2008 mailing list messages

2008 Archived Messages

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From: geoff hands
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Some orchid flowers by way of a Christmas Bouquet
Date: Tue, 23 Dec 2008

I'm carrying on with my numbering scheme − makes it easier to see what I
have shown before ( and if I repeat myself here − as I do ! − it will be
deliberate because I'm putting the record straight with a changed name, or
showing something at a later stage − more flowers out, etc. )_

I may have to split this into two parts I think − so Numbers 17-24 here ,
and 25 onwards follow with another mail.

17. Looks very pretty here − but not an easy plant to get looking good, the
reason being that the spikes are short and curved, and often ( perversely)
face into the pot so that although the flowers are good, you need to get
your head down almost within the leaves to see them. When they are viksible
- then judge for yourself. This is a plant I saw in flower pre1970 and kept
in my mind as a "want" and eventually bought a seedling in the mid 90's. But
it grew so well that I hd a large pot of it, quite a specimen, which I split
up and now have half a dozen pots of it. Flowers remind me of freesias − and
are a little bigger, say 3 or 4 cm across.

18. This one sold to me as a 4n version. Certainly has large bulbs for the
species − which produce 4 or even 5 spikes per bulb. I think they are a
better colour than the usual (2n) version, and a pleasanter scent too.

19. This is a re-make of the much awarded cross registered by Ratcliffes
originally in 1968 , and personally I don't think they have got much better
since. This is a small flower , the plant will do better − but Paphs are
like this ; flower quality and size depend on quality of culture more than
with any other orchid. But then with other orchids it is perhaps flower
count ( number on the spike) which varies with quality of culture. Here
there is only ever one. And as good as this, who wants more ?

20 An older cross, but a favourite of mine. Not in the same league as
Danella , of course.

21 White paphs are a few miles behind in terms of quality ; this is another
of the 60's hybrids ; much awarded, but needing to be better than this to
get an award. But I notice it ( or at least some Silvara cvs) are still
being used in the latest round of white hybrids.

22.A lot of the Cattleya/Laelia/Encyclia/Epidendrum alliance are being
messed about with , by taxonomists. I think it was Braem who set up
Anarcheilium as a genus to receive all those two-leaved Epidendrums
producing one or two flowers ( back-to-back) which we used to call Epi.
Fragrans, etc − although they were Encyclias before the last move. I
actually bought this under the name Laelia Garcia ( never the correct name).
Small flowers but quite sweetly scented ; four out, one on each of four
growths, in a 4 inch pot − and the scent is noticeable throughout my
greenhouse; but looks ready to burst forth into a specimen − new growth buds
swelling on many older bulbs as well as the newest. Worth looking out for if
you like nice smells.

23. I bought a couple of the white form and a couple of the red, from
someone at a show a couple of years ago. Both whites now flowering or in
bud, but no sign yet on the red. Maybe they need to be bigger or something ?
Will ( maybe ! ) do much better than this , but not bad for seedlings
flowering for the first time.

24 I seem to have several of these "swan orchids" too. This is the type form
I think ; I also have one much greener − in fact meristemmed from an awarded
variety of that clonal name − " green".

From: geoff hands
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: FW: Some orchid flowers by way of a Christmas Bouquet − Part 2
Date: Tue, 23 Dec 2008

As I said, I'm carrying on with my numbering scheme − makes it easier to see
what I have shown before ( and if I repeat myself here − as I do ! − it will
be deliberate because I'm putting the record straight with a changed name,
or showing something at a later stage − more flowers out, etc. )_

I split my first-drafted message into two parts so Numbers 25 onwards here.
You should have had part 1 with a set of earlier numbers.

25. I have shown this before, when part-out . I have now tied it up
properly and they are all out . I think it looked better the way it was !

26. I seem to have three plants of this grex − this is No 2 . No 3 has a
slightly better bulb and also 2 spikes, slightly more flowers but a few
weeks later − yet to open. However, not to worry − if I can get some of the
other catasetinae species I have been mugging-up on ( Mormodes etc) I might
just try my hand at a bit of hybridising again , and a pod does tie up a
plant for a year or more- often 3 by the time it is back to the condition it
was in before it carried the pod , so it's good to have the others flowering
and maybe providing pollen...

27. When I were but a lad,( hear my Yorkshire accent − quite fake..) this
plant was always talked about ; " it has a lip 2 inches wide" ,"no, three
inches wide , ." " I've seen even bigger" ... etc. I have bought it a
few times, and this is pretty typical − a lip actually about one inch wide.
They say − " ah, you haven't got the true rogersii" .....Well, I know that
, but how do I get it ? Ah, there's the rub ....

28. I wanted to say something about our Italian friends − this is one of
their plants. They seem to have made their compost more lumpy and so
free-draining. I think they must water their plants every other day. It
doesn't suit my culture, and this plant of theirs was looking a bit down in
the dumps. I decided to wait for new growths before repotting into one of my
mixes, ad in the meantime repotted in wet sphagnum as a temporary measure.
It cheered up no end, and produced some further flowers from the same bulb
as shown recently , and looking much better too. If you buy from Nardello
etc , watch this point.

Of course some people repot a plant the moment they get it − I prefer to
wait for the next new roots or growth ( usually the same thing) and repot
then − usually.

29. Nice ciliated lip here − as the name points out. First flowering from a
seedling. I suppose it can produce more flowers when bigger, older, wiser ,
more in love with me... ( sorry about the flight of fancy − a little bit
light-headed tonight − well it is − nearly − Christmas ).

30 The Aliceara is a real mystery ; I am convinced I got it from Everglades
, but when I mailed them a snapshot for the name, they said they liked it -
what is it ... ? I have asked before, but had no suggestions, so now call it
Damsons and Cream ...

31. Ee bah gum − here I go again − when I started orchid growing, Thames
Trading supplied P.insigne, bare root, 2 or three growths, for two shillings
( 10p in present day mickey mouse money). This fine variety , which I assume
grows wild somewhere, used to be half a crown − or a whole twelve and a half
pence in todays money ( a Miltoniopsis with a spray of 5 flowers cost about
fifteen Pounds at the time − yes we had pounds back then − although I now
remember they preferred to sell orchids for guineas − it sounded posher
perhaps , so 15 guineas would have been fifteen pounds seventy five pence).
The bare-root imports were the ones I bought mostly − after all I earned
twenty pounds a week , which was riches for most purposes, but didn't allow
many Miltoniopsis or like buys, but for the cost of a packet of fags I could
- and did ( I gave up smoking for the purpose) buy half a dozen bare-root
plants a couple of times a month..

32. I think I showed the Ren. when a few flowers were open ; the colour
improved as it aged − this plant won the monthly competition at my orchid
club ( judged by the experts who I won't rubbish − they got this one right !
)- and voted best plant by the adoring populace ,aka, all members present at
the Christmas club lunch , which is how I came to come home with a handsome
glass vase engraved with paph flowers and goodness only knows what, as well
as the lovely words " best orchid...2008
through the door − the doorway was too narrow.

From: geoff hands
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Re: [OrchidTalk] Some orchid flowers by way of a Christmas Bouquet
Date: Wed, 24 Dec 2008

p..s that is just one of the spikes of the Oncid ornithorynchum shown in the
pic , by the way.

From: Gordon Walker
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Re: [OrchidTalk] Some orchid flowers by way of a Christmas Bouquet
Date: Wed, 24 Dec 2008

Hi Geoff,
Congratulations once again for showing us these magic displays of flowers.
For the novices such as myself could you also mention your potting mix, growing temperatures, watering and position of the pots as I am sure others like me can learn a lot as to how to grow better plants and have multiple flowers and spikes.
Regards and a very happy festive period,
Gordon.

From: geoff hands
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Re: [OrchidTalk] Some orchid flowers by way of a Christmas Bouquet
Date: Wed, 24 Dec 2008

Numbers 19-21 and 31 all the paphs are on the shadier side of my greenhouse ( North-east side, with a 4 metres high hedge just a couple of metres away from the greenhouse which has the eaves at just above ground level. For compost see below, ditto fertiliser. Everything is at the same temperature 17C by day going down to 15 ( maybe a bit below on really cold nights) except that naturally the floor is cooler, ditto immediately next to the glass, and towards the roof is hottest. Cattleyas and their relatives on the opposite side 22,29, 33. Thin leaved South American orchids, and Asian orchids generally ( other than Vandaceous and some Angraecums etc ) are on the centre benches. Some Vandaceous stuff Aerangis for example hang below the benches for less light, but most hang up for more light. If I want to play with light I leave a plant for at least a growing season in the new place...

No 23 25 and 32 are all in coarse bark, and all hang in the roof as high as possible ( a little extra warmth not much as the sweep fans keep things pretty even throughout ) but maximum light. See below re light.

17-22, 27,29,30,31 , 33 are all in a mix of coco-nut fibre chunks , bark, Perlite, charcoal and aggro-foam it was one of the mixes I made up and tested when I was developing the compost sold under the trade name Focus and I made up a few hundred litres of it ( with slight variations from one mix to the next I had been supplied with a large pallet load of hundred litre bags of everything sold by one of the large Dutch suppliers to their orchid trade ) , stored it in dustbins ( keep it dry ! ) and I am now on the last bin or two of it. It was intended as a general purpose mix suitable for any adult plant. Seems to work with most too. The vandaceous types hang in the roof ;the Rhynco at a slightly lower level so as to get more light than the benches, less than the Renanthera and Vanda. Its all a matter of juggling around...17,18,23,30 , 33 are all on the benches.

28 I explained somewhere came in from Nardello in very large lumps of peat dries out too fast now in sphagnum moss .

24,26 are in well-washed coarse Perlite , grit topping. I can grow anything in that too − but its specially good for plants which are going to get a winter rest , when they drop their leaves to say signing off for winter . They then have zero water until the new growth produces a new root. The total inorganicity nothing ionic at all reduces risk of root burn so some roots survive the rest period and the plants don t have to wait for a whole new set of roots before they can take off again.

I use rain water, and if I run out I use a Reverse Osmosis plant ; however I have five large water tubs collecting rain from the (slate) roof of my house holding700 litres... and also collect from the greenhouse, so I don t run out very often. I mix to 300 EC between the Autumn and Spring Equinoxes (winter), and 600 EC between the Spring and Autumn equinoxes (summer). pH always adjusted to pH6. ( all figures plus or minus say 3% − like pH 5.8-pH6.2 , and EC 280-320 etc...) I feed whenever I water. I also spray occasionally with Epsom Salts .

Greenhouse has a layer of bubble-pak on the outside permanently until it blows off a few times and gets damaged by the whatever it lands on ( garden wall, rambler roses, hedge, etc...)is then replaced by new layer. One layer of 60% shade cloth laid over the bubble-pak also from equinox to equinox. In a hot summer ( not 2008

Ventilators opened by Bayliss pro struts ( needs a strong strut to lift three ventilators each measuring 75 cm x 1.5m ! ). Struts disconnected from about October to April.

Hot summers again two Swamp coolers connected to a mains water supply via a water softener blow cooled damp air from the far end ; and a Jaybird 400 humdifiying fan blows the same water from the doors end ; maybe humidity stays above 60% − maybe ...

Hope all that helps ; the generalisations here will avoid me answering the question in such detail every time I show I hope.

From: Gordon Walker
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Re: [OrchidTalk] Some orchid flowers by way of a Christmas Bouquet
Date: Thu, 25 Dec 2008

Thank you Geoff,
Your very informative response gives a very good insight into how I (and others) should be aiming to achieve what I often forget when I try to grow and flower orchids. Up until now I have tended to try and grow everything in the same type of mix with poor results.
Gordon.

From: geoff hands
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Bark ? Like cork bark in pieces for plaque mounting... and othert plaque material...
Date: Fri, 26 Dec 2008

Ratcliffe's don't stock it any more . I know that PP Orchid bits do it , but
I was looking for other suppliers , if any.

I have thought of using cork tiles ; I believe that some d-i-y shops sell
them unsealed , so presumably natural . Has anyone tried this stuff ?

It is also said that rough sawn oak and also apple wood make good mounts.
Any suggestions for supply of suitable offcuts of these materials ?

Explanation − I used to do badly with plaque mounted plants , the fact that
I was away from home for approximately ¼ of the year had a lot to do with
that I think. Plaque mounts do need frequent and regular attention. For one
reason or another ( anno domini being an important one ! ) my travelling
days are now far less frequent, and I do have local chap who 'looks after'
my collection when I am away , so the number of mounted plants is certainly
growing , and there are several things I have which I am persuaded to move
to plaques if I can find suitable material.

As a matter of interest , maybe , I am reading ( and not just dipping into)
Carl Withner's Cattleyas and their relatives series , the one I picked up to
start on is Vol 5 which includes Brassovolae , I have B.perrinii and nodosa
in flower , cebolleta just opening and I'm sure there is another in bud
somewhere... I have been studying the column shape and lip differences , and
looking for the extra caudicles bearing pollinia he mentions , quite
fascinating , they are no longer 'all the same' after my studies , and also
I know that they are correctly labelled ... but his comments on cultivation
are certainly influencing my thinking.

From: Lynda Coles
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Re: [OrchidTalk] Bark ? Like cork bark in pieces for plaque mounting... and othert plaque material...
Date: Sat, 27 Dec 2008

Reptile suppliers often sell cork slab for use a vivarium/terrarium backgrounds and decor.
here is the link to just one in the UK, there are many others, they also offer tree fern slabs etc. (try googling 'natural cork background') Other decor items that are offered by such dealers may also be of interest. If it is OK for reptiles and arachnids it should be ok for orchids.
Do you mean rough sawn native oak (Q, petrea or robur) or the european cork oak (Q.suber) Odd bits of native oak can always be found around where I live, branches large and small that will have fallen naturally from the native oaks particularly at this time of year, usually complete with lichen and moss....do you have oak woods or trees near you? There should also be native wild crab apple trees which could provide a piece or two of small diameter timber, or were you wanting dried and seasoned stuff?

From: Andy
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Re: [OrchidTalk] Bark ? Like cork bark in pieces for plaque mounting... and othert plaque material...
Date: Sat, 27 Dec 2008

I have swictched several hundred of my plants to plaques during the last couple of years. A good source of cork is Plants Plus at http://homepage.ntlworld.com/james.bowden2/plantsplushome.html

I had a very old apple tree blow down a couple of winters ago and it works fine too as does hazel, ash, hawthorn and elder − looks more aesthetic than the bathroom tile stuff too at least until the plants cover it. I have tried all sorts of stuff as the hedge around my meadow is several hundred years old and needs keeping in check. The only thing I tried which was really no good so far was ivy − the orchid roots died off as they touched it.

From: Roger Grier
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Wood for mounting orchids.
Date: Sat, 27 Dec 2008

I 'would' [excuse the pun] steer away from FRESH oak, but a really old piece of oak would be excellent. As would I guess, many other types that are very hard and would not decay or rot ever more.

Yes, apple would do the job. It used to be what was used as the teeth/cogs on water wheels, and I believe on other mills.

As to where you might get a suitable piece, well, I could suggest that you have a drive into the New Forest and that you and your wife have a nice enjoyable walk. And if you do find a nice piece then just pick it up and put it into the boot of your car. It obviously does not have to be that big, so it should be quite easy.

I may be in a certain wood in the next weeks or so where there are quite a nice lot of lying oak, so if I do see any nice bits I will grab them and then let you know.

If you like, you could always phone the Forestry Commission and ask them if you still require a permit to pick up just a few pieces. I may even do it myself to see what they have to say since it became a National Park.

From: sheila bicknell
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Re: [OrchidTalk] Bark ? Like cork bark in pieces for plaque mounting... and othert plaque material...
Date: Sat, 27 Dec 2008

Geoff, Sometimes Janet Plested has largish pieces of cork bark. Also try looking in Pet Supplies − if believe Cork Bark is used in terrariums for exotics such as snakes and lizards etc, my local garden centre often has pieces in their pet section. Regards, Sheila

From: N & T Burgess
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Cork Bark
Date: Sat, 27 Dec 2008

In reply to Geoff asking for a source of cork bark, it can be found in most petshops selling reptiles, they often have large pieces.
My local garden centre sells it in the pet department.
Happy New Year to all.
Norma Burgess

From: Dennis Read
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Re: [OrchidTalk] Bark ? Like cork bark in pieces for plaque mounting... and othert plaque material...
Date: Sat, 27 Dec 2008

Geof, PP do a reconstituted cork plank that looks good and I am told works. Burnham always have a stock of natural bark.
I have some bark I do not use. If you send me your address direct I'll make up a parcel in the new year and send it to you.
Regards from a brilliant but chilly Devon. Dennis

From: geoff hands
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Cork etc...
Date: Sat, 27 Dec 2008

I walk in the New Forest, or on Cranborne Chase etc most weeks ( have just
come back from a walk on the Wiltshire Downs − but passing through a very
old wood of native oaks ) collecting "windfalls" had not occurred to me, but
it will now.

From: Roger Grier
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: British Wild Orchids.
Date: Tue, 30 Dec 2008

Yesterday I was having a look through one of my books on British Wild Orchids. It is titled 'Drawings of British Plants, by Stella Ross Craig, Part 28'. Stella Ross Craig was a very good botanical artist, who was born in Aldershot, Hampshire and died in 2006.

But I am always left wondering why not enough detail had been given to the visual aspect that someone would first set sight on.

Some of the leaves and the markings on them to my mind should have been much better. Also, the way that some of the leaves are positioned, and the stance of the stem on some orchids is a valid recognition point.

These days, thanks to digital photography, the Internet, E-mail and the like it is now so easy to look at a plant and pass on information.

From: Roger Grier
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: End of 2008
Date: Tue, 30 Dec 2008

Very cold outside here in Southern England, so what better to do than take a couple of shots of this nice flower.

I would call it Burrageara Nelly Isler 'Whatever', but I am hoping that someone will come up with a better name possibly.

I am highly chuffed with this specimen as I got it on the cheap last year from a Garden Centre. Now most of the 'Nelly Isler's' that I see are quite light in colour, but when this one opened its first flower I was very pleased indeed. I have yet to see one as dark as this.

I have used a Computer Programme to try to get as true a colour correction as possible.

From: Janet Fabricant
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Re: [OrchidTalk] End of 2008
Date: Tue, 30 Dec 2008

Rocky, It might be "Bobcat."
Wirey hugs and love and xxx and licks from Janet, Bobby and Asta

From: ema.orquideas Perú
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Re: [OrchidTalk] End of 2008
Date: Wed, 31 Dec 2008

Hola Rocky:
Very nice hibrid.Congratulations ¡¡¡
Happy New Year for all.
Erica

From: Kenneth Bruyninckx
To: Orchid Talk List
Subject: Season's Greetings
Date: Wed, 31 Dec 2008

From all of us at the Akerne Orchids Team we wish you a very happy,
healthy 2009 for you, your family and your plants of course !

In 2009 Akerne Orchids exists 30 years, we will celebrate this
anniversary during our Open Nursery Weekend on June 6th and 7th and we
hope to welcome you in great numbers to join us on this festive
occasion.

- BOS 50th Anniversary Show, Bournemouth, UK (February 21-22)
- RHS London Orchid Show, London, UK (March 21-22, preview March 20)
- Orchidee in CentrO, Monte Porzio Catone, Italy (April 3-5)
- Orchilim 2009, Alden Biesen, Belgium (April 10-13)
- 8E8me Biennale Internationale d?OrchidE9es, La Hestre, Belgium (May 21-2
4)
- Open Nursery Weekend, Schoten, Belgium (June 6-7)

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

22—31 December

Archive Index