2006 mailing list messages

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From: Geoffrey Hands
To: Orchid Talk list
Subject: some pictures and a Post Script
Date: Thu, 23 Mar 2006 08:55

I have done well with Eulophia guinensis this year − must like the extra
heat it is receiving. What seemed to be a pot of back bulbs with few
growths, after its rest − when if course it lost all its leaves, now has 4
good growths and the best spike I have ever seen. Two pictures attached.

PS I was at a meeting of the Isle of Wight OS the other night , telling
them about hydroponics and hydroculture, and there was some chat about a
Show − maybe a County Show ( of the agricltural and etc. type ) but with an
orchid tent , lasting for 3 days ? maybe as some kind of Newbury substitute
- and at Portsmouth/Southsea ? Does anyone have the dates or details ? Early
August I think ?

From: Tricia Garner
To: Orchid Talk list
Subject: Re: some pictures and a Post Script
Date: Thu, 23 Mar 2006 09:25

On 23 Mar, in article ,
Geoffrey Hands wrote:
> PS I was at a meeting of the Isle of Wight OS the other night , telling
> them about hydroponics and hydroculture, and there was some chat about a
> Show − maybe a County Show ( of the agricltural and etc. type ) but with
> an orchid tent , lasting for 3 days ? maybe as some kind of Newbury
> substitute − and at Portsmouth/Southsea ? Does anyone have the dates or
> details ? Early August I think ?

It's the usual Portsmouth and Southsea annual show on Southsea Common, 4, 5
and 6 August. Wessex OS exhibited in the floral marquee there last year and
have been invited again this year. There is talk of trying to get more
orchid exhibitors involved and one rather excited person was talking about
it being a Newbury substitute. They seem to have calmed down a bit now.
Invitations were supposed to be going to other Societies, but I haven't
seen anything yet.

From: Roger Grier
To: Orchid Talk list
Subject: How to grow a very good Cymbidium.
Date: Thu, 23 Mar 2006 18:50

Several years ago, an old school friend of mine asked for some assistance on how to look after his one and only orchid.

So I obliged and gave him some information. Told him to leave it where it was..........perched on top of his five foot tall freezer, in his little conservatory. The only heat that this area gets is from the freezer, and a small radiator. I guess that the temperature in the winter drops to somewhere in the mid forties at the lowest.

Couple of years ago I suggested to drop it into a larger pot..........don't for Christ's sake split it. The plastic pot that it is in now must be sixteen inches across the top.

And that's it. Sure does work, but then this may be one of those plants that is a bit special.

Ah yes, the name. Terry found a label at one time and is sure that it is: Cymbidium Thurso. Can any of you verify this name please.

From: Gordon Walker
To: Orchid Talk list
Subject: Plant query
Date: Fri, 24 Mar 2006 08:35

Does anyone know where I can get Cynoches plants from a EU nursery (including UK)?
Gordon.

From: Silvio a Beccara
To: Orchid Talk list
Subject: Re: [OrchidTalk] How to grow a very good Cymbidium.
Date: Fri, 24 Mar 2006 09:15

the plants you showed us are phenomenal − and they seem pretty easy to look
after, too... I think I will give it a try.
Thanks!

From: Tricia Garner
To: Orchid Talk list
Subject: Cymbidium Thurso
Date: Fri, 24 Mar 2006 09:35

Rocky, What a magnificent plant! Just goes to show that if the conditions
are right for a particular plant it can flourish without the need for a lot
of angst about feed, etc.

With regard to the name, I went to http://www.orchid-talk.co.uk/links.html
clicked on 'Grex Name Search' in the 'Royal Horticultural Society Orchid
Register Search' entry in the Miscellaneous section and found the following:

Cymbidium Thurso:-
Seed parent: C. York Meredith
Pollen Parent: C. Miretta
Registered: 1/1/1980

From: aeranthes2
To: Orchid Talk list
Subject: cynoches
Date: Fri, 24 Mar 2006 09:45

I apologise if this email is delivered twice! I sent it first time under
Jean Lewis but
am registered as aeranthes so it may not get through.
Gordon the Italian Nursery does sell them but appears to have only one type
in stock at the moment. It's worth keeping an eye on that particular page
though as the list will change from time to time. Others are listed but out
of stock at the moment. We took a delivery of 24 superb orchids from the
yesterday for our local members and we are delighted with the price, quality
and service. It would work out cheaper than buying in this country but more
expensive if you are buying just one plant for one person as there are bank
charges and delivery charges. − Jean The first url is the site itself, the
second the cynoches list:

From: Janet Fabricant
To: Orchid Talk list
Subject: Re: [OrchidTalk] Cymbidium Thurso
Date: Fri, 24 Mar 2006 13:20

Hi Rocky,
Your plant is just fantastic. We can't grow most cyms here in Southeastern
Florida. Much too hot.
Wirey hugs and love and xxx and licks from Janet, Bobby and Asta

From: aeranthes2
To: Orchid Talk list
Subject: cymbid
Date: Fri, 24 Mar 2006 15:50

Wow Rocky! That is one spendid Cymbidium! I think I should print out the
photo and take it around to each of mine to show them what they can do if
they try!lol
Jean

From: Ron Bower
To: Orchid Talk list
Subject: Re: [OrchidTalk] Plant query
Date: Fri, 24 Mar 2006 15:55

Tricia, This message shows an attachment, but I don't see it,. There was also one a few days ago and there has been others. Is the problem at my end do you think. Ronbow.
----- Original Message -----
From: Gordon Walker
To: Orchid Talk list
Sent: Friday, March 24, 2006 8:38 AM
Subject: [OrchidTalk] Plant query

Does anyone know where I can get Cynoches plants from a EU nursery (including UK)?
Gordon.

No virus found in this outgoing message.
Checked by AVG Free Edition.
Version: 7.1.385 / Virus Database: 268.3.0/290 − Release Date: 03/23/2006

From: Geoffrey Hands
To: Orchid Talk list
Subject: Just tap water -- and water softners
Date: Fri, 24 Mar 2006 16:05

It all depends on your tap water. I can do it ( keep plants growing happily
on water out of the tap , no additions, no substractions ) here near
Bournemouth , although its quite hard, and leaves scale on the leaves if
they get wet frequently.
I could do it in the Cotswolds too − also hard water,but did not leave any
scale on the leaves − different sort of hardness
I couldn't do it in Worcestershire − deep borehole water contaminated with
agricultural fertiliser run-off − killed plants fast ( at least when I also
added more fertiliser − and when I discovered that I did no experiments,
just swapped to RO water .
I couldn't do it in Brum − very soft water − hardly any mineral content at
all ! Or at least not with modern low nutrient composts. With osmunda &
sphagnum it worked a treat − with nothing added, but that is a high nutrient
compost.

On a slightly different tack , I have just bought, not yet installed, a
water softener − usual salt ion-exchange type. This swaps Ca and Mg salts
for Na ones − not sodium chloride − it is MgCl and CaCl ( don't know the
valency − I'm not really a chemist ) which will be washed away when the ion
bed is regenerated..
I'm going to try using it − the softened water − for foliar feed etc , and
also experimentally , with just Calcium nitrate or Mag sulphate added (
alternately) as ordinary watering water, on half a dozen orchids to see if
they can survive. If so , it may be my answer for the water demands of my
humidifier, without having to spend my life cleaning scale off leaves, or
alternatively using all my precious rain just for that purpose.

From: Geoffrey Hands
To: Orchid Talk list
Subject: Re: [OrchidTalk] Plant query − cynoches
Date: Fri, 24 Mar 2006 16:10

There were some at the London show, but I think it was a South American
nursery . May be worth asking them for their next visit. I'll try and have a
look at a label on one I bought, on my next greenhouse visit.

From: Roger Grier
To: Orchid Talk list
Subject: Cycnoches.
Date: Fri, 24 Mar 2006 18:40

From: Rudolf Günnel
To: Orchid Talk list
Subject: Re: [OrchidTalk] Plant query
Date: Fri, 24 Mar 2006 20:25

The German nursery ROELLKE ORCHIDEEN www.roellke-orchideen.de offers
the genus Cycnoches, species as well as hybrids.
species − Cycnoches chlorochilon and C. peruvianum
hybrids − Cycnoches Jumbo Phoenix and C. Wine Delight.
They do shipping in all EU-countries (no CITES necessary) and on their
web site you can switch to English, too.

From: Tricia Garner
To: Orchid Talk list
Subject: Re: [OrchidTalk] Plant query
Date: Fri, 24 Mar 2006 23:10

On 24 Mar Ron Bower wrote:
> Tricia, This message shows an attachment, but I don't see it,. There was
> also one a few days ago and there has been others. Is the problem at my
> end do you think. Ronbow.

| ----- Original Message -----
| From: Gordon Walker
| To: Orchid Talk list
| Sent: Friday, March 24, 2006 8:38 AM
| Subject: [OrchidTalk] Plant query

| Does anyone know where I can get Cynoches plants from a EU nursery
| (including UK)? Gordon.

| No virus found in this outgoing message.
| Checked by AVG Free Edition.
| Version: 7.1.385 / Virus Database: 268.3.0/290 − Release Date: 03/23/2006

Ron, the attachment was a text file containing the above text about 'No
virus found in this outgoing message'. Your email reader appears to have
included it in the body of the message but not removed reference to it as
an attachment. I suspect this has happened with similar messages. Not
really a problem, just a question of interpretation :-)

From: Gordon Walker
To: Orchid Talk list
Subject: Cycnoches
Date: Sat, 25 Mar 2006 07:55

Many thanks to Rudolf, Roger, Geoffrey, Ron, and Jean for the information on where to get the plant. I wonder why no UK nurseries stock the plant with such a "room filling" scent of spicy pineapple.
Gordon.

From: Roger Grier
To: Orchid Talk list
Subject: Attachments.
Date: Sat, 25 Mar 2006 12:45

Ronbow stated that although he could see the icon for an attachment..........always shown as a 'paperclip', there was in fact no attachment.

Now I have noticed this for several years now and have just shrugged my shoulders and turned a blind eye to it, but, as Ron has bought up this subject, I wonder how many more of us have noticed this fact.

From: JIM MATEOSKY
To: Orchid Talk list
Subject: Trick to get cymbidiums to bloom?
Date: Sat, 25 Mar 2006 14:15

I have an intemidiate temperature location coldest night 11C hotest day 27C. I have several cymbidiums that are growing nicely but will not bloom for me.

Any words of wisdom (or perhaps just words to a struggling fool? ;-) ) to induce flowering?

From: MARK GRIFFITHS
To: Orchid Talk list
Subject: Labelling pen Staedtler Pancolor
Date: Sat, 25 Mar 2006 15:30

Hi, after having a number of disasters with "permanent" labelling pens from Garden centres that the ink washes off if they get wet, the sun shines or a car passes, I've come to the conclusion that the one that works is Staedtler Pancolor, doing a google on this seems to confirm this though other Staedtlers seem suspect.

before this starts to sound even more like one of those marketing spams..my question is, does anyone know of a UK chain that has these? Google confirmed they work but failed to find a supplier.

From: Geoffrey Hands
To: Orchid Talk list
Subject: Cynoches
Date: Sat, 25 Mar 2006 17:20

I looked at the one I bought at the London SDhow and recalled that it came
from the Taiwan nursery selling all those cattleyas in flower − Joseph Wu ?
Geoff

From: Geoffrey Hands
To: Orchid Talk list
Subject: Re: [OrchidTalk] Attachments.
Date: Sat, 25 Mar 2006 17:30

I think it is a matter of the settings in your browser or your ISP. They
may forbid attachments , and the paperclip symbol is not viewed as an
attachment, but the actual file is.

From: Geoffrey Hands
To: Orchid Talk list
Subject: Staedlter pens
Date: Sat, 25 Mar 2006 17:30

I don't know where you are Mark , but if you have access to a really good
artists supply shop − preferably one selling to engineering draughtsmen,as
well you will find that they stock every version in the Staedtler catalogue
; I know of a couple of such shops in Birmingham − where I used to buy my
artists supplies when I dabbled in that area, and where my firm's
draughtsman used to buy his supplies too − and on one occasion I got them to
order some pens for me to a specification of fine line/black/not water
soluble/not fading in sunlight , and otherwise pretty permanent. Some of
the Pilot pens meet this − and I think they do them in Xylene free or not ,
and I think it is the Xylene free version which makes them non-fading − but
they can tell you from the catalogue, once you have found the right shop.

From: denis king
To: Orchid Talk list
Subject: Re: [OrchidTalk] Labelling pen Staedtler Pancolor
Date: Sat, 25 Mar 2006 18:05

Try The Essentials Company www.TheEssentalsCompany.co.uk 01473 737567
Mon-Fri 9.30-5pm page 11 2006 catalogue..
good luck
Denis

From: Roger Grier
To: Orchid Talk list
Subject: Get Cymbidiums to bloom.
Date: Sat, 25 Mar 2006 18:20

After I saw my friends lovely Cymbidium with those seventeen flower spikes, and hearing that he never fed it, but just used rain water, I thought that maybe we give some of our plants too much tender loving care.

Just this afternoon I have returned from a friend who has two greenhouses in her garden. Because her husband is not well, and that she was constantly visiting him in hospital every day for many weeks her orchids did suffer a little from not being attended to every day.

Her husband is now at home and somewhat better, so the lady will now be able to pay more attention to her plants.

The point is that her Cymbidiums are flowering like hell. Most have many spikes. They all look very dry, and the temperature did not drop that low as she has electric heaters. In her other greenhouse she keeps Cycnoches/Phalaenopsis etc. They are all flowering or are in bud. They do not look very special, and all are very dry, but they are doing very well.

So, maybe you might try ignoring your Cymbidiums this coming season and see if the shock does them any good.

From: MARK GRIFFITHS
To: Orchid Talk list
Subject: Re: [OrchidTalk] Staedlter pens
Date: Sat, 25 Mar 2006 18:45

Hi, I'm now just outside Oxford so there is at least one here. I wonder where I got the original? It must have been included with some labels but now they are just rubbish..I have seed put in October and the ink has already faded..and this is in a greenhouse and the pots have been kept dry!

Geoffrey Hands wrote:
I don't know where you are Mark , but if you have access to a really good artists supply shop − preferably one selling to engineering draughtsmen,as well you will find that they stock every version in the Staedtler catalogue

From: Ron Bower
To: Orchid Talk list
Subject: Re: [OrchidTalk] Labelling pen Staedtler Pancolor
Date: Sat, 25 Mar 2006 21:30

Mark, Can't help with the Staedtler pens and you are so right re the garden centre pens. However I have for many years used the grey metal type labels and on which I write with ordinary lead pencil and have some that have lasted for years, outdoors and in. I also find that the textured white plastic type, also written with pencil wear well. I have some that have been in my orchids,indoors for 4-5 years and are still OK. For our UK list growers, Ray Creek advertises a "Permanent Marker Pen" Maybe it is, He appears a genuine type

From: Ron Bower
To: Orchid Talk list
Subject: Re: [OrchidTalk] Attachments.
Date: Sat, 25 Mar 2006 21:35

Yes, could be, but which setting do you alter? I can't find one that seems relevant. Ronbow

I think it is a matter of the settings in your browser or your ISP. They may forbid attachments , and the paperclip symbol is not viewed as an attachment, but the actual file is.

From: Ron Bower
To: Orchid Talk list
Subject: Re: [OrchidTalk] How to grow a very good Cymbidium.
Date: Sat, 25 Mar 2006 21:45

Hi Rocky, Great, super plant, wish it were mine. Several years, H'm. I,ve got the plants, the fridge and plenty of tap water, but several years, is a bit iffy I think. Cheers, Ronbow.

From: mojca klancic
To: Orchid Talk list
Subject: Re: [OrchidTalk] Staedlter pens
Date: Sun, 26 Mar 2006 07:05

some time ago there was some talking about the subject on the list. It caught my attention most of all because we have a perennial plant nursery and have to relabel all our plants every year. It takes two days to do so. Well, I wrote to the TheEssentialsCompany from the UK, here is the answer I've got:
Dear Mojca,

Our Sakura or Artline black paint markers are the most permanent they will last at least 6 years outside.

After trying the pens I have to say, that it takes some more time for the ink to dry, but if it really lasts 6 years, it is more than worth,

From: dennis READ
To: Orchid Talk list
Subject: Dend. nobile type
Date: Sun, 26 Mar 2006 11:30

A while ago there was talk about D. nobile type hybrids by Yamamoto. Here are two pictures of my D. Yukimusume. It is over a metre high from top of pot, has twelve flowering stems each with about twenty five flowers or buds. Alas, it is now to large to transport to shows so it is of to a nursery
Regards

From: Roger Grier
To: Orchid Talk list
Subject: Name that plant ?
Date: Sun, 26 Mar 2006 11:50

Last year I was looking around a local Garden Centre when I espied a group of Cattleyas, and the colour was rather unusual..........so was the price of course. So I tried my luck and visited the Garden Centre a couple of weeks later. Could not see any of them and thought that they must surely have been sold. Then I saw the four or five plants, minus the blooms of course that had died off, and they were sitting in a wheelbarrow with a few other orchids.

From: Roger Grier
To: Orchid Talk list
Subject: Jim's Cymbidiums.
Date: Sun, 26 Mar 2006 13:30

Australia is famed for its hybridisation of Cymbidiums, and you sure do raise some fine examples, so, maybe some of you could speak up and offer Jim [residing in Costa Rica] some advice on the flowering of his Cymbids in a temperature that only drops to about 50 digress Fahrenheit.

From: Roger Grier
To: Orchid Talk list
Subject: Name that plant.
Date: Sun, 26 Mar 2006 16:00

You may well remember a plant that I swapped with Andy McKeown named Cattleya Nellie Roberts x Charlotte Goddard..........not quite sure which name should be first.

Having had a closer look at the flowers that are out at the moment, three of them, I decided to attach two more photos for you all to look at.

In particular, please look at the lip. The name escapes me at the moment, but I feel that I have seen this shape before, but can't quite remember much about it. Is it perhaps a cross with another Genus. Laelia, Epidendrum, or maybe another Genus.

From: Andy Mckeown
To: Orchid Talk list
Subject: Re: [OrchidTalk] Name that plant.
Date: Sun, 26 Mar 2006 17:45

My plant of this is still in flower − the first one opened on Feb 7th! And have you noticed it's got a rather nice perfume?

and the parentage of Charlotte Gottard is C velutina X aurantiaca − reg 1973 by Walbrunn

I don't know who made the cross which appears not to have been registered but a fine plant whatever

You may well remember a plant that I swapped with Andy McKeown named Cattleya Nellie Roberts x Charlotte Goddard..........not quite sure which name should be first.

From: Geoffrey Hands
To: Orchid Talk list
Subject: Re: [OrchidTalk] Jim's Cymbidiums.
Date: Mon, 27 Mar 2006 06:20

"Only" 50 degrees F ? Surely that is quite low enough for Cymbidiums ?
However, it is not a case of 50 at any time of the year ( which is critical)
but it is in the months when flower buds are initiated that temperature is
particularly critical.
When I had a purely cymbidium house I tried to maintain at least 52 if not
55 at night as the minimum , and I had no difficulty in getting flowering.

> Hi to all of our members 'Down under'.
>
> A sudden thought hit me..........ouch!
>
> Australia is famed for its hybridisation of Cymbidiums, and you sure do
> raise some fine examples, so, maybe some of you could speak up and offer Jim
> [residing in Costa Rica] some advice on the flowering of his Cymbids in a
> temperature that only drops to about 50 digress Fahrenheit.

From: Ron Newstead
To: Orchid Talk list
Subject: Re: [OrchidTalk] Re: Details for Ronbow.
Date: Mon, 27 Mar 2006 13:25

If Ronbow has not yet made his decision he may be interested to know that I
am having a new greenhouse built in Bath in order to transfer my orchids
from Portugal when I move from there later this year.

The automatic humidification system that I have decided to order is from
Simply Control and the business end of the system is 2 plume spray nozzles.

> 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: Andy Mckeown
To: Orchid Talk list
Subject: Re: [OrchidTalk] Difficult plants.
Date: Mon, 27 Mar 2006 13:55

I wonder why you've had no take-up on this? The only one that I have had little luck with − or that I cared about- is Cattleya bicolor. So far I have two plants from different sources and they just sit there and every year throw up a fairly insignificant bulb and no flowers.

Following on from the very welcome words from Jean and Mike, I thought that it would be very nice indeed to share our knowledge and misfortunes.

How about telling of plants that have never done well in their respective owners conditions.

I have purchased two, or is it now three plants of Eriopsis biloba. It took a long time to kill them.......... stop laughing, but I have failed with all of them..........but why?

Perhaps our club can start a new section, telling of the plants that we individuals have great problems with, because, I am sure that, as within gardening members, we will all be too aware of the fact that what does not do any good whatsoever with one person, flourishes with another.

From: Andy Mckeown
To: Orchid Talk list
Subject: Re: [OrchidTalk] some pictures and a Post Script
Date: Mon, 27 Mar 2006 13:55

>I have done well with Eulophia guinensis this year − must like the extra
> heat it is receiving. What seemed to be a pot of back bulbs with few
> growths, after its rest − when if course it lost all its leaves, now has 4
> good growths and the best spike I have ever seen. Two pictures attached.

From: Andy Mckeown
To: Orchid Talk list
Subject: Re: [OrchidTalk] Dend. nobile type
Date: Mon, 27 Mar 2006 13:55

Awhile ago there was talk about D. nobile type hybrids by Yamamoto. Here are two pictures of my D. Yukimusume. It is over a metre high from top of pot, has twelve flowering stems each with about twenty five flowers or buds. Alas, it is now to large to transport to shows so it is of to a nursery
Regards

From: Andy Mckeown
To: Orchid Talk list
Subject: Re: [OrchidTalk] Name that plant ?
Date: Mon, 27 Mar 2006 14:05

Could be lots of different ones but it looks like it has Orange Nugget in its background somewhere. Attached is my plant of BLC Fuchs Orange Nugget which looks similar. Or see BLC Orange Nugget X Viola Sanjume at http://www.nardottoecapello.it/dispimage.asp?folder=3&pn=2&di=none&ss=ALL+IMAGES&an=70 I wish I had a garden centre like that locally!

Last year I was looking around a local Garden Centre when I espied a group of Cattleyas, and the colour was rather unusual...

From: Andy Mckeown
To: Orchid Talk list
Subject: Bletilla
Date: Mon, 27 Mar 2006 14:45

I've just acquired a few of these and I will grow them in a pot − warm sheltered spots being few and far between her up on top of the Mendips. What potting media to use and any other pointers for successful cultivation would be great

From: Roger Grier
To: Orchid Talk list
Subject: Name that plant.
Date: Mon, 27 Mar 2006 15:10

Many thanks to those of you who gave me the parentage of my Cattleya, 'Nellie Roberts x Charlotte Goddard'.

It was when I was writing the information down that I 'saw' where the lip came from..........aurantiaca.

From: dennis READ
To: Orchid Talk list
Subject: Re: [OrchidTalk] Bletilla
Date: Mon, 27 Mar 2006 17:30

Andy, I grew mine in John Innes NO. 3. Only divide them '' in the green''. That is when they are growing. Regards

From: dennis READ
To: Orchid Talk list
Subject: D. nobile type
Date: Mon, 27 Mar 2006 17:35

Thankyou for your comments Andy. The reason it was off to the nursery was its size − 1.5 mtrs from bottom of pot to top made it impossible to transport without damage and I had grown it from a seedling over the past 10 yrs. Regards

From: Geoffrey Hands
To: Orchid Talk list
Subject: Re: [OrchidTalk] Difficult plants.
Date: Mon, 27 Mar 2006 19:30

I have just repotted some plantlets of C.bicolor , from a flask from
Writhlington School . I was impressed by the roots − much bigger than the
plants − maybe 3 roots 5 or 6 inches long and quite thick , but the plants
now have 3 or 4 bulbs/canes, the best the size of a matchstick − I put them
in a mixture of fine bark, small foam pieces and perlite − and I guess they
have been in that for almost a year ( since deflasking last Spring ). I have
now put two of the planlets in Perlite and hydroculture, and given the
others individual 3 inch pots of the same bark/foam/Perlite mix. Of course ,
they are some years off flowering , and the other day I did make the
resolution that I would not buy any more flasks , in view of my age − but I
expect that resolution will be broken at the next occasion of
temptation/opportunity !

From: Geoffrey Hands
To: Orchid Talk list
Subject: Re: [OrchidTalk] some pictures and a Post Script
Date: Mon, 27 Mar 2006 19:35

I am now using googlemail − which has a numbert of advantages − like an
unlimited mailbox, and what arte supposed to be fantastic searching
facilities when looking for old e-mails ( not that I have used them) but the
definite disadvantage that I have to guess about the previous message I am
replying to !.

I suppose this relates to the Eulophoia guinensis ? The plant is now in a
seven inch pot, and that taller spike is 39 inches high from the compost
surface.The flowers are about 2 1/2 inches north-south .

When I said the best ever , I was referring to the spike, which is much
taller and with a larger flower count than I have seen before.

From: Geoffrey Hands
To: Orchid Talk list
Subject: Re: [OrchidTalk] Dend. nobile type
Date: Mon, 27 Mar 2006 19:35

Me too − why not cut it into a few peices and sell them to us ?
I'm a buyer for one !

From: Geoffrey Hands
To: Orchid Talk list
Subject: Re: [OrchidTalk] Name that plant.
Date: Mon, 27 Mar 2006 19:35

There was no doubt about the lip Rocky . I didn't say , since I thought you
wanted something a bit more specific than that , as the lip seems to be
unchanged through the generations of hybrids !

From: Geoffrey Hands
To: Orchid Talk list
Subject: Re: [OrchidTalk] D. nobile type
Date: Tue, 28 Mar 2006 10:05

I guess that parcels that large make it impossible. ( "it" being my
suggestioj of splitting up and selling off )
. A pity......

From: dennis READ
To: Orchid Talk list
Subject: De-flasking
Date: Tue, 28 Mar 2006 19:25

De-flasking with me has always been a problem so I was very surprised in Ecuador at Ecuagenera to see pants being de-flasked at 3cm. high and minimal roots. The technician said that conditions to grow were better in the nursery than in the laboratory. Large plants -Cattleya, Lycaste and Maxillaria etc were deflasked at 4cms while small plants like Masdevallias were deflasked at 3cm. They were then planted in trays of very fine wetbark − it was as fine as sawdust and sprayed twice a day to keep the humidity up.
I do not advocate this for the UK but it shows how good the normal conditions can be outside the laboratory.
Bob Dadd always advocated de-flasking between april and August as outside that time frame they just stood still.
Regards

From: dennis READ
To: Orchid Talk list
Subject: Re: [OrchidTalk] Dend. nobile type
Date: Tue, 28 Mar 2006 19:30

Geoff et al, To force ki-kis from this plant you cut the canes off when they had finished flowering and the leaves had fallen. I cut them all off last year and spread them around the Devon Orchid Soc. and I understand there are many plants growing. As a matter of interest the plant was grown in 1/2in pumice and whenever a cane dropped its leaves it was cut out. This promoted thr growth of more canes. I restricted the growth by pulling out the growth point.
Regards

From: Gordon Walker
To: Orchid Talk list
Subject: Re: [OrchidTalk] Dend. nobile type
Date: Wed, 29 Mar 2006 07:40

From: Geoffrey Hands
To: Orchid Talk list
Subject: Re: [OrchidTalk] De-flasking
Date: Wed, 29 Mar 2006 07:40

April to August.... comment -
Keith Andrew says that most orchids in UK make all of their growth between
April and the end of July − which comes to the same thing − and he goes on
to say that if you miss that − by repotting in that period ( so that they
take several of those weeks just to get over the shock ) − you have
effectively lost a year of growth.
I am not sure that I agree with him − at least I aim to keep my orchids (
some of them) growing all the year − and with some I do succeeed − but you /
they all have a point.

From: Gordon Walker
To: Orchid Talk list
Subject: Re: [OrchidTalk] De-flasking
Date: Wed, 29 Mar 2006 07:40

Dennis,
When they were deflasked were they potted in a clump with the jelly still on the roots or were they washed in a sterilising solution and potted individually in the tray?
Gordon.

foggers are avaliable from simply control £299 / £499
when for the same effect high o/p pond fogger £49.99 from maplin electronics
i have 20ft by 8ft by 8ft and it fills it all at 12V

From: LEONARD HANDLEY
To: Orchid Talk list
Subject: Re: [OrchidTalk] foggers
Date: Wed, 29 Mar 2006 10:20

Sounds very interesting. Could you give more details please. I paid over £100 for a "mister" but this seemed to be more suited to giving a visual effect on a garden pond than humidifying a greenhouse. What principle does the Maplin unit work on? Do you control it with some means of measuring the humidity level ? Any chance of a picture of it ?
Len Handley

From: Ron Newstead
To: Orchid Talk list
Subject: Re: [OrchidTalk] Dend. nobile type
Date: Wed, 29 Mar 2006 13:00

From: Geoffrey Hands
To: Orchid Talk list
Subject: Dendrobium kingianum and other fresh-air fanatics
Date: Wed, 29 Mar 2006 15:20

I too subscribe to Orchid Digest ( the very best of orchid journals in my
opinion) and I also read the piece about growing D.kingianum outside in
Boston ( discussed by Dennis, just before Xmas ).

I have just finished preparing my outdoor growing area − a wire stretched
between vine eyes at the top of the trellis which runs along the length of
my greenhouse − on the side which is just in the shade at 11.30 a.m. ( the
length of the trellis is not quite north-south , but nearly so.
So far I have taken one D.kingianum, fitted a pot-hanger, wired the hanger
to the pot, and wired the hanger to the stretched wire, and it's now
hanging up in a place where I shall pass it every time I go to the
greenhouse ( so as to see it and keep an eye on it ).

Others to follow are a lot more D.k's and maybe several of its relations -
Ellen, Sparkler etc. I note that many have fat new growths an inch or so
high − they take about six weeks to reach full height in hydroculture , and
I'll leave them to set their leaves before they go.
Others have keikis just starting to root − I'll wait for the roots, take
them off and pot them up ( leaving the new plantlets in the greenhouse) then
put the older plants out.
I'm thinking of one or two cymbidiums too − I only have a few, and its
undoubtedly a bit warm for them inside the gh, also some Paph insigne
plants which did not flower this year, maybe for the same reason. What else
I wonder ?

From: Gordon Walker
To: Orchid Talk list
Subject: Re: [OrchidTalk] Dend. nobile type
Date: Wed, 29 Mar 2006 16:20

Ron,
There was a family firm based in Catterick which sold large pieces of Pumice from whom I bought two bags.
I have a feeling they have been bought over and unfortunately I have "mislaid" the letter.
If I find it I will contact you .
Gordon.

From: Ron Newstead
To: Orchid Talk list
Subject: Re: [OrchidTalk] Dendrobium kingianum and other fresh-air fanatics
Date: Wed, 29 Mar 2006 18:40

In Cascais, Portugal, the night temperatures go down almost to 0 o C and for
the last 3 years I have kept my cymbidiums outside in a shady spot and they
have thrived and even flowered in the depth of winter! But I am very unsure
about how long I shall be able to keep them outside in Bath!

From: dennis READ
To: Orchid Talk list
Subject: Pumice
Date: Wed, 29 Mar 2006 19:55

I bought a bag 5yrs ago and I am now virtually out so I'm looking also. Via the internet I was offered a 5 ton load which is about 10 cu.mtrs − a bit too much for me. when you find a supply I will be interested.
Regards

From: dennis READ
To: Orchid Talk list
Subject: Re: [OrchidTalk] De-flasking
Date: Wed, 29 Mar 2006 20:20

Here is a photo showing them being washed and sorted. As I said − this is Ecuador with perfect conditions
Regards

From: John Stanley
To: Orchid Talk list
Subject: Re: [OrchidTalk] A legend in his own lifetime
Date: Wed, 29 Mar 2006 22:45

You may be interested in this review of a talk given to CANWOS (Cheshire and North Wales Orchid Society) the year after its inauguration and published in an old Orchid Review issue . (That would be 1967). It was submitted for inclusion in our March Newsletter. We will all appreciate, of course, that the Mr H.G(eoff).Hands of that time must have been your Grandfather Geoff but that simply demonstrates your fine orchidaceous inheritance! No digital projectors then eh?

In atrocious weather on October 27th, Mr H.G.Hands travelled from Sutton Coldfield to Chester to give an illustrated talk on "Species.". The appreciation of members which was accorded to him on the completion of his talk must have compensated him for the discomforts of his long journey. Many members who favour the modern hybrids now see species in quite a new light. Certainly, Mr Hands's slides were fascinating, and his talk held something of interest for everyone."

I wonder if you remember? Did you evere recover from the journey I wonder. Amazing to realise what was perceived as a "long journey" in those days. (I wonder how many times horses were changed!).

From: Peter Fowler
To: Orchid Talk list
Subject: Re: [OrchidTalk] Pumice
Date: Wed, 29 Mar 2006 23:10

From: John Stanley
To: Orchid Talk list
Subject: Re: [OrchidTalk] Pumice
Date: Thu, 30 Mar 2006 01:20

Hi Dennis,
I seem to recall that several aeons ago (well, maybe a couple of years) we had several contibutions on the composition of pumice (me) and of similar but synthetic materials (Geoff?). Pumice is pretty well inert silicate glass in a frothy form. I would have imagined 10 cubic metres to be an underestimation of five tonnes of the suff, after all, it floats on water!. Can someone remind us of the composition of Perlite? Isn't it a hot-blown silicate froth similar to pumice? The essential difference might be in the texture of an aggregate of pumice pieces when compared with the terxture of an aggregate of Perlite unlerss Perlite can be acquired in larger pieces than the ones I've seen (like rice!).
Until one of us comes up with better info, try http://www.southwestperlite.com/ for info on composition and structure. Maybe lumps of buildings grade perlite would be a good substitute for pumice. I think that, chemically, and texturally, perlite and pumice have much in common. Pumice9s) have a greater textural range becaue the circumstances of their formation are not contolled in the way that synthetic 'rocks' are..
Hope this is of use or at least food for thought!
John Stanley

From: John Stanley
To: Orchid Talk list
Subject: Re: [OrchidTalk] Pumice and perlite ctd (jws)
Date: Thu, 30 Mar 2006 01:25

Dennis,
Try http://www.southwestperlite.com/perlite_products.html also. It is a part of the other URL I sent but it may be useful in giving an idea of construction perlite (bigger lumps?) and it certainly comes in less than a truckload! Just a thought!
John S

From: jan
To: Orchid Talk list
Subject: Re: [OrchidTalk] foggers
Date: Thu, 30 Mar 2006 06:25

I use Maplin's foggers too − they come in several sizes. I use a small
one that costs about £12 for my primitive, but very effective baby
chamber (a tray with a 'fence' of transparent plastic around), and it
has revolutionized my success with deflasking orchids.

The principle is simple: it's a small metal thing that you plop into a
bowl of water. It uses ultrasound to generate a fine mist that creeps
out over the sides of the bowl and fills the chamber. The mist is
slightly heavier than air, which is why my baby chamber works with only
a fence around (the fact that it is open at the top means that it also
is well ventilated and doesn't get too hot). They are very easy to use,
but there is no built-in controls; they stop when the water level gets
too low, simply. You can control the approximate time it will keep
running by choosing the right size of bowl − experiment to see what is
right for your needs. A couple of limitations that I found a bit
irritating are:

a) they vary a bit in quality − some are quite powerful, some are weak
b) they don't work if the water is too deep, so if you want a long
running time, you need a big flat bowl
c) the mist can't leave the bowl if the sides are too tall.

To see pictures and prices, go to http://www.maplin.co.uk and search for
'fogger'. Be aware that some of them don't use water − they are meant
for scene effects etc; stay away from those.

From: "Schoonjans, Peter-Dieter \(IT\)"
To: Orchid Talk list
Subject: Re: [OrchidTalk] foggers
Date: Thu, 30 Mar 2006 09:35

Just a thought: to constantly keep water in the bowl, couldn't you add a drip, a bit similar to the ones used in a hospital, i.e. a tube with a tap to regulate the flow of water?

From: Geoffrey Hands
To: Orchid Talk list
Subject: Re: [OrchidTalk] A legend in his own lifetime
Date: Thu, 30 Mar 2006 12:15

That must have been the occasion when the lamp for my magic lantern ran out
of oil and I had to use a candle − or am I confusing that with the time I
was held up by Dick Turpin, whilst crossing Egdon Heath − that must have
been 1867 ? Old men forget you know...

I suppose it was pre-motorway − which would have made it something of a
journey ? But also of course before the days when it has become normal to
start the day before in case of serious hold-ups ( like the time I was
driving to Wessex OS to give a talk, and was stuck on the A34 for 2 1/2
hours near Whitchurch when I should have been having lunch with Chong-Yee
before the meeting − I'm not sure that he actually believed my story of why
I didn't turn up ! )

From: Geoffrey Hands
To: Orchid Talk list
Subject: Re: [OrchidTalk] Pumice
Date: Thu, 30 Mar 2006 12:15

the garden supply Company "Chemico" were selling what they called "Perlag"
which was pumice in chunks the size of raisins − some 2 or 3 years ago -
They do mail-order , you'll find them with google.

From: Geoffrey Hands
To: Orchid Talk list
Subject: Foggers but also other interesting matters
Date: Thu, 30 Mar 2006 12:25

I am using googlemail for this correspondence, and I'm fascinated to see
that at the side of the window containing each message is a series of notes.
Just like the ones you get at the right hand side of the window if you use
google to search on any particular subject They are of course sponsored
links to commercial web-sites -relating to the subject in the mail. Thus in
the foggers messages, there are 4 or 5 links to people selling foggers,
misters etc. In the pumice message window, several links referring to lava,
pumice etc. Its actually all very useful stuff − I can see how google has
built such a valuable organisation !.

If anyone wants to try googlemail, e-mail me, and I'll issue an invitation (
the earlier googlemail users , maybe all googlemail users, get 20
invitations they can issue....

So I'm also starting a new correspondence about swamp coolers − in the hope
that a useful source will be revealed − I haven't found one yet . See the
next message from me.

From: Geoffrey Hands
To: Orchid Talk list
Subject: Swamp coolers
Date: Thu, 30 Mar 2006 12:35

A swamp cooler is an air-conditioning unit but works by evaporating water .
Usually ( maybe always) from a tank of water. So a side effect is an
increase in humidity. That side effect makes them undesirable for
domestic/office /workplace use − although they are used for such purposes
for the reason that they are much cheaper than air-conditioners.

I've had them in the past, and want them again now, but have not found
anything very suitable in my investigations so far.

Ideally I'd like one designed to be connected to a mains supply − a
good-size one for say a 20 foot house, can get through 3-4 gallon of water a
day, and needs topping up very regularly , which is a problem if away from
home. But maybe I can find one with an easily accessible tank where I can
drill a hole and connect a hose, fitting a Toprsen valve ( mini-ballcock )
inside the tank , or something similar.

From: Roger Grier
To: Orchid Talk list
Subject: Plant name and advice.
Date: Thu, 30 Mar 2006 17:30

Thanks for the suggestion that my Cattleya is 'Golden Nugget' and possibly very much like the one from our 'Italian Friends'.

Easy to grow and flower. Most books tell of suitable composts. I use just garden soil. My friend grows his in his garden in a sort of alpine area. Some books say that if kept in pots, they do not flower until pot bound. I've always thought that this type of talk was crazy, as they never get pot bound in nature.

Just come off the phone after chatting to my mate who has his Bletillas growing in his garden in the same spot now for over ten years.

From: Ron Newstead
To: Orchid Talk list
Subject: Re: [OrchidTalk]Foggers but also other interesting matters
Date: Thu, 30 Mar 2006 19:30

I am also on Google (introduced to it by our fellow member Jordan Steels)
but find it a bit tiresome to have to go into the web first. Or am I doing
something wrong?

From: jan
To: Orchid Talk list
Subject: Re: [OrchidTalk] foggers
Date: Thu, 30 Mar 2006 19:35

Schoonjans, Peter-Dieter (IT) wrote:
> Jan,
>
> Just a thought: to constantly keep water in the bowl, couldn't you add a =
> drip, a bit similar to the ones used in a hospital, i.e. a tube with a =
> tap to regulate the flow of water?
>
> Peter
>
I thought about something like that, but I didn't pursue it. Firstly
because it isn't all that simply; I thought of something that could keep
the water level constant, so it would have to have some sort of valve
controlled by a floating thing − like in the cistern of a toilet,
actually. But also because I don't think the plants should be in
constant mist; they should be soaked in the morning and dry out during
the day. The system I have works amazingly well for something so simple.

From: jan
To: Orchid Talk list
Subject: Re: [OrchidTalk] Swamp coolers
Date: Thu, 30 Mar 2006 19:35

Sorry, I don't know anything specific, but it sounds a lot like the
windows in the cheeseshops when I was a child: they had water running
down on the inside to keep the cheeses cool.

From: Paul Johnson
To: Orchid Talk list
Subject: Re: [OrchidTalk] Swamp coolers
Date: Thu, 30 Mar 2006 19:50

Geoff,
The kind of swamp cooler that you are looking for is commonly
available in the U.S.; just a short flight across the western pond.
Most of the ones used here are connected directly to a pressurized
water source, usually through a garden hose or similar connection,
and use float valves to regulate water flow. Though, they are a bit
difficult to take as hand-carried luggage on the airliners! :)

As to their undesirability in residential or work situations, that is
contradicted by their extensive use in the low humidity areas of
California, Arizona, Nevada, New Mexico, Colorado, Utah, Texas, etc.
Their use is not strictly for cooling. In many structures, though
especially wood framed ones, the humidity is also needed to help
reduce building material shrinkage which causes gaps, cracks, and
other separations compromising airflow, pest invasion, and even
structural integrity at times. This past weekend my wife and I were
visiting friends in Las Vegas, and attending the Santa Barbara Orchid
Show and Sale (there is only a 6 hr drive between the two cities).
Our friends have a 2500 sq. ft. single-level house, with several
swamp coolers fitted into the walls of several of the rooms,
including the kitchen/dining area. They actually use the coolers in
the house more than those installed in their greenhouses, in part to
keep the house sealed and to raise the internal humidity to more
comfortable levels.

I run my greenhouse swamp cooler until the ambient humidity reaches
approximately 65% RH, if the temps are not excessive. However,
during the heat of the summer I support our local power company by
running both the swamp cooler and a regular air conditioner
simultaneously to get a balance on humidity and temperature.

From: Ron Bower
To: Orchid Talk list
Subject: Re: [OrchidTalk] Foggers but also other interesting matters
Date: Thu, 30 Mar 2006 20:25

Geoff, Whilst I am interested in Google Mail, this message will serve 2 purposes for I had intended to ask if you had succeeded in ridding your plants of the Scale insect investation?
Ronbow.

From: James H
To: Orchid Talk list
Subject: Re: [OrchidTalk]Foggers but also other interesting matters
Date: Fri, 31 Mar 2006 03:40

you can create a link to gmail on your desktop just by rightclicking on the
page and click create shortcut, note this will only work from the log on
page as you will need to log on each time, but that is for security issues
just like most people have to type their password into anyother email
program.

On 3/30/06, Ron Newstead wrote:
>
> I am also on Google (introduced to it by our fellow member Jordan Steels)
> but find it a bit tiresome to have to go into the web first. Or am I doing
> something wrong?

From: "Schoonjans, Peter-Dieter \(IT\)"
To: Orchid Talk list
Subject: Re: [OrchidTalk] foggers
Date: Fri, 31 Mar 2006 09:30

Some mail readers wrap lines and put a '=' sign to indicate that a new
line was introduced.
The 3D3D is introduced when the message was forwarded (3D is a hex
representation for a zero character). The 20 after 3D3D in Jan's mail
is a space character... anyway who cares.

the one i use has 5 ceramic atomizers it costs £49.99 and comes with
flotation device (included) i have it in 40 gallon tank i have never woked it out
but it must use 1 gallon a day
i have it on timer with HPS light and fans which come on 4.30am, if no fan
is used fog sinks to ground level but with 12v fan it fills grn hse,,jan uses
the same but with only one atomiser

From: JIM MATEOSKY
To: Orchid Talk list
Subject: ggetting cymbidiums to bloom in warmer climate
Date: Fri, 31 Mar 2006 12:40

I have several cymbidiums that I want to get to bloom, my winter time lows were 11.5 C and they didn't bloom. They are growing well but no flowers.

Anybody have experience with tricking cymbidiums to bloom? Via changing the fertilizer type applying one with little or no Nitrogen? Or perhaps porice ice cold (4-8C) Water on them???

From: john winkworth
To: Orchid Talk list
Subject: Re: [OrchidTalk] Digest 2006 Volume 31
Date: Fri, 31 Mar 2006 14:00

I also use a maplins pond fogger ,but in a tank of rain water (70gals) and
also a large fan blowing the mist about ,some times i cannot see my way
about in there,its great,john w

From: Ron Newstead
To: Orchid Talk list
Subject: Re: [OrchidTalk] ggetting cymbidiums to bloom in warmer climate
Date: Fri, 31 Mar 2006 18:55

Cymbidiums grow very well in Madeira which does not have cold winters. But I
confess that mine flowered better in Cascais, Portugal, when I moved them
out of the greenhouse into a shady position in the garden.

I'll be in Portugal again next week and I will get in touch with Betty
Garton who grows them, and other orchids, professionally in Madeira and see
whether she has any suggestions. She does not have email, unfortunately.

MONTH	DATE	DATE	DATE	DATE	MONTH	DATE	DATE	DATE	DATE
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March	1-7	8-14	15-21	22-31	April	1-7	8-14	15-21	22-30
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2006 Archived Messages

March 22—31