January 22-31 2005 mailing list messages

2005 Archived Messages

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From: John Stanley
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: [OrchidTalk] Re: Slide scanners etc.
Date: Sat, 22 Jan 2005 00:00

Just for the record Geoff (and anyone else interested), I have used a Nikon Coolpix 995 and my wife's 990 to photograph family slides using a homemade light box (milky plastic over a halogen desklamp) or a cloudy sky (I live in Crewe!) and have had some success with high quality slides. The trick is to get even illumination, properly adjusted white balance and to use a camera with minimal distortion at ultra-closeup (which the Coolpix family usually have down to about an inch). I have reproduced results on prints beyond A5 but not exceeding A4 and nobody has suspected they were re-photographed from slides.

Currently, I am playing with the Aldi (Medion?) flat bed scanner with its backlit (whaddayamean "so-called?") slide/film adapter. So far I get a little bit of moire pattern but it looks worth trying further.

Mind you, I'd need an extended guarantee on my life expectancy to do "hundreds" of slides 'cos it is difficult to use batch settings unless the slides are from one film.

Another possibility with which I have had some success, is to photograph the projected image from as near as possible to the line of projection. However, you need a good projector and a screen that isn't beaded or aluminised if brightness fall-off from the centre is to be avoided. However, white balance is easier to set and the excessive contrast problem doesn't occur.
It is more WYSIWYG, so to speak.
John Stanley

From: Ed Deckert
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: [OrchidTalk] Re: Bamboo orchid.
Date: Sat, 22 Jan 2005 02:50

I believe what I have is Arundia gramimifolia. Any information that you can provide will be appreciated.

You asked if I live near Newberry. At first, I did not recognize the town's name. But then I surmised that there was perhaps an orchid connection and did a Google search. I came up with Carter & Holmes Orchids in Newberry, South Carolina. Newberry would be about a 3 hour drive from here. Not exactly close, but certainly not all that far away.

First of all can we please establish exactly which orchid you have, and then we can give you as much help as possible.

I have some very good cultivation instructions in some of my books, so just let us know.

From: Max Redman
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: [OrchidTalk] Photos.
Date: Sat, 22 Jan 2005 03:50

Hi Folks,
Mike Cresswell sent in a photo of his Dendrobium which was very nice but
also very big. There has been a lot of talk lately about reducing the size
of a picture before sending it.A lot of very technical stuff about pixels
and sizing etc.
There is a programme which was supplied by U-Lead some years ago and which
as far as I recall was free to download.This was since upgraded to series 2
but I have found that the first one,old as it may be , is the better for
general use.
I simply saved the attachment and then brought it up on U-Lead Photo express
1.1 and resized it to the size that suited. Checked it in 'view' and then
saved it as a jpeg. It took about 2 minutes to complete the whole thing and
I am enclosing the pictures . They can be cropped ,see second picture.
If anyone wants any more info please mail me off list.
Max.

From: Roger Grier
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Arundina.
Date: Sat, 22 Jan 2005 15:55

Yes it is 'Carter & Holmes'. And yes it sure is quite a drive from your home. They produce some excellent orchids.

From: Andy Mckeown
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: [OrchidTalk] Re: Phot sizes.
Date: Sat, 22 Jan 2005 18:00

Thanks for the link to Picasa. I really like it and have lost several hours today playing with it. It's very easy to use and great effects. It has also found all sorts of photos on my disc that I had forgotten about.

A new photo editor is Googles Picasa. It is free and can be downloaded at: www.picasa.com . I have Photoshop CS and Corel Draw Graphics Suite 11 and both are expensive. I use GIMP 2 on both linux and windows, it's free. Today I down loaded Picasa and it shows a lot of promise. When I,m worried about the file size I usually make my jepg 350 pixels across.

From: Ronald Newstead
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Re: [OrchidTalk] Re: Wild Orchids.
Date: Sat, 22 Jan 2005 19:40

Hi Roger. How interesting. I think this is quite different from the=20
habit on the high cotswolds ( 1000 feet for example) which are that=20
much colder...

From: Ronald Newstead
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Re: [OrchidTalk] Re: Phot sizes and making Geoff rich.
Date: Sat, 22 Jan 2005 19:40

John, I strongly recommend that everybody buys Geoff's book which is all
that we would expect from him - very knowledgeable, well written and
with excellent pictures.
Ron

From: geoffrey hands
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Fwd: [OrchidTalk] Re: reply to Ronbow
Date: Sat, 22 Jan 2005 20:25

> From: geoffrey hands
> Date: 22 January 2005 08:40:55 GMT-05:00
> To: "Ron Bower"
> Subject: Re: [OrchidTalk] Re: reply to Ronbow
>
> if you had done a bit of deletion of the quoted messages Ron,It
> would have been rather more quickly understood . As it stands, your
> comments about a 9 year old mac seemed quiite peculiar when the
> subject line was making Geoff rich and I was not sure whether to be
> offended and demand pistols at dawn, or just laugh in a rather
> baffled fashion...... However , I have done the necessary deletions
> below, for others benefit . .
>
> As to Growing in Glass" - if you look more closely , there are two
> plants there. One is a dendrobium ( not growing in glass) the other is
> one of the contorted sticks which they sell in supermarkets as
> ornamental house plants ( but not to me ) and thats the one in glass.
>
> And finally pH meters. I cannot recommend the little red hand held
> Hannah pH meter - which sells for £50-£70. The problem unless you
> always keep it wrapped in cotton wool wet with the electrode
> protective solution they sell, the electrode rapidly corrodes and the
> meter is scrap.
> I recommend the Hannah Gro-Chek - which is a combination pH , TDS and
> EC meter with a single electrode probe on a wander lead , which seems
> to be almost cast iron in reliability, however it is misused ; it
> costs about £120 -but I have had one for maybe 7 years now - which is
> about 3 times the life of the blue Hannah EC meter at £60 - and its
> still going strong
>
> Geoff
> On 21 Jan 2005, at 14:21, Ron Bower wrote:
>
>>
>> What a incredible picture from Mike.Did that Yellow and red flowered
>> plant which to me looks like a Dendrobnium but I am not very
>> knowlegible in that field. Did it actually grow and flower in that
>> glass container, in water? I await with baited breath for the learned
>> members comments....... I have already contributed to Geoff's wealth,
>> and very good it is, the book I mean. Some cracking pictures. Can any
>> one recommend a good PH metre and a supplier in the UK.?
>>

From: Tony Watkinson
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Copying Slides
Date: Sun, 23 Jan 2005 01:05

To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Re: [OrchidTalk] Arundina.
Date: Sun, 23 Jan 2005 02:20

Many thanks for this information. Now, let's see if I have a sufficiently green thumb to bring this one to bloom!

From: Roger Grier
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Strange 'format'.
Date: Sun, 23 Jan 2005 08:30

To keep the messages and information coming I would hope that no one gets put off by the strange 'format' that some of the messages are received in.

I speak of the shortened sentences that end half way across the page with the =20.

Now when I first sent my reply to Geoff about the Wild Orchids in the New Forest, it was composed in Microsoft 'Outlook Express'. When it came up in our 'Orchid Talk', it appeared as I sent it.

I have over the past day or so seen a few messages that have the same old fault, the =20.

Now this morning, I notice that Ron's item has a copy of my rjr@bobscomp.com:, but it has the annoying fault with it.

So, first of all Ron, can I ask you what system you used to construct your rjr@bobscomp.com:.

Secondly, how are you keeping. Bit too cold here today to out photographing wild orchid leaves!!!!

From: Roger Grier
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Slides to computer.
Date: Sun, 23 Jan 2005 11:20

Tony, it was so nice to read the information that you have passed on, but you will find it hard to believe, but only yesterday I had my digital camera sat on a tiny tripod, with a 16 times magnifying lens [dioptre] screwed to the front of it, just a couple of inches from the slide, which was held upright by a piece of blue-tack, sat on top of an old stone jar. The slide etc was sat inside of an empty [washed] ice-cream container. Don't laugh everybody because.....as Jethro would say, "It bloody well works, it does.....and it does bloody well work".

I will take a photo of my 'set-up'. Known to my friend and I as 'Lackford Photographic Experimental Laboratory's. My friend is also experimenting with a piece of plastic pipe which normally is used for the waste water from the sink or bath!!!!!!! He is cutting slots in it at various distances from the lens into which the slide will drop.

I guess as many of our members have said, the criteria is to get the light, or diffused light correct, and that I will work on.....but it is no big deal.

Thanks to all of you for the information. No doubt my friend and I will come up with the best method, and then we will be able to put all or most of our slides onto our computers.

The shot of the New Forest donkeys, was one of the slides that I photographed yesterday with the Ice cream container method.

The shot of my 'Set-up' has, as you can see a lovely blue sky in the background. A rare thing at this time of year!!!

From: Robert J. Richter
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Re: [OrchidTalk] Slides to computer.
Date: Sun, 23 Jan 2005 16:30

From: John Stanley
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Re: [OrchidTalk] Slides to computer QED.
Date: Sun, 23 Jan 2005 17:00

You prove the point Rocky,
The only alternative to your Lackford Patent Tabletop Transparency Digitiser that I can think of would be to grow a third arm and hand. It's a fair bet that during the high tech experimental stages, before the tripod was set up, you held the camera with one hand, the slide with the second and the diffuser with . . . . . . . .
I like the colour of the tripod too, but then all the best colour photos need a bit of red in 'em.
Congratulations. Now, with all the money you have saved, why not buy a few orchids? Or even a new orchid house!
John Stanley

From: Ronald Newstead
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Off subject - Help!
Date: Sun, 23 Jan 2005 19:50

I have a problem with Outlook. When I try to send messages, the last
message stays in the Outbox because the date of dispatch has been
replaced by 'None'.

The only way is to open the message and click on Send again and hope
that it will go on its way. Sometimes this has to be repeated a number
of times before the date stays and off it goes.

From: Roger Grier
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Money saved to buy orchids!
Date: Sun, 23 Jan 2005 19:50

I liked your comment on money saved to buy orchids. Actually, just yesterday evening I was ticking the orchids that I would like to buy when the Newbury Orchid Show comes around again this year.

Previously I had downloaded Ecuagenera's list and was looking at some cool growing orchids to buy.

I was sat in front of the computer with the list and the orchids that I had chosen. Then I went to the web-site of 'Jays Internet Orchid Species'. Just about every orchid picture was there in front of my eyes, with some other information regarding the orchid.

From: Ron Bower
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Pistols at Dawn.
Date: Sun, 23 Jan 2005 22:00

Geoff,
I am uncertain what you are getting at. What or why should I or you be deleting any thing from in my message that would have helped you to more quickly understand what it was that I was on about, and what's with this pistols at dawn comment. Neither do I understand why you are baffled. I was infact replying to Johns message to you regarding adjusting picture size, and agreeing that I was one of those nervous about fiddling with the innards of their Pc which I undertook to mean a Pc running windows as apposed to the Mac. I would point out that John used the word millions whilst suggesting that we, who ever we are, might contribute to making you a million from royalties, I have already contributed to your million(s) if infact you have such wealth, hence my complimentary remarks regarding your book.Frankly I am not interested in any of ones millions other than my own and I did not originate or at any time make or use a heading referring to you or your millions real, implied, or imagined. I was at that time somewhat dischuffed, as the service man had just left me, the 2nd time that week, and I had been using my old Mac that has cost me nothing in service charges in all the time I have had it.There has been numerous comments about the reliability of the Pc, often comparing them unfavourable to the motor car, certainly my pc costs me more to maintain than does my car.As you have at times made comment about Macs and apparently use one, I thought the comment may have been of interest to you and if not to you, then to other list members.
My main point was directed to Mike regarding his red and yellow Dendrobium. In spite of your comment, I can see 3 glass containers in the picture. The one containing the Dendrobium is inside of the woven container.As the other 2 plants were in water and rooted, I queried if such a splendid plant was also grown in water.As to the convoluted specimen, I have seen such things offered for sale. They have always been Bamboo. I have never seen a Orchid grown like that.Perhaps Mike will enlighten us as to the number of glass containers.
As to the making of millions, I am on my 2nd. The 1st was taking too long so I packed it in and started on the 2nd.
I thank you for you info regarding ph meter.
Ronbow.

From: geoffrey hands
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Re: [OrchidTalk] Re: Slides to computer and Archive Creator .
Date: Mon, 24 Jan 2005 00:10

Question ; what are you going to do with the digital copies ? In other
words, why go to all this bother to make copies when you have perfectly
good slides ? Of course I am just assuming that you are happy with the
slides - I suppose one point of making digital copies would be if you
were not happy with them , and wanted to "improve" them.

Personally I have far too many orchid slides ( apart from all the rest
)- I have just counted up and I have 16 binders each with 18-20 sheets,
each with 20 slides, which approaches 6000. I guess I could throw away
maybe 75% , and it would not matter , as they are duplicates, or shots
of the same plant/flower in different years, and not logged with enough
data to be meaningful . And one problem is that it takes so long to
find a particular slide - holding sheets of 20 up to the light
Digital is much better here, with an appropriate programme, it is
possible to look at hundreds of thumbnails and just scroll through
them.

.In case it is of interest a very useful one for saving image files in
hard copy , so as to free disc space is Archive Creator. , I have just
put all 1200 of my Sri Lanka pictures ( all 9Mb RAW files adding up to
more than 10Gb ) on to 3 DVDs using this programme , which allows me
to put a complete set of thumnails at the beginning of each disc ,
making it quick and easy to find a particular picture without having
tio scroll through the whole set of large files - which individually
may take several seconds to load.

From: dennis READ
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: slides
Date: Mon, 24 Jan 2005 11:45

Having now seen Roger's picture I see your requirement.Here is a picture of a system I have been using for many years with my Minolta (steam driven 35mm).A plastic ruler with a slot cut in it for between the tripod and the camera and a file clip glued to the other end. Pointed to the Northern sky it gives me very good transparancies.
Regards

From: geoffrey hands
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Re: [OrchidTalk] Off subject - Help!
Date: Mon, 24 Jan 2005 16:35

Further to my message earlier , I was in fact unable to complete - or even
start - the reinstallation of XP . I could never get into the right screen
to start it off.
Lucky , as it turned out, since I found that I was lacking the original
product key , having lost the material when we moved , and no doubt it would
have not allowed the installation without that.

However, in preparation , I had done a lot of moving about - shifted my
program files ( of non-Microsoft stuff) to my D drive, and moved all my data
to a third drive, leaving C drive containing only the operating system ,
plus Outlook, and a few other things like Word, Excel, etc. And lo and
behold, all my Outlook problems are solved . I have no idea why, but maybe
it needs rather more space than I had , although all four drives , of 40Gb
each were less than half full.

From: geoffrey hands
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Re: [OrchidTalk] Off subject - Help!
Date: Mon, 24 Jan 2005 17:15

I am convinced that all my problems with outlook dated from when I
installed SP2 . In fact I am just in the process of re-installing
Windows XP now, to try and mend things.
Geoff

From: Ronald Newstead
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Re: [OrchidTalk] Re: Off subject - Help!
Date: Mon, 24 Jan 2005 17:45

After the crash, I had to clean everything off my hard disk and start
again - but I have also re-installed Service Pack 2

From: John Stanley
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Re: [OrchidTalk] Re: Off subject - Have no fear- help may be here!
Date: Tue, 25 Jan 2005 11:30

Geoff,
I have heard, but can't confirm, that pre-installed windows on a computer or, more relevantly, on a computer drive, is a fraction of the cost. Again, only hearsay, but I beleieve it is legal to purchase a hard-drive from (say) Maplins with Xp already on for less than the cost of a a copy of xp that could be installed on every computer inder the sun. Could be worth upgrading to a 200 Gig drive eh?
Worth an enquiry perhaps.
John Stanley

I made a complete pigs ear of reinstalling Windows in an attempt to solve my problems ; got as far as reformatted C drive ( having moved all my documents and minor programs, things like Photoshop etc to the D or G drives, so as to avoid having to re-instal from discs or back-up discs , completed the installation, and then bingo - found the product key/certificate of authenticity is missing ; maybe still on the Pickfords van....

I found that Windows XP costs £179 plus at PC World, but as cheap as £65 from Amazon . Fearing a scam , and although I would eventually get my money back if that was the case, I could do without the hassle. So I took advice from my computer engineer son , who is persuading me to try Linux instead , and promises to send me the necessary essary discs and hold my hand ( but since we are physically separated by 160 (?) miles that simply means telephone calls if I get stuck , I suppose....

From: Ronald Newstead
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Re: [OrchidTalk] Re: Off subject - Help!
Date: Tue, 25 Jan 2005 12:55

From: Jon Loose
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Re: =20 on mail
Date: Tue, 25 Jan 2005 13:45

""This can happen if you're using ISO 8859-1 as your character set for
Internet messages. It's a sign that the receiver's mail gateway can't handle
the "soft return" characters that Windows Messaging uses to indicate the end
of each line. Try changing the character set to US ASCII.""

From: geoffrey hands
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Re: [OrchidTalk] Re: Off subject - Help!
Date: Tue, 25 Jan 2005 14:15

I made a complete pigs ear of reinstalling Windows in an attempt to
solve my problems ; got as far as reformatted C drive ( having moved
all my documents and minor programs, things like Photoshop etc to the D
or G drives, so as to avoid having to re-instal from discs or back-up
discs , completed the installation, and then bingo - found the product
key/certificate of authenticity is missing ; maybe still on the
Pickfords van....

I found that Windows XP costs £179 plus at PC World, but as cheap as
£65 from Amazon . Fearing a scam , and although I would eventually get
my money back if that was the case, I could do without the hassle. So I
took advice from my computer engineer son , who is persuading me to try
Linux instead , and promises to send me the necessary essary discs and
hold my hand ( but since we are physically separated by 160 (?) miles
that simply means telephone calls if I get stuck , I suppose....

From: "Wood, Michael"
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Re: [OrchidTalk] RE: =20 on mail
Date: Tue, 25 Jan 2005 16:55

No offence intended guys - but this is supposed to be an orchid web-site ! it's been more like PC weekly for the last few days .......

From: Ronald Newstead
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Re: [OrchidTalk] Re: Off subject - Have no fear- help may be here!
Date: Tue, 25 Jan 2005 18:05

I mentioned Linux to my computer guru and he said that he had tried it and
found that it was not very good on pictures

At the moment I am thinking of going Linux , but waiting for some answers
before proceeding.
Geoff

From: John Stanley
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Re: [OrchidTalk] Re: Off subject - Have no fear- help may be here - or not!
Date: Tue, 25 Jan 2005 21:55

Sorry Geoff,
Heard it from a guy who builds/refurbishes machines; maybe there's a bit of the story i wasn't given. All sent in good faith!
We have someone on the forum who is in the business of PCs, maybe he'll clarify.
Cheers
John

I just rang the local Maplins and they said they had never heard of it, and that anyway it wouldn't work and went into a long explanation which I did not understand about why ; basically , I think he was saying , because the first thing you have to do with a new hard drive, external or otherwise involves it being recognised by the system and formatted, and only then could you instal anything on it. However I have found, in a Google search , some external hard drives with pre-installed software ( Windows Media Centre ) but the spec. said that the requirements were an existing XP Pro system, amongst other things .

I have heard, but can't confirm, that pre-installed windows on a computer or, more relevantly, on a computer drive, is a fraction of the cost. Again, only hearsay, but I beleieve it is legal to purchase a hard-drive from (say) Maplins with Xp already on for less than the cost of a a copy of xp that could be installed on every computer inder the sun. Could be worth upgrading to a 200 Gig drive eh?

From: geoffrey hands
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Re: [OrchidTalk] Re: Off subject - Have no fear- help may be here!
Date: Tue, 25 Jan 2005 22:05

I just rang the local Maplins and they said they had never heard of it,
and that anyway it wouldn't work and went into a long explanation which
I did not understand about why ; basically , I think he was saying ,
because the first thing you have to do with a new hard drive, external
or otherwise involves it being recognised by the system and formatted,
and only then could you instal anything on it. However I have found, in
a Google search , some external hard drives with pre-installed software
( Windows Media Centre ) but the spec. said that the requirements were
an existing XP Pro system, amongst other things .
At the moment I am thinking of going Linux , but waiting for some
answers before proceeding.
Geoff
On 25 Jan 2005, at 06:34, John Stanley wrote:

> Geoff,
> I have heard, but can't confirm, that pre-installed windows on a
> computer or, more relevantly, on a computer drive, is a fraction of
> the cost. Again, only hearsay, but I beleieve it is legal to purchase
> a hard-drive from (say) Maplins with Xp already on for less than the
> cost of a a copy of xp that could be installed on every computer inder
> the sun. Could be worth upgrading to a 200 Gig drive eh?
> Worth an enquiry perhaps.
> John Stanley

From: Roger Grier
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Steam driven 35mm
Date: Wed, 26 Jan 2005 08:30

Thanks very much for your photo and explanation on your patent 'Northern Sky Mark 1' slide copier. Your contribution, and that of other members who have sent in their own 'Heath Robinson' type slide copiers have shown that we do not need any special gadgets costing £50 to £70.

I will now go on to make my own slide copier that best suits me. Thanks to you all.

Geoff, you asked why I would want to copy some of my slides. I guess the foremost need is to copy/digitalise for want of a better word, some slides of friends that I took some 37 years ago. My mate now lives in Canada and he will be tickled pink when I send them via rjr@bobscomp.com:;, especially when he shows his children and grandchildren.

From: Tony Watkinson
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Slides to computer.
Date: Wed, 26 Jan 2005 09:30

Roger and Dennis should be congratulated for being so innovative. Necessity being the mother of invention, I guess we all have tackled the same problem from different directions and came up with similar results. Though I must admit that both of your results are far too technical for me. :)

The flat screen slide viewer that I used only cost me $14 Aust (about 5 quid UK) and has the great advantage of having a well diffused back light. Having said that, it makes no difference just how it is done so long as it works.

I would send a pic of my set up but my Sony F505v has just died and the next digicamera hasn't arrived yet, I'll send a pic later.

Tony's Orchid Page
http://members.iinet.net.au/~emntee/
Wanneroo Orchid Society
http://members.iinet.net.au/~emntee/page2.html
Wanneroo Newsletter
http://members.iinet.net.au/~emntee/page49.html
The Species Orchid Society
http://members.iinet.net.au/~emntee/page18.html

From: dr chong-yee khoo
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Re: [OrchidTalk] Re: Off subject - Have no fear- help may be here - or not!
Date: Wed, 26 Jan 2005 11:25

Geoff, why Linux - what's wrong with your Mac? The Mac of course is the original
multimedia computer, and is getting better all the time.

We just bought a new iMac G5 with a 20 inch screen, after using PowerBooks and
iBooks for years, and love the thing. The screen is a delight and the software
bundle (including the Mac OS, of course) is a joy to use.

No viruses, stable as a rock, easy to use - and great for graphics, photos,
movies and music. With the Mac Mini starting at £399, I don't know why people
persist on using the antiquated Windows OS anymore!

P.S. I have no affiliation with Apple, just a long term user (17 years) and
trying to help - it frustrates me to read about the problems people have with PCs...

From: Thomas Hillson
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: [OrchidTalk] Re: Off subject - Have no fear- help may be here!
Date: Wed, 26 Jan 2005 14:50

This may have been true years ago, but currently there are lots of
ways to work with digital images, capture them, manipulate them, and
manage them under Linux. It just takes a little more work than under
windows or with a Macintosh.

At 6:06 PM +0000 1/25/05, Ronald Newstead wrote:
>I mentioned Linux to my computer guru and he said that he had tried
>it and found that it was not very good on pictures
>
>Ron
>
>This email has been checked by Norton Internet Security

From: "Wood, Michael"
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: mail
Date: Wed, 26 Jan 2005 16:05

another one of my plants that's just sitting there - looking healthy - but never flowering - no action !!

From: Barb
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Just wanting to boast a little
Date: Wed, 26 Jan 2005 16:20

Long time since I posted anything, but I took 3 pics of my *Baby* and thought you'd like to see. I'm a bit of a camera shaker so that's why they look a bit fuzzy. Need to get myself a table tripod, I think.
Anyway, for my first attempt at *baby*, I think I did it all OK?

From: Tricia Garner
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Re: [OrchidTalk] Re: Off subject - Have no fear- help may be here - or not!
Date: Wed, 26 Jan 2005 17:15

Absolutely. Particularly in your case - why complicate things with yet
another operating system when the Mac Mini is so inexpensive, and there's
always VirtualPC for those Windows programmes you can't possibly do without
(not that I can imagine any!). Although I mainly use RISC OS, I do like the
Mac as well.

From: Dr Chong-Yee Khoo
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: [OrchidTalk] Re: Slides to computer and Archive Creator .
Date: Wed, 26 Jan 2005 19:40

>Question ; what are you going to do with the digital copies ? In other words, why go to all this bother to make copies when you have perfectly good slides ? Of course I am just assuming that you are happy with the slides - I suppose one point of making digital copies would be if you were not happy with them , and wanted to "improve" them.

Slides fade with time and exposure to sunlight. They get mouldy, scratched, chewed up (or even burned!) in the projector, etc.

Most people will have only one copy of a slide - what would happen if you lost it, or it was chewed by the dog, etc?

Digital data is far easier to store and transport, and of course to copy, propagate and distribute. You can make backups of digital data more easily and cheaply than celluloid. Despite the lower resolution, they look much better (in my opinion) than slides when projected.

There will of course be some loss of detail when digitisation takes place, so you will never be able to get as good as the original slide. But once you capture the data, you've captured it for good - it will never fade. And you can keep a digital copy at home, one in the shed, one at work, one at a friend's, etc... :)

(I am assuming that the formats are well documented, so that it will always be possible to read them in the future!)

From: James H
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: win xp.
Date: Wed, 26 Jan 2005 20:50

you cannot use a harddrive that already has windows installed on it
because you need specific drivers to run your specific hardware, you
can change everything but the motherboard and still use the same
harddrive, but if you have a differend motherboard then was used to
install windows on the harddrive it will not work.
if anyone needs computer help i suggest you find a computer forum such
as www.ncix.com/forum and make a post there as they will be alot more
helpfull and we can all get back to talking about orchids,,,

ps while pcs may suffer from many problems, macs have their own and do
crash or die just as often as pcs, just macs tend to be used for a
specific purpose while pcs are used for more general use,,, and for
all you who say you can run anyprogram on a mac that you could on a pc
just try to run halflife2 on a mac.,., or almost any new game for that
matter...
or try to share some media between your friend with a mac and your
friend with a pc.

From: Ronald Newstead
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Re: [OrchidTalk] RE: =20 on mail
Date: Wed, 26 Jan 2005 22:00

Correct. Michael, but only to a degree because you wrote your comment on a
computer and I am replying to you on one. So we are all interested in
computers and all have our problems, I am sure.

No offence intended guys - but this is supposed to be an orchid web-site
! it's been more like PC weekly for the last few days .......

From: Dr Chong-Yee Khoo
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Phalaenopsis Bud Blash (was: [OrchidTalk] Just wanting to boast a little)
Date: Thu, 27 Jan 2005 09:10

To my eye, your Phalaenopsis has likely suffered from "bud blast". I hope that I am wrong, but you may find that the red, upper bud will shrivel away in the next few days, and eventually drop off. One sign is the change in colour from a greenish brown to yellow/red, and a change in texture from fleshy to a "crinkled papery".

No one knows why Phalaenopsis do this. Growers have speculated that it could be dry air, a drafty room, a move from one location to another, mechanical damage, even proximity to ripening fruits. I am not aware of any research which has been done on the causes of bud blast. But it seems to happen a lot in this genus, more so than in any other.

I could live with this tendency if there was something I could do about it, but the uncertainty is one reason I am not particularly keen on growing this genus.

The other bud to the left looks like it is okay, though, and hopefully will produce a flower. But the "right" thing to do would be to remove the flower stalk altogether, to allow the plant to grow (it looks like a juvenile - is this its first blooming?).

This is the most difficult thing an orchid grower has to learn to do. I still can't get myself to do it.

From: Sylvain Van der Walde
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Re: [OrchidTalk] Just wanting to boast a little
Date: Thu, 27 Jan 2005 11:25

There is no camera shake whatsoever; they are just a little _underexposed_.
If they are digital photos, they just need a little increase in brightness;
that's all.

From: Tim Fulcher
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Linux - apologies to those who don't subscribe to PC weekly...
Date: Thu, 27 Jan 2005 11:30

Umm I'm curious, who was the guru, and what sort of pictures are we
talking about?? Unix (of which Linux is one flavour) has had the GIMP
(=Gnu Image Manipulation Program) out for years, and it is at least
Photoshops equal if not better - I don't use either to their limit so
am not qualified to judge. Plus it's free! I also believe its available
for those who still cling to their blue screen of death OS.

Geoff, I'm sure your son can help you, but if you want the DVDs of any
of the recent distros ask, I have RedHat, SUSE. Mandrake and then two
odd balls called Yoper and Knoppix, although I haven't tried these, so
don't know what the install is like.

Having said all this, this email was written on a Mac, but at least
that too is now Unix!

Ronald Newstead wrote:
>
> I mentioned Linux to my computer guru and he said that he had tried it
> and found that it was not very good on pictures
>

From: Robert J. Richter
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Re: [OrchidTalk] Just wanting to boast a little
Date: Thu, 27 Jan 2005 14:00

Hate to be the bearer of bad news, but that looks like a bud about to drop,
may have been exposed to a cold spell.

well off to the Cape and Islands (Mass, USA) Show for setup, after 3 feet of
snow down there last weekend and another 8 inches yesterday, oh what
fun.........

From: geoffrey hands
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Re: [OrchidTalk] Re: Slides to computer and Archive Creator .and also something about orchids just to show I'm not only a bit geeki
Date: Thu, 27 Jan 2005 14:45

You did not actually discuss Archive Creator , Chong-Yee but for
anyone with a large collection of digital images of orchids , for
example, its a program which enables you to back-up to hard copy ( e.g.
CDs or better DVDs ( because they will take so much stuff on a single
disc - the latest ones as much as 8 Gb ) with the great advantage that
you can put a complete set of thumbnails on each disc, at the beginning
- even a complete set of all images on all the discs as a set of
thumbnails on every disc - making it a doddle to find the image you
want. And its easy to use too.

Hydroponics. I have just got to the end of my 2 x 20 litre drums of
nutrient ( Optimum Grow , Bloom) and decided to try something else, and
am attracted to Dutch Master products ( now, now Rocky , "Dutch" is
not a dirty word - only joking [ wish we had smilies enabled in the
system ] ). Their site has a lot of scientific stuff about Krebs cycle
enhancers, which has me sufficiently persuaded to have a go. I'll show
results after a year - especially if reminded.

Since I water,with either untreated tap water ( no additions) or low EC
water - rain or RO with hydroponic nutrients added and pH corrected,
whether grown in inert media or in bark mixtures or even in plain
sphagnum moss, I shall use it for all my orchids.
Geoff

From: Barb
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Re: [OrchidTalk] Phalaenopsis Bud Blash (was: [OrchidTalk] Just wanting to boast a little)
Date: Thu, 27 Jan 2005 18:05

I guess your right Chong-Yee, as I've looked at it again and it does seem a
little droopy. DH decided to redo the ceiling in the room the Phalaenopsis
are in and had the door open during the time he was doing it, which would
explain both the cold and the draught.
I'm definitely not touching the second bud. Yes it is the first bloom, and
really I was very surprised as to how quickly it grew once it was potted.
There's also 2 other *babies* on the way, which I'll be very careful not to
allow in the draught.

From: Barb
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Re: [OrchidTalk] Phalaenopsis Bud Blash (was: [OrchidTalk] Just wanting to boast a little)
Date: Thu, 27 Jan 2005 18:05

From: Barb
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Re: [OrchidTalk] Re: Just wanting to boast a little
Date: Thu, 27 Jan 2005 18:05

I'm very grateful for any tips with Digital photo's as I'm quite a novice at
that too. Oh, and no name as yet :)

> Hello Barbra.
>
> _Very nice_, but what is your "baby" 's name (species)?
>
> Can I put you right about your photos:
> There is no camera shake whatsoever; they are just a little
> _underexposed_. If they are digital photos, they just need a little
> increase in brightness; that's all.
>
> Sylvain.

From: Barb
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Re: [OrchidTalk] Re: Just wanting to boast a little
Date: Thu, 27 Jan 2005 18:05

I'm very grateful for any tips with Digital photo's as I'm quite a novice at
that too. Oh, and no name as yet :)

From: geoffrey hands
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: gas heater going spare
Date: Thu, 27 Jan 2005 19:00

I have a Hotbox , mains gas horticultural heater ( used in my big
Hartley house for a couple of years, and since moving in the bigger one
) . Maximum output is 11Kw . Thermostatically controlled , Has the not
inconsiderable advantage of not needing an electric supply , and hence
being independent of mains failures.

Now replaced by my new digitally controlled system with radiators. ,
going spare. Reasonable offers considered,
Can be converted to bottled gas - at least the concversion jets were on
offer at the tgime I bought it. Check if it matters to you !
Geoff

From: geoffrey hands
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Re: [OrchidTalk] Linux - apologies to those who don't subscribe to PC weekly...
Date: Thu, 27 Jan 2005 21:10

Thanks Tim ; in the end another helpful son pointed out that my
Windows product code is probably printed on a label stuck inside the
computer ( as well as with the lost packaging etc ) and so it proved.
And at the time it seemed much easier to insert that and proceed,
rather than do battle with a new system , however rewarding that may be
12 months down the line . My only problem now is that a lot of
Applications - like Archive Creator are sitting there ,listed somewhere
or other in My Computer, but not in "All Programs" and don't run
whatever I do , but I'm still trying. For those where I have discs I
shall just reinstal , but those downloaded, and then paid for a code
by an on-line transaction are rather more difficult.
I do sometimes wonder why I ever bothered with computers at all - but
then think of the advantages like the South American species I am to
collect from dealers at WOC which I have already paid for, bought with
US dollars when the Pound was at its peak against the dollar ( its now
subsiding and I reckon I'm almost 5 % up already) where the whole
series of correspondence, question and answer, payment etc., has only
been feasible because of the 'net.

But Yes Tricia , my next computer - the Windows replacement in due
course when its present resources are overstretched - probably another
couple of years at the most , with the normal pace of change , will be
another Mac. I get to aappreciate my Powerbook more and more...

> Hi Ron/Goeff,
>
> Umm I'm curious, who was the guru, and what sort of pictures are we
> talking about?? Unix (of which Linux is one flavour) has had the GIMP
> (=Gnu Image Manipulation Program) out for years, and it is at least
> Photoshops equal if not better...

From: geoffrey hands
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Re: [OrchidTalk] Linux - apologies to those who don't subscribe to PC weekly...
Date: Thu, 27 Jan 2005 21:10

From: Mark Macklam
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Wilsonara
Date: Thu, 27 Jan 2005 23:10

Was fortunate enough to pickup a plant at our last society meeting
raffle, an intergeneric Oncidium, Wilsonara. I have always been
interested in name origins for plants, orchids and beyond. Anyone have
information on who [I assume] Wilson was/is?
Thanks in advance.

From: Mark Macklam
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Wilsonara
Date: Thu, 27 Jan 2005 23:10

From: Roger Grier
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Wilsonara
Date: Fri, 28 Jan 2005 10:10

Wilsonara. A cross of [ Cochlioda x Odontoglossum x Oncidium ] Made by Charlseworth in 1916.

I am sure that other members will come up with the rest of the answer, if not I will have a deeper search for you.

From: Roger Grier
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Wilsonara
Date: Fri, 28 Jan 2005 10:10

Wilsonara. A cross of [ Cochlioda x Odontoglossum x Oncidium ] Made by Charlseworth in 1916.

I am sure that other members will come up with the rest of the answer, if not I will have a deeper search for you.

From: Roger Grier
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Wilsonara.
Date: Fri, 28 Jan 2005 17:15

No more about 'Wilsonara' by 17:00 hours, so I decided to look through my 'Library'.

The answer came from, 'Orchids, Their Description and Cultivation' by Charles H. Curtis. Published 1950.

Very distinct trigeneric orchids of considerable beauty, and Wilsonara Wendy has become quite popular. The colouring, as might be expected, is very bright.

Wilsonara Deception [ Odontioda Charlesworthii x Oncidium macranthum].
Wilsonara Majalis [ Oda. Chanticler x Onc. corynophorum]
Wilsonara Tigrina [ Oda. Charlesworthii x Onc. Tigrum]
Wilsonara Wendy [ Odontoglossum Lambeauianum x Oncidioda Cooksoniae]

Wilsonara was named to honour Mr Gurney Wilson, Chairman of the Royal Horticultural Society's Orchid Committee and previously Secretary to the Committee for many years.

It does seem a shame to me Mark, that many of our orchid books give no reference to who these types of crosses were named after. Just a few words!!!!!

From: Roger Grier
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Wilsonara.
Date: Fri, 28 Jan 2005 17:15

No more rjr@bobscomp.com: about 'Wilsonara' by 17:00 hours, so I decided to look through my 'Library'.

The answer came from, 'Orchids, Their Description and Cultivation' by Charles H. Curtis. Published 1950.

Very distinct trigeneric orchids of considerable beauty, and Wilsonara Wendy has become quite popular. The colouring, as might be expected, is very bright.

Wilsonara was named to honour Mr Gurney Wilson, Chairman of the Royal Horticultural Society's Orchid Committee and previously Secretary to the Committee for many years.

It does seem a shame to me Mark, that many of our orchid books give no reference to who these types of crosses were named after. Just a few words!!!!!

From: Gordon Walker
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Re: [OrchidTalk] virus
Date: Sat, 29 Jan 2005 15:50

What about Milton used to sterilise baby feeding bottles? Over to you Chong-Yee as I suspect you are the one with the most up to date information on this.
Gordon.

From: Gordon Walker
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Re: [OrchidTalk] virus
Date: Sat, 29 Jan 2005 15:50

What about Milton used to sterilise baby feeding bottles? Over to you Chong-Yee as I suspect you are the one with the most up to date information on this.
Gordon.

From: Roger Grier
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Sterilising tools.
Date: Sat, 29 Jan 2005 16:10

First of all Geoff, what are 'Scussors'??? And don't tell me that your 'Spell checker' missed it!!! I do like the word though. Must be somewhere that we can use it.

On the subject of sterilising cutting tools, I have, over the years, read, listened, and discussed this item.

Thing is, I have never 'dipped' my scissors in anything. Don't suppose I ever will.

Imagine I use my small pair of scissors to cut off a Phalaenopsis spike, or for that matter any other spike, or maybe a leaf. Then I hang the scissors up on a hook in the greenhouse. And there they stay until I use them again. Might be an hour or so, might be a day or so. And that is all I am going to say.

From: Roger Grier
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Sterilising tools.
Date: Sat, 29 Jan 2005 16:10

First of all Geoff, what are 'Scussors'??? And don't tell me that your 'Spell checker' missed it!!! I do like the word though. Must be somewhere that we can use it.

On the subject of sterilising cutting tools, I have, over the years, read, listened, and discussed this item.

Thing is, I have never 'dipped' my scissors in anything. Don't suppose I ever will.

From: dennis READ
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Virus
Date: Sat, 29 Jan 2005 17:05

when I was a member of the NHOS one of the members had a plant that looked suspect so he sent it, with duue safeguards, to various nurseries and experts, for opinions.
No two agreed. If it is worth it pay the money and get it analysed or if not burn it.
As to general hygene in the greenhouse most propagating nurseries for garden plants ie. geraniums, lupins, delphiniums etc. continually dip into methylated spirits.
All my knives,scissors and seccateurs are in methylated spirits and this stops transfering many problems.
Unfortunately one aphid can transmit all the problems.
My philosophy is use meths and if in doubt burn it.
Regards

From: dennis READ
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Virus
Date: Sat, 29 Jan 2005 17:05

From: geoffrey hands
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: virus
Date: Sat, 29 Jan 2005 18:30

An interesting thing at my orchid club last night when someone showed a
spray of virused cattleya flowers. They were crippled - distorted, and
with colour breaks, i.e. the colour was in streaks of different
intensity . Quite different from colour patterns or shading as one gets
in some flowers, and unmistakeable - we all agreed.

Question - what does anyone - everyone - use to sterilise cutting tools
- and remember that we ought to be doing this every time we move from
one plant to another ?

I have used viricides - until Chong-Yee pointed out that the one I was
using remained potent for a very short time - whereas I was keeping it
for weeks or months ; and it is a fag to keep mixing up a fresh batch
every day. I have also used a blow-lamp , with a piezo-electric
igniter rather than fiddling with matches , but I'm not keen on leaving
it burning whilst I am working for an hour or two, and repeated
lighting is again a chore. Using disposable scalpel blades is rather
expensive, so what's left ? Is ordinary meths sufficient if a pair of
scussors stay in it for a minute or two ?
Geoff

From: geoffrey hands
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: virus
Date: Sat, 29 Jan 2005 18:30

Question - what does anyone - everyone - use to sterilise cutting tools
- and remember that we ought to be doing this every time we move from
one plant to another ?

From: nancy
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Re: virus prevention
Date: Sat, 29 Jan 2005 20:45

Greetings -
I've started using a mini butane torch (can also be
used for micro-welding!). It can be hand-held or put
into a small stand - it's about the size of a half
banana. It has a trigger to light it, so I light for
each use.
My cutter is an aluminum handle for one of those
trapezoid-shaped single-edge blades; the holder
doesn't absorb heat. Perhaps a bonus, the stainless
steel blade does get red-hot, and I think it may also
cauterize the cut on the plant.
I use disposable latex gloves ($5/100 at the local
warehouse store), which I change between plants.
Pretty cheap insurance, I think.
To be honest, there are people in my local orchid
society from whom I would not accept a division -
though I'd be most circumspect about turning it down
(already have it, no room, etc.). I think if you can
be 'safety girl', you should. It's easy enough, and
doesn't take a lot of time.
Regards - Nancy

=====
"'I have done that,' says my memory.
'I cannot have done that' - says my pride, and remains adamant.
.........At last - memory yields."
---Friedrich Nietzsche

From: John Stanley
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Re: [OrchidTalk] Re: viruses and sterilisation
Date: Sat, 29 Jan 2005 21:00

Hi Folks,
Let me display my deep ignorance here and hope that someone really in the know will correct me (that's the way it usually works but we get there in the end!) ;

First - there's sterilisation with regard to bacteria; my wife uses a small gas lighter (a little bomb-like job called "Turbo" which gives a 15mm needle-like blue flame) to perform a ritualistic jet-flaming of scissor blades before any cutting. However, I imagine this is sterilisation as far as bacteria only are concerned but aren't viruses in another league?

Second - Of course, maybe the viruses use bacteria as vehicles for their passing into the plant (? anyone know)

Third - I am pretty certain (aren't I?) that viruses aren't harmed by antibiotics or other bacteria-defeating brews (hence no cure for the common cold or flu) and I suspect Milton or similar won't see 'em off. I suspect it has something to do with the fact that they (viruses) can be crystalline and only take on a lifestyle when they have access to the cell mechanisms of the organisms they infect. Probably, to destroy them you'd need to destroy the scissors by over heating (?) There must be a medic out there - or a viral biologist . . . ?

Fourth - I suppose they could be airborne too, and infect the damaged cells exposed at a cut whatever the sterile nature or otherwise of the scissors, knife, axe or fingernail used!

From: Tony Watkinson
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: scussors
Date: Sat, 29 Jan 2005 23:25

It's rather obvious to me that Geoff is referring to us 'discussors' but just shortening the word by leaving off the 'di', (which is probably superflous anyway) thus creating a new word. The world of the internet is full of newly created words, and Geoff is an old hand at it.

From: Tony Watkinson
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Sterilising tools.
Date: Sat, 29 Jan 2005 23:25

Our local Orchid Society sells a powder called trisodiumphosphate which we use to sterilise our cutting tools. We leave the tools in a container of it all the time. It has the advantage of not letting them rust too.

From: jns tropic
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Re: [OrchidTalk] Ascocenda.
Date: Sat, 29 Jan 2005 23:45

I live in Coral Gables, which is next to Miami. We had rain yesterday, for the first real rain in six weeks. In cool weather the lack of rain is not a problem, but in summer we need rain every third day. It is very interesting that in a warm climate, a virus will not show its effects as quickly as it does in a cool climate. This is why the Jones and Scully company sold plants to Europe that were filled with virus. This was a time before it was common to test for virus. They didn't manifest any signs. The Benlate problem was in reverse. It showed up worse in warm climates. In our are area we grow our plants in the open for all the neighborhood thrips and aphids to leave their mango tree and feed on our orchids. The grower must be sure that he is not the virus vector.

Roger Grier wrote:
Mornin' 'JNS-Tropic' and where do you live in 'Sunny Florida' having visited there a few times.

From: Peter Fowler
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Re: [OrchidTalk] Re: virus
Date: Sat, 29 Jan 2005 23:50

Orchid viruses is something I do know a little about. In the past I have
purchased ELISA kits from the States and tested my entire collection, which
is not that expensive, and offered testing other people's plants for CyMV &
TMV-Orchid strain (ORSV). People were not interested in getting their
orchids checked and that remains the state of affairs.

I wrote an article in the Orchid Review on the ELISA method of testing
viruses and the main orchid viruses, known at that time.

I still use a hot flame on my scissors between cutting plants. This I feel
is still the best method to kill viruses. Bleach will work but is
inactivated by organic plant material and it is corrosive.

From:
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Re: [Orchid Talk] Digest 2005 Volume 13
Date: Sun, 30 Jan 2005 01:05

hello everyone, my vanda, not sure on the sp. but its got, well had until just after christmas, purple flowers, has just started to lose one of its leaves, its pretty close to the root system which i guess must mean the leaf is fairly old. should i be seriouslt concerned about this? it has not shown any other signs of ill health and i have not altered its watering pattern in any way. many thanks in advance for any ideas, mike

From: Roger Grier
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Vanda leaf.
Date: Sun, 30 Jan 2005 10:15

No. do not be alarmed one little bit, after all it's just doing what nature intended.

From: Peter Fowler
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Re: [OrchidTalk] Re: viruses and sterilisation
Date: Sun, 30 Jan 2005 10:40

Some insects are vectors for viruses (aphids etc). Milton, I think , is a
bleach solution. It is used mainly for bacteria.

Orchid viruses are killed by heat. When we catch a virus , we have a high
temperature to combat it. It is the bodies' way of killing the virus.

From: John Stanley
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Re: [OrchidTalk] Re: viruses and gettin there in the end
Date: Sun, 30 Jan 2005 19:30

There you are! I knew we'd get there in the end!
Peter, do we know how likely an infection through a cut stem is? (apart from providing an easy location for aphids, although, in my experience, they prefere a tender shoot to a butchered stem).

From: Max Redman
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Sterilisation.
Date: Mon, 31 Jan 2005 04:00

Tony spoke about trisodiumphosphate which their society has available. Over
here in the East there is a material called 'Tricleanium' which is used for
cleaning down painted surfaces prior to repainting. This is the same
material but is much cheaper bought from a hardware store.
It has the advantage as Tony said of preventing the tools from rusting.
Max.

--
No virus found in this outgoing message.
Checked by AVG Anti-Virus.
Version: 7.0.300 / Virus Database: 265.8.2 - Release Date: 1/28/2005

From: Roger Grier
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Virus.
Date: Mon, 31 Jan 2005 10:40

The recent talk about Virus has I hope not put anyone off from starting out in this fascinating hobby of Orchid growing. Admittedly it can be a very serious matter, but over the past thirty six years, I can honestly say that I have never been bothered with a virus infection. So much so, that I just shrug my shoulders, and get on with my wonderful hobby.

To be absolutely truthful, I cannot ever remember seeing a plant of mine that had virus symptoms.

Maybe the orchid suppliers in the U.K. and Europe, and most from all over the world sell non virused plants now!!!

From: Peter Fowler
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Re: [OrchidTalk] Re: viruses and gettin there in the end
Date: Mon, 31 Jan 2005 11:05

John, A freshly cut stem is open to infection, to bacteria & virus. I
dust any open wound with sulphur powder (green or yellow). Aphids suck the
juice from one infected plant and infects the next plant when it repeats the
procedure. Insects, however, are not vectors for all orchid viruses.

From: Roger Grier
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Ansellia and 'The culprit'.
Date: Mon, 31 Jan 2005 14:30

Well, my Ansellia Africana has bloomed at last, and even though the buds of the second spike were eaten a couple of weeks ago, the remaining spike has given me four nice flowers. First time I have flowered it. Had the plant for some five or six years......can't really remember how many years I have had it.

Yesterday, when paying a visit to my two greenhouses, I noticed that something had been chewing the leaves on my Masdevallia. Damn says I.........even worse than that!!! So I took the plant from the bench, gave it a good drenching with 'Provado' and stood it on the floor of the greenhouse between the benching. This morning I went to have a look. I could see one or more droppings that the fiend had left behind and thought that the culprit was a Vine weevil. It was then that I spotted the fiend.

From: geoffrey hands
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Hey Olga ! .......trouble at WOC
Date: Mon, 31 Jan 2005 16:10

I hear that the organisers are insisting that orchid displays remain on
show after WOC is over. I expect they think that this will be a big
attraction to Joe public ( Pierre Public ? ) who go to see the
Florissimo flower show event which runs on after WOC for another week.

Unfortunately it makes exhibiting impossible for many people ; I for
one am unhappy at my plants being on a show stand for 2 weeks. 1 week
is bad enough. And anyone taking a display either leaves them at the
mercy of whoever is there , or sits and watches them for 2 weeks - and
as far as the trade is concerned, the 2nd week is dead loss ; they are
not going to sell anything to the non-orchid growing public, and anyway
, it is only the display which remains, not the selling booth.
And then the expense - staying 2 weeks, instead of the one intended.

I understand that at least 2 British nurseries have withdrawn , and so
has OSGB and my own Society - Bournemouth .

From: GEORGE GARTHWAITE
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Re: Ansellia and 'The culprit'.
Date: Mon, 31 Jan 2005 16:50

Fairly common throughout the British Isles...though this seems a dark
specimen....

From: Dr Chong-Yee Khoo
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Re: [OrchidTalk] Hey Olga ! .......trouble at WOC
Date: Mon, 31 Jan 2005 17:10

The 2005 WOC is billed as happening between 11th and 20th March - so the organisers have (in their minds at least) reasonably insisted that plants remain until the end of the show. You can understand why they want to do this. So technically there is no extension into Florissimo, past the WOC itself. Whether or not the WOC was planned to finish at the same time as Florissimo is, of course, another matter altogether.

But with set up on the 8th, and tear down on 21st this is still a full 13 days - and every one of Geoff's points is valid. At Shah Alam in 2002, the show lasted a week at the very most - and even then many plants looked tired towards the end. And this with displays of mainly native plants - at least native to the South East Asian region - in the heat and humidity that they would expect. Dijon would involve two weeks in less than optimal conditions - many plants would really suffer.

I am lucky to be able to view the plants in their best, on the morning of the 9th, as a Steward for the judges. But someone coming to see the orchids at the last day of the show would be in for a disapointing experience.

The 2005 WOC is already starting to be a disaster - I have made my concerns known about the CITES / documentary requirements known on the other list (OGD). I don't want to give fodder to the Europe-bashers, but this is starting to be a bit of a farce.

P.S. The event is a month away, and we still haven't received our documentation yet

P.P.S. Poor Olga - we don't mean to hold you accountable for the organisation of the WOC!

From: geoffrey hands
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: virus
Date: Mon, 31 Jan 2005 17:45

to put the record straight - or in other words - split hairs, the
viruses which concern us are not airborne . They do not float about
and enter via a cut surface.

What happens is that when a cut is made in an infected plant, some
trace of sap on the blade contains virus , and when that blade is used
again , the virus is transferred into the next plant.

Viruses can be killed. They are not immortal ! The problem is that to
kill the virus whilst it is in the plant also kills the plant - as
burning does.

But what we are talking about here is the practical problem of how to
kill it , outside the plant , in that trace of sap on the blade , which
is fortunately much easier . I know that a flame is the best method,
and think it cannot be necessary to get the blade red hot ! But
personally I don't find it convenient. Today I have been watering my
paphs, and tidying them up , removing old flower stems etc. I used
scissors and a dish of meths . It was a nuisance and I don't like the
smell . And I wonder if the scissors or scussors as they are called in
my greenhouse this week (joke ) are in the meths long enough between
successive plants...and counting up , I used them about 20 times. Quite
a nuisance if I had been lighting a b lowlamp and waiting for the flame
to stabilise each time.
Geoff.

From: Ron Bower
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Re: [OrchidTalk] Virus.
Date: Mon, 31 Jan 2005 19:15

Rocky,
Me thinks that you could be tempting providence. Better cross everything and hope.
Cheers,
Ronbow.

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