Orchid-Talk 2006 mailing list messages

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From: Tricia Garner
To: Orchid Talk list
Subject: Re: missing mail...
Date: Sat, 22 Jul 2006 09:00

> I've noticed in the last few weeks that I am missing some postings − I realise when I see the
> responses but have not had the initial.... There isn't anything in my spam box so I don't
> understand it − any ideas?

Sorry, I can't help. Your address is not cited as refused on any of the
returned mail for June and July, so I don't understand it either.

From: jan
To: Orchid Talk list
Subject: Re: [OrchidTalk] Re: missing mail...
Date: Sat, 22 Jul 2006 09:30

I think I've seen something similar, but I notice it when I suddenly
receive mails that are several days old. I think what happens is that
somewhere down the line there is a mail relay that works very
sporadically − perhaps receives mails, then breaks down and has to be
restored from backup, which means that some of the most recent mails are
simply lost.

The way email works is that they get copied from one server on the net
to another that is vaguely in the right direction, so to speak. Ideally
they should all be working and immediately send things on in the right
direction; but what happens if the next server in the chain isn't up?
This depends − like the postmen in our beloved Royal Mail, some are lazy
and maybe just dump the mail in the nearest ditch, others try again next
day, but some forget about it for a longish while and then suddenly
delivers a letter that is decades late.

From: TONY GARTHWAITE
To: Orchid Talk list
Subject: Re: CITES ... a funny thing happened...
Date: Sat, 22 Jul 2006 11:40

I read with interest the comments on CITES, phytosanitary and Permit
Certificates having last month discovered to my disappointment that the
new (?) EU regulations require the Authorities in Singapore to take 7
days to issue rather than the 1/2 day 1 year previously!

Anyway, two years ago my wife and I were returning from a holiday in the
aforementioned Singapore with a box full of bare-rooted specimens
together with CITES, and phytosanitary Certificates (but no permit from
DEFRA), and when we landed, the apron at Humberside Airport was littered
with Customs Officers, (plus dogs)!
After a longer than usual wait for our luggage to appear on the conveyor
(all of 12 minutes,) the Officers had by this time positioned themselves
around the passengers waiting for the luggage to appear.

We piled our cases and the box of orchids onto the trolley and I steered
it towards a gentleman who seemed to be in charge of the Customs Team.
Extracting the envelope containing the certificates, I thrust it towards
him saying " I expect you will want these."
"What are these?" he asked, pulling out the paperwork .
"The CITES, and phytosanitary Certificates for the orchids in this box,"
I replied.
Without a word, he pushed the papers back into the envelope and thrust
the envelope into my hand waving us both out of the airport.

Now....the moral of this story is to bring your orchids in through
Humberside when the Customs have a drugs 'tip-off'!!

From: Geoffrey Hands
To: Orchid Talk list
Subject: Re: [OrchidTalk] photos
Date: Sat, 22 Jul 2006 14:00

Nice pics Andy . The C. leopoldii made me think of the guy who used to live
at Porlock and sell species cattleyas and good phals , can’t remember his
name at the moment. His cattleyas seemed to put on a couple of inches and a
few extra flowers every year , quite phenomonal . Maybe hydroculture will do
that for mine too , all my catts are there now, and looking very happy in
all this heat( although I write this having just got home and showered
after a long walk , with the last mile in a torrential thunderstorm which so
far has given 18 mm or rain . The garden looks better already And after
lunch and drinking a mere 18mm out of a bottle of wine ( that's my story
m'lud) , so do I !

From: Barbara Larimer
To: Orchid Talk list
Subject: Re: [OrchidTalk] photos
Date: Sat, 22 Jul 2006 14:15

Andy, I am a newcomer to orchids. Your photos are an inspiration. Simply
captivating.

My question is this: How do you get anything else accomplished in a day? I
am so thrilled with each bloom that I just sit and gaze upon them. I would
be completely immobilized by these beauties. Is there hope for me?

From: Roger Grier
To: Orchid Talk list
Subject: Humour and CITES.
Date: Sat, 22 Jul 2006 19:55

...Without a word, he pushed the papers back into the envelope and thrust
the envelope into my hand waving us both out of the airport....

A similar thing happened to me when I went to collect a box of orchids from Malaysia, that I had ordered without bothering with any paperwork at all....................I just collected the box from the Southampton depot.

Which leads me to say this..........as a member of the Bournemouth Orchid Society [Hi Geoff, hopefully we will meet one of these days when our holidays etc do not clash] I did have a very brief chat with Keith Andrew about CITES, and you can guess what his comments were!!!!!

So, I am determined one day to have a word with someone from the Southampton Customs Office to point me in the direct direction, that direction being a very nice informative chat with the Customs people.

But back to the Bournemouth Orchid Society, and ALL other Orchid Societies. Please have a word with your respective Societies and test the water so to speak.

Finally...........is Joyce Stewart the 'stumbling block' to name the first person!!!!!

From: Roger Grier
To: Orchid Talk list
Subject: Porlock.
Date: Sat, 22 Jul 2006 20:00

Nice pics Andy . The C. leopoldii made me think of the guy who used to live
at Porlock and sell species cattleyas and good phals − can't remember his
name at the moment. His cattleyas seemed to put on a couple of inches and a
few extra flowers every year − quite phenomonal . Maybe hydroculture will do
that for mine too − all my catts are there now, and looking very happy in
all this heat.( although I write this having just got home and showered
after a long walk , with the last mile in a torrential thunderstorm which so
far has given 18 mm or rain . The garden looks better already And after
lunch and drinking a mere 18mm out of a bottle of wine ( that's my story
m'lud) , so do I !

The guy from Porlock was Peter Tremain, and yes he sure did have some excellent plants. Can't remember what became of him. Does anyone know?

Yes the rain was very welcome...........and like you I find that it is very thirsty weather.....................job to find the correct keys on the keyboard !!!!!

From: Peter Fowler
To: Orchid Talk list
Subject: Re: [OrchidTalk] photos
Date: Sat, 22 Jul 2006 21:55

They were certainly nice pics Andy. It is Peter Tremain who lived at
Porlock at the end of a very steep hill. He was one of the finest orchid
growers, especially Brazilian species. He grew most of his pants from flask
and hardly lost any at all. His greenhouses were spotless.
He moved a few miles away and grew, I believe Paphs. & Phrags. Mainly, plus
some bits and pieces.

I always remember when he flowered his Paphiopedilum sanderianum, starting
from a small seedling he acquired from Dick Warren.
Peter grew in a simple bark mixture, but I had a few problems with virus
from complex Cattleyas he acquired from the USA. They were probably
virused when cloned. It was not his fault and his plant were mostly very
fairly priced.
I remember at one big orchid congress, BOC at Bournemouth , I think, Brian
Rittershausen complained his prices were too low and he should put them up.
Peter said he was making a fair profit and did not budge. Good on him!

From: Peter Fowler
To: Orchid Talk list
Subject: Re: [OrchidTalk] Humour and CITES.
Date: Sat, 22 Jul 2006 23:40

Joyce Stewart was on the main International CITES Committee, which used to
meet at CERN, Switzerland, but I am not sure what she is doing now. Maybe
retired at last.

From: Geoffrey Hands
To: Orchid Talk list
Subject: Re: [OrchidTalk] Porlock.
Date: Sun, 23 Jul 2006 10:25

I won’t tell you what I gathered ( I may have been wrong anyway) about his
personal situation . But commercially, etc....
I know he moved house, and that he thought that most of the species
cattleyas were ‘not commercial’ , which , having heard the expression from
other trade friends at various times, means to me that they grow too slowly
, and not enough people are prepared to pay what ought to be a fair price
for all those years of work for these particular plants.
His other speciality was Phals, and he had a serious problem with woodlice
with them, and could not get anyone (the experts in the agrochemicals
industry or Govt. Dept. )to take that seriously ; they said , as RHS pest
experts have said to me when I have asked for help , woodlice are present
everywhere in gardens and greenhouses and are not a pest .
But they nibble holes in the edges of tender young phal leaves ( and crop
the ends of the roots of young odonts too ) which makes the plants
unsaleable . That's a serious pest problem in my book. I think a one-man
business , not even full time at that ,was just too small to interest the
said experts.
He and I talked about this problem and told each other of ideas we had,
and other peoples ideas we tried , but maybe on the last occasion I spoke to
him he said that he was going to give up phals....

The guy from Porlock was Peter Tremain, and yes he sure did have some
excellent plants. Can't remember what became of him. Does anyone know?

From: francis quesada pallares
To: Orchid Talk list
Subject: Re: [OrchidTalk] photos
Date: Sun, 23 Jul 2006 11:40

I couldn't resist but to laugh at your rather
interesting comment about growing 'pants from flasks'.
can you get boxer shorts, or is it only briefs than
come out of them?

From: John Stanley
To: Orchid Talk list
Subject: Re: [OrchidTalk] Humour and CITES.
Date: Sun, 23 Jul 2006 12:45

I have been following the anecdotes re; CITES and Customs personnel. I have also been downloading some interesting orchid texts from Gutenberg etc.,
http://www.sakoman.net/pg/html/17155.htm
The following letter comes from a text by Frederick Boyle and I can't help thinking what an interesting situation it would be to declare a box at customs in the context of it! The mind boggles!;-

-I have heard that you are large growers of orchids; am I right in supposing that in their growth or production you are much troubled with some insect or caterpillar which retards or hinders their arrival at maturity, and that these insects or caterpillars can be destroyed by small snakes? I have tracts of land under my occupation, and if these small snakes can be of use in your culture of orchids you might write, as I could get you some on knowing what these might be worth to you."

(I suppose nobody's actually tried the snake method for the elimination of mealy bug? Geoff perhaps? Or Chong Yee?)

From: Geoffrey Hands
To: Orchid Talk list
Subject: Re: [OrchidTalk] Humour and CITES.
Date: Sun, 23 Jul 2006 16:30

What an interesting life you lead John , wandering amongst these people.
They are quite unlike the bourgeoisie ( I bet that beats the demon
spellchecker ! ) that I meet here in the capital of www.retired.England.com.
* Mind you , there is a pub named after this man, in the middle of the New
Forest ( "The Snakecatcher, at Brockenhurst" ). they say , that when he made
his way to the bar , no one was in front of him.

* don't try surfing this URL − it's the original Trojan − do you
really want Ulysses and his mates loose on your lawn ? − they'll wreak
havoc amongst your dahlias.

Ps don't know how the bullets got here, maybe I've been surfing too freely
myself.

Pps forgive us dear Tricia − what can possibly be off-message to people
daft enough to spend their lives worshipping at the altar of orchidmania ?

From: Geoffrey Hands
To: Orchid Talk list
Subject: Re: [OrchidTalk] photos
Date: Sun, 23 Jul 2006 16:30

This group is definitely improving . More laughs per minute than a Marx Bros
movie !
Geoff

From: Peter Fowler
To: Orchid Talk list
Subject: Re: [OrchidTalk] photos
Date: Sun, 23 Jul 2006 19:20

From: John Stanley
To: Orchid Talk list
Subject: Re: [OrchidTalk] Marx Bros and Orchids
Date: Sun, 23 Jul 2006 23:15

Geoff,
Trouble with Marxian principles; didn't Groucho assert that he wouldn't join
any club that would have him as a member? We could never have enrolled him
to Orchid Talk!
John

From: John Stanley
To: Orchid Talk list
Subject: Re: [OrchidTalk]Really serious orchid humour
Date: Sun, 23 Jul 2006 23:40

(In politics there is a summer 'silly season'. I guess this is our way of keeping sane). Incidentally, the letter quoted previously was from Frederick Boyle, About Orchids, a Chat, published in 1893.
It can be freely downloaded as an e-book from http://www.sakoman.net/pg/html/17155.htm and reveals how hilarious serious orchid culture can be. I suspect Boyle was pretty good at putting what we'd now call spin or hype on his anecdotes! They differ slightly in the different texts he wrote but reveal something about Victorian attitudes to orchids, their collection and culture.
A good read while waiting for your Stanhopea to open (then, when it does, is it really S.tigrina? We have others that are far more blood red − maybe just variation?).
John

From: Geoffrey Hands
To: Orchid Talk list
Subject: Re: [OrchidTalk] Humour and CITES.
Date: Mon, 24 Jul 2006 08:20

Re-reading your original − below − I am reminded that there was a chap in
Central Orchid Society some years ago * who kept an alligator , ort maybe it
was a crocodile , in his greenhouse " to catch pests" − this was well before
"the orchid thief" but maybe that was the kind of pest in mind..

Actually it was quite small − 15 inches long I think , but I took care to
keep my hands in my pockets and look at the plant from the outside of the
greenhouse.

*I've just remembered his name − Arthur Lacey − was quite well known in the
Midlands − used to breed cattleyas commercially on a very small scale.

From: Andy Mckeown
To: Orchid Talk list
Subject: Re: [OrchidTalk] photos
Date: Mon, 24 Jul 2006 09:40

I think the main treatment needs to be a form of habituation − ie constant exposure. So go to to lots of shows and gradually acquire a very large collection. On second thoughts I'm not sure if that's the cure or the course of the disease.

Andy, I am a newcomer to orchids. Your photos are an inspiration. Simply captivating.

My question is this: How do you get anything else accomplished in a day? I am so thrilled with each bloom that I just sit and gaze upon them. I would be completely immobilized by these beauties. Is there hope for me?

From: Andy Mckeown
To: Orchid Talk list
Subject: Re: [OrchidTalk] Humour and CITES.
Date: Mon, 24 Jul 2006 11:55

I too am plagued from time to time with woodlice nibbling the young growths of phals − very annoying. I have noticed however in the veggie garden that if I turn over a stone or log that the chickens are in like Flynn to get the woodlice.... and they have razor-sharp vision. Just thinking − is there room in the orchid house for the snakes, alligator and a flock of chickens?

From: James H
To: Orchid Talk list
Subject: Re: [OrchidTalk] photos
Date: Mon, 24 Jul 2006 17:40

i bought a *Ascocenda Princess Mikasa Blue *off ebay last year and it
bloomed 3 times in one year then up and died, was growing like mad had 4 new
leaves that year and roots down to the floor then suddenly started drying
out even tho i was watering the same and same hummidity, this happened in
winter when my house temps were a bit low so i think that this plant is
sensitive to low temps, just a warning its a beautiful plant and i wish i
still had mine, it was the easiest ascocenda that i have ever bloomed.

On 7/21/06, Andy Mckeown wrote:
>
> Here's a few photos from today.
>
> The ascocenda flowered in April so I am very pleasantly surprised with
> this showing − better than the last. I guess it is loving the heat as I am.

From: Geoffrey Hands
To: Orchid Talk list
Subject: Re: [OrchidTalk] Humour and CITES.
Date: Mon, 24 Jul 2006 17:45

BTW I should have said ‘welcome to Bournemouth Orchid Society’
If you read that out loud , you will at least have heard the words once ,
but probably that will be the only time..

I don’t go that often nowadays, the programme is not exactly inspiring , and
the chocolate biscuits don’t tempt me.

From: Ron Newstead
To: Orchid Talk list
Subject: Re: [OrchidTalk] photos
Date: Mon, 24 Jul 2006 19:00

From: Janet Fabricant
To: Orchid Talk list
Subject: Re: [OrchidTalk] photos
Date: Mon, 24 Jul 2006 23:05

Our Ascocenda Princess Mikasa Blue flowers several times a year and has done so for about four years. It lives outside in a wooden basket attached to a fence. This is in the US in southeastern Florida.
Regards to all,
Janet

From: Barbara Larimer
To: Orchid Talk list
Subject: Re: [OrchidTalk] photos
Date: Tue, 25 Jul 2006 00:45

Andy, I get the sense that this is like asking the barman for tips on how to
quit drinking. Answer came there none!

I have a tiny fragans growing happily on sphagnum that has just produced a
spike. I am over the moon thrilled.

On 7/24/06, Andy Mckeown wrote:
>
> Hi Barbara
>
> I think the main treatment needs to be a form of habituation − ie constant
> exposure.

From: Barbara Larimer
To: Orchid Talk list
Subject: Re: [OrchidTalk] photos
Date: Tue, 25 Jul 2006 00:45

Ron, It would seem that anything that feels this good should be illegal or
immoral.

On 7/24/06, Ron Newstead wrote:
>
> There is no cure, Barbara, so just relax and enjoy it!

From: Geoffrey Hands
To: Orchid Talk list
Subject: Re: [OrchidTalk] Humour and CITES.
Date: Tue, 25 Jul 2006 05:50

...Just thinking − is there room in the orchid house for the snakes, alligator and a flock of chickens?

From: John Stanley
To: Orchid Talk list
Subject: Re: [OrchidTalk] Humour and CITES and biological control.
Date: Tue, 25 Jul 2006 09:50

Don't forget to get a frog!
Apparently, in Germany, they sometimes use poison arrow frogs (seriously!)
John

From: Geoffrey Hands
To: Orchid Talk list
Subject: Re: [OrchidTalk] photos
Date: Tue, 25 Jul 2006 10:45

I recall the third leg of that quote ( wasn't it from "call me Madam" ?)was
"fattening" − everything in life that is worth while is illegal, immoral or
fattening.

Ron, It would seem that anything that feels this good should be illegal or
immoral.

From: dennis READ
To: Orchid Talk list
Subject: Woodlice − Humour
Date: Tue, 25 Jul 2006 17:10

You may have heard my tale before − especially if you have been to one of my talks.
In the early 1950's woodlice were killed using Derris Dust and when I started growing orchids and was inundated with woodlice I tried to buy some and was advised that it was a banned chemical.
I phoned the RHS at Wisley to get their advice.
Method advised was get two bricks and a bucket.
Fill the bucket with water.
Take one brick in the left hand.
Catch woodlouse with right and place on brick.
Hit with second brick and scrape into water.
Put down second brick and catch second woodlouseand repeat ad nauseum.
Tedious but 100% fool proof.
It is still the only effective way of killing these pests that I know.
Regards from a woodlouse infested Devon.

From: Geoffrey Hands
To: Orchid Talk list
Subject: Re: [OrchidTalk] Woodlice − Humour and more serious
Date: Wed, 26 Jul 2006 07:40

Yes , and similar methods. When I lived at Stratford on Avon by the river -
very humid − wonderful growing conditions − I had a sort of lean-to
greenhouse with a back wall, and for some reason the blighters loved to
crawl on that. So I use to squash them on the wall. No the wall did not
become messy with squashed woodlice, as they are cannibals − the living ones
cleaned up the dead ones as soon as my back was turned.

They don't like copper − and copper based fungicides sprayed on a surface
make it a no-no for them. But that only lasts a few weeks and then needs
doing again.

I did study them once, some years ago , and as I remember it there are about
19 species in UK . I have seen 3 of them for certain, but under the usual
ecological niche rules you are unlikely to find more than 1 common and one
rare species in any one habitat . It may be that the various old wives
remedies like leaving potatoes or grapefruit about to encourage them to
cluster, then destroying the fruit and veg complete with inhabitants only
work with particular species − they never have for me, and I don't like
converting my benches into compost heaps.

I would think we all get quite a respite from these pests as from slugs and
snails in this dry hot year ! ( but I was out walking on Saturday when there
was a cloudburst − I was a mile from home . When I emerged from the bathroom
after a hot shower about an hour later, I found we had 22mm of rain in that
short spell ! )

From: Geoffrey Hands
To: Orchid Talk list
Subject: Re: [OrchidTalk] Humour and CITES and biological control.
Date: Wed, 26 Jul 2006 07:40

But I don't think I would be very good aiming my blowpipe ( with poison
frogs on the end of each dart) at woodlice , they are so small..

Further to woodlice comments. The comments of Broxtowe Borough Council, (See Google.) pretty well sums up and answers the question. There are still insecticides ect available that control them. However, speaking for my self, as a gardener all of my life, man & boy I have never seen any damage to plants that could be positively be seen to be coursed by Woodlice. A clean orchid house will not encourage them.
RonBow.

From: John Stanley
To: Orchid Talk list
Subject: Re: [OrchidTalk] Humour and CITES and biological control.
Date: Wed, 26 Jul 2006 23:50

Oh I dunno Geoff; all you need is a good suntan and the right sort of loin cloth so that your agile movements aren't impeded, bare feet for grip, big ear-rings for balance, practise swinging from the lianas or your vanilla and you'll be as expert as the rest of us in no time. Seriously though, the woodlice here seem quite friendly and harmless; at least, we've not had orchids succumb to their attentions . . . yet
As for the poison dart frogs; apparently they lose their poison in captivity but eat some pests.
John

From: Ron Newstead
To: Orchid Talk list
Subject: Re: [OrchidTalk] photos
Date: Fri, 28 Jul 2006 19:40

I recall the third leg of that quote ( wasn't it from "call me Madam"
?)was "fattening" − everything in life that is worth while is illegal,
immoral or fattening.
Orchid growing is the exception which proves the rule ?

From: Ron Bower
To: Orchid Talk list
Subject: Re: [OrchidTalk] photos
Date: Sat, 29 Jul 2006 14:45

Ron,
"It's Immoral, It's Illegal or it makes you fat." Was a song name and was sung and recorded by The Beverly Sisters in 1950. It is also the title of a CD by Edmondo Ross. I think you are right that it was used in a West End production but I can't recall which or when. However I don't think it is original to either of these as I recall my eldest sister saying it in the early 1940's.
Ronbow.

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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

July 22—31