thin leaves
that are spotted purple at its base. Its
habitat is dry in winter at flowering time and
susceptible to botrytis if kept humid during
this period. Cymbidium sinense is a robust
plant that can have up to 26 flowers on a
spike in well-grown specimens of the most
floriferous clones. It blooms at the start of
the year, over the period of the Chinese New
Year. There are many variegated forms, some
in which the pale colouration is confined to
the tips of the leaves others in which the
leaves are almost completely yellow.
Cymbidium tortisepalum was originally
described from Taiwan but is also found in
China, in the southwest of the country, not in
the eastern Chinese provinces. It is widely
cultivated and many other select forms are
known, some beautifully coloured some pure
white.
Cymbidium qiubeiense has thin leaves with purple spots
at their base (Photo by Henry Oakeley)
Cymbidium tortisepalum is found in Taiwan and
southwestern China (Photo by Henry Oakeley)
Hybrids
At the last count, 14,272 Cymbidium hybrids
had been registered. Of these, most (13,149)
have C. insigne genes but some hybrids have
been made with the Chinese species, mostly
by crossing with non-Jensoa cymbidiums.
Thus there are at least 721 hybrids with C.
ensifolium genes, 112 hybrids with C. goeringii
genes and 186 hybrids with C. sinense genes.
The main aim of hybridising with species of
the section Jensoa is to reduce plant size.
The drawback is that this can decrease the
number of flowers on an inflorescence
especially when C. goeringii is used.
Cymbidium ensifolium and C. sinense have
also been used to introduce some degree of
warmth tolerance. When these species are
used as parents, the reduction in
temperature in the summer that is usually
needed to trigger flowering in cymbidiums
does not have to be as marked. Of all
Chinese Cymbidium hybrids, probably the
best known is C. Golden Elf (ensifolium x Enid
Haupt) a 1978 hybrid from the Rod McLellan
Co. However, more recently extensive
hybridising in Japan has produced a large
series of ‘Eastern’ hybrids, eg C. Eastern
Morning (goeringii x lowianum) registered in
2003 and C. Eastern Beauty (sinense x Khai
Loving Fantasy) registered in 2006.
Culture
The wide distribution of many of the species
in terms of elevation, with very variable soil
conditions and rainfall at different locations,
means that conditions for optimum growth
of a particular plant will depend to some
OSGBJ 2011, 60(3) • 219
Cymbidium Eastern Morning
extent on exactly where it, or its parents,
originated in the wild. Kenneth provided the
following general guidelines:
Of the species that are readily available from
commercial sources in Europe, C. faberi, C.
goeringii, C. kanran, C. tortisepalum and C.
qiubeiense are cool growing and for these
Kenneth recommends a minimum of 10ºC at
night and 15ºC during the day; night time
temperatures down to 5ºC on very cold
nights should not hurt. Cymbidium goeringii
and C. faberi, in particular, are cold-tolerant,
almost hardy and the former has even been
mooted to survive outdoors in a sheltered
position in warmer parts of the UK. In
contrast C. ensifolium and C. sinense grow
best at intermediate to warm temperatures
with a minimum of 15ºC at night and 21ºC
during the day. These last two species can
220 • OSGBJ 2011, 60(3)
Cymbidium Eastern Beauty
cope with lower temperatures, but in this
event they need to be kept drier.
Chinese cymbidiums have long, thick, straight
roots and do best if they are pot-bound. In
order to accommodate these needs they are
best grown in tall, slender pots. If the pots are
too shallow, the top of the plants may be
pushed up out of the pot altogether, exposing
the tops of the roots to the air. Regarding
compost, although these species are largely
terrestrial in nature and some, like C. goeringii,
grow in heavy soil, in culture they must not be
kept waterlogged. A mixture that affords
good drainage but retains some moisture is
optimum. At Akerne Orchids they use a
combination of bark, Sphagnum moss and
charcoal and re-pot every two years. Watering
should be continued throughout the year, the
amount required will depend on
environmental conditions and whether the
plants are in active growth. Weekly watering,
with an increase to twice weekly in hot
summer conditions and a decrease to once
every ten days during dark, dank periods in
the depth of winter, is a rough guide.
Although some Chinese cymbidiums are
deciduous in the wild, in culture they cannot
stand losing all their leaves hence the advice
to continue watering throughout the year,
albeit considerably less when they are not in
active growth.
A weak solution of a balanced fertiliser (up
to 500µS) applied at each watering during
the growing period is recommended with no
need to change to a so called ‘bloom’ formula
during the late summer. In the wild, most
species grow in open forest so semi-shade is
required on sunny days. They enjoy good air
movement but should not be placed in
draughts or directly in front of a fan. Other
tips for successful culture are i) always re-pot
in the spring, never in the summer, and ii) do
Chinese cymbidiums being sold by weight in Chengdu
not physically divide the plants – wait for
them to full apart naturally. Finally, be
patient! New plants take time to adapt to
conditions, especially if they have not come
from Akerne Orchids or other European
source. In addition, some of the species are
very slow growing. Kenneth told the of a
plant of C. faberi that, even although it was
never divided, took 20 years to advance from
a 8cm to a 13cm pot! Fortunately, with other
species, this is the exception rather than the
rule.
Traditional tall pots for Chinese cymbidiums
Chinese cymbidiums piled up ready for sale in a market
in Chengdu
OSGBJ 2011, 60(3) • 221
Ed: Kenneth also showed members
photographs of cymbidiums for sale in
Chinese markets, where they can be found
heaped on the floor or in large sacks, and are
often sold by weight.
However, the appealingly colourful spikes
emerging from these Chinese cymbidiums
pictured below are misleading – they are
from a completely different genus of plant
and are added to the cymbidiums to tempt
the unsuspecting – caveat emptor (let the
buyer beware).
Akerne Orchids, Laarsebeekdreef 4, B-2900
Schoten, Belgium. Tel: +32 (0)3 651 4036, email: [email protected], website:
www.akerne-orchids.com
June 2011 – Cultural forum
Mary-Jane Hawkins (Photos by Sam Hurley)
On a sunny Derby Day in June, members
gathered at Napier Hall for the AGM and this
was followed by an enjoyable cultural forum
with a panel, chaired by Henry Oakeley,
comprised of Sheila Bicknell, Mike
Buckingham (Mike B), Mike Penney (Mike P)
and Roy White.
The opening question highlighted a problem
frequently encountered by Cymbidium and
Odontoglossum growers; leaves which grow
in a concertina-like fashion. This is caused by
a lack of water when the plant is growing,
and whilst the already crinkled leaves can
not be cured, better watering will prevent it
happening again.
The topic then turned to the blight of orchid
growers’ lives, woolly aphid and mealybug,
and the use of insecticides. Provado Ultimate
Bug Killer is a contact and systemic
insecticide which comes in several forms –
aerosol (methiocarb and imidacloprid: kills
and controls lily beetle, whitefly, scale,
greenfly, red spider mite, blackfly, mealy bug,
thrips and leaf hopper), ready-to-use spray
(thiacloprid: a systemic and contact
insecticide for greenfly, whitefly, blackfly,
Chinese cymbidiums in a market in Kunming with false
spikes from an unrelated genus
222 • OSGBJ 2011, 60(3)
Concertina-like leaves on this Beallara Tahoma Glacier
‘Green’ are caused by under-watering
mealy bug, scale
insects and leaf
feeding beetles) or
concentrate
(thiacloprid). Each
contains different
insecticides so it is
important to read
the label to see
which pests it will
target. Mike B has
found the aerosol
most effective, but
sprays from a
distance of 30cm so
as not to freeze the
Bug Clear Ultra Gun (for
leaves. Some
flowering plants) works well
growers water the
to eliminate mealybugs
diluted concentrate
directly into their plants’ compost, rather
than spraying, but Mike B found this had
adverse effects on his Masdevallia roots,
killing them within two weeks.
Other methods include methylated spirits,
applied with a small paint brush but it is still
necessary to use a systemic insecticide as
mealybugs love to hide by the roots where it
is difficult to reach. Mike P announced he
was an expert, having had the national
collection of mealybugs and advised that
Bug Clear Ultra for flowering plants
(acetamprid: a systemic and contact
insecticide for whitefly, greenfly, blackfly,
other aphids, scale insects, mealy bugs and
thrips) works well. The panel also
highlighted the downsides of using these
insecticides.
This subject naturally led on to whether
prevention is better than cure. Sheila sprays
every two to three weeks with Provado as a
preventative measure. She has also found
Provado Ultimate Bug Killer is available as concentrate,
spray or aerosol, which contain different insecticides
The glasshouse red spider mite, Tetranychus urticae and
its eggs (highly magnified) (Photo by Henry Oakeley)
Red spider mite infestation has damaged this plant –
note the silvery web and the faint sheen of red (Photo by
Henry Oakeley)
OSGBJ 2011, 60(3) • 223
hunts with a pair of scissors and stressed the
importance of catching the slug before it
attacks a plant as there are no remedies for
holes in leaves.
Brown scale has caused this Phalaenopsis hybrid to
wither
that red spider mites do not like wet
conditions, so she sprays her cymbidiums
three times a day with clean rainwater, or tap
water if the rainwater has run out. The
effectiveness of this does seem to vary;
Henry had 90% humidity and continuous
water jets in a greenhouse for two years but
still suffered from red spider mite. Mike B
favours re-potting new plants on arrival and
follows this up with a precautionary spray of
Provado. New plants are then isolated for
two to three weeks and checked with a
magnifying glass before they are allowed to
join the other orchids; this is particularly
important for eliminating scale. Roy and
Mike P both prefer to treat their plants only
when they detect pests.
The audience then asked about the slimy
problem of slugs and snails, a robust reply of
‘A big foot helps’ came from Mike P, who has
also found that margarine tubs containing
slug pellets with a sealed lid, and a hole cut
in the side work well. Henry has tried beer
but found it didn’t work and he ended up
with mouldy beer in saucers (what a waste
of beer). Roy recommended late night slug
224 • OSGBJ 2011, 60(3)
Mike B has gone to war with the slugs in his
greenhouse, sealing any gaps with silicone,
leaving only the door as a vulnerable point;
he dug a trench underneath the door and
filled it with slug pellets. As he grows in
Sphagnum moss, any slugs which have
managed to sneak in can generally be found
in the pot of their victim or the pots next
door and are promptly thrown back outside.
Sheila waters her pots with liquid slug killer
before bringing her cymbidiums inside for
the winter. The audience then joined in the
discussion suggesting copper impregnated
fibrous matting to give the slugs an electric
shock, or placing sheet copper around pots,
although Mike B found slugs still ate his
hostas when he tried this. It was suggested
that keeping an orchid on an upturned
flower pot in a tray of water prevents slugs
unless you are unlucky and come across a
rare breed of swimming slug. Henry had
seen a video of an enterprising slug hanging
from a thread from a greenhouse roof to
reach a plant.
The forum then moved on to the results of
watering with hard tap water continuously.
Many plants can survive with tap water but
the build-up of limescale does slow down
root growth, so it is essential to flush
through the pot each time you water to
prevent the build-up of calcium on the roots
and bark. (Ed: Henry’s recommendation is
that to water a one litre pot, at least two
litres of water should be used to ensure
adequate watering/flushing.) Roy used
rainwater and then tried 50% rainwater and
increases the salt content) and domestic
water softeners or filter jugs. Derek Belcher
looks set to become a very popular member
of the Society as his local water company
supplies all their water treated by reverse
osmosis so it is the same quality as rainwater
(form an orderly queue with your bottles
behind me, please!)
Limescale build-up from hard water can be seen around
the bottom of the pot
50% tap water and found that his
paphiopediliums grew better with this
combination. If using tap water it is not
possible to add fertilizer due to the high
concentrate of salts, but he added that these
plants seemed to do well without fertilizer.
It is worth noting that when growing in the
wild, a lot of Paphiopedilum and Lycaste grow
on leaf mould which is highly acidic. In order
to replicate this, RHS Garden Wisley acidifies
its tap water with phosphoric acid. One
genus that must be watered with rainwater
is Disa as disas are unable to tolerate the
calcium in tap water.
As an alternative to tap water, distilled water
can be used although it is expensive; reverse
osmosis is effective but wasteful so is not
recommended for anyone on a water meter.
Things to avoid are boiled water (as this just
When growing plants indoors, one of the
problems people face is how to keep the
humidity level high enough to keep the
plants happy, but not high enough to rot all
the curtains and furniture. Tips on this
included putting water/capillary matting
cm thick in a tray, keeping this wet and
placing the plants on this on inverted
saucers, watering them from the top so that
the water runs into the tray. Take care when
watering not to leave water sitting in the
crowns of plants such as Paphiopedilum and
Phalaenopsis, as this can rot them. An
alternative to matting is pebbles or grit, but
these need to be washed from time to time
so they do not smell.
This year, a lot of people are finding that
their plants are producing mutated flowers.
The causes of these strange goings-on could
be environmental factors such as heat stress
or virus and with meristemed plants it could
Water around the clay pebbles in this trough helps to
raise the humidity around the plants
OSGBJ 2011, 60(3) • 225
leaves. The ORSV takes the form of circular
lesions, whilst the BYMV, which is spread by
aphids, causes the new leaves to have a
pattern which resembles army camouflage.
It was also highlighted that markings on
leaves can also be caused by cultural issues.
Sheila tested nine of her cymbidiums as they
had black markings on the leaves and found
that only one of them was infected with a
virus. If you have a plant which you think is
infected, bring it in to a meeting (isolated in
a plastic bag) and ask someone to take a look
at it.
Derek Belcher’s Disa Reheat produced a mutated flower
this spring
Meristemed plants can develop strange defects, like this
double-lipped Phalaenopsis hybrid
be due to DNA issues. If it is a plant that is
flowering for the first time, give it a second
chance, but if the flowers mutate a second
time it is best to dispose of the plant.
The final question concerned viruses such as
Odontoglossum ringspot virus (ORSV),
Tobacco mosaic virus (TMV) and Bean yellow
mosaic virus (BYMV) and how to recognise
them on a plant. In Phalaenopsis, a virus will
cause pale streaking on the leaves, which
then turn to deep indentations as the
infected cells stop producing chlorophyll
then die, resulting in black markings on the
226 • OSGBJ 2011, 60(3)
Cutting implements can spread viruses from
plant to plant. The panel stressed the
importance of using a new blade on each
plant, or sterilising it for ten minutes in
bleach or high heat (such as a bunsen
burner) or buying cheap knives (such as
those from Poundland) which can then be
disposed of after they have been used. It is
essential that virused plants are not watered
over a water butt as the virus may be flushed
into the water butt and then spread to other
plants watered from that source.
The Queen’s horse only managed third in the
Derby, but hopefully the advice given at the
forum will help our orchids to come home
first past the post.
The pale areas on these leaves are due to virus infection
interfering with chlorophyll production (Photo by Henry
Oakeley)
Table Show Report
André Roux
March 2011
Emerging from the frozen grasp of winter’s
wrap must surely count as one of the most
uplifting sensations, especially when one
looks back over the long, gloomy months to
which we have felt seemingly interminably
moored. Thank goodness, then, for the solace
and pleasure that orchids bring us
throughout this period, as well as the visual
cues that the seasons are changing.
The black markings on this flower are dead cells caused
by virus infection, the white streaks on the leaves are
due to virus interfering with chlorophyll production
The pale areas are active virus infection, the dark areas
are cells killed by the infection (Photo by Henry Oakeley)
These black pitted areas with no pale areas indicate that
this is not a virus infection (Photo by Henry Oakeley)
All the leaves in these four pictures were examined by
an electron microscope to see if virus particles were
present
Dendrobiums, in spite of being a vast genus
of astounding diversity and habitat, are
frequently one of those harbingers of spring
and David Martin’s fabulous Dendrobium
transparens surely could not have failed to
stir a surge of delight. Fifteen years ‘in the
making’ since starting life as a $1.25 keiki,
David’s plant had matured into a bounteous
specimen, recognised by the judges with a
Bronze award and Cultural Certificate. From
April through September, it hangs under a
tree in the garden and is watered and fed
copiously, with leaf mould added to the
crown to further support the plant’s
vertically-growing roots. For the remainder
of the year, David positions it in high light in
a cold greenhouse where the minimum
temperature is maintained at 10ºC and the
daytime temperature fluctuates according to
the ambient conditions. A slight rest from
water and fertiliser is beneficial during
winter, though the plant should not remain
dry for extended periods of time.
Dendrobium transparens, first described in
1830, is one of the so-called soft-cane
dendrobiums and an ally of Den. nobile. It is
found at an average altitude of 1,000m over
a wide area covering northeast India, Bhutan,
OSGBJ 2011, 60(3) • 227
David Martin’s Dendrobium transparens
Nepal and Burma, but is never common.
‘Transparens’ refers to the large, transparent
(hyaline, if you must) bracts that sheath the
nodes of the canes from which the flowers
emerge.
Coincidentally, the Danish surgeon and
highly respected botanist Dr Nathaniel
Wallich discovered both Den. transparens and
another species on display, Rhynchostylis
gigantea, the latter described in 1833. Wallich
founded the Indian Museum in Calcutta and
was devoted to its garden, preparing a
catalogue of some 20,000 specimens,
writing two important books and embarking
on a number of expeditions. On one such trip
to Burma he encountered Rhy. gigantea, a
monopodial orchid with very thick, grooved
leaves characteristically striped in pale and
228 • OSGBJ 2011, 60(3)
darker green and bearing densely-flowered,
sweetly fragrant, pendulous inflorescences.
Two forms were shown – the typical form, its
white flowers spotted with purple, and the
pure white form. The degree of spotting is
also variable and in some spectacular clones
coalesces into a rich, dark violet.
Rhynchostylis gigantea is not an easy subject
to grow well in the UK, requiring strong light,
evenly warm temperatures and regular
watering and fertiliser throughout the year.
Of course, cultivating orchids to a high
standard is one of the main challenges we
face and it is interesting to see how different
methods are employed to achieve this end.
Some time ago, Mayumi Hashi wrote a
fascinating piece (OSGBJ (2009), 58(2): 98) on
how mounted orchids can be kept moist
Rhynchostylis gigantea (Photo by Petra Richardson)
Rhynchostylis gigantea forma alba (Photo by Petra
Richardson)
with the use of corrugated cardboard, plastic
and Sphagnum moss. This was perfectly
illustrated by her thriving plant of Leptotes
pohlitinocoi (no, I can’t pronounce it either,
but sources indicate that this species
honours Brazilian orchid enthusiasts Pohli
and Tinoco, which may go some way toward
tackling this tongue-twister). Mayumi’s plant
resides on her kitchen windowsill in a
southeast aspect, conditions which
approximate this species’ need for
intermediate to warm temperatures and
bright, but indirect, light. The constant
moisture and humidity provided by the
damp Sphagnum moss and cardboard is
ideal as the plant is found in low elevation
montane rainforest in the Buarerema region
of Bahia state, Brazil. Leptotes pohlitinocoi
was only recently discovered in 2004 and,
like the handful of members that make up
this genus, is a compact epiphyte with fleshy,
almost terete leaves.
April 2011
‘Extraordinary’ is an adjective that often
springs to mind when evaluating orchids, be
it their individual peculiarities, unusual
flowers and astonishing pollination
mechanisms or, indeed, the remarkable
passion they inspire in us and, even, demand
from those individuals determined to grow
orchids to an exceptional standard. The
unexpected yet wonderful spring weather
we are enjoying can be described as
extraordinary too, so it is not unreasonable
to assume that, as orchid-lovers, we are
presently very content. (Ed: written during
the hottest April since records began.)
Mayumi Hashi’s Leptotes pohlitinocoi grows mounted,
with plastic covering the Sphagnum moss to keep it damp
230 • OSGBJ 2011, 60(3)
Paphiopedilums, the Asian evergreen slipper
orchids, certainly have unusual flowers and,
throughout botanical history and to this day,
David Trendell’s Paphiopedilum urbanianum
still stoke obsession and intense fervour in
their admirers. In fact, I recall a theory
proposed a decade or so ago that slipper
orchids were not orchids at all (in part due to
the replacement of a column with a
staminode) – thankfully that was one reclassification that failed to materialise. Two
of the species on display in April were the
less well-known but exotic Paphiopedilum
urbanianum and, dare I say it, the
comparatively ‘dowdy’ P. tonsum. The former
is endemic to the Philippines, specifically
Mindoro island, where it grows in leaf litter
amongst rocks on the forest floor.
Temperatures are in the mean range of 21ºC
and late winter through spring is a slightly
drier period compared to the wetter
remainder of the year. Paphiopedilum
urbanianum has beautiful, obscurely mottled
dark and light green leaves and flower
colouration and patterning that so obviously
entice its pollinators. In common with many
Paphiopedilum species, it is a victim of its
beauty and faces extinction in the wild as a
result of indiscriminate habitat destruction
and unsustainable collecting.
Paphiopedilum tonsum may not share the
glamorous hues of its aforementioned
sibling but it is an equally restricted species
in terms of its range. Native to northern and
central Sumatra, along the Indian Ocean
coast at elevations of 1,000–1,800m, it grows
in humus on the floor of lower montane
forests or sometimes in the cracks of
limestone rocks. Paphiopedilum tonsum
experiences mostly wet seasons interspersed
with two short periods of lower rainfall,
namely mid- to late-winter and mid-summer.
Held with stately elegance above the
attractively patterned foliage, the variable
single, glossy flower is a mix of dusky pink,
pale olive and green veins or lines with a
OSGBJ 2011, 60(3) • 231
though, that this is one of many intriguing
idiosyncrasies to have been observed in
endemic plants.
Colin Carter’s Paphiopedilum tonsum
Mike Penney’s Bulbophyllum levanae
scattering of dull purple warts. Curiously, the
warts and floral parts are hairless (the
feature that has given the species its name,
derived from the Latin tondeo, meaning
‘shaven’). Quite why P. tonsum has evolved
with smooth flowers I cannot say; it is clear,
232 • OSGBJ 2011, 60(3)
Bulbophyllum is one of the largest genera,
numbering well over 1,000 species, and it is
hardly surprising that this translates to
amazing diversity of plant and flower. It is a
truly global genus, with species widespread
in tropical America, Australasia, Africa and
southeast Asia, where the greatest
concentration can be found. Efforts on the
part of botanists to make sense of such
multiplicity, by segregating its members into
familial sections, is challenging as there are
many intermediate species, a fairly clear
indicator of a genus in a state of flux and
evolution. In spite of this variety there
remains strong endemism, such as Mike
Penney’s warm-growing Bulbophyllum
levanae from the Philippines. Like all
bulbophyllums, this species has a distinct
pseudobulb that seems to perch atop the
rhizome and, again in keeping with its kin,
the base of the column is hinged to the lip,
allowing for a degree of movement. Every
facet of Bulb. levanae’s flowers is designed to
charm insects to within an inch of their lives;
from the mobile lip, intense colour and
gleaming patina right down to what one
source describes as its ‘stinky’ scent.
Vivid colour is, I think, possibly the most
heavily weighted feature that first appeals to
us in flowers, and there is scarcely a finer
example than Cattleya coccinea. Without
exaggeration, its radiant scarlet-red blooms
never fail to cause my breath to stall
momentarily and I make no apology for
including this regular of the display table.
Equally remarkable is the fact that this dwarf
species produces comparatively large
flowers, reason enough for its enduring
popularity with hobbyists and hybridisers
alike. And it is hybridising that scales the
heights of extraordinariness – man’s vision
and prowess in artificially recreating the
cycle of pollination and new life with evergreater efficiency and technological
capability. Cattleya coccinea is a grandparent
of Cattlianthe (previously Slc.) Love
Excellence, a charming compact hybrid
exhibited by David Trendell that, lovely as it
may be, somehow serves to remind us that
nature’s beauty is still peerless in the face of
man’s immense achievements.
outdoors year-round, protected from winter
frosts and snow only by her ‘trademark’
sheaths of plastic. Any orchid that endures
such conditions and irreverent treatment
must surely be classed as extraordinary!
Yet it is the tenacity and adaptability of
some orchids that is still more surprising.
Pleione formosana, native to Taiwan and
southeast China, grows on mossy, shaded
rocks and branches near the treeline on
frequently foggy mountains. In autumn,
plants shed their leaves in order to survive
the severe winter climate and, with the onset
of spring, burst into flower and new growth.
Pleiones are delightful, rewarding and easyto-grow, as evidenced by Mary Betts’s
beautiful Pln. formosana which subsists
Mary Betts’s Pleione formosana
Jo Kelleher’s Cattleya coccinea (Photo by Petra
Richardson)
David Trendell’s Cattlianthe (previously Slc.) Love
Excellence
OSGBJ 2011, 60(3) • 233
May 2011
While these endless days of sunshine and
warmth are splendid, there lingers a
pervading sense that it’s all going to end in
tears with another cool and gloomy summer.
The decided lack of rain does not benefit our
orchids in their early stages of tender growth
and not all are romping away as might be
expected. Thus far the weather patterns of
spring and early summer are reminiscent of
last year, whereas the interesting variety and
beauty of the many orchids on display in
May was as delightful as ever.
Bright sunshine reminds me of home and it
was especially pleasing to expand those
Francis Quesada-Pallares’ Polystachya pubescens
234 • OSGBJ 2011, 60(3)
memories through three African
representatives of the genus Polystachya.
Orchid growers are often swayed by the
temptations of dendrobiums, bulbophyllums
and pleurothallids, for example, species of
which embrace a multitude of shape, colour
and habitat. They afford us the privilege of
both tending a single, diverse genus and
revelling in fascinating flowers nearly yearround. Polystachyas must be Africa’s
contribution. Where angraecums fall down in
flower colour, ‘polys’ triumph and, even with
well over 150 species, their largely compact
nature and adaptability to cultivation is
often overlooked. This is due in part,
unfortunately, to their often limited
Jo Kelleher's Polystachya bella, a species from the forests
of western Kenya
distribution in nature and restricted
availability from niche vendors.
One of the most well-known is Polystachya
pubescens, shown by Francis QuesadaPallares; it is a charming species with
fragrant, striking yellow flowers from South
Africa and Swaziland that inhabits the
forests of the eastern coast. It is mostly
epiphytic on tree branches but also forms
extensive colonies on sandstone rocks,
enjoying strong sunlight and intermediate to
warm temperatures. It is known as
Amabelejongosi in Zulu and, interestingly,
there are records of its use in Zulu culture as
a protective charm. Another scented species
is the vividly orange-yellow flowered Pol.
bella, exhibited by Jo Kelleher. This beauty,
with its contrasting dark green leathery
leaves, has an extremely narrow range,
growing amongst moss on the shaded
branches of tall trees in the forests near
Kericho, western Kenya where it was first
discovered.
Polystachyas generally do not offer a nectar
reward to their pollinators and entice them
instead with colour and scent. They are one
of the few orchid genera that have
developed nutrient-rich pseudopollen,
purposefully situated on the flowers’ lip, and
it has been proposed that this is the main
pollination mechanism for most species in
the genus. However, one exception is Pol.
rosea, native to the eastern coasts of
Madagascar and the Seychelles. It neither
offers pseudopollen to its bee pollinators nor
poses as an alternative food source, but the
colourful yet odourless flowers deceptively
mask this fact and therefore maintain the
bees’ interest in them, thus effecting
pollination.
Orchids are renowned for the devious
measures they engage to facilitate
pollination. Jeanette Beaney’s Pogonia
ophioglossoides is another culprit, beckoning
to passing bumblebees with its alluring,
raspberry-scented, bearded flowers but
offering nothing in return. (Ed: Pogonia
opioglossoides resembles Arethusa bulbosa
and Calopogon tuberosus which are to be
found in the same biotope but probably
attracts the bees by mimicking other plants
whose flowers do contain feed sources.) The
genus Pogonia comprises about ten species,
most of which are distributed throughout
eastern Asia. Pogonia ophioglossoides is the
only North American representative, found in
Vanda denisoniana has a vanilla fragrance, strongest in
the evening
OSGBJ 2011, 60(3) • 235
eastern Canada through the northern,
eastern and southeastern United States. It
favours acid, bog conditions and grows well
in Sphagnum moss, sending out thin runners,
which give rise to new plants, through the
top layers of moss. Much of this species’
natural habitat has either been destroyed or
is at risk as a result of encroaching
civilisation, chemical pollution and alien
invasive plants.
Another scented orchid seen on the display
table was Vanda denisoniana, presented by
Mike Penney. We were unable, regrettably, to
enjoy the vanilla fragrance that is at its
headiest in the early to late evening. This
species develops into a fairly large plant
when mature and occasionally flowers twice
a year, typically in the early summer and
again in autumn. Intermediate temperatures,
bright filtered light and moisture all year
approximate its natural environment in the
montane forests of Laos, Thailand, Vietnam
and Myanmar. Vanda denisoniana’s flowers
are highly variable in both the intensity and
clarity of the yellow ground colour and the
degree of brown speckling. This variation is
not always appealing as some clones can
look murky, even dirty – the most sought
after are rich, butter-yellow and without any
spots so it is well worth the effort in
sourcing and the additional expense of such
plants.
Consistently good-quality plants are
uncommon in a range of related hybrids.
There are exceptions, of course, and the
offspring from the heyday of Cymbidium
devonianum breeding are one such. They
remain some of the loveliest hybrids in this
genus and I fondly remember C. Miss Muffet,
C. Langleyense, C. Cricket and Keith Andrew's
Pogonia ophioglossoides attracts pollinators by
mimicking another flower
Norma Burgess’s Cymbidium Sweet Devon ‘Sweet’
(Photo by Petra Richardson)
C. Bulbarrow. What a treat it was to see the
exquisite miniature C. Sweet Devon ‘Sweet’
(suave x devonianum), superbly grown by
Norma Burgess. Cascading from beneath the
almost spotless foliage were bejewelled
rivulets of flowers – sheer pleasure in a pot.
Table Show Trophies
Members should remember to request that
their eligible plants be considered for the
annually awarded Brunning Cup (small
growing space) and the Ray Oddy Cup (deflasked flowering plant) when registering
for Table Shows. For further details see page
26 of the Annual Supplement or ask a
member of the judging team.
OSGBJ 2011, 60(3) • 237
The Royal Horticultural Society
Orchid Committee
Full descriptions and illustrations of the
plants awarded by the Committee are
published in The Orchid Review. Subscription
details are available from the RHS on tel: 020
7821 3401, e-mail: [email protected] or
website: www.rhs.org.uk/orchidreview
The Committee met on Saturday 19 March
2011 at Vincent Square and agreed the
following awards:
Award of Merit
Odontioda (now Oncidium) Mont Fliquet
‘Elizabeth Castle’ (Odontoglossum cirrhosum
x Oda. Gorey Castle).
Angraecum viguieri ‘Gorey Castle’, a species
from Madagascar.
Odontioda Mont Fliquet ‘Elizabeth Castle’ AM/RHS
Angraecum viguieri ‘Gorey Castle’ AM/RHS
238 • OSGBJ 2011, 60(3)
Both plants exhibited by the Eric Young
Orchid Foundation, Jersey.
The Royal Horticultural Society Orchid Committee
Coelogyne multiflora ‘Burnham’ CCC/BC/RHS
OSGBJ 2011, 60(3) • 239
Bulbophyllum clipeibulbum ‘Ryanne’ BC/RHS
Bulbophyllum clipeibulbum ‘Ryanne’ BC/RHS
Botanical Certificate
Coelogyne multiflora ‘Burnham’, a species
from Sulawesi, exhibited by Burnham
Nurseries Ltd, UK.
Bulbophyllum clipeibulbum ‘Ryanne’, a
species from Indochina, exhibited by Ryanne
Orchidée, France.
Certificate of Cultural Commendation
To Burnham Nurseries Ltd, UK, for Coelogyne
multiflora ‘Burnham’.
To Mr J Walters, UK, for Dendrobium
petiolatum ‘Kenneth Bridges’, a species from
Papua New Guinea.
Dendrobium petiolatum ‘Kenneth Bridges’ CCC/RHS
240 • OSGBJ 2011, 60(3)
Dendrobium lasianthera ‘Singapore Glory’ AM/RHS
Dendrobium lasianthera ‘Singapore Glory’ AM/RHS
The Committee met on Monday 23 May 2011
at the Chelsea Flower Show, London.
The Chairman presented the Westonbirt
Medal and the George Moore Medal to Chris
Purver of the Eric Young Orchid Foundation.
The Committee agreed the following awards
to plants:
Award of Merit
Dendrobium lasianthera ‘Singapore Glory’,
exhibited by Mr Neo Tuan Hong of the
Orchid Society of South East Asia.
Preliminary Certificate
Doritaenopsis Ching Hua Magic ‘Ching Hua’
(Ching Hua Spring x Hsinying City), exhibited
by the Taiwan Orchid Growers Association,
raised and registered by Ching Hua in 2001.
Chris Purver of the Eric Young Orchid Foundation
receiving the Westonbirt Medal and the George Moore
Medal from Johan Hermans, Chairman of the RHS
Orchid Committee
OSGBJ 2011, 60(3) • 241
Trophies awarded at the AGM 2011
The Ernie Self Memorial Trophy Sally Mill.
The Eric Young Trophy Sally Mill for
Paphiopedilum wardii.
The Ray Oddy Cup David Trendell for
Paphiopedilum Psyche.
The Brunning Cup Mary-Jane Hawkins.
The Librarian’s Cup Jo Kelleher, Vice
President of the OSGB, for Masdevallia
veitchiana.
Analysis of the voting for the Librarian’s Cup
is always interesting. This year the public
cast a total of 1,513 votes over four days
(quite possibly tempted by the chance of
winning a holiday to Sri Lanka, generously
donated by our sponsors). A total of 105
different orchids gained at least one vote.
The winning plant gained 9% of the votes
this year, having come third in 2010. Among
the top 20 orchids voted for by the public,
points of interest included: five were slipper
orchids, only six were species and eight were
staged in large groups of identical plants.
Vice President Eileen Watson was called
upon to pick a winning entry from the Sri
Lankan holiday draw entries and the winners
were Lisa and Stephen Smit of London, SW7.
They have will be travelling to Sri Lanka for a
week’s holiday in the autumn, courtesy of Sri
Lanka Tourism.
Chantelle Shih’s Rhyncholaeliocattleya (previously
Potinara) Taichung Beauty ‘Rouge Cattle’, runner up for
the Librarian's Cup with 88 votes
Calling all members, your Society needs you
The Society is looking for willing volunteers
to take over as Programme Secretary and
Librarian.
The Programme Secretary is responsible for
arranging speakers for our monthly
meetings, our Spring and Autumn Shows,
and our special meetings in August and
December. Plenty of help and advice will be
available from the Committee for all these
events. Contact Iona Macphie for further
information, tel: 020 8661 0787 or e-mail:
[email protected]
242 • OSGBJ 2011, 60(3)
The Librarian is responsible for housing the
Society’s collection of books (complete with
bookcases, see OSGBJ (2011), 60(2): 100 for
quantities and sizes) , supplying members'
requests by post and bringing a selection of
books to the monthly meetings. Contact
Derek Belcher for details, tel: 020 8715 3635.
If you would like to offer your services to
the Society, in any role, please contact Val
Micklewright, tel: 01293 528615 or e-mail:
[email protected]
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Open Weekends: 10th & 11th Sept and 22nd & 23rd Oct 2011
We will be attending The Orchid Study Group,
Wales 4th Festival 3rd & 4th September
OSGBJ 2011, 60(3) • 243
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Please visit our homepage
www.Asendorfer-Orchideenzucht.com
www.paphiopedilumworld.com
but we also breed the species in Cattleya, Laelia,
Phalaenopsis and other genera,
you will find about 300 different species, mostly
pictured, at our shop
we are the European agent for
Orquidário Purpurata Ltda. ,
Brazil, Brazilian native species
Preorders from us and Orquidário Purpurata can be
collected from the following Shows:
27th & 28th August - BOGA Dinton Pastures, Berkshire
15th & 16th October - Devon OS,
Dawlish Warren, Devon
Mail-order is also possible
Asendorfer Orchideenzucht, Dipl.Ing.agr. Hilmar Bauch
Mühlenstr. Nr. 9 27330 Asendorf / Germany
phone and fax 0049 4253 8343
244 • OSGBJ 2011, 60(3)
When only the best will do !
Sterile, inert, an ideal long-term growing
medium for your orchids.
Easy to handle in re-potting making this a
superb alternative to bark.
Supplied exclusively by award-winning
Densyl Orchids.
A free guide to 'Growing Orchids in
Epiphoam' with every new order.
Plus a wide range of books available at
discount prices.
Visit us at www.densylorchids.co.uk or
www.epiphoam.co.uk
or phone
01328 820272
Complete care for Orchids
The ideal gift for
orchid lovers
Highly concentrated liquid nutrient solutions
formulated to the highest standards. The complete
feeding programme – recommended by the
Eric Young Orchid Foundation. Now in a gift box!
3 x 100 ml and 3 x 500 ml.
Orchid Focus
Repotting Mix
Peat free – ideal for Phalaenopsis, Paphs,
Dendrobium, Cymbidium and most popular
hybrids. 3 litres and 10 litres.
Orchid Myst
The best way to feed orchids – because it helps to replicate
conditions in their rainforest habitat. 100 ml and 300 ml
And now introducing Houseplant
Myst.
With all the benefits of Orchid Myst, formulated
specially for your houseplants. 100 ml and 300 ml
For stockists, orchid events and orchid care advice please visit:
www.focus-on-plants.com
Advertisements
Laneside Hardy
Orchid Nursery
www.lanesidehardyorchids.com
Nursery: Bells Bridge Lanes, off Cockerham Road, Garstang, Preston
Tel: 01995 605537 : email: [email protected]
Visit the WEB site to see all the new autumn terrestrials
This summer sees another increase in the number of hardy terrestrial orchids we are offering for
sale either by mail order or at one of the events we will be attending.
Many of the species are in short supply this year so I would recommend early ordering if you really
want that special plant.
During the spring I have been involved in starting a number of projects with the objective of reintroducing native orchids into suitable situations and enhancing gardens with some of the more
exotic species. Information and photographs will appear on the web site as the projects develop.
I will be attending Dinton Pastures and am happy to take orders to the show.
Advertising
Announcement
Notice To Advertisers
Advertisements are welcomed. Full page
£80, half page £40, quarter page £20.
Fliers, size A5 or A4 folded, for insertion
(please supply 1,100 leaflets) £80.
Adverts must be prepaid. Discounts
available for four consecutive issues.
Deadlines: December 10th, March 10th,
June 10th, September 10th .
For all requests and artwork
specifications
please contact Kim Solomon.
Tel: 0208 9464410,
email : [email protected]
246 • OSGBJ 2011, 60(3)
Rosemann
Greenhouses
British made greenhouses built to a
standard not a price.
Our Bernhard range is 8’6” high
and 8’3” wide.
Available from 6’ to 12’ long.
Including 6’ high doors, 2 roof
vents, a full width rear shelf and
downpipes.
Easy access - opening 4’ wide.
If you need a more compact
greenhouse then our Sprite 6’ wide
range is built to the same high
standards
19, Eastern Green Road
Coventry. CV5 7LG
Tel: 024 7647 1228
Advertisements
Plants Plus
Your 1st choice for Orchid Sundries
Quite simply we can supply everything you require to grow perfect orchids.
Contact us for a free catalogue or visit our web site at
www.plantsplus.org.uk
Roger Bowden
Plants Plus
61 Coleridge Gardens
Burnham-on-sea
TA8 2QA
248 • OSGBJ 2011, 60(3)
tel: 01278 786938
email: [email protected]
Advertisements
Laurence Hobbs Orchids Ltd
Bailiffs Cottage Nursery, Hophurst Lane,
Crawley Down, W.Sussex RH10 4LN
Tel: 01342 715142 or Mobile 07961 350053
Near M25/M23/Gatwick Airport
• For quality Cattleyas, Paphiopedilums, Phalaenopsis, Dendrobiums, Cymbidiums
• Also a range of nursery raised and imported species and hybrids
• Many Cattleya hybrids, seedlings and merclones from Carter & Holmes Inc. (USA) for
whom we are the sole UK Agents
Extensive choice, no order too small
Please send sae and £1 (redeemable) for black/white stock lists and
Carter & Holmes colour brochures
Plants supplied by Mail Order. Visitors welcome
Society/Group visits catered for, please ring in advance to arrange
Opening Times: Saturday & Sunday: 10am – 1pm and 2pm – 5pm
Please phone first to avoid disappointment
Monday to Thursday: open by appointment only
Closed Fridays and Bank Holidays
Open Weekends: 20th & 21st Aug and 1st & 2nd Oct.
Complimentary refreshments, 10% Discount
JUST IN GLASS
Ray Creek (Orchids)
Your favourite orchid
captured in glass.
7 Jacklin Lane : Luddington :
Scunthorpe : DN17 4RB
Decanters, Mirrors, Plates, Society Trophies,Vases,
Wine Glasses (anything in glass!).
A wide range of coloured glass and designs are
available. The ideal gift for any occasion
from a simple thank you to a glorious Wedding or
Anniversary. Other images may be requested
or supplied (non-orchid).
For further information on the range of
designs available, please contact:Andy Phillips, Just In Glass
Unit G2, Bunkers Hill Farm,
Rotherwick, Hants RG27 9DA
Tel: 01256 474911 and Mobile 07910 245690
E-mail: [email protected]
Commissions welcomed for individual
beaten polished-copper Orchids
Exciting list of species
& hybrids available.
2 X 1st class stamps appreciated.
Gift orchids from£20,
incl. p & p
Quality washed and heat-treated
coconut husk chips & top
specifications orchid feed in
stock. Try them, they work !!
Telephone: 01724 798445
www.raycreekorchids.com
OSGBJ 2011, 60(3) • 249
Services to members
The Journal
Cultural Advice
Published quarterly
Available at all meetings, or by post from Val
Micklewright, 103 North Road, Three Bridges,
Crawley, West Sussex, RH10 1SQ (please enclose an
SAE for reply) or email: [email protected]
Meetings
Held most months at Napier Hall, 1 Hide Place, (off
Vincent Street), Westminster, London, SW1P 4NJ.
Doors open at 13.30, and unless otherwise stated,
introductory session and cultural queries at
13.45−14.15 with guest speaker at 14.30.
Competitive show tables at all meetings. Plants for
judging must be in place by 14.00. Non-competitive
plants are always welcome. Parking is free on single
yellow lines and in Pay & Display parking bays (which
are not currently enforced on Saturdays) but DO NOT
PARK on ‘Residents Only’ spaces. Meetings at which
members may bring plants to sell (with 10% to the
Society, please) are marked with an asterisk (*).
2011
6 Aug* 10.00 Introductory seminar and lunch
for new members
14.30 Speaker: Tom Hart-Dyke – Orchid
hunting in Colombia
3 Sept* 13.45 Introductory session:
Paphiopedilums
14.30 Speaker: Chris Purver –
Miltoniopsis, oncidiums and their
hybrids
1 Oct
5 Nov
13.45 Introductory session:
Dendrobiums
14.30 Speaker: Malcolm Moodie –
Orchid nutrition: considerations
for success
Autumn Show at Wraysbury
Village Hall, Wraysbury, near
Staines in conjunction with the
Wraysbury Orchid Event
3 Dec* 12.00 Doors open at 12.00 for
photographic, art and table show
entries
12.30 Christmas Lunch, Photographic &
Art Competition and Quiz
Website www.orchid-society-gb.org.uk
The website has been designed by Ian Parsons. The
Society’s internet web controller, Sam Hurley, will be
pleased to receive material for the website,
[email protected]
Library
Books are available by post from the Librarian
(address inside front cover of Journal) or can be
collected at the monthly meetings. They may be
borrowed for up to four weeks. The borrower is
asked to pay the outward and return postage. A full
list of books may be obtained from the Librarian or
found on our website.
Displays
Members are invited to bring their plants to
contribute to official displays by the Society at those
shows shown in bold in the Show Diary, but please
liaise beforehand with Displays Manager Val Pugh,
[email protected]
All articles and photographs in the Journal are the copyright
of the OSGB and the authors, and may not be reproduced in
any form without permission.
Opinions expressed in the Journal are those of the authors and
they, together with services and products offered by advertisers,
are not necessarily endorsed by the Society.
The Journal is produced quarterly and is available to members by
subscription only. The annual subscription is £16.00 with £4.00
extra for each additional family member at the same address.
There is an overseas members’ postage supplement of £4.00 for
Europe and £5.00 for rest of world. Junior (under 21)
membership UK only is £12.00. Back issues of the Journal are
available (4 Journals per year/volume): £5.00 + p&p £2.50 per
year, for the UK.
All subscriptions are due on 1 January unless new members have
a special arrangement to cover two years.
Membership application forms may be obtained from the
Membership Secretary.
2012
7 Jan
14.30 Auction by Henry Oakeley.
Members may bring four plants
each to be auctioned or six plants
per family membership
250 • OSGBJ 2011, 60(3)
Further Diary Dates can be found via the OSGB
website: www.orchid-society-gb.org.uk and the
British Orchid Council website: www.britishorchid-council.info/
OSGB Show Diary
including Affiliated Societies and International Shows
2011
20
August
27 – 28 BOGA Summer Orchid Fair, Dinton Pastures
Country Park, Berkshire, RH10 0TH.
website: www.boga.org.uk
September
3–4
Orchid Study Group – Wales, 4th Orchid
Festival, National Botanic Garden of Wales,
Llanarthne, Carmarthenshire, SA32 8HG.
Contact: Lynne Harrendence, tel: 01558
668492, email:
[email protected],
website: www.orchidstudygroup.org
24
Bournemouth OS Autumn Show, The
Barrington Centre, Penny’s Walk Precinct,
Ferndown, Dorset, BH22 9TH. 12.00 – 16.30
Contact: Ken Griffiths, tel: 01425 672492,
email: [email protected], website:
www.erythos.com/BOS/
October
9
Croydon & District Group, Open Autumn
Show, Diamond Riding Centre,
Woodmansterne Road, Carshalton, Surrey,
SM5 4DT. 10.00 – 16.00
Contact: Derek Belcher, tel: 020 8715 3635
15 – 16 Devon OS Orchid Weekend, Langstone
Cliff Hotel, Dawlish Warren,
Devon, EX7 0NA.
Contact: Sue Lane, tel: 01884 32430
16
OS of East Anglia Autumn Show, Eaton
Parish Hall, Colman Road, Norwich,
NR4 7HA. 10.00 − 16.30
Contact: Colin Thorburn, tel: 01842 810520,
email: [email protected]
30
South East OS Show, Ashford Rail Staff Hall,
Beaver Road, Ashford, Kent TN23 7RR.
14.00 – 17.00
Contact: Janet Hooker, tel: 01303 256637,
email: [email protected], website:
www.seos.care4free.com
November
12
Essex Orchid Group, Autumn Show, South
Green Memorial Hall, Southend Road,
Billericay, Essex, CM11 2PR. 13.30 – 16.00
Contact: Margaret Dalton, tel: 01702 21855,
13 – 20 20th World Orchid Conference, Singapore,
website: www.20woc.com.sg
CHS Sussex Orchid Group, Open Autumn
Show at Crawley Horticultural Hall, Ifield
Avenue, Crawley. Opens at 13.30
Contact: Sally Mill, tel: 01293 547896
2012
February
18
North Bucks OS Spring Show, Flitwick Village
Hall, Flitwick, Bedfordshire, MK45 1HP.
11.00 – 16.00
Contact: Kate Bellingham, tel: 01234 824882
18
South West OS Show, Village Hall, Monkton
Heathfield, Taunton, TA2 8NE. 10.30 – 16.00
Contact: Marian Saunders,
March
17 – 18 The RHS London Orchid Show (preview
evening 16 March)
31
Hinckley & District OS, 21st Anniversary
Show, St John’s Church, 351 Coventry Road,
Hinckley, Leicestershire, LE10 0NP.
10.00 – 16.00
Contact: Keith Bates, tel: 01455 446793,
April
7
Solihull & District OS Show, Arden School,
Station Road, Knowle, B93 0PT.
11.00 – 16.00
Contact: Martin Ball, tel: 01564 822897,
12 – 15 15th European Orchid Congress and
Show, SYMA Event Centre, Budapest,
Hungary, website:
www.eocbudapest.hu/aindex.php
14
Essex Orchid Group, Spring Show, South
Green Memorial Hall, Southend Road,
Billericay, Essex, CM11 2PR. 13.30 – 16.00
Contact: Margaret Dalton, tel: 01702 21855,
May
22 − 26 The RHS Chelsea Flower Show
September
9
Orchid Show, Josephine Butler College,
Durham University.
Contact: Chris Barker, tel: 01642 654748
11 – 16 19th AOC Conference & Show, Perth,
Western Australia, website:
www.waorchids.iinet.net.au/19th_AOC_Co
nference.htm
OSGBJ 2011, 60(3) • 251

Orchids - The Orchid Society of Great Britain

Transcription

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