May 22 - 31 2010 mailing list messages

May 2010 Archived Messages

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From: Peter Hieke
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Is there still life?
Date: Sat, 22 May 2010 17:10

From: Tricia Garner
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Re: Is there still life?
Date: Sun, 23 May 2010 09:25

Yes, nobody's written anything :-) I was just about to send a test
message, but you beat me to it! We have had one or two new
subscribers recently who must be wondering why they bothered...

Last night I lay in bed looking up at the stars in the sky, and I thought to myself, where the heck is the ceiling?

From: tony garthwaite
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Re: [OrchidTalk] Is there still life?
Date: Sun, 23 May 2010 13:40

The problem is: we're all chasing our tails trying to keep on top of the
watering of non-orchid species!

From: Geoffrey Hands
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Re: [OrchidTalk] Is there still life?
Date: Sun, 23 May 2010 18:00

True ; although watering the orchids is also a concern. I am running out of
water, despite storing ( usually) 7-8 weeks supply, but there has been no
rain here for ever it seems; every time I read of showers, they are either
not in the South, or not on the coast, or they miss us. One day I came back
from a walk in the Purbecks ( east dorset ) and drove through a tremendous
shower − had my wipers on full speed to cope. Ten miles later I was home -
to a dry garden...

Today I have turned the RO machine on, to give me good water from tap water
- the second time in the 6 years I have lived here. After an hour I checked
on what was coming out. The pure water had an EC of just 23 ( marvellous).
This time I am saving the impure water, instead of letting it run to waste ;
it could be fine for my tomatoes, tubs, and garden generally − it turns out
to have an EC of 600, and pH 7 − which is pretty well perfect for those
purposes .

But things are growing nicely. I find that with my greenhouse door open I
can maintain a high of just about 30 deg C. Humidity is low of course,
although when I think about it I go in and spray the gravel floor. I have
stopped using the Jaybird − with my water here I either get a crust of lime
( takes ages to remove, if preparing a plant for a show) or when I put the
water through the water softener first, end up with black spots on the
leaves − just like the liver spots on the back of my old man's hands − not a
pretty sight for an orchid . But humidity at midnight is back to 90%
without me fussing, so I shall have to see how the plants cope.

But, off message, (partly) that cold winter seemed to lead to a most
tremendous flowering in the garden, My tree paeonies are the best I have
ever seen − Duchess of Marlborough with half a dozen 10 inch flowers is a
real stunner. Most of my garden orchids are up now − the cyps in bud ( ten
shoots in the oldest patch of these) ; about eight in the patch of Bletia -
or are they Bletilla ? ( which I thought the frost would have killed). The
latest clump − Cyp Reginae have yet to show above ground, but they were only
planted at the start of the dry spell ; I'll try the sprinkler there
overnight.

From: Geoffrey Hands
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Re: [OrchidTalk] Is there still life?
Date: Sun, 23 May 2010 18:05

Yes Peter − Tony said it − we have had a strange year weather-wise. The
coldest winter for 70 (?) years. The driest Spring for many years. Suddenly
it turned warm , barely a week ago − 23 even here on the coast − 28 inland -
the warmest May day since records began, but then, we break some kind of
weather record every week in UK. We actually have too much weather, and not
enough climate...

From: Geoffrey Hands
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: the next instalment of images.
Date: Mon, 24 May 2010 08:25

380. I have shown a small part of this spray of flowers of Renanthera
citrina before, at a time when not all the flowers were open, and I thought
that the complete spike is worth seeing. This is a first flowering for me. I
bought the plant at the first opportunity after seeing one shown here by
another member . My plant is perhaps 12 inches high, and I imagine it can
get a lot bigger than this, so maybe even more flowers then. The colour is
so very different from the other Renantheras I grow. Well worth a place in
my collection.

381 Psychopsis Mariposa. These Psychops' used to be called Oncidiums, but
are very distinct in the shape of the flowers and the flowering habit. Tall
spikes, with a single flower at the top, which- in this example − lasts for
months, and after it falls off is replaced by another, and another..Well
grown it will produce new growths which will flower at the same time as the
old ones. I have seen an amateur grown plant with ten flower spikes. Mine
has two, but at present I can't seem to find how to make the plant actually
grow. This one flower has been out for a couple of months, a second spike
has a bud at the top which has not moved this year, and another growth has
started but is not moving ( since Spring 2009). The plant is in suspended
animation. I have tried it hanging up in bright light, and now it is down on
the bench in the least well lit part. I have tried drying it out, and also
keeping it wet. Currently it gets a light spray daily, But still its stuck.
Any suggestions will be seized upon !

382.Nakamotoara Joyce Hands. The cross is named for my wife ; I have
forgotten the parentage, its that long ago, but will look it up and append.
I have about three plants now, but have not found it easy to grow, and I
think this showing is the first time the flowers have really pleased me -
apart from the fact that blue flowers were hoped for when the cross was
made. ( Neofinetia falcata x Ascda Blue Boy ; the latter is 2/3rds V.
coerulea , but strangely, the less than 10% V.sanderiana seems to have
influenced the colour. Genetics is a mysterious subject)

383 Capanemia superflua. A miniature miniature. The whole spike is les than
the length of a matchstick. I have no means of actually measuring the
flowers, I would guess about 3 mm wide, and the spike is bigger than the
plant. I think it's lovely now that I can see it on the screen − in the
greenhouse it is almost too small to be seen at all..

384 Ansellia Africana ( and other alternative names). I have not done well
with Ansellias , but maybe now that this one has flowered − not very well
it's true − perhaps this is the start of better things. If anyone can
suggest what they really like, please say ! I remember that Bob Dadd had a
great big specimen, with canes like 2 foot broomsicks, growing in peat and
rockwool at his Greenaway Orchid Nursery; so maybe they like it wet. I have
put mine in Aquaculture but so recently that I don't know if they like it. I
say 'they' since I have another, of the more usual coloration, not yet
flowered.

385 Laelia pulcherrima. I have been collecting cattleya species , and
included the larger Laelias ( which the Chadwicks who have written that
excellent book about the classic cattleyas, have long insisted were
cattleyas too, never mind the mere difference of how many pollinia they
have). Now its official, so this is Cattleya pulcherrima officially. When I
saw the open blooms I exclaimed "that really is beautiful" and then looked
at the label − 'pulcherrima' is latin for 'beautiful', or at any rate,
'pretty' . I wonder if I echoed the botanist who first saw this species?
I suppose the reason I have never seen this in a show is the flowering
season , and the fact that the flowers are, alas, not as long lived as most
cattleya hybrids.

386 Phal equestris. A young plant I bought at a show − perhaps London ? But
with four spikes. Now if only I could keep that up and grow it it a big
plant,,,, if only.

387. Ornithochephalus gladiatus. Another miniature , the spike perhaps 4 or
5 cm long, and flowers which need a magnifying glass in order to be
appreciated. The plant is a fan of flat leaves radiating from the roots,,
and likes to grow flat against the mount ( in this case Epiweb) and hanging
upside down. Then it flourishes ( for me, anyway).

388 and finally ( another 9 pics to follow in Part 2 shortly, maybe
tomorrow) Tolumnia urophylla. These tolumnias − which (also) used to be
oncidiums, do very well for me in various different places. Usually hanging
up, although they may not like it quite as bright as it is there at the
moment ! This one causes me to rethink twig epiphytes, That long flower
spike − a metre or so − is surely to thread through the branches and carry
the flowers above the canopy ? I thought that twig epiphytes grew on the top
of the canopy anyway ? Why should the plant need ( evolutionary-wise) to
have its flowers that much above ? Apart from all which, it is a lovely
little thing, such a singing clear colour. More tolumnias in part 2 , btw.

From: Geoffrey Hands
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: and the other half...
Date: Mon, 24 May 2010 17:00

389. Eulophia guineensis. Likes a hot dry rest , and then flowers with the
new growth. I am trying one in aquaculture ( which I used to call
hydroculture − can't think why this name seems better.). See if I can grow
bigger bulbs before drying off for the winter. But this is on the bulb I
grew last year.

390. A recent purchase when I decided to stock up on Milts' − bought o a
recet trip to Burnham − a Society coach outing − out of flower, relying on
the label. Not sure why it is considered to be worth a varietal name, but
perhaps it is a bit larger than the usual species, although perhaps slightly
smaller than the normal run of hybrids. Nice, anyway.

391. This has to be the best tolumnia (single spike) flower count I have yet
achieved − about 50 buds and flowers here, and a nice bright colour
combination too. Just an 'ordinary' buy from Kenneth and his Dad at London
last year.

393. It is always good to flower a paph from this section ( the
brachycephalous one − meaning "no-neck" − a reference to the short flower
stem). More often they die after flowering. Even Paphanatics Unlimited, when
asked how to grow them, can only reply , "keep trying" . Maybe the answer is
a potful of growths − as I have here, making a strong plant, although only a
single flower this time , and it would not be too demanding to expect two or
more from a 5 inch pot, I think..

394. Renanthera monachica. I think I have shown this before,or maybe it was
another plant- I do have two in flower and both have deepened in colour as
the flowers matured, which made me think worth another shot.

395 Vanda lamellata var Boxallii. Not to be confused with V.boxallii − which
I also have. This lamellate is flowering better, brighter and more colourful
this year, although not quite so many flowers as I have had in the past ; it
has been double spiked, but not this year − but then I think it didn't
flower at all last year − which is why had a major repot. So maybe the
fresh compost is the explanation. I shall hope for double spikes next year.

396 Another nice Tolumnia, not so many flowered. Am I just being paranoid in
thinking that the awarded ones actually flower less well than the common or
garden ones ?

397. Flower counts again. I think this has 15 flowers, and quite large and
very good flowers too, for an Ascda.

398 And perhaps the best, large-flowered Vanda I have − it has a flower
count of 9 − which is good too, but I have chosen to show just one flower.
Tremendous substance, will last months I expect, and 14 cm across.

From: sheila bicknell
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Re: [OrchidTalk] Is there still life?
Date: Mon, 24 May 2010 18:25

Its certainly a very challenging start to the season. I have spent the
weekend moving all my Cymbidiums out of the greenhouse for the summer,
although it was debatable whether it should be done, late this afternoon the
temperature was 31C under the shade netting outside despite damping down the
whole area, but night temperatures as low as 4C are forecast here for later
this week, its a job to know which way to jump.

Geoff − you mentioned processing the RO water − I would be interested to
know what percentage of the volume comes out at the 23 and what at the 600 ?
We were very fortunate just here as we did get one of the torrential
downpours for about an hour and it refilled all the water containers, but it
was very localised, folks a short distance away are still praying for rain.
Regards, Sheila

From: Tricia Garner
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Re: the next instalment of images.
Date: Tue, 25 May 2010 09:30

Geoff, I too have found Psychopsis has a rather sporadic growth
pattern. The one plant I have was bought from Stonehurst (which shows
how long I have had it!) and I was advised to grow it dry, which I
understand to mean not to over-water it and keep it in very
free-draining medium. Also I read somewhere that they don't like
medium which might be even vaguely stale so re-potting often is
paramount. In spite of all that my plant has twice lost all its
leaves and taken months to start a new growth. Even if it doesn't
lose its leaves it sometimes doesn't start a new growth for over 12
months. As a plant it seems to have mastered the art of suspended
animation! Sorry I can't be more help but at least you know you are
no alone...

> 381 Psychopsis Mariposa. These Psychops' used to be called
> Oncidiums, but are very distinct in the shape of the flowers and
> the flowering habit. Tall spikes, with a single flower at the top,
> which- in this example − lasts for months, and after it falls off
> is replaced by another, and another..Well grown it will produce new
> growths which will flower at the same time as the old ones. I have
> seen an amateur grown plant with ten flower spikes. Mine has two,
> but at present I can't seem to find how to make the plant actually
> grow. This one flower has been out for a couple of months, a second
> spike has a bud at the top which has not moved this year, and
> another growth has started but is not moving ( since Spring 2009).
> The plant is in suspended animation. I have tried it hanging up in
> bright light, and now it is down on the bench in the least well lit
> part. I have tried drying it out, and also keeping it wet.
> Currently it gets a light spray daily, But still its stuck. Any
> suggestions will be seized upon !

From: JIM MATEOSKY
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Re: Psychopsis
Date: Tue, 25 May 2010 15:15

Psychopsis live here in a the trees in a fairly warm forest, when the sun is out, when it is cloudy it is a very pleasant climate,for us humans. The forest have a 5 month dry season maybe just a couple small sprinkling showers. But in the reainy season which I am experiencing now it rains and I mean rains several inches in maybe 20 minutes! I put out a 55 gallon drum empty when the rains started last month and it is half full, to give you an idea. 2 feet! plus the evaporation. When I have seen them in trees, they are hard to find, it is in a position that allows very very fast drainage.

From: Geoffrey Hands
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: RO
Date: Tue, 25 May 2010 17:50

I think it was Sheila who asked what proportions of good and bad water I am
getting , but I( can't find the e-mail to be sure. Gremlins.

However , to answer the question, this can be calculated fairly easily ,
although I have to say that measured quantities do not quite agree with my
calculations !

However I just ran a test , having adjusted the pressure a bit so as change
the values to about 75 EC (good) and 585 (bad) , mainly so as to increase
the ’filtration' rate ; and I am getting 1 litre of good to about 3.5
litres of bad.

It appears that I pay just over £1 per cu meter for he water , and then
charge me the same for sewage, although the water supply is metered and what
goes down the drains is not , rather unfair if it is going on the orchids,
into the ground, and then to the river- which is less than a quarter of a
mile away !

1 cu meter 1000 litres, so that makes the water about 1 pence per 5 litres
or 1 gallon. ( twopence to flush the loo .) I need about 200 litres per
week ( guessed at, rather than measured ) so 40 pence a week. Rain is
obviously preferable, but it don't break the bank.

From: Tricia Garner
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Re: Psychopsis
Date: Tue, 25 May 2010 17:55

Thanks Jim, that's very interesting. I guess from that they should be
reasonably happy grown on a mount.

From: Geoffrey Hands
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Re: [OrchidTalk] Psychopsis
Date: Tue, 25 May 2010 20:25

Very helpful. So I have to find a way of ending the rest period. Obviously
(I'm watering all wrong , just once a week. (I'll stop completely for a few
weeks, then start soaking often.

From: Geoffrey Hands
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Re: [OrchidTalk] Psychopsis
Date: Tue, 25 May 2010 20:25

From: johnstanley
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Re: [OrchidTalk] Is there still life? (possible computer virus detected in Monday's mail)
Date: Tue, 25 May 2010 23:00

One or more of the attachments in the email I received from you on Monday
via the forum (following this one I think) sent my Norton virus checker
(Trial version) into a state of apoplexy. Flashing red backgrounds all over
the place emulating the bleeding implied by that olde fashionde medical
term!

My month's free Norton trial is due for a payment at the end of May to
continue but I have in hand the installation of AVG. I suppose it couldn't
be a warning to persuade me to subscribe to Norton . . . . by any chance . .
. . . . .could it? . . . . what me? . . . cynical?

From: sheila bicknell
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Re: [OrchidTalk] RO
Date: Wed, 26 May 2010 09:55

Geoff − Yes it was me asking about the RO, and thank you so much for all the information you gave in your reply, very useful, particularly regarding the costs, much less expensive than I had imagined.
Kind regards, Sheila

From: Geoffrey Hands
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Re: [OrchidTalk] Is there still life? (possible computer virus detected in Monday's mail)
Date: Wed, 26 May 2010 10:50

Hi John, I use Norton 360 and just went and looked at it − and found all up
to date, no risks etc.. The log shows lots of 'problems' found and fixed,
but mostly low-grade cookies plus "fake id. Virus" − that was a higher grade
one, but it is 'quarantined' as they say.
I have been trying to discover whether it checks outgoing mail (?) but
perhaps the assumption is that if it checks all incoming, and scans my
system etc ( which it does frequently) there is no point or need to scan
outgoing...

From: John J. Rupp
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Re: [OrchidTalk] Is there still life? (possible computer virus detected in Monday's mail)
Date: Wed, 26 May 2010 14:15

I am running Kaspersky Internet Security 2010 and did not receive any
warnings on Geoff's email or attachments.

From: Peter Hieke
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Re: [OrchidTalk] Psychopsis
Date: Wed, 26 May 2010 17:50

I grow them in a pot with just a few pieces of bark to hold them in the pot.
In summer they are watered every day
with overhead sprinklers at mid-day and not at all in winter.

From: Dennis Read
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Re: [OrchidTalk] Is there still life? (possible computer virus detected in Monday's mail)
Date: Wed, 26 May 2010 19:25

My internet provider uses Norton and I use Kaspersky and no adverse problems with Geoff pictures. I looks like you are being targetted.
Regards

From: Roger Grier
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Early Purple Orchids.
Date: Thu, 27 May 2010 19:40

After the extremely cold Winter and Spring weather, at long last I can get out and start to have a damned good look at our Wild Orchids.

A few weeks ago a friend took me to a wood just a few minutes from home. Wow! What a fantastic display of Early Purple orchids.

01. Group of them.
02. Group of them
03. Single plant showing the normal marked leaves in this part of the Country.
04. Leaf rosette showing markings.
05. Ditto.
06. Ditto.
07. Not very often seen. Leaf rosette with no markings on them.
08. Close up of spike.
09. Close up of spike.
10. Single flower. Note the spur points upwards.
11. Pollinia. Typical colour for this orchid.
12. There are normally one or two Early Purple orchids that are either white with just a few markings, or a mottled one as shown.
13. Pollinia from Number 12. Note: Pollinia from white flowered orchids are very often yellow in colour.

Went out today and saw many Sword-leaved helleborine, some Fly Orchids, very many Bird's nest orchids, and some Common White Helleborine which are yet still in the bud stage.

Off tomorrow to do a check on the orchids in my beloved New Forest. Just to see how they are doing.

From: Elater
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Re: [OrchidTalk] Early Purple Orchids.
Date: Fri, 28 May 2010 00:00

From: tony garthwaite
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Re: [OrchidTalk] Is there still life? (possible computer virus detected in Monday's mail)
Date: Fri, 28 May 2010 11:15

John,
Regarding 'Norton', have you considered 'Kaspersky'?
I've had it for about 2 years now and found it excellent!

John Stanley wrote Re: [OrchidTalk] Is there still life? (possible computer virus detected in Monday's mail)

> One or more of the attachments in the email I received from you on Monday
> via the forum (following this one I think) sent my Norton virus checker
> (Trial version) into a state of apoplexy. Flashing red backgrounds all over
> the place emulating the bleeding implied by that olde fashionde medical
> term!

> My month's free Norton trial is due for a payment at the end of May to
> continue but I have in hand the installation of AVG. I suppose it couldn't
> be a warning to persuade me to subscribe to Norton . . . . by any chance . .

From: Roger Grier
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Green-veined orchids.
Date: Fri, 28 May 2010 20:15

The nine images of the Green-veined orchid are self explanatory. The colour difference within shall we say one field/area of these orchids can be very wide. Normal colour to pink and even white.

The tooth pick with which I often remove the pollinia...................you can shake the tooth pick as violently and as often as you like, but the pollinia sure are stuck on with 'super glue' as they never fall off. Another of Mother Natures wonders.

From: Dennis Read
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Small orchids
Date: Sat, 29 May 2010 16:35

A while ago there were posted complaints that judges ignored the small orchids in favour of blousy types. I have just been writing our society Newsletter and the Best in Show at our Exmouth show was Pleurothallis linearifolia shown by Andy MacEwan of Somerset, Wiltshire and Dorset Orchid Society.
We have a panel of judges using the OSGB standards that seem to give a fair result.
Regards

From: Geoffrey Hands
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Maxillaria sophronitis − do you grow it ?
Date: Sat, 29 May 2010 19:50

I have been given a good sized clump of this species . Looking it up on the
web, most agree that it does best on a mount, kept moist and with good
light.

But should I put it on bare cork, or with a pad of moss interposed, in a
shallow tray with a little bark/moss and then treat like a raft − daily
spraying , or what ?

Another question ; some time ago I bought some slabs of a tree-fern
substitute which I think was called Eco-web or Eco-foam or something
similar. Aesthetically I didn't like it − it looks like a large sheet of
wire-wool − but plants mounted on it do seem to like it and do well, and
push their roots through it. Maybe it would suit here. But I can't find it
on the internet. Any clues, anyone ?

From: Alex
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Re: [OrchidTalk] Small orchids
Date: Sat, 29 May 2010 21:45

Andy − mention of your pleuro linearifolia reminds me that i intended to
ask if it is fragrant. I may have the wrong linearifolia but I am sure I
was told by someone it is very fragrant.
Regards, Alex

From: Tricia Garner
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Re: Maxillaria sophronitis − do you grow it ?
Date: Sat, 29 May 2010 23:00

Would that be Epiweb, Geoff? Used to be sold by MAM Horticulture but
they retired and I've no idea might stock it now. If anyone knows,
please tell the list.

> Another question ; some time ago I bought some slabs of a tree-fern
> substitute which I think was called Eco-web or Eco-foam or
> something similar. Aesthetically I didn't like it − it looks like a
> large sheet of wire-wool − but plants mounted on it do seem to like
> it and do well, and push their roots through it. Maybe it would
> suit here. But I can't find it on the internet. Any clues, anyone ?

From: Mats Linde
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Re: [OrchidTalk] Maxillaria sophronitis − do you grow it ?
Date: Sun, 30 May 2010 08:20

Hi!
You could buy Epiweb from http://www.dartfrog.co.uk/epiweb/ in the UK.
The producer is at http://www.epiweb.se/ in Sweden.
I use it a lot but I takes a lot of water especially with Coelogynes.
/Mats Linde

From: Geoffrey Hands
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Re: [OrchidTalk] Maxillaria sophronitis − do you grow it ?
Date: Sun, 30 May 2010 08:45

I eventually found it myself − the adress is :-
http://www.dartfrog.co.uk/epiweb/

But thanks anyway − if my brain had been in an even lower gear you would
have got there before me...

From: Geoffrey Hands
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Neofinetia falcata, and Gibberellins
Date: Sun, 30 May 2010 09:00

I took a plant to our "experts forum/brains-trust/problem page" − whatever
you like to call it, event at my orchid society a couple of months ago − a
Neofinetia falcata ( the species) which is now maybe a dozen growths, all
looking good, filling a 5 inch, or thereabouts, pan .

Problem is , very few or even no flowers. I have tried it hanging up near
the roof; also left it outside in the sun ( and for cool nights). Tried it
down on the bench half shaded by other plants etc etc − two or three years
of trying various ideas several months at least in each position ( except
outside − since it burnt, and I had to bring it back to grow new clean
leaves) − my question, of course, was − how can I persuade it to flower ?

Perhaps the best idea was from someone who pointed out that the Japanese are
believed to grow it in sphagnum moss , heaped up so that half the roots are
in moss which is drying out. I re-potted it in that way , and whilst it
looks good, that is so recent that I don't know whether it will do the trick
, and I have forgotten when the usual flowering season is so don't know if I
should be disappointed now, or at Xmas, or whatever...

But at the most recent meeting, a ( retired) micro-biologist in the Society
said that she had been thinking about my problem, and suggested Giberellic
Acid . She is bringing me some to the next meeting, and in the mean-time I
have been googling this and learnt something about it ; to save you the
time, if you are not that interested the gibberellins are a naturally
occurring hormone − there about 14 different ones ( out of a group of about
70) found in germinating rice for example, and G3 acid ( I guess a mix ? )
is the usual one for horticultural experiment. It can promote growth ( like
keiki-paste, which may in fact contain the stuff) promote flowering,
increase flowering, produce larger flowers, produce deformed flowers, lead
to greatly extended growth rates, lead to much extended inter-node distances
in new shoots, "break" dormancy in seeds as an alternative to vernalisation
, etc etc − depending on dosage, frequency, the nature of the plant, and the
stage of growth when used etc etc.

I have found a few references to orchids − (still looking) − but the point
of this mail is to ask does any member have any knowledge or can point to
any references which may help me in this ?

From: Tricia Garner
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Epiweb
Date: Sun, 30 May 2010 09:10

Thanks Mats and Geoff for the link re Epiweb − I've put details on
the website.

Give a man a fish and he will eat for a day. Teach him how to fish, and he will sit in a boat and drink beer all day.

From: Dennis Read
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Re: [OrchidTalk] Neofinetia falcata, and Gibberellins
Date: Sun, 30 May 2010 12:05

Geoff, I look forward to the answers as my N. falcata flowered for three years next to a south facing glass in the greenhouse. After being told by an 'expert' it was getting too much light I moved it to the centre. Result no flowers for two years. Looks like back to the glass.
Regards PS thankyou for making my reading easier for keeping a distinct type face.

From: Andy
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Re: [OrchidTalk] Small orchids
Date: Sun, 30 May 2010 12:10

> Andy − mention of your pleuro linearifolia reminds me that i intended to
> ask if it is fragrant. I may have the wrong linearifolia but I am sure I
> was told by someone it is very fragrant.

From: tony garthwaite
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Emailing: P5300370, P5300369
Date: Sun, 30 May 2010 12:55

Attached are two photos of the root system on my two Vandas.
The new roots are almost twice the diameter of the earlier roots.

Now, I'm wondering if this is 'normal' or is it due to too much fertiliser
that I occasionally (when I remember!) spray on the roots hanging down.

I'm hoping for flowers again this summer, Seeing Geoff's vandas in the
Cotswolds (was it really 5 years ago he moved!) stimulated me to persevere
with these orchids but I cannot compete with his results as yet!

Looking forward to 'Flaming June' but today is giving a high of 13C
........ that's about 64F for those who missed out on SI units!!!

From: Lynda Coles
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Re: [OrchidTalk] Neofinetia falcata, and Gibberellins
Date: Sun, 30 May 2010 16:50

From: Alex
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Re: [OrchidTalk] Neofinetia falcata, and Gibberellins
Date: Sun, 30 May 2010 19:15

I have two neofinetia falcata growing in small pots in sphagnum and they
are spiking now. The roots do seem to lift the plant up out of the moss a
bit. Dont like the sound of the gibberilic acid though − a lot could go
wrong!
Regards, Alex

From: David Martin
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Re: [OrchidTalk] Emailing: P5300370, P5300369
Date: Sun, 30 May 2010 23:30

From: Kenneth Bruyninckx
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Open Nursery Weekend 2010 !
Date: Mon, 31 May 2010 06:00

We kindly invite you to come to our annual open nursery weekend on Saturday
June 5th and Sunday June 6th from 10 am til 6 pm.

We have also added some quite interesting new species and hybrids to our
catalogue, click here to find
out more.

*Open Nursery Weekend, Schoten, Belgium (June 5-6)
*B.O.V. Orchideeën Expo 2010, Leuven, Belgium (June 18-20)
*Gothenburg International Orchid Show, Gothenburg, Sweden (September
24-26)
*Expo L'Ami des Orchidées, Charleroi, Belgium (October 16-17)

From: Geoffrey Hands
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Re: [OrchidTalk] Emailing: P5300370, P5300369
Date: Mon, 31 May 2010 06:15

They like what you are doing ; for example, all the ones which have double
spiked in my collection this year have done this , i.e. started producing
roots which are, say 1 cm thick instead of the 5-7mm of the previous year. (
Although not all of the ones which have started thicker roots have
double-spiked).

BTW it was 6 years − and that's how long it has taken for me to get
conditions really good for some of my more awkward orchids !

> Attached are two photos of the root system on my two Vandas.
> The new roots are almost twice the diameter of the earlier roots.

> Now, I'm wondering if this is 'normal' or is it due to too much fertiliser
> that I occasionally (when I remember!) spray on the roots hanging down.

From: Geoffrey Hands
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Re: [OrchidTalk] Emailing: P5300370, P5300369
Date: Mon, 31 May 2010 07:35

p.s. I fertilise on every watering ( dipping) once per week, although
routine daily spraying of the aerial roots is with rain water alone.

I use 600 EC and pH 6.0 − approximately, and for some six months or more
have been using Akerne's Rain Mix , which is a balanced fertiliser with
added Calcium and Magnesium- generally fertilisers don't have enough Ca or
Mg as they assume they will be mixed with tap water or stream or ground
water which has a lot in − whereas of course, rain doesn't − which is why
Akerne add it. Alternatively add Calcium Nitrate solution and Epsom salts (
perhaps alternately) to a general purpose mix − if rain water is being
used..

From: Geoffrey Hands
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Re: [OrchidTalk] Neofinetia falcata, and Gibberellins
Date: Mon, 31 May 2010 08:00

Yes − I keep thinking about this − but perhaps I will try it on a few
seedlings from compots, where I have more than I need anyway , and see what
happens !. I will post results − watch this space ...

> I have two neofinetia falcata growing in small pots in sphagnum and they
> are spiking now. The roots do seem to lift the plant up out of the moss a
> bit. Dont like the sound of the gibberilic acid though − a lot could go
> wrong!

From: tony garthwaite
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Living in hope of flowers to come!
Date: Mon, 31 May 2010 10:55

Regarding the temperature correction (55F) I blame it on the parents! In
particular 'The Mother-in-law' who distracted me as I was doing mental
arithmetic .......anyway, I'm sticking to that story!!! (It's even colder
today! I've even switched on the central heating for the aforementioned
Mother-in-law!)

Regarding Neofinetia falcate, I purchased my example at Peterborough 2 years
ago and it decreased in size by about 50% looking very sorry for itself.
However, it is now sending out new roots which look very healthy and I can
understand Alex's comment about 'raising itself out of the moss'. I've
attached a photo of my plant. You can see how the old roots were rotting in
the compost and I've removed most of them and as you will observe, it sits
in a small mesh pot with no compost at all. I thought I would lose it but
the roots are developing well and there are two new shoots forming. Based on
the comments over the past week, I will slowly move it to lighter parts of
the greenhouse and continue to feed the roots.

The other photos are of Dendrobium atroviolaceum x eximia cuito. I cannot
remember if I purchased this plant at Peterborough or Westminster but it has
really taken off this year. The flowers are very attractive as seen in photo
1. This is the second spike this year, the first spike was in flower for 6
-8 weeks and this has been open for about 3 weeks already. The second photo
shows more of the plant with spikes to come, one spike has 6 buds and if the
spikes are all in flower at the same time, it will be quite a picture.

The sun has now appeared, so on with the work outside! A gardeners work is
never finished!

From: Tricia Garner
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Dendrobium atroviolaceum and Neofinetia falcata
Date: Mon, 31 May 2010 16:20

Tony, I like your Dendrobium atroviolaceum cross; atroviolaceum and
its hybrids are a particular favourite of mine.

Regarding Neofinetia falcata, there is good information on Neofinetia
culture on Glen Lehr's website, http://www.newworldorchids.com/
especially the page http://newworldorchids.com/pages/neoculture.htm -
there is a link about halfway down to another page showing
illustrations of potting Neofinetia using the 'heaped up' method
mentioned by Geoff.

You have the right to remain silent. Anything you say will be misquoted then used against you.

From: David Martin
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Re: [OrchidTalk] Living in hope of flowers to come!
Date: Mon, 31 May 2010 20:00

Tony,
Sorry to have been so quick with the temperature conversion, but I am ex
Met Office and in my younger days we had to plot charts and convert the
American temperatures from Fahrenheit into Celsius to be the same as the
European observations. All the conversions are done from memory. How naff is
that?
David

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

May 2010 Archived Messages

22—31 May