February 22-28 2005 mailing list messages

2005 Archived Messages

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From: Jon Loose
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Re: [OrchidTalk] sticky secretion
Date: Tue, 22 Feb 2005 08:40

I have always believed it to be a sign of a healthy plant - the plant is
exuding sugars which tends to happen in good light with healthy growth and
perhaps indicates that the plant has a surplus. It may also serve an
evolutionary function in that sugary sap tends to attract ants which may
then defend the plant against pests in order to protect their food source.
On the other hand it may just get washed away in tropical rains - I would be
interested to know how it _really_ works.

From: Dr Chong-Yee Khoo
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Re: [OrchidTalk] copyright and parnoia
Date: Tue, 22 Feb 2005 09:45

> It would also be interesting to know what degree of modification there needs > to be before an image becomes the intellectual property of the modifier . . . > . . a tricky point! (Geoff?)

This is a question that often comes up in copyright cases. I think the general rule is that there must be some aspect of originality to the work - some creative input, if you will.

I'm a practising patent attorney, and while I need to know enough about copyright to be able to advise clients generally (and to sound authoritative when I give "Introduction to Intellectual Property" type talks), copyright is not my main field of expertise. So I cannot give an exhaustive answer to this question, but there are a number of textbooks out there which deal with it in detail. If you're really interested, let me know, and I'll do some digging around for an answer.

> It always seems odd to me that I may take a picture of Nelson's Column or a
> piece of architecture without it being suggested that the copyright
> belongs with the sculptor/architect. No doubt in time . . . . . . .
> Paranoid? What me?

According to the current law, copyright can and does subsist in a work of architecture and also a work of sculpture. However, like all IP rights (with the exception of registered trade marks), the monopoly is limited in time. The current term is 70 years from the end of the year of the death of the author. So, if this was the law at the time Nelson's Column was made (which I very much doubt), any copyright will have been exhausted by the passage of time.

In any case, my view is that such copyright can be difficult to enforce - imagine the bad PR if, say, the architect of the Gherkin in London were to sue a tourist who took a snap of the building...

P.S. this email is general in nature and does not constitute professional legal advice - go find a lawyer or patent attorney if you want specific advice!

From: aeranthes2
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: secretion and copyright
Date: Tue, 22 Feb 2005 17:05

Thanks for the reply Rudolph I suppose it could be both! That's the beauty
of orchids - we acquire expertise over the years but they will still puzzle
us at times! I think there are two types of sticky secretion, the type which
forms in little bubbles - like little raindrops and these I feel are the
sweet nectar secretion that attracts insect pollinators. The other type is
some kind of exudation from undesirables like mealy bugs etc. I have no
scientific proof - just observation.
Chong-Yee, I was told when studying for my 'History of Art' degree that I
could take photographs of any building and the copyright of the photo would
be mine so I'm interested that copyright issues have come up here. Jean

From: Geoffrey Hands
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: WOC - Dijon
Date: Tue, 22 Feb 2005 19:10

Something prompted me to look up the weather , and forecast for the next 5
days, in Dijon. I see that the maximum expected is 2 degrees C and the
minimum minus 12 . I know its a good way south, but the problem is that it
is in the middle of the country and gets continental weather ( I suppose).
And its only 2 and a bit weeks to go before WOC starts.

Who had the daft idea of having WOC there and then , I wonder ?
And why , oh why , was I stupid enought to book to go ?

From: Beccy Holmes
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Re: [OrchidTalk] Re: Dendrobiums, sticky secretions - as nature intended
Date: Tue, 22 Feb 2005 23:25

On the subject of sticky secretions, at a recent beekeeping study session on
the subject of honeydew (which is apparently sold as an edible form of honey
- not blossom honey as we usually eat - in some countries) it was said that
honeydew comes in a variety of colours from very pale yellow through to
black. I was dubious about the black not being honeydew infected by fungal
spores and just being sooty mould. Has anyone any illuminating ideas on
this, please?

"John Stanley" wrote:
>
> Forgive my nit-picking Rocky, I know what you mean, but didn't nature
>also intend the bugs to suck sap? Aren't we, in our greenhouses, attempting
>a degree of plant-perfection nature seldom achieves?
> But just to add to the issue; doesn't bug-juice taste sweeter than sap
>exudation (because of a higher sugar concentration)? I really don't know;
>I'm just curious but I imagine it could have a bearing on the fungal
>infection risk and seems worth asking in case it offers a positive test.
>John Stanley

From: Roger Grier
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Dijon.
Date: Wed, 23 Feb 2005 09:15

If whoever organised the W.O.C. in Dijon had just gone to the area, sat down somewhere, looked and thought deeply for quite a while..........but then that would take common sense.

From: Roger Grier
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Mark's Cymbidium.
Date: Wed, 23 Feb 2005 10:40

Nice to see your Cymbidium looking so well. What interests me is where you keep it and the lowest winter temperatures.

I ask this question as I am thinking of putting most of my Cymbidiums outside this year and not bring them back into the greenhouse next winter. Why???? Because they take up far too a precious bench space.

If anyone else would like to add comments to my idea then I would be glad to hear from you.

From: jppichardie
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Re: [OrchidTalk] WOC - Dijon
Date: Wed, 23 Feb 2005 11:50

Well, Geoff, that is why so many French growers decided not to go. In any
case the way the organizing committee sprang up from nowhere and anointed
itself was open to criticism in the first place. The whole affair was
conducted in typical French fashion with the usual disregard for democratic
control. "Those who know better" asked us to trust them implicitly--we just
didn't.

As I told you before, Dijon is a beautiful city, Beaune is superb, and the
wine is excellent. Won't be so bad after all.

From: Sharon Williams
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Den Kingianum
Date: Wed, 23 Feb 2005 19:40

I have just purchased a Den Kingianum at our local society's auction fundraiser. The owner didn't know about the need for a 3 week chill in winter so never got it to bloom, only to make tons of keikis. My question is: would it be too late to try a 3 week nightly sleep in the fridge? There are many kiekies just beginning to form, so there may be some dormant buds there somewhere.
Also, I bought something labelled Diac. Chantilly Lace -could someone please tell me what Diac. stands for and a bit about the culture conditions for this plant if there is anything over 'keep it like a cattleya'. Any idea as to when it blooms?
Thanks for your help
Sharon

From: Sharon Williams
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Zygo is growing!
Date: Wed, 23 Feb 2005 19:55

Hi all. I just wanted to say thanks a ton for the zygo advice. I moved the plant to a cooler, sunnier location and it now has 2 new growths and the last one is not dying off! Halleluiah! Hopefully it won't get sunburned there -the plant is in a south window, and I have mini blinds, but the sun is so low in the sky still.
Keeping my fingers crossed,
Sharon

From: Rudolf Günnel
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Re: continental weather
Date: Wed, 23 Feb 2005 20:00

Be optimistic! The winter won't last forever, that's sure.
There's no need to worry, Dijon has got no continental weather. The
entire
France is influenced by the Atlantic Ocean (biggest parts of Germany
too) and the Mediterranean Sea and Dijon is located in Burgundy.
Burgundy is famous for its mild wine climate and not for a cold climate.
But there are always exceptions.
Generally in western parts of Germany, along the valley of the river
Rhine, the spring starts in early March. And in Burgundy it should be at
the same time.
I think you can enjoy your stay in Dijon with fine weather and if not -
enjoy the good red wine.
Best wishes to you and the other travellers of Orchid Talk.
Regards from Germany, Rudolf.

Geoffrey Hands wrote on Febr. 22.:
> I know its a good way south, but the problem is that it is in the
> middle of the country and gets continental weather (I suppose). And its
> only 2 and a bit weeks to go before WOC starts.

From: dennis READ
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Dijon
Date: Wed, 23 Feb 2005 20:25

From the start I thought this was a bit unusual -France , Floralia and Orchids but having lost out to France in many contracts I just remain suspicious.
We are going but we are going to enjoy the red wines of the area. I am also picking up some orchids from Ecuagenera.
Let us hope it is a good show and my doubts are not proven.
Regards

From: Theta Sigma
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Re: [OrchidTalk] Mark's Cymbidium. - fungus question
Date: Thu, 24 Feb 2005 02:20

Since I live in a small cottage, the only indoor orchid (during the
winter) is vanilla planifolia. Everything else has to stay outside
(mostly epi., vanda, ascda.). I keep the cymb. Esmeralda x coraki
-margeret- outside in the garden too (plastic pot-bound). I'm at
Latitude 33.99 & Longitude -118.47 in Venice, California. This year's
low temperature dipped down into the very high 30s- usually the low is a
bit higher in the low to middle 40's Fahrenheit. I am only 2 blocks
from the Pacific ocean and in a bay area so we get marine layer (mist,
fog, salt air, etc.) overnight and mornings during the colder months of
the year and in spring. Highs range from 80-96 (temperate micro-climate
here at the beach doesn't get much hotter).

I am looking for a long-term, organic answer to fungus (due to high
humidity, fog, etc.). The fungus mostly affects the crowns (rot) and
leaves (spots) of the bare-root orchids - some survive with the fungus.
Airflow and spacing is good at all times. Since I won't use non-organic
treatments anywhere on my property, a few of them die occasionally. I'd
be grateful for any suggestions.

> Hi Mark,
>
> Nice to see your Cymbidium looking so well. What interests me is
> where you keep it and the lowest winter temperatures.

From: Jon Loose
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Re: [OrchidTalk] Re: Mark's Cymbidium. - fungus question
Date: Thu, 24 Feb 2005 10:45

Have you tried sulphur? This is accepted as organic as it is an essential
mineral and is good against many surface fungi and also spider mite.

From: Roger Grier
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: For Sharron in Canada.
Date: Thu, 24 Feb 2005 11:25

Your Dendrobium Kingianum. I would have thought that 'Mother Nature' would not allow it to bloom this year as the cycle of events have swung too far. But, who knows, you could just try a lower temperature for a few weeks..........it might just trigger some flower buds!! I guess outside would be too drastic??

Diac. 'Chantilly Lace'. I am not sure about the label, but my first thoughts go for a DIACRIUM, my second thought for a hybrid using Diacrium as one parent. There has been quite a lot of work with Diacriums of late. [Diacattleya!]

Hopefully someone will recognise the 'Chantilly Lace' and know exactly what it is.

From: mojca klancic
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Root trimming
Date: Thu, 24 Feb 2005 11:35

It's my first time on the Orchid talk, so please forgive me if this subject
has been discussed before.
I found Mr. Hand's page on the net and was so excited, I decidet to move all
my orchid collection to in-hydro.
I have a large Epidendrum plant (in bark) that has overgrown the pot. The
pot is full of roots which are long and tweested, but theere are also a lot
of areal roots. I would like to divide the plant and put it in hydro. What
to do with the roots? Do I have to trimm the roots that grow in the pot to a
specific lenght? They are very, very long and there are lots of them. Can I
put the aeral roots in the pot?
Hardly waitting for your answers,
Mojca

From: Roy Lee
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Re: [OrchidTalk] Den Kingianum
Date: Thu, 24 Feb 2005 12:35

Sharon, "in the fridge" might be the last you see of
your D.kingianum. For plants that require a cool/cold
spell in winter that are grown in constant warm
climates, water the plant with very cold but not icy
water. It will have the required effect.
Also, some kingianums LOVE making aerial growth. This
can be multiplied by over feeding high nitrogen
fertilizers too often plus too much shade. I would
think its too late for flowers this time but leave the
aerials there and treat the plant as I have suggested
ie very cold water, plenty of light without burning &
try to use a low nitrogen, high potassium fetilizer.
Another point is to let the plant get on the dry side
before you water.
Roy

From: Geoffrey Hands
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Re: [OrchidTalk] Den Kingianum
Date: Thu, 24 Feb 2005 13:20

Diac- this is Dia-cattleya , multi-generic hybrid. The Diacrium parent
wants a cooler, dryer ,sunnier rest - so they say , but the few dia-cats I
have , I grow with the rest of the catts. I did extremely well with one in
hydroponiucs for a few years, until it grew bored with this life... Suggests
that at certain times of the year you can hardly keep them too wet .
Geoff

I have just purchased a Den Kingianum at our local society's auction
fundraiser. The owner didn't know about the need for a 3 week chill in
winter so never got it to bloom, only to make tons of keikis. My question
is: would it be too late to try a 3 week nightly sleep in the fridge? There
are many kiekies just beginning to form, so there may be some dormant buds
there somewhere.
Also, I bought something labelled Diac. Chantilly Lace -could someone
please tell me what Diac. stands for and a bit about the culture conditions
for this plant if there is anything over 'keep it like a cattleya'. Any idea
as to when it blooms?
Thanks for your help
Sharon

From: Geoffrey Hands
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Re: [OrchidTalk] Dijon
Date: Thu, 24 Feb 2005 13:20

are you on the OSGB coach Dennis ? We ( self and beloved) are planning to
meet Ron ( and Betty) somewhere for a meal sometime - they are going
independently , direct from Portuigal I expect - they will go back from
Florida ( Ron does not think Bath has a climate he can liove in, until
perhaps June ) . Maybe a List meeting at a restaurant , or of course a
vineyard........ ?

From the start I thought this was a bit unusual -France , Floralia and
Orchids but having lost out to France in many contracts I just remain
suspicious.
We are going but we are going to enjoy the red wines of the area. I am
also picking up some orchids from Ecuagenera.
Let us hope it is a good show and my doubts are not proven.
Regards

From: cat coulson
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: new member intro
Date: Thu, 24 Feb 2005 13:25

Hi,
i am delighted to have found your group, my name is Catherine and i have
only started to keep orchids recently, so a real novice here who could use a
lot of help. I live in Epsom, Surrey which i'm sure most of you will
recognise as home of Epsom salts!

I can't see the archive pages for this year yet, so i'm not sure if anyone
has talked about this, but i had a lovely trip to kew last week for the
orchid festival and i have some photos if anyone's interested? Apparently
there were over 250,000 orchids on display!

You probably know of this, but i found a nice website inhico orchids -
http://www.inhico.net/eindex.html with lovely photos specialising in
pleurothallids.

I heard a nice story yesterday, my japanese friend came for dinner, and she
saw my cymbidium out in flower, and started to tell me about her grandfather
having had one like that. She was naming all the species he had (he seemed
to have quite a collection), and trying to translate the names into english
which of course was quite easy. Commenting on my recent obsession taking up
too much of my time, she replied that her grandfather had converted most of
his house into a greenhouse by the sounds of it, kept a pan of water
constantly boiling for humidity, and had refused to leave the house for
years because he wouldn't leave the orchids. So i guess i'm not so bad after
all!

I have 3 phals - Luchia Stripes x dtps. Minho Princess, a yellow one which i
think may be Yellow Treasure which i've managed to reflower twice which has
four new spikes which seem to have been hibernating for the last 6 months,
though as i sit here looking out at the snow i'm not altogether surprised,
and the other an unknown white which a friend bought me from sainsbury's and
since flowering seems to be entirely unimpressed with life (potted in
sphagnum). I have 2 masds - barleana and gilbertoi x urosalpinx (both
rescued from burnham nurseries which looked pretty sad and they gave me
cheap) the latter seems to be doing well, but the barleana is suffering i
think from being in a pot too big, its leaves are dropping and i've not even
seen it flower. i need to repot all my orchids now, and have been collecting
as much info beforehand as possible. I have an oncidium ornithorhynchum and
a cymbidium strathbraan cooksbridge santa. All my orchids are kept in the
house, the masds & oncid in a fishtank and the others dotted around.

From: sheila bicknell
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: [OrchidTalk] Re: Cymbidiums Outside
Date: Thu, 24 Feb 2005 13:35

I felt quite envious to see Mark's Cymbidium growing and flowering so well outside (in California) - but then I thought that he must have the exact opposite of the problems that we in the south of England face - ie I assumed that the temperatures would be excessivly high during the summer, and I know from experience that Cymbidiums I put outside for the summer months here do not like very hot/very dry conditions.

And now to Rocky's suggestion that he plans to put his Cymbidiums outside and not bring them in again next winter (here in the South of England, albeit about 50 miles further south than me) - well Rocky, I wouldn't do it - assuming you mean 'outside/outside - in all the elements - but maybe you have some plans to keep them somewhat protected ? especially from the wet ? -- one thing I learnt from the many lectures I have attended over the years is that in the wild cymbidiums have two very distinct 'seasons' Warm and Wet, and Cold and DRY - also the compost you have them in will impact on this - maybe they are in your pebbles ??
Will be very interested to hear the outcome.
Regards, Sheila.

From: Geoffrey Hands
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Re: [OrchidTalk] Root trimming
Date: Thu, 24 Feb 2005 17:40

It sounds as though it has grown very well in whatever you are growing it in
. Why not try dividing it, and putting half back in the same kind of
conditions, and the other half in hydroculture ?
For the part you put in hydroculture, shorten the roots so that they will
fit comfortably into the pot without being bundled together - aerial roots
or other kinds. You will grow a new set of roots in the hydroculture system
which will be better adapted to the conditions, but the old ones will
provide an anchor for the plant whilstthat is happening , and also of course
take up water etc whilst the new ones are growing.

From: Theta Sigma
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Re: [OrchidTalk] - fungus question
Date: Thu, 24 Feb 2005 17:55

Thanks Jon - I assume the sulphur is available at most garden centers?
I'll look around for it. I'm looking forward to controlling the fungus.

From: Roger Grier
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Root triming.
Date: Thu, 24 Feb 2005 18:25

1. Yes you can put the aerial roots in the pot, no problem.
2. The very long roots. This is how I do it. Hold the plant in one hand. Let the roots hang down. Hold the pot in the other hand. Slowly lower the plant and roots into the pot, and turn the pot slowly while you lower the plant into it, or, turn the roots slowly as you lower the plant. This will get the roots into the pot in a nice way without crushing them.

3. You can cut the bottom part off of the roots and this will do them no harm as they will shoot again just above the cut.

From: aeranthes2
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: welcome
Date: Thu, 24 Feb 2005 19:45

Welcome Catherine! I think most of us will know exactly how you feel! I can
certainly share your enthusiasm for orchid! A word of warning!! It's
addictive and the number of your orchids is almost bound to multiply very
quickly:) Mine started with one pink flowered Phalaenopsis 30 years ago and
quickly increased to over 200. I do try to keep it down to that number as we
don't want to be entirely pushed out of our home! One bit of advice is don't
be discouraged if one or two fall by the wayside, we've all had that happen
and as with everything you learn by experience. Good luck with your orchid
growing - Jean (from Barry, South Wales, U.K.)

From: dennis READ
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Re: [OrchidTalk] RE: Dijon
Date: Thu, 24 Feb 2005 20:15

We are touring in France and will be at WOC on 11 Mar.I will be at the Ecuagenera stand to pick up some plants and have some talks with them about an OSBB visit to Ecuador.
I'll keep my eyes open for you.
Regards

From: L de Leon
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Re: Keikis and Repotting
Date: Fri, 25 Feb 2005 06:10

I have a couple of Dendrobium Kingianum with a number of keikis still
relatively undeveloped roots. They are in the pots that they came in when I
bought them and I just find those pots ugly „ no offense intended to those
who think otherwise. Therefore I want to repot them into something sexier,
but I am afraid the keikis will not like it. The wellbeing of the keikis is
the priority.

From: aeranthes2
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Dend Kingianum
Date: Fri, 25 Feb 2005 10:40

Luis I can't see any reason why you can't repot your plants into something
more appealing as long as the pot is only a little larger than the present
one. Jean

From: mojca klancic
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Re: [OrchidTalk] RE: Root trimming
Date: Fri, 25 Feb 2005 10:55

Thank you very much Mr. Hands. I will do as you say and let you know in
future how it went.

From: Roger Grier
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Cymbidiums outside.
Date: Fri, 25 Feb 2005 17:00

Hello Sheila, [Bicknell??!!] that surname rings a bell with me. Can't remember where though. Are there many Bicknells about? And are you around the Abingdon area?

Sheila, you mention that your Cymbids do not like hot very dry conditions. If yours are outside can you not keep them moist by turning the hose on them?

As to my Cymbids, they fill a bench space 32 inches wide by 8 feet long, and I would sooner see lots more smaller orchids filling that space. So, what I propose to do is this.

When the flowers have dropped from all of those that are spiking, I will put them between the side and back of the greenhouse. The greenhouse stands surrounded by a 7 foot wall. The gap where I intend to put them, behind the back of the greenhouse is about 3 foot down to 18 inches, by about 8 feet. In the winter I intend to cover them with fleece when the weather gets bad.

To be truthful I am not too bothered if I loose any of the smaller ones that never do anything.

From: sheila bicknell
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: [OrchidTalk] Re:Cymbidiums outside.
Date: Sat, 26 Feb 2005 15:20

Rocky - You may be recalling my name from very occassional previous contributions to Orchid Talk - on the subject of Cymbidium culture - have been growing them for about 18 years now, and have quite a number to care for (they fill nearly 10 times the staging space that you mention).
No not based near Abingdon - nearer to Farnham (Surrey)
Yes - they do all go outside for the summer, and YES I do spray(at least three times a day)plus frequent watering and hose down as and when necessary - Hence I appreciate the 'problems' of trying to counteract Hot/Dry conditions (I said I knew that they didnt like these conditions - I didnt say I didnt make an effort to deal with them) - however - if the daytime temperature goes over 90F, or the night over 78F, they just stop growing - and that seems to be what affects spiking later in the year - and when the air temperature gets that high there isnt much you can do to make any difference.
I still wouldnt do what you are proposing for next winter - the area does sound somewhat protected - can you add a polycarbonate roof to keep the wet out ? If they are dry they might stand half a chance - but cold and wet would just be cruel - kinder to the plants to re-home them I feel !!
Keep us all posted !! Sheila.

Hello can anyone gives me any help with the breeding of this Phal
Minomarsuri ' Ching Mua ' well that's how the tags sees it but can't find
it anywhere hope someone can help
Thanks
Les

From: Roger Grier
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Summer Lady's Tresses.
Date: Sun, 27 Feb 2005 10:25

The Summer Lady's Tresses was known to grow in the New Forest, but is thought to be extinct, however, it may still be there. Can anyone please tell me what type of habitat this orchid likes to grow in.

I have read from a couple of books the type of area that it likes to grow in but this information is second or third hand.

So, if anyone has actually seen this orchid growing in Europe and can supply some information then I would be very pleased.

From: francis quesada pallares
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Brithish Native Orchids
Date: Sun, 27 Feb 2005 19:10

I'm becoming really interested in seing some of the
native British orchids growing in their natural
environments, but can't seem to find anything on the
net as to where to go to see some of them.

From: Olga Caussade
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Re: [OrchidTalk] Summer Lady's Tresses.
Date: Sun, 27 Feb 2005 19:25

Hi Rocky,
Spiranthes aestivalis grows in the south-west of France (Landes, Gironde), from 0 to 1300m, near swamps zones and peat-bog. It is extremely unsual to see it in flower and is very protected. You can see a nice photo at:
http://erick.dronnet.free.fr/belles_fleurs_de_france/spiranthes_aestivalis1.htm

From: Roger Grier
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Summer Lady's Tresses.
Date: Mon, 28 Feb 2005 09:55

Thank you very much for the information. This will help me narrow down my search.

From: Roger Grier
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: UK Native Wild Orchids.
Date: Mon, 28 Feb 2005 10:00

Send me an E-mail direct, to save boring many of our members, and I will help you all I can.

From: Geoffrey Hands
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Re: [OrchidTalk] Brithish Native Orchids
Date: Mon, 28 Feb 2005 10:15

I think your best bet is to join one of the County Wild Life Trusts (WLTs),
especially in an area where there are many species ; Kent is ( I believe -
but have never been botanising there) very good, - and maybe nearest for you
? with over half of the UK species to be seen. There is a reference book -
and I forget the name - but someone may prompt me - which lists all UK
species of flowering plants and gives distribution maps by "vice-counties" .
So all you have to do is look up , say Platananthera sp. and you will see a
map of the Uk with black dots scattered. Choose an area with a lot, and at
least you are in the right County.

Then, with your membership of the WLT and their list of resrves, you can
ask the Information Officer ( or equivalent in all of the Trusts, the best
reserves and the best times for orchids. You may even find that they have
orchid days at particular reserves, when members are taken to the plants.

In the past , living in different places, I have been in
Warwickshire,Worcestershire and Gloucestershire Trusts, and all did
more-or-less what I set out above. Now I'm in Dorset but as a very new
member and so far I have only got as far as the list of reserves (
approaching 40) some of which have some very interesting flora ( Cranborne
Chase etc ) and I have nbot got as far as orchids.

buit then I'm interested in the whole ecology and wild-life thing from
invertebrates through lower plants etc ( I found a nice slime-mould
fruiting body on a walk with the local Natural History Soc. last week -the
very devil to identify though ...)

The thing is this ; if you go barging in without even joininhg , demanding
orchids, they will fear you are a digger-up , and will not help ; If you
pay a sub and look intelligent, and merely express special interest in
botany and orchids in particular , you should get a lot of help.

From: Jon Loose
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Re: [OrchidTalk] Brithish Native Orchids
Date: Mon, 28 Feb 2005 10:40

You could try the nature reserves - many of them support populations of
orchids but where depends on what: Bee orchids on chalk for example and
marsh orchids in marshes.

From: Mark Griffiths
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Re: [OrchidTalk] Brithish Native Orchids
Date: Mon, 28 Feb 2005 12:15

Hi Francis, where about's are you? One way of getting locations and
details of local orchids is to join your local wildlife trust,
http://www.wildlifetrusts.org/ I'm a member of the Berks, Bucks & Oxon
group, they publish details on their reserves, what grows there,
directions etc. For us that includes the sites for the Monkey Orchid, so
you do get to see some interesting plants!

From: John Stanley
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Re: [OrchidTalk] Brithish Native Orchids
Date: Mon, 28 Feb 2005 17:15

Whereabouts are you Francis?
Our Orchid Society (Cheshire and North Wales OS) is planning a field trip
for later in the year.
Feel free to make contact at if it might be
of interest to you.
I guess you've exhausted field guides like Buttler, K.P. Field Guide to
orchids of Britain and Europe - published by Crowood in 1991 ISBN 1 85223
591 8 (This is a translation from the German and is rather vague on
locations)
I would imagine local societies - possibly Nat Hist Socs where the interest
is wider than the often greenhouse-orientated orchid specialist societies.
While typing this I've just noticed Geoff's reply which may be even better
for you.
In my small experience I guess coastal cliff paths (eg Pembrokeshire) and
west coast dune slacks are good places to start. Followed by abandoned
quarries for which there may be access. The real problem is that few want to
divulge locations to anybody because that's the surest way of never seeing
them again!

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