2005 mailing list messages

2005 Archived Messages

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From: Peter Fowler
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Re: [OrchidTalk] Orchid imports.
Date: Mon, 22 Aug 2005 00:05

"Our mutual friend from Italy, Gianluca, will most certainly get more orders
from me in the months to come. No hassle, no paperwork, no problem, and no
complaints. Peter Fowler, did you get any plants Peter?"

From: Roger Grier
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: The Italian Orchid Nursery.
Date: Mon, 22 Aug 2005 09:00

Sorry about that Peter, but I thought there details were sent.........old age creeping on!!!

From: Andy Mckeown
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Re: [OrchidTalk] RE: Orchid imports.
Date: Mon, 22 Aug 2005 10:20

From: AMANDA
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: re-blooming phalaenopsis
Date: Mon, 22 Aug 2005 16:30

hello everyone,
i would like to rebloom my phalaenopsis, the main stems have branches and
i`m not sure whether you can cut the branches above a node or whether you
have to cut the main stem itself. look forward to hearing from all you
professionals out there many thanks, amanda

From: Peter Fowler
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Re: [OrchidTalk] The Italian Orchid Nursery.
Date: Mon, 22 Aug 2005 19:20

Thanks Rocky, Some interesting species, especially Dendrobiums. I
certainly will be buying some later on ,as I have just spent a grand on a
new digital camera and macro lens. Canon EOS 350D 8M Pixels, Jessops have
a special deal at the moment; camera, zoom lens (Canon Ultrasonic [quiet]),
bag , software and vouchers for other purchases. The macro lens I bought
was a Tamron 90mm AF, Di, 1:1 lens. Will fit my old EOS 35mm and new Canon
cameras.

From: mojca klancic
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Re: [OrchidTalk] The Italian Orchid Nursery.
Date: Mon, 22 Aug 2005 20:30

I have not recieved the previous messages about the Nardottoecapello nursery, but I have experience buying from them. I live in Slovenia, which is a neighbour of Italy, speak Italian and have no problems comunicating with them. Well, I have ordered some plants that have been sent by post, I have to say, the plants were packed great, even a flower spike of Epidendrum Joseph Lee X Arachnoglossum was covered with coton wool to protect the inflorescence. On another ocasion they brought the plants with them to a fair in my nearnes. They really are nice people to buy from. About their plants: really nice prices, some plants were much bigger than I would expect, but some were really not fower size as stated. On some plants I got black leaf spots which was readily cured.

From: aeranthes
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: phals and Italian Nursery
Date: Tue, 23 Aug 2005 08:25

Amanda, it's your choice as you can do either. If you cut the stem above a node your plant should flower again in about 4 months time and if you cut it right back it will take a year. I do either depending how strong the plant is. If it has put up good strong spikes with plenty of flowers I cut above the next node but if it's a smaller and not quite so healthy spike with just a few flowers I cut it right back hoping for a stronger spike with more flowers next year.
Thank you for your comments Mojca. I've been wondering over the last few days whether to buy some from them but as we have had such good reports from everyone I think I'll go ahead. Jean

From: Geoffrey Hands
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Re: [OrchidTalk] re-blooming phalaenopsis
Date: Tue, 23 Aug 2005 08:30

If you understand that each node on the stem is a place where a branch could
arise , and bear flowers, but once only , you will realise that you have to
cut just above an unflowered node to have any chance of a new flowering
branch arising from that stem
Alternatively , cut at the base, and grow the plant on for a new flowering
stem to develop.

From: Andy Mckeown
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Cycnodes
Date: Tue, 23 Aug 2005 10:20

I bought Cycnodes Wine Delight 'Jem' as a bare bulb in the spring. It has now grown a new bulb with a beautiful fan of leaves. Is there anything I need to do to get it to flower? I've never grown it or any of it's close relatives before.

From: Geoffrey Hands
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Buying orchids ..... pic of an unusual one...
Date: Tue, 23 Aug 2005 10:40

A plug for home industry - don't forget the Boga Trade Fayre this week-end .
9-5 Saturday , 10-4 Sunday.

All the BOGA nurseries - most of the UK trade apart from Orchid Answers ,
plus a couple of US ones.

Picture - Paphinia herrereae . Flolwers almost 8 inches across. Worth
looking out for - actually I have never seen it on a trade stand, but you
can find it buried in the lists of botanical specialists and they will bring
it to special order. Pendant spikes - here seen from below. This is on a 2
bulb and a growth seedling.
Not the easeiest plant to grow - but worth trying - don't you think ?

From: jns tropic
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Re: [OrchidTalk] Cycnodes
Date: Tue, 23 Aug 2005 14:10

Most of this group bloom when the leaves are still
green. But my Wine Delight bloomed after the leaves
dropped. The flower spike started when the leaves
were still green. In our climate we withhold water
when the bulb is leafless or our plant will rot. Note
that my plant is fairly small.

From: Roger Grier
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: To cut a Phally stem.
Date: Tue, 23 Aug 2005 20:10

I always tell people to cut about half an inch above the second or third node up from where the flower spike leaves the main rhizome.

It all depends on how it looks. Imagine you cut above the fifth node which might be ten inches from the base, and then it grew another spike.........it might look very top heavy, and also out of balance. Do you begin to see what I mean?

After you have cut where you think best, you may soon see the dormant bud start to move. I have had flowers in just a few weeks after I cut the spike. Don't know where 'Our Jean' got those four months from........[she'll kill me] as I have had growth and more blooms much quicker that that.

One Phalaenopsis that I had flowered on two spikes, so, after it had finished flowering I cut above the nodes on both spikes, hoping that they would both shoot again, and then I could show any interested people all about it. Lo and behold, this plant totally ignored me, grew two completely new spikes.........I named it Phalaenopsis 'Insubordination.

From: Andy Mckeown
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Re: [OrchidTalk] Buying orchids ..... pic of an unusual one...
Date: Wed, 24 Aug 2005 15:30

I shall certainly be at the BOGA fair on Saturday. Those of you wanting
some Zygonerias check out McBeans. I bought this one from them at the
london show in spring 2004. I think I paid £8 for it and I think it is as
good as any on the Aussie site - really strong perfume and has bloomed 3
times sime I got it. They have some nice ones on their web site and flasks
too. If anyone wants to split a flask with me I'd be up for that - (I don't
want 20 of them).

Thanks JNS for your comments on Cycnodes. I have seen pictures of it in
flower with the foliage intact and others without. I shall report what
happens whatever.

From: Ron Bower
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Re: [OrchidTalk] To cut a Phally stem.
Date: Wed, 24 Aug 2005 16:45

Amanda, Rocky is quite right,it varies. At present I have a Phal that commenced flowering on 2 spikes one week before Christmas. I cut both spikes to 3 nodes in last week (20th) July, Both spikes are growing a branch as well as a new spike which is 1 inch and growing fast. I have had this happen several times. On the other hand, I have and have had several plants where a cut back spike has produced no new growth. I think it does to some degree depend on the condition of the plant and the growing conditions and also on the plant roots. Strong and healthy roots are essential I have found. I believe that the humidity has a great bearing on the production and life of the flower. I do hope you are successful.
Good luck, Ronbow.

From: aeranthes
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Dend Kingianum
Date: Wed, 24 Aug 2005 16:50

I know we have talked quite a bit about this type of orchid in the recent past but I have just looked through some of your photos Geoff and spotted this plant with many flowers! This is something I find difficult to achieve and would love to do so. What were the conditions necessary to achieve this kind of flowering? I have a similar type of Dendrobium which I am now growing in a sealed container using seramis and it seems to be thriving and looks much healthier than before. I would like to try D.Kingianum again but not unless I have some further tips on getting successful flowering. Thanks - Jean

From: P G Hieke
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Re: [OrchidTalk] Cycnodes
Date: Wed, 24 Aug 2005 17:50

Hi Andy,
Keep it dry until the flower spike appears at the base of the bulb and
then start watering again.
Peter from Bloubergstrand

From: Ron Bower
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Flasks
Date: Wed, 24 Aug 2005 22:05

Hello All,
From time to time list members refer to obtaining flasks at various Airports. I would be grateful to know the airports at which flasks can be obtained as I would like to obtain some. I don't think that I will be doing much flying in the future, too much hassle I'm afraid, but my daughters husband, as a exec of a major freight and baggage handling company visits most of the world airports at least once every year and the major ones quite frequently and so should be able to obtain a flask or two. Of course he would not know what he was buying but I have the impression that many of them are quite inexpensive and so the loss would not be great if what he got was not exactly what I would like. Am I correct in thinking that there is no trouble bringing them into the UK?
Is it feasible, or am I perhaps barking up the wrong tree.
Regards to all,
Ronbow.

From: Geoffrey Hands
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Re: [OrchidTalk] Dend Kingianum
Date: Thu, 25 Aug 2005 08:10

I'll tell you what I am doing Jean ; as it happens I shall be away a lot in
September , here and there, but I have a diary note in the third week, to
take ALL of my dendrobiums outside . I have been thinking of how to keep
them safe from nasties and am going to stand them on upturned trays - for
drainage, standing in gravel trays , and I am going to use a length of that
copper tape I talked about , all round each tray , as a barrier snails and
slugs won't cross. I shall not water them at all , but they will get any
rain of course. The point is not to dry them ( not especially) just chill
them . ( It went down to 11 degrees in the garden here last night - the
lowest since the Spring , and I expect lowish single figures in October and
November ). I don't expect any frosts until the usual cold snap at the end
of November , and will bring them back inside before then. But I shall try
and stay awake through the weather forecast after the 10pm news, in case !

I reckon 6 weeks is long enough , and they may get 7 or 8. Back in the
greenhouse they will get the usual watering.

There are some pests I'm not sure about - in thius garden there ar5e wood
pigeons and grey squirrels which are varying degrees of nuisance for
different reasons , and I am not sure whethere they will take any notice of
dendrobiums .

Of course this is the start of the second complete year in my new
surroundings/greenhouse etc, and every one is different ; and I did not do
this last year , as too much was going in in what was then a totally new
environment, and I had poor flowering as a result..

But the essence here is chill in the Autumn , and don't let them shrivel.
It seems to work with a lot of dendrobes - but with - currently over 1000
species in the genus, plus hybrids - it won't work with them all.

From: francis quesada pallares
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Re: [OrchidTalk] RE: Dend Kingianum
Date: Thu, 25 Aug 2005 10:50

Following your advise on conditioning Dendrobes prior
to flowering, I was planning to get my dendrobiums out
on the open for that chilling period they seem to
need. But yesterday, I realised of a further problem.
In my area, it can get very windy, and although I'm
now enjoying my holidays from school, in September and
October I shall be working, which will keep me away
from the plants for most of the day. Last year, I did
come back home to find a couple of my pots being blown
away and rolling everywhere in the patio area. How do
you go about to stop your plants being blown that way
by the strong winds that tend to develop in the
autumn?

From: "Schoonjans, Peter-Dieter \(IT\)"
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Re: [OrchidTalk] RE: Dend Kingianum
Date: Thu, 25 Aug 2005 16:45

Someone sent me the attached image a few weeks ago. You should be able to construct something similar, or at least use the idea.
I will do this soon as well as I have had a few of my orchids fall down due to the wind.

From: Dr Chong-Yee Khoo
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: [OrchidTalk] RE: Dend Kingianum
Date: Thu, 25 Aug 2005 19:05

From: aeranthes
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Dend Kingianum
Date: Thu, 25 Aug 2005 19:15

Thanks a million Geoff! I knew I could rely on you for a comprehensive answer. I'm going away for the weekend and have the choice of leaving that particular plant in a warm room, my greenhouse but the temp could rise if the sun blesses us with it's presence or outside. I've decided outside is the best place with my Cymbids and Masdevalias. I've just the place for the one I want to encourage to flower. Will let you know if I have any success with flowering. Thanks again. Jean

From: Geoffrey Hands
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Re: [OrchidTalk] RE: Dend Kingianum
Date: Thu, 25 Aug 2005 20:00

You are right that something will be necessary - I had not put anything into
the plan I laid out , and since I may have a particularly sheltered spot I
may be OK. If not , maybe I shall use pot hangers and stretch a line
across , so that each one hangs and stands.

From: Roger Grier
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Orchids being blown over.
Date: Thu, 25 Aug 2005 22:10

Tall, and top heavy orchids in pots are very prone to being blown over, but there are several ways of stopping this.

One of the easiest is to beg, borrow, or steal [ha] some wall bricks, especially if you can get what is known as 'Engineering bricks', they are very heavy. Then just place the bricks around the pots.

Some people even make some concrete moulds with a hollow in the middle, in which sits the pot.

Another method which I thought up was to cut the bottom from a larger pot, invert it and stand the orchid pot in that.

From: John W Stanley
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Re: [OrchidTalk] Orchids blown over-and out?.
Date: Fri, 26 Aug 2005 00:30

Hi Francis,
I haven't tried this with orchids (wind velocity not that high in our greenhouse) but potted outdoor plants or top-heavy plants can have inverted ceramic 'saucers'
glued to their pots' bases with either silicone aquarium cement or bath sealant. The porous ceramic allows drainage (or can be drilled) and the saucers (concave side down)
provide a wide base. The same 'glue' can be used to fix canes to the inside walls of pots where there is insufficient supportive compost (commonly a problem with all but terrestrial orchids)
Anyone into showing plants can paint the red ceramic matt black. Some of my friends use a lump of lead (Pb) in the pot base but I guess that's against all the environmental Pb-free rules these days.
Your next question will no doubt be; "How do I stop the wind blowing my orchids out of their pots?". I can't answer that other than suggesting a greenhouse environment.
Good luck
John Stanley

From: Geoffrey Hands
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Re: [OrchidTalk] Orchids being blown over.
Date: Fri, 26 Aug 2005 06:15

Another idea which has just occurred to me ; my local garden centre gives
away the special plastic trays which are used to deliver house plants ;
these have a few recesses in them each designed to accept a single plant -
and give them the necessary spacing to avoid damage in transport from say
Holland to UK. If the recesses are too big - they are usually say phal pot
size ( 15-16 cm) , a small pot can be placed in one and packed with say
newspaper to make a snug fit. But don't forget to have a drainage hole.

From: Geoffrey Hands
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Re: [OrchidTalk] RE: Dend Kingianum
Date: Fri, 26 Aug 2005 06:15

Looks like an aquarium with no glass. Or even with glass - as long as the
air can get in.

From: "Schoonjans, Peter-Dieter \(IT\)"
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Re: [OrchidTalk] RE: Dend Kingianum
Date: Fri, 26 Aug 2005 09:00

The main point of the picture is the way the pots are locked in the
fencing wire. That way the they don't swing like they would if they were
hung. The whole construction is normally lifted off the ground, so free
flowing air all around, and you can cover it with a shading cloth when
the sun is really out there in the summer.

From: Geoffrey Hands
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Re: [OrchidTalk] Re: Orchids blown over-and out?.
Date: Fri, 26 Aug 2005 10:05

I have used lead . I went to Jewsons and bought a roll of roofing lead, and
cut strips a couple of inches wide, and then rolled them up ( tinsmiths
snips are the tool) . Can't see that it is anti-environmental ? The lump
is of course placed on the compost , on the side opposite to the flower
spike - of say , a phal or something like that which tends to topple over
without any wind. It works, but only up to a point , and the loss of lead
lumps at shows was almost remarkable. Amazing that honest people , friends,
fellow orchid growers to whom I would happily send a piece of a plant they
wanted, and rely on them to send me a cheque afterwards, nevertheless found
a lump of lead irresistible. But not so good against wind I think , because
the wind can veer direction.

From: AMANDA
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: [orchid -talk] vandas/phals
Date: Fri, 26 Aug 2005 10:40

hi everyone,
thanks to all who replied to my question about re-blooming phals. i`ve now
noticed what looks to be a new stem emerging from the centre of a leaf (hope
it`s not a root!).
i shall live in hope.
having been so pleased with my phal i`ve bought a vanda sansai blue off
ebay, think i`ve caught the bug. not having a greenhouse i`m trying to
recreate tropical conditions in my bathroom, i`m spraying it everytime i go
in (family instructed to do the same), is this too much? am i overwatering
it? at present its in a plastic basket, with the roots hanging down about
20 inches, i would like to put it in a hardwood basket but not sure what to
do with the roots, any comments would be very welcome.
look forward to hearing from all o/ts out there.
thanks again
amanda

From: suzy
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: orchids in the wind
Date: Fri, 26 Aug 2005 12:20

I wire my orchids into their pots, especially my phals. I use ordinary
green garden wire but have previously used strips of old tights as a
temporary measure. i put a length under the rim and then another couple of
lengths over the top securing the stem. you can also make a hanger and hang
them on a washing line.

actually a whirligig clothes line with a lacy net curtain secured over the
top might provide the dappled shade they love. would look weird though.

my mother in law knows nothing about orchids but grows the best phals i have
seen simply by growing them in an east window (double glazed) with the
laciest net curtain available, watering once a week, no humidity trays and
feeding them occasionally with those orchid drip feeds that you can get from
any garden centre.

From: Roger Grier
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Amanda's Vanda.
Date: Fri, 26 Aug 2005 20:20

Why do you want to put it into a hardwood basket? What do you think the hardwood basket would do that the plastic one does not? Why cause the plant some stress if it's growing well?

If you spray it often, then it will come to no harm as there is nothing around the roots that will ever rot down, turn sour etc.

An orchids roots can hold and store a vast amount of food and moisture, and you would be surprised just how much.

If you do own a home/hobby microscope, then do yourself a favour one day and cut a piece of good root from an orchid and have a look at the roots storage system.........you will see and learn an awful lot.

From: Roger Grier
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Orchids from Italy.
Date: Fri, 26 Aug 2005 20:45

My seven orchids that I ordered from the Italian Nursery arrived yesterday, three days from Italy.

They were potted in good sized pieces of very good clean bark. First I took the plants out of their pots, then I soaked them in a slightly soapy bowl of water, so that the last pieces of bark came away easily.

Then I cut off any dead roots...........that job was easy as there were very few indeed.

Then with plants like Cattleyas I very gently scrubbed the rhizome to get it as clean as possible. This allows me to inspect any dormant eyes, and also I then remove any husks to give dormant eyes the best possible chance of growing. One point here worth mentioning, I use a toothbrush to scrub the rhizome and the base of any bulbs, but when brushing where any eyes are seen ALWAYS use an upwards stroke, as it is so easy to break off a new eye.

One Odontoglossum was so big that it almost fell into two pieces, so I now have an extra plant.

From: John W Stanley
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Re: [OrchidTalk] Re: Orchids-wind-gravity-lead-and environment
Date: Sat, 27 Aug 2005 00:05

Geoff,
I wasn't seriously suggesting that lead, in the gravity (centre of) context was anti-environmental but more that we live in a world where even camera lenses have to be lead-free and there is a hazard warning for California in connection with the trace lead content in the insulation of the cable on my Nikon mains adaptor. I think it's called Health and Safety! I think we've emailed on this before when I remarked on the warning about not putting my camera strap around my neck (strangulation - arghhhh!) and there you are, with a tie and a slip knot!. No wonder you'd use lead. I don't suppose Francis'll sue you if the lead has a terminal toxic effect! Me; I'd rather recommend ceramic saucers! (I wonder what hazards there are in silicone cements) . . . . John
ps; had to make an entry in Sainsbury's accident book last Friday; "slight bruise on elbow. Fell over a wet-floor multilingual yellow hazard sign" . I felt an utter idiot (I shouldn't'a'said that!).

From: Geoffrey Hands
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Re: [OrchidTalk] Orchids from Italy.
Date: Sat, 27 Aug 2005 08:15

"three days from Italy" - one day less than it took for a small parcel to go
first class post from Dorset to London - when I sold pieces of my Miltonia !

From: Roger Grier
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Laelia.
Date: Sat, 27 Aug 2005 17:00

I only have two or three, but, over the past two or three years the flower spike gets about two to three inches clear of the sheath, and then it damps off. The Laelias get no different treatment than all of the other orchids in my Intermediate to Warm Greenhouse.

One other item that may be connected, is the fact that my two Schomburkias do nothing!!!!!

From: Geoffrey Hands
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Re: [OrchidTalk] Laelia.
Date: Sat, 27 Aug 2005 19:40

It may be that some members can do better with advice , but here's my
contribution.

Laelias in general grow a little cooler than Cattleyas, and the cooler
nights maybe a necessity for flowering.

Schomburgkias need a bit more light. I had a conversation with a guy showing
some fantastic ones at an "orchid show" ( I use quotes because it was
nothing like any orchid show anyone here can possibly imagine ) in Venezuela
once and he said that he grew most of his plants under shade cloth , but the
Schombo's were out in the sun.

From: Geoffrey Hands
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Boga Fayre
Date: Sat, 27 Aug 2005 20:20

I thought it a good Boga Fayre this year . Not too many stands, but some
nice orchids on sale. One guy from Florida - he gave me his card , but I
can't find it - had some excellent cattleya group plants bare root - fine
named clones of species or seedlings thereof, and whilst not cheap , Catts
never are. Having a limited amount of cash on me, and as he would not accept
plastic or a cheque I was unable to purchase some coerulea clones which I
rather coveted but I did get half a dozen other plants to add to my
collection from him.

I had a little chat with Brian Rittershausen - its good to see him still
about ; heard some good news about Mary Phillips ( nee Ratcliffe) frtom Paul
, bought a couple of plants from David Stead - reminded him about the time
he drove from Leeds to Birmingham in an Austin Healey Sprite to give a talk
, before the days of motorways , (and I shudder to think of that journey )
and with an incredible amount of plants to sell in a tiny car , met
Phillippe LeCoufle and got invited to Paris whilst I am "near" in the Loire
valley next month, hailed Ray Bilton but neither of us could stop to talk
...and that's just some of the trade ; then there were growers I met and
chatted to, or just passed with a wave... ... These shows are nice for
meeting old friends , never mind the orchids.

But I did not manage to meet Andy - maybe he was held up on the way there,
as I was on the way home by the Bank Holiday traffic.?

From: nancy
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Re: Schomburgkias
Date: Sat, 27 Aug 2005 23:25

Hi Rocky -
No help on the Laelias, but I agree that Schomburgkias
need close to full sun. An interesting point: I gave
my friend a division of my Schomb. undulata; mine
hangs from a shepherd's hook in full blazing sun, and
blooms on every new growth. Hers is in part sun,
blooms on about 1/3 of the new growths, but the flower
colors are much deeper and more vivid than mine. Same
plant.
So: more sun = more flowers, paler color.
Regards - Nancy

~~~~~~~~~~~~
"If it's beautifully arranged on the plate, you know
someone's fingers have been all over it."
-- Julia Child

From: Peter Fowler
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Re: [OrchidTalk] Laelia.
Date: Sun, 28 Aug 2005 00:25

From: Roger Grier
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Second year.
Date: Sun, 28 Aug 2005 12:45

Excuse my memory, but the orchid I could not find a name for..................the label was hiding!!!!!

Here is the photo of it in its second year with me, and I am very pleased. Five flowers on one spike, and with that lovely scent.

From: Andy Mckeown
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Re: [OrchidTalk] Boga Fayre
Date: Sun, 28 Aug 2005 13:45

I was delayed both by the traffic and the fact that part of the A303 was closed - sorry to have missed you Geoff.

I also had my eye on some of Bela Vista's blue(ish) orchids but I thought they were a bit overpriced - well up on the last time I bought from them.

I did however manage to find a few nice specimens of course, though missed the Cattleya leopoldii on David Stead's stand by a whisker. Sometimes you need sharp grabbing skills at these things!

From: Erica
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Re: [OrchidTalk] Re: Schomburgkias
Date: Sun, 28 Aug 2005 16:20

Hi Nancy:
I have this two Schomburgkias, one is sp, in full sun.Now is growing the
new growth ,very strong and
fat.I put full organic fertilizante , when the new grow has 3cm.
But I don't know the name of the specie.It is not Sch. moyobambae.I am
sending the two photos , moyobambae and sp.
Regards
Erica Morón de Abad

> Hi Rocky -
> No help on the Laelias, but I agree that Schomburgkias
> need close to full sun. An interesting point: I gave
> my friend a division of my Schomb. undulata; mine
> hangs from a shepherd's hook in full blazing sun, and
> blooms on every new growth. Hers is in part sun,
> blooms on about 1/3 of the new growths, but the flower
> colors are much deeper and more vivid than mine. Same
> plant.
> So: more sun = more flowers, paler color.
> Regards - Nancy

From: dennis READ
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Re: [OrchidTalk] RE: Orchids from Italy.
Date: Sun, 28 Aug 2005 17:00

But mine, Geoff, arrived next morning at 8am delivered by a smiling postman who feeds my dog biscuits through the letter box. Thats North Devon for you. Regards

"three days from Italy" - one day less than it took for a small parcel to go first class post from Dorset to London - when I sold pieces of my Miltonia !

From: Roger Grier
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Laelias and Schomburks.
Date: Sun, 28 Aug 2005 19:10

Peter, if my memory serves me correct, the Laelia is L. Gouldiana. Thing is, that I have given several parts of it away to friends who over the past couple of years have experienced the same fault as I have. Very strange???

Next week I intend to repot my Schomburks as the Autumn will soon be here and I want to ensure that any dead/old/decayed roots, if there are any, are cut away and that the plant will have a nice 'clean' rest through our Winter. May also have a look at the Laelias.

From: Ron Bower
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Foggit
Date: Sun, 28 Aug 2005 21:25

I would be grateful if members could please advise me regarding 'Foggers'. Would using one be practical in a 16 x 8 ft greenhouse and are there downsides as well as the benefits. I would also be grateful for any advice and tips on the use of them generally. Finally please, a source of supply. I recently saw a advert for Fogger nozzles but not the Foggers.
Good luck and success with your growing to all,
Ronbow.

From: Roger Grier
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: My Schomburkias.
Date: Mon, 29 Aug 2005 10:50

First one was in a clay pot. I took it out, removed the stone chippings and gave it a thorough wash. Then removed any old roots, and re-potted it. At the bottom of one of the bulbs was a small concentration of white soft scale, which I soon washed away.

The other plant was in a wooden basket, and I had to cut the four wires that thread up through the corners to dismantle it. This was because one of the new growths had grown between the slats. It was then that I realised that the wires were COPPER!!! Do you think that any roots that came into contact with the copper wire would have an adverse effect on the plant?

Anyhow, there are several fat new eyes waiting to burst forth, so I am hoping for the best.

From: Ron Bower
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Pebbles.
Date: Mon, 29 Aug 2005 14:15

To Rocky,
Hello Rocky, last backend you sent me some pictures of your plants growing in pebbles and as I you know I have a number of my plants growing that way, and I am pleased with them. Looking at your pictures again I notice that some of your plants are in other media, I think I can see Moss for example. My question Rocky is why if you do differentiate, why and which? They appeared to be orchids. The reason for my question is that where as I did initionally restrict myself only to Phals I now have some other species, Cams, Cims, Dends, Paphs and Odonts as well as some that I have no idea what they are (Acquired as presents and hospital cases ect}, and I wonder if you have found some species which you may have found that pebbles do not suit.

I would be most grateful to have the benefit of your long experience if you would be so kind as to give it.
Thanks,
Ronbow.

From: nancy
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Re: [OrchidTalk] Re: Schomburgkias
Date: Mon, 29 Aug 2005 15:40

Hi Erica -
Beautiful flowers! The red/pink combination is
opposite of the colors in undulata. Whenever mine
starts growing that long, long, long flower spike, I
think this is the work of an artist with a sense of
humor.
Try this: http://www.orchidspecies.com/
and also http://www.speciesorchids.com/
Both have many photos of the different species - even
if you can't find your flowers, they are good sites to
browse.
Regards - Nancy

~~~~~~~~~~~~
"If it's beautifully arranged on the plate, you know
someone's fingers have been all over it."
-- Julia Child

From: Andy Mckeown
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Re: [OrchidTalk] Second year.
Date: Mon, 29 Aug 2005 18:15

From: Roger Grier
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Ron's question re-stones.
Date: Mon, 29 Aug 2005 18:35

What a wonderful Bank Holiday weekend, almost too warm for any gardening. You should see the New Forest, it's teeming with holiday makers, and jolly good luck to them.

To answer your question..........here goes. First though, where did you see some moss????

It all started many years ago when I kept loosing orchids due to the grotty compost that they were in. So I started to put the little grey cells to work.

Mainly I use a 'product' called, 'Cambrian Green' in plastic bags.....in Garden Centres, and it is a basalt rock. Never looks any different and does not let anything grow on it, such as algae.

Then just as an experiment I tried a few other inert non rotting items, As you have mentioned, pebbles, and they work very well.

I also have three orchids potted in broken 'Purbeck stone' which is a type of limestone.

Then I asked the company which marketed 'Cambrian Green' which of there products had a high acidity, and I purchased a bag of it, potted four Cattleya divisions in it and they are romping away. Photos to follow.

Pea shingle Ron, is rather small and does not hold the plants still, and also for some reason it does allow a green mould to grow on it where the others do not.

I'm off out now for our evening stroll in the Forest, wife and I, so I will send more details tomorrow.

From: Geoffrey Hands
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: and hers the one in my study at the moment, to brighten my day when I stop by the compouter - LC Veldorado
Date: Mon, 29 Aug 2005 19:45

From: Geoffrey Hands
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Can anyone name this orchid ?
Date: Mon, 29 Aug 2005 19:45

Or suggest possible patents, when I may be able to find it for myself...
It's a "cattleya" - perhaps epilaelia, but....

From: Geoffrey Hands
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: post script
Date: Mon, 29 Aug 2005 19:50

By the way , the one I am asking about has flowers about 2 1/2 inches from
tip of dorsal petal to tip of lip , and perhaps 2 inches wide.

From: Geoffrey Hands
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: aorry about the freudian slip
Date: Mon, 29 Aug 2005 19:50

From: aeranthes
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Laelias
Date: Mon, 29 Aug 2005 19:55

Rocky! I've just arrived home from a few days away and have just read through the mail from orchid talk. I noticed your comment about Laelias. The problem I was having was not the dampening off or bud drop but the whole plant was looking underfed, pale green and a bit sickly to say the least. It improved after a feed of sequestrin that my husband uses on his camelias. I have that particular plant in a stone mix. The one I have in bark has not had this problem (up to now - fingers crossed). I think I must have been underfeeding the one in the stone mix. I haven't had any flowers this year but am still hoping as they are a delightful pale mauve colour. Cheers - Jean

From: aeranthes
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: orchid name
Date: Tue, 30 Aug 2005 08:35

Geoff the smaller flowered orchid looks like one I have which is L.C. Netasiri Doll. I'm attaching a pretty poor photograph taken two years ago before I had a digital camera which I find takes much better photos but I think you'll be able to see the similarity. Jean

From: Andy Mckeown
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Re: [OrchidTalk] Can anyone name this orchid ?
Date: Tue, 30 Aug 2005 09:15

From: Dave Blowers/UK/Tesco
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Re: [OrchidTalk] Foggit
Date: Tue, 30 Aug 2005 15:45

I use two jaybird hydrofoggers in a 12x8
This allows me to keep 70% humidity, temperature no higher than 26oC on a
south facing greenhouse with 40% shading even on the hottest day.
The difference in my plants (orchids and pitcher plants) has been amazing.
Highly recommended. So far the oldest unit is 4 years old, with very few
problems or maintenance

From: aeranthes
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Netasiri Doo
Date: Tue, 30 Aug 2005 16:15

Hi Andy, no I'm pretty sure mine isn't wrongly labelled as I bought it at the London Show two years ago from the Taiwanese (I think) stall and they had quite a few of them. I bought two called Netasiri ----- both slightly different. I think there are several that begin with Netasiri. A local friend also bought two at the same time. I still have the original label on one of them.

From: Roger Grier
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Geoff's orchid.
Date: Tue, 30 Aug 2005 18:25

I have one which is very similar to yours, and I think if you look on the Internet for:

From: Geoffrey Hands
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Re: [OrchidTalk] Re: Can anyone name this orchid ?
Date: Tue, 30 Aug 2005 19:25

I cannot find either ( Epc Don Herman , or LC Netasiri ) in the Register,
using either the 98 CD which I have, or the RHS website.
And then I searched the net ; there is no doubt now. Epilaeliocattleya Don
Herman it is.

LC Netasiri Doll is a solid yellow ( more gold than yellow actually,
meaning a hint of brown in it ) with the same colour lip , but a solid red
lobe at the free end of the lip . Also looks very waxy and shiny , whereas
the EPLC is not at all shiny.

Thanks to you both. And Jean, I think you can rename your plant , if it
bothers you to have correct names - but a rose by any other name....

From: Roger Grier
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Different mediums.
Date: Tue, 30 Aug 2005 20:20

I have attached a few photos of the different mediums that I have experimented with. To be quite truthful Ron, I dare say that our orchids will grow in just about anything as long as it does not rot or decay, and that it gives the plant a good foundation.

After all, if an orchid can be left in the same pot for many years it can't be that bad can it!

From: Ron Bower
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Emailing: Nov_1st_2004_Export_3.JPG
Date: Tue, 30 Aug 2005 20:40

Rocky, This is the picture you sent out in November 05. the pot on the bottom left looks a bit moss like, but it may be roots. I have tried but cannot get Cambrian Green or Purbeck stone and it's just that I wondered if you ever now grow in any other medium depending on the orchid type.

From: Roger Grier
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: CITES
Date: Tue, 30 Aug 2005 21:20

I have just come off the phone after speaking to Janet Plested, of 'Plested Orchids' here in the U.K.

Janet tells me that her husband Ian is the CITES representative for B.O.G.A., and that he would be more than glad to receive all the E-mails, or contents thereof to do with the moans and groans about CITES, and how it should be re-classified so as to NOT include cloned items etc which we all know about.

Therefore, especially to our foreign members, I would ask you to please contact your local Orchid Societies, and local Orchid Nurseries/breeders to add their weight to our cause.

To add weight to our global cause I have picked on a common orchid that I am sure most of us have, or had at one time or another, and as someone said, "It's as common as muck", and it is, Ascocentrum miniatum. I can buy it from an Italian Nursery, no paperwork, no problem. But, if I tried to buy it from a nursery in shall we say Thailand........................hell! And that's CITES. And that is not fair global trade.

From: Jean Lewis
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: names
Date: Wed, 31 Aug 2005 08:35

I'd be delighted to have the correct name for my orchid Geoff but I had another look at L.C. Don Herman and downloaded a photo from the web. Side by side with mine it just isn't the same orchid. Have another look. I'm quite happy to rename it but I just don't feel it is this one. Jean

From: francis quesada pallares
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Hardy orchids misbehaving!
Date: Wed, 31 Aug 2005 08:40

As I said before, I ventured this year into the
hardies orchids, as the tropical ones had taken over
my flat and there is no space for any more. I got
myself some bletillas, pleiones, Calanthe reflexa,
Epipactis gigantea, Ophris apifera, Dac. sphagnicola,
Orchis italica and Habenaria radiata.

Only one Epipactis and Cal. reflexa have flowered.
Bletillas are not doing too much, and Pleiones have
some fat bulbs, but still with green leaves (so I
guess not doing bad there). Orchis italica
unfortunately died away and the tuber has disappeared.
However, Ophris and Dactylorhiza had some leaves,
which then died away (I thought they might had been
too young to flower), but are now growing back new
sets of leaves! I thought the season for them is well
past, and that they should go dormant now! Has anyone
any similar experiences? Or are they going to flower
late this year? What do the more experienced memebers
think about this?

From: aeranthes
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: hardy orchids
Date: Wed, 31 Aug 2005 11:10

Francis I only have Bletilla but they do well and flower freely every year. I have them in a sunny rockery but they are sheltered by a wall and other plants during the winter. The get full sun (when it decides to apear). They lose all their leaves in winter of course. They start to flower usually in May/June/July but the buds are visible maybe a couple of months before that. Good luck with all your hardy orchids. Jean

From: MARK GRIFFITHS
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Re: [OrchidTalk] Hardy orchids misbehaving!
Date: Wed, 31 Aug 2005 11:15

Hi, my guess is that some of these are following the mediterranean cycle, ie come into leaf into autumn with the temperature drop and rains, growth a little in the winter and then flower spring, die down in summer to avoid the heat and drought. They are not easy though, I have some paper resources but don't have anything to point to on the web right now.

From: Roger Grier
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Details for Ronbow.
Date: Wed, 31 Aug 2005 12:15

Ron the photo on left that you thought might be moss, is actually a pot of an Impatiens called Impatiens niamniamensis, and it sometimes goes under the name of 'Congo Cockatoo'. Very pretty it is as well, and I am always propagating it from cuttings.

I get all of mine from Garden Centres. They often have several types on display, and down here in my local Garden Centres they quite normally have some of the chippings stuck to a piece of board about nine inches square to show what it looks like.

I feel sure that you will see something very similar in your area. Just as long as it is good and hard and would not give up any detrimental parts to the orchid.

From: aeranthes
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: agreement
Date: Wed, 31 Aug 2005 17:45

Thanks Geoff! Yes I'm convinced. Epi.Don Herman it is! It doesn't have a waxy appearance and I remember the person I bought it from didn't have it named so my friend and I asked him for a label and he searched around and gave us both the L.C. Netasiri Doll. Probably he grabbed the first thing he found! Thanks for taking all that trouble to search out the truth:) Jean

From: Roger Grier
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: CITES versus Free Trade.
Date: Wed, 31 Aug 2005 18:50

Hi Rocky
There is a very logical reason for CITES differences between Italy and Thailand - it isn't a good example to fight on because the EU is considered as an administrative unit for CITES purposes - it is like trading within the UK - you don't need CITES in that case either. Also true for any other EU country. If there were differences between Thailand and Brazil it would be different but I don't think there are.

John, thanks very much for your reply which I did know about and understood, also thanks for putting it in such a way that shows how unfair it is. Am I correct in assuming that the British Channel Islands are still not part of the European Union, and if that is the case, do English Orchid nurseries who import from Jersey need CITES and all of the other paperwork that is not required if purchased from within the E.U.?

Then of course we must hit at the gap in CITES armour and ask them this question.

How can they allow orchids to be imported from E.U. Countries without the need of CITES and all of the other paperwork/permits, when EXACTLY THE SAME ORCHIDS from countries outside of the E.U. need the necessary paperwork. And ask them to not tell us of the European Union, but to talk about orchids.

Going back to the Island of Jersey, I guess many of us will know of English Orchid Nurseries who import from the Eric Young Foundation, so, I wonder what they would have to say about this very unfair and ludicrous CITES that should do as it was intended to do, and that is protect ENDANGERED SPECIES.............not laboratory cloned/seed sown plants and hybrids.

Yesterday evening I happened to be speaking to Janet Plested and she mentioned that Ian was the CITES representative for BOGA, and that Ian would welcome any ammunition that we can gather.

From: dennis READ
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Names
Date: Wed, 31 Aug 2005 19:40

Having nothing better to do for a while I used Wildcatt to chase down Lc. Don Herman. There are two :- Blc. Don Herman and Eplc. Don Herman. The first is acomplex hybrid with 13 species and the second has 8 with 1 unknown. The chance of any two Blc or two Eplc Don Herman orchids looking exactly the same (unless they are mericlones or divisions) is very remote. Unless it is a mericlone or a division it is very difficult to name a complex hybrid once the label is lost. As geoff said -enjoy. Regards

From: sheila bicknell
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Orchid Talk - For Nancy
Date: Wed, 31 Aug 2005 21:20

on the 27th July Nancy wrote:
'I'm in the deep south on the Gulf Coast in Louisiana;
so our outdoor growing season is very long and
stunningly hot. Edenesque, in other words.'

Nancy - Hope you're OK - have been seeing the BBC News coverage of the devastation in Louisiana - it doesn't look very Edenesque at present -
Regards and Best Wishes, Sheila

From: Ron Bower
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Re: [OrchidTalk] Details for Ronbow.
Date: Wed, 31 Aug 2005 22:30

Hello Rocky, Yes indeed it sure is warm and muggy and we, this area that is, have this evening at 17,00. hrs had the mother and father of thunder and electrical storms, from sunny to almost dark in about 30 minutes, dark enough to bring all my solar operated lighting on, and keep it on. But at least it's not a hurricane,God help them and sympathy to any of our members out there.

Thanks for your photos most interesting.It's the last paragraph that's troubles me. I maybe can distinguish the hard ones, but I am unable to decide if any thing detrimental will be passed on to the plants. The pebbles I use, as I have said before, are as you would find on the river bank or sea shore. Many are round and smooth and appear to be none porous, but others are jagged and appear to be porous. All from the same bag. Would I be right in thinking that porous types would be detrimental by holding moisture too long. You did once say that you did not like smooth pebs as if the pot fell over many of the pebs spilled out, in particular if the pebs were small as for seedlings ect. You were right.
Believe me, I have tried at all of the Garden Centres near to me and none stock the Cambrian Green or Purbeck stone, I have just though, I have not enquired if the super, duper 50,000 square feet monster that has just recently opened has them. Will visit them tomorrow. Thanks for your help

TO ALL MEMBERS. Does any one have the web site address for Simple Systems, for the Fogger. Google strangely appears not to have it, or if they do it's not obvious and after a dozen or so pages one gets sick, or at least I do.

From: Tricia Garner
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Re: [OrchidTalk] Re: Details for Ronbow.
Date: Wed, 31 Aug 2005 23:00

Hello Ronbow - are you by any chance thinking of Simply Control?
www.simplycontrol.com

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