2007 mailing list messages

2007 Archived Messages

Click on the week you require.
To return to the main Archive index, click the button at the bottom of the page.
Links to all the Photos and other images accompanying the list messages can be found on the Images page.

From: Geoffrey Hands
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Re: [OrchidTalk] RE: I wonder!
Date: Fri, 15 Jun 2007

With some rapid mental arithmetic ( have just had my cornflakes so my mind
is incredibly sharp ) − about 0.896 seconds to do one complete lap, assuming
you don't slow down at the corners.

From: Laura Peppiatt
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: FW: [OrchidTalk] How to rescue vandas?
Date: Fri, 15 Jun 2007

I have sent the message two days ago and have not got any respond.
Please, tell me why you have given me a "cold shoulder". English is not
my first language. I wonder if I have written something that could
offend you. I apologise if I did.

> I have much less experience than most of you that is why I mostly ask
> questions and read your highly useful emails.

> I was given two vandas to rescue. Both plants come from Homebase and had
> lived in a glass jars probably for a year. Both plants have 4 old
> spikes. One of them has almost no roots and another one a bit better and
> has a side shoot.

> Poor one I have hung upside down and surround it with Spanish moss.
> Better one hangs in normal position with Spanish moss around. Both
> plants I soak in a basket of water every day.

> I have had these plants for a week. No signs of recovery yet but plants
> have not deteriorated either.

> Have I done anything wrong? Would it be better to leave plants in a
> glass? What is the best way to get roots growing?

> I have noticed that Spanish moss grows better outside. Is it OK to put
> vandas outside when night temperature is above 15C? I have measured
> temperature and humidity for a few days outdoors and humidity at night
> can reach 90% when indoors its about 50%.

From: John Stanley
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Re: [OrchidTalk] RE: I wonder!
Date: Fri, 15 Jun 2007

What was it the man sang; "the answer's blowin' in the wind."
(Blame me 'n' Geoff; it was all about optimum air velocity . . I think)
John

From: Sylvain VAN DER WALDE
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: The lady who bought 2 Vandas from Homebase.
Date: Fri, 15 Jun 2007

Hello.
I appear to have unwittingly deleted your message.
I also did buy such a plant from Homebase, although mine was still in bloom
and I had to pay the full price. The flowers lasted 3 weeks.
I noticed that some of these orchids did not have the "Vanda Orchids Care
guide".
If you didn't manage to get one, I will be happy to send you some of the
info contained in it.

From: Sylvain VAN DER WALDE
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Re: [OrchidTalk] How to rescue vandas?
Date: Fri, 15 Jun 2007

Hello Laura.
I sent you a message today, and I hope that you received it. Regarding today's message from you:
I don't think that anyone has given you "the cold shoulder". And you _haven't_ written anything to offend anyone on this mailing list.
Why you haven't received a reply yet, I really don't know. Perhaps Tricia Garner, who owns and runs this mailing list, can give you a few words of explanation and "gee up" some of the more experienced members of the list.
I write rarely, but I have been a member since its very beginning.
This is my advice to you: Don't get offended; be patient and persistent. I will speak up for you if you still get no answers.
By the way, what is your first language?

From: Roger Grier
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Laura's Vandas.
Date: Fri, 15 Jun 2007

It's not so much that nobody replied to you quickly as I guess most of us are so busy in our gardens.

Vandas in GLASS JARS........just a sales gimmick. Use the jars for something else.

Hang the plants up by whatever takes your fancy. Water the stem and roots every morning, then hang them up to dry. Then hope to see new roots sometime.

From: Ron Bower
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Re: [OrchidTalk] RE: I wonder!
Date: Fri, 15 Jun 2007

H'mm. Well I think the original email must have gone AWOL!!! If it's air movement your on about, the more the better short of having to pin your plants to the bench. I have 4 fans blowing 24 hours.in a 16 X 12 greenhouse. One is extract/input used according to conditions.
Ronbow.

> What was it the man sang; "the answer's blowin' in the wind."
> (Blame me 'n' Geoff; it was all about optimum air velocity . . I think)

From: John Stanley
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Re: [OrchidTalk] How to rescue vandas?
Date: Fri, 15 Jun 2007

Laura,
Your English is perfectly clear and I am sure that there's nobody in this forum who would wish to give you 'the cold shoulder'! You have certainly not offended us!

It is likely that nobody feels sure enough, without seeing the plants, what is the best advice or that mail is sometimes slower than two days in getting through to everyone.

I have just had high level talks with my orchid-growing wife and she suggests that you simply hang the vandas the correct way up and spray them daily or dip them daily. However, this would assume the temperature is not too low and that surplus water can evaporate daily. We aren't sure about the value of moss around the base of the plant since when vandas grow roots they are almost entirely exposed to the air or within the air spaces of (say) bark or a synthetic aggregate. The danger is that moss may keep them too wet. We think that humidity is important but not too much continuous surface water or rot may occur. This is especially a potential problem if they have been standing in water and have already started to rot.

Have a look to see if the old root bases are slimy and possibly infected with fungus. Also look for any new root tips (they will be green That is a good sign of recovery).

If this advice is wrong or less than the best, someone will surely write in and correct us.

We assume you are in the temperate northern hemisphere and it is summer for you and that the plants are in a greenhouse with plenty of light.

Good luck and be assured that we are all friends in Orchid Talk − maybe a little crazy, but friendly and we try to be helpful!
John

From: jan
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Re: FW: [OrchidTalk] How to rescue vandas?
Date: Sat, 16 Jun 2007

I don't know why people haven't replied − in my case it was modesty, as
I am no Vanda expert. But I am trying to rescue a few that have come to
me in mysterious ways. What I have done is to hang them up, mounted on
bark with some coconut fibre (which the roots seem to ignore completely)
in my 'fog chamber', where they get misted over for about an hour every
morning. It seems to work, but very slowly − Vandas are slow growers, I
think.

I think what you've done sounds about right, although I am sure about
the upside down − the only ones I have (almost) upside down are
Phalaenopsis, which seem to prefer spilling out over the side of something.

About putting them outside − aren't Vandas supposed to be 'warm'
orchids? I wouldn't put them outside, the temperature is probably not
the problem, but I found out last year that persistent wind is not good,
or perhaps it was the blazing sun; you should probably be careful with that.

Maybe you should build yourself a fog chamber like I did − it isn't as
complicated or expensive as it sounds. The main thing is an 'ultrasound
fogger', which you can buy in eletronics shops like Maplin for about
£13. Then you will want something to keep the mist it generates from
drifting out in your living space, because otherwise everything can end
up being soaked − I made some simple contraptions out of a large plastic
tray from the garden centre, some pieces of perspex, a metal grid on top
of some plastic flower pots to lift the plants up from the water that
collect in the bottom and a small bucket with holes halfway up the side
(see the attached picture). Not a thing of beauty, but it works well.

I recall a while back somebody asked me to post a picture of my
bog-in-a-pocket that I have − here it is, then. The cats have tried to
lie on it, but then of there was this nasty water.

From: Tricia Garner
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Re: [OrchidTalk] RE: I wonder!
Date: Sat, 16 Jun 2007

> H'mm. Well I think the original email must have gone AWOL!!! If it's
> air movement your on about, the more the better short of having to pin
> your plants to the bench. I have 4 fans blowing 24 hours.in a 16 X 12
> greenhouse. One is extract/input used according to conditions. Ronbow.

> > What was it the man sang; "the answer's blowin' in the wind." (Blame
> > me 'n' Geoff; it was all about optimum air velocity . . I think)

As far as I can make out, John and Geoff were having a private discussion
and Geoff inadvertently sent a reply to the list instead of direct to John.
It appears Geoff didn't trim any of the previous messages so we were
probably treated to the whole conversation anyway!

From: Gordon Walker
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Re: [OrchidTalk] A bog
Date: Sat, 16 Jun 2007

Hi Jan,
It was me and I thank you for the pic. It sure does look like an oasis for
wildlife and healthy moss etc.
Gordon.

From: John Stanley
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Re: [OrchidTalk] RE: I wonder!
Date: Sat, 16 Jun 2007

Tricia,
Please feel free to blame me! What happened was that Geoff and I got
into a legitimate OT exchange in the course of which was a slight diversion
because I'd encountered a potentially interesting (for him) web-site. I sent
Geoff the following, (I've stripped the middle out);
Geoff,
Have you heard of or come across the device(s) on this site? . . . . .

I thought that, for now, I'd keep it away from O-Talk but if there's
anythin' in it, who knows.
John

I suspect that Geoff missed the last sentence and assumed that I was
continuing an OT thread and so the exchange got back in and I then had a
(?)tongue-in-cheek message from Bhotplant@aol.com (sorry, I don't know the
proper name) and like so many asides, it simply took off! The "original"
email hadn't gone AWOL it was simply a private one to Geoff!
Just to legitimize the whole thing, we were on about the compromise
between too much air movement (damage) and insufficient (bugs). Geoff was
able to recollect some air movemenet parameters from (?)fruit growers and I
wandered off into calculating for Bhotplant a ballpark figure for the volume
air per sec to achieve a 23 mph wind in a greenhouse. There you have it!
Sorry folks!!!!
John

From: Roger Grier
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: THree items.
Date: Sat, 16 Jun 2007

Good luck and be assured that we are all friends in Orchid Talk − maybe a little crazy, but friendly and we try to be helpful!

Just one correction, as many of my friends say as a joke, and that is that I am completely crazy, love telling jokes and acting the fool, and also writing odes for people.

Has anyone else noticed that our orchids seem a little slower this year in putting out new growths and roots, or am I mistaken?

Does anyone, or has anyone ever grown Trichopilias? I have had one plant for a couple of years now. It was only when I was contacted by a grower of these orchids and we began to chat that I came upon a very useful tip and that this tip changed my way of growing these orchids. Also this tip opened our eyes to a general fault that seemed to plague many of us.

We noticed that the new growths often rotted off, or did not do that well in the early stages.

That was when I consulted my 'Orchid Bible', aka 'Encyclopaedia of Cultivated Orchids' by Alex D. Hawkes.

Alex stated that this plant was best grown when sitting on a 'hill' at the centre top of a pot. This enabled the new growths to get away without being covered with compost and so not rotting off.

So, there and then I decided to de-pot my one and only Trochopilia. I was gobsmacked and very pleased to see what was in front of my very eyes. So many new growths, EIGHTEEN OF THEM, bloody hell, and even a couple that were bleached white due to lack of light. If all of those grow well then this will be some plant.

As an experiment I have washed and cleaned the plant, cut away ALL of the previous years roots that were quite soft and almost dead. And as you can see from the photos, I have mounted it to a piece/branch of cork bark.

From: Tricia Garner
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Disa Marguerite Kottler
Date: Sat, 16 Jun 2007

From: Geoffrey Hands
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Re: [OrchidTalk] How to rescue vandas?
Date: Sat, 16 Jun 2007

We are all friends, chatting here Laura − no one has any duty to reply !
However, usually someone will . But maybe everyone has been waiting for
someone else to reply − it happens from time-to-time , so you should not
take it personally.

They will do very well bare root, if they are in a humid environment.
Otherwise pot in a very coarse medium − coarse bark is the best thing I
know.

At this time of the year you can water as often as you like, and/or spray as
often as you can − when it is warm and/or sunny. In the winter do this once
a week or less.

It is very difficult to get the roots growing again, once they have stopped,
but heat/humidity/sunshine/spraying frequently, is the best way.

They don't like hanging upside down − it is unnatural. In fact if you hang
them so that they are horizontal instead of vertical , (in the case of a
strong vigorous growing plant) you get new growths appearing from several
leaf axils, all trying to grow vertically − rather than the tip growing.
Upside down will just kill the plant.

They will do better inside or outside in the place of highest humidity − so
if it is dryer inside, take them out , and vice versa.

They don't mind cold, but not in their growing season − and will stand
temperatures down to single figures ( Centigrade) if dry.

> I have sent the message two days ago and have not got any respond. Please,
> tell me why you have given me a "cold shoulder". English is not my first
> language. I wonder if I have written something that could offend you. I
> apologise if I did.

From: Geoffrey Hands
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Re: [OrchidTalk] Disa Marguerite Kottler
Date: Sat, 16 Jun 2007

It's a very nice Disa − quite an interesting colour ( assuming that what I
see is what you see...) and that stops me suggesting that Disas are like
Miltoniopsis in that there are more names than there different flowers !

From: Roger Grier
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Alan's Disa.
Date: Sat, 16 Jun 2007

Your photo of that excellent looking bloom of the Disa stirred my brain into action.

I was watching 'Gardeners World' from the NEC Centre, Brum and was delighted to see and here what that chap had to say about his Disa's.

Let's face it, have we ever seen someone who talks our language and actually grows hundreds, if not thousands of them.

From: Geoffrey Hands
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Peterborough − the new Newbury
Date: Sat, 16 Jun 2007

Fantastic show − the best ever ( better than Newbury ) I bought a lot of
really interesting species which I knew of , or had never heard of, but in
both cases had never seen. And at reasonable prices too.

Came back early ( tonight) instead of staying until Sunday ; my plants ( on
my Soc. Stand) had been ferried there and will be returned, by the Show
committee team so I wasn't needed , and the hotel we ( Joyce and self)
stayed at was a little lacking − the weather too, not kind ( a lot of
millimetres of rain − it usually started every time we stepped outside the
tent, or out of the car )- and I thought of all the things I have to do/want
to do at home ..

The rest of the show too was a little disappointing . An agricultural show
sounds great to me ( I remember all those Smithfield Shows, and National
Agric. Centre Shows I used to go to when I was working ( Client X would ring
me to say that competitor Y was showing a machine which infringed his
Patent, and I must go and see it, and push an injunction into his hand − the
law does not actually work like that, but I used to go anyway − and send a
bill − how else can I afford to run a fleet of Rolls Royces now I've been
retired for years and years ?... [joke] ) but the East of England Show 2007
is too much candy floss, overweight teenage lager louts etc.. end of grumpy
old man routine.

From:
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Re: [OrchidTalk] RE: I wonder!
Date: Sat, 16 Jun 2007

From: Tricia Garner
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: 'Vandas' in glass jars
Date: Sun, 17 Jun 2007

Regarding the Homebase Vandas, I understand that the UKP30 ones are most
likely Ascocenda Princess Mikassa rather than Vandas as such, and may be a
bit more forgiving in cultivation.

I managed to get one at half-price on the advice of fellow members of North
Hampshire Orchid Society − once the flowers on these plants are going over,
Homebase usually sell them off.

Frankly, the only disadvantage of the glass jar I have met so far is that
it was so thin it broke, so I had to replace it. For windowsill cultivation
they seem ideal *but* they mustn't have water in all the time. I was
recommended to half-fill the jar with water, let it stand for around 30
minutes and then pour all the water away in winter, allow a *little* water
to remain in very warm weather. The frequency of this depends on the warmth
of the room, etc. I imagine they would be no good for greenhouse
cultivation.

My guess is that Laura's plants were allowed to stand in water, which is
why the roots perished.

From: Tina Stagg
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Re: [OrchidTalk] Alan's Disa.
Date: Sun, 17 Jun 2007

> Your photo of that excellent looking bloom of the Disa stirred my brain
> into action.

> I was watching 'Gardeners World' from the NEC Centre, Brum and was
> delighted to see and here what that chap had to say about his Disa's.

> Let's face it, have we ever seen someone who talks our language and
> actually grows hundreds, if not thousands of them.

From: A SCOTT
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Re: [OrchidTalk] Alan's Disa.
Date: Sun, 17 Jun 2007

The disa man's name is Dave Parkinson I think. He had a gold medal for his disa stand at the RHS Tatton show last year. Real eye stopper.
Regards
Alex Scott

From: jan
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Re: [OrchidTalk] A bog
Date: Sun, 17 Jun 2007

Only if the wildlife is very small and not too wild. Until I finally got
my entire garden fenced and made rabbit safe, I had to keep a roll of
chicken wire wrapped around it, otherwise they would tear it apart
regularly. I must say I much prefer aphids, scale insects, mealy bugs
and thrips to rabbits; I've never come across any animal so senselessly
destructive (except for mankind, of course) − I don't know how many
times I have come out to find plants simply dug up, bitten to pieces and
discarded. Even rats don't simply destroy for the hell of it.

Now that I have rabbit proofed the whole area and got two cats, suddenly
I see plants I hardly even know existed in UK, like German camomile and
dandelion (which I find very beautiful and always try to preserve when
they are not in the way).

Gordon Walker wrote:
> Hi Jan,
> It was me and I thank you for the pic. It sure does look like an oasis
> for wildlife and healthy moss etc.
> Gordon.
>

From: Sylvain VAN DER WALDE
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Re: [OrchidTalk] 'Vandas' in glass jars
Date: Sun, 17 Jun 2007

Hello Tricia.
I also have bought that Vanda from Homebase. This is what the pamphlet (not
always available with each plant) has to say about watering: When the
weather is sunny and warm the vase should be filled twice a week and once a
week when the weather is cool and cloudy.When the vase is filled with water
air bubbles will escape from the plants' roots. This is because the roots
absorb water rather like a sponge.After about 10 minutes no more bubbles
will appear. This means that the roots are saturated. The remaining water
can be poured away. The plant has now stored enough water in its roots to
meet its needs for the next few days. www.ancoorchidee.nl

I've also bought a large Vanda (Spotted Sunshine) from Burnham Nurseries.
It's just acceptable in quality, and I was somewhat disappointed with it.
It's suspended in a basket (as supplied), and I have it hanging during the
day in front of a south-facing window. As recommended by a North England
orchid website, I spray it once in the morning, and a second time after 10
minutes. If it's hot and sunny, I will spray it more frequently _in the
morning only_ to allow the roots to "dry out" during the afternoon. The
plant (which I've had now for about one month) had the beginning of a root
tip showing, and also (fingers crossed) the beginning a spike. These have
shown no signs of growth yet. But the roots with green tips (in the
minority) have grown a little longer, and one new root tip is beginning to
appear from the side of one of the roots. So, the plant is growing
satisfactorally. It's due now for its monthly fertilizer addition. My 16
inch floor standing fan is set to run at its slowest speed from a small
distance, and the resulting wind just moves the plant.

From: Geoffrey Hands
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Cattleya citrina − or whatever it is now called.
Date: Sun, 17 Jun 2007

Bought one at Peterborough. Half a dozen bulbs, the last few with
leaves, one new growth the size of a matchstick.

From: Dennis Read
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Peterborough
Date: Sun, 17 Jun 2007

i arrived at 9.00 am at the show on Saturday with some trepidation. The show advertised about 50 trade stands and 30 Societies stands. This is very adventurous for a first show. I was at the first Newbury show and worked as a go for on the rest and knew the hard work that was put in by Don Smallman and Colin Howe et al to make a success.
In my opinion the show was a resounding winner. The marque was set up with four aisles and plenty of space. The trade stands and society stands were the best I had seen in ages. I soon ran out of money as the trade stands had some amazing plants at reasonable prices. Unfortunately Peru Flora did not appear as they had cites problems which meant I could not get my order but they are coming to belgium in July and will post them to me.
A great show. different to Newbury with not so much County Show Style animals but a good moior cycle display and veteran car parade. Food was cheaper than Newbury and the organisers were keen to have an Orchid Show − they provided the six cups for presentation.
Let us hope it was a financial success for the traders so that they will return next year − yes it is being planned and the posters are available. A great show and although it is a five hour drive I will be there next year.
Regards from a damp Devon

From: AFG
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Disa Marguerite Kottler
Date: Sun, 17 Jun 2007

The Disa is grown in moss, but to emulate its need to grow in running water
we had to follow an idea thrown out at a lecture by a Disa expert.
Apparently the secret is that the plant needs to extract oxygen from moving
water and as you can see, to emulate this we have tilted a plant saucer,
from which wicks normally used in parrafin heaters cause the water to
constantly move away from the plant. I put an inch or two of water into the
saucer every morning. Disas evidently should not be given any chemical
feeds but rely on the flowing water to supply any nutrients.

From: francis quesada pallares
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Re: [OrchidTalk] Peterborough
Date: Mon, 18 Jun 2007

Went on Sunday, and just like you, I did run out of
money pretty soon! Luckily, as it was Sunday, the
international traders were offering some very good
deals, so I got myself Phal. cornu-cervi var. flava
and Phal. violacea var. borneo at £10 each, both with
multiple spikes. I also got a great deal from another
Taiwanese trader (can't remember their name), and
Ecuagenera did get me out of money very soon!

From: Geoffrey Hands
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Re: [OrchidTalk] Disa Marguerite Kottler
Date: Mon, 18 Jun 2007

I once found Disa uniflora growing wild. It actually has several flowers
despite the name and is the basis of all the large flowered hybrids.

It grows on Table Mountain, Cape Town ( RSA) . It grows in tussocks of grass
half in and half out of a running stream − marked on maps − if you can find
them − as "Disa Stream" !.

I guess the stream never dries up − not that it actually rains, as such ,
that frequently, but Table Mountain "wears it's cap" − a streamer of cloud
over the summit, 3 days out of 4. Quite interesting this, as to why it does
; it's where the Indian Ocean circulatory system and the Atlantic Ocean
circulatory systems meet − you can find 15 degrees difference between water
temperatures , 10 miles apart , at sea level − and hence cool air meeting
warm at 3000 feet, hence condensation etc. And the condensation feeds the
stream , which never dries up, and only actually changes in level when it
does really rain.

I took samples of the water from the stream and applied my pH and EC meters.
I have not got the figures now − I sold all my Disas after a they were badly
damaged in a particularly hot summer maybe 20 years ago ( note where the
Disa chap mentioned comes from − Harrogate, up in t'North, where the
temperature never reaches double figures [joke ] )- but from memory the EC
was 190mS , and pH 5.6 . Both rather if not considerably lower than usual
especially for terrestrials. I forget also what I found about the "soil"
which is poor gravelly low in humus stuff, I seem to remember high in
Alumina − the flora is of course Cape Fynbos − quite unique.

From: Dennis Read
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Re: [OrchidTalk] Alan's Disa.
Date: Mon, 18 Jun 2007

Dave Parkinson had a stand at Peterborough run by his faily as he was at Gardeners World Show. A great display and I bought a Disa kewensisin the morning. By two o'clock he was nearly sold out on the saturday. Regards

From: Dennis Read
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Re: [OrchidTalk] Cattleya citrina − or whatever it is now called.
Date: Mon, 18 Jun 2007

Geoff, is this what I call Encyclia citrina? Mine is now in bud but when it has finished flowering I give it a months rest then it goes into my low level sprays where it gets sprayed every 4 hrs ie three times a day. when the new bulb is fully grown ir is hung up in the roof and sprayed twice a week untill it flowers. I'll post a pic. when it flowers. Regards

From: Roger Grier
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Cattleya citrina.
Date: Mon, 18 Jun 2007

First of all matey, who did you buy it from as I have been after one for a while.

I have tried, unsuccessfully for some time, to get a photo of this plant growing naturally. I have E-mailed Mexico and other places but so far no luck.

First of all, my advice is NEVER to place any moss or whatever between the orchid and its host, which in your case would be the piece of cork bark. My reason for saying this is that eventually the moss breaks down and then the roots are left in mid air so to speak. I grew several pieces of the 'normal' yellow Oncidium on a piece of cork bark for many years until it out grew its home. No moss just the orchid and the bark.

I know that many of us always see moss between a plant and its host..........but that is always on the stand of a grower, and they may not be able to afford the time to water as frequently as they would like, so the moss is there for their convenience.

Some people always say hang it vertically..........but if so, in nature it would surely hang under a branch or would it hang on the sides of a branch. Would it then grow towards the end of the branch, or towards the trunk.

I may be very fussy in trying to find out the correct details, but this is what makes this hobby of ours so fascinating.

From: Laura Peppiatt
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Re: [OrchidTalk] 'Vandas' in glass jars
Date: Mon, 18 Jun 2007

Sorry my message was silly and I got so much attention now! There are so
many ways to grow orchids and so many differences in growing
environments that it is difficult to give an advice.

After Peterborough I have realised that I could buy much better Vandas
for a ten quid than that ones that I was asked to rescue. I will take
on all very valuable advice I have received from you. I have talked to
the growers on the show as well and one of them said that a small amount
of moss inside the black basket will help to induce new roots growing.
His Vandas looked superb with lots of new roots.

I will probably get rid of poor things if they do not show any new roots
in a couple of months.

As for Peterborough it was superb despite I went on Saturday and bought
plants with ought discount. My hubby had to drag me out after three
hours when I run out of cash.

From: Sylvain VAN DER WALDE
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Re: [OrchidTalk] Cattleya citrina − or whatever it is now called.
Date: Mon, 18 Jun 2007

Hello Geoff.
Google is your friend. This is what I've found in a short time. I will look
some more later.

From: Geoffrey Hands
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Re: [OrchidTalk] Cattleya citrina.
Date: Mon, 18 Jun 2007

I bought it from Lucke ( Hans ? ) − one of the German nurseries ; at
Peterborough of course . You ought to get out more Roger !

I also bought some good Renanthera species etc from him. He offered me the
Encyc. Citrina towards the end of our chat ( my Missus was choosing some
interesting large flowered Phallys − all oranges/dark reds and bronzey
yellows − I had offered to buy a selection for her as an arrangement for our
hall − a few quid spent on keeping spouse happy is the recipe for a long
session at an orchid show which probably bores her out of her mind, and
without any recriminations about my spending etc. he said they "had just
come in" . I believe he charged me a tenner .

PS the advice about growth was to have it on the top of a plaque which is
sloping at − I guess he was indicating say 60 degrees to the vertical (
nearer vertical than horizontal ). Not easy to get a plaque to hang at that
angle ! I'll take your advice about no moss.

From: John Stanley
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Re: [OrchidTalk] Cattleya citrina.
Date: Mon, 18 Jun 2007

Hi Rocky,
Attached pinched from my wife's camera (she grew it and flowered it − ie. we were given it some years ago by a friend who couldn't flower it). I think we're just fortunate in having it in the right place in the greenhouse (plus, of course, my wifes skill!). Sorry that the pic is so restricted − it was an opportunistic record rtaher than a composed pic.
John

From: Geoffrey Hands
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Re: [OrchidTalk] Cattleya citrina − or whatever it is now called.
Date: Mon, 18 Jun 2007

From: epric@tiscali.nl
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Re: [OrchidTalk] Peterborough − the new Newbury
Date: Mon, 18 Jun 2007

At the moment we arrived we had a good feeling, even our display plants (and a part of our sale parts) were shipped to southern germany instead of Peterborough. (They can't read lables on packages)

From: Geoffrey Hands
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Re: [OrchidTalk] Another non orchid question.
Date: Mon, 18 Jun 2007

Right clicking on the box with the red cross always used to work for me, but
not any more. I have not yet had patience to try and work it out !

The answer of course has to be that "improved " security settings in IE or
whatever are causing this, but exactly where − that's another question.

I guess a short cut would be to get this happening on a commercial website,
and then e-mail webmaster − all innocence and ignorance, and asking for
help.

> Thank you all for your help. I've now lowered my security setting, allowed
> pop-ups from hotmail and tried 'hitting' the box, but no luck!!

From: John Stanley
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Re: [OrchidTalk] 'Vandas' in glass jars !
Date: Mon, 18 Jun 2007

Hi Laura,
Deciphered the message but I wonder what changed to give us/you all those
20 symbols?
As for the vandas − hang 'em up and see what happens. Think how proud you
caould be if they live!
John

From: John Stanley
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Re: [OrchidTalk] Cattleya citrina.
Date: Mon, 18 Jun 2007

Rocky,
Have had further high level discussions with my wife/expert in growing 'Encyclia' or Euchile citrina and her advice is;
1. Hang high (the flower and leaves hang down from a bark mount) and provide plenty of light
2. No water in (our ) winter and not until signs of growth other than the flower bud (ours was given a lttle water on beginning to flower). In other words, it will flower before needing much water.
3. After flowering it will put on other growth and need plenty of water.
4. Humidity in our greenhouse is about 80%+.
We should say that we have a second plant that hasn't flowered recently and hasn't shown signs this year so there may be as much luck as skill in achieving the objective!
Good luck.
John (and Margaret)

From: Dr Chong-Yee Khoo
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Top Orchidists Triumph at Peterborough
Date: Tue, 19 Jun 2007

Here are some photographs of the Bournemouth Orchid Society stand at the Peterborough Internationa Orchid Show, which won Best Amateur Display.

One of our members won Best Amateur Species for a Cattleya and another was awarded first in class for a Miltonia. Several plants on the display were also awarded Awards of Merit (including 3 of my plants, so I'm very happy indeed!).

From: Beccy Holmes
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Re: [OrchidTalk] Another non orchid question.
Date: Tue, 19 Jun 2007

That sounds like a good plan Geoff, I'll keep you posted if I manage to find
the solution.

From: Geoffrey Hands
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Re: [OrchidTalk] 'Vandas' in glass jars
Date: Tue, 19 Jun 2007

That's orchidomania − quite incurable I find. But then, all readers here are
well aware of it !

From: Tina Stagg
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Re: [OrchidTalk] Another non orchid question.
Date: Tue, 19 Jun 2007

I have solved this problem, and a few others, by occasionally downloading
Norton Internet Security updates manually, instead of always relying on the
automatic updates. Sometimes an update will stick and the automatic facility
doesn't bother to tell you.

> Right clicking on the box with the red cross always used to work for me,
> but not any more. I have not yet had patience to try and work it out !

From: Dennis Read
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Encyclia citrina
Date: Tue, 19 Jun 2007

Attached is a picture of my Encyclia citrina. ( I keep calling it this as all my records are in this name) It is mounted on bark with a pad of coconut wool (?) under the piece that was mounted when bought from Burnhams. This is the third year it has flowered for me and a new bulb has started on the top left of the plant. The roots are all clinging to the bark and it grows downward. I'll posta picture when the bloom is open. Regards

From: Barbara Larimer
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Re: [OrchidTalk] 'Vandas' in glass jars
Date: Tue, 19 Jun 2007

What, they don't take bank checks or credit cards??? I never let a little
thing like cash slow me down!!

In fact, I am still a bit woozy from our society orchid auction last week.
I really had to struggle to control my paddle hand, but what fun!

If there were a 12 step program or some other cure for orchidmania, I wonder
what it would be called. Orchidists Anonymous?

From: jns tropic
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Re: orchidomania
Date: Wed, 20 Jun 2007

Orchidmania with out the 'o' is a charity in the USA.
Growers give them orchids and after housing them and
taking care of them they have public sales. All money
goes to AIDS research.

From: James H
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Re: [OrchidTalk] A bog
Date: Wed, 20 Jun 2007

just come to western canada and i will give you all the dandelion you can
carry, and more... its the worst weed we have here and people spend fortunes
trying to get it out of their lawns.

>
> Now that I have rabbit proofed the whole area and got two cats, suddenly
> I see plants I hardly even know existed in UK, like German camomile and
> dandelion (which I find very beautiful and always try to preserve when
> they are not in the way).

From: Laura Peppiatt
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Re: [OrchidTalk] 'Vandas' in glass jars
Date: Wed, 20 Jun 2007

I hope my message was readable after it was resent by the Webmaster.
I have bought just 7 plants in Peterborough

Lc Loog Tone "African Beauty"
Dtps Ching Ruey,s Gold Stuff
Phal. Violacea
Encyclia Vitelliana
Neofinetia Hissui and Shutenno
Sederia japonica.

I wanted to buy many more but... I regret now that I did not buy
dendrobium Canaliculatum that I liked a lot but seller was not sure
about scent.
I found out that it is scented dendrobium only at home. Pity.

From: Roy Lee
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Picture require
Date: Wed, 20 Jun 2007

Hi all, hoping someone may be able to help me with a picture &/or comment on the flower style, shape, color, comparison to either or both parents of
Paph. Memoria Rolf Bolin. The cross was registered in 1974 by Cryder. The cross is P.glaucophyllum x superbiens. I can only find reference to the name and parents, nothing on the actual plant. I have a number of seedlings of the cross which came in a bulk batch I bought.
Regards, Roy.

From: Barbara Larimer
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Re: [OrchidTalk] A bog
Date: Wed, 20 Jun 2007

I have a friend from the UK who grew goldenrod, much to the chagrin of her
neighbors here.
She used it in arrangements and it was quite lovely.

From: Roger Grier
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Makes you swear !!!
Date: Wed, 20 Jun 2007

I was de-potting two large Cattleyas, washing them, cutting away all old roots, washing the main stems and removing all the old sheaths, carefully cleaning the rhizome and generally giving the plant a first class M.O.T. when I knocked off a nice new growth that was about 4cm in length..........I did swear $)(&^%$£(*&%.

Still, orchids have three lives and I quite confident that one of the two other eyes will grow away.

Main reason for me telling you about it is to show how I do clean and tidy up a Cattleya and other orchids of very similar construction.

This year I have not cut a slot in the rhizome between bulbs and I will wait and see what happens.

Perhaps we could all write and say how we do our own M.O.T. on our plants and we may learn a thing or two.

From: Sylvain VAN DER WALDE
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Re: [OrchidTalk] 'Vandas' in glass jars
Date: Wed, 20 Jun 2007

Hello Laura.
Your previous message was alright _after it was resent_, but this one is
just as bad as before.
I don't think that it's anything to do with you.
I hope that Tricia can send it again.

Hi Roy
Don't know if this helps but not much on this one i could find Paph
Cheers
Les

From: Tricia Garner
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Re: [OrchidTalk] 'Vandas' in glass jars
Date: Thu, 21 Jun 2007

I will re-send the original (not to the Digest, which doesn't have the
problem), but in the meantime I think Geoff pinpointed the difference in
that Laura's first message was HTML + text and the subsequent ones are just
plain text, which is what I requested. The appears to mean space and
the 09 a tab character. These are not standard, which is what is causing
the problem.

From: Laura Peppiatt
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: HTML message
Date: Thu, 21 Jun 2007

I am not sure why the message was sent in this format. I did not check
it, I just hit a reply to all button.
Next time I will be more carefull.

From: Esther Koh
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Re: [OrchidTalk] Makes you swear !!!
Date: Thu, 21 Jun 2007

Yes, I've accidentally knocked off new growths while repotting my orchids. The 2 that I recently repotted/remounted started rotting even though I doused one with Physan and the other with Captan. One had such a dense root system that I could not remove all the bits of charcoal from among the roots, so I and resorted to cutting off most of the roots. A lot of them were damaged while unpotting anyway, and I have great difficulty distinguishing old roots from dead roots unless I see the cross-section of a cut root.

What should one do in such a situation? With my bad experience, I'm inclined now to just drop the whole pot into a bigger pot and filling up the spaces with more pieces of charcoal.

From: Laura Peppiatt
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Re: [OrchidTalk] Makes you swear !!!
Date: Thu, 21 Jun 2007

I have got only three cats and all of them I bought this year. I would love to know how other people report them and how often. My new plants I just dropped them in a slightly bigger slotted terracotta pots. Not sure about outcome yet.

From: Tina Stagg
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Re: [OrchidTalk] Makes you swear !!!
Date: Thu, 21 Jun 2007

As regards cleaning up my cattleyas − I leave the most recent sheaths until the late autumn, to protect the pbulbs from the sun.

I have a black spider, about 3-4cm across including legs, that has lived for several years in a corner of my hot greenhouse, where the staging meets the wooden frame. It is very timid and does not like having its photograph taken. In fact, it doesn't appear for long enough to get a good look at it.

It's web is flat, horizontal, vaguely triangular-shaped, with one 60cm side, one side much shorter and the hypotenuse curving in to a rather alarming funnel in the corner where the spider lives right down inside.

I have received stowaways in pots occasionally but don't know whether this is one of them. Should I be worried?

From: Tina Stagg
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Laura's plants
Date: Thu, 21 Jun 2007

Encyclia vitellina is an interesting orchid − I had one for about thirty years and it flowered reliably on a good, tall spike with only the occasional branch. Then one year it excelled itself with a huge spike, flowering all the way up at the same time, about 80-90cm, with lots of branches − then it dropped dead!

I bought a second one straight away, which I still have. If left to its own devices the spike would last all the year round so I will cut it off in a month or so to give the pbulb a chance to make up. Usually, the spike keeps growing and, as flowers fade at the bottom of the spike, more open at the top. I have the clone that very rarely gives more than one new growth each year.

From: Dr Chong-Yee Khoo
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Re: [OrchidTalk] Makes you swear !!!
Date: Thu, 21 Jun 2007

MOT stands for Ministry of Transport, but refers to a test all
vehicles over 3 years old must pass in order to be allowed on the
roads in the UK − much like the VICOM test in Singapore.

From: Roger Grier
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Root identification.
Date: Thu, 21 Jun 2007

M.O.T. means Ministry of Transport...........a road test that all vehicles over three years old have to have done every year, but it is used in a joking manner. Hence you may ask a friend if he has been to see his Doctor for his M.O.T. It is used for all manner of items.

All you have to do is to press the root between finger and thumb.......if it is quite firm then the root is O.K. Normally, the part of the root that disappears is that part between the outer skin and the tough inner core. I'm sure you have seen this. Also, dead and rotten roots are very brownish in colour.

From: Roger Grier
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Slotted terra cotta pots.
Date: Thu, 21 Jun 2007

Forgive me when I ask where do you live.........because you mentioned slotted terra cotta pots.

However, a week ago I did see some small pots with Dendrobiums in them that had come from Holland and those pots had three slots in them.

From: Roger Grier
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Cattleyas.
Date: Thu, 21 Jun 2007

As regards cleaning up my cattleyas − I leave the most recent sheaths until the late autumn, to protect the pbulbs from the sun.

A very good point about the sheaths, but I am stripping them from the older bulbs.

What do you think about taking a 'V' shaped notch out of the rhizome between the bulbs? Do you think it tells the dormant eyes to start into growth?

From: Laura Peppiatt
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Re: [OrchidTalk] Laura's plants
Date: Thu, 21 Jun 2007

I loved the flowers when I saw them. I bought a plant that was not
blooming but had more growths. Justin from Regal Orchids advised that
it should flower in a month or so and it is better to keep it outdoors
in summer. Now I look forward to seeing flowers:)

> Encyclia vitellina is an interesting orchid − I had one for about thirty
> years and it flowered reliably on a good, tall spike with only the
> occasional branch.

From: Roy Lee
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Re: Pics required
Date: Thu, 21 Jun 2007

Good morning all, I have just had a friend in Europe e-mail me two pics of a similar/same cross to the cross I was looking for earlier.
This cross is P. Curtophyllum glaucophyllum x curtisii rather than superbiens. The results are / should be the same or near enough. I dont know where my friend got them but atleast I now have an idea of what to look forward to. Here are the pics of P. Curtophyllum. Thanks to those who replied.
Regards, Roy

From: Sylvain VAN DER WALDE
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Re: [OrchidTalk] Spiders
Date: Thu, 21 Jun 2007

> I have a black spider, about 3-4cm across including legs, that has lived for
> several years in a corner of my hot greenhouse, where the staging meets the
> wooden frame. It is very timid and does not like having its photograph
> taken. In fact, it doesn't appear for long enough to get a good look at it.

> It's web is flat, horizontal, vaguely triangular-shaped, with one 60cm side,
> one side much shorter and the hypotenuse curving in to a rather alarming
> funnel in the corner where the spider lives right down inside.

> I have received stowaways in pots occasionally but don't know whether this
> is one of them. Should I be worried?

If it's black, and has a very large abdomen, it could be a "Black widow";
which could kill you.

However, as far as I know, spiders are beneficial to gardeners (plant
growers). They eat the insects which might attack your plants.
Enjoy it. :)

From: John Stanley
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Re: [OrchidTalk] Spiders
Date: Thu, 21 Jun 2007

What a lucky lady you are Tina!
If it's timid and keeps out of your way then why worry?
I wonder if it feeds on mealie bugs. Clearly a funnel spider − there are lots of 'em.

I once earned several brownie points by rescuing a golfball sized tarantula crossing the road down from the Sequoia National Park. Other drivers and their passengers recoiled as I collected it up on a piece of paper to release it at what we would call a layby (?turnout). Of course, they're harmless. Yours, at 2-3 cms (not inches I note!) sounds equally friendly.
What is it about having eight legs that renders spiders so fearsome?

I think I'd be more concerned if it was too small to notice − now there's a thought − we've probably all got an infestation of spiders too small to see!

Seriously though, consider it a privilege. So long as it doesn't eat orchids! (I don't think there are vegetarian spiders). How about waiting in readiness and send a photo?

From: Rudolf Günnel
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Re: [OrchidTalk] Makes you swear !!!
Date: Thu, 21 Jun 2007

From: Geoffrey Hands
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Re: [OrchidTalk] Makes you swear !!!
Date: Thu, 21 Jun 2007

MOT is a UK thing , stands for Ministry of Transport (Test) which all
vehicles have to undergo every year after reaching the age of 3 years.hence
, the common English slang meaning to use it for any regular test or
inspection.

What to do with dense root masses ? The answer should be chop ’em off, I
think. Orchids which root prolifically will do so again. Leave the old stuff
on, and it does no good, harbours pests, etc. etc.,

From: Sharon Williams
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Re: [OrchidTalk] Makes you swear !!!
Date: Thu, 21 Jun 2007

> This year I have not cut a slot in the rhizome between bulbs and I will
> wait and see what happens.

From: Geoffrey Hands
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Re: [OrchidTalk] Makes you swear !!!
Date: Thu, 21 Jun 2007

Your message gave me a good laugh Laura. Some members do wander off the
subject from time-time − (mea culpa , too ) and I thought, 3 cats ? Wonder
if they are neutered, and if not, do they fight ?
Three Catts of course.
Never mind − growing orchids is often the hobby of people with odd minds, I
find, me included/

As to your serious question , potting on is the easy way , but sooner or
later you have to be bold. I prefer to be bold more frequently.
geoff

> I have got only three cats and all of them I bought this year. I would
> love to know how other people repot them and how often. My new plants I
> just dropped them in a slightly bigger slotted terracotta pots. Not sure
> about outcome yet.

From: Sharon Williams
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Re: [OrchidTalk] Laura's plants
Date: Thu, 21 Jun 2007

I also have an Encyclia vitellina that I am very concerned about. The year I bought it it was in flower and looked great. The next year it bloomed a weak blooming on an immature bulb. Then it sent up 2 new growths which stalled at 1.5" tall and now it is sending up another new growth. Any suggestions?? I did repot it into large bark, thinking that it might have been staying too wet. Are they very sensitive about watering when they are sending up new growths. I did keep it drier this winter as per the instructions.
Sharon

From: John Stanley
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Re: [OrchidTalk] Spiders
Date: Thu, 21 Jun 2007

Hi Tina;
Try http://www.xs4all.nl/~ednieuw/Spiders/Agelenidae/Agelenidae.htm and look at various , Agelena spp.the tunnel or labyinth spider. Oh and by the way, I know nothing about spiders, just come across a few now n again! I fyou happen to walk along the R,Glaslyn near Glaslyn Bridge, early in the morning when the dew is around, you'll find hundreds on the gorse. They vaguely fit the description you give
Maybe someone else can add (or subtract) more.
Cheers
John

From: John Stanley
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Re: [OrchidTalk] Makes you swear − it really does!!!
Date: Thu, 21 Jun 2007

Hi Rudolf.
For MOT read TUV
Ours is now as rigorous as yours and we no longer have corroded wrecks on our roads.
We sometimes apply the sentiment to ouselves (at 70 I would assume I might need an MOT soon!) or our orchids. However, the acronym really stands for Ministry Of Transport (even though the 'Ministry' has apparently forgottenits own change from MOT to DOT(Department Of Transport ) and so we still have MOTs.
Renaming things is a peculiarly British habit. My University Department changed its name 11 times in 13 years (but we still refer to it by its original name!)
Some would say that orchids have their names changed with similar frequency and inconvenience but, at least, there is an underying logic in that case. When I started typing this I was called John and I think I still am. It would cost money to change it and I'm not as wealthy as the MOT!
Cheers
John

From: Max Redman
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Laura and Potting.
Date: Thu, 21 Jun 2007

Hi folks,
Laura,you seem to be getting some nice plants and I hope that they go well
for you. You spoke about Cym.canaliculatum which of course comes from
Australia. It is a lovely thing but can be very difficult to grow. It
requires very dry conditions and you will find that any excess water will
kill it quite quickly.
They generally grow in the upper section of dead and mostly hollow trees
where the roots can easily reach up to 15feet or more in length. I have also
seen them growing on old broken down trees where they form quite a mass.

Rocky, as regards cutting a slab out of the roots.
I generally find that if you cut through the rhizome whilst the plant is
still growing in the pot ,a new eye will come away quite quickly and then
when its time to repot, 'voila' there is a nice new plant ready for
repotting.
If its done when the plant is repotted there is often a tendency to shock
the plant "Unto deaths door"as the saying goes.

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

2007 Archived Messages

June 15—21