BULLETIN OF THE ORCHID SOCIETY OF CANBERRA INCORPORATED

REGULAR MONTHLY MEETING

Monthly meetings of the Society are held on the first Tuesday of each month in Room 1, Griffin Centre, Civic. Meetings Commence at 8.00pm, with the plant trading table and library open from 7.30pm

J U L Y MEETING - TUESDAY 2ND J U L Y

Pleiones. Judy Osborne will be talking about these orchids and plants will be available for memebers to pot up.

AUGUST MEETING - TUESDAY 6TH AUGUST

Annual Spring Show preparation. Learn what the Show is all about and how to prepare your plants for benching.

Volume 6 Number 4

OFFICERS

President: Geoff Dyne 2 Doolette PI, Kambah, 2902 Tel: 231 3681 Vice President: Judy Osborne S Ambalindum St, Hawker, 2614 Tel: 254 4475 Secretary: Sheila Cudmore 10 Nangor St, Waramanga, 2611 Tel: 288 4817 Treasurer: Jane Wright 135 Osburn Dr, Macgregor, 2615 Tel: 254 1119 Editor: John Ryan 367 Southern Cross Drive, Holt, 2615 Tel: 254 3590 Librarian: Lynne Bullivant 8 Nymagee PI, Fisher, 2611 Tel: 288 1248 Committee Members: Les Lincoln 284 Southern Cross Drive, Holt, 2615 Tel: 254 7602 Terry Paff 36 B Fadden, 2904 Tel: 291 7378 Jenny Taylor 40 Finniss Cres. Narrabundah,2604 Tel: 258 1392 Mark Fraser 45 Angophora St. Rivett.2611 Tel: 287 1106 Sandra Corbett Fraser 45 Angophora St. Rivett.2611 Tel: 287 1106

The Orchid Society of Canberra Inc. disclaims all liability for any losses which may be attributed to the use of any material mentioned in the Bulletin.

Minutes Q f fte Regular Meeting Held 7 May 1991

The President opened the meeting at 8.00pm. Apologies - Pauline Le Borgne, Eric and Noreen MctGfcH,, Jean Egan, Hazel Taylor, Terry Turner and Vic

Grovsenor. New Members welcomed - Janet Sewell, David McCarthy and Tajshmar Keese. Visitors Welcomed - Wally Miller, Bert Turner and Leanne O'Brien. The speakers for the evening were:

a. Judy Osborne on Disas (with slides). Plants were for sale. Cultural notes were available; and

b. Jane Wright spoke on Red Spider Mite, with live Mitesbeing shown under a microscope and on film.

The Minutes as published in the Bulletin Volume 6, Number 3 were accepted on the motion of Peter Cudmore, seconded Tony Mann.

The Treasurer's Report was given by Jane Wright. The Bank balance was $2,583.61. The Secretary's Report was given by Sheila Cudmore. The Minutes of the March Executive Committee

Meeting were tabled, also details of the 12th World Orchid Conference to be held in Perth. These reports were accepted on the motion of Ina Smith, seconded Sandra Fraser. Items for the Bulletin were requested to be on IBM compatible disc, if possible. Thanks were given to Jane Wright and Jenny Taylor for their articles for the May/June Bulletin. Hints. The President advised staking spikes on Cymbidiums to train them for the Show and to turn the pots

regularly. Put Ant Rid around the flowers, watch for scale and treat with 50/50 water and methylated spirits, treat Mealy Bug with White Oil.

Deposits were taken for the bus trip to Woy Woy on the 29th June and orders were taken for pot hangers. Next meeting will be on Native terrestrial orchids. Next Committee meeting will be at Greg Slater's at 8.15pm. Next Show Committee meeting will be at Sheila Cudmore's. Books and Periodicals presented to the Library were:

a. Orchids Australia;

b. The Orchid Review;

c. The Judge's Handbook;

d. The Australian Orchid Awards for 1987/88/89 and 90; and

e. The Book Month by Month by Ralph Handcocks.

Raffle winners were Felicity Leigh, Louisa Chung, Quin Yuen Chung and Helen Hufton. The Door Prize was won by Bill Smith. The results of ihe popular vote were:

Class a. Open Section

Plant Name Owner

Australian Native Cattleya Cymbidium Vandaceous Oncidium Paphiopedilum Species Other Hybrids

D. Ellen x D. fleckeri Be. Languedoc 'Confidence' species Phal. amabilis var. papuana Odontocidium Uniwai Paph. Ernest Reid Bulbophyllum biflorum Masdevallia Juno 'Best'

Joyce England David Rentz PatWu Judy Osborne Jane Wright Anne Hughes Geoff Dyne Judy Osborne

b. Novice Section Coelogyne massageanna Nick Dougleris

Sheila Cudmore Secretary

The Minutes of the Annual General Meeting of the Orchid Society of Canberra Inc. Held 4 June 1991

The President opened the Meeting at 8.03pm and welcomed all present New members welcomed - Robert Rough. Apologies - Helen Hufton, David McCarthy, Bill and Jenny Handke, Pam and Richard Phillips, Noreen

McLean, Graham Phyllis, Julie Smith and John Ryan. The President's Report for 1990/91 was presented by the President, Judy Osborne. The Treasurer's Report for 1990/91 was presented by the Treasurer, Jane Wright and the Auditor, Kevin

Osborne. The Report was accepted on the motion of Eric McLean, seconded Tajshmar Keese. Kevin Osborne took the chair as Presiding Officer for the elections for new Committee members. Nominations were held for the following executive positions. The elections resulted in the following

positions being filled as indicated:

President: Geoff Dyne Vice President Judy Osborne Secretary: Sheila Cudmore Treasurer: Jane Wright

Nominations were held foi the five positions of Committee members. These were:

Mark Fraser, Sandra Corbett Fraser, Jean Egan, Jenny Taylor and Les Lincoln.

Nominations were called from the floor. Terry Paff nominated. Subsequently Jean Egan decided not to stand. The five nominated as Committee members were elected unapposed.

The meeting closed at 8.43pm.

Sheila Cudmore Secretary

The new elected President, Geoff Dyne, opened the meeting at 8.35pm. New members - Robert Rough applied for membership. New members elected - Terry and Jenny Paff. Apologies - Helen Hufton, David McCarthy, Bill and Jenny Handke, Pam and Richard Phillips, Noreen

McLean, Graham Phyllis, Julie Smith and John Ryan. The new President thanked the retiring Committee. Kevin Osborne offered to continue as Auditor. The offer was accepted by the members. The Treasurer reported that the Bank balance was $2572.23. The Secretary's Report was given by Sheila Cudmore, the Minutes of the Committee meeting of May were

tabled. These Reports were accepted on the motion of Tony Smith, seconded David Rentz. The Show Committee Report was given by Judy Osborne. New books acquired for the library were "The New Orchid Doctor" and "Sanders List of Hybrids 1961 to

The topic for the evening's meeting was Native terrestrial orchids. This was presented by Judy Osborne who also showed slides provided by L . T. and M. K. Nesbitt and Jane Wright Plants for potting up by, and sale to, members were available at $2.50 each. Terrestrial orchids were also available on the sales bench.

The results of the Popular Vote were:

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Minutes of the Regular Meeting Held 4 June 1991

1985".

Class a. Open Section

Plant Owner

Australian Native Cattleya

Pterostylus Sentinal J; C. loddigesii x B. digbyana x C. loddigesii C C. erythrostylum Ji no entry One. ornithorynchum Ji

Jane Wright

Cymbidium Vandaceous Oncidium

Greg Slater Jane Wright

Judy Osborne

Paphiopedilum Species Other Hybrids

Paph. insigne "Harefield Hall" Judy Osbome Zygopetalum mackayii "SweetLavender" Sheila Cudmore D. Sensation x D. bigibbum Anne Hughes

b. Novice Section Bulbophyllum schillerianum Mark Fraser

The raffles were won by Robert Rough and Mark Fraser. The Door Prize was won by Kath Seeuwin. The meeting closed at 10.10pm.

Sheila Cudmore Secretary

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REMINDER

Have you renewed your membership? This was due on 1 May. Membership fees are:

$15.00 - single $20.00-joint or family $3.00 -junior

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ON T H E T A B L E S

Pleione time again! This year we've obtained a special order from Mr N Harrop (Tasmania) and it contains a number of different varieties. These quality, accurately labelled bulbs, will be sold via the Trading Table at the July meeting ready for you to pot. Pleones are highly suited to our climate and only need to be kept out of the frost. They are very easy to grow and I will also distribute growing hints.

There will be some more Diuris and Thelymitras for sale also, together with a range of Pterostylis, mainly species. So we are catering well for those interested in growing Australian Native Terrestrial orchids.

Sapphire Coast Orchid Society is planning an outing for us to walk amongst the orchids somewhere north of Merimbula. This will probably take place on 8 September, so keep this date free as we are promised a really enjoyable and memorable time.

Some of us have already booked accommodation for the Griffith Workshop. The Bag town Inn and Acacia Motel are sponsors and they've been recommended. The cost of the workshop registration is $15.00 and we should receive registration forms shortly. This Workshop is in our area and we are being challenged for the Trophy which we won at Wagga two years ago, for our display.

Ring me if you need sacks of bark or Cymbidium mix, or any other supplies between meetings.

See you at the Trading Table.

Judy Osborne

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PRESIDENT'S REPORT

I present the President's report for 1990-91 having completed a hectic year as President I had set myself the following goals for the Society and I feel satisfied that these have been achieved.

1. To promote the growing of different genera of orchids, especially those which do not require excessive heat

2. To encourage members to have-a-go at potting orchids, by providing the facilities and guidance at meetings.

3. To provide variety in our meetings.

4. To provide question-answer segments about culture.

5. To provide a range of plants, products and books for our Sales Table.

6. To encourage members to socialise at our meetings, to go on our bus trips, search together for orchids on Black Mountain and view each others orchid collections.

7. To have most members participate in the running of our Annual Show.

8. To promote our Society to the public.

9. To provide the opportunities for the members to mix with other orchid growing enthusiasts in other parts of NSW.

Meetings have been well attended and we have welcomed many visitors and 26 new members during the year.

It is not easy to attract visiting guest speakers to Canberra, but we were mot fortunate to have 4 excellent guest speakers. Many of ourmembers have been encouraged to share their knowledge during our meetings. Brian Phelan made his debut as a speaker, presenting a most informative talk accompanied by slides.

The program for our monthly meetings during the year included:

JUNE Pleione night

JULY Murray Aldridge (Vice President of Orchid Society of NSW) spoke on Masdevallias.

AUGUST Marie Lenon (Local teacher and judge of Floral Art) demonstrated the basics for each of the Floral Art classes for our Show.

SEPTEMBER I talked on preparation of plants for the Spring Show.

OCTOBER Cymbidium night and Presentation of Certificates won at our show.

NOVEMBER Clive Halls (owner of Mt Beenak Orchids) spoke on Odontaglossums.

DECEMBER Xmas Party - a great night of fun.

FEBRUARY Orchid Problems - question and answer night and the showing of Del Corey' s slides taken at our Show.

MARCH John Marks (well known tot bis work in the field of Complex, hybrid Paphiapedilums) spoke on Paphiopedilums, with useful advice for establishing a glasshouse.

APRIL Cattieya night with talk by Brian Phelan.

MAY Jane Wright gave a most entertaining and informative presentation on those annoying pests - false spider mites and red spider (two spotted mites); and I spoke on Disas using slides lent by two top

Australian growers, Gary Sobey of Castleflora Orchids and Barry Long of Albion Park, NSW.

It is wonderful to see the co-operation demonstrated at each meeting. The early-birds are very much appreciated and their willing assistance with set-up means that we are usually able to start the plant sales on time at 7.30pm

As I have been unable to work for long on the Plant Sales each meeting I've been very fortunate to have Les Lincoln deputizing. Under his supervision, assistance has been given by Geoff Dyne and others. Their expert advice has been much appreciated. To encourage members to sell or buy plants on the Sales Table we have reduced the commission from 20% to 10% for meetings. We've been recycling the Society's funds at a furious pace to provide interesting plants and useful products for sale. Members have also been encouraged to share our orders from the major nurseries and as a result have saved freight costs or received a discount.

The Library has been ably run by Lynne Bulli van t, assisted by Brian Phelan. With their great interest in orchids, they have encouraged us to buy a number of good books and magazine subscriptions to expand the collection.

The raffles have had some very spectacular prizes, with a range of orchids being offered each meeting. Pat Butt and Joyce England have been encouraging us to take a chance and they've done a very good job of reminding us to sign the book and return our badges. Thank you to those people who have donated some of the prizes during the year.

Pam Phillips has answered the phone to many enquiries about our Society and has dispensed lots of information on orchid growing. We are pleased that she is willing to continue this service.

The Popular Vote has been expanded with many new classes, under the direction of Greg Slater and Jean Eagan. I don't envy their task of trying to read some of those labels! We've been fortunate on many occasions to hear Geoff Dyne draw on his huge knowledge of orchid species and entertain and educate us with snippets of fascinating information and advice. Pat Butt has prepared all the banners for the winners; a huge task.

Our Show was again an incredible success with Bill Handke as Show Convener. I would again like to thank all of those members who gave up their time and energies to make it such a success.

So many members have jumped in and assisted willingly whether ferrying things to and from cars, cleaning up at the end of the meetings or stepping into key roles at short notice. I'm sorry if I haven't mentioned your name but your help has certainly been appreciated.

Our mini-bus trips to the Orchid Spectacular at Royale Orchids, Woy Woy, David and Graeme Banks' Open Day and S.P.E.C.I.E.S. Auction as well as to various nurseries in Sydney and the Manly-Warringah Spring Show were lots of fun and I would like to thank the drivers, Terry Turner, Geoff Dyne and Bill Keeley for sharing the task with me.

A number of members opened their orchid collections for viewing. We also had a very successful day at the School of Horticulture's Open Day and had a stall at the Griffin Centre's Petticoat Lane. Thank you to those members involved.

Without such a band of hard working committee members I could not have achieved my goals this year. David Ren ix has continued to maintain all of the advertising for our meetings and Spring Show. Joyce England organised our Petticoat Lane Stall. Jean Egan led us on our Native terrestrial Orchid walks on Black Mountain. We never cease to be amazed by her ability to find particular orchids. Pat and Joyce have been introducing prospective new members and visitors to members with similar orchid interests. Geoff and Jane have both given talks on orchid growing to community groups. I've been most fortunate to have a committee so willing to help, and full of ideas.

In particular, I would like to thank my hard-working Treasurer Jane Wright and Secretary Sheila Cudmore, who have always been there ready and willing to help. We have shared many enjoyable times together packaging fertilizer, bagging charcoal, deflasking and potting up hundreds of plants. They have ben totally reliable and have performed their special roles with enthusiasm, giving up a lot of their time.

And so it is with great sadness that I step down as President of our Society. My husband is planning that I should accompany him on his overseas Sabbatical Leave next year. Also my position at school was re-defined last year and I need to give it more of my time. It is fortunate that we now have a number of members who will make excellent presidents.

I am looking forward to returning to running the Plant Sales.

Judy Osborne

SHOW COMMITTEE MEETINGS

Tuesday 16 July at 8pm at Judy Osbornes.

Tuesday 20 August at 8pm at Judy Osbornes.

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SHOW COMMITTEE REPORT

Our major event of the year, the Annual Spring Orchid Show, is being held over the weekend 21 and 22 September at Phillip College. As we have only a very small committee we will be requiring a lot of help with the running of the event Please volunteer to be rostered on for assistance with these roles.

The Show Schedule will be distributed to all members on or before the August meeting.

To encourage the growing of orchids in our local area, a separate section has been created for those registered nurserymen residing outside a 50km radius of Canberra. These nurserymen will not be eligible to enter into the OPEN or NOVICE sections at our show.

There will also be an opportunity for those artists and photographers amongst our membership to display their talents, in a new section.

Are there any keen calligraphers, or neat writers or printers who could help me write on the certificates after the Show? The certificates must be ready for presentation at the October meeting.

Judy Osborne Show Convenor

The OSNS W is sponsoring an Orchid Workshop, hosted by Griffith Orchid Society, on Saturday 5 October, 1991. The Workshop will be held at Wade High School Hall, Griffith in conjunction with the South-West Regional show. The following program has been arranged:

1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8.

Set-up on Friday night 5pm - 9pm, Sat 7.30am - 9am. Plant Sales Entrance Raffle Ticket Sales Showing of Slides at fixed times (Slides borrowed from Australian Orchid Council) Refreshments ROOT Walkers - advisers Potting Demonstrations

************** ORCHID WORKSHOP

Speakers

Alan Merriman Margaret Robinson Phil S pence Gordon Hansen Judy Osborne Wal Rhodes Murray Aldridge Kevin Hipkins

Growing Cymbidiums Plant Tissue culture Modern Trends in Native Hybridising Practical Aspects of Orchid Growing Growing Disas Odontoglossums Masdevallias Paphiopedilums

A dinner will be held at the Griffiths RSL where Mr Ted Gogerly will be the after-dinner speaker.

Accommomdation is fairly inexpensive in Griffith but bookings should be made well in advance. Travellers are assured of an excellent weekend as there is a Wine Festival, the Agricultural Show and a Lapidary Show being held on this long weekend.

I recently found myself in Brisbane (where I lived for 30 years prior to coming to Canberra) in the latter part of the hard-cane Dendrobium (phalaenanthe-type) flowering sea­son and was reminded of how well these magnificent orchids grow in

From the President

Dendrobium Days

A finespecimen of Den. bigibbum exhibited at a recent Brisbane show

the subtropics, particularly if protected from the worst of the winter nights. There are some wonderful crosses about these days, with a lot of hybridising being undertaken in southeast Asia and Hawaii to satisfy the demands of the cut-flower market. I was particularly impressed by the progress in developing shapely bicolours and two-tone types (the varied cultivars of Den. Ekapol come to mind). The depth of colour and shape now being achieved in the dark purples is also striking. I recall in my own bush-house there was a particular plant, Den. Hickham Deb - a fairly old hybrid now -that would always reward gross summer feeding with spectacular deep purple sprays in the autumn. Alas, along with the rest of my collection, it was left behind when I headed south into a climate where I felt sure no warmth-loving orchid could survive.

Of course I was wrong. We can grow hard-canes here in Canberra, and, as those attending the last Society meeting would agree (having been treated to a particularly well-grown specimen that took out a popular vote category), we can grow them well. Mind you, it helps if you can maintain a winter minimum of 15°C or better, with as much light as you can deliver. They also hate to be overpotted and seem to thrive in a root-bound state. They respond vigorously to heavy applications of fertiliser during the growing season.

At least one thing Canberrans don't have to contend with is that bush-house bane, the Dendrobium beetle. Hunting for these little orange and black creatures was a perennial pastime in Brisbane. They like nothing better than to tuck into a few new growths for lunch. If they are particularly fond of your plants, they will lay eggs which hatch into rapacious little larvae that burrow through your Dendrobe canes like POWs in the Great Escape. Sometimes the only sign of trouble is when you grasp what you thought was a nice stout cane only to have it collapse in your hands like soggy cardboard. Still, one had to admire their ingenuity and persistence in being able to find the smallest gaps in the shadecloth to make their entry.

I seem to remember that some Brisbane orchid enthusiasts (myself among them) used to bemoan the fact that we could not grow hard-canes (particularly the antelope types) anything like our cousins in Cairns. There were lots of other dungs we couldn't grow, of course. Cymbidiums resented living in Brisbane and would refuse to flower out of sheer spite. You could forget Odontoglossums and Miltonias. A couple of hot summers and they were only fit for the compost bin. Which all goes to show that one should be content with one's lot and make the best of the growing conditions on offer.

Good Growing!

Geoff Dyne