2008 mailing list messages

2008 Archived Messages

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From: geoff hands
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Re: [OrchidTalk] Phalenatics.
Date: Sun, 08 Jun 2008

A plea to many ; so many messages are completely meaningless to me, unless
I go back and hunt through my recent e-mails trying to pin them down. Since
I get about 35 e-mails a day on average, this would mean looking at perhaps
200 for each one I am trying to understand . Life's too short !

I would very much like to know what you are talking about − can't you all
please quote something , in order to make your message meaningful ?

No ? Then I shall not bother to open your e-mails in future. I might have
said that I shall resign from the group, but many members have no difficulty
at all in making their messages meaningful − David Martin, Sue Brinsko , Jim
Mateosky, Tony garthwaite , John J. Rupp for example.

See the attachment below ; this is the complete message I received. In this
particular case I can see that it is a message from Roger being referred to
- which narrows it down to one of 21 − still too many ! Otherwise, its
rather a mystery as to what is doing well and why its standing in water etc.

> Thanks so much for the photos Roger. I can see how well they are doing. It
> looks as though they are standing in a small amount of water − are they?

From: Jean Lewis
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Re: [OrchidTalk] off message re intrusions.
Date: Sun, 08 Jun 2008

Yes I think they have gone up in number Geoff. Anything beginning with 'Dear Customer' gets deleted straight away. − Jean

From: Roger Grier
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: At first sight !!!!!
Date: Sun, 08 Jun 2008

At first sight you may be forgiven in thinking it is a Common Marsh Orchid.....but it aint.

The leaves have some very small markings on them, and then, the leaves are at right angles just like the Common Marsh ????

Wouldn't mind a clump of them in my garden. If they produce some seed pods maybe I could collect some and send them to are Members who grow orchids from seed.

From: Roger Grier
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Early Marsh Orchid
Date: Sun, 08 Jun 2008

Note the looped line on the lip, and the shape of the flower/lip. Also the yellowish appearance of the stem and leaves. And the stem is so hollow.

Last shot is from the same area [just a few feet away] of the almost albino type.

From: Roger Grier
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Easily mistaken.
Date: Sun, 08 Jun 2008

As my 'Subject' says.....Easily mistaken.....for the Common Spotted, which it is not.

From: Roger Grier
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: The waiting game !!!
Date: Sun, 08 Jun 2008

I have never seen this plant in flower, so when the sheath started to show I was very pleased.....then it sat there.....and it just sat there. We all know that there are times when the sheath, and the buds inside take ages, but this one must be in line for the record. At long last I did see the sheath begin to swell, but only slightly.....then it got bigger, and two days ago the buds just started to show.

From: Roger Grier
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Re: [OrchidTalk] Phalenatics.
Date: Sun, 08 Jun 2008

In the growing season, just about every clay pot is stood in a plastic saucer. I pour or spray fertiliser water on to the top of pot and then I see it trickle down into the saucer. Not a lot is required as it is only the rots that I am filling up with food/moisture, not a compost.

If I know that a certain orchid such as Dendrobium delicatum will grow like crazy, I make sure that the saucer/container is full...always. And boy do they grow.

> Thanks so much for the photos Roger. I can see how well they are
> doing. It looks as though they are standing in a small amount of
> water − are they?

From: Roger Grier
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Re: [OrchidTalk] David's Phally.
Date: Sun, 08 Jun 2008

Love the humour. Actually, I don't see Sphagnum moss growing up in trees, ha, ha.

I took quite a lot of photos of the Lesser Butterfly orchid here in the New Forest yesterday, but I did not take my tripod as the wife and I were just out for a walk. And although I was laid out flat on the ground, the bloody wind would not back down, so maybe I will go out this evening, especially when it is slightly darker, as that is when they look their best.....and the perfume, wonderful.

Yesterday, I met a chap who came over after seeing 'This man laid down photographing something' who was also taking photos of orchids...........................dressed in white trousers etc. etc. and of course stood upright to take his shots. Needless to say he was saying that his shots did not come out too well $%*^%^)**)(*&($^$£"^&^%%^*(()__++*&(^%

> Hello Rocky, I grow some of my Phal species in solid Sphagnum
> because by trial and error they seem to like it. Also part of the
> pleasure I get from growing orchids is to grow them as naturally as
> possible. I have yet to see pots of Seramis and gravel screwed on
> trees in the jungle!. There again I haven't been in the jungle
> recently.!! I can always cover the top of the pot with gravel then
> you can't pull my leg in future!!!!!!!

From: Roger Grier
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Yellow Phally.
Date: Sun, 08 Jun 2008

My yellow Phally.....been in that pot for a few years now, how many I could not say, but for some reason it is now two plants in there and they are both doing very well.

I am soon to cut back two of the spikes so I will keep you informed. There is another spike with a load of buds on it waiting to open.

From: Roger Grier
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Tony and Cleethorpe.
Date: Sun, 08 Jun 2008

Smack his legs............I'll box his damned ears...........ha, ha, but as Geoff said, the joints do not get any younger, and I know full well what he meant. It sure is not so easy on the limbs when we all get past that certain age.

From: Jean Lewis
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Re: [OrchidTalk] Phalenatics.
Date: Sun, 08 Jun 2008

Thanks Rocky yes it does. Congrats on your Cattleya too how wonderful to have it coming into flower. We shall all want to see it when it is fully open.
I had a wonderful surprise yesterday. I have a Catt.Loddigesii which has not put up any new growth for 3 years and I wondered if it was in some way damaged and that it would stay like that for a few more years and then die. About 3 weeks ago I told it that I'd give it one more year and if it didn't do something I'd throw it out. Yesterday I couldn't believe my eyes when tucked between two of the canelike stems I found a new one which is now about 8" long!!!! I think it must have listened and been scared into doing something at last! − They never cease to amaze do they − Jean

From: Dennis Read
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Zygopetalums
Date: Sun, 08 Jun 2008

For the last 4 years my Zygo. Artur Elle has grown and flowered in the same place in my greenhouse. I am at a loss for an explanation. I thought it was my loss of power and drop in temperature to 4C. But with Geoff's method of watering with ice cold water I am now at a total loss.
A bit of sun and the air is getting warmer. Maybe we will have a summer
Dennis

From: Tricia Garner
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Geoff's plea re replies
Date: Sun, 08 Jun 2008

Geoff's comments on the format of replies echoes the Guidelines for
the list on http://www.orchid-talk.co.uk/guide.html where I have just
edited the section on quoting in replies to, I hope, make it clearer.

The best scenario would be where subscribers quote enough of an
original message so that we all understand to what the reply is
referring, but at the same time not including umpteen previous
messages in the thread. It is an art which many subscribers have
mastered but there are some notable exceptions.

From: Alex
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Rogers pic request
Date: Sun, 08 Jun 2008

Hello Roger − sorry I havent replied sooner but been busy with our Tatton
show, very busy and a two day event so much more work. Three dealers
selling terrestrials and one, Radcliffes had D. purpurella, majalis and
praetermissa and some of the praetermissa had spotty leaves. I would say
confusion reigns in the dactylorhiza world. Anyway here are close ups of
the flower (with a seed pod), and the leaves and base.
Regards
Alex Scott

From: Dennis Read
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Re: [OrchidTalk] Zygopetalums
Date: Mon, 09 Jun 2008

> For the last 4 years my Zygo. Artur Elle has grown and flowered in
> the same place in my greenhouse. I am at a loss for an explanation.
> I thought it was my loss of power and drop in temperature to 4C.
> But with Geoff's method of watering with ice cold water I am now at
> a total loss.

From: geoff hands
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Re: [OrchidTalk] Zygopetalums
Date: Mon, 09 Jun 2008

But my ice-water was just a suggestion − I have not tried it out. Mine seem
to flower in with my cattleyas and vandas...

From: geoff hands
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: for lovers of native orchids, in the Wilts/New Forest area
Date: Mon, 09 Jun 2008

I happened to finish a walk at Pepperbox Hill (N.T.) today and paused to
read the NT blurb about what's at the site and saw mention of encouraging
native orchids there, inc. fragrant and pyramidal orchids...

I'd done 9 miles, it's been a hot day ( 28 according to my car thermometer -
and that's shade − I'd been walking in the sun) and I wanted a pint . And
anyway , I like my orchids a bit bigger and 3 feet nearer my nose to start
with , so I didn't stop.

From: Ron Bower
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Re: [OrchidTalk] Zygopetalums
Date: Mon, 09 Jun 2008

Was it your old age that made you forget, or that of the plant that stopped it flowering.
If the former, then welcome to the club.

From: Roger Grier
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Flagging plants.
Date: Mon, 09 Jun 2008

Your comments about your Cattleya that needed a good talking to, reminds me of the age old story regarding plants in general. I have a Cattleya hybrid which looks as if it may be going to the compost bin or other parts where we dispose of plants. It does look very poorly. So, tomorrow I will take it out of its pot, cut off any dead bulbs and then soak the other part in tap water with a little household bleach added to it. This is my way of giving the plant a good purge. Then it will be potted again and hopefully this purge will tell it to put up a nice new eye.

From: Roger Grier
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Zygopetalums.
Date: Mon, 09 Jun 2008

You wrote:
For the last 4 years my Zygo. Artur Elle has grown and flowered in the same place in my greenhouse. I am at a loss for an explanation. I thought it was my loss of power and drop in temperature to 4C. But with Geoff's method of watering with ice cold water I am now at a total loss.

I was very pleased to read about your Zygo and the conditions, which I will ad to my new Folder titled: Orchid Culture and Tips.

I am not so sure about what Geoff said though. Iced water??? Maybe it was a last resort, but I'm damned sure I wouldn't like iced water poured over me.

From: PG Hieke
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Re: [OrchidTalk] Dendro and Phalaenopsis'
Date: Mon, 09 Jun 2008

The shape of your Phal. bellina is outstanding. Where did you get this one?
Also, your Phal schilleriana is a very good shape.
Well done.
Peter from Bloubergstrand

> Hello all,
>
> Here are some pictures of (non Paphs) orchids which are flowering / flowered
> in my collection in 2008.
> Dendrobium lindleyi (formerly D. aggregatum) flowers reliably in spring when
> it had a cool and dry resting period during winter.
> Phal. bellina f. murtoniana (formerly P. violacea 'Borneo') is flowering for
> the first time in my collection.

From: Roger Grier
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Dactyl orchids.
Date: Mon, 09 Jun 2008

Thanks very much for the photos.....yes, certainly what I call the Common Marsh Orchid.....otherwise know as, the Southern Marsh Orchid, or of course, Dactlyorhiza praetermissa.

You mentioned: I would say confusion reigns in the dactylorhiza world. I would say that there are some people out there that will not accept the fact that the 'Fab Four' hybridise like mad and that it is nigh impossible to exactly name the parents.

Might just go out this evening to photograph the Lesser Butterfly about 7:30pm onwards.

From: PG Hieke
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Re: [OrchidTalk] Emailing: 004, 046 (2), 042, 019
Date: Mon, 09 Jun 2008

The correct name for your Phal. is Phal. cornu-cervi.
According to Eric A Christenson Phal. lamelligera is not a valid name.

> The phal is in moss, but it's only the top covered in algae, as under the
> surface it's a nice normal brown colour. The species like it quite bright.

From: PG Hieke
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Re: [OrchidTalk] Phalaenopsis violacea 'Sumatra'
Date: Mon, 09 Jun 2008

Your Phal violacea is a very unusually form. The colouring
is like most violacea's, but the shape is so much different.
A very interesting flower.
Regards
Peter from Blobergstrand

> A non-hybrid Phalaenopsis :)
http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f359/rockhop/IMG_6657c.jpg

From: Mr G.Horne
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: roger's complex's
Date: Mon, 09 Jun 2008

Hi Roger, yes i agree the fab four are really confusing as they hybridise
in many combinations as i have found to my annoyance and embarrasment.By
Fab four i mean common spotted,heath spotted, common marsh and early marsh
and i think we should add fragrant orchid and make it the fab five.I have
many photo's of them but i am using my other email and it takes forever to
upload lots of piccy's. Instead i went to a site near shaftesbury
yesterday in the hope of seeing something ie frog orchid, bee orchids but
none were to be found, there wee literally hundreds of common spotted and
greater butterfly; the only real excitement was a white fragrant orchid
and the biggest common spotted i have seen, it must have been nearly two
feet tall.so hear is a piccy of the white fragrant its not very big im
afraid,when i access my other email if you still want some piccys of the
hybrids i'll upload some for you.Happy growing!Gavin

From: Mr G.Horne
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Roger (heath spotted)
Date: Mon, 09 Jun 2008

Hi Roger, i actually got to se what i recognise as a pure heath spotted
yesterday, are there any good sites for these near me or you.Also have you
managed to get any more accurate info on the lizard, ive walked the
downton railway line and found nothing unfortunately!Hear are the only two
piccy's ive got of the heath spotted i just hope there right as im sure
you'll tell me if there not!Happy growing!
Gavin

From: Roger Grier
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Lesser Butterfly Orchids.
Date: Mon, 09 Jun 2008

Just got back from the New Forest. I sure am damn lucky.....such a lovely evening, not a breath of wind and so quiet.

From: Roger Grier
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Them damned but so beautiful hybrids.
Date: Mon, 09 Jun 2008

Hi Tony, Gavin, Jean, David, and all others who are interested in the U.K. Wild Orchids.

The short ones were taken without a tripod as it was getting late/dark and I just happened to spot them.

Will take more photos in a week or so when they are fully out, but there are some very nice patterned flowers and with two tone colours etc.

From: Paul Johnson
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Re: [OrchidTalk] Zygopetalums.
Date: Tue, 10 Jun 2008

My Zygo's get moved outside during the summer with the Cymbidium and
cool Coelogyne, where they get alternately baked by morning sun and
either beaten upon by thunderstorms or drenched with ground-
temperature well water, then to the coolest part of the greenhouse in
autumn. Usually, by January they are in bloom.

Once, I found a massive Zygo growing on a roadcut of decomposed
sandstone at around 1700 m in the Andes above Coroico, Bolivia. Full,
baking sun during the day, cool temps and often some fog at night. I
could smell the fragrance nearly 50 m down the road.

> I was very pleased to read about your Zygo and the conditions, which
> I will ad to my new Folder titled: Orchid Culture and Tips.

From: Jean Lewis
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Re: [OrchidTalk] Flagging plants.
Date: Tue, 10 Jun 2008

Yes it is strange Roger but sometimes a good talking to seems to work wonders with our orchids. Your treatment sounds a bit harsh − with household bleach- but then it a bit like a kick up the rear to get things going again. Good luck with it − Jean

From: Jean Lewis
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Re: [OrchidTalk] Them damned but so beautiful hybrids.
Date: Tue, 10 Jun 2008

Beautiful photos all of them Rocky − beautiful orchids too! I've sent for 4 Dacylorhizas. A strange thing happened and I think I'm meant to grow them! We've been talking quite a bit about them here so I decided to do a fact sheet for our local group. I gave it to them last Saturday and our Treasurer walked in with guess what?! A beautiful Dactylorhiza in a pot. She had bought it 3 years ago and it's a really splended plant now. I must say I'm very encouraged and can't wait for mine to arrive. − Jean

From: geoff hands
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Re: [OrchidTalk] Dactyl orchids.
Date: Tue, 10 Jun 2008

Dactyl's are not the only orchids to be so promiscuous ( hybridise like
made). I was once on a botanical holiday in North Cyprus ( wonderful for
Mediterranean ground orchids) in a lane with Derek Viney − who established
the North Cyprus herbarium and wrote the standard North Cyprus flora.

He saw 4 different species of orchids. Using the German guy's book
(Schiller, was it ? can't find it on my shelves now ) I saw 12 different
species, but we both saw about a hundred variants between all of these.

Afterwards when I mentioned this in discussion with Phillip Cribb, he made
the comment that the very concept of speciation simply does not work at all
with many orchids. Speciationch is a quite artificial thing forced on
nature by man, in his desire to be systematic − which nature is not ! -

> > I would say confusion reigns in the dactylorhiza world. I
> > would say that there are some people out there that will not accept the fact
> > that the 'Fab Four' hybridise like mad and that it is nigh impossible to
> > exactly name the parents.

First to Paul. Just the type of information that we all need, First Hand experience. Thanks so much for the invaluable information, another piece of information for my new Folder.....Culture and Tips. Cheers mate.

Jean, if you want some information for your Club's Factsheet then I will always be very grateful to help if I can. Rocky.

Mornin' Mate, Heath Spotted you reckon!!! Yep, I am sure it is. I did notice that the second photo showed a leaf and with very heavy markings on it. No problem, but you will find the Heath Spotted almost without any markings to some that are similar to the one in your photo.

Now then Matey.....you wrote....Hi Roger, yes I agree the fab four are really confusing as they hybridise in many combinations as I have found to my annoyance and embarrassment. Embarrassment.....never Gavin, never. No one knows it all.....some say they do but they DO NOT. So, you saw this White form of the Fragrant Orchid did you ?????????????? Ha, ha, and I know what you are going to say under your breath.....Have a good look at the length of the spur for a start. I think it is a white form of the Common Spotted Orchid. Nice photo, and so nice to a Common Spotted like this.

I don't get too excited over pure white forms, especially when my old mate always used to say that, "It's only white because all of the other colours are missing".

From: Roger Grier
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Couple in flower.
Date: Tue, 10 Jun 2008

My Ascofinetia 'Cheery Blossom' never fails to bloom, and there are two young side pieces which are also giving me an extra bonus. Not the best photo, but there we are.

The Bifrenaria 'Linchmere'. Bought it from another Orchid Hobbyist some months ago. Split it and put the back bulbs in one pot and I think that they are all showing growths. This, the main part has given me this nice flower spike with three flowers, and the added bonus is the wonderful fragrance.

My question is.....does anyone else have this cross??? Can't see any photos anywhere???

One Internet answer told that it was a cross between B. Harrisoniae and B. aureofulva. Any ideas please.

From: Jean Lewis
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Re: [OrchidTalk] Answers.
Date: Tue, 10 Jun 2008

Thank you Rocky that's kind of you. If I need any info I'll be in touch. − Jean

From: David Martin
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Re: [OrchidTalk] Emailing: 004, 046 (2), 042, 019
Date: Tue, 10 Jun 2008

Peter,
You are quite right Phalaenopsis lamelligera is cornu cervi. When it
flowered PhillipCribb reckoned it was cornu cervi. I put it on orchid talk
to see if anyone else would pick up the name. You are the only one.
David

From: Alex Scott
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Re: Dactyl orchids.
Date: Tue, 10 Jun 2008

About £15, usually for a small single spiked plant. I looked at Laneside for
an ophrys (bee type) plant but he only had pots of what looked like gravel
with no plant visible!! Didnt think I should chance it.
The NEOS stand had some really big dactyl type plants, several spikes, 15"
or so and densely packed with rich purple flowers, very attractive but
hybrids I suppose. I forgot to note the name.
Regards, Alex

From: gavin horne
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: roger and a evening on the hills
Date: Tue, 10 Jun 2008

Hi Roger, than for the maps ect, i should be there at 10-10.30 as ive got a small errand to run first.Thats the busines out the way!This evening i went to a local site that i have shown you piccy's of a bee orchid from; while tonight i found three more there and the first of the flowering pyramid orchids ive seen this year.So hear are some more piccy's for your viewing pleasure or otherwise.happy growing!GavinTomorrow i will have some piccy's of my own orchids for you and especially the first flowering of my catasetum pileatum.

From: Theta
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Re: Ascofinetia 'Cherry Blossom' was: Re: [OrchidTalk] Couple in flower.
Date: Tue, 10 Jun 2008

Gorgeous plant − a nice foil to a miniature Neofinetia that I have. I'd
like to locate a plant to purchase (I live in U.S.A). Is this the
Odoriko version? Do you know of suppliers?

Roger Grier wrote:
> Mornin' all,
>
> My Ascofinetia 'Cheery Blossom' never fails to bloom, and there are
> two young side pieces which are also giving me an extra bonus. Not
> the best photo, but there we are.
>
[snip]

From: Roger Grier
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Seed in Pharmacy packs.
Date: Wed, 11 Jun 2008

To be honest it's the first time ever that I have seen an Attachment 'Greyed out'. Then I looked at the file type. .Ink

From: Jean Lewis
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: photos and Dactylorhiza
Date: Wed, 11 Jun 2008

Beautiful orchids and first class photos Gavin. Can anyone in the group
suggest where I can get Dactylorhizas please. As I said yesterday I ordered
4 but hear today that they have refunded my money − no explanation as yet so
I've emailed them to find out why. They are probably out of stock with the
Nursery − Hardy's. I'm really disappointed as I was expecting them to arrive
today! − A disgruntled Jean

From: Tricia Garner
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Re: photos and Dactylorhiza
Date: Wed, 11 Jun 2008

Hello Jean − you could try http://www.lanesidealpines.com/ as they
seem to sell a wide variety including Dactylorhizas. I don't know how
their prices compare with other suppliers, though!

Light travels faster than sound. This is why some people appear bright until you hear them speak.

From: Mr G.Horne
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: heath fragrant
Date: Wed, 11 Jun 2008

H i Roger, i was just looking at the average flowering date list you sent
me and i came across the "Heath Fragrant", i cannot find this in my books,
is this reference to the hybrid of said name or the short spurred
fragrant.Many thanks,happy growing!
Gavin

From: rudolf günnel
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Re: [OrchidTalk] Dendro and Phalaenopsis'
Date: Wed, 11 Jun 2008

I purchased both of them at Currlin Orchideen in July 2005.
They are situated in Uffenhausen not far away from Würzburg and they run a
website at http://www.currlin.com
Incidentally Mr. Currlin is retired since 2005 and the new proprietor is Mr.
F. Zeuner.

PG Hieke wrote:
>The shape of your Phal. bellina is outstanding. Where did you get this one?
>Also, your Phal schilleriana is a very good shape.
>Well done.
>Peter from Bloubergstrand

From: Janet Fabricant
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Re: [OrchidTalk]cornu cervi
Date: Wed, 11 Jun 2008

Hi Peter and David,
I don't usually write to this list, just lurk, but the cornu cervi is one of
our favorites. I purchased a cornu cervi "red" in Miami last January from a
vendor at Martin Motes' show. Laurel Baldan, of Baldan Orchids, also
purchased one and we are waiting to see if the plant will flower and
wondering what it will look like.
Janet and Bob Fabricant in Boynton Beach, Florida
Wirey hugs and love and xxx and licks from Janet, Bobby and Asta

From: Brenda Beale
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Bifrenaria lynchmere
Date: Wed, 11 Jun 2008

That Bifrenaria is a lovely colour Rocky, I have never heard of that one. I
used to grow them (or tried) but never had much success except for B.
Calcarata which I kept for many years before it finally succumbed.

From: geoff hands
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Re: Seed in Pharmacy packs.( I have no idea where this subject line came from − we are talking about ink files !)
Date: Wed, 11 Jun 2008

Dot ink ( .ink) files are created by most Windows versions designed to run
on tablets − also some hand-held jobs( palm-tops).
But if you are running a modern version of MS Word, you will open them
without difficulty. I think I have opened them with Word in Works 2006 for
example, and certainly in Word 2007.

We have had further examples of the same kind of thing ; my jpg image files
can't be opened by some of you − and I could bet money on the age of the
PC/laptop being used to try and open them.

These are examples of the unintended consequences of modernising a system -
perhaps done for some purpose quite different from chatting to one another
about orchids ; but using very recent versions of programs producing files
which are not backwards compatible.

There are work-arounds − the message can always be sent by copying and
pasting into the e-mail instead of attaching a file (compressed).

From: Tricia Garner
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Today's (June 11) emails from Roger and Geoff
Date: Wed, 11 Jun 2008

Roger sends an email with the subject 'Seed in Pharmacy packs'. Since
no such subject has been raised on the list. I queried this,
whereupon Geoff sends an email with the subject 'Seed in Pharmacy
packs. (I have no idea where this subject line came from − we are
talking about ink files!)'. No the only things which made me swear
today, but definitely high up the scale.

1) Please try not to confuse everyone by sending to the list bits
from the middle of a private conversation without the relevant
details.

2) Please don't turn subject lines into mini-novels. They should be
brief and to the point, saving the sentences for the body of the
message.

From: Roger Grier
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Re: [OrchidTalk] Ascofinetia 'Cherry Blossom' was: Re: [OrchidTalk] Couple in flower.
Date: Wed, 11 Jun 2008

Hello 'Theta' and if my memory is still doing it's job, it should be
'Theta-Sigma' correct??? And I would like your details to put on the Clubs
List. Just name, Country, State, and what you grow etc.

Anyhow, I got my plant some years ago from Plested orchids here in the U.K.
So, I just phoned Ian Plested and he tells me that they have some......or he
will split one. And he might just be able to tell you of a USA Orchid
dealer that can help.

> Roger,
>
> Gorgeous plant − a nice foil to a miniature Neofinetia that I have. I'd
> like to locate a plant to purchase (I live in U.S.A). Is this the Odoriko
> version? Do you know of suppliers?
>
> Regards and thanks.
>
> -mark-

From: Roger Grier
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Bee Orchid.
Date: Wed, 11 Jun 2008

Gavin's photo of the Bee Orchid is typical of the front view which I like to talk about, especially as the Bee Orchid is supposed to be self pollinating here in the U.K......and maybe in other Countries???

Looking at the front view of this flower, and imagining that you were an insect on the look out for nectar.....would you land on this flower, WITH ITS GREAT GAPING MOUTH AND BEADY BLACK EYES, COMPLETE WITH A COUPLE OF SHORT BRISTLY ARMS WITH WHICH TO HOLD YOU FAST?????

From: Roger Grier
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Re: [OrchidTalk] Bifrenaria lynchmere
Date: Wed, 11 Jun 2008

> That Bifrenaria is a lovely colour Rocky, I have never heard of
> that one. I used to grow them (or tried) but never had much success
> except for B. Calcarata which I kept for many years before it
> finally succumbed.

First things first.....thinking that I may have a back bulb and growth to post to you later on, I realised that I do not have you on our Clubs List, so, can I please have.....where you are in the U.K. and what you grow etc. etc.

From: Roger Grier
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Bee Orchid and hanging pollinia.
Date: Wed, 11 Jun 2008

Continuing with the Bee Orchid and its self pollination, Gavin's excellent photo tells all.

Whereas many of our U.K. Wild orchids have a pollinia, which is fixed to quite a short rigid 'stalk', you can see that the Bee Orchid flower has a very 'floppy' stalk.

If an insect were to land on the flower and actually get the sticky glue patch to fix to its head, the pollinia would just fall over its back. Then, when it visited another Bee Orchid flower, the pollinia would never be in the correct position so as to hit the stigmatic surface.

From: Jean Lewis
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Re: photos and Dactylorhiza
Date: Wed, 11 Jun 2008

Thank you Tricia − I'll give them a try and let you know if there is any
progress − Jean

From: gavin horne
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: a few of my own for a change
Date: Wed, 11 Jun 2008

Hi All, i hope you've been having the boiling weather that weve had!anyway hear are a few that are in flower at chez Gavin at this time:
1)Brassia Rex, this has to be my fave hybrid brassia, it is the easiest flowerer ive known;and what striking scented flowers they are. I have made a slight mistake this year with the winter rest by resting it in a northwest facing window which seem to have robbed 1-2 inches off the overall flower size but, there still 8 inches tip-tip.
2)catasetum pileatum-This is my current love, this is its first flowering and i have to say im pleased with four 10cm wide flowers.if you look closely you will see the trigger mechanism that the plant uses to dump pollinia on the potential pollinators head, and beleive you me it is fast!
3)masdevallia triangularis, this again is the first flowering i grow this one int-warm but im not pleased with the flower count so i will probably mount it, as i love masdevcallia's on mounts anyway
4&5)oncidium cordigerum-this is a great plant, anyone who says oncidiums are a bunch of yellow and brown jobs just isn't looking at the same plants as me, the flower spikes on this start out vertical and as the buds develop it becomes weighed down and points to 6 o clock, and as you will see they are the loveliest little flowers!
6)Paphiopedilum claire de lune 'edgar van belle', this is a fantastic hybrid, it holds great size and longevity of flowering; and more often than not i get two flowerings a year out of this delight.
7)Phaleonopsis cochlearis-This is the first time ive flowered this one and so far its a pleasant surprise im most intriuged by the unusual lip and its markings!
8)promnea crawshayana- this is a primary hybrid between staploides and xanthina and apart from the fact i bought it on ebay thats all i know about it so far; but what lovely looking detail on the lip!
well thats all for tonight, i will show you some more tomorrow, hope you enjoyed my efforts.happy growing!
Gavin

From: Dennis Read
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Re: [OrchidTalk] Bifrenaria lynchmere
Date: Wed, 11 Jun 2008

Biffrenaria Linchmere is a hybrid registered by Jack King in 1991.
Regards Dennis

From: Sue Brinsko
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Re: [OrchidTalk] a few of my own for a change
Date: Wed, 11 Jun 2008

Gavin, Your Paph looks so much more upright than mine. Mine flops and
dangles all over the side of the pot. do you think that's just a difference
in variety or is mine incorrectly housed? btw thanks for sharing your
lovely pics I really enjoyed them. sue B

> Hi All, i hope you've been having the boiling weather that weve had!anyway
> hear are a few that are in flower at chez Gavin at this time:
> 6)Paphiopedilum claire de lune 'edgar van belle', this is a fantastic
> hybrid, it holds great size and longevity of flowering; and more often than
> not i get two flowerings a year out of this delight.
>

From: Max Redman
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Re: [OrchidTalk] Seed in Pharmacy packs.
Date: Thu, 12 Jun 2008

Roger,
Sorry to hear that you folks are way behind in the modern world of computer technology
but never mind, I will attach them as pictures instead!! I will resend the original one with pictures to you both.
Cheers
Max

> To be honest it's the first time ever that I have seen an
> Attachment 'Greyed out'. Then I looked at the file type. .Ink

From: Max Redman
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Re: Seed in Pharmacy packs.
Date: Thu, 12 Jun 2008

Tricia,
I sent the original messages direct to both Roger and Gordon but in his
answer it seems that it is now on the list. If you wish I can copy it for
you as I have resent them both with the pictures rather than he file.
You could contact me off list if you desire to save filling up the list.
Cheers
Max.

From: Esther Koh
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Re: [OrchidTalk] Phalaenopsis violacea 'Sumatra'
Date: Thu, 12 Jun 2008

I thought the shape is different too. The 2 lower sepals appear to be more horizontal than usual.

> Your Phal violacea is a very unusually form. The colouring is like
> most violacea's, but the shape is so much different. A very
> interesting flower.

From: geoff hands
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Re: [OrchidTalk] Peterboro'
Date: Thu, 12 Jun 2008

Some time ago, when I thought I might be going to the show I asked some
dealers for lists of what they would have ( now I'm not going since I shall
be elsewhere for a time). However, one of the dealers, clearly a keen type,
sends me e-mails from time to time and now tells me that he has a new list
of special Neofinetia plants straight from Japan. They are something of a
cult there.

He is offering these at prices varying between a mere $90 for a piece of
Hakou Fukurin − distinguished by having "red" leaves , and $1900 for a piece
of Fukiden which has leaves with cream margins.

The flowers it seems are not important with these plants ! Next time you
get one looking funny, don't think it is virused ( it probably is ! ) but
sell it on e-bay, with a starting price of $1000 ?

If you are slightly bonkers, like me − and most of us (?) , and think that
orchids are grown for the flowers, you could instead go for a plant of the
variety ( not a correct word botanically, I'm sure ) Akabana , with 50
growths. Producing solid pink flowers, for a mere $950.

Max my good friend, to tell you the absolute truth, I had never come across this type of file ending before.....never heard of .Ink.

Can you not copy and paste it into a WORD document, or, save it as a .jpeg file, which just about everyone uses.

From: Jean Lewis
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Re: [OrchidTalk] a few of my own for a change
Date: Thu, 12 Jun 2008

Beautiful orchids Gavin you must be thrilled with them. Thanks for sharing these lovely photographs − Jean

From: geoff hands
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Re: [OrchidTalk] Ink.
Date: Thu, 12 Jun 2008

> Mornin' Max, and all other Members who could not open the files that Max
> sent.

> Max my good friend, to tell you the absolute truth, I had never come across
> this type of file ending before.....never heard of .Ink.

> I have a modern computer just like many others, so what the hell is going
> on???

> Can you not copy and paste it into a WORD document, or, save it as a .jpeg
> file, which just about everyone uses.

From: geoff hands
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Re: [OrchidTalk] a few of my own for a change
Date: Thu, 12 Jun 2008

Sue − if your Claire de Lune flops, it is doubtful if you have the true
variety , for one of it's characteristics is the strong upright stem.

> Gavin, Your Paph looks so much more upright than mine. Mine flops and
> dangles all over the side of the pot. do you think that's just a difference
> in variety or is mine incorrectly housed? btw thanks for sharing your
> lovely pics I really enjoyed them. sue B

From: Jean Lewis
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Re: [OrchidTalk] Peterboro'
Date: Thu, 12 Jun 2008

What a price to pay! Especially as the chances are that they would pretty soon join my own Neofinettia in orchid Heaven! − Jean

From: Laura Peppiatt
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Re: [OrchidTalk] Peterboro'
Date: Thu, 12 Jun 2008

Last year I bought two Neos from them. Shutteno 3 growth and Hissui 2
growth (spelling?). Shutteno was in fact 2 + 1 growth with very small
roots. Biggest leaf was only about an inch long. Hissui was much smaller
with just one root. I thought that plants were divisions put in the pots
before the sale, not established plants. Despite all the effort hissui
died shortly. I put Shutteno in two very small pots and both plants
slowly grow new roots. I bought as well 5A grade moss that was very
expensive. When I reported my Neos into it I found out that strains if
were a bit longer than ordinary moss but they were so fragile and thin
that I had to make pleats from them trying to mimic Japanese method of
growing. I could do the same with ordinary moss. I do not think that I
will buy from NW again.

All plants that I bought from other supplies are doing very well. Even
Vandas have flowered or about to flower despite I do not have a G/h yet
and orchids are crowded mostly in the kitchen under fluorescent light

> Some time ago, when I thought I might be going to the show I
> asked some dealers for lists of what they would have ( now I'm not going
> since I shall be elsewhere for a time).

From: Alex Scott
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Re: Peterboro'
Date: Thu, 12 Jun 2008

Hello Geoff − There was a dealer with Neofinetia falcata varieties at Tatton
last weekend, variegated and distorted leaves at £50 type prices. Also
some Dendrobium moniliforme with bulbous leaves that looked very odd, also
high prices. As you say, they dont seem to rate the flowers much. I am
sticking with my crystalline white, nicely scented very ordinary type!
Regards, Alex

From: Brenda Beale
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: B.Lynchmere
Date: Thu, 12 Jun 2008

Thanks for the info. Dennis, just going to look on my Orchidwiz to to sse
what Bifs. made it.

From: Brenda Beale
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: For Club List
Date: Thu, 12 Jun 2008

I grow a mixed collection now, at one time I collected all the Cattleya
species and managed to get all of thwm over the years. Now I have got rid of
most of my Catts. To collect a variety of smaller genera. I now have a few
Ascocentrum species and hybrids and a few other genera. I shall be on the
look out for a few new genera of the small type on Saturday at
Peterborough.

From: John J. Rupp
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Re: Unreadable attached jpgs
Date: Thu, 12 Jun 2008

While I cannot comment on the readability of .ink file, as I have not
received any, I do need to comment on the problems I have had with your
attached jpg pics.

I can now read your recent attached jpgs in my browsers. When I was on
vacation in May, I periodically used my sons computer to keep somewhat
up to date with the club listings. I noticed that I could view your
pics on his computer and began to wonder what was wrong with my system.
Back home, I find that I can view your images again, and I did nothing
to my system. On reading your comment in the second paragraph of your
email, below, I decided to again check your earlier email where I had
problems. Those are still unviewable in my browsers in any of my
computers. Going through a;; the back files, I find that the last
browser viewable pics as your attachments was on December 7, 2007. For
your posts from December 15, 2007 to April 27, 2008, I could not, and
still cannot, view the pics directly in any browser on any computer. To
see pics from this time period, I can download them to a directory on my
computer and them view them with any photo viewer. Starting with your
post on May 3, 2008, I can view your pics in any browser on any computer.

I have not made any changes to any of my computers: a laptop less than a
year old running VISTA, a laptop 1.5 years old running Windows XP, and a
desktop 4 years old running Windows XP. I even tried downloading the
pics thorugh two different servers with the same results. My
conclusions would be that something happened for a while at your end,
possibly even through the sending ISP, but as you indicate it is another
of those wonders of modern technology. I am sure we will never know
what happened, but I am just glad to be able to again see all pics from
the club via my browser.

geoff hands wrote:
> Dot ink ( .ink) files are created by most Windows versions designed to run
> on tablets − also some hand-held jobs( palm-tops).
> But if you are running a modern version of MS Word, you will open them
> without difficulty. I think I have opened them with Word in Works 2006 for
> example, and certainly in Word 2007.
>
> We have had further examples of the same kind of thing ; my jpg image files
> can't be opened by some of you − and I could bet money on the age of the
> PC/laptop being used to try and open them.
>
> These are examples of the unintended consequences of modernising a system -
> perhaps done for some purpose quite different from chatting to one another
> about orchids ; but using very recent versions of programs producing files
> which are not backwards compatible.
>
> There are work-arounds − the message can always be sent by copying and
> pasting into the e-mail instead of attaching a file (compressed).
>
> Geoff
>

From: David Martin
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Another Nursery that sells orchids
Date: Thu, 12 Jun 2008

Try the nursery, of my Daughter in Laws friend, for wild orchids. Dactyls at £9-95 each up to Cyp calceolus at £45.00 www.cornwallgardens.com
email plants@cornwallgardens.com

From: PG Hieke
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Re: [OrchidTalk] Dendro and Phalaenopsis'
Date: Thu, 12 Jun 2008

> I purchased both of them at Currlin Orchideen in July 2005.
> They are situated in Uffenhausen not far away from Würzburg and they
> run a website at http://www.currlin.com
> Incidentally Mr. Currlin is retired since 2005 and the new proprietor is
> Mr. F. Zeuner.

> >The shape of your Phal. bellina is outstanding. Where did you get
> >this one?
> >Also, your Phal schilleriana is a very good shape. Well done.

From: PG Hieke
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Re: [OrchidTalk]cornu cervi
Date: Thu, 12 Jun 2008

Hi Janet,
I also bought a cornu-cervi in Miami, an alba form. Unfortunately it lost
all its roots in the long transport from Miami. I only received it at the
end of February. I put it then onto spaghnum in a sealed container
and it has grown up to now 4 new roots and 2 small leaves. So with
a bit of luck I might have the first flower in 2 years time.
I wonder what a 'red' cornu-cervi looks like. You should have the
first flower soon in your climatic conditions.
Regards
Peter

> Hi Peter and David,
> I don't usually write to this list, just lurk, but the cornu cervi
> is one of our favorites. I purchased a cornu cervi "red" in Miami
> last January from a vendor at Martin Motes' show. Laurel Baldan,
> of Baldan Orchids, also purchased one and we are waiting to see if
> the plant will flower and wondering what it will look like.

From: PG Hieke
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Re: [OrchidTalk] Emailing: 004, 046 (2), 042, 019
Date: Thu, 12 Jun 2008

Attached is a picture of my Phal. cornu-cervi to show the variability of
this species.
Peter from Bloubergstrand

Been tramping around the New Forest with our Gavin today..........plenty of moss out there, best green sphagnum moss, not to be picked though.

To tell you the truth Laura, my Ascofinetea has been growing in the rock chippings for years and it is very happy. Just ask Gavin.

Do you really think that the moss is necessary to grow that orchid? Maybe you would be more successful trying my method, and later much happier.

From: geoff hands
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Re: [OrchidTalk] Peterboro'
Date: Thu, 12 Jun 2008

How interesting ; I have never heard from anyone who has bought these kind
before. I have bought myself , but am just not interested in paying a
multiple of the ordinary price to get something very slightly different ;
The ordinary species is a delightful thing − lovely scent too, and that's
good enough for me.

Just wish I could flower it more easily ; I know I've got to hang it outside
the greenhouse all night for a couple of months − but when ?

> Last year I bought two Neos from them. Shutteno 3 growth and Hissui 2 growth
> (spelling?).

From: geoff hands
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Re: [OrchidTalk] Unreadable attached jpgs
Date: Thu, 12 Jun 2008

Very interesting but equally puzzling . For the whole of the period I was
using a PC (Vista Ultimate 64bit) and using Photoshop CS3 , unless I was
sending whilst away from home when it may have been from a Vista Business OS
32bit system.
I have found however that jpgs made in one Nikon camera − a D70S can't be
read from the memory card in my Nikon D300....

> While I cannot comment on the readability of .ink file, as I have not
> received any, I do need to comment on the problems I have had with your
> attached jpg pics.

From: edeckert@triad.rr.com
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Re: [OrchidTalk] Ink.
Date: Thu, 12 Jun 2008

Dot Ink files are the old fashioned pen and paper documents we used to
write by hand before the age of computers... LOL

Actually, if I am not mistaken, they are related to the Corel Draw!
graphics files. So, if the software on your PC cannot read files with that
extension, you are perhaps out of luck.

Usually several graphic file formats can be opened by Word and other
programs. Save the file to your hard drive. In Word, on the Insert Menu,
choose "Insert Picture," and then when the new window opens, click the down
arrow on the "Files of type" at the bottom of that window and try selecting
Corel Draw. Then look for the file on your hard drive and click on
"Insert" and see if it is inserted into the document.

Otherwise, you can do similarly by trying to open this file in one of your
graphics programs − see if it has the filters needed to open that type of
file.

From: gavin horne
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Re: [OrchidTalk] a few of my own for a change
Date: Thu, 12 Jun 2008

Hi Sue, have you got the original clair de lune, as mine is clair de lune 'edgar van bell, im not sure there is a difference but i have seenmany clair de lune'sfrom older time without the edgar van bell prefix, perhaps geoff will know.or perhaps one of the parent plants was a weak form!happy growing!
Gavin

> Gavin, Your Paph looks so much more upright than mine. Mine flops
> and dangles all over the side of the pot.

From: gavin horne
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: heathfragrant
Date: Thu, 12 Jun 2008

Hi Rocky, does the heath fragrant have its own latin name?and would the leopard spotted orchid be called dactylorchis praertissima ssp pardalina? as i cant find any other reference name for the leopard spotted.Thanks for a cracking safari mate.hope to do it again one day!Happy growing!
Gavin

From:
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Re: [OrchidTalk] Moss !!!
Date: Thu, 12 Jun 2008

Hi Rocky,
5A means the top quality. I do not think that it is different from that one that I bought from Burnham. I will try your method when I have a green house. Your medium dries very fast in the house but I do use rocks on the tops of pots and I like it.

From:
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Re: [OrchidTalk] Peterboro'
Date: Thu, 12 Jun 2008

you are very wise and experienced. I am only learning and unfortunately on my own mistakes. I do have one ordinary Neo that was a gift. It is doing well but no flowers yet.

thank you for all your pictures that you have sent. I enjoy them very much as well as other members pictures, especially wild orchids.

From: tony garthwaite
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Re: [OrchidTalk] For Club List
Date: Fri, 13 Jun 2008

Brenda,
See you will be at Peterborough!
I wonder how many other members will be there and how we might recognise
each other!?
I've decided to visit after the enthusiastic comments last year. Hope it
lives up to expectations!
Tony G

From: Jean Lewis
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Re: [OrchidTalk] Another Nursery that sells orchids
Date: Fri, 13 Jun 2008

Thanks very much for the url David − I'll get on to it and let you know the outcome. The price sounds alot better than with the other Nursery too. − Jean

From: Roger Grier
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Moss versus rock.
Date: Fri, 13 Jun 2008

Yes the rock pieces do dry very fast.....but that is no problem. If the roots are full of moisture, then they can live quite happily without any more moisture for quite some days.

From: Roger Grier
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Re: [OrchidTalk] For Club List
Date: Fri, 13 Jun 2008

From: Roger Grier
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Peter's Phally in Moss.
Date: Fri, 13 Jun 2008

That sure is an almost certain way to get a sick plant to produce some new roots, and I know that you will be well pleased.

Maybe in a few days or so I will take some photos of Sphagnum moss that grows wild in the 'New Forest' just a few minutes from home. Perhaps I should gather a handful and take it home to see if I can keep it growing as it is so useful.

I know that Gavin was very impressed when he saw great areas of it growing almost always in some light to dense shade. Some of it of course grows in full sun, but the kind in the shaded areas look so much better. Maybe take some photos of the areas.

From: Roger Grier
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Dactyloriza pardalina.
Date: Fri, 13 Jun 2008

Well Gavin, I guess you may know what my answer will be..........what the hell, call it what you like, ha, ha.

Other members will wonder what I am on about, but if I explain that there are so many hybrids in the 'New Forest' that it is absolutely impossible to say what is what.

The Heath Spotted Orchids that we saw numbered in their thousands.....and just about everyone is different.

The 'Leopard Marsh orchid' is so called because the markings on the leaves are similar to a Leopards markings.....they are like a halo. Circular rings, but not all of the markings on the leaf are like that.....some of them resemble the markings on the Heath spotted and the Common spotted. More hair pulling $%&^*&$*&)(_*)(%*%(

The Heath Fragrant Orchid.....the one that we saw yesterday and filled our nostrils with that wonderful carnation/clove perfume was described years ago by one: F. Rose, as Gymnadenia conopsea [cone like] variety borealus.

From: Roy Lee
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Orchid in Nature
Date: Fri, 13 Jun 2008

I took this pic of Cym canaliculatum growing in the end of a dead tree branch on Magnetic Island off Townsville Nth Queensland some years ago. The plant was about 50 feet off the ground. If anyone has trouble growing this plant, here is how it grows in nature.
 

From: Jean Lewis
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Re: [OrchidTalk] Orchid in Nature
Date: Fri, 13 Jun 2008

Good photograph Roy − I've got the tree but not the climate:) − dream on all U.K. members! − Jean

From: Roger Grier
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: How and where orchids grow.
Date: Fri, 13 Jun 2008

Now that's the type of photo/information that makes it all worth while. This will go into my new folder.

Pity that this type of information was missing when books were written all those years ago.

I always cringe when some books/people tell owners of Cymbidiums, here in the U.K., to put them outdoors in the Summer..........in a shady spot. Cobblers!!! Put them in the hottest/sunniest spot in the garden. And boy do they grow well.

From: Brenda Beale
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Peterborough
Date: Fri, 13 Jun 2008

I will be going on Saturday, look out for a small lady wearing glasses with
an emerald green Fenland Orchid Society badge,I might be wearing a pink
jacket. It would be nice to meet up with some of the group.

From: Sue Brinsko
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Re: [OrchidTalk] a few of my own for a change
Date: Sat, 14 Jun 2008

My paph has two tags in it... I don't know if it's a cross of the two or if
one tag does not belong there. Nonetheless, neither one is Claire de
Lune....so I guess that, with Geoff's comment, explains why mine is not an
upright paph. (fwiw one of its tags says Paph Maudiae, the other says
Paph Red Shift Paph Ruby Leopard 'Kuo Jiang' SM/TPS) Sue B

> Hi Sue, have you got the original clair de lune, as mine is clair de lune
> 'edgar van bell, im not sure there is a difference but i have seen
> many clair de lune'sfrom older time without the edgar van bell prefix,
> perhaps geoff will know.or perhaps one of the parent plants was a weak
> form!happy growing!

Hello all, i guess its going to be a quiet weekend on orchid talk with peterborough on!A idea that came to mind from one of the threads on todays forum:-could we not organise a gathering for those members who would like to meet, maybe at a pub for a meal, or a show etc. I think it would be great to know who we are to each other. Happy Growing!
Gavin

From: Roy Lee
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Re: [OrchidTalk] How and where orchids grow.
Date: Sat, 14 Jun 2008

Roger, thats the big thing with books, mostly they tell you about the plant and describe the flowers but rarely do they show the plant in situ. This has now been overcome to a certain extent by the internet. What I believe is the basics of a "good" species book is showing and describing a plant, the plant in situ, the material in or on which it grows AND the general climate of the location for ALL months of the year. Unfortunately, some, most, all off the so called experts writing these books get a bit carried away and forget the important bits, particularly when these plants will come into cultivation and many will be lost because knowone knows how to grow them properly.
Thats why I like to see the plants in the wild where I can, here in Australia anyway, can't afford to go anywhere else. Nor far from home at the moment with the price of fuel here.
OK, I'm off the soap box now.
I have another pic a native dend in situ, will post if I can find it.

From: Paul Johnson
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Re: [OrchidTalk] How and where orchids grow.
Date: Sat, 14 Jun 2008

Roger,
There are still the "buts" and "howevers" to consider on a species by
species basis. Almost every spring I make the same mistake to some
degree − full sun or partial shade − for my Cym's and other plants
that go outside for the summer. Although it would seem that a plant
grown under "full sun" inside the greenhouse would do fine if put in
full sun outside, this is usually not the case. All glazings cut
light intensity and spectrum. A sudden movement to full intensity and
spectrum can be serious for most plants, and this will expressed as a
rapid and irreversible anthocyanin production (reddening leaves) to
bad sunburn and dessication. It cannot be stressed too much that a
gradual acclimatization to fun sun from the greenhouse is essential.
Since I do not have a shade-house for the transition, I move the
Cym's, Catt's, Coel's, and others [even, e.g., Stan's and Epiphyllum
cactus] to partially shaded areas. The relative degree of "partial"
being dependent upon the plant going outside, and plants will get
moved around as the season progresses. In all cases I try to ensure
that they have no direct or full-sun during the mid-day through mid-
afternoon hours, so that the only full-sun is during the morning
hours. Many of the plants get hung in the trees where they not only
get more forest-like lighting, but also some protection from wind and
hail [two days ago ALL of the hanging plants in the trees successfully
rode-out a 65 mph burst of wind from a thunderstorm front, while most
of the big Cym's in 3 gal and smaller pots were blown over!]. I
choose the more open canopied trees, e.g., ash or willow, which also
provide good dappled shade for those plants on the ground or on low
outdoor benches & racks. After a few weeks, then the Cym's and others
than can handle more light are moved into more open areas but still
somewhat protected from the full mid-afternoon heat.

Attached are a few photo's from this morning, taken at about 7:15
a.m. The plant rack is located in an alcove that is shaded at mid-day
by the weeping willow, and the spruces protect from late day sun and
most winds. The hanging plants, a mixture here of orchids and
epiphytic cacti, are in an ash. I should note that the trees in the
yard are pruned high enough so that my head is not bashed by a pot (or
my face smacked by a cactus stem!) when the lawn is mowed.

> Hi there Roy,
>
> Now that's the type of photo/information that makes it all worth
> while. This will go into my new folder.
>
> Pity that this type of information was missing when books were
> written all those years ago.
>
> I always cringe when some books/people tell owners of Cymbidiums,
> here in the U.K., to put them outdoors in the Summer..........in a
> shady spot. Cobblers!!! Put them in the hottest/sunniest spot in
> the garden. And boy do they grow well.

From: gavin horne
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Roger orchid vendors
Date: Sat, 14 Jun 2008

Hi Rocky here are those french and german orchid vendors i recomended, and also the native orchid site.the french one is www.lacourdesorchidees.fr/index.htm . The german one is www.orchideen.com/ otherwise known as orchids and more;this one also has a excellent photo-gallery. The native orchid site is www.britainsorchids.fieldguide.co.uk this is the site which goes with David Langs book of the same title.Happy rowing!
Gavin

You are right Gavin I had a look at the German web site you recommended for
Roger the photos are excellent, I will enjoy studying them later at a more
leisurely pace.

From: Roger Grier
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Paul's 'Garden'
Date: Sat, 14 Jun 2008

Well mate, that's not a 'Garden', that's a lovely Ornamental Park. Full marks mate it all looks so nice and makes me very jealous. The thing that amused me was the mention of the trees that are also the same as over here.

We all know how cold your Winters are, but I believe your Summers get damned hot sometimes. And did you once tell me that you have Humming birds visit your garden ???

And the final question.....do you drill holes in your clay pots to enable you to hang them ?

From: Roger Grier
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Books and missing information.
Date: Sat, 14 Jun 2008

What you said about the missing information is sadly true. I have read many books written by the so called 'Orchid Hunters', and the missed information could fill the bloody book. What a shame !!!!!

As you say Roy, the modern world has come along in leaps and bounds, and the Internet has well and truly sorted a lot of them out.

Thanks to the Internet it is now so easy to actually SEE what someone is talking about.

I did scratch around the subject of the rupicolous Laelias growing around the Rio de Janeiro region. There is a book by the authors and it is full of very detailed information and great photos. That's what we all require. So, at least some people are on the ball so to speak.

From: Roger Grier
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Make it simple.
Date: Sat, 14 Jun 2008

My two photos are of an orchid that is by no means uncommon in my area. We call it 'The Leopard Marsh orchid', because of the ring like markings on the leaves.

Gavin asked me would the leopard spotted orchid be called dactylorchis praertissima ssp pardalina? as i cant find any other reference name for the leopard spotted.

To be quite honest, I always think the best way to approach the subject is like this.

Have a look at the plant.....it's definitely a Dactylorhiza hybrid. So what do we start with.....Mum or Dad ????? Aunty or Uncle ????? Or even maybe a Granddad or Grandmother.

The markings on the leaves tell us that one parent along the line was probably either a Common Spotted Orchid, or a Heath Spotted Orchid.

Then the flower, its overall shape, the markings and certain other characteristics point to a Marsh Orchid.

It's a LEOPARD MARSH ORCHID, and to hell with all of the fancy names and references, which are after all somewhat guesswork.

We locals know what we mean if someone says, "That's a nice Leopard Marsh Orchid over there".

From: francis quesada pallares
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Re: [OrchidTalk] Peterborough
Date: Sat, 14 Jun 2008

Well, I have just got back from there myself. I went only to pay the deposit for the Ecuador trip which is being organised by the OSGB next Easter.

As usual, a lot of stuff to be seen and admired... And a lot of money spent in a few more plants!

Managed to only come back with 9 different plants! All species and a few of them in flower!

Got two lepanthes in flower which I have already tuffed into two air tight pots of pickled onions (I saw this method suggested for really small lepanthes in a website, so I am gonna give it a go). A platystele umbellata; Epidendrum escobarianum; Max. variabilis; Malaxis latifolia; Spiranthes cernua and two phals. one of them already in flower!

I'd say it has been a very 'productive' day, considering I was only going to pay the deposit for my trip! LOL!

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

2008 Archived Messages

June 8—14