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ANOS – KABI GROUP

Aussie Native Orchid Show will be held on the 23^rd & 24^th August 2008, at the Lion’s Hall, Lawnton  Showgrounds, Lawnton.

Adults $3.00

Contact one of the committee members if you know of anyone who would like to sponsor a class (or more) at our big Orchid Show in August. They will be given a thank-you by way of free admission for two to the show as well as being named on the Sponsor’s Board.

Also…regarding our August Show

Keep your plastic bags for the sales tables.

Each member to bring a plate of finger food for the supper on judging night.

Novice class members enter your flowering orchids in the show. There is a special class for just Maroochydore Society members. These orchids are usually tagged with a ribbon to identify them. Just let the Show Marshal know you are eligible.

WHERE OF WHERE HAVE OUR RIBBONS GONE?

Does anyone know where the major prize ribbons are? They were last seen at the end of last years show at Millwell Road Hall.  Reward offered ….a big kiss from the Editor or maybe some banana dollars.

Novice Nook

Remember to label your orchids. An orchid without a name is frustrating. I found this great idea in a magazine for lasting labels.

Cut up old venetian blinds into the correct size of a label. These blinds are made of UV resistant material and the labels will last longer then plastic ones. Use a permanent ink marker to write on them.

Most grower’s use bark mixes but some exceptional results have been recorded by using other mediums.

You may want to try a mix but DO NOT change your whole collection until the new mix is proven right for you. First experiment with a few plants and see how they respond.

What causes deformed flowers?
If a plant consistently produces deformed flowers year after year, the problem is genetic. However, an occasional deformed flower may be caused either flower buds that were subjected to the stress of high temperature and low humidity; mechanical or chemical damage.

Some Cattleyas will develop reddish coloured leaves under cool conditions in autumn and winter. Add a teaspoon of Epsom Salts to your fertilizing water to prevent this. Do not spray the plant with the mixture just provide it to the roots.

If there are small black spots on the flowers it is usually caused by Botrytris, a fungus. The problem is caused by poor air circulation and too much moisture. The remedy is to increase air circulation and reduce the humidity.

Apology

Calanthe – the forgotten genus

By Darryl Banks

Where have all the Calanthe’s gone????

When I first started to grow orchids there were plenty of Calanthe’s at the shows and many nurseries and societies had them for sale at their shows. In recent times they appear very infrequently at the shows and you see few for sale, this is a great pity as they are a very easy and rewarding plant to grow. They were always one of the first orchids that new growers were told to get when I was starting out.

History

This is mostly a group of deciduous terrestrial orchids that come from South Africa, Asia, Australia and Central America. Depending on the reference book there are between 60 and 150 species in the genus.

Calanthe’s deserves a special place in orchid history as it was with 2 species of this genus that the first recorded man made orchid hybrid was made. In 1853 John Dominy crossed Cal furcuta with Cal masuca and made the orchid hybrid that was Cal Dominyi.

Why Grow them.

They are easy to grow and as they are deciduous they really only require looking after for about 8 months of the year.

They produce long flower spikes (up to 120cm long/tall) and can flower for up to 3 months over winter/early spring.

They come in a range of colours from white to white with pink/ red lips to pink and solid red and even yellow and green.

Growing Them

These are deciduous ground orchids that produce large leaves and big bulbs if grown well. They require plenty of water in the growing

season and a dry rest.

Light

Generally 70% shade works best, as they have large leaves

Temperature

They are intermediate growers and generally require not less than 15c in the growing season (Spring & Summer) together with moderate to high humidity levels

Water

These are commonly deciduous plants so they require plenty of water in the growing season, then once they come into flower you commence to reduce the watering until near the end of the flowering cycle when the leaves have fallen off you dry the plant out.

Fertiliser

They require frequent fertilising in the growing season, however stop once they commence to flower. It is generally recommended not to use slow release with them.

Potting Mix

They require a mix that is free draining and rich in humus, people often use a cymbidium mix. I have seen very good results from just coarse river sand. Many older growers used to recommend the addition of some dry cow manure in the bottom of the pot.

Repotting

This is best done once they have finished flowering and before they have started to grow in spring. It is best to repot these orchids every year.

Some to Look For

Cal William Murray- white & pink flowers

Cal George – dark pink to almost red flowers

Cal Veitchii – pink flowers

Cal vestita – pink to pure white flowers

Where to Get them

They are starting to get harder to get – however I would recommend keeping your eyes open as they are very rewarding. The following growers sell them from time to time.

Noela Frizzo (54930057) @ Glasshouse  -Glasshouse Society

Val & Hazel Siebenhausen (54413767) @ Kureelpa - Maroochydore

MEMBERS

Bev Tarrant

Looking back at the early days of the Society.

Ron and I joined the Maroochydore Orchid Society in 1982.

It was after visiting the annual show that we were hooked. The show was held in a hall in Duporth Avenue, next to the Big Top. The President at the time was Bill Alcan, Secretary was Zel Rogers and Treasurer was Dulcie Mc Cloud.

New Grower’s group was held on a Saturday morning.

Ron and I traveled many miles, taking members and their plants to orchid shows. Setting up displays and taking down displays became a way of life, of which we enjoyed.

Vic Potter was one of the members responsible for the formation of the Society. He was a very knowledgeable orchid grower and believed we needed an Orchid Society in our area. Some of the older members may remember Jess & Perce Swensen, Bert Richardson, Peg Wheely, Ron Hayloch, Peter Hennsler, Moya Jim Nolan &  Reg & Margaret Heyer.

I spent many years as Providore and enjoyed working in the kitchen as I formed many friendships.

My biggest thrill was to receive a Life Member Badge and I wear it with pride. My thoughts on orchids could be summed up by the following:

Orchid Hobbist’s Creed

Orchids are, to me, an escape from artificiality into a sane world of order and balance. They give me a feeling of security and satisfy a primitive need for the assurance of unchanging fundamentals. In my greenhouse I find never shifting values. I find the eternal laws of the universe in a most tangible form.

Growing orchids makes me humble.  For there I am working with a force stronger then I. When I realize that flowers absorb colour, perfume and beauty and form from a dimension beyond my understanding, my belief in God is strengthened. Orchid culture satisfies my hunger for spiritual beauty and creation.

If ideals are futile, if friends disappoint me, if my heart is sad, or my mind in turmoil, if eyes are dull and my body sluggish, I can go into the greenhouse, among my orchids, and find faith, tranquility, comfort and physical exercise, all of which gives me a renewed feeling of well- being, confidence….and inspiration. - ANON.

…and the winner’s for June are…

EDITORS NOTES FROM THE  S.T.O.C.Q. MEETING  21-6-08

I am sure President Kathy would have been pleased with the number of Maroochydore Society member’s who attended this meeting. After a delicious morning tea…(who made that yellow sponge, I had two slices yum…yum) the business meeting was followed by a very enjoyable slide presentation of ‘Orchids of Borneo & Surrounds’ by Wayne Harris.

Four awards were presented.  One to John Green, two to M&J Rivers and one to our very own John Salway. Congratuations John!

It was also reported that the next Orchidfest will be hosted by Caloundra and held on the June Q.B. weekend 2010. The venue will be the Lake Kawana Community Hall. The theme is “Caloundra Golden Orchid Orchidfest”

A DVD of all  past awards will be given to all affilliated societies of S.T.O.C.Q.  A chance for us all to see the way our perception of the perfect orchid has changed over the years.

Next S.T.O.C.Q. meeting will be hosted by Caloundra and will be held on the 22^nd November 2008. Venue:  C.C.S.A. Hall, Nutley Street, Caloundra.

The End

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