Bul l e t i n of tke O r c k i d Society of Canb err a, I nc .

Volume 14 Number 3

Index The Editor Notes... 2 Minutes of March Meeting 2 Minutes of April Meeting 3 Coming Events 4 AOF Project Reports 5 Motions for the Annual General Meeting 5 Membership News 8 Popular Vote Results 7 About the Society 8

Committee Meetings May Li la Rose June Mark Fraser & Sandra Corbett

May-June 1999 News in Brief

Regular Monthly Meetings Monthly meetings of the Society are held on the first Tuesday of each month (except January) in Room 1, Griffin Centre, Bunda St, Civic. Meetings commence at 8:00 p.m. with the trading table open from 7.30 p.m.

May Meeting Ben Wallace will speak on the indigenous orchids of South Africa.

June Meeting Andrew Paget will demonstrate his remarkable new self-sterilizing flasking medium. Also the Annual General Meeting, see page 5 for details.

16 May: Dungog Open Day and Show See page 4 for details 26 June: Peats Ridge Bus Trip Book now as places are filling fast. This year we will also be stopping off at Lou Mayer's House of Phalaenopsis! See Page 4 for more details.

6-8 August: Gosford Orchid Spectacular A major event on the Orchid Calendar. Hopefully we may agin table a display. See page 4 for details

2-3 October: South Western Regional Conference: Wagga Wagga Frank has the details on page 4

October, 2000: 15th Australian Orchid Conference: Burnie, Tasmania

Committee Members President Laurie Woods 6258 6187 Vice President Robyn Noel 6258 5734 Treasurer Sandra Corbett 6287 1106 Secretary Frank Fogliati 6236 3281 Keith Alden 6297 3351 Don Chesher 6259 1041 Mark Fraser 6287 1106 Brian Leedham 6251 6621 Lila Rose 6288 0600

The Fine Print © 1999 The Orchid Society of Canberra, Inc. The Orchid Society of Qinberra disclaims liability for tiny loss, financial or otherwise, caused as a result of the contents of this Bulletin.

Proudly sponsored by the Independent Real Estate Group.

INDEPENDENT

The Editor Notes...

Some other Dendrobiums With the approach of autumn and winter many orchids start going into dormancy for winter. Catasetums, Eulophias, and the subject of this article, some of the 'true' Dendrobiums follow a cycle with a pronounced dormant period. Mark Clements extensive revision of the genus Dendrobium has left the group I am going to discuss safely within the genus. Dendrobium aphyllum (formerly known as Den. pierardii) and Den. loddigesii are both well known orchids, which have enjoyed a long history of cultivation. Whilst they share many features with the Softcane or 'nobile complex' they have some unusual features which make them ideally suited to culture in our climate.

This group are amenable to a variety of cultural techniques, however Den aphyllum is a pendulous growing plant and may do better mounted on a slab of treefern. The other species and hybrids in this group should be observed to determine what is the best for growing these plants in your situation.

Dendrobium aphyllum produces long (up to a metre or more in perfect conditions) pendulous cane like pseudobulbs, with alternating leaves up to 6 cm or more long. In summer this plant thrives in plenty of light and water. As autumn approaches the leaves yellow and shrivel. From autumn to spring the plant prefers cooler (min 6°C) conditions, but still enjoys plenty of bright light. Only light spraying should be undertaken during the dormant phase. In spring you will notice swellings starting to develop at the nodes on the canes. Resist the temptation to start regular watering and feeding until these have clearly developed into flower buds! Generally we have found this species flowers in October-November. The flowers are generally pinkish with a cream lip, veined purple in the throat.

Dendrobium loddigesii is a small, densely clustering species. It is more amenable to pot culture than Den. aphyllum, as the pseudobulbs are generally less than 15 cm in length, and the small oval leaves are only up to 4 cm. A dry winter is essential to produce good flowering: this species produces delightful 5 cm flowers,

pink with a heavily fringed orange lip in December.

The hybrid between these two species was made some years ago by Ray Clement at Tinonee Orchids, and a number of plants are in the Society. I believe the hybrid has been registered, but I am unable to trace a name for it. The plant growth habit is intermediate between the two parents, more tussock forming than Den aphyllum, more attenuated than Den loddigesii. The flowers resemble Den pierardii, but are almost twice the size, and feature the fringed lip of Den loddigesii. It flowers in December.

9 Dendrobium Adastra Growers: M Fraser & S. Corbett

Another hybrid from this under utilised group is Dendrobium Adastra, the combination of Den aphyllum and Den anosmum (now known as Den superbiens). A little more warmth is preferable for this plant in winter, however the same general rules apply. The stems are more upright than Den aphyllum, and the leaves are larger. The flowers are very large, pink with a large purple veined cream lip. It flowers in January. One clone that is available commercially is 'Nicky's', raised and sold by Nicky Zurcher, which has been awarded.

These Dendrobiums are easy to grow in a bright location, and offer many flowers in the Spring and Summer. Indeed, their peak flowering season is at a time when other orchids can be a little thin. They are well worth considering, and are regularly advertised in a variety of catalogues.

Mark Fraser

MINUTES OF THE GENERAL MEETING 2 MARCH 1999

Attendance: 49 Apologies: 8

President Laurie Woods opened the meeting at 8.05pm welcoming members, visitors, and guests.

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PREVIOUS MINUTES G U E S T SPOT

The minutes of the February General Meeting were accepted; moved on the motion of Robyn Noel and seconded by Julianne Turner.

T R E A S U R E R ' S R E P O R T Presented by Sandra Corbett Current bank balance is $6079.13 Sandra thanked Keith & June Alden for their Autumn Show prize donation. The Treasurer's report was accepted; moved on the motion of Robyn Noel and seconded by Keith Alden.

S E C R E T A R Y ' S R E P O R T Presented by Frank Fogliati Inwards Newsletters: Campbelltown, Illawarra, Sapphire Coast, OSNSW-January OSNSW, Sapphire Coast, Albury, Gosford, Illawarra, Griffith, Eurobodalla, Wagga Wagga-February Albury-March

Letters: A O C - subs renewal, product listing, agenda, invoice; Neil Bowers; Australia Post-invoice; Central -West Shade & Play; ANOS (Vic)- change of address details; Sapphire Coast Orchid Club- club events; Communication Station-invoice; Floriade-advance information; P & A Keomavalong; South African Orchid Council; AOS- subs renewal; Royal & Sun Alliance-account

Catalogues: Nil

Library: Orchids (AOS)-December; Orchids Australia-February; Aust Orchid Re view-February/March; The Orchid Review

Outwards New members-welcome letter & constitution; OSNSW-Show information & society details; Neil Bowers; Noel Price; Pany Keomalavong; AOC-information reply. The Secretary's report was accepted; moved on the motion of Mark Fraser and seconded by Mari Millucci.

G E N E R A L BUSINESS

Royale Orchid Fair-deposits are being accepted; places are filling. Social Events-Open Glasshouse Day, Social Afternoon & BBQ; details as per bulletin. Ivan & Kratai Clarke have a new family addition-a son, Vincent. Orchids Australia binders have been ordered. Details given for sale of private collections in Sydney. AOS Culture Sheets displayed; copies to be provided for interested members. Cymbidium Trouble Shooting sheet provided. South African Orchid Council will now produce a Year Book, instead of quarterly journals. Laurie oudined speaker program for the year

Tonight's guest was Lou Mayer from The House of Phalaenopsis. Lou and his family recently returned from a trip to Europe, where the production and marketing of Phalaenopsis is on a massive scale. Slides starting with the Netherlands showed Phals growing in a variety of private residences. They are sold in general gardening and hardware stores as a very uniform and automated product. Next we saw Phals on display and for sale at Orchid shows in Germany.

Lou commented that our Society is well represented by Phal growers, and stated that provided some basic culture is adhered to, they are the easiest orchid to flower. He showed a rare peloric Phal, and also discussed current breeding goals, particularly with the novelty group. Finally Lou fielded many questions regarding culture and was able to enlighten us with improvements to pest & disease control, and potting mixes.

NEW MEMBERS: Daryl Smith & Robyn D' Aran, Richard Solon, Pany & Anna Keomalavong.

DOOR PRIZE: Brian Leedham, Bob Evans

RAFFLE: Mari Millucci, Gladys Jarrett, Edna O'Dell, Bob Evans, Ben Wallace, Peter Chin, Lou Mayer

A r 1 Orchid of the Night - March 1999

Odontoma Susan Bogdanow Grower: Brian Phelan

MINUTES OF THE GENERAL MEETING 6 APRIL 1999

Attendance: 45 Apologies: 11

President Laurie Woods opened the meeting at 8.02pm welcoming members, visitors, and guests.

T R E A S U R E R ' S R E P O R T Presented by Sandra Corbett Current bank balance is $6245.22 Membership subs are due now. The Treasurer's report was accepted; moved on the motion of Jane Wright and seconded by Robyn Noel.

S E C R E T A R Y ' S R E P O R T Presented by Frank Fogliati

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Inwards Newsletters: Sapphire Coast, Alpine Garden Society (UK), OSNSW-March

Albury, Campbelltown, Wagga Wagga, Eurobodalla-April

Letters: AOC product listing, agenda, invoice; AOS questionnaire; Weston Creek Bonsai Group Show details; Gosford Show details; AOF-project reports, publication details; Orkology Kreations-Orchidopedia; A G S - subs invoice; Campbelltown- address change; Club Peruano de Orquideas-Show details Catalogues: P&R Orchids

Library: Orchids (AOS)-November, January; The Orchid Review-March/April

Outwards

New members- welcome letter & constitution

The Secretary's report was accepted; moved on the motion of Terry Turner and seconded by Keith Alden.

G E N E R A L BUSINESS

AOS Culture Sheets provided for members Nominations are being accepted for the next committee; forms were available; members were reminded that they must be financial to vote and/or stand. Royale Orchid Fair bus trip will include a detour to Lou Mayer. Autumn Show benching disappointment; the committee will trial a new 'bulk' registration system next year; trophy was presented to Keith Alden Members were reminded of upcoming events inc. Social Afternoon and BBQ; and also to check bulletins from other societies for their meeting/social event schedule AOF project reports were provided

G U E S T SPOT

Professor Adrian Gibbs presented a talk on plant viruses. Adrian is currently with the Research School of Biological Science (ANU), where he and his colleague Anne Mackenzie are researching orchid viruses. Despite the complexity of this subject, Adrian was able to reveal some of the extraordinary world of viruses, which are parasites of cellular organisms. He spoke of the early days of vims detection involving electron microscopy and also the new techniques which are more sensitive. The 2 phase life-cycle of viruses was discussed by way of slides. Members were treated to images of vims particles at incredible powers of resolution.

Adrian provided details of the 4 main groups of viruses affecting orchids; PotX, PotY, Tobacco Mosaic, and Rhabdo. Symptoms and transmission vectors were explained, and it was revealed that some groups can only be

transmitted by specific insect hosts, and not by contact as previously believed. Adrian concluded his talk with a request for improvement in commercial orchid virus testing. All growers, whether commercial or hobbyist, should be interested in seeing the establishment of such a facility. An initial approach to the AOF has not met with success.

NEW MEMBERS: Andrew Paget

DOOR PRIZE: Jane Wright

RAFFLE: Irene Altinger, Gloria Altinger, Jessie Pearce, Pat Hewling, Heinz Greve, Robyn D'Aran, Don Chesher

Meeting closed 10.21pm.

COMING EVENTS Here are 3 dates for your diary of orchid events. As the name implies they are much more than just shows. You can expect plenty of orchids and associated products, lots of advice, displays, award judging, and of course a show that attracts exhibitors from around the country.

Dungog Open Day & Show MAY 16

The Dungog Open Day places a strong emphasis on Australasian and Australian Native Orchids and this year will feature 18 vendors. The whole show is under cover.

Gosford Orchid Spectacular AUGUST 6-8

The Gosford Orchid Spectacular is an event that our society has attended in the past, mounting displays and exhibiting plants. We have even brought home some prizes!

1999 South & West Regional Orchid Conference &Show 2&3 O C T O B E R

The 1999 South & West Regional Orchid Conference & Show will be the premier event in our region this year. Presentations will be made by Alan Merriman (fertlisers), David Banks (species), Eric Wilde (Sarcochilus), and Dean Roesler (Cymbidiums). There will be a conference dinner, a river trip along the Murrumbidgee, and a bus trip taking in a winery and a cheese factory.

Further details will be available at general meetings. You can also talk to other members who have attended these events.

Frank Fogliati

AOF P R O J E C T REPORTS

The Australian Orchid Foundation (AOF) is a voluntary organisation dedicated to benefit orchids from both a cultural and a scientific basis. One of their objectives is to establish, conduct, manage, support, and finance research into the study of orchids, their characteristics, distribution, growth and preservation, promotion, propagation and cultivation

To this end the AOF is currently funding 10 projects. Regular progress reports are made available to our Society. Of particular note is that our Society continues to support this vital work of the AOF through annual donation. Currently we are involved with project No. 7.

If you are interested in any of these current or past research projects please let me know. I will be only too pleased to follow up with progress reports, final reports, and contacts.

David L . Jones: A follow up report of a project that was undertaken in New Caledonia in 1996, including collections of a new genus, Canneorchis.

David Miller: In response to a letter sent to the Brazilian authorities about land developers encroaching into the Macae de Cima rainforest.

Colum Wilson & Annette Blanchfield: Continuing work on the Detection & Characterisation of Orchid Fleck Virus.

Ron Tunstall & John Riley: Orchid survey of the Pilliga Scrub and adjacent ranges indicating how bushfires and floods have great influence on survey work.

Ray Nash: The orchids of Belair National Park in the Adelaide Hills.

Colin C. Bower: Determination of pollinators of sexually deceptive terrestrial orchids in the subtribe Caladeniinae. Colin reports that this has been an excellent year for the work on this exacting and time consuming project.

Margaret Collins:Improvement of in vitro growth & tuber production of symbiotically germinated Australian terrestrial orchids. A sad story but we are confident of final success.

Ralph Crane: Orchid survey of the Mt. Moffatt National Park and the Salvator Rosa region.

Don Gowanlock: Investigations of virus in the native orchid species. Don has given numerous talks to orchid societies and his theme is 'to be aware'.

Adrian Gibbs & Anne Mackenzie: Viruses in orchids in Australia, involving a new sensitive molecular technique.

Frank Fogliati

Items for Determination at the Annual General Meeting

Our Annual General Meeting gives the Society an opportunity to review the current situation. This year there are two major issues we would like to address. Firstly, there is the nomination of Dr Jane Wright for Life Membership of the Orchid Society of Canberra, Inc. We also have a number of proposed amendments to the constitution for your consideration. These will also be voted on at the Annual General Meeting.

Also included on page 7 is the nomination form for the Committee. Please think about nominating for the Committee as it is an excellent way of learning a lot more about the Society and the activities we undertake. We need your participation! If you need further information about the role of the committee please feel free to contact any of the current committee members.

Nominations must be lodged with the Public Officer, Sandra Corbett, by Saturday 22 May, 1999. These may be posted to the Orchid Society or delivered personally to 19 Kalgoorlie Crescent, Fisher, ACT.

Nomination for Life Membership Jane Wright has been an active member of the Orchid Society of Canberra for 10 years, and has been extensively involved in a variety of roles within the Committee. She has been president, treasurer, secretary and show convenor for the Society. She was a driving force in the production of our book Growing Orchids in Canberra and Other Cool Climates.

5

Jane has encouraged many other members to take a more active role in the Society with her boundless energy and infectious enthusiasm, and has been generous with her knowledge, experience and support. Jane has been actively involved in our participation at the Gosford Orchid Spectacular and in our displays at the Regional Conferences. When Canberra hosted the Regional Conference Jane was the Conference Convenor. At times she has acted as photographer for the Society.

Jane has attracted a reputation as an authority on pests and diseases, which is in part linked to her employment by CSIRO in the Entomology Division. She has spoken at meetings and at the Conference on the subject of pests and diseases, and has attracted attention from other Societies.

In view of all this, the Committee has nominated Jane for Life Membership of the Orchid Society of Canberra.

Amendments to the Constitution There has been some concern regarding a number of elements of the constitution of the Society, which has been subject to review by the Committee. The following amendments to the Constitution have been proposed by the Committee as a means of addressing some of these concerns. The Committee will continue to examine the Constitution, with a view to ensuring its effectiveness as a governing document for the Society. The following amendments to the Constitution have been proposed by the Committee as a means of addressing some of these concerns and will be debated and voted upon at the Annual General Meeting.

Paragraph 10 (6) To be amended to read:

All cheques, drafts, bills of exchange, promissory notes, and other negotiable instruments shall be signed by the Treasurer or, in his absence by other such members of the committee as the committee may nominate for that purpose.

Paragraph 45: The By-Laws of the Society, be amended as follows:

Paragraph 45(2) To be amended to:

The Society shall have three classes of contributory membership

(a) Single membership, for one person (b) Joint membership, of two or more persons

living at the same address, for which a maximum of two persons shall be allowed to vote at any general meeting

(c) Junior membership, for persons less than seventeen years of age on the last day of the Society's financial year

Paragraph 45(3)The following new paragraph is to be inserted:

Membership subscriptions shall be determined at a General Meeting by a simple majority of members present.

The former paragraph 45(3) to be renumbered 45(4), and the former paragraph 45(4) to be renumbered 45( 5).

Motion to Establish a Schedule of Membership Dues

Single Membership $20 Joint Membership $25 Junior Membership $5

Membership News

Congratulations to Julianne and Terry Turner on the birth of their daughter, Sarah.

Welcome to new members Andrew Paget, Anna Keomalavong and Patricia Bartone. We hope you enjoy the society.

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Popular Vote

March 1999

Cattleya Alliance - Standard CattleyaAlliance - Other Odontoglossum Alliance Paphiopedilum Alliance Pleurothallid Alliance Vandaceous Alliance Vandaceous Species Any Other Species Any Other Hybrids

Brassolaeliocattleya ToshieAoki 'Pizzazz' Cattleya Eugene Dixon

Odorttioda (Odontoglossum Heatonensis x (Odontoglossum Quistrum x Shelley)) Paphiopedilum (primulinum wflawm x malpoense)

Dracula vampnra

Phalaenopsis (Argentinum x Niva Panda) 'Crista' Holcoglossum kimballianum

Stanhopea inodora

Dendrobium Ellen

P & A Keomalavong Quin Yuen Chung

Brian Phelan Keith Alden

Frank Fogliati Keith Alden

Ben Wallace Frank Fogliati

Daryl Smith

Orchid of the Night

CattleyaAlliance - Species Cattleya Alliance - Miniature Cattleya Alliance - Intermediate Cattleya Alliance - Standard Dendrobium Alliance Odontoglossum Alliance Paphiopedilum Alliance Pleurothallid Alliance Vandaceous Alliance Any Other Species

Odontonia Susan Bogdanow

April 1999

Epidendrum parkinsonianum

Laelia (anceps var alba x rubescens var alba)

Brassolaeliocattleya (Cattleya Chocolate Drop 'Kodama' x Oconee 'Mendenhall') Sophrolaeliocattleya Tirza

Dendrobium Name Unknown Odontoghssum wyattianum

Paphiopedilum Vanda M Pearman Masdevallia Kimballiana 'Golden Dawn'

Vanda Qosephine van Brero x (Teparak x Keeree's Delight)) Cymbidium dayanum 'Glenbrook

Brian Phelan

Frank Fogliati Robert Rough Robert Rough Robin D'Aran

Priscilla Grove Brian Phelan

Frank Fogliati Priscilla Grove

Bob Evans Robyn D'Aran

Plant of the Night Paphiopedilum Bengal Lancers Phalaenopsis (Olympic Club x (Shiranomi x Musashino))

Soplrro laeliocattleya Tirza

Terry Himer Keith Alden

Robin D'Aran

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About the Society

Postal Address The Orchid Society of Canberra Inc. GPOBox612 Canberra, A C T 2601

The website address is: h t t p / / w w w . g e o c i t i e s . c o m / R a i n F o r e s t / V i n e s / 7 0 4 0

The editors e-mail address is: f r a s e r . c o r b e t t @ i n t e r a c t . n e t . a u

The Society can be contacted by phone on (02) 6287 1106 We are always on the lookout for articles on all aspects of orchid culture. If you have an article you would like to submit please contact the editor. When submitting an article, please send either a typescript or, i f you are submitting the article electronically use either Word for Windows 2, Word 5.1 (Macintosh) or . T X T file. When submiting electronic files please refrain from using unusual or elaborate formatting, as I will have to remove and rebuild it.

I f you want to include an illustration in the bulletin I can accept most electronic formats, or slides or negatives.

PLANT STANDS MADE TO ORDER

Treated Pine, Galvanized Mesh Shelving. Ideal for Bonsai, Orchids and general display

Single, Two and Three Tiered Available

Enquiries Phone: 6248 5360 Advertisement

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Telephone: (06) 251 7714

Debco Orchid Potting Mixes Are available from The Good Earth Garden Centre, Jamison.