2008 mailing list messages

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From: francis quesada pallares
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Re: [OrchidTalk] some orchids
Date: Tue, 08 Apr 2008

Your plants are amazing, and the pictures look so
good... I really envy your greenhouse!

Talking about Cleisostoma, even with such minute
flowers, I think that is a gorgeous plant. But then,
with my space problem growing in a flat, I tend to
always go for small and miniature plants! Anyway, if
you ever think of getting rid of them, keep me in
mind! ;-)

PS I got best plant in show at the spring show of my
local (Croydon) group for Den Stardust 'Chyomi', and
also got best hybrid and best phalaenopsis... Not bad
for having taken only 4 plants!

> Cleisostoma micrantha. I can't think why I bought
> this ( I've got two
> actually , due to the generosity of the dealer , who
> was probably overcome
> at actually getting to sell one ! ). Maybe I looked
> it up and misread 2-3 mm
> , the actual flower size, and thought it said 2-3 cm

From: Geoffrey Hands
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: FW: SPRING ORCHID SHOWS/ USA & EUROPE ORCHID SHOWS/NEW PRICELIST 2008
Date: Tue, 08 Apr 2008

Herewith a catalogue , for anyone who wants to order in advance , for
Peterboro'

Sandra brought some plants for me to London show , I'm well pleased with
them. I would like just a few off this list, but can't be at Peterboro as I
am somewhere in Ghent doing an art appreciation thing with my wife ( yes
there is a life outside the greenhouse , surprise, surprise..) . I wonder if
anyone on list here who wants a few, maybe not enough to make up $100
minimum, and who is going to Peterbore, who care to join with me, but
collect my plants and post to me afterwards ?

From: Stephen & Sandra
Sent: 08 April 2008
To: Geoffrey Hands
Subject: Fw: SPRING ORCHID SHOWS/ USA & EUROPE ORCHID SHOWS/NEW PRICELIST
2008,

Peterborough Orchid show/England June 15 & 16 (We will use Germany as port
of entry and from there we can send(mail) the orders to any country in the
EU).

Minimum order US$ 100,00.For the orders in Europe Please add US$ 1,50 per
plant to cover cost of Shipping,broker, freight ,etc.....For USA orders add
US$ 1,00 per plant.

Please payment must be done by Cash at the time of pick up the plants or
check (for USA customers).

Hello Francis − well done with your 'Chyomi', I love the way the flowers
darken as they age and I have three now but have never really got the best
from them. i treat then like nobile type dens with a cold dry winter and
starting now watering and fertilising till about october. I always get some
flowers but never up the entire cane as some folks do. Whats your method?
( I grow in the house too)
Regards, Alex

From: Geoffrey Hands
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Re: [OrchidTalk] some orchids
Date: Wed, 09 Apr 2008

1. No change in software than I can imagine has anything to do with the
point − I have been using Photoshop CS3 since it was launched more than 12
months ago ( in fact in the beta version for six months before that) and
it's the only image software I use. So something of a mystery.

2. You are right that "Firedance" is the varietal name − Patricia is the
specific name ( if one can say "specific" when referring to a hybrid ! )

3. The similarity between Dan O'Neil and Patricia is mere coincidence , it
seems . I looked them up.
Patricia is fairly simple. Just 4 species, − 1/2 labiata, , 1/4
Mendelii. And the remainder split between warscewiczii and L.purpurata.
But your Dan O'Neil is much more complex ; 11 different species, and
interestingly, all different from the four in Pat !

> Thanks for all the efforts with the different sending of the emails with
> attachments. I was not able to see any of the pictures directly in the
> message as I normally do with attachments. I found that I could download the
> pictures to a separate directory and then view them from there.

> I had a suggestion that it might be an interference with my firewall or
> antivirus programs. Turned them off, and no difference.

> Now here is where it gets rather spooky. You asked if I had any problems
> with your previous images. I was ready to say no problem, but decided to go
> back and look at your previous posts. Your December 7 posting had a picture
> attachment and I could view it fine, as well as all previous posts. Starting
> with your next post with a picture attachment on February 4, and all since
> that date, I can only view if I download the pictures to a separate
> directory. I am wondering if you changed some software between Dec 7 and Feb
> 4 that might have changed the way your computer compresses jpg files. At any
> rate, it seems that others see the pictures fine, and I have figured out how
> to get around the problem.

> On to your pictures. They are great. The one that really grabbed me was your
> Lc. Patricia "Firedance", as it looked so much like my Blc. Dan O'Neil,
> picture attached. Dan O'Neil is such an intense orange color, especially in
> the sunlight, and a most intense delightful fragrance.
> Incidentally, I find the name of your Lc on the internet as Lc.
> Firedance "Patricia".

Does any one have any tips for growing Rossioglossum Grande, it is
supposed to be one of the easier orchids to grow!ive tried all
temperatures and light levels without any movement what so ever, in fact
if the pseudobulbs were not green id think it was dead. Ive had it for two
years now, im getting upset with it now as i think it is one of the
prettiest orchids.please offer advise if you know what im doing wrong.
many thanks

From: Dennis Read
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: BOC Congress
Date: Wed, 09 Apr 2008

Geoff, As far as I can ascertain thes traders have accepted :-
These are:
Akerne, Just in Glass, Burnham, Equitorial Plants, Ratcliffe, Laurence Hobbs, Stock Orchids, Wubben and Rollke..
I understand there will be fewer than the last at Lland----.
Regards Dennis

From: Sjean
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Re: [OrchidTalk]
Date: Wed, 09 Apr 2008

I grow and bloom Rossioglossum Grande in my unheated solarium in Central California.

It gets down to about 40F in the coldest part of the winter. I have it planted in spaghnum moss and it's on the NE side of the solarium where it gets bright light but no direct sun. During the winter I wanter less but during the rest of the year I water weekly.

From: francis quesada pallares
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Re: [OrchidTalk] Chyomi
Date: Wed, 09 Apr 2008

Firstly I should clarify that although my plant won
the best plant in show, I didn't think it deserved
that prize. In fact, the judges were split between my
plant and a cymbidium species, so they put the vote to
the members (needless to say, I voted against my own
plant). In the end it vas a draw, and the secretary of
the group, who had absteined from voting had to cast
the deciding vote...

Anyway, as to what do I do with my plant... Not much
really... I water it quite a lot when it is growing
(in fact, mine is always growing), and contrary to
what most people say, I do let my plant stand in water
at all the times... In fact, there is always water in
the saucer. During the winter, as the water doesn't
evaporate as fast, it might take me longer between
waterings, but there is still water in the saucer at
all times! My Den. Stardust is kept at work. In the
preparation room behind my lab (I am the science
teacher). It is a small, unheated room with a large
set of windows all the way across the room. During the
day, when it is sunny, it is toasty and lovely, but as
soon as the sun sets (in winter), the temperature goes
down by quite few degrees... I have now also moved my
Den. nobile (two of them) to that room and see what
happens to them next year.

> Hello Francis − well done with your 'Chyomi', I love
> the way the flowers
> darken as they age and I have three now but have
> never really got the best
> from them. i treat then like nobile type dens with
> a cold dry winter and
> starting now watering and fertilising till about
> october. I always get some
> flowers but never up the entire cane as some folks
> do. Whats your method?
> ( I grow in the house too)

From: Geoffrey Hands
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Re: [OrchidTalk] BOC Congress
Date: Wed, 09 Apr 2008

I don't find that a very exciting list ; what a shame − it is perhaps the
fault of those who organised the last one − at Weston super Mare I think -
where the attendance was so poor, the traders started discounting even on
Saturday . and gave the plants away by Sunday.

I have been dithering about attending , there is something else I want to do
the same week-end, but now this makes up my mind.

From: Geoffrey Hands
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Re: [OrchidTalk]
Date: Wed, 09 Apr 2008

IMHO you need to stop watering the moment the bulb starts to make up, and
give it a mostly dry rest whilst it goes on and flowers, and then goes into
dormancy until next year. Start watering when − but not before − the roots
emerge from the new growth. When the new growth opens its leaves , meaning
they start to separate from one another, all the warmth and light and water
you can give.You need the biggest growth/leaves you can get buy the time you
stop watering.

If you go on watering too long , you start a new growth prematurely
instead of a flower spike. If it grows thro' the winter it will be a poor
bulb , and so it goes on − a vicious spiral.

> Does any one have any tips for growing Rossioglossum Grande, it is
> supposed to be one of the easier orchids to grow!ive tried all
> temperatures and light levels without any movement what so ever, in fact
> if the pseudobulbs were not green id think it was dead. Ive had it for two
> years now, im getting upset with it now as i think it is one of the
> prettiest orchids.please offer advise if you know what im doing wrong.

From: David Martin
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Cattleya percivaliana "Summit"
Date: Wed, 09 Apr 2008

Hi Rocky,
Have just loaded some photo's into my computer. Enclosed is a picture of Cattleya percivaliana that I took in January, not the sharpest picture I know, but you were interested in our pictures.
The other two pictures are of Phalaenopsis javanica that I bought a couple of years ago.When it started to spike I realized that it was going vertically down into the compost. It's a very strong spike and difficult to train over the edge of the pot, so I mounted it on cork bark. The first picture is from the side and the second is from underneath.
David.

From: Dennis Read
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Re: [OrchidTalk] BOC Congress
Date: Thu, 10 Apr 2008

Geoff, That is all that have accepted so far and it is 6 months to rhe show. Regards Dennis

From: jean Lewis
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: [RE][OrchidTalk]
Date: Thu, 10 Apr 2008

Sorry Gavin. I killed mine!:) I hope you have better luck and cultural skills! Jean

This january i received from europe a bulbo blumei, unfortunately it got
lost in the post and turned up with half rotted leaves.over the next weeks
two of three pseudobulbs died and the third remains leafless.
since then i have kept it on the shady side of a southwest facing window
and sprayed the roots of the surviving pseudo bulb to keep it going it is
not doing much but it is alive. does any one have a good tip on how to
help the bulbo to recover quicker?(I forgot to mention it is mounted on
moss in a mesh frame)
many thanks
Gavin
p.s. thanks to those who have offered help with my rossioglossum problem

From: Roger Grier
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Gavin's Rosioglossum.
Date: Thu, 10 Apr 2008

What Geoff has said is as good as you can get. My Odontoglossum Grande, as I still call it was given to me as the owner had made a mess of it. The bulbs have some nasty markings on them, but it still grows well.

At the moment the several bulbs are all leafless, but as soon as a new growth appears and then the roots start to emerge, water and feed as much as it can take.

From: Roger Grier
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Who and Where Spreadsheet.
Date: Thu, 10 Apr 2008

How about giving me some details as to where you are on this planet [I know you are in Central California Sjean] and what you grow. Then I can enter your details on the 'Spreadsheet.

From: Roger Grier
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Re: [OrchidTalk] Cattleya percivaliana "Summit"
Date: Thu, 10 Apr 2008

Thanks for the photos of Cattleya Percivaliana. I am now looking forward to next year. Also, your photos jogged my memory. Last week, 'Tropic' from Florida also E-mailed me with similar photos, so I just hit the 'Reply' button and thanked him..........a message came back saying that the recipient could not be accessed ?????

And now on to your very nice Phalaenopsis Javanica. Sure is a nice plant and it makes me want to try some of these nice small species.

One question for you.....why the sphagnum moss ????? Why not just the Cork bark and the plant???

From: Alex Scott
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Re: Chyomi
Date: Thu, 10 Apr 2008

Thats interesting Francis − I dont keep mine as damp as you but I think i
will try one wetter this year and see if theres a difference.
Regards, Alex

Gavin couple of things i use in desperation
soak for an hour in diluted sugar water,or feed with co2 via fermented
yeast/sugar as per wine making ,one plus is you can drink the wine when finished
tom

From: francis quesada pallares
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Re: [OrchidTalk] Re: Chyomi
Date: Fri, 11 Apr 2008

Before doing anything to extreme, try it out in one or
two plants. These conditions seem to suit my plants
perfectly where they are now, but a few years ago I
would not have dared to do that. In their present
location they do receive a lot of sunlight, and in the
summer it can get very, very hot indeed. Most of my
plants are kept in at least a centimeter of water most
of the times. But as I say, these conditions seem to
suit most of my plants. There are only a few that do
not seem to like this treatment, so they are kept much
drier.

From: Nathaniel Green
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Re: [OrchidTalk]
Date: Fri, 11 Apr 2008

I am trying a method of "sphag & bag", I have put sphagnum moss in a
sealable bag some water put the orchid on the moss and seal up and leave. It
did work for me but then I left it in too long and the new leaf that started
to form rotted off with to much moisture. So it can work, just needs
checking every week.

> This january i received from europe a bulbo blumei, unfortunately it got
> lost in the post and turned up with half rotted leaves.

From: Dennis Read
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: B O C Congress
Date: Fri, 11 Apr 2008

Geoff, I am trying to understand your logic. You say that at Weston-super-Mare there were too many traders for the people coming through the Door. Weston S M. is at least 10 times as large as Dawlish and the chances are there will be fewer attendees so it is common sense to invite fewer traders.
Any way a Congress is for meetings and discussions for the people who, through their societies, are members of the Council.
Although we all enjoy buying special orchids it is not the same as BOGA or Peterborough where the main business is Selling, buying or showing,
Regards from a windy and cold Devon. Dennis

From: Geoffrey Hands
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Re: [OrchidTalk]
Date: Fri, 11 Apr 2008

This is an old method of getting growth from a back bulb or other rootless
plant. At one time I used to do this with all back bulbs cut off ( probably
cymbidiums and odontoglossums were 75% of the collection in those far off
days ) in most cases a growth would start , but it was always a bit tricky
in timing − wait for a root or two , and then pot up , but often the
transition to the open greenhouse was fatal. Still -always worth the try.

From: Alex Scott
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Re: Chyomi
Date: Fri, 11 Apr 2008

My dendrobes are on a west window sill which also gets hot in summer (I
hope!) but I will be careful.
Regards, Alex

> Well Alex,
>
> Before doing anything to extreme, try it out in one or
> two plants. These conditions seem to suit my plants
> perfectly where they are now, but a few years ago I
> would not have dared to do that. In their present
> location they do receive a lot of sunlight, and in the
> summer it can get very, very hot indeed.

From: David Martin
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Re: [OrchidTalk] Cattleya percivaliana "Summit"
Date: Fri, 11 Apr 2008

Hello Rocky,
I have approx 35 species Phals, but all are not mounted, and of those that are , not all are mossed up.
As species Phals need much brighter light than hybrids, quite sunny without burning, they dry out very quickly. I have found that I am more successful by keeping the roots damp until mid afternoon. They are bone dry by the next morning.
Also I find that the flowers last longer with the extra moisture available.
The pictures attached show Phal philippinensis with very long roots, and Phal equestris on another mossy piece of bark.
It's only hanging in the garden for the photo!!
I noticed that my last pictures came out in a different order to the way they were sent.
Regards
David

> And now on to your very nice Phalaenopsis Javanica. Sure is a nice
> plant and it makes me want to try some of these nice small species.

> One question for you.....why the sphagnum moss ????? Why not just
> the Cork bark and the plant???

_http://www.nationale-plantencollectie.nl/HerbariumUtrecht/index-UK.html_
(http://www.nationale-plantencollectie.nl/HerbariumUtrecht/index-UK.html)

From: Geoffrey Hands
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Re: [OrchidTalk] B O C Congress
Date: Sat, 12 Apr 2008

I was told at the time, the problem at Weston was that the organisers did no
advertising at all. There were many who disagreed with that decision and
said " I told you so" afterwards. Unfortunately the present organisers are
tainted with the result of that. One of the ones I would like to have seen ,
from Taiwan, when asked at London , told me that experience had taught him
not to go to a UK orchid show outside London .

As to what people go to BOC for − in my case, it is not to listen to Sara R.
giving a talk about "Orchids for Beginners" − no slur on Sara − it's the
song I don't like, not the singer !

It would be easy to assume that most orchids are sold to orchid growers -
people like us − but that seems to be wrong. Too many of us say our
greenhouse is full − no room for more than the odd plant. Perhaps others are
not as good at killing plants as I am, or maybe they are not as good at
throwing away rubbish which is never going to flower − I always have space !

Brian R once told me that there were only 2000 serious orchid growers in UK,
but a London Show there are far more than that each day. But how many
people north of Hendon Corner actually go to a London Show ? Conclusion -
the vast majority of half crowns going into the BOC kitty come from
non-orchid growers, drawn in by the novelty ; and the greater majority of
sales are to people who will buy just one or two plants − maybe their first
orchids, or their first non-phallys, or their first non-supermarket.

But − for myself, I would have to travel for several hours ( roads between
East Dorset/West Hampshire and the South-west peninsular are from another
age ; it is likely to be quicker to get from Birmingham than from
Bournemouth ( half the distance at a guess).

For most of my life I have supported shows and events as a sort of duty to
the club, to the organisers or whatever . I have been there, done that , now
it's someone else's turn.

And as to " its six months away" − I understand that traders now have to
apply for their CITES export licences 6 months before the export date in
USA, and likewise in Ecuador- which is said to be CITES regulations. Of
course it doesn't apply to the EU nurseries.

I also know that if I look at web-sites for foreign nurseries, in many cases
they will list the shows they intend to visit in the next year- and if you
ask , they will tell you − " and no others" − because of all the advance
planning they have to do , and because attending a foreign show is
especially time consuming and expensive . They decide to do, say, 6 shows
next year , and then work out which shall they be − and they start off with
Japan, then some of the USA ones, Europe (mainland) and so on.England is not
high up the list !

Add to which, invitations to nurseries must ( should) have been sent out at
least a year before the show for that reason, so if they haven't said yes by
now , they won't .

I wish the show well , but there are a lot of demands on my time too (
mainly because of all the things I want to do , and I shan't live long
enough, I know − so I am packing them in as fast as I can ) and I have to
plan ahead. I am being pressed to make up my mind and book my place for
another event the same week-end , and if I delay I may find the hotel will
be full, the last seat already gone, etc

But I can change my mind, cancel the other thing etc − if I think it is
worthwhile. I'm nowhere near convinced as yet.

> Geoff, I am trying to understand your logic. You say that at
> Weston-super-Mare there were too many traders for the people coming through
> the Door. Weston S M. is at least 10 times as large as Dawlish and the
> chances are there will be fewer attendees so it is common sense to invite
> fewer traders.

> Any way a Congress is for meetings and discussions for the people who,
> through their societies, are members of the Council.

> Although we all enjoy buying special orchids it is not the same as BOGA or
> Peterborough where the main business is Selling, buying or showing,

Hi everyone,
I am new to orchid growing (last 3 years) and I find your e-mails all very interesting. It is like eavesdropping on someone else's conversation. I live in Cobham and wonder if there is an orchid society nearby. The only one I have found is at Hayward's Heath and I haven't managed to get to a meeting there yet.
Best wishes,
Joan

From: Mr G.Horne
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Geoffrey Hands
Date: Sat, 12 Apr 2008

Dear Geoff, i was reading some old orchid reviews last night;when i came
across a article of yours. It was concerning growing orchids
hydroponically and your intention to test it out. I have seen some superb
results with hydroponically grown orchids, my question is does this method
work well on Paphiopedilum. As i am a paph fan and have numerous dupicates
i would try this method on if you say it is succesful. I hope you dont
mind me asking!
p.s. thanks for your advice regarding the other matters.
happy growing
Gavin

From:
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Re: [OrchidTalk] David
Date: Sat, 12 Apr 2008

David,
Your garden is lovely. Where do you live?
Wirey hugs and love and xxx and licks from Janet, Bobby and Asta in Boynton Beach, Florida

From: sheila bicknell
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Re: [OrchidTalk] society
Date: Sat, 12 Apr 2008

Hello Joan, You may like to consider the North Hampshire Orchid Society, our next meeting is on Sunday 20th April, at East Oakley Nr Basingstoke (along the M25 & down the M3, should only take you about 40 mins) find all our details on our website www.north-hampshire-orchid-society.org.uk
Regards, Sheila

From: Geoff Hands
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Re: [OrchidTalk] society
Date: Sat, 12 Apr 2008

If you gp to Haywards Heath − which I think is West Sussex, you will fionmd them a friendly and helpful crowd, I think. Maria andGary Firth were very active at one toime − if you go, giove them my regards. Geoff ( tell them Geoff Hands)

From: Geoff Hands
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Re: Geoffrey Hands
Date: Sat, 12 Apr 2008

I did go and and grow most of my orchids in hydroponics, and very
successfully too if I do dare so myself. At that time I had a lot of South
american thin leaved plants ( oncid family, zygos etc ) . I did not try it
with paphs because I was growing them rather well − and if it ain't broke
don't fix it.

But since then, in another greenhouse, totally different circs, paphs are
the only thing I grow hydroponically − but I am not too happy about it.
Probably my conditions are just inimical to paphs − too bright, too warm
etc − they are designed for Vandas and Catts, and you can't win em all.

Contrary to popular belief, many paphs are epiphytes , and perhaps need to
be kept a bit dryer than most orchids, but in a more moisture retentive
compost. Views anyone ?

From: tony garthwaite
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Re: Vanda feeding
Date: Sat, 12 Apr 2008

I managed to get a Vanda, which I purchased in Singapore June 2005, to
flower last year after owning it for only 2 years!

So much so, and impressed with my success......I purchased another at
the London show from Lawrence Hobbs. ( Thinking....I might be "on a
roll" here!)

I give them a minimum night temp of 15 degrees C and I'm slowly raising
the minimum day temp to match the season as we are getting longer days,
(now still just light at 9.00 pm with sunrise about 6.00 am), and I have
min 23 degrees C at the moment.
Now, I read that in the cool climate in which we in Britain live, I need
to spray frequently, so they get two waterings automatically at 07.00
hrs and 11.00 hrs at the moment, and when I'm at home, I'm spraying the
roots (with my Grandfather's 'Abol sprayer' for those interested in
antiques), where I'm using a very dilute Orchid bloom fertiliser (5 ml
in 5 liters). This may be once to three times a day (when I remember).

I'm wondering if I should be using a somewhat stronger solution for
this spraying? I know Geoff and others grow Vandas and I'd be glad of
any thoughts on the topic from members of The Group.

Off on my nightly 'slug hunt' now. I'm fed up with spikes getting
eaten..... so it's war!

From: David Martin
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: David's whereabouts
Date: Sat, 12 Apr 2008

Hi Janet, Bobby and Asta,
Glad you like the garden, things are just starting to grow and flower. The snow last Sunday doesn't seem to have done too much damage. I live quite near Hampton Court to the South West of London, England. I looked at our driving map to see where Boynton Beach is, hope the weather is nice and warm. We normally stay at St Petersburg when we visit Florida.
I always visit Marie Selby Gardens, lovely orchids and gardens.
David

From: Mr G.Horne
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Re: [OrchidTalk] Re: Vanda feeding
Date: Sun, 13 Apr 2008

Dear Tony, i dont grow Vanda's but i do grow ascda and other crosses,
because i grow indoors i grow mine in pots to help keep enough moisture at
the roots. I grow them in a southwest facing window so they get fulldays
light in winter and late autumn and only a half days light in spring and
summer (all unfiltered).I have a atomiser with fan behind it to keep
humidity up and i feed twice a week with orchid focus durin spring,summer
and autumn. As regards temperatures; during winter they go down to 10-12C
minimum but always with a 5 degree rise during the day(at least), during
summer they stick around 15c minimum and go up into the 30's.I vent out
the rooms during the night to help keep damp and other nasties under
control. So far (touch wood) i get two reasonable flowerings a year out of
most of them, though i will say that during the rubbish weather in the
winter the flowers are often small, perhaps this is why i get two
flowerings as the plant has a bank of saves nutrients. Hope this is
helpful.
happy growing
Gavin

From: Roger Grier
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Vanda culture.
Date: Sun, 13 Apr 2008

If it's any help, here is how I look after my Vanda tricolor. Well, to be truthful you can see how I grow it.....clay pot, filled with granite/basalt pieces about the size of your finger nails. Pot sits in a plastic saucer, which, IN OUR COUNTRY'S GROWING MONTHS always has water/feed in it.

Let's face it Vanda tricolor comes from Java and those parts..........and boy oh boy do they get some rain, as my met office booklets tell me.

My minimum winter temperatures on the coldest nights might get down to shall we say 47F, but they may be only for an hour or so. Normally the temperature would drop to about 57 to 60 F.

During our growing months I always keep two buckets of rain water/feed in the greenhouse, so, every time I add water, I add feed.

All I have to watch for is that the roots do not grab hold of the polystyrene slabs at the back of the plant.

In the summer I will put the plant outdoors and then it can scramble up a wall if I do not keep an eye on it.

From: Roger Grier
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Paph culture.
Date: Sun, 13 Apr 2008

Contrary to popular belief, many paphs are epiphytes , and perhaps need to be kept a bit dryer than most orchids, but in a more moisture retentive compost. Views anyone ?

Until I had another good read of several books, I will not argue with Geoff that many Paphs are epiphytic in nature as I think that the vast majority are not, BUT..........a member of the Bournemouth Orchid Society, one Colin 'Cousin' Carter has a superb slide which shows a great swathe of Paphs growing on a near horizontal huge branch of an equally huge tree.

Looking at my three images of a Paph that I purchased a couple of days ago.....price £5, it is plainly visible that the roots are clothed in fine short hairs, except for that part of the root that has been hard up against the side of the pot.

The first image shows the plant after I had soaked it in warm soapy water for a while, to help remove the 'peat-pot' that it was grown in when very young, and also the soaking helped me to carefully remove the 'plug' of hard peat about the size of a cork from a wine bottle.

Three parts Vermiculite.
Two parts grit. Size from about a garden pea down to a matchhead.
Two parts of a quite 'rough' garden peat.

From: Roger Grier
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Re: [OrchidTalk] Cattleya percivaliana "Summit"
Date: Sun, 13 Apr 2008

I noticed that my last pictures came out in a different order to the way they were sent.

You may remember me telling the 'Club' that I had fell foul of the same thing, so I worked at it doing all sorts of different things..........and I seem to have cracked it

First, mouse pointer over No.10. Left click to highlight. Then hold the SHIFT key down. Move mouse pointer over No.9 and highlight it. Then move mouse pointer over No.8. Highlight it.

I FOUND THAT BY HIGHLIGHTING EACH NUMBER INDIVIDUALLY DID THE TRICK. If I highlighted all three going from 10 to 8 at once, it did not work.

From: Tricia Garner
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Re: Paph culture.
Date: Sun, 13 Apr 2008

> Three parts Vermiculite.
> Two parts grit. Size from about a garden pea down to a matchhead.
> Two parts of a quite 'rough' garden peat.

From: Roger Grier
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Re: [OrchidTalk] Paph culture.
Date: Sun, 13 Apr 2008

Parts by volume she asks.....volume thinks I.....well now, being a New
Forest mush and not being used to all these posh words I guess it would be
best to say:

Three 'andfulls of Vermiculite, add two 'andfulls of grit, and then add two
'andfulls of rough compost.

From: Roger Grier
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Spreadshhet of members etc.
Date: Sun, 13 Apr 2008

I have just updated the Spreadsheet with a couple of more Members, so if any of you have some more 'details' that you would like added, please feel free to put in your 'five-penneth', or, just E-mail me and I will do it.

From: Mr G.Horne
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Re: [OrchidTalk] Spreadshhet of members etc.additions to spread sheet
Date: Sun, 13 Apr 2008

Hi Rocky, here is some additions for your spread sheet.i live in
Salisbury-wilts, i grow mainly
paphs,oncidiums,dendrobiums,bulbos,phaleonopsis,pleuros and
angrecoids.paphs are my main love.hope this helps!
happy growing
Gavin

From: David Martin
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Re: [OrchidTalk] Cattleya percivaliana "Summit"
Date: Sun, 13 Apr 2008

Hello Rocky,
Thanks for the tips about the photo's, these little computers are all new to me, so any tips are welcome. I have worked with computers since the sixties, but they were massive ones that filled an air conditioned room and weren't user friendly. Worked in hexadecimal (base 16) and binary.
I get my Phal species from all over, mostly the Dutch and German growers, at shows, Plesteds, OSGB auctions. The RHS London show is a good source, although it's taken years to collect the ones I have.
Cheers, David

From: PG Hieke
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Phal violacea
Date: Mon, 14 Apr 2008

Hi All,
My Phalaenopsis violacea's are all in bloom now.
Phal. bellina, top left
Phal. violacea, top right
Phal. violacea blue, bottom left
Phal. violacea var. Sumatra, bottom right
I included Phal. bellina in this group, because it was a P. violacea var. Borneo
until it was separated and became P. bellina.
Kind regards
Peter from Bloubergstrand

From: Jean Lewis
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: sarcos and paphs
Date: Mon, 14 Apr 2008

I've put several of my Paphs over into Roger's mixture and they look so much better than before. At least now the are standing upright instead of flopping all over the place. My sarcochilius are doing better than ever, growing much bigger and stronger I'm enclosing a photograph of three of them − cheers − Jean

From: JOAN ELLIOTT
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: societies
Date: Mon, 14 Apr 2008

Thank you for the information about the societies, Sheila and Geoff. I hope to go to the next meeting of the Hampshire Society and the June meeting in Haywards Heath.
Regards,
Joan

From: Roger Grier
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Re: [OrchidTalk] societies
Date: Mon, 14 Apr 2008

I am glad that you have had some good feedback, and that you hope to attend the two Society meetings.

It will be nice to get your feedback and tell us what you think, especially as a first time visitor.

From: Roger Grier
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Re: [OrchidTalk] Cattleya percivaliana "Summit"
Date: Mon, 14 Apr 2008

Thanks for the information regarding the Phally species. At least it is nice to know that they can be obtained from several sources.

From: Roger Grier
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: The weather !!!
Date: Mon, 14 Apr 2008

As the weather was not that kind on Sunday..........I decided to de-pot a Cattleya that I had purchased earlier in the day and see what was keeping it in the pot.

First I soaked the whole plant in a bowl of warm soapy water, for about an hour, then I started to pick off all of the bark pieces that remained. Not an easy task and it took me quite some time.

Next I cut away all dead roots [not that many] and cut off the dead part from good roots. Rather a fiddly job, but well worth it.

Now I could see what I was expecting..........a hard plug of what I think was compressed coconut coir, about the size of a cork from a bottle of wine. This is used to grow the plant from its early very tiny stage. It took some time carefully picking at it with tweezers.

When I had finished I was delighted with the job and so pleased with the number of good roots.

From: Roger Grier
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Clay orchid pots.
Date: Mon, 14 Apr 2008

I have been asked if I can get any information regarding the importation of 'Clay Orchid Pots' as per the attachment, into the U.K.

Hoping that one day in the not too distant future, at least those interested will be able to buy these superb pots.

From: Jean Lewis
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: paphs and sarcos
Date: Mon, 14 Apr 2008

Hi Rocky,
Yes I think what you say is right − keep the sarcos and just pot up when absolutely necessary. Any suggestions for what I can use when I need to repot. As you maybe able to see from the photo I use alpine grit for them with a handful of diorolyte and the orchids are in pots without drainage holes so I'm using the semi-hydroculture method and they love it. The problem is I found several years back that they like room to expand and before long I'm going to need larger pots but if I use clay pots which I would prefer to do they are going to be mighty heavy. I can just move them into the house now when they are in flower and I'd like to continue that but I'm afraid if I have a larger clay pot without holes, always supposing I can get some and that isn't easy this way, then they will probably be too heavy to carry. My husband says he'll move them but I'm afraid he won't really be up to it!
I repotted another two paphs into your mix this afternoon and I'm hoping they will reward me with their first flowers this year. They are plants I bought from the Italian Nursery last year − cheers − Jean

From: Sue Brinsko
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Re: [OrchidTalk] Clay orchid pots.
Date: Tue, 15 Apr 2008

Rocky, try these gardensgreen.com/containergarden/orchid
quailcreekpottery.com orchidcontainers.com Sue B

> Hi all,
>
> I have been asked if I can get any information regarding the importation
> of 'Clay Orchid Pots' as per the attachment, into the U.K.
>
> Can anyone please point me in the right direction.

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2008 Archived Messages

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