June 22 - 30 2009 mailing list messages

2009 Archived Messages

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From: ema.orquideas Perú
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Re: [OrchidTalk] Crab spider and Pollinia.
Date: Mon, 22 Jun 2009 03:30

From: Roger Grier
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: The so called 'Leopard Marsh Orchid'.
Date: Tue, 23 Jun 2009 15:35

Yesterday, while on yet another 'Orchid Safari'.....the month of June is so busy.....I saw a few more of the Dactyl orchid hybrids where the markings on the leaves are like rings/halos.

This is nothing spectacular as I have seen them for the last forty years or so. BUT.....some people tend to describe them as something amazing. They call them the 'Leopard Marsh Orchid' as the circular markings are like those found on Leopards.

Then 'THEY', continue to describe them and tell about them as if they were something RARE.....'Cobblers' I say, with a bit of humour and tongue in cheek. 'THEY', are just a load of Plonkers.

These orchids are just HYBRIDS, and we all know how different one can be from another.

So, here a few leaves for you to look at. And I ask myself, 'Have I cracked how to get them in strict rotation'? Name them Alphabetically. It worked this time.

From: geoff hands
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Re: [OrchidTalk] Peterborough
Date: Tue, 23 Jun 2009 15:35

I'm just back fro Peterborough, with a bootful of booty.... The orchids on
sale were amazing , lots of stuff I had never seen on sale before ( all
those dozens of Phally species − all in flower − to name but one genus).

The Far East people were great − FS ( but take a year to establish) meristem
cattleyas at about 12 or 15 pounds sterling.; the Japanese chap with his
amazing terrestrials all in flower at about 12 pounds each ( sorry to harp
on about money, but super orchids at prices I can't afford would be a
turn-off ! ) ; and that wonderful Malayan chap who greeted me like a
long-lost friend, thrust a cardboard box into my hands for me to fill with
goodies from his stand, and uttered those oft-heard words ( if you have been
East of Suez, before) "I'll make you special price..." I bought lots of
things , and he fulfilled his promise − about 30% off − and I was leaving
the stand, he grabbed another plant and said " hey, did you get one of these
? "- " no said I − is it a gift ?" ... and it was.

The only fly in the ointment was that travelling on to Durham ( as I may
have mentioned) I fell sick and got diagnosed with viral gastro-enteritis.
Nett result I have not taken ( and retained) any food for 3 days now , but
to look on the bright side, before I went away I was trying to lose 3 kg by
dieting , and I guess I won't have to think about when I get on the scales
tomorrow.

From: Roger Grier
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Answers please
Date: Tue, 23 Jun 2009 15:40

From: Tricia Garner
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Re: The so called 'Leopard Marsh Orchid'.
Date: Tue, 23 Jun 2009 22:30

Excellent photos as usual, Roger. I can't see much difference between
'A' and 'B' except that 'A' is brighter.

With regard to naming the files as you have done − yes, they are
attached in the right order, but could you use the plant name rather
than just the date? If I put [some of] them on the website, what is
the visitor to make of names such as 'June 22nd 2009 (11)' and 'June
20th 2009 (32)' etc? Totally meaningless and no help in your campaign
to educate people about native orchids.

From: Roger Grier
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Re: [OrchidTalk] The so called 'Leopard Marsh Orchid'.
Date: Wed, 24 Jun 2009 09:30

Go to the top of the class.......There is no difference between photo A and
B. Well spotted.....excuse the pun. If only the people that I moan about
would have at least a shred of observation.

As to my naming of the files.....guilty as hell. Sorry folks, but as I seem
to have conquered the getting of the files into correct order, I did forget
to name them correctly.

Cheers, Rodge. [Standing in the corner, after being ticked off my the
'Teacher']

From: JIM MATEOSKY
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Look what I found growing in my greenhouse
Date: Thu, 25 Jun 2009 14:10

Not sure about the names, (any and all sugestions welcome). I was walking around yesterday and ...."look at this I have never seen this before..." I do not know if this happens to to you'all that much, but it happens here more times than I can count.

From: Roger Grier
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: British Native Orchids.
Date: Thu, 25 Jun 2009 14:25

You may remember a few days ago that I posted an image of a nice looking orchid and asked if anyone knew what it was. Well, I was expecting some of you to suggest that it may be one of the Japanese 'Ponerorchis' types. It sure did look like it. In fact, when I first set eyes on it I was quite surprised to see it, especially as it was growing in an English meadow.

But not that surprised as the four Dactyl orchids, [Dactylorhiza incarnata-Early Marsh orchid] [Dactylorhiza praetermissa-Common Marsh orchid] [Dactylorhiza fuchsii-Common Spotted orchid] [Dactylorhiza maculata-Heath Spotted orchid] all freely hybridise with each other.

So, Image 'A' shows a nice hybrid with strong markings, making it a very nice flower.

Image 'B' shows the meadow that I visited with a mind boggling array of wonderful hybrids.

Images 'C' 'D' & 'E' show why I was so interested in this plant, as at first sight it reminded me of a Ponerorchis.

Image 'F' shows the leaves of this plant.....no spots or circles, just a two coloured leaf.

I would have forgiven anyone who thought that this was indeed a Ponerorchis, but, searching around not twenty feet from these orchids I found a few that were the half way stage between the 'normal' hybrids and the 'Ponerorchis' types.

So, Images 'G' 'H' and 'J' show an orchid hybrid that is about half way between a 'normal' hybrid, and the 'Ponerorchis' type. You can clearly see that the darker lip markings are not solid. Also, if you look at the flower bottom left in Image 'J' you will see that it has started to fold back from the centre, a true indication that the Early Marsh orchid was Mum or Dad at some stage.

I am quite quietly confident that I have cracked the problem of getting the images in correct Alphabetical order. It appears that the files should be listed as A B C and so on.................BUT DO NOT USE THE LETTER 'I' as the computer thinks it is the number 1. Hence no car registration plate has the letter 'I'.

From: JIM MATEOSKY
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: looking for a book(s) on cymbidiums
Date: Thu, 25 Jun 2009 15:55

I am looking for a book on cymbidiums any recomendations? I would rrather it be more than your normal put it in a pot let it have some light and water.... I would really like to find out info on parantage. yes I know this might be asking a lot but if you do not ask....

From: Roger Grier
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: British Native Orchids.
Date: Thu, 25 Jun 2009 16:10

At least lying on the New Forest floor in search of Orchids [and Ticks] does at least pay off sometimes, as I was always intrigued about the strange whitish mark on the front of the Crab Spider.

So, looking back at Image 'A' I can now see that the white marking is on top of the spider's head, and note the two tiny eyes. My thoughts are there for you to think over.

In Image 'B' you can clearly see the white marking, which I had no idea was on the head of the spider.

What with Catasetums firing their pollinia at the pollinator, and this Crab Spider catching the pollinators of our Wild Orchids, it sure makes life interesting.

From: geoff hands
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Re: [OrchidTalk] looking for a book(s) on cymbidiums
Date: Thu, 25 Jun 2009 20:30

There is a Kew monograph − by David du Puy and Philip Cribb − should give
you all the gen on the species ; if it's anything like the others in the
series on Paphs, Pleiones etc.

From: geoff hands
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Thunia propagation
Date: Thu, 25 Jun 2009 20:50

Someone said they would be afraid to try it − here's a pic of some I just
did ; one cane ( rotten at the foot, so wouldn't grow anyway) cut into six
inch lengths and laid on damp moss ; about 3 or 4 such pieces. All this done
on 20th April (2009) and here we are 2 months later and two growths,
already rooting into the moss, both about an inch high.

From: JIM MATEOSKY
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Re: [OrchidTalk] looking for a book(s) on cymbidiums
Date: Thu, 25 Jun 2009 22:15

I would like to tinker around and create a slightly warmer tolerant, or perferable blooms at other times of the year my spieces Cymbs bloom at different times but most of the really beautiful hybrid all bloom in the winter.
Jim

From: Kenneth Bruyninckx
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Re: [OrchidTalk] looking for a book(s) on cymbidiums
Date: Thu, 25 Jun 2009 22:35

You may, if you re really deep into the species check out The Genus Cymbidium in China by Liu, Zhong-jian; Chen, Sing-chi; Ru, Zheng-zhong, Chen Li-jun published in 2006 (price 60+ Euros). A good book that briefly reviews the non-Chinese species as well.

If you want to read up on hybrids check out the 3 books written by Graham & Sue Guest: Cymbidiums Your Guide to a Rewarding Pastime , More Cymbidiums and the last one I ve Got Spikes . The 2 latter ones are still available the first one is out of print.

And if you like pretty pictures J then you should go and buy the hundreds of Chinese and Japanese books meticulously documenting the 1001 colour forms of Cymbidium goeringii, kanran, ensifolium, sinense .

PS: if you want magazines then check out the Australian Orchid Review (dedicated section on Cymbidiums) and of course the magazine of the Cymbidium Society of America.

From: Roger Grier
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: JIm's Stanhopea.
Date: Fri, 26 Jun 2009 16:10

It should read: Stanhopea saccata, which means bag or pouch shaped, and a very nice plant that I feel sure many of us would like to have in our collection.

From: geoff hands
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: What mount/plaque for Brassavola ?
Date: Fri, 26 Jun 2009 22:20

I have moved some Brassavola species on to mounts ; I have tried cork alone,
and also cork with a pad of sphagnum ; the plants are sprayed daily . They
are growing , but the new roots do not attach themselves to the cork, or
dive into the moss . I conclude that they don't really like what I am
providing.

I have in the past seen Brassavolas completely covering their mount ,and
also recall seeing them growing epiphytically − around the "Spanish Main"/
but don't recall what trees they were on − and couldn't provide the same
here, I expect, even if I did .

From: John J. Rupp
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Re: [OrchidTalk] What mount/plaque for Brassavola ?
Date: Sat, 27 Jun 2009 00:45

Geoff,
Some years ago I had a Brasavola nodosa that did not like to stay in its
clay pot. It kept growing out over the edge and I kept dividing and
re-potting. One time I just didn't get around to do anything with it,
and by the time I did, it was growing all over the outside of the pot
and firmly attached to the clay exterior. It even seemed to be blooming
better than ever. I just let it go, and eventually the entire outside
of the pot was covered with essentially nothing left inside the pot.

I wished I could just get a nice slab of clay pottery like that for the
clay pots to try it again something a bit more artistic.

From: Dennis Read
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Re: [OrchidTalk] What mount/plaque for Brassavola ?
Date: Sat, 27 Jun 2009 09:00

Geoff, The best mounted Brassavola I have seen is shown by a member of the DOS. His is on capilliary matting stapled to cork.
Regards

From: Roger Grier
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Mounting Orchids.
Date: Sat, 27 Jun 2009 09:30

I would say to you, do not put Sphagnum moss, or any other moss between the orchid and the mount. Just give it time and I am sure it will work for you.

When I put an orchid on to a mount, I make sure that I tie it on good and firm, and with the rhizome or base of bulbs touching the mount. That way, when any new roots do emerge they will be in direct contact with the bark.

From: David Martin
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Re: [OrchidTalk] What mount/plaque for Brassavola ?
Date: Sat, 27 Jun 2009 15:45

Hello Geoff, I have a Encyclia brasavolae that won't attach itself to cork bark. I am thinking of trying the new Epiweb sold by M.A.M Horticulture, it might be your answer. Plenty of information about it on Google. David

From: Dennis Read
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Re: [OrchidTalk] Mounting Orchids.
Date: Sat, 27 Jun 2009 16:50

Roger, I understand your reply and pictures but I would like to point out that they were not of Brassavola. This genus has very small pseudobulbs and grass like leaves with little storage capacity for moisture. If it is growing in an area that gets a morning soaking with dew and various soakings with cloud mist during the day it may survive. I do not have the time to be continually in the greenhouse nor the money to set up an automatic syrtem. The DOS member that grows a fantastic specimen is indoors and the backing of capillary matting gives full moisture that does not rot.
Regards from a nice warm Devon

> Hi Geoff, I would say to you, do not put Sphagnum moss, or any
> other moss between the orchid and the mount. Just give it time and
> I am sure it will work for you. When I put an orchid on to a
> mount, I make sure that I tie it on good and firm, and with the
> rhizome or base of bulbs touching the mount. That way, when any
> new roots do emerge they will be in direct contact with the bark.

From: geoff hands
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Re: [OrchidTalk] What mount/plaque for Brassavola ?
Date: Sat, 27 Jun 2009 20:10

Interesting that you should say that − I had a box of epiweb pieces arrive
this morning , and put one of my brasso's on to it this afternoon ( also a
Bulbi, on another piece).

However I shall ask Andrea for advice when I order from Columbia for
delivery at Dresden, and see what she suggests.

> Hello Geoff, I have a Encyclia brasavolae that won't attach itself to cork
> bark. I am thinking of trying the new Epiweb sold by M.A.M Horticulture, it
> might be your answer. Plenty of information about it on Google. David

From: PG Hieke
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Re: [OrchidTalk] What mount/plaque for Brassavola ?
Date: Sun, 28 Jun 2009 18:15

I also had problems with Brassavola. It grew happily mounted on Pine
Bark and flowered every year for at least 10 years or so. Then it
became too big for the mount and grew over the edge. So I decided to
take it off and transfer it to a bigger mount. Also Pine bark. The
plant didn't like it and produced no new root, under the same
conditions and eventually it gave up completely. I don't know why.

From: Alex Scott
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Re: Thunia propagation
Date: Sun, 28 Jun 2009 18:35

Probably me Geoff − but my two pieces are only 6 inches long anyway.
However both are growing well and the new growth bigger than the original
bit now. I will try chopping next year!
Regards, Alex

> Someone said they would be afraid to try it − here's a pic of some I just
> did ; one cane ( rotten at the foot, so wouldn't grow anyway) cut into six
> inch lengths and laid on damp moss ; about 3 or 4 such pieces. All this done
> on 20th April (2009) and here we are 2 months later and two growths,
> already rooting into the moss, both about an inch high.

From: Alex Scott
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Bee photos
Date: Sun, 28 Jun 2009 22:30

Hello Roger − your bee photos were very interesting and I wondered if you
had thought of submitting them to the Orchid Review or the Orchid Journal.
I dont think much is really known about pollinating those terrestrials and
they are good photos. I have never seen anything like them before.
Regards, Alex

From: Roger Grier
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Photos.
Date: Mon, 29 Jun 2009 10:00

Thanks for your kind words, but to tell you truth I had not even thought about doing such a thing. I do love looking at Nature and when possible taking photos of such 'Items', but to be honest I am not that way inclined, nor do I take my plants to show very often.

But as you say, maybe many people might be interested in the pollination of our Native Orchids.

When I get the time, ha, ha, that's a good one, I will scan some of my slides of some years ago and show them first to our 'Club' members.

So, I will now have a go at sending a couple of photos to the 'Orchid Review' and the 'Orchid Journal'.

From: Tricia Garner
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Re: Photos.
Date: Mon, 29 Jun 2009 16:40

Following on from that, while watching 'Countryfile' on BBC1 last
night it occurred to me that you might consider submitting your bee
and/or crab spider photos to their 'Wild and Wonderful' photo
competition. Check out the rules at
http://www.bbc.co.uk/tv/features/countryfile/competitionrules.shtml

From: Roger Grier
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Countryside Photo Competition.
Date: Mon, 29 Jun 2009 20:10

Thank you very much for the idea about the photo competition. I did remember something about it, as Mary and I do watch it, and enjoy it.

So, I had a look at the 'Link' that you provided and had a bit of a read of the rules. All the time I was looking for an E-mail address to send my images..............................only to be told that I would have to print the images and send them via the post.

Mmmmmm! Might get round to it, but before I do, did you and other members know of a little helpful piece of knowledge that my friend and fellow nature lover gave to me.

He told me that before I print a photo, which I had saved as Jpeg file...........to copy and paste it.....open it and then save it as a Tiff file. The size of the file when saved as a Tiff file is so huge that I was amazed. It then makes a much superior print than a print from a Jpeg file would make.

From: JIM MATEOSKY
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Re: [OrchidTalk] JIm's Stanhopea.
Date: Tue, 30 Jun 2009 12:10

Yeah I have a bunch of stanhopias, mostly wardii but I have 8 or 9 other specieces still waiting to see. thnaks for the correction
Jim

From: JIM MATEOSKY
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Re: [OrchidTalk] What mount/plaque for Brassavola ?
Date: Tue, 30 Jun 2009 12:20

I have seen the in the wild, they grow in a dry forrrest low elevation ( read hot as hell, the focus is on the hell). I have seen them growing on many trees but the most impressive was on a split rail ( very hardwood ) fence, and it was growing like a BAD weed. lots of light, like a cat will do. this dry forrest is dry dry dry for at least 5 months ( dec-may ish). then it rains cats and dogs ( read this as very very good drainage ). my recomendation would be find a piece of firewood oak or somethink hard, nail a heavy gauge wire on it, attach your Brassavola to it. in the simulated rainey season in your greenhouse I would water it several times a day.

From: Roger Grier
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Photos.
Date: Tue, 30 Jun 2009 15:55

Thanks to those of you that suggested I send the photos to either The Orchid Review...etc. etc.

I did get a reply from the Editor of The Orchid Review, and Isobyl also informed me that someone is doing a study of the Lesser Butterfly Orchid.......I await news.

As to sending some of the photos to the competition in 'Countryfile', well, I did print off a couple of photos, but they were not a good representation of the original........so I altered the light etc. and still not what you and I see on the screen.

So, 'Son-of-Jock' weighed up the cost of ink, paper etc. and I have decided to give it a miss.

I am well pleased to have got some good shots that do not happen that often, and at least we can all appreciate them.

P.S. I once had a chat with a guy who was a Judge at a photographic competition, and I asked him about 'Black & White' photos. He raved on a bit until I said that most of us only see colours!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

From: JIM MATEOSKY
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: more look what I found today- looking for names
Date: Tue, 30 Jun 2009 18:15

Some of these plants were labled and then I went to check and they are all changed wrong or who knows. I am searching around for the names if anyone has any sugestions I'd like to hear.

From: geoff hands
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Re: [OrchidTalk] What mount/plaque for Brassavola ?
Date: Tue, 30 Jun 2009 19:15

From: Andy
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Re: [OrchidTalk] Mounting Orchids.
Date: Tue, 30 Jun 2009 22:45

I grow Brassavola perrinii on mounts. Photo 1 shows the roots of one I grow on reconstituted cork and 2 is a bit I put on hawthorn bark a year ago. It had no roots at the time I attached it and is now very well rooted. 1 is in cool conditions and 2 intermediate, both in bright light and sprayed once or twice a day.

In the main I don't put anything round the roots but sometimes a bit of moss helps with the transition for some types. Certainly in the wild we can find examples of plants on very bare bark but other examples are on mossy or ferny branches.

Of course for each of those natural orchids growing on the tree there will be several million siblings from the pod that did not make it. That is the natural way of maximising success − have millions of goes! With my flask of 10 or so seedlings I need better survival odds.

MONTH	DATE	DATE	DATE	DATE	MONTH	DATE	DATE	DATE	DATE
January	1-7	8-14	15-21	22-31	February	1-7	8-14	15-21	22-28
March	1-7	8-14	15-21	22-31	April	1-7	8-14	15-21	22-30
May	1-7	8-14	15-21	22-31	June	1-7	8-14	15-21	22-30
July	1-7	8-14	15-21	22-31	August	1-7	8-14	15-21	22-31
September	1-7	8-14	15-21	22-30	October	1-7	8-14	15-21	22-31
November	1-7	8-14	15-21	22-30	December	1-7	8-14	15-21	22-31

2009 Archived Messages

June 22—30