March 22 - 31 2010 mailing list messages

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From: Paul Johnson
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Re: [OrchidTalk] a couple of Coelogynes
Date: Mon, 22 Mar 2010 03:00

Hello Andy,
Dennis is correct. The plants that are generally in commerce under
the name of "Coelogyne mossiae" are usually in fact Coel. Unchained
Melody. I am working on an article about this hybrid, which tries to
compile and consolidate the available information: http://www.itctel.com/orchids/CoelUnchainedMelody.html
. There is a link embedded in this draft to a low resolution image
of the real C. mossiae.

As to the plant on the left in hour photo, that looks to be a form of
C. cristata var. citrinia ( Lemoniana). The combination of deep
incisures on the midlobe, the fimbriate keels, and the undulate petals
and sepals are characteristic of C. cristata and most of its hybrids.
Nomenclatorially, there is a var. maxima, dating from Veitch's time,
but no "var. majus." I have seen the latter term applied to
supposedly larger than average blooms, but these uses seem to be
strictly as a nursery coined name.

From: Paul Johnson
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Re: [OrchidTalk] Omaha Orchid Show.
Date: Mon, 22 Mar 2010 03:45

Thanks for your kind comments. Those photos were on the fly, so to
speak, so no tripod. The device is a Nikon D200, with a 105 mm, F2.8,
AF Micro Nikkor macro lens. I also use a Sigma EM 140 DG double-
strobe flash, which mounts on the lens as a ring-light does. The
strobes are independent, so the light intensity can be adjusted and
balanced as desired. With this flash, I keep the camera on manual
setting, so that I can adjust the F-stop, and pair that with the flash
intensity and balance. With small subjects, I add either or both of
14 mm and 27.5 mm extension tubes. I use this setup almost
exclusively now, even in the field.

This was one of our shorter trips of recent vintage. The drive from
home to Omaha is a mere 4 hours on the Interstate, including a lunch
and potty stop. The drive down on Friday became challenging when we
approached the city, as we caught up with a weather front that was
dropping several inches of wet snow on the roadway − so had to reduce
speeds to sub-light rates. As the front dropped further southward,
the weather in Omaha was, for the most part, bright and sunny with
daytime temps in the 40's F. This made visiting the shows and
shopping in the greenhouses much more enjoyable − downright tropical!
So nice to be warm and humid again, without having to stare out at all
that snow of winter.

> Hi there Paul,
>
> Thanks for sharing with us your photos from the
> Omaha..............not Ireland, but the U.S.A. The photos are
> excellent, as are the orchids.
>
> How about telling us what type of camera you used, and if you used a
> tripod or not?
>
> And how was the weather on the day of the show?
>
> Cheers, Rodge.

From: sheila bicknell
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Re: [OrchidTalk] I forgot the photos .... D kingianum
Date: Mon, 22 Mar 2010 07:30

Andy, That is a lovely dark clone of kingianum and very well flowered, well done you.
Regards, Sheila.

From: Geoffrey Hands
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: .........list is dead...
Date: Mon, 22 Mar 2010 09:25

I will make some contributions to the threads later, but not all in one
message , it would be far too long.

From: Geoffrey Hands
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Re: [OrchidTalk] is List dead ?
Date: Mon, 22 Mar 2010 09:30

Over 50 ? I stopped worrying about being over 50 so long ago that I have
forgotten when ; what I worry about now is being over 100....

Okay. I will contribute, but give me a few hours. My wife and I
drove south to Omaha, Nebraska, to ravage and pillage the wares at
both the Greater Omaha Orchid Society show and sale, and the Omaha
African Violet and Omaha Gesneriad societies show and sale.

I will take some pic's and notes on the orchid show, and send the on
to The List. That should get a few notes exchanged.

Alternatively, someone could say something totally outrageous. That
could get the doldrums agitated.

Otherwise? I do not know. Maybe because folks are tired of winter,
spring has not yet invigorated the senses, or too many of us are well
over 50 years of age. :)

From: Roger Grier
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Couple of recent items.
Date: Mon, 22 Mar 2010 09:40

First of all Andy's 'Kingianum' which has achieved much acclaim. When I first saw it I noticed the wonderful coloured and patterned lip. Then I thought to myself, is it a 'Hyperchromic' hybrid. That's the word that was 'given' to one of my wild orchid hybrids that I found last year. 'Hyperchromic' be damned......let's not frighten people away from our hobby. Anyhow, I must look up what Andy said , as I want one of those for sure.

Second item was Paul's reply. So much information. And as he took those terrific images without a tripod tells me that he is not QUITE, ha, ha, so old as 'Shaky-hand-Rodge'. And the journey and the weather. That's dedication for you.

Mind you, as we are now coming out of hibernation, I will be soon lying prone on the forest floor among the horse, cow, deer and rabbit droppings, getting bitten by mosquitoes, and gnats, and hopefully not picking up a tick. 'aint life wonderful.

From: Roger Grier
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Andy's D. kingianum
Date: Mon, 22 Mar 2010 09:45

I hope that I have not missed it, but have you got the name of that 'Kingianum' cross please.

From: Geoffrey Hands
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Re: [OrchidTalk] Physan subs...
Date: Mon, 22 Mar 2010 09:50

I am using Selgiene ; a product made for the catering industry primarily .
Used at 1:10 to swab food preparation surfaces, and weaker for other things
, washing pots I suppose

I use it at about 1: 1500 or 1:3000 in my water/nutrient mixes. It is
clearly a surfactant ( wetting agent) so ensures complete penetration, no
dry corners , and it keeps the water sweet. How far it has any proper
disinfectant action at this concentration I simply don't know. The fact that
it has the same active ingredients , more or less- as Physan doesn't mean
much unless one knows the concentration. I suspect it is a much more dilute
solution.

I met a friend who is a member of Sheffield Soc. at the London Show, with
whom I had long discussions about Physan when we were in Dresden together
last year. He told me that he is using a product called Jetfire 5 , which so
far I haven't been able to find. He also said that the dilution is 1:125 .
But I don't know what he does at that dilution , i.e. spray as a
prophylactic, add to nutrient mixes, or what , I have sent him an e-mail
asking.

But that concentration did prompt my thoughts in the paragraph above. Since
I make up about 250 litres of water/nutrient every week, my usage at that
kind of dilution, if that indeed would be the right one, would be pretty
high. Of course I don't know the cost. Another sidelight on concentration
is relative costs. I think my last 5 litres ,approx , it may have been an
American gallon , of Physan cost me about £80 . My Selgiene is under £20 for
a similar quantity , implying that it is a much weaker solution to be that
much cheaper.

> How are you getting on with your Physan substitute? What's it's name and
> have your plants survived the spraying? You seem to have plenty of flowers
> to show us.

From: Geoffrey Hands
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Re: [OrchidTalk] Is list dead.
Date: Mon, 22 Mar 2010 09:55

Yes, I went on Saturday ; was in the queue ( in the rain) waiting for it to
open ; left before noon − disgruntled because Orchis of Taiwan were supposed
to be bringing me some cattleyas, pre-ordered, and they had forgotten.

I did buy a few things − Grammatophyllum scriptum ( don't laugh − I do have
a tall and wide greenhouse , and if it does fill it, think of the glory when
it flowers.) an alba form of a Gongora species, a Rhynco coelestis maybe 2
or 3 years from flowering, and perhaps a couple of other things. Quite
restrained for me − but having to carry things in a shoulder bag, on my way
to the tube and Waterloo, was a factor.

But I met a lot of old friends and had a few chats. Quite possibly I walked
past a few names from her − maybe you too − but wpouldn't know. Perhaps we
should put mug-shots of us, as well as our orchids, onto the website ?

> Have you been, of are you going, to the London Orchid Show this weekend? I
> am going tomorrow and will take a few photo's.

From: Geoffrey Hands
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: FW: [OrchidTalk] a couple of Coelogynes − 2nd try
Date: Mon, 22 Mar 2010 10:15

Sorry about that double-thumb typing of my message ; just delete it ; the
corrected message appears below.

I have Dudley Clayton's book on the Coelogyne genus ; reading the entries
about C.mossiae, it seems to be a very doubtful species all round. I will
quote you the last para, which follows a discussion about the confusion
with C. glandulosa , in case you have not seen it ;-

"The type specimens for C.mossiae and C.glandulosa are at Kew and there is
no difficulty in differentiating the two specimens. The type sheet for
mossiae contains only a leaf and two inflorescences ( I would like to insert
a whole row of exclamation marks here ! ) , which were obtained from
cultivated material (! Another exclamation mark) at RBG Glasnevin. Rolfe's
Kew Bulletin description on the type sheet is attached to the Kew Sheet
together with a copy of a drawing from Fyson's Flora of the Nilgiris. In my
judgement the drawing does not represent mossiae. "

It's almost as though someone saw a gap in the herbarium material for this
species, and made it up !

From: Geoffrey Hands
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Re: [OrchidTalk] some more photos
Date: Mon, 22 Mar 2010 11:20

Your holcoglossum used to be called Vanda amesiana − but no "real" vanda has
a lip worth writing home about, unlike this one. You comment about size ; I
have had this species a couple of times, and remember flowers a bit bigger
than what you say − upwards of a couple of inches ; recently I have flowered
the cross between this and Sedirea japonica − which has rather similar
flowers to the ones you show, but almost all white − but very widely spaced
apart on the stem- and about 3cm across, and my first thought was -" like a
poor version of the one parent ( the Holco), and I wonder if its worth
keeping ."

Your Dend. Peguanum is very odd − looks more like a bonsai plant than an
orchid. It is interesting to see these unusual species ; not everything in
life should be sweetness and light, I think.

From: Alex
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Re: [OrchidTalk] is List dead ?
Date: Mon, 22 Mar 2010 13:35

I think you have the answer Paul. We are tired of winter, Spring hasnt
really arrived yet and too many of us are over 60 never mind 50!
Regards, Alex

> ...Maybe because folks are tired of winter, spring has not yet
> invigorated the senses, or too many of us are well over 50 years of
> age. :)
>
> cheers,
>
> Paul
>

From: Alex
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Re: [OrchidTalk] I forgot the photos .... D kingianum
Date: Mon, 22 Mar 2010 13:55

I feel the same way about australian dendrobes. I have tried various
kingis, falcorostrum, gracilimum, delicatum, all of which grow well but
flower poorly or not at all. And I have tried a dry cool winter, a normal
watered winter, outside in the summer, just about everything! I have a
kingi bought at Gordale on Jan 16th with 10 flowering spikes which is just
finishing so I know it can be done but there is a trick that escapes me.
I get quite good flowering with D. nobile types and D. primulinum so that
makes it even more irritating!

> Great photos of D kingianum! Everyone writes about how easy they are,
> and I can't grow them for the life of me. I have had many over the
> years, and they last only a few years. I have tried cold, warm,wet,
> dry, bark and stones for growing medium. No luck. Any suggestions? I
> sure would like to grow them.
>
> John R

From: David Martin
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Re: [OrchidTalk] Physan subs...
Date: Mon, 22 Mar 2010 16:55

Thanks Geoff, I had looked at Selgeine from AGP Cleaning Supplies but wasn't sure if that was what you were experimenting with.
David

From: Geoffrey Hands
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Re: [OrchidTalk] Photography.
Date: Mon, 22 Mar 2010 19:25

I used to give talks − when I was younger.( I had my name removed from the
BOC speakers list perhaps 5 or 6 years ago − I had been giving talks for
getting on for 40 years by that time − I'd done my share.)

However, I sometimes used as many as 150 slides or images in a talk. If
they all had the same background, especially if black , it got rather boring
I thought. So I would deliberately mix them up; some shots of plants on
the bench, some with black backgrounds, some using a neutral grey card and
so on.

> How nice to see a great mixture of flowering orchids. You must be well
> pleased as I know you are. At least your plants have come through the
> Winter looking very good.

> 'Looking good', yes, they do look good, but I would like to talk about
> photography and hope that other members will benefit from what I have to
> say. Having met Andy on a 'Swap' of some orchids a few years ago I know
> that he will not mind what I have to say, especially as I know that he will
> agree with me, especially as time is often not something that we all have in
> abundance.

> It's the backgrounds that I want to talk about, and I for one know just how
> easy it is to forget such an important item........again time is very often
> not on one's side.

From: Geoffrey Hands
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Re: [OrchidTalk] Plants and the London Show.
Date: Mon, 22 Mar 2010 19:35

1 do they take much time to acclimatise ? No longer than plants from this
side of the equator.

2. How many fail, time and time again ; well, there are things I cant grow ,
and have been silly enough to buy several times, failing every time.. north
or south of the equator makes no difference. I have to find out why, and try
again, then sometimes − BINGO .and sometimes not..

3. Are they often more trouble than they are worth ? If you go on thinking
like that Roger, I'll recommend a nice hedera ( ivy) nursery to you, or
maybe you could try Chrysanthemums..

> Spurred on by Andy's comments about not going to the London Show, I would
> like to discuss and to receive some feed back about buying plants from
> Countries that are on the other side of the Equator.

> In other words their seasonal climate may be the opposite to ours here in
> the Northern Hemisphere.

From: Geoffrey Hands
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Re: [OrchidTalk] I forgot the photos .... D kingianum
Date: Mon, 22 Mar 2010 19:40

But lacking that, In my opinion they need to be put away on a shelf or
something for months, then brought out and given a lot of tlc ( do you
tender loving care ? ) then they produce a new growth which grows about an
inch a day. When its finished you have to do the same thing again − put it
away , preferably dry, preferably cold. When you bring it out again it
flowers..

> Great photos of D kingianum! Everyone writes about how easy they are, and I
> can't grow them for the life of me. I have had many over the years, and
> they last only a few years. I have tried cold, warm,wet, dry, bark and
> stones for growing medium. No luck. Any suggestions? I sure would like to
> grow them.

From: Geoffrey Hands
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Re: [OrchidTalk] I forgot the photos .... D kingianum
Date: Mon, 22 Mar 2010 19:55

I am reminded of a discussion about the difference between D.kingianum and
D.delicatum.

Well said one grower ( with umpteen gold medals at Chelsea etc to his name)
; if it is small, not more than say 6 inch canes, I label it as delicatum.
Bigger than that it must be kingianum.

The other feller, could have been a big name at a certain botanical
establishment not a thousand miles from Kew Green, said, ah, if it has
really good pink flowers it must be delicatum, if it is paler, then I'll
call it kingianum. This was not entirely joking I think − the two are
difficult to distinguish, maybe overlap, and maybe there are inter-hybrids ?

From: Geoffrey Hands
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Physan substitutes
Date: Mon, 22 Mar 2010 20:30

It turns out to be Jet 5 , made by a company called Certis Uk , and
according to my info Akerne use it as a prophylactic spray at 1:10,000 − so
I am told. Maybe Kenneth can confirm ?

Officially it is not cleared for orchids − but then it can't be, unless an
awful lot of money is spent on doing tests and perhaps lobbying Brussels − I
don't know the procedures.

From: Geoffrey Hands
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Spring ?
Date: Mon, 22 Mar 2010 20:40

I think that Spring has reached my garden − coming your way ( if you live
north from our UK south coast ) real soon.

I mowed my lawns today ( trimmed the extensive growth of moss resulting
from last autumn's deluges , more like ) but on my way round I saw so many
things springing into life and flower − all kinds of bulbs, the first
species tulips ( whittallii and greigii ), three kinds of muscari, several
different scillas − irises, the hellebores blooming their heads off, new
growths on the raspberries ,some flower buds ( fingers crossed) on the early
strawberries , the Fritillaria imperialis growing inches every day ,
Dicentra − the white one − in bud too .Among the daffs, February Gold is
over, but Tet-a-tete is in full swing, and my wife is cutting jugfuls to put
all over the house − maybe I can take some of the phallies back for a rest
in the greenhouse now.

Its been a long winter, but its finished now. ( I'm going for a long walk on
some of the Wiltshire downs tomorrow − I expect I shall get caught in
blizzard, just to teach me.)

From: Andy
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Re: [OrchidTalk] I forgot the photos .... D kingianum
Date: Mon, 22 Mar 2010 22:10

I am surprised to get so much comment on the D kingianum. I have them growing in pure perlite with a layer of gravel on top. I don't do anything special. Some go outside in the summer and otherwise are in the cool house − MNW of 10º c − but to be honest I don't pay them a great deal of attention. I also have some mounted on a piece of bark sprayed every day as all the mounted plants.

The one I pictured does not have any clonal name − in fact I bought it out of flower as a very young plant and I was very pleasantly surprised that it turned out so good. I also have a white one (from Geoff) and a yelowish one with a maroon lip. I aslo have D X Delicatum (from Rocky) that has huge canes and very long spikes.

From: Paul Johnson
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Re: [OrchidTalk] Couple of recent items.
Date: Tue, 23 Mar 2010 00:15

> Second item was Paul's reply. So much information. And as he took
> those terrific images without a tripod tells me that he is not
> QUITE, ha, ha, so old as 'Shaky-hand-Rodge'. And the journey and
> the weather. That's dedication for you.
>

Hello Rodge,
A benefit of using a high-speed flash is that slight handshaking can
be neutralized! Too, over the years of Kodachrome, Fujichrome, and
now digital, I probably have developed some little naturalized habits
of compensation.

So, it appears that many on this list are past both obligatory and
voluntary retirement ages. That makes me, at 54 years, one of the
kids on the list. Evidently, all I can claim is excessive wear and
tear for my meager investment in maturation. : )

From: francis quesada pallares
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Re: [OrchidTalk] the photos from the last
Date: Tue, 23 Mar 2010 08:30

Hi Andy,
Beautiful pictures, but unless I am mistaken, or the botanists have been at it again changing names, the Pleuro is truncata.
I have been fascinated by it since i saw it flowering at Kew Gardens many years ago!
Regards,
Francis

De: Andy
Asunto: [OrchidTalk] the photos from the last
Para: "orchid talk list"
Fecha: domingo, 21 de marzo, 2010 15:30

From: Dennis Read
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Dendrobium kimgianum
Date: Tue, 23 Mar 2010 12:05

Way back when L&R were coming over from New Zealand to Peterborough I bought a Denndrobium kingianum 'Mini Alba' that I still have after selling about 15 divisions at our auctions.WhenI bought it I had a discussion with 'L&R' about kingianums and he said they vary in size from my mini at 4 inches to about 24 inches as a species. They also varied in colour from white thro yellow, pink, red mauve and purple and many bi-colours. D. speciosum also varied in size from 6ins. to 36ins again with variable colours.
After these many years of hybridisation it takes a brave man to be definite about kingianum, speciosum or Delictatum
Regards from Devon where the weather is slowly warming up

From: Lynda Coles
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Re: [OrchidTalk] Physan substitutes
Date: Tue, 23 Mar 2010 12:30

Jet 5 is used in the horticultural/agrcultural industry for sterilising used pots/tray/benches etc. it is an acidic chemical (peroxyacetic acid) which is generally used as a dip for plastic items and it will quickly damage skin even when used at the recommended dilution. I have never heard of it being used as a plant spray at any dilution rate since it does kill moss, algae, weed seed etc.
It can be bought from many retailers (try 'googling') and would cost in the region of 40.00pupwards for 5lts......I am not aware of it being available in smaller sizes or at other concentrations.
hope this is helpful.

> It turns out to be Jet 5 , made by a company called Certis Uk , and
> according to my info Akerne use it as a prophylactic spray at
> 1:10,000 so I am told. Maybe Kenneth can confirm ?
>
> Officially it is not cleared for orchids but then it can t be,
> unless an awful lot of money is spent on doing tests and perhaps
> lobbying Brussels I don t know the procedures.
>
> I have not found how or where to buy it in UK, either.
>
> Geoff

From: Andy
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Re: [OrchidTalk] the photos from the last
Date: Tue, 23 Mar 2010 17:55

You are right − I mislabelled the photos but not th original note. I am very keen on many of the pleuros and now I quite a collection. A few very special ones justt about to bloom which I will post in due course.

> Beautiful pictures, but unless I am mistaken, or the
> botanists have been at it again changing names, the Pleuro
> is truncata.

> I have been fascinated by it since i saw it flowering at
> Kew Gardens many years ago!

From: Andy
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Re: [OrchidTalk] Physan substitutes
Date: Tue, 23 Mar 2010 18:00

I have ordered some selgiene food grade so I will report back when I have used it.

From: David Martin
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Re: [OrchidTalk] Physan substitutes
Date: Tue, 23 Mar 2010 23:05

Not to be used in enclosed spaces
Causes burns
Harmful by inhalation
Harmful on the skin
Contains many dangerous products for the environment
If any is inhaled or splashed on the skin, put the patient in the recovery position and call a doctor
David

From: David Martin
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Fw: Emailing: 001 (2), 002 (3), 004, 006
Date: Tue, 23 Mar 2010 23:25

Paph micranthum, my first attempt, with blue hue, due to lighting
shining upwards from floor

From: Paul Johnson
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Re: [OrchidTalk] Coelogyne mossiae
Date: Wed, 24 Mar 2010 03:00

Geoff,
Yes, the type sheet has specimens from cultivated materials. The Kew
Herbarium Catalogue image is appended below. The species was
described by Rolfe based on specimens imported from southern India and
brought to flower in British greenhouses. The plant grown by John
Moss was what Rolfe used, at least in part, for the description and
the inflorescence from Moss's plant is on the type sheet. It is the
specimen in the upper right of the sheet. Copies of the original
description and a subsequent illustration are glued to the sheet below
the inflorescence. Whether or not the illustration from Fyson is of
C. mossiae or not is debatable, as during the early 1900's there was
some confusion by amateur botanists in India between C. mossiae and C.
nervosa; Dudley Clayton is probably correct on the drawing
interpretation.

The leaf and second inflorescence on the left side of the sheet is the
secondarily added material from the RBG Glasnevin. A comparison of
these specimens with the original inflorescence and description
clearly indicate that the Glasnevin specimen is not representative of
C. mossiae. In fact, it has all the salient characteristics of either
C. flaccida, or another species of the Section Flaccidae. However, it
is this specimen and quite erroneous interpretations of the literature
and available specimens, that has led to confusion. But, this
confusion is not in the botanical literature, but the horticultural!
The type specimen came from a horticulturalist, the secondary material
came from a cultivated specimen. There was a serious
misinterpretation by two "botanists" that occurred because of
uncritical interpretations of these sheet specimens, the original
descriptions, and questionably identified plants. There are at least
a couple of people intending to clarify this situation in print.
However, most of the taxonomic problems associated with the name C.
mossiae, especially the contemporary misapplication of the name to
hybrids [notice that the type specimen is not at all like Coel.
Unchained Melody!], are due to the failures of horticulturalists to
maintain nominal standards of taxonomic accuracy and nomenclatural
clarity.

> I have Dudley Clayton's book on the Coelogyne genus ; reading the
> entries about C.mossiae, it seems to be a very doubtful species all
> round. I will quote you the last para, which follows a discussion
> about the confusion with C. glandulosa , in case you have not seen
> it ;-
>
> 'The type specimens for C.mossiae and C.glandulosa are at Kew and
> there is no difficulty in differentiating the two specimens. The
> type sheet for mossiae contains only a leaf and two inflorescences
> ( I would like to insert a whole row of exclamation marks here ! ) ,
> which were obtained from cultivated material (! Another exclamation
> mark) atRBG Glasnevin. Rolfe's Kew Bulletin description on the type
> sheet is attached to the Kew Sheet together with a copy of a drawing
> from Fyson's Flora of the Nilgiris. In my judgement the drawing does
> not represent mossiae. '
>
> It's almost as though someone saw a gap in the herbarium material
> for this species, and made it up !
>
> The things these botanists get up to .
>
> Just enjoy it, and write anything you like on the label, that's my
> advice.
>
> Geoff

From: francis quesada pallares
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Re: [OrchidTalk] the photos from the last
Date: Wed, 24 Mar 2010 07:40

I know exactly what you mean by pleuros... They can be truly amazing plants, and the best thing is that, with many of them, you don't need that much space to grow dozens of them!

Got a few beauties myself, and managed to replaced a few casualties during the London Orchid Show this weekend.

From: Geoffrey Hands
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Re: [OrchidTalk] Fw: Emailing: 001 (2), 002 (3), 004, 006
Date: Wed, 24 Mar 2010 08:50

This was the OSGB stand I think ? Lighting is always difficult, even with
digital cameras which can be adjusted to different light − e.g.
sunlight/fluorescent/flash/tungsten etc. Playing about in a good image
editing programme ( Photoshop is of course the best as well as the most
expensive) is the only way I know to do it.

And from the show point of view too ; when I used to show, i.e. actually put
on displays for my then Orchid Society ( as distinct from taking my plants
for someone else to arrange, or taking my plants as a competitive entry) we
were just about starting to use spot lighting. The group display was
tremendously enhanced with this , but in many halls it was not possible
-e.g. no convenient power points, or some silly rule about not using
electricity and water together -( joke here − we did sometimes put a little
waterfall or fountain in the middle- and had complaints from over-zealous
janitors ). The lighting can't be any old photoflood − plants can get baked
and killed pretty quickly by the wrong sort of light. But 12v halogen spots
are great.

Mind you, it looks like a nice micranthum − they are best when grown into
multi-growth plants ; I have one with about five growths now, but I'm still
waiting for any flowers.

The rothschildianums were lost down on the floor. They need to be at
eye-level, or better still towering over the viewer − then you really get
the "wow" factor.

From: David Martin
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Emailing: 001 (2), 008 (4), 009 (2), 010, 012, 014
Date: Wed, 24 Mar 2010 15:35

From: David Martin
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Re: [OrchidTalk] Fw: Emailing: 001 (2), 002 (3), 004, 006
Date: Wed, 24 Mar 2010 17:05

I had a senior moment and forgot I could use a fluorescent setting. I took a
reading from the fanlights in the roof, held the shutter half down, and used
that.
Yes, the paphs were on the OSGB stand.
David

"Geoffrey Hands" wrote RE: [OrchidTalk] Fw: Emailing: 001 (2), 002 (3), 004, 006

> This was the OSGB stand I think ? Lighting is always difficult, even with
> digital cameras which can be adjusted to different light − e.g.
> sunlight/fluorescent/flash/tungsten etc. Playing about in a good image
> editing programme ( Photoshop is of course the best as well as the most
> expensive) is the only way I know to do it.

From: Roger Grier
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: David's Cymbid.
Date: Wed, 24 Mar 2010 17:55

I must say that your Cymbidium Seidenfaddenii is a real cracker. That's how I like to see Cymbidium.

Now then David, it looks as if your greenhouse is somewhat a mirror image of mine. Do I see 'Bubble cap' in the rook, and do I see polystyrene floor to eaves?

From: David Martin
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Re: [OrchidTalk] David's Cymbid.
Date: Thu, 25 Mar 2010 07:30

Morning Rodge,
The Cymbidium has two spikes but I only photographed one of them.

My greenhouse has polystyrene from floor to eave. The bubble plastic is fixed by green plastic toggles that push through the plastic and twist and lock in the slots in the aluminium bars. You can buy a packet from a garden centre for a couple of pounds for about twenty.

From: Roger Grier
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Re: [OrchidTalk] David's Cymbid.
Date: Thu, 25 Mar 2010 09:50

Thing is, I wonder why I lost some of my plants this Winter??? Maybe the temperature was at about 52 degrees Fahrenheit for such a long period. But then of course why did others from the same Genus not make it?

From: David Martin
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Re: [OrchidTalk] David's Cymbid.
Date: Thu, 25 Mar 2010 21:55

Hello Rodge,
I kept my Cymbids and Dendrobes at a min of 50 deg and didn't lose any, I didn't water for about a fortnight at a time. Everything else, Phals and Cattleyas were kept at 65- 70 deg and they all survived. We had a power cut for two hours on a very cold night and I thought I would lose some, but apparently they didn't stay cold for too long.
What types of orchid were you keeping at that temperature? Did you leave them too long without water? You did say you hadn't been down to the greenhouse for quite a while during the snowy conditions.
David

From: Roger Grier
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Re: [OrchidTalk] David's Cymbid.
Date: Fri, 26 Mar 2010 11:10

All the orchids in the greenhouse get the same temperature, that's why I know that the Phallys and others suffered. However, it is strange to see that some of the 'Hot House' types did not.

> Hello Rodge,
> I kept my Cymbids and Dendrobes at a min of 50 deg
> and didn't lose any, I didn't water for about a fortnight at a
> time. Everything else, Phals and Cattleyas were kept at 65- 70
> deg and they all survived. We had a power cut for two hours on a
> very cold night and I thought I would lose some, but apparently
> they didn't stay cold for too long. What types of orchid were you
> keeping at that temperature? Did you leave them too long without
> water? You did say you hadn't been down to the greenhouse for
> quite a while during the snowy conditions. David

From: David Martin
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Re: [OrchidTalk] David's Cymbid.
Date: Fri, 26 Mar 2010 20:35

Evening Rodge,
Some of the supposed "hot house" Phals prefer a cooler atmosphere, ie Phal lindenii, Phal phillipinensis so maybe there are some of their genes in your hybrid Phals that survived.

From: Andy
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: C Unchained Melody
Date: Fri, 26 Mar 2010 22:10

Thought I'd just put up a picture of the bulbs of the 2 Coelogynes. The U M from Geoff has the taller bulbs like the flaccida parent but the one I bought as C mossiae has bulbs like C cristata. The flowers of both smell the same − like C flaccida.

From: Alex
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: D. anosmum
Date: Sat, 27 Mar 2010 00:25

Hello Andy − I recall you had a D. anosmum and sent me a pic of it last
year. Has it flowered or showing buds? Mine is absolutely budless so far
but a D. primulinum kept next to it has 3 canes with 10 buds each and last
year they flowered more or less together.
BTW I liked your D. peguanum, tiny but cute!
Regards, Alex

From: Andy
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Re: [OrchidTalk] D. anosmum
Date: Sat, 27 Mar 2010 13:45

I have just checked and neither of my anosmum plants is showing any buds as
yet. I have also looked through some of my photo records and I see that I
took them in mid June so maybe it is a bit early. I have seen it in flower
in Thailand in January though.... I will let you know if anything happens
soon.

I rather like te little D peguanum too. I hope I manage to get it going. I
have another mini one -D porphyrochilum which is almost out. I will put up
a picture of it soon.

From: jns tropic
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Re: [OrchidTalk] D. anosmum
Date: Sat, 27 Mar 2010 14:25

In south Florida the anosmum, pierardii, and Adastra bloom in February and March. This year none have bloomed yet. There are buds that well open in another 2 weeks and not many flowers. Everything is slow as we leave the longest winter in my life. Take a look at some of my Dendrobiums.

From: David Martin
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Emailing: Phalaenopsis stuartiana, Phalaenopsis phillipinensis, Phalaenopsis amabilis
Date: Sat, 27 Mar 2010 17:50

2) Phalaenopsis phillipinensis. Growing in a pot, as opposed to the one
shown recently on bark. Not so many flowers, in fact only seven.

From: Roger Grier
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: That long Winter.
Date: Sat, 27 Mar 2010 18:20

How nice to hear that our friendly Member 'Tropic' has also stated that it was the longest Winter of his life. And he lives in Florida. Just over a week ago my wife and I were out in the garden for two consecutive days.....wow. Since then, much rain, and more to come. Hell, maybe it will get better very soon.

'Tropics' images of the Dendrobiums are wonderful, just the thing to brighten our day and buck us up.

David and I have been swapping a few E-mails about the Winter and my loss of some plants, but I am not that downhearted as I walked into a Garden Centre a few days ago, and as per usual I make a bee line for the table on which stand reduced plants due to the fact that the flowers have all fallen off. And of course the price suits me [ Son-of-Jock].

Have a look at my images. When I saw the large pot with two Phallys in it for £6.00......I grabbed it.

From: Alex
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Re: [OrchidTalk] D. anosmum
Date: Sat, 27 Mar 2010 22:15

Thanks Andy and Tropic − reassuring to know that other anosmum are not
budding yet. They do seem to like a long rest.
I like the white one Tropic, didnt know they occurred in white.
Regards, Alex

From: Geoffrey Hands
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Re: [OrchidTalk] That long Winter.
Date: Sat, 27 Mar 2010 22:30

The weather ? I've just been looking at the forecast, since I thought I
might go to Wisley and have a wander around and see their spring bulbs ,
also I think their Orchid Festival is still on . However, I got the 5 day
forecast, and for Bournemouth International ( the airport , ten minutes
drive from me) , the forecast for Wednesday is heavy snow showers.and w all
thought we had finished with it for this year.

From: Geoffrey Hands
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Re: [OrchidTalk] D. anosmum
Date: Sat, 27 Mar 2010 22:45

I had a heater problem earlier this week, or more exactly the stat failed in
the "on" position, and going into the greenhouse on Tuesday morning I was
met by a wall of heat − the temp was 45 C. This could have been the case for
upwards of 24 hours. I am surprised at so little damage apparent − so far.
a lot of blooms went over, and some of the bigger cattleyas developed small
black patches on leaves, which as the week went on turned into big black
patches. If I only lose the leaves, then they will grow back , but of course
it may spread further. Fortunately I had finished watering recently so most
things were moist at root, and many of the Oncidiums and dendrobes are now
in hydroculture again, which also would have been a minor help.

I took some pics of the surviving blooms, and when I have a little time I'll
post them. Spent today putting up some shade using some new shadecloth , as
last year it was all perished (UV degradation) and I threw it all away.

I have come to the conclusion that phallies can't be grown well in ordinary
cattleya house temperatures, although they will spike well at these
temperatures.They do grow well in centrally heated houses ,and probably
spike ok too since most folk in UK turn the heat down or off at night. When
I said this at my Orchid Society in the course of a Brains Trust discussion,
it seemed to be considered a radical idea ; the usual approach ( e.g. in
Shows etc,) is to marvel that someone has done well with a phallie "although
they don't have a greenhouse, only a windowsill" − but by my reckoning they
ought to do better than people who say " I don't have a windowsill , only a
greenhouse" . Comment ?

I'm scratching my head trying to devise a growing cubicle/tent/compartment
on the bench in my greenhouse were I can have a little extra heart and a
stat to keep say 25 minimum...

From: Alex
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Orchid book
Date: Sat, 27 Mar 2010 23:20

I have just got the new RHS book "Orchids − Simple steps to Success'.
Looks very good with quite a bit on having them as house plants and on
terrestrials for the garden. Very suitable gift for enthusing a beginnerI
would think and reasonable at £6.99 but ordering it by post means a heavy
£2.50 postage.

From: David Martin
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Re: [OrchidTalk] D. anosmum
Date: Sun, 28 Mar 2010 09:10

I have always thought that Phallies grew better indoors. When I first started growing orchids I bought a pink one, the only choice in those days was pink or white. The leaves were always perfect but as soon as you grow in a greenhouse they get spots and rots on the leaves due to the higher humidity. I can't comment on the number of flowers because I get more flowers from the greenhouse grown plants, but then not so many more that I think they are superior. I did get 51 flowers on Phal Pandora and 48 flowers on my first Phallie both at the same time a couple of years ago, but I have never done it again.

[...]
> I have come to the conclusion that phallies can't be grown well in
> ordinary cattleya house temperatures, although they will spike well
> at these temperatures.They do grow well in centrally heated houses
> ,and probably spike ok too since most folk in UK turn the heat down
> or off at night. When I said this at my Orchid Society in the
> course of a Brains Trust discussion, it seemed to be considered a
> radical idea ; the usual approach ( e.g. in Shows etc,) is to
> marvel that someone has done well with a phallie "although they
> don't have a greenhouse, only a windowsill" − but by my reckoning
> they ought to do better than people who say " I don't have a
> windowsill , only a greenhouse" . Comment ?
[...]

From: Andy
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Chelonistele sulphurea
Date: Sun, 28 Mar 2010 14:05

These are the flowers of Chelonistele sulphurea which I have just acquired. I can't see much on the net about them and no mention in any of my books. Does anyone have any information − or better still first hand experience with this species?

From: Geoffrey Hands
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: visit to Wisley − Orchid Festival − such ignorance....
Date: Sun, 28 Mar 2010 19:25

From: Geoffrey Hands
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Wisley some pics of their orchids
Date: Sun, 28 Mar 2010 19:35

The orchid festival is held in the new greenhouse ( well − it was new a
couple of years ago I suppose − the old one has now been demolished. For
those who don't know , Wisley is the big show garden of the RHS in Surrey,
some 30 miles ( ?) south west of London. A magnificent garden as of course
it ought to be. There are lots and lots of greenhouses, but "the"
greenhouse is the one with the show stuff, open to the public all the time -
palms and vines and etc. Whilst it is rather more interesting inside than
the old one, I miss all the linked cultivation houses with their collections
of geraniums, coleus,etc etc which used to be accessible from the show
house, and now are not shown at all. There are two big alpine houses too
which are quite magnificent just at the moment- unfortunately my little
pocket camera ran out of batteries before I got there.

99% of the orchids on display came from The Netherlands, bought wholesale a
month ago ; there were just a few of their own orchids − a superb Phaius
tankervilliae − the best I have ever seen with spikes maybe 2 metres high
and 20 (?) flowers per stem − the Coelogyne I show here, and a few old
dendrobium hybrids − but not much really considering the wealth of orchids
they should have − people will donate their lifetime collections to Kew or
Wisley − and they don't seem to have specialist orchid growers, or maybe
they just don't care, and only the toughest survive.. Such a pity.

From: Geoffrey Hands
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Miltoniopsis
Date: Sun, 28 Mar 2010 20:20

Of course I see them in garden centres, Marks and Spencers etc., but I'd
rather not buy largeish plants in flower, even if they are very good ones (
saw some at the Wisley shop today which tempted me, but £18.85 each) I'd
rather buy young plants NFS and pay half of that. Or am I just a hopeless
optimist ?

From: David Martin
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Fw: Emailing: 001 (2), 005
Date: Sun, 28 Mar 2010 20:25

We had our Spring show today, not a very large affair, just a couple of
stands and three traders. It was surprisingly busy and enjoyed by the
membership.

From: francis quesada pallares
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Re: [OrchidTalk] visit to Wisley − Orchid Festival − such ignorance....
Date: Mon, 29 Mar 2010 07:45

I can see why the disappointment at the label. We all know that Burragueara is actually a complex hybrid, and as such, the origins will be in some Dutch lab.

The answer to your email, if you get any from Wisley staff, will be on the lines that the Orchid genuses (sp?) used to create such hybrid do come from the Andes in South America, and that that would be a good basic information for the lay person when thinking about caring for this plant... But of course, we know a lot better than that!

> The pic attached was taken in the Orchid Shop at Wisley. I was staggered.
> I have written to the Director, complaining.
>
> Well, I haven t had a good rant all week.
>
> But I wonder whether I shall get a reply ?
>
> geoff

From: francis quesada pallares
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Re: [OrchidTalk] Chelonistele sulphurea
Date: Mon, 29 Mar 2010 07:45

I bought a small plant from Laurence Hobbs a few years, ago. All I can say is that it isn't doing too well, due to the lack of information I have on it. I haven't seen any flowers on it yet!

> These are the flowers of Chelonistele sulphurea which I have just
> acquired. I can't see much on the net about them and no mention in
> any of my books. Does anyone have any information − or better
> still first hand experience with this species? Andy

From: Dennis Read
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Re: [OrchidTalk] visit to Wisley − Orchid Festival − such ignorance....
Date: Mon, 29 Mar 2010 09:10

Geoff, I have stopped battling with the RHS. It is now run by MBA's in marketing. It is like banging your head against a brick wall − It's great when you stop.
Regards

From: Dennis Read
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Re: [OrchidTalk] Wisley some pics of their orchids
Date: Mon, 29 Mar 2010 09:25

Geoff, This brought back memories. I worked for a while at farnborough near Wisely and spent many lunch hours there. Once a year they did tours around their orchid growing areaand that was an eye opener − many unusual orchids. At that time it was run by Lucinda Lachlin and she gave a very and informative tour.
Regards

[...]
> 99% of the orchids on display came from The Netherlands, bought
> wholesale a month ago ; there were just a few of their own orchids
> a superb Phaius tankervilliae the best I have ever seen with
> spikes maybe 2 metres high and 20 (?) flowers per stem the
> Coelogyne I show here, and a few old dendrobium hybrids but not
> much really considering the wealth of orchids they should have
> people will donate their lifetime collections to Kew or Wisley
> and they don t seem to have specialist orchid growers, or maybe
> they just don t care, and only the toughest survive . Such a pity.

From: Roger Grier
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Geoff's rant.
Date: Mon, 29 Mar 2010 10:55

I will back you one hundred per cent on this issue. For Christ's sake, it's about time these plonkers woke up to the real world.

From: tony garthwaite
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Re: [OrchidTalk] D. anosmum
Date: Mon, 29 Mar 2010 12:05

I have to agree with Geoff. I visited Ian Butterfield last Monday and on his
Kitchen windowsill (facing East I think,) are the finest Phallies I have
seen in a long time. The leaves were in excellent condition, bright green
and shining, and the flower spikes will produce a succession of superb
blooms if I'm not mistaken. Having returned home and viewed my collection
(in the greenhouse) of un-named Phallies from various sources, I've decided
to throw most of mine on the compost heap!

As someone commented earlier, 'Buy for a ’Fiver' (£5 for non-sterling
readers!) and throw away when finished flowering!

> I have always thought that Phallies grew better indoors. When I first
> started growing orchids I bought a pink one, the only choice in those days
> was pink or white. The leaves were always perfect but as soon as you grow in
> a greenhouse they get spots and rots on the leaves due to the higher
> humidity. I can't comment on the number of flowers because I get more
> flowers from the greenhouse grown plants, but then not so many more that I
> think they are superior. I did get 51 flowers on Phal Pandora and 48 flowers
> on my first Phallie both at the same time a couple of years ago, but I have
> never done it again.

From: Andy
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Re: [OrchidTalk] Wisley some pics of their orchids
Date: Mon, 29 Mar 2010 12:20

I don't much rate these displays but I do like the Thunbergia and general planting in the house. They must have fantastic expertise and resources to do that. At least these orchids are still growing − though I wonder for how long and what will they do with them, given that the majority have no botanical significance. The last time I went to the Orchid Festival at Kew the majority of the flowers were cut stems obviously imported from either Bangkok or Singapore.

From: Dennis Read
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Re: [OrchidTalk] Chelonistele sulphurea
Date: Mon, 29 Mar 2010 14:15

Andy, I have two forms of Chelonistele sulphurea. One was bought from Malcolm Perry as a pink form and the other bought as Coelogyne exalca. Both have flowered this year after growing them for about 5 years Grow them like Coelogyne.
If you Google orchids then chelonistele you will be inundated with info.
Malcolm is the expert in the UK but Paul wiil know more in this group'
Regards

From: Tricia Garner
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Pleurothallis Picta
Date: Mon, 29 Mar 2010 18:05

Another miniature in Alan's greenhouse − Pleurothallis picta. This
plant was already growing on a mount when purchased and measures
approx 14cm across in total. The flowers are about 5mm from tip to
tip. I didn't count them :-)

From: Roger Grier
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Re: [OrchidTalk] D. anosmum
Date: Mon, 29 Mar 2010 18:35

Quite true Tony, in fact I will most probably keep more Phallys in the house than ever before. One lady that I know always has at least six Phallys on a table in her lounge. The table being about six feet from a large window, and they put on a most commendable display. Why heat our greenhouses to what Phallys prefer, costing far too much when they can be kept in the house, and of course their beauty can be seen there.

From: Lynda Coles
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: kew books
Date: Mon, 29 Mar 2010 18:55

hello all,0Akew books have some special offers for orchid tiltles...some g
ood savings if anyone interested.0A0A0ASPECIAL OFFERS on selected orchid
titles until 30.04.10 0A (while stocks last) Growing Windowsill Orchids
was UKP6 NOW UKP3.50 0A The Genus Pleione was UKP33 NOW UKP
18.00 0A 0A The Genus Coelogyne: A Synopsis was UKP42 NOWUKP20.00
Orchids of Sumatra was UKP95 NOW UKP40.00 0A Orchids of Sarawak wa
s UKP66 NOW UKP30.00 0A 0ASlipper Orchids of Vietnam was UKP37 NOWUKP20
.000A0A0Asorry about the large typeface....it came with the c&p and I co
nfess I do not know how to change it for the 'list'. :(0A0ALynda0A0A
0A

From: Andy
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Re: [OrchidTalk] Chelonistele sulphurea
Date: Tue, 30 Mar 2010 11:15

Thanks Dennis for that. When you say grow them like Coelogyne what kind of Coelogyne do you mean? Also have yours bulked up in the time you've had then?

From: Geoffrey Hands
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Re: [OrchidTalk] Fw: Emailing: 001 (2), 005
Date: Tue, 30 Mar 2010 13:25

I wonder why North Hampshire did not draw the curtain ? The light coming
through that window would have spoilt the effect of the display.

When I used to put on displays, I always had a black background , this
improves the appearance no end − and then if lights are used as well, you
are getting up towards the best possible from any arrangement.

My background cloth was actually one owned by my Society at the time -
Cotswold; I think someone in perhaps Worcester Soc was using one, which we
admired , and their man made a set for us. The curtain was 6 ft high and 10
ft wide, and hung from a pole, which was supported at both ends and in the
middle. All the pole and support bits were made of plumbers pipes in maybe
30 inch or 3 ft lengths, which socketed together , so that everything could
be packed in to the space of an old -fashioned golf bag. Moreover I could
use all the parts, or fewer − to give a five foot or six foot wide
background, or the full 10 ft . The curtain just hung in folds if the
smaller sizes were used. I believe that it didn't cost a great deal ,
perhaps £60 or something like that.

We did quite a lot of shows in those days ( say 1985- 2003 ) since the
Society was quite small and could not put on a good show from members plants
alone ; and I think a lot of neighbouring Societies were in the same
position ; Solihull, Worcester, Cheltenham, Swindon, Bristol even , plus
North Bucks, Wilts, maybe North Somerset ? and others . So we always
invited say 4 other Societies to our show, and they all put on displays,
which together with our own and one or at most two traders, filled a village
hall etc. Then when those Societies put on their shows, we had to
reciprocate of course.

Early in the period there were perhaps half a dozen of us in Cotswold , all
with reasonable collections which could rustle up at least half a doze,
maybe a dozen plants, and all turn up to help set it up, which was a lot of
fun. But deaths, a member giving up orchids in favour of golf (!) and
another offended by a bit of back-biting and tale telling which cost the
member a medal from the RHS and led to his resignation, eventually meant
that it was down to me, and in my last year before I left the Society and
then the Cotswolds I did half a dozen shows , perhaps including Newbury (
the predecessor to Peterborough) and maybe a BOC Congress too . That was
just too much − I had a big car, and since I had one greenhouse full of
Cymbidiums, to back up the paphs etc etc, I could find enough plants, but it
wasn't fun any more , just sheer hard graft preparing the plants, carrying
boxes in and out, staging etc.

> We had our Spring show today, not a very large affair, just a couple of
> stands and three traders. It was surprisingly busy and enjoyed by the
> membership.
>
> 1) This was our visitors stand, I think the curtains came out very well.
>
> 2 ) This was our own stand.
> David

From: Geoffrey Hands
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Re: [OrchidTalk] Pleurothallis Picta
Date: Tue, 30 Mar 2010 13:35

A beautiful plant ; but a pity about the blue string.
But how can one fix a plant to a mount, obtrusively, safely, conveniently...
?
I know people who use their tights, or their spouse's/partner's/mistress's
( !) tights, but my dearly beloved seems to like black ones − which are not
exactly unobtrusive either.
There are plants which will produce roots which cling to the bark − when
that is used − or grow straight through the processed tree-fern slabs, or
epi-web slabs, but not all will do that, as I suspect your little plant
would not.
A problem this, I think.

From: Geoffrey Hands
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Re: [OrchidTalk] D. anosmum
Date: Tue, 30 Mar 2010 15:10

Phallies , better in the house , very difficult in the greenhouse. We all
seem to agree.

Do you know, I have never seen this in print, or heard it extolled by a
speaker at an Orchid Society ?

And , as I have said , whenever anyone produces a good phallie and proudly
says ' and I don't even have a greenhouse' everyone applauds

From: Tricia Garner
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Re: [OrchidTalk] Fw: Emailing: 001 (2), 005
Date: Tue, 30 Mar 2010 17:45

On 30 Mar, in article
,
Geoffrey Hands wrote:
> I wonder why North Hampshire did not draw the curtain ? The light
> coming through that window would have spoilt the effect of the
> display.

Hah, you might well ask... I usually take photos for the website of
the display table at the meetings. Said table always in front of a
window so I draw the curtains to better control the light. I have
lost count of the number of times one genuinely kind person or
another hurries over and says, 'Let me open the curtains for you.'

From: Roger Grier
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Re: [OrchidTalk] D. anosmum
Date: Tue, 30 Mar 2010 18:15

Reading your second line about 'Print' or heard it by a Speaker, well mate I do in fact tell Gardening Club members to do just this, and as you say most of them do not have a greenhouse, so where else to grow them...............where they can appreciate them.

As for the 'In print', I guess it's the old story of the 'Business people' versus the hobbyist/gardener.

From: Roger Grier
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Emailing: Cost a 'Fiver' 002
Date: Tue, 30 Mar 2010 18:25

This is a hurried shot of the Phally that cost me just a 'Fiver'.......Five pound Sterling....£5.00

From: Geoffrey Hands
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Re: [OrchidTalk] Fw: Emailing: 001 (2), 005
Date: Tue, 30 Mar 2010 18:30

What you want Tricia is a supply of safety pins − to keep the curtains
closed, and then it's obvious that it was intended.
An idea ?

From: Dennis Read
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Re: [OrchidTalk] Chelonistele sulphurea
Date: Tue, 30 Mar 2010 19:40

Andy, They seem to bulk up slowly, I grow mine with my Coelogynes at a winter minimum of 12C. They are not allowed to dry out from March to November and fed with 550ms Tomorite weekly
Regards

> Thanks Dennis for that. When you say grow them like Coelogyne what
> kind of Coelogyne do you mean? Also have yours bulked up in the
> time you've had then?

From: David Martin
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Re: [OrchidTalk] Fw: Emailing: 001 (2), 005
Date: Tue, 30 Mar 2010 22:20

Hello Geoff,
I put up the display which was a bit hectic because it was only an
afternoon show. If I had pulled the curtain it would have made the room
dark as it's a small hall. I should have pulled them momentarily for the
photo, but needs must, and the kitchen needed my attention as well. I only
took the photo's as an afterthought and then put it on the club site because
I thought someone might be interested to see them. We do use a back cloth
sometimes but don't have a frame so we have to pin it to the curtains or
something. I think we have up lighters somewhere but don't know who has got
them. This was our first show for a couple of years and I hope we will do it
again . I was surprised at the number of plants we received, many more than
normal.
I used to do big shows like you but people dropped out and lost interest. I
can't do them on my own, the car's not big enough to take all the clobber
and plants. The big car had to go due to it's age and was getting expensive.
There used to be three of us and it worked very well doing the club circuit
and all points south and west of England, lots of shows a year. There are
now two of us, a nice young lady and myself, but she couldn't help this time
due to a bad back. I thought the stand looked pretty good considering the
rush to get it done.
My hands were pretty wrinkly after all the washing up.
David

> I wonder why North Hampshire did not draw the curtain ? The light coming
> through that window would have spoilt the effect of the display.

> When I used to put on displays, I always had a black background , this
> improves the appearance no end − and then if lights are used as well, you
> are getting up towards the best possible from any arrangement.
[...]

From: Tricia Garner
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Re: [OrchidTalk] Fw: Emailing: 001 (2), 005
Date: Tue, 30 Mar 2010 22:40

It's certainly a thought, but the Village Hall Committee might not
like it :-) I get by quite easily just explaining politely that I can
get better pics with the curtains closed.

Geoffrey Hands wrote:
> What you want Tricia is a supply of safety pins − to keep the
> curtains closed, and then it's obvious that it was intended.
> An idea ?

From: Paul Johnson
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Re: [OrchidTalk] Chelonistele sulphurea
Date: Wed, 31 Mar 2010 01:15

Hello Andy,
Interesting, one of my C. sulphurea was obtained as a Coel. exalata,
too. Malcolm can surely help, unless he is still traveling back from
his holiday. As with Dennis, I grow mine with the other intermediate/
warm, mesic forest species of Coelogyne − medium to light shade,
though I water them all year and grow them a tad warmer (ca. 15C min
in winter). Mine were divided in late November and all have put on
substantial new growth since then, maybe a third of an increase in
size. All are planted in a mixture of small coconut cubes, larger
perlite, and medium charcoal.

> Thanks Dennis for that. When you say grow them like Coelogyne what
> kind of Coelogyne do you mean? Also have yours bulked up in the
> time you've had then?

From: Geoffrey Hands
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Re: [OrchidTalk] Fw: Emailing: 001 (2), 005
Date: Wed, 31 Mar 2010 13:15

When it gets down to one person it does get to be hard work, and then I
think it's time to find a new Orchid Society where one can be an extra
pair
of hands instead the only pair .

But Shows are good providing you have the time to talk to people, as
well as
being an opportunity to show one's plants and a good way of getting new
members − OSGB said they got over 100 at Chelsea last year , and at the
London Show they seemed to be handing out info packs at quite a rate,
too.

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
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November	1-7	8-14	15-21	22-30	December	1-7	8-14	15-21	22-31

2010 Archived Messages

March 22—31