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From: jns tropic
To: Orchid Talk list
Subject: Re: My real web site
Date: Mon, 08 May 2006 02:05

I have just put up a web site. It's a beta issue of the new MSN web sites. The domain name is free as long as you stay with the Gates people. Take a look as my first page. http://togofcoralgables.com/default.aspx

From: Ron Newstead
To: Orchid Talk list
Subject: Re: [OrchidTalk] My real web site
Date: Mon, 08 May 2006 20:05

I have just put up a web site. It's a beta issue of the new MSN web sites.
The domain name is free as long as you stay with the Gates people. Take a
look as my first page. http://togofcoralgables.com/default.aspx

From: Andy Mckeown
To: Orchid Talk list
Subject: Re: [OrchidTalk] foggers
Date: Mon, 08 May 2006 22:00

Thanks Bhotplant, John and Richard for your comments. I shall give it some thought and let you know how I get on

From: Mark Macklam
To: Orchid Talk list
Subject: [OrchidTalk] Remote condition Info.
Date: Tue, 09 May 2006 00:15

Much late in replying to Ron's query. Lee Valley is a high quality
seller and producer of woodworking tools, garden implements [and more],
hardware and some gifts items. Exceptionally good quality and design.
Go to http://www.leevalley.com/home.aspx for a look.

From: Andy Mckeown
To: Orchid Talk list
Subject: photos
Date: Tue, 09 May 2006 21:10

It's been a bit quiet − I guess lots of you are out in the garden catching up after a late start − as I have. So here's a couple of photos to be going on with.

I wrote last year wondering why my Phaius hadn't flowered − well this year 3 spikes. Mind you it is now a very large plant in a bucket sized pot and with quite a few new leads appearing!

The Paph Saint Swithin has just opened andI love it. Having been a bit "iffy" about paphs generally I am coming round to them and now have 7 in my collection. I guess this is a question for you Geoff − what multiflorals will bulk up relatively quickly so that I can get several spikes at once?

From: Ron Newstead
To: Orchid Talk list
Subject: Re: [OrchidTalk] Remote condition Info.
Date: Tue, 09 May 2006 22:45

I looked at the part of the site that interested me (Flood & Drain) but they
seem to be phasing out most of the products.

From: jns tropic
To: Orchid Talk list
Subject: Re: [OrchidTalk] photos
Date: Tue, 09 May 2006 23:35

Andy is your Phaius tankervilleae blooming at this
time? In south Florida they start in February and
finish by the end of March, But I have the hybrid
Phaius Bebe Chien and it just started two weeks ago.

From: Esther Koh
To: Orchid Talk list
Subject: Re: [OrchidTalk] photos
Date: Wed, 10 May 2006 03:30

From: Geoffrey Hands
To: Orchid Talk list
Subject: Re: [OrchidTalk] photos
Date: Wed, 10 May 2006 07:55

It may sound very immodest , but the honest answer is that the one which has
amazed me by going from flask to flower quickly , and then producing four
new growths all of which are growing well (!) is P .Geoffrey Hands „ which
is tigrinum (markianum) x roth‹.

Haynaldianum hybrids also do well „ roth and lowii are the two which drag
their heels, and cause their hybrids to be slow.

But all of this is (often, but not always) based on a single plant , or at
best a single flask „ the same cross from different cvs of the same grex
could be different ?

From: Andy Mckeown
To: Orchid Talk list
Subject: Re: [OrchidTalk] photos
Date: Wed, 10 May 2006 10:20

Yes it is still in flower − the photo was taken on May 6th. I've never seen
any of it's hybrids before

From: Andy Mckeown
To: Orchid Talk list
Subject: Re: [OrchidTalk] photos
Date: Wed, 10 May 2006 10:25

From: Geoffrey Hands
To: Orchid Talk list
Subject: Re: [OrchidTalk] photos
Date: Wed, 10 May 2006 17:40

Try shopping for it under the parentage rather than the grex name − i.e.
roth x tig ( or v.v).
Ask Ratcliffes − they have just brought the first load of plants back from
Florida − all will be back by the end of the year.
I think one or two of the German nurseries made the hybrid too − also try KJ
- who are coming to Southsea ( Portsmouth) in August
− and then again, the Boga Fayre − I have just had details of that and will
post them both later if time ( but I'm off for a week-end of photographing
bugs tomorrow early , so it may have to wait )
Geoff.

From: P G Hieke
To: Orchid Talk list
Subject: Stenoglottis longifolia
Date: Wed, 10 May 2006 17:45

It is so quiet lately that I just want to show my Stenoglottis longifolia
which won at the Autumn Show two awards for;
Best South African Species on Show and Best Specimen Plant on Show.
Enjoy it.
Regards
Peter from Bloubergstrand

From: Geoffrey Hands
To: Orchid Talk list
Subject: Orchid shows...
Date: Wed, 10 May 2006 22:25

4-5-6 August in the Grand Floral Marquee − Portsmouth and Southsea Show,
Southsea Common.

Supporting trade − Elsner orchids, KJ orchids, Kopf orchids, Laurence Hobbs
Orchids, New World Orchids, Ratcliffes, Stock Orchids...

BOGA Summer Fayre − dates unknown -but list of exhibitors will be available
in July , so maybe late August again. I'll ask Claudia tomorrow − at
Dinton Pastures Country Park − just off the A329M accessible from the M4 -
near Reading

From: nancy
To: Orchid Talk list
Subject: Re: Horsetail grass (Equisetum) as an orchid tonic
Date: Thu, 11 May 2006 01:50

Hello -
I suddenly find myself with an excess of horsetail
grass − I'm sure that I have read/heard that this
plant makes a good treatment for plants, as it
contains a lot of silica, which strengthens plant
walls; so foliage is better able to survive the stress
of over/underwatering, sun, etc.
Can anyone advise me as to how, exactly, to use this?
Tea? Compost tea? Fermented compost tea? Also, applied
to potting medium or foliage? Spray, drench, whatever?
A couple of URLs would be appreciated, or any
first-hand experience.
Regards − Nancy

~~~~~~~~~~~~
"Woman was God's second mistake."
---Friedrich Nietzsche (1844-1900)
"Nietzsche was stupid and abnormal."
---Leo Tolstoy (1828 − 1910)

From: Jean Lewis
To: Orchid Talk list
Subject: photos
Date: Thu, 11 May 2006 11:20

Thanks for sharing your photos Peter. That is one superb Stenoglottis
longifolia! You must be delighted with it. Thanks to Geoff too for the
information about shows. Jean

From: jeff
To: Orchid Talk list
Subject: MASSIVE COLLECTION OF ORCHID JOURNALS
Date: Thu, 11 May 2006 16:05

I am due to advertise the sale of my collection of ORCHID REVIEWS and
AMERICAN ORCHID SOCIETY JOURNALS and many other orchid journals in the next
edition of the ORCHID REVIEW ( June /July) This is what there is ;
a) 43 years complete Orchid Reviews from 1962 to 2005 . all years1962 to
2000 are in green Orchid Review Binders also some other copies including a
fully bound copy of Orchid Review for 1900 in excellent condition.
b) American Orchid Society Bulletins all complete years in black binders
from 1972 to 1997
and unbound complete years 1998 to 2005
c) Also many Orchid Award Quarterly ( USA) , Orchid Digest ( USA) Orchid
Society Of GB many from 1962 onwards to their demise etc
around 1000 Orchid Journals in Total

From: Geoffrey Hands
To: Orchid Talk list
Subject: Boga Fayre
Date: Thu, 11 May 2006 16:20

From: Theta Sigma
To: Orchid Talk list
Subject: Re: [OrchidTalk] Horsetail grass (Equisetum) as an orchid tonic
Date: Thu, 11 May 2006 16:20

search for "horsetail" on that page − has some good data on biodynamic
farming, etc.

From: John Stanley
To: Orchid Talk list
Subject: Re: [OrchidTalk] Horsetail (Equisetum) as a source of silica
Date: Thu, 11 May 2006 19:05

Hi Nancy,
I too, would be interested to know where this story came from! Sounds a bit
like an old wives's tale (better include old husbands too I suppose!). After
all, if the orchids are capable of using silica (SiO2) why can't they get it
from silica sand, quartz pebbles, rock wool or even diatomaceous earth
(which some growers swear by), not to mention wind-blown dust! To be quite
honest, I think the least likely element orchids (or most other plants) are
likely to be deficient in is silicon. In any case, silicon isn't very
soluble, either as an element or as the oxide − silica. I doubt that
horsetail tea would have more silica than tapwater or rain.

Mind you, horsetail tea with a biscuit might work wonders on some of we
geriatric orchid carers! (or not)

Oh; and it isn't a grass. Horsetails (of the Equisetales) are an ancient
group with a far longer history than the grasses. They were around in
Carboniferous circa 300 million years ago and can be seen in the
reconstructions, from fossils, of 'coal forests', (complete with giant
dragonfly), that adorn many elementary geological texts! I used to try to
grow the stuff as a source of samples of a 'living fossil' and couldn't −
Murphy's Law I guess.
John Stanley

From: John Stanley
To: Orchid Talk list
Subject: Re: [OrchidTalk] Horsetail (Equisetum) as an orchid tonic
Date: Thu, 11 May 2006 19:20

Hi Mark n Nancy,
Re; http://www.bagelhole.org/?page=365
I am now a little wiser but there are an awful lot of definitions of
biodynamics out there.
I am curious to know how we know that the cell walls need additional
strengthening with silica.
There is, presumably, a symptom or two to indicate Si deficiency?
I for one, wouldn't want to be administered a cure for a disease I hadn't
got, just in case!
I presume the complex recipes for 'tea' application are basically different
from spraying with the local farmer's slurry?
John

From: John Stanley
To: Orchid Talk list
Subject: Re: [OrchidTalk] Horsetail (Equisetum) -more on silicon and silica
Date: Fri, 12 May 2006 01:00

Nancy,
I have spent a little time tonight in a search for silicon info. I still
believe that the incidence of silicon deficiency in most plants is very
rare, A good reason for this is that, next to oxygen (about 50% by weight
of Earth's solid crust) silicon is the most abundant element (about 25%-plus
by weight). Si is present in all the major rock-forming minerals which, in
turn, make up the bulk of the rocks whose subsequent mechanical and chemical
breakdown produces a major Si-containing component of soils. Put the other
way; it is difficult to imagine an environment where Si would be
insufficient for plant needs, if only from wind-blown clay!. Many orchids
though, are epiphytes and don't have their 'feet' on the ground. However,
what accumulates around them is not without silicon. I really think I'd like
to see some hard evidence of Si-deficiency before getting too worried about
it.
On the other hand, it does seem that the role of Si has probably been
under-researched for a long time. Other members of this forum may be able to
provide evidence of Si-deficiency but many references are from companies
with an interest in marketing Si-compounds. It is interesting that while
papers on other element deficiencies are plentiful, it isn't easy to find
them on Si.
Of course, that isn't to say Si is not important! Just that there's a lot
of it about! Anyway ; try;
http://www.science.siu.edu/plant-biology/PLB425/Lit_files/extra_reading/Epstein%201999%20Si.pdf#search='plant%20silicon%20deficiency'
http://www.calsilcorp.com/Sources/SiSoIn.htm (they refer to wollasonite but
really mean wollastonite)
http://conference.ifas.ufl.edu/silicon/
John (hope this is helpful)

From: jan
To: Orchid Talk list
Subject: Re: [OrchidTalk] Horsetail (Equisetum) as an orchid tonic
Date: Fri, 12 May 2006 06:15

Equisetum is, as far as I know, one of the more noxious weeds to have in
a garden, not least because their roots and rhizomes spread wide and far
(and very deep). I wouldn't introduce it in my garden. It can take a lot
of effort getting rid of.

As other have already said, there is little reason to think that orchids
need silicium. The reason some plants have silica in them is not to
strengthen the cell walls or protect against water stress (after all,
horsetails very often grow in swamps and are generally rather floppy),
but to make them less palatable to animals. Orchids simply don't use it
in their tissue, whether it is available or not.

If I were to experiment with it, I would try it as a compost − perhaps
it doesn't rot very quickly? Though I suspect it does.

Biodynamics: According to Wikipedia
(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Biodynamic) it is 'an ecological and
sustainable system of agricultural production' based on 'the teachings
of Rudolf Steiner'. To my mind it smacks a lot of superstition, but then
I am in no ways a religious person, and Rudolph Steiner's teachings are
basically religious or quasi-religious − I don't think it has a lot to
do with science.

From: Geoffrey Hands
To: Orchid Talk list
Subject: Re: [OrchidTalk] Horsetail (Equisetum) as a source of silica
Date: Fri, 12 May 2006 07:50

It is a fact that some specialist orchid fertiliser manufacturers − and
indeed other specialist fertiliser manufacturers, sell products said to be
rich in silica and said to be good for promoting healthy roots.

It is of course also a fact that some of us are extremely sceptical, not to
say disbelieving about this − as I am/we are about much of what is said by
people trying to sell us expensive products , when we have been managing
very well without them in the past .

I find that when I buy a phal' from the supermarket, and put it on the
kitchen table, then hold it under the kitchen tap once a week − no feed of
any kind − it does very well thank you....

From: Tricia Garner
To: Orchid Talk list
Subject: Re: [OrchidTalk] Re: Boga Fayre
Date: Fri, 12 May 2006 12:45

On 11 May,
Geoffrey Hands wrote:
> The dates are the usual ones − the August Bank Holiday week-end

Details on the news page of the web site:
http://www.orchid-talk.co.uk/news.html

RSS feeds are available for those who have their browsers suitably
configured, designed to work also with 'tickers', which scroll across the
top or bottom of the screen (if you have appropriate software).

From: dennis READ
To: Orchid Talk list
Subject: Show
Date: Fri, 12 May 2006 19:20

In the latest OSGB Journal I see their is an INTERNATIONAL ORCHID SHOW at the Portsmouth and Southsea Show on the 4/6 th August 2006..
Is thir the replacement for NEWBURY. Redards

From: Sharon Williams
To: Orchid Talk list
Subject: parentage search please
Date: Fri, 12 May 2006 21:25

Hi all: I have just acquired Epi Sun Valley Devine x Pac Ember 'Mini
Mandarin' from our OS and was unable to find either of these parents on the
International Orchid Register. If someone has Wildcatt, could you please try
to find the species contributors of this cross so I can figure out what kind
of culture it would like best?
Thanks a ton
Sharon in Calgary

From: Tricia Garner
To: Orchid Talk list
Subject: Re: [OrchidTalk] Re: Show
Date: Fri, 12 May 2006 22:40

> In the latest OSGB Journal I see their is an INTERNATIONAL ORCHID SHOW at
> the Portsmouth and Southsea Show on the 4/6 th August 2006..
> Is thir the replacement for NEWBURY. Redards

It's in part of the floral marquee, along with the bonsai, herbs, geraniums
etc. − not in the same league as Newbury. I suspect the BOGA Orchid Fayre
is a better bet; less likelihood of gridlock...

From: − Gerald Habershon −
To: Orchid Talk list
Subject: Re: [OrchidTalk] Re: Boga Fayre
Date: Sat, 13 May 2006 09:55

the dates for 28/29 May Sheffield District OS Spring Show, 11.00-17.00 ( Sun
28), 11.00-16.00 ( Mon 29, Cavendish Hall, Edensor, Chatsworth, Derbyshire

Will you confirm if the dates are ... 27th and 28th or as you posted 28th
and 29th

From: Roger Grier
To: Orchid Talk list
Subject: Parebtage.
Date: Sat, 13 May 2006 10:05

Perhaps our Tricia could put together a list of the different options that are available to search for parentage, especially telling of the better ones.

From: Alan Garner
To: Orchid Talk list
Subject: Plant growth related to flowering
Date: Sat, 13 May 2006 18:25

Hi!
I have warned Tricia that this e-mail may cause paroxysms of uncontrollable
laughter or howls of derision from the knowledgeable but it is of great
interest to me.
I have been trying to grow and flower masdavallias for some years and
believe it or not a fundamental connection has been observed which I do not
understand. If I buy a new plant in flower or see a plant in flower on a
show table it is usually a small plant with less than a dozen leaves but my
plants,as the years pass, grow larger and larger and produce less and less
flowers. So, at present,I have some new plants in small pots and numerous
large plants in 5,6,7 inch pots with wonderful leaves but only one flower!
This prompts me to ask several pertinent questions:
(a)Is this normal (also perhaps for plants other than masdavallias)
(b)Whether it is or is not normal how does one get round the perceived
problem without dividing almost every year and owning a myriad of the
same title?
(c)How does the plant in the wild cope since it needs to flower to
propagate?
I should add that I have varied the growing medium,the feeding regime and
the lighting conditions but the problem remains − the older the plant the
fewer the flowers.
Any helpful comments would be welcome.

From: Tricia Garner
To: Orchid Talk list
Subject: Re: [OrchidTalk] Re: Boga Fayre
Date: Sat, 13 May 2006 22:50

Both the BOGA website events page http://www.boga.org.uk/diary.html and the
British Orchid Council website show Sunday and Bank Holiday Monday as the
dates, so I'm guessing they are correct − see attached file. I'm sure you
will enjoy the show, but bear in mind you will increase your collection
quite considerably...

From: John Stanley
To: Orchid Talk list
Subject: Re: [OrchidTalk] Re: Sheffield Orchid Show Dates confusion
Date: Sun, 14 May 2006 00:15

Some orchid societies haven't got their act together with websites (ours CANWOS's is embarrassingly out of date and Sheffield doesn't seem any better). However, a neighbouring Society, the North of England,OS is usually pretty good for listing a calendar of dates of shows http://www.orchid.org.uk/orchidshowsuk.htm and, just in case there's nobody in this forum from Sheffield OS to confirm,, they list Sheffield's, (with a contact name Ted Croot on 0114 236 2283), as;

May 28th-29th Sheffield and District OS Spring Show, Cavendish Hall, Edensor, Chatsworth, Derbyshire

but they then add 11.00 − 17.00 Sun 27th and Mon 28th which I suspect has got left over from last year's editing!!!! (just to confuse us all!) However I suspect another confusion arises because societies list their dates "in house" for the benefit of those who are involved in setting up the stands and for the judging. This often happens the afternoon before the show is open to visitors. We have Sheffield listed in our Newsletter as May 27-28-29 but I am pretty sure that the 27th is for setters-up of stands there.whereas the 28th-29th will be for the visitors. However, you could check with Ted Croot on the phone number above

Don't be apologetic about being "new" to orchids. You will soon be as comfortably insane as the rest of us clearly are!

From: jan
To: Orchid Talk list
Subject: Re: [OrchidTalk] Plant growth related to flowering
Date: Sun, 14 May 2006 08:10

Alan Garner wrote:
> Hi!
> I have warned Tricia that this e-mail may cause paroxysms of uncontrollable
> laughter or howls of derision from the knowledgeable but it is of great
> interest to me.

Not that I am that knowledgeable, but I can't see why anyone should
deride you − unless they themselves are of rather limited mental scope.
I personlly have always felt that the only stupid question is the one
not asked.

> I have been trying to grow and flower masdavallias for some years and
> believe it or not a fundamental connection has been observed which I do not
> understand. If I buy a new plant in flower or see a plant in flower on a
> show table it is usually a small plant with less than a dozen leaves but my
> plants,as the years pass, grow larger and larger and produce less and less
> flowers. So, at present,I have some new plants in small pots and numerous
> large plants in 5,6,7 inch pots with wonderful leaves but only one flower!
> This prompts me to ask several pertinent questions:
> (a)Is this normal (also perhaps for plants other than masdavallias)
> (b)Whether it is or is not normal how does one get round the perceived
> problem without dividing almost every year and owning a myriad of the
> same title?
> (c)How does the plant in the wild cope since it needs to flower to
> propagate?
> I should add that I have varied the growing medium,the feeding regime and
> the lighting conditions but the problem remains − the older the plant the
> fewer the flowers.
> Any helpful comments would be welcome.
>
I know this is not uncommon − many orchids, and plants in general
require some external trigger so go into flowering, or even to grow
well. In most cases is has to do with changes in temperature, length of
daylight or humidity; I suspect the best way to find out (apart from
asking ones with more experience) is to find out where the plant grows
naturally and then look into how the climate is in that area − then,
hopefully, you can guess what triggers flowering and emulate it.

Another thing is, I suspect that big growers may be spraying with plant
hormones or doing other nastiness to the plants to induce flowering.

So, you may be too kind to your plants, in a way − I have often found
orchids are similar to cacti in many ways (they are often rather
succulent, for instance), and cacti can grow amazingly well if they are
given enough water; but you won't see many flowers − drought is their
trigger.

From: aeranthes2
To: Orchid Talk list
Subject: Masdevalias and Max
Date: Sun, 14 May 2006 10:50

Jan we have an expert grower liviing in Cardiff − 10 − 12 miles from me. He came to talk to our local orchid society twice. He keeps them at around 40F in the winter and has two fans blowing cold air over them continuously. I put mine outside from May to October − last year it was Novemeber as I keep my eye on the temperature and take them in when it drops too low. I find them fickle plants to get to flower − my one big success last year was one covered in flowers for 5 months. For me that was a rare occasion. On the other hand Roy − the expert gets them all to flower each year. If you would like his address to correspond or phone let me know and email me at aeranthes2@lycos.com and I'll send details on. Jean
Max: So sorry I haven't replied more fully to your email but I've lost it together with you email address!! Help! Can you let me have it and I'll reply − Jean

From: Andy Mckeown
To: Orchid Talk list
Subject: Re: [OrchidTalk] parentage search please
Date: Sun, 14 May 2006 11:40

Epidendrum Sun Valley is listed in the RHS register − the clonal name Devine
won't form part of the register. It is bred from Epi O'Brienianum and Epi
cinnabarinum.

The Pac − which threw me for a while- stands for Epi Pacific Ember. Also
listed on the RHS and also a complex hybrid from Epi O'Brienianum and Epi
cinnabarinum

> Hi all: I have just acquired Epi Sun Valley Devine x Pac Ember 'Mini
> Mandarin' from our OS and was unable to find either of these parents on
> the International Orchid Register. If someone has Wildcatt, could you
> please try to find the species contributors of this cross so I can figure
> out what kind of culture it would like best?

From: Andy Mckeown
To: Orchid Talk list
Subject: AERIDES HOULLETIANA
Date: Sun, 14 May 2006 14:05

I've had my eye on one of these and been checking the web about culture − lots of dffering views on the temperature requirements. Has anyone on the list got first hand info? And am I likely to succeed with a min night winter of 13 degrees?

From: Sharon Williams
To: Orchid Talk list
Subject: Re: [OrchidTalk] parentage search please
Date: Sun, 14 May 2006 20:20

Thanks so much Andy! Now I have to figure out what kind of culture Epi
P'Brienianum and cinnabarinum like! Any clues?
Cheers
Sharon

From: Sharon Williams
To: Orchid Talk list
Subject: Epi erectum
Date: Sun, 14 May 2006 20:25

Hi Andy: I couldn't find out any info about this species. Is this the
correct spelling?
Thanks
Sharon

From: Andy Mckeown
To: Orchid Talk list
Subject: Re: [OrchidTalk] Epi erectum
Date: Sun, 14 May 2006 22:40

Epi erectum is listed as one of the O'Brienanum parents on the RHS site but
I can't find antything about it. Perhaps a mistake int eh register, I don't
know. However here is a link about the culture of O'Brienanum
http://www.plantoftheweek.org/week061.shtml

I grow a few different reed-stem epis and I noticed that when the power
failed in my orchid house that some of them suffered leaf necrotic spots
when for example cattleyas only showed the stress by aborting a few flower
spikes.

MONTH	DATE	DATE	DATE	DATE	MONTH	DATE	DATE	DATE	DATE
January	1-7	8-14	15-21	22-31	February	1-7	8-14	15-21	22-29
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

2006 Archived Messages

May 8—14

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