2005 mailing list messages

2005 Archived Messages

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From: jan
To: Orchid Talk list
Subject: Re: [OrchidTalk] CITES.
Date: Sat, 08 Oct 2005 08:00

Roger Grier wrote:
...
> CITES STIFLES TRADE.
>
>
Well, not quite - CITES stifles trade for those that aren't big enough
or well connected enough, and this is why is had been made the way it
is: big business interests have been served. I mean, if you were a huge
producer of orchids who makes 1 million of the same Phalaenopsis hybrid,
wouldn't you want to crush any potential competition? If I understand
the CITES rules, if you export a million identical plants, you pay less
than if you export 1 plant from 5 different genera.

From: Roger Grier
To: Orchid Talk list
Subject: Cites and Trade.
Date: Sat, 08 Oct 2005 09:40

Thank you very much for your comments regarding CITES and its apparent disregard for the smaller purchaser of orchids.

To prove another point, I recently asked CITES/DEFRA [Bristol] about buying/importing a FLASK of seedlings. The reply came back as shown below:

You need to tell me what country is exporting them and what are the species involved.

What Country? From a true orchid buffs point of view, and bearing in mind that word CONSERVATION, why should it matter what Country? Of course if it were a Country from within the now infamous E.U. then of course no permit would be required. O.K. so it's no big deal, but why does CITES want to know? It is I guess all down to TRADE and 'Pennies in the coffers'.

Then the question is asked, 'What are the species involved'? Let us just say for the hell of it that no species are involved, that is, the plants in the flask are third generation hybrids. What then?

Last but not least, and a very important issue for CITES to chew over is this. If it is a flask that someone is hoping to buy, then us orchid buffs will know that almost certainly there are already thousands of them that have been propagated and readily available.

From: suzanne sadler
To: Orchid Talk list
Subject: mail
Date: Sat, 08 Oct 2005 18:35

I'm looking for some advice (again!). I have an Oncidium Rosy Sunset which is flowering for the first time (since I have had it). It has two sprays of flowers but as the stems grow out from the inside of the leaves they got kinked and bent up. Is this normal? As a result the flowers are quite low down on the plant but i get the impression i should be getting more height. The plant has had the benefit of growing outside until about a month a go and is otherwise healthy ,well watered and fed.

From: Roger Grier
To: Orchid Talk list
Subject: Suzy's Oncidium.
Date: Sun, 09 Oct 2005 11:20

What you describe about the flower spikes on your 'Oncid' is quite normal, not 'Natural', but quite normal among us orchid buffs.

I have it happen to some of my plants from the Genus, Oncidium, Odontoglossum, and similar types.

I guess it's because of the much crossing that has happened to produce these very nice plants.

The best way to prevent it is to hopefully notice the flower spike as soon as you can, then keep an aye on it, and if you think it is going to be impeded by the tight fold in the leaf then do what you think best. What I mean by this is, have a good look at your plant and decide what action to take. Maybe split the leaf, or ease a matchstick across the bottom of the leaf.........there are many ideas and systems that work. I am sure that you will do what you think best.

If you think of it in non orchid terms, I expect all of us know a family with many boys, and one of them always outgrows his clothes, especially the sleeves and trousers.

From: aeranthes
To: Orchid Talk list
Subject: kinked stems
Date: Sun, 09 Oct 2005 14:50

I've had orchids do this as well Suzy. Miltonias and some oncidiums seem prone to this. I have found that I need to watch carefully as the stem gets trapped inside leaves, by gently coaxing them out at an early stage it prevents them from becoming too deformed. Leave it just a bit too long and there is nothing you can do to improve matters. The problem is with a large number of orchids it is so easy to miss one or two before it's too late! Good luck with it anyway. Jean

From: Paul Johnson
To: Orchid Talk list
Subject: Coelogyne Dudley
Date: Sun, 09 Oct 2005 16:55

Per chance, might anyone on this list know the whereabouts of Capt.
Dudley Clayton, RAF engineer retired, of Coelogyne fame? I have been
unable, thus far, to locate either an e-mail or mollusc-slandering
regular mail address for him.

From: Geoffrey Hands
To: Orchid Talk list
Subject: Wildcatt orchids database.
Date: Sun, 09 Oct 2005 19:55

I have finally got this working ; it appeared that with a 64 bit system, my
printer drivers conflicted with Wildcatt somehow. But Epson gave me a new
driver, which when installed got me over that problem , and after some
difficiulty getting a clean installation, it now works like a dream - and is
very fast too.

From: Peter Fowler
To: Orchid Talk list
Subject: Re: Coelogyne Dudley
Date: Sun, 09 Oct 2005 22:20

All I know is that he is a member of The Wessex OS. They meet on the 2nd
Saturday of the month at Shawford Village Hall, just outside Winchester.
They have a web site but not sure of the address.

From: Jana Zommer
To: Orchid Talk list
Subject: Re: Marsh native orchids in UK
Date: Mon, 10 Oct 2005 00:50

Hi all,
can somebody tell what species grow in UK marshes?
Thanks in advance,
Jana

From: Roger Grier
To: Orchid Talk list
Subject: Orchids in U.K. marshes.
Date: Mon, 10 Oct 2005 09:55

Here is a list of the type of orchids that grow in our marshes, or bogs, or damp places.

Marsh Helleborine Epipactis palutris
Isle of Weight Helleborine Epipactis vectensis
Bog orchid Hammarbya paludosa
Early Marsh orchid Dactylorhiza latifolia
Broad leaved Marsh orchid Dactylorhiza praetermissa
Heath Spotted orchid Dactylorhiza praetermissa ssp. ericetorum

If I remember any more that I have seen, especially those that are not really expected to be seen in marshy ground, then I will let you know.

From: suzanne sadler
To: Orchid Talk list
Subject: Re: Suzy's Oncidium.
Date: Mon, 10 Oct 2005 14:10

Thanks for your suggestions, I will try them out next year. at least I know now that its 'normal' and will be better prepared for it. I'm just amazed that my orchids are flowering for me now. I must be doing something right.

From: Silvio a Beccara
To: Orchid Talk list
Subject: Re: Phalaenopsis: watering & narrow leaves
Date: Mon, 10 Oct 2005 15:10

thanks for your reply. As for my setup, I have two 36W bulbs (120 cm long)
over a surface of about 90x35 cm, one is a Grolux, the other one a daylight
spectrum (Osram biolux). As for the nutrients, I actually add 0.4 g/L
magnesium sulphate and calcium nitrate every few waterings, to compensate for
the lack of magnesium and calcium. All the other nutrients should be in the
fertiliser. I avoid tap water because of the chlorine: what do the experts
think about that? My tap water is about 17 French grades hard.

As for leaves getting darker, this is usually a sign that the light the plants
are getting is too dim: how big a surface do your tubes cover?

From: Maria Golberg
To: Orchid Talk list
Subject: Training phal spikes
Date: Mon, 10 Oct 2005 16:30

From: Roger Grier
To: Orchid Talk list
Subject: New growths.
Date: Mon, 10 Oct 2005 18:10

I listened to the 'Plonkers' on the Television the other evening. A message from the so called 'Long Range Weather Forecaster's. They were trying to panic everyone by saying that this coming Winter would be very severe.

In my National Service days, I was in the Royal Artillery, often called the 'Long Range Snipers', and I have something to say about this coming Winter.

One of my reasons is because I look at nature, and, the number of new growths that are spurting up from my orchids. I don't think I have seen so much new growth for years.

What a beautiful day we have had, buzzards circling overhead..........it is early JULY is it not?

From: Jana Zommer
To: Orchid Talk list
Subject: Re: [OrchidTalk] Orchids in U.K. marshes.
Date: Mon, 10 Oct 2005 22:20

From: jan
To: Orchid Talk list
Subject: Re: [OrchidTalk] New growths.
Date: Tue, 11 Oct 2005 05:25

Roger Grier wrote:
> I listened to the 'Plonkers' on the Television the other evening. A message from the so called 'Long Range Weather Forecaster's. They were trying to panic everyone by saying that this coming Winter would be very severe.
>
When you do this kind calculations there's always a ceratin 'insecurity'
(I don't remember the correct word) built in, and when it comes to
weather it gets very big for long forecasts. I reminds me about when I
had an astronomy course at university - some of the 'measured' distances
actually said somethjing like '1 million lightyears +/- 150%', which
means that the observed galaxy could have been anywhere either in front
of the observer or possible behind him as well. I don't know how that
came about, but it tells you something about precision, doesn't it?

From: Geoffrey Hands
To: Orchid Talk list
Subject: Re: [OrchidTalk] Training phal spikes
Date: Tue, 11 Oct 2005 09:00

From: Geoffrey Hands
To: Orchid Talk list
Subject: Re: [OrchidTalk] Re: New growths.
Date: Tue, 11 Oct 2005 09:10

No , don't be unfair to the forecasters - they are certain to stand a 50%
chance of being right about most things - just as you can by tossing a coin
and calling heads or tails.

From: Roger Grier
To: Orchid Talk list
Subject: Non orchid.
Date: Tue, 11 Oct 2005 09:15

Service announcement line number is: 08000 524 329. Use this number to check about E-mail service being down.

From: Roger Grier
To: Orchid Talk list
Subject: Training Phally spikes.
Date: Tue, 11 Oct 2005 09:30

My advice is easy..........don't train them. I never do, I just let them do as nature intended. My Doritaenopsis and its crosses normally stand bolt upright, while the Phallys and their crosses do their own thing.

If you want to train them, then wait until they are supple/pliable enough so that there is some give in the spike, because they snap off very easily.

I expect you will receive better information from our members who do stake their Phally spikes.

From: aeranthes
To: Orchid Talk list
Subject: Phals
Date: Tue, 11 Oct 2005 09:50

Maria I think it's important to stake them early on and be very gentle. I've managed to snap a few spikes by staking them too late. I'd secure them to the height you want the straight stem to reach and then let them do their own thing. I have a friend who never stakes her Phal spikes as she likes to see them branch to the side. I'm always afraid that they will snap under the weight of the flowers. Jean

From: Ron Bower
To: Orchid Talk list
Subject: Re: [OrchidTalk] Training phal spikes
Date: Tue, 11 Oct 2005 10:35

From: Ron Bower
To: Orchid Talk list
Subject: Re: [OrchidTalk] Training phal spikes
Date: Tue, 11 Oct 2005 11:50

Maria,
I do apologise for my reply to you, it was rather curt and ungentle many. In mitigation, I had just had a telephone session with some clown at British Gas.
One of my masters at my school use to say, "There are 3 things that cannot be taken back, Time, the sped shaft and the spoken word." Had he been teaching me now he could have added, the sent Email. As soon as I touched the button I realised that it seemed not the nicest way to advise you, so I hope you forgive me. I also I see did not sign it.However my advice to your query is still the same, I and most, if not all Phal growers fasten them to some sort of stick.

Should any one not familiar with British history, the Sped Shaft refers to the Arrows fired by the English Long Bowmen in battle or at any other time I suppose.
Good luck with Phals.
Ronbow.

From: Geoffrey Hands
To: Orchid Talk list
Subject: Re: [OrchidTalk] Re: New growths.
Date: Tue, 11 Oct 2005 16:20

More seriously, since I was aked about this, only today ; it is now (?)
known (?) that hard winters are associated with a particular location for
the path of the Gulf Stream - which wanders about , from year-to-year. In
fact a lot of our weather patterns are so associated. And in fact , the
position now is the same as it was in the last hard winter year. So there
probably is a much higher than 50% chance that they are correct.

Batten down the hatches, buy a spare wick for your paraffin stove, and make
sure your matches are not damp....

Roger Grier wrote:
> > I listened to the 'Plonkers' on the Television the other evening. A
> message from the so called 'Long Range Weather Forecaster's. They were
> trying to panic everyone by saying that this coming Winter would be very
> severe.

From: Jon Loose
To: Orchid Talk list
Subject: Re: [OrchidTalk] Non orchid.
Date: Tue, 11 Oct 2005 17:50

Service announcement line number is: 08000 524 329. Use this number to
check about E-mail service being down.

From: Ron Bower
To: Orchid Talk list
Subject: Re: [OrchidTalk] Non orchid.
Date: Tue, 11 Oct 2005 19:20

Hi Rocky, I don't know what you mean by 'works all the time' as I don't use Virgin, but if I did I would avoid calling that number as it is one that you, the caller pays at least 2.8 pence per minute for and which those in power are soon to put a stop to. 0800 numbers are generally slow to answer, have you the caller pressing a series of numbers 1,2,3, ect and then 'all our assistants are busy ect, please wait,' a nice little earner they are, better than CITES, more people use them and you, if it's your number, get the dosh!
Ronbow.

From: dennis READ
To: Orchid Talk list
Subject: Orchid Show
Date: Tue, 11 Oct 2005 19:45

In England we have, in my opinion, five major Orchid Shows. We have the RHS in March, Newbury in June (now finished), BOGA in July and the North of England alternating with Devon in October. It is now the turn of Devon to host the Week-End.
The Devon Orchid Society Week-End is being held at Dawlish on 29th and 30th October at the Langstone cliff Hotel.
As well as Orchid Society stands the Traders present will be Burnham Nurseries, Janet Plested, Laurence Hobbs, Malcolm Perry, Ratcliffe Orchids, Tropische Orchideen and Wubben.
For those who went to Newbury, Tropische Orchideen is the trader that swept the board with Botanical Certificated at the Newbury Show and this is his second venture into England.
This is a freindly show with easy parking and well worth supporting to ensure the West of England keeps a Major show.
Regards to all.

From: P G Hieke
To: Orchid Talk list
Subject: Phalaenopsis: narrow leaves
Date: Wed, 12 Oct 2005 08:30

Hi Silvio,
I think the narrow leaves is a fertilizer problem. Light should not be a problem
as Phals need only 9000 to 12500 Lux or 800 - 1200 fc.
However, as they have no bulbs to store anything they need fertilizer every week
at a rate of about 1 g per litre of water. Your feeding of 20-20-20 is not
enough
as you are using distilled water. You have to add micronutrients which are not
in
20-20-20, furthermore for good leaf growth the plants need more nitrogen.
I recommend that you should alternate between 30-10-10, 20-20-20 and
Hydroponic Nutrient Powder which contains all the micronutrients which the
plants need. In one week give your plants one half teaspoon of 30-10-10 plus
one half teaspoon of Hydroponic Nutrient Powder for 10 litres of water, the
following week use 20-20-20 and Hydroponic Nutrient Powder you can also
add a teaspoon of liquid Seaweed or Seagrow. For the winter period discontinue
the 30-10-10 and replace it with something like 10-50-10 or as close as
possible.
This helps to grow more and bigger flowers. In spring you change back to
30-10-10.
This should give you healthy plants with big leaves and big flowers.
Any more questions? Just ask.
Kind regards
Peter from Bloubergstrand

From: jan
To: Orchid Talk list
Subject: Re: [OrchidTalk] Phalaenopsis: narrow leaves
Date: Thu, 13 Oct 2005 06:15

You certainly seem to know something about this. I have been wanting to
learn more about orchids' needs for nutrients, but I 'm not sure where
to begin. Are there any good books or other materials you'd recommend?

I suppose I could just go and buy 'Orchid fertillizer' from the garden
centre, but that would mean I still don't know what I'm doing, really,
and I would very much like to have real insight into this.

From: Roger Grier
To: Orchid Talk list
Subject: Phallys and light.
Date: Thu, 13 Oct 2005 20:40

Hi Peter, Rocky here, and I now know that we have a mutual freund, Rudolph von Coburg. But more of that later when I E-mail you direct.

Peter, your remarks about the light for Phalaenopsis..........9000 to 125000 Lux, or 800 - 1200 fc.

Being an old 'New Forest' yokel with no intelligence whatsoever, ha, ha, these figures that you quote mean nothing to me. For the newcomer to orchid growing, could you please tell them in another way the best sort of light/shade for growing Phallys.

I like your information regarding the fertiliser for Phallys. Then I looked up the fertiliser figures for 'Horse Manure' again.

I must admit that a 'Foliage House Plant' that I have fed with liquid horse manure has green up the leaves and it looks much better.

From: jan
To: Orchid Talk list
Subject: Moving to China, CITES etc
Date: Fri, 14 Oct 2005 06:15

I will be moving to China within the next year or so, if all goes to
plan, and I have come to realise that much as I hate it, I will have to
get rid of all (or most of) my plants, though I still hope I may be able
to bring some of the smallest orchids.

1. Will it be acceptable to the list if I advertise my plants for sale
on the list? I am not willing to sell them off to people who have no
clue about growing orchids - if I can't sell them to orchid growers I
will give them Kew or something.

2. There has been a lot of talk about CITES in respect to importing to
UK; but how about exporting? And has anybody on the list had experience
with importing to China? Unfortunately I'm not too fluent in Chinese,
and my wife (who is Chinese) is not too fluent in Orchids ;-) so we have
a bit of a problem finding out about this.

From: Tricia Garner
To: Orchid Talk list
Subject: Re: Moving to China, CITES etc
Date: Fri, 14 Oct 2005 08:50

Jan, you are welcome to advertise your plants to other members of the list.
As far as CITES in respect of importing to China, I have no idea. You may
need phytosanitary (spelling?) certificates though.

From: Beccy Holmes
To: Orchid Talk list
Subject: Re: [OrchidTalk] Re: Non orchid.
Date: Fri, 14 Oct 2005 10:40

In fact, the BT site talks about Freefone 0800 & 0808 numbers. Surely they
couldn't name something Freefone when it isn't?

From: suzanne sadler
To: Orchid Talk list
Subject: Re: [OrchidTalk] Moving to China, CITES etc
Date: Fri, 14 Oct 2005 10:55

From: Geoffrey Hands
To: Orchid Talk list
Subject: Re: [OrchidTalk] RE:London Show 2006
Date: Fri, 14 Oct 2005 11:10

Joyce and I were minded to take up your kind invitation .
However, J wants to see "Billy Elliott" ( the musical ) and I wonder of we
could invite you and Betty to accompany us - assuming I can get decent
tickets - on the Friday evening ?
My game plan would then be - Theatre on Friday , Show on Saturday , Dinner
with you and Betty on Saturday evening , and maybe/maybe not visit the Show
again on Sunday before returning home on a morning or noon train .

Thanks, Geoff. Then I shall plan to go on the Saturday and stay over until
the Sunday at the Oxford and Cambridge Club in Pall Mall. If you or any
'List' members would like to join me for Dinner there on the Saturday
evening, let me know.

From: Andy Mckeown
To: Orchid Talk list
Subject: Re: [OrchidTalk] Moving to China, CITES etc
Date: Fri, 14 Oct 2005 12:50

The Cites regulations refer to movement across international borders so it
doesn't make any difference which direction. The Defra form for import and
export is the same with just a box to tick requesting either an import or
export permit. Doubtless your application will be treated with the same
amount of foot-dragging and inefficiency as an import application. After
all if it wasn't so time consuming and "difficult" we might not need quite
so many civil servants!

From: Beccy Holmes
To: Orchid Talk list
Subject: Re: [OrchidTalk] RE:London Show 2006
Date: Fri, 14 Oct 2005 18:00

That's a lovely surprise invitation, Geoff, thank you! Do you think the
theatres will take a block booking for all of orchid-talk? Sounds great!!
;~)

From: James H
To: Orchid Talk list
Subject: [OrchidTalk] Re: Moving to China, CITES etc
Date: Fri, 14 Oct 2005 18:10

hi, i may be interested in some of your orchids,
where do you currently live?
James

From: aeranthes
To: Orchid Talk list
Subject: plants
Date: Fri, 14 Oct 2005 18:35

Jan, members offer plants for sale here from time to time and I think we are all keen to see what's on offer so as soon as you are ready - let's see the list please - Jean

From: Ronald Newstead
To: Orchid Talk list
Subject: Re: [OrchidTalk] RE:London Show 2006
Date: Fri, 14 Oct 2005 23:30

Great idea, Geoff. Count us in for the theatre and we'll start the count for
dinner!

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January	1-7	8-14	15-21	22-31	February	1-7	8-14	15-21	22-28
March	1-7	8-14	15-21	22-31	April	1-7	8-14	15-21	22-30
May	1-7	8-14	15-21	22-31	June	1-7	8-14	15-21	22-30
July	1-7	8-14	15-21	22-31	August	1-7	8-14	15-21	22-31
September	1-7	8-14	15-21	22-30	October	1-7	8-14	15-21	22-31
November	1-7	8-14	15-21	22-30	December	1-7	8-14	15-21	22-31

2005 Archived Messages

October 8—14