2007 mailing list messages

2007 Archived Messages

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From: Bill Haldane
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Re Acineta Mooreii
Date: Sat, 08 Dec 2007

Greetings from a wet and windy Devon!
After lurking on this site for some time I thought it might brighten someone's day to see the pics I took of my Acineta Mooreii earlier this year. To give it scale the wire basket you see is 28cms in diameter.
Regards Bill Haldane

From: Geoffrey Hands
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Re: [OrchidTalk] Re Acineta Mooreii
Date: Sat, 08 Dec 2007

Well done indeed − I don't think I have ever seen any Acineta in flower
before. I have grown the usual one (superba) several times ; I have it now ,
and am not sure whether my bulbs are not full size, or are full size and
don't want to flower. I have a second species too , but can't remember the
name at the moment.

From: Geoffrey Hands
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Re: [OrchidTalk] Re Acineta Mooreii
Date: Sat, 08 Dec 2007

Ps The orchid encyclopaedia ( Pfahl's) has it as A.hrubyana , and his pics
show rather more open flowers.But it looks a lovely thing, wider open
flowers or not.

Ps It stopped raining for an hour this afternoon, and I took the opportunity
to get all my dendrobes into the main house from their chill space, found
several D.nobile hybrids already starting flower buds ! But − in terms of
early season − I have a bunch of daffodils in the house cut from the open
garden, and my mimosa buds are just showing colour. Crazy !

From: Roger Grier
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Re: [OrchidTalk] Re Acineta Mooreii
Date: Sat, 08 Dec 2007

Bill, as you no doubt know, it's just me adding a bit of humour on this awful day.....and more to come.

Ain't it a shame that Mother Nature did not allow this orchid to open its flowers fully.

From: John Stanley
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Re: [OrchidTalk] Re Acineta Mooreii
Date: Sun, 09 Dec 2007

Hi Bill,
I suppose you haven't a method of emailing us all the scent? (!)
Lovely plant. Green with envy.
Cheers
John

From: Dennis Read
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Chiloschista
Date: Sun, 09 Dec 2007

Bill, now make Rogers day and show a picture of your Chiloschista parishii. Great in Devon ain't it.
Regards from a sunny Devon in a howling gale. Dennis

From: Roger Grier
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Ansellia Africana.
Date: Sun, 09 Dec 2007

I have had my plant of Ansellia Africana for quite some years now, and although it has flowered for the past two years, I can say in all honesty that it has not paid its rent in full.

From: Bill Haldane
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Re. Acineta Mooreii
Date: Sun, 09 Dec 2007

In answer to the questions raised by various members please find attached a pic of this plant taken earlier today.You will see that it has started into growth again (see Right Hand edge of plant)'
I grew this in a pot for several years without flowering until I saw an Acineta in flower and realised that the spike goes directly downwards from the base of the pseudobulb-hence the rapid re-potting in an open wire basket. The basket is lined with sphagnum moss and filled with medium size pine bark. The plant is grown in intermediate conditions, kept moist all year but heavily watered and sprayed when in growth. The basket, as can be seen, is kept close to the greenhouse roof for good light in my conditions in the Southwest of England.
Regards Bill Haldane

From:
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Re: [OrchidTalk] Re Acineta Mooreii
Date: Sun, 09 Dec 2007

Your orchid is absolutely gorgeous. Enjoy it in good health.
Wirey hugs and love and xxx and licks from Janet, Bobby and Asta

From: Esther Koh
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Re: Sophronitis cernua
Date: Sun, 09 Dec 2007

From: rudolf günnel
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Re: Acineta Mooreii and is there anyone out there?
Date: Sun, 09 Dec 2007

Bill
Your Acineta Mooreii is very impressive like many species of the related
genera in the suptribus Stanhopeinae. But the disadvantage of most of these
plants is their size − especially for growers without a greenhouse!!

All
Yes I'm still out there and I follow up what happens in Orchid Talk but in
times with heavy postings it's sometimes hard to keep the survey.
At the moment orchids are only my hobby horse because still I've got to work
most of my time.
To give you a sign of life I send you some images of orchids that are still
in flower in my collection.
I'm very proud of my flowering Paph. rothschildianum even if it flowers just
with a single bloom. It took me 5 1/2 years to grow it from a young plant
with a leaf span of about 25 cm to flowering size with a leaf span of 65 cm.
I hope you will like the photos.

From: Dennis Read
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Re: [OrchidTalk] Ansellia Africana.
Date: Sun, 09 Dec 2007

At the Living Rainforest A. africana was on the top shelf in the 15C growing area It was fed every week but dried out between feeds. The canes were 15in (40cm) long. It is a greedy plant. Regards Dennis

> I have had my plant of Ansellia Africana for quite some years now, and
> although it has flowered for the past two years, I can say in all honesty
> that it has not paid its rent in full.

From: Geoffrey Hands
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Re: [OrchidTalk] Sophronitis cernua
Date: Mon, 10 Dec 2007

Lovely ; there's nothing like a Sophro for doing just that ; I wish I could
grow them, but I expect you are much cooler than I am ( I'm talking growing
conditions − although in my smaller grandchildren's language you may well be
really cool − whereas I am simply square , if that expression is not old hat
by now).

From: Geoffrey Hands
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Re: [OrchidTalk] Ansellia Africana.
Date: Mon, 10 Dec 2007

When Greenaway was still in existence near Weston ( that is the right name is it ? I haven#t seen it mentioned for some time since Bob Dadd died − ) there was a magnificent box # too big for any pot # of Ansellia just inside the door # canes thicker than my thumb and getting on for 60cm high . A wonderful sight in full flower. Don#t know about temperatures, but it was grown in the rock-wool and perlite mix which Bob used for everything , and fed 3 times out of four waterings. I think that Malcolm ( can#t remember his surname) in the same area bought the Dad collection , and could have it , although mostly he goes in for miniatures ; might be worth a try though, if you want a bit of a real good #un.

I went into this species a bit , and I recall that it really comes from an enormous area of Africa, and probably quite a range of growing conditions. I suspect it#s rather like what we call #Blackberry # Bramble # in UK # which technically is # or at one time was, if taxonomists have not moved on from that concept -a hybrid swarm of 40 or more allied species ; hence the white flowers, or pinkish, or pink, and the berries, small and sour or big and sweet, and so-on; but all blackberries .

At various times it has had lots of names, all swept into synonymity A. Africana, A.nilotica , etc . This probably accounts for the different sizes and different colours , all the way from almost plain yellow ( a rather dull yellow is all I have seen) up to so many chestnut blotches as to be almost solid chestnut.

The good ones are really splendid , but having seen one you covet, you need a division from that plant , not merely another plant with the same name on the label.

If your#s don#t do well Roger , try doing something different with it ; hang it up in the ridge for example # the that is the hottest and coldest place at different times of day and night.

From: Tricia Garner
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Re: [OrchidTalk] Sophronitis cernua
Date: Mon, 10 Dec 2007

It is a delightful plant − I had one in the warm house. It grew quite well
for some time and then suddenly expired, but I thought it was the tree fern
mount it didn't like rather than the temperature. I would love to try
another one sometime.

Give a man a fish and he will eat for a day. Teach him how to fish, and he will sit in a boat and drink beer all day.

From: Esther Koh
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Re: [OrchidTalk] Sophronitis cernua
Date: Mon, 10 Dec 2007

Geoff, I'm growing this in tropical Singapore so the coolness is rather lacking.

Tricia, mine is also growing on a treefern slab. I hope it doesn't suddenly go downhill.

From: Roger Grier
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Re: [OrchidTalk] Ansellia Africana.
Date: Mon, 10 Dec 2007

Thanks for the information. My plant is kept just about as you describe. Maybe next year I will have a very long think and then possibly move it to another part of the greenhouse or do something different. Don't know as yet what that will be.

From: Roger Grier
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Re: [OrchidTalk] Re: Acineta Mooreii and is there anyone out there?
Date: Mon, 10 Dec 2007

What can I say..........I am green with envy. Superb flowers, especially
after the five and a half year wait. And then photography, but then that's
we expect from you. I am sure that you will feel very proud.

From: Bill Haldane
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: RE Chiloschista Parishi
Date: Mon, 10 Dec 2007

To add to the discussion on Chiloschistas please find accompanying a pic of C. Parishi that I took just now in my greenhouse. This little plant has been in flower for about two months, so I should take off the spike now. It lives quietly in intermediate conditions fairly high up in the house but in direct sunlight for only a couple of hours a day.
Regards Bill Haldane

From: Tricia Garner
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Re: [OrchidTalk] Sophronitis cernua
Date: Mon, 10 Dec 2007

Hi Esther − I think there are different qualities of tree fern. The way
yours is flowering it is obviously much happier than mine ever was so I
think you have a better quality fern slab!

From: Roger Grier
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Re: [OrchidTalk] RE Chiloschista Parishi
Date: Mon, 10 Dec 2007

When I get a plant or two of this Genus, hopefully earlyish next year, this is how I will go about growing it.

Not on a piece of bark with pieces that may fall off, but on a piece of Cork Oak bark.

Then I will just tie it to the piece of bark, with no moss under the roots whatsoever.

I have a few pieces of Cork bark that are cylindrical so I may tie one to this and instead of hanging it vertically, I will just sit the 'hollow log' on the bench.

> To add to the discussion on Chiloschistas please find accompanying a pic
> of C. Parishi that I took just now in my greenhouse. This little plant
> has been in flower for about two months, so I should take off the spike
> now. It lives quietly in intermediate conditions fairly high up in the
> house but in direct sunlight for only a couple of hours a day.

From: Geoffrey Hands
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Re: [OrchidTalk] Sophronitis cernua
Date: Mon, 10 Dec 2007

How interesting ; I have not tried Sophros in my present conditions − I came
to the conclusion I was too warm when I was growing a couple of degrees
cooler than at present.

> Geoff, I'm growing this in tropical Singapore so the coolness is rather
> lacking.

From: PG Hieke
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Re: [OrchidTalk] Ansellia Africana.
Date: Tue, 11 Dec 2007

Hi Rocky,
From my experience, they want a dry winter rest and much light/sun
and warm conditions.
Regards
Peter from Bloubergstrand

> I have had my plant of Ansellia Africana for quite some years now, and
> although it has flowered for the past two years, I can say in all
> honesty that it has not paid its rent in full.

From: nancy
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Re: Chiloschista parishi on cork bark
Date: Tue, 11 Dec 2007

Greetings Rocky -
What I've read indicates that these like to be mounted
on very smooth wood. No clue if it's accurate, but
that's what I did (grape wood, bark removed). Seems
happy.
Regards − Nancy

From: PG Hieke
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Sophronitis cernua
Date: Wed, 12 Dec 2007

I'm surprised that S. cernua grows so well in Singapore. It is not
regarded as a warm growing species. I grow mine on cork oak in
intermediate conditions.
It grows also very well on pine bark.
Regards
Peter from Bloubergstrand

From: Roger Grier
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Re: [OrchidTalk] Re: Chiloschista parishi on cork bark
Date: Wed, 12 Dec 2007

I don't think that this matters much at all, but what I do think matters
greatly is to make sure that the plants roots are touching the wood/bare
bark and do not have any moss or other item between the roots and the host.

Also, if possible, tie or wrap some soft string or something similar around
the roots so that as much as the roots surface as possible is in contact
with its host.

Then, hopefully as soon as the tiny root hairs have grabbed hold then the
string or whatever can be removed.

From: Roger Grier
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Continuation of discussions.
Date: Wed, 12 Dec 2007

Tricia, when I reply to a discussion, a 'thread' is that the correct word? Can I reply using the font that I normally use, or is the font always governed by first person who brings up the subject?

From: Roger Grier
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Chiloschista.
Date: Wed, 12 Dec 2007

Hi all, particularly our European members, because of non interference from CITES,

I see that our 'Italian Friends' list a hybrid Chiloschista, Chiloschista Segawaii. Anyone know anything about this plant please?

Also, if any of you know of other E.U. Orchid Nurseries that stock Chiloschistas then please let me know. It saves trolling through the Internet.

From: Tricia Garner
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Re: Continuation of discussions.
Date: Wed, 12 Dec 2007

Yes, thread is the correct word for on-going discussions. As to fonts,
sorry I can't help as I only know how my program behaves.

From: Geoffrey Hands
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Re: [OrchidTalk] Chiloschista.
Date: Wed, 12 Dec 2007

I don't normally hold your hand Roger, since you are a big boy and ought to
know how to tie your own shoelaces at your age , but hanging about whilst a
big download proceeds on my PC, I'm reading this on my lap-top, so I
thought I would chip in.

You should always try Jay Pfahls Encyclopaedia if you want to know about a
species − it's just the best and so far ahead of everything else that
frankly its out of sight of the rest. What is it now ? 7500 species
described ( briefly) and mostly illustrated too. and added to every month.

Some will disagree with his names − as seen recently with one I was talking
about, but that will always be the case with orchid naming. The authorities
simply don't agree. Paph tigrinum will always, it seems be P. markii in
Germany etc etc.

I looked up your Chilsowhatsits − what I read put me off straight away -
but maybe you knew ."ephemeral flowers" ?. That means , don't look away ,
you may miss the flower.. I don't actually have room in my wallet to buy
plants like that deliberately . I sometimes do so , but by mistake.

However, your species is not there, nor anything very similar. Did you
realise that the capital letter for Segawii suggests that it is a hybrid ?
Here is an example where being pedantic may make all the difference. If you
are sure about that, try looking it up in a hybrid index − RHS, Wildcatt
etc.

I also tried googling , but Mr G suggested that maybe I meant Pegawaii , and
then said he couldn't find it anyway.

From: John Stanley
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Re: [OrchidTalk] Continuation of discussions − fonts.
Date: Wed, 12 Dec 2007

Tricia, Roger,
Re; fonts.
I often receive reply-emails which have a response in a different font from
the original. I have always assumed that if I use Arial or Times Roman then
that's what the recipient gets. The only aspect that confuses me is when I
receive an email in allegedly Times Roman at 10 (like Geoff's), my response
with the same sized and similar font is much bigger as I compose it. I
presume it gets downsized to match the original as it wings its way through
the ether . . or wherever! I must send it to myself sometime to check!
John;

From: Tricia Garner
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Re: [OrchidTalk] Continuation of discussions − fonts.
Date: Thu, 13 Dec 2007

Roger didn't say why he wanted to know about the fonts. It isn't something
to which I have given a lot of thought because I read emails in plain text
in a font which I have specified, but there is an attachment in HTML when
that is the format the originator has used.

Having looked at a few of these attachments where there are three or more
parts of the thread quoted (!!) it seems to me that the messages are
displayed alternately in different sized fonts e.g. first message 10
points, second 12 points, third 10 points and so on. I imagine it is so
the individual messages are easier to pick out.

My email program displays each message in a different colour. I believe
there is a plug-in for Outlook and Outlook Express to make them do the same
but I don't know whether it would then leave the fonts all the same size.

If "You can't take it with you", how come ghosts are always portrayed as dressed?

From: Esther Koh
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Re: [OrchidTalk] RE Chiloschista Parishi
Date: Thu, 13 Dec 2007

I've had a Chiloschista sp. for more than a year and all it has done is grow roots. How did you induce yours to flower? Did you give it a dry spell?

From: Roger Grier
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Re: [OrchidTalk] Chiloschista.
Date: Thu, 13 Dec 2007

Shoelaces..........we New Forest chaps always wear slip-ons, then if we fall into a bog, our shoes are easy to slip off !!!

That's two to nil so far in my favour. Maybe the frost has got to your brain cells !!!

As to that reference to the flowers being ephemeral, well I agree with you on that point.

I will definitely get in touch with the 'Italians' in the Spring to ask more about this orchid.

From: Geoffrey Hands
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Re: [OrchidTalk] Chiloschista.
Date: Thu, 13 Dec 2007

Spiders − not orchids − have not seen any webs in the garden this autumn -
I've missed the big tiger chaps. Wonder if they succumbed to the floods
earlier ?

As to spider orchids − I am an optimist , and I have been cutting daffs from
the garden for a couple of weeks almost ( actually , first bunch cut on 2nd
December) but I think it's a little early to find native UK orchids (
flowers) even down here in Utopia by the sea.

> Shoelaces..........we New Forest chaps always wear slip-ons, then if we fall
> into a bog, our shoes are easy to slip off !!!

> That's two to nil so far in my favour. Maybe the frost has got to your
> brain cells !!!

> As to that reference to the flowers being ephemeral, well I agree with you
> on that point.

> I will definitely get in touch with the 'Italians' in the Spring to ask more
> about this orchid.

From: Dennis Read
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Re: [OrchidTalk] Chiloschista.
Date: Thu, 13 Dec 2007

According to the Orchid Wiz Encyclopedia Chiloschista segawai is a species and was awarded in America in 1977'
But Geoff, as you don't like orchids with no leaves or Angulocastes with one metre leaves I guess you believe in all things in moderation !
Regards from a freezing but bright Devon

> Hi all, particularly our European members, because of non interference
> from CITES,

> I see that our 'Italian Friends' list a hybrid Chiloschista, Chiloschista
> Segawaii. Anyone know anything about this plant please?

> Also, if any of you know of other E.U. Orchid Nurseries that stock
> Chiloschistas then please let me know. It saves trolling through the
> Internet.

From: Bill Haldane
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Re: [OrchidTalk] RE Chiloschista Parishi
Date: Fri, 14 Dec 2007

Dear Esther,
My plant dries very quickly when I spray it-once a week this time of year (winter) and about every day or more in good summer growing conditions. I believe the plant needs to achieve a critical mass to flower. It is high up in my glasshouse where it gets good air circulation and a bigger temperature variation and although light levels are fairly good there it only gets direct sunlight for several hours in the afternoon. Hope that is helpful.
Regards Bill

> I've had a Chiloschista sp. for more than a year and all it has done is
> grow roots. How did you induce yours to flower? Did you give it a dry
> spell?

From: Geoffrey Hands
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Re: [OrchidTalk] Chiloschista.
Date: Fri, 14 Dec 2007

Orchid Wiz was a new one on me ; I googled it, and even after deducting 50% for typical US hype and over-sell, it looks pretty impressive ; however, two attempts to run the demo led to freezes, and the message #attempting to contact the server for info# # and I went out to the dentist , leaving it running , came back an hour later and found the same #. I know when to give up.

From: Roger Grier
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Re: [OrchidTalk] Chiloschista.
Date: Fri, 14 Dec 2007

Can you please tell me more about the reference to C. segawai, and can you please tell me where to see it on the Internet.

From: Roger Grier
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Re: [OrchidTalk] Chiloschista.
Date: Fri, 14 Dec 2007

Ignore my last request matey.....having been given the correct spelling, I have looked at the plant on the Internet, and it looks very nice.

From: PG Hieke
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Re: [OrchidTalk] Re: Chiloschista parishi on cork bark
Date: Fri, 14 Dec 2007

Hi Rocky,
A good method to hold the roots as close as possible to the surface of the mount,
is a longer piece of pantyhose which you can pull over the roots like a cuff. It is
stretchable and allows water and air through. Once the roots have attached
themselves you just take it off.
Kind regards
Peter from Bloubergstrand

> Mornin' Nancy,
>
> Thanks for your valuable input, especially the part about smooth wood.
>
> I don't think that this matters much at all, but what I do think matters
> greatly is to make sure that the plants roots are touching the wood/bare
> bark and do not have any moss or other item between the roots and the
> host.
>
> Also, if possible, tie or wrap some soft string or something similar
> around the roots so that as much as the roots surface as possible is in
> contact with its host.
>
> Then, hopefully as soon as the tiny root hairs have grabbed hold then the
> string or whatever can be removed.
>
> Please keep me informed as to how your plant is doing.

From:
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Re: [OrchidTalk] Orchid Wiz
Date: Fri, 14 Dec 2007

Hi Geoff,
So sorry you are having trouble with Orchid Wiz. We have it and like it. The author's email address is alex@orchidwiz.com. Perhaps he can help you. If you don't hear from him I will send his personal address to you.
Regards,
Janet in sunny Florida

From: Dennis Read
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Re: [OrchidTalk] Chiloschista.
Date: Fri, 14 Dec 2007

Roger, it is not on the internet. I found it on OrchidWiz Encyclopedia, a DVD I bought from USA a year ago. It holds a fantastic amount of info, mainly american, and is very informative about all orchid genera, species and hybrids.
Regards from a freezing but dry Devon. Dennis

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

2007 Archived Messages

8—14 December