March - Noosa Orchid Society

Newsletter March 2015
NOOSA DISTRICT ORCHID &
FOLIAGE SOCIETY
.
President. John Green
54832764
johnandkayegreen@gmail.com
Secretary. Lesley Beare
54499629
beare.noosa@bigpond.com.au
Treasurer. L Walters
54556660
4 loisw@spin.net.au
Address for all mail
P.O.Box 527, Cooroy 4563
Meetings held on the first
Saturday
of the month, at Tinbeerwah
Hall 1.00 pm for 1.30 pm start
www.noosaorchidsociety.org
Date Claimers .
Sam Cowie
www. >leafandlimb.biz <
3-4 April Bribie Island Show
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Happy birthday to our members who celebrate this month.
Glenda Davies. Anne McGregor. Bronwyn Jones. Neil Walker. Dave Wood.
Orchid site worth a look http://www.orchid-care-tips.com/growingorchids-for-beginners.html
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Anyone wishing to Purchase a club shirt go to --- Red Energy Promotions, 4/1 Rene St.,
(Cnr. Eumundi Rd) Noosaville, select the correct size and colour and when sufficient orders
are received, they will embroider them.
----------------Please remember that the fee ($20 Members) for the bus trip to Maryborough on the (29th
March) is due at the next meeting , if you wish to pay by direct bank payment the details are as
follows.
CBA Tewantin, BSB 064 439 A/C no. 00901014. And Your Name
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------I have confirmed the trip with Coolum Coaches departing Tewantin at 7.30 am (SHARP)and arriving
back at Tewantin at 5.30pm. We will be visiting Fraser Coast Orchids the lunch at Kondarri Resort (at
own cost) followed by visits to 2 Hervey Bay members bush houses. Pick up will be at the Tewantin
Marina, at the bus stop there, Then the Cooroy Bus Stop, and Gympie.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Just Joking
92 year old man is walking through a park and sees a talking frog.
He picks up the frog and the frogs says, “If you kiss me, I will turn into a beautiful princess and be
yours for a week.”
The old man puts the frog in his pocket. The frog screams, “Hey if you kiss me, I will turn into a
beautiful princess and make love to you for a whole month.”
The old man looks at the frog and says, “At my age I’d rather have a talking frog.”
A
1
Mini Cats.
1 Dial. Snowflake x
2 Bc. Little Mermaid 'Janet'
3 Lc Susan Holcombe
Catteleya Alliance
1 Bc.Donna Kimura x Burdekin Dream
2 Rlc. Alma Kee 'Tipmalee'
3 Pot. Burana Beauty 'Burana'
Dendrobium Alliance
1 Den. Madame Cury
2 Den Unknown
3 Den. Sweet Praya Charm
Natives
1Den.bigibbum Var 'compactum'
2 Den. bigibbum Var bigibbum
3 ----------Phalanopsiss
1 Phal. unknown
2 Phal.unknown
3 -----------Species
1 Cat.bowringiana
2 P. bellina
3 Milt.spectabalis
Vanda Alliance
1 Dr Anek x
2 Vasco. Blue Fairy
3 V.Chao Praya Sapphire x
Oncidium Alliance
1 Onc.Tricocentrum ?
2 Onc. Dorothy Oka
3 Milt. Charles Fitch
Others
1 Bulb. Wilmar Galaxy
2 ---------3 ---------Epidendrum
1 Unknown
2 --------3 --------
JC
Bromeliad.
1 Unknown
2 --------3 --------Anthurium
1 Chocolate
2 Species
3 ---------Ferns
1 Huperzia Tassel
2 Hares Foot
3-----------Foliage
1 Pila Caderei
2 Sidirus
3----------Novice
1C. Dinmore Perfection
2 Paph. unknown
3 ----------
R McEwan
N E Walker
N EWalker
JC
N Willis
R McEwan
R McEwan
R McEwan
R McEwan
JC
R Marr
D Phillips
JC
D Hunter
D Hunter
JC
N Willis
N McGregor
JC
R Marr
JC
M Johansson
JC
R Marr
JC L Walters
N Willis
JC L Walters
J Cunningham
JC
P Barry
P Barry
K McGregor
N E Walker
R McEwan
JC R McEwan
Cattleyas
R McEwan
are among the most commonly grown orchids, and their culture is
often used as the basis for comparison with other types of orchids.
Like most other cultivated orchids, cattleyas are epiphytes, or air
plants. They have well-developed water-storage organs (called
pseudobulbs) and large,fleshy roots. They should be potted in a
porous, free-draining medium. The most commonly used are fir
bark, shredded tree-fern fiber, various types of rock, processed
coconut fiber and, mixes based on peat moss and perlite. Keep out
of cold, dry air while in bloom.
LIGHT
Sufficient light is important for healthy growth and flower
production. provide Bright light, some sun. In the home, an east,
west or lightly shaded south window. In a greenhouse, about
30 to 50 percent full sun. Under lights, four 40 watt fluorescent
tubes and two 40 watt incandescent bulbs directly over plants.
Plants should be naturally erect, without need of much staking, and
of a medium olive-green color. Dark green,limp foliage indicates
too little light.
T E M P E R AT U R E
Mature plants need a 15 to 20 F difference between night and day.
Nights of 55 to 60 F; days of 70 to 85 F. Cattleyas can tolerate
temperatures up to 95 to 100 F if shading, humidity and air
circulation are increased. Seedling cattleyas need temperatures five
to 10 degrees higher than mature plants.
W AT ER Mature plants must dry out between waterings,
JC L Walters
N Willis
R McEwan
JC
L Walters
JC L Walters
---------------------------------------------------------------------------Lucky Door Prize
Mary Postma
Raffle Winners.
Rodney Marr,
Jackie Murphy,
Judy Clayten,
Leon Franks,
John ?,
Margaret McEwan,
Valerie ?.
seedling plants need more constant moisture
---------------------------------------------------------------Remember when in doubt, about a plant, bring it in to a
meeting and you will get help if someone knows the fix for
it.
2
Growing Epiphytes as Lithophytes
by
Rod Nelson
Over the past two years we have had more rain than I can remember. I believe this has had a very detrimental
effect on the pine bark being used as a potting medium. A few rumours are going round such as, that there is a
fungus, which in these conditions is breaking down the bark quickly. However, commonsense tells you that any
wood type product will decay at an accelerated rate under very constant wet and humid conditions we have had
to endure.
From spring two years ago I realised my plants were experiencing abnormal problems from the bark. Very few
which were repotted had adequate root systems because of the damage from their sodden bark potting mix. My
initial response was to repot them into coarser bark, which had initial better results than the fine to medium
grades I had been using. However, after six months or less the root systems quickly deteriorated again.
I came to the conclusion that it might be worthwhile trying a radically different medium to bark. I remembered
that during the 70's there had been some experimentation with scoria, which is a red volcanic rock available
from landscape suppliers. I had also through want of something to pot with planted a Dendrobium falcorostrum
in pebbles (about 15mm) some five years previous. This plant in that time, without repotting, had grown into a
magnificent specimen from just 3 canes. The pot was only 4" or 100mm in size. In fact I repotted this year for
the first time in seven years to find a mass of healthy roots which you could not see the pebbles through. It was
very impressive. So last March I began experimenting with Odontoglossums and Masdevallias. Half the plants
were repotted in scoria, the other in pebbles about 15mm size. I was quickly delighted with their progress. The
scoria is excellent for growing Masdevallia, Dracula etc., and I have a slight favour for the pebbles in regard to
the Odontoglossums and Oncidiums. Saying that, plants in either have grown fantastic root systems and you
can lift any plant by a leaf without fear of it falling out of its pot. Think of that with the added weight of scoria or
pebbles over bark.
In fact the weight is probably the only disadvantage but not much of a problem for small plants.
In September last year I repotted nearly all my miscellaneous species and hybrids and nearly all my natives into
scoria or pebble. I also for large pots or plants that would grow large used a new product called Absorbastone.
Absorbastone weighs in at 18kg for a 50 litre bag (less weight than bark), and about the same price as bark.
The progress on these plants in 99% of cases has been great. Having always been keen to grow plants to an
absolute premium I am extremely pleased with the results to date.
In summing up, I believe I am still in an experimental stage with the growing mediums but they appear to be an
excellent alternative for most epiphytic orchids. Ask this question; what natural orchid normally lives on radiata
pine bark? I expect very few if any. Many orchids that are epiphytic however also live as lithophytes. I remember
an impressive slide shown by A. B. Porter many years ago showing all sorts of species growing happily on a
rock wall.
Rock and pebble type mediums have these properties
Advantages
•
Low cost
Very long lasting
Excellent drainage
Harmonious to the growth of most orchid root systems
Less need to repot regularly (however some plants are growing so fast this might not be true).
Should be easier to grow as specimens as less need to disturb root systems and root should grow
better and more efficiently anyway.
Pots rarely fall over in the wind.
Disadvantages
•
Pots may be a fair bit heaver to carry.
It would be more difficult to split plants when they become large.
I hope this small article gives you another idea, which may help, in growing your orchids. I think you will find in
the case of most plants it worth giving a try. Happy orchid growing.
3
It has come to the attention of the committee that several newsletters each month do not get picked up this is of course a cost to the
society in both Paper, Ink and time, if you do not have computers and Email, and if you wish to have the newsletter the alternative is to
provide stamped addressed long envelopes to the Editor to forward them to you. Regards. Ed
Please. Return your library Books at the next meeting, if you are not finished and no one has asked for that book, then re-sign it for the
next month , the Librarian has to keep records, so needs your help in this
Members are reminded all plants presented at the meetings must have your Display label on the plant, which has your name and No
on it, and the name of your plant,
They must also be tabled by 1.15 on the day, or will not be judged
Any plants placed for sale must have a clearly marked label with Price and your Exhibition Number on it.
Sponsers to the Noosa & District Orchid and Foliage Society
March meeting pictures
4