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MARCH ISSUE, 1949
Published Quarterly
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THE OFFICIAL ORGAN OF THE ORCHID SOCIETY OF NEW SOUTH WALES (INCORPOR.- ATING THE NEWCASTLE ORCHID CIRCLE), THE QUEENSLAND ORCHID SOCIETY, THE yb VICTORIAN ORCHID CLUB, AND THE ORCHID CLUB OF SOUTH AUSTRALIA.
Page ii i __ -AUSTRALIAN ORCHID REVIEW, MARCH, 1949
505 sh Ee nso TO DO Ot toto
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Volumes 14, 15, and 16—1949, 1950, 1951
Compiled by P. A. Gilbert ‘(Honorary Editor)
Comprising
Index to Articles - - - ae Ras - - Page 3 Index to Illustrations - : E = ; 7 Page 6
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PUBLISHED QUARTERLY
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THE ORCHID SOCIETY OF WESTERN AUSTRALIA THE ORCHID SOCIETY OF NEW SOUTH WALES THE ORCHID CLUB OF SOUTH AUSTRALIA THE QUEENSLAND ORCHID SOCIETY THE VICTORIAN ORCHID CLUB THE HOBART ORCHID CLUB
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INDEX TO ARTICLES
Alexander, H. G., Nursery, A visit to .. Air Conditioning... Australian Orchids ..... Awards, A Reference List Awards, O.S. of N.S.W., 1948 . Awards, O.S. of N.S.W., 1949 .. Awards, O.S. of N.S.W., 1950 ......
Awards, O.S. of N.S.W., (and Corrections 1950) Awards, O.S. of N.S.W., 1951 . err ete Awards, V.O.C., 1948-1949 ......
Barring tong ODS Book Review—Native Orchids of North A: British Orchid Growers’ Association Brown, Robert—A Brief Memoir .
Bulbophyllum falcatum ooo.
Cairns Orchid Society’s Show ... CCEPER NIE oo ne reveeptmm onbnarca Cattleya Group, Some Observations on the . Cattleya Siemens aan nen Cattleyas in Mackay, Q. .............. Cattleyas, My Experience of Growing . Coconut Husks as Compost .. Coelogyne pandurata. .... Compost or Conditions? Corsage, My Lady’s ..... Corsage Spray Making Cryptochilus sanguineus . Cultural Notes—See News and Notes,
orothy Cymbidium Standard (revised) 0.8. of N.S.W.
Cymbidium x Sussex var, Laelia Sasso... CM DIGS enn
Cymbidiums, Distribution of . Cymbidiums in Frosty Areas . Cymbidiums, Where to Flower Cypripediums He mee RR oe Eo Cypripediums, Cultivation in England...
D.D.T. for Spraying Orchids . Dendrobium bigibbum. ............. Dendrobium bigibbum or D. Phalaenopsis Dendrobium Phalaenopsis var. Compactum. .. Dendrobium Smilliae ..... Dendrobium Whiteanum . District Exhibits, O.S. of N.S.W., 1951 Don’t Get in & RUb econ
du Pont, The late Mrs. W. K. ...
Echoes from Overseas btrcitcan Sorte ee tame tore cao Rint te
Editorials—Jubilee Orchid Festival 1951, The O.S. of N.S.W. Orchid Festival 1950, The SDtNoe SNOW Sienna eterna Voice of the Orchid Love, The Winter Show, The 1950 Exporting Orchid BOOMS) vmeecgmoesme
No.
VN Sa pRPNDOD HP Pee
WW VHP NN HH NYWOwWwP RNP WNW WEN HOR PNW RWNNYES
ei 09 Re D0 09
Page 126
109
110
115
113
121
Vol.
15
oo
Page
77
Fertility of Orchid Composts, The From the Editor’s Mail Bag
Germination of Orchid Seed, The Gosper, C.T. The late uu... Gravel Culture, More about Greenhood Orchid, Observations on the Growing Orchids in Brisbane .rcccccccocnnes
Hydroponics Culture, Experiments in
Importance of Varietal Names, The In Memoriam—Ames, Oakes Coleman, Edith... Nicholls, W. H. Whitey; Chale.
Judging District Exhibits (O.S. Of N.iS.W.) ccc
Kerosene Heater, The . Knudson, Dr. Lewis .....
Leaf Mould and a Potting Mixture ... Letters to the Editor
Light and Fresh Air Lure of the Orchid, The
MOS2.1 Cee eeeeerrtee My Failures. ....
Newcastle Orchid Circle Newcastle Orchid Show (1949) Newcastle Orchid Show (1950) News and Cultural Notes, ete. ......
NotesrforuN vices tiictensproaias.damine tore eet eee an er een
Odontoglossums in Sydney erm Oncidium varicosum var. Rogersii . Orchid Club of South Australia Show 1950, The Orchid Collection at Taronga Park, The Proposed .. Orchid Festival, O.S. of N.S.W.,. 1949, The cece Orchid Growing in Western Australia
Orchid Landscape ....... Orchid Notes, Some ..... Orchid Press and Herbarium Orchid Shoulder Spray Making .. Orchid Society of Western Australia, Orchids, An Address ON ou. Orchids and Adult Education Orchids in England ..
Orchids—Orchid Growers’ “Association of England Orchids of Western Australia, Some .......... Orchids, When and How to Wear Them . Organic Manures for Orchids .........0.00 O.S. of N.S.W. Winter Show, 1951 Our Winter Show (0.8. of N.S.W., 1949) .
Pest Indicators nen ic Phalaenopsis amabilis ‘var. “Rosenstromii : Phalaenopsis in North Ss “Phalaenopsis Schilleriana Phones Points System of Judging Orchids
Prize Winners—O.S.'of N.S.W. Orchid Festival, 1950 ... Prize Winners—O.S. of N.S.W. Jubilee Festival, 1951 ..
vA eo WWW CRB oO
mo OR RR Rh RCO 8S fo Rt tO ne | el
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16
15
15 15 16 16
14 14
15
15 15
16
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Page |
36-49 93-115 | 48-59
108-132
-Queensland’s Two Shovs ..
Queensland Orchid Society, The History of the .
Question Box
South Australia’s Springtails .............
4th Annual Exhibition Success with Sixpence
Vale and Hail ......... Vanda Group, The Victorian Orchid Club Spring Show, 1949 . Victorian Orchid Club Spring Show, 1950 ... Victorian Orchid Club Spring Show, 1951 . Victorian Orchid Club Winter Show, 1950 . Victorian Orchid Club Winter Show, 1951 . Victorian Orchid Collections, Among
Dm Pee S HB PVD ARRH RARE WR HO YVR DDH
INDEX TO ILLUSTRATIONS
Air-Conditioning Fan, An
Brassocattleya Bruges var. Noel (colour) ... Bulbophyllum falcatum
Caladenia flava Caladenia pectinata Cattleya x Aureata. ......
Cattleya x Bow Bells var. Wonabah . Cattleya Skinneri (COlOUL) wince Cattleya x Sohma var. Laelia Sasso Centre Table, Orchid Festival, 1949 . Cryptochilus sanguineus ecco Culture Flasks (two drawings) Cymbidium x AdONiS wuss Cymbidium x Balkis var. Elouera .. Cymbidium x Balkis var. Luath. ........ Cymbidium x Carisbrook var. True Rose (colour) Cymbidium x Dorchester var. Janette ...... Cymbidium x Dorchester var. Jeanette .. Cymbidium x Girrahween var. Enid (colour) Cymbidium x Girrahween var, Gloria ....... Cymbidium x Goldcrest var. Wondabah. .. Cymbidium x Historian var. Lindfield ..... Cymbidium x Istambul var. Isobel .......... Cymbidium x Joy Sander var. Ruth (colour) Cymbidium x Lady Moxham var. L. F. G. Begbie Cymbidium x Princesse Astrid var. Dorothy ...... en Cymbidium xX Sussex Var. Laelia, SASSO ccs Cymbidium x Swallow var. Jill ........... Cymbidium x Swallow var. Patricia . Cymbidium x Swallow var. Soulangeana Cymbidiums, A Group of .... Cypripedium x Adelaide .. Cypripedium x Evanshurst var. Patricia Co Cypripedium x Emberton var. Dawn (COLOUYL) oon Cypripedium Gertrude West x Hunsworth var. Louise Cypripedium x Listoria var. Warringal Cypripedium x Londinum var. Mascot... Cypripedium x Mildred Hunter .. Cypripedium Spicerianum
De Rose, F. H. Display .... Diuris longifolia...
Eastwood & District Orchid Circle Winning Exhibit 00...
Glossodia emarginata ccm Greenhoods (Pterostylis) W. A.
Hydroponics Bench—Cattlelyas in Flower Phalaenopsis necccecceenne Older Cattleya Plants Young Cattleya Plants ..
Jubilee Orchid Festival Opening, 1951 coon
Laelia anceps (colour) Pees Laeliocattleya x Firminii (colour) .. Laeliocattleya x Hertha var. Wondabah (colour) .
Miltonia x Belgica var Laelia Sasso (COLUT) mmm: NicholisSthes lates Wasi sarreeerate fea ets), oh | remanent
Odontoglossum x Alorcus var, excelsis Odontoglossum x Hermes var. Cheltenham . Oxchid@Presss 191201 171 meee en Out-of Doors Landscape Garden -evmmmmmenemmnnn
Vol.
No.
| et eel
BPP NENW CROW RW WWW RUE RO WH WO Re Pee oor ED
ye + PR
Looe ell ell Sn
Page 18
69 20
Vol.
16
15
No.
2 4
50 105
Vol. No. Page Vol. No. Page
14 1 15
16 4 119
15 3 72 Proportioner Pump .. 15 3 72 Rhinerrhiza \dlvitinorageee ee er we el 9 16 2 49 Royal Group, A 16 3 81 Thelymitra crinita .... 15 4 101 Thelymitra Sargentii 15 4 101 Vanda x Flammerole (colour) . ie 16 1 19 Weston Tumination Meter cousin 15 3 72
SS rn nr re rn
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Page 2
AUSTRALIAN ORCHID REVIEW, MARCH, 1949
Exportins Orchid Blooms
J. MITCHELL, Kogarah, N.S.W.
In your December issue, Mr..H. A. Seafarth, Victoria, seeks reliable and authentic informa- tion concerning the exportation of Cymbidium Orchids to the U.S.A.
Being the largest shipper of these blooms and, also, the pioneer of this export trade, I trust, that the following information may be of some assistance, and that it will liquidate some of the fallacies and misinterpretations current through- out Australia. Our sales reports from the U.S. are open for perusal by any genuine enquirer, as also, letters from the Australian Trade Com- missioner of San Francisco.
His query about what is the most suitable type cf Cymbidium bloom to export can only be answered negatively. It is an age old ques- tion of what the feminine sense of colour and quality demands. This cannot be given by any statistics or past sales, but it is essential that only blooms of good size, texture, colours that are clear and solid, be shipped; also that spikes be cut at the right time. Many growers are loath to cut a spike until the last flower has reached its fullness. This is a mistake. Usually the last flower is small, and it is unfair to expect pay- ment for this last flower as well as those blooms which have first opened on the spike. Either the first opened blooms or the last one to open
will be ineligible. The former has aged and the -
latter is small. One has to be sacrificed and it is best to cut the spike before the last bud reaches maturity. This ensures a spike of fresh blooms which will last longer. One can only again emphasise the importance that only fresh blcoms of choicest quality and maturity be ex- ported,
Blooms which show sun or wind burns or spots are unsuitable. This also applies to dirty and dusty blooms. The grower with a well- designed glasshouse grows the better blooms, has the majority of these free from faults; from a florist’s viewpoint receives a better price, and soon enjoys a reputation for quality, and hence an assured and regular market. The glasshouse should: be completely enclosed and the ventila- tors covered with a fine wire mesh to prevent the entry of insects. Flowering plants should be taken in as soon as the buds are half-formed and flowered under the glass. There is no doubt that this lessens spotting; controversial but general opinion is that it is caused by the bites of insects during the bud stage, and the bites
result in the destruction of the surrounding cells and an enlarged transparent spotting in the fully formed flower. As the local market is be- coming saturated, and the overseas market is — limited, it is only a matter of time before only © perfectly clean unspotted blooms will be sale- — able. | The very choicest of Cymbidium blooms — grown in Sydney have been shipped to the U.S. — including the highest priced. The Australian — Trade Commissioner, who has viewed these — shipments on arrival, states that they are only | comparable with blooms grown in the U.S. One © shipper forwarded sample flowers of our best © Cymbidiums, quoting our local prices per bulb. © The American growers stated that such prices — were exorbitant, and were not interested. It is — well to remember that the U.S. has bought the — major output of England during the past ten — years and that they employ the best labour — available. There are growers of Cattleyas in the © U.S. who cut 10,000 blooms per month. |
During 1948, approximately 70,000 Cym- — bidium blcoms were shipped to the U.S. Of this — quantity I shipped the major number. During 1947 limited quantities were shipped from Syd- ney, and they reached into the thousand figure — per week. There were only one or two small — shipments made from a Southern State, whilst — those from Sydney were made regularly each © week. }
During the early stages of this export trade — there was much to be ironed out, cables, trans — Pacific telephone calls, packing difficulties, and — the general hazards of a new departure. All these were met by the early shippers and bene- fitted by those shippers who later freighted — these blooms in an endeavour to grasp the for- tune which misinformed newspapers led us to _ believe awaited us all. These visions were quickly dispelled after a few sales reports had been re- ceived. Unfortunately, many unsuitable blooms were sent. They were badly packed and showed a sad lacking of knowledge of merchandising in goods to the U.S. Presentation of specimens, especially when one is engaged in such a luxury trade, is a must. What our American friends thought on receiving some of these consign- ments needs no dwelling on. Two small ship- pers received instructions to discontinue, and these instructions held for the rest of the season. They can only blame themselves for such hap-
penings.
AUSTRALIAN ORCHID REVIEW, MARCH, 1949
Packing and presentation are the main feat- ures of exporting, and they can only come from experience and the know-how. The stem must be water-fed during transit by some medium. Different shippers have different methods, and some have advantages which are governed by costs and labour. Transit losses vary from 4 to 20 per cent.
Most shippers collect the blooms from the various growers and these are repacked for ship- ment. Before the air company will receive the consignment it is necessary to produce an Ex- porter’s Licence and a Health Certificate from the Quarantine Dapartment for each and every shipment. Any consignment of a value in ex- cess of 100 dollars must be accompanied by a Consular Invoice, which costs 15/10. Freight cost is at the rate of 14/10 per pound weight, or 200 bubic inches; whichever is the greater. After shipment the consignor must forward 3 copies of Export Entry forms, and 2 copies of Currency Control forms to the Customs House. Monetary returns are in the form of dollar cheques which must be paid into a bank, and the shipper receives approximately 6/14
for each dollar involved. Cheques take 6 weeks to clear.
_ The flying time from Sydney to San Fran- cisco is 45 hours, but goods must be lodged with the air company before 5 p.-m., although the ship does not leave the airport until mid- night. On arrival the goods are cleared by a customs agent who has a permanent office at the airport. These customs agents are not em- ployees of even the largest wholesalers of air- freighted flowers, but are free agents who handle and quickly expedite the clearance of perishables through the customs for special fees. Our consignments are forwarded to the largest wholesaler of flowers on the Pacific Coast, with 300 sub-agents throughout the U.S. This com- pany has a direct telephone line to the airport, and receipt of the consignment is made in the minimum of time,
_ All financial commitments are on a commis- sion basis only, and all costs, including 15 per cent. commission for sales, a percentage for advertising, import duty of 25 per cent., cus- tom agents fee, and transport costs from the arprot to the warehouse are deducted from the selling price, Air freight is paid this end, and duty must be paid on the blooms whether they € saleable or not. One spotted bloom will de- Preciate the value of the whole spike, and the larger blooms fetch more than the smaller
coms at the end of the spike, so it is evident
Page 3
that the buyer values each each individual bloom. All losses incurred, such as blooms broken, dead or damaged in transit have to be met by the shipper. Should the market be slow, and the quantity of blooms not sold accumulate in the warehouse, they soon depreciate in value, and thsoe unsaleable are dumped. We had 2000 blooms dumped within two weeks owing to a saturated market. At one period the U.S. mar- ket had a surfeit of Cattleya blooms with no buyers at 25 cents per bloom. Although this price has an exchange currency value of 1/6 Australian it is well to remember that the aver- age American tradesman receives from 2 dollars up per hour in wages. Simple calculation shows that he could have bought 8 Cattleyas for one hour’s wages. This would be the equivalent of sixpence each in Sydney. The best of Cym- bidiums cannot compete against a Cattleya at those prices, and sales of our blooms were at a standstill for some weeks. It is indeed unfortu- nate that the American flush season for Cattleyas coincies with the flusl of our Cym- bidiums. However, our agents are utilising their sales resources to the full, and emphasise to the florists the keeping qualities of the Cymbdium in comparison to the Cattleya, but from my lady’s point of view the Cymbidium is forced to take second place. Another factor is that the Australian season for Cymbidiums occurs during some of the hottest months in the U.S. and this is the slack period for corsage wear. It is a matter to be given consideration, for, should Cymbidiums be cultured to bloom later in the year they would enjoy a better market, and spread deliveries over a longer period.
To sum up Mr. Seafarth’s enquiries I can only reiterate that it is impossible to give an opinion as to the best types of blooms suitable for ex- port beyond the fact that they must be choice. Methods of packing are, more or less, a trade secret learnt from experience, time, experiment, expense and application of individuality. I do not know of any Sydney shipper who has an Agent in Victoria, but should Mr. Seafarth, your correspondent, care to write to me at 172 Harrow Rd., Kogarah, N.S.W., I will be very pleased to answer.
I would like to modify some of the state- ments attributed and published in your maga- zine, Firstly, a very small percentage of the blooms reached the price of 1 dollar each, and this was in the early stages when few blooms were being shipped. Early blooms are unsuit- able for export, and those that are, are not available in any quantity, hence the high value.
Page 4
Correspondence from the Australian Trade Commisioner states that our shipments were considered to be the best in quality, yet our average price for the season was 46 cents per bloom, and from this there had to be deducted the cost of buying, collection, packing and air freight. ~
Referring to the par in the S.M. Herald, when we gave an average of 65 cents, we wish to state that this figure was based on the re- turns we had received at that time for part of the 30,000 blooms we had shipped up to the day the enquiry was made. At this stage we had an accumulation of 20,000 in the U.S. un- sold, and which later brought prices that some-
@ As so many new members have joined the Queensland Orchid Society during the past few years, I have often felt inclined, particularly so of late, to give a short talk on the history of the formation of the Society and its activities over the years.
Many years ago there were few Orchid growers in Brisbane, and there was formed at that time a very small Orchid Society; but in those days, most Orchid growers (or should I say, those who grew exotic Orchids) were a very close and jealous lot who used to show at the monthly meetings of the Horticultural Society. Competition became so keen amongst them that it eventually led to a little disagree- ment, and the Orchid Society gradually faded into oblivion.
However, Orchid growing still went on quietly as the years advanced, and gradually a few isolated enthusiasts sprang up here and there.
Frequently I would interrupt Mr. Beard in his lunch hour, but he would always give me a happy greeting and smile, inviting me to sit down and talk over our Orchid pleasures and troubles, and, as an old grower of Orchids, offer me a lot of advice gained through his own ex- perience in the culture of Orchids for so many years.
It was during one of these lunch hour chats —one day about the second week in January, 1934—that Mr. Beard took the words out of my mouth, so to speak, when he said, “I think we ought to form an Orchid Society.” To
AUSTRALIAN ORCHID REVIEW, MARCH, 1949 |
times did not pay for the freight charges. Thus
the average fell with the larger number of
blooms sold. Again, that par can be misinterp- | reted. Out of the return to Australia the pur-_
chase price of the bloom had to be deducted.
Summing it all up it appears that it is a market that can never be predicted, and it is only in shipping large quantities, perfectly packed, with a sound knowledge of American methods and merchandising that this export
trade can be made a paying proposition.
Should your magazine require any further
information I will be pleased to add to this article, which I trust will still a number of — doubts prevalent in the minds of many growers. l
The History of the Queensland Orchid Society
Vv. W. A. MOLLER, Brisbane, @.
which I replied most enthusiastically in the i
affirmative,
So we immediately put our heads together, —
listing those whom we each knew to be Orchid
growers,and if my memory serves me correctly, there were in the vicinity of twenty-two per- sons who were invited to attend in Mr. Beard’s — office a meeting which was convened by him.
It was held in the New Zealand Insurance Building on January 24th, 1934, as 8 p.m. and — those present were Messrrs. E. J. Beard (who —
as convener occupied the chair), J. R. Tanner, —
A. Glindemann, A. P. Blair, T. C. Harveson, — V. Hutcheon, W. McK. Robertson, M. R. Fox, _
M. Gall, A. D. Wetherell, B. Grimes, L. F. Hayes and V. W. A. Moller. Apologies for non- attendance were received from Messrs. M. P. _
Campbell and C. Swenson.
At that little historic gathering the Queens- _ land Orchid Society was born and the follow-—
ing were elected as office-bearers:—Patron, His Excellency the Governor, Sir Leslie Orme Wil-
son. President: Mr. E. J. Beard. Vice Presidents:
Messrs. M. P. Campbell, C. Gamin, C. Swenson, G. G. Bass (Townsville), A. Glindemann and J. L. Bailey. Hon. Technical Adviser: Mr. C- T. White. Hon. Secretary and Treasurer: Mr. V. W. A. Moller Committee: Messrs. J. R. Tanner, J. C. Harveyson, L. F. Hayes, M. R. Fox, W. McK. Robertson, W. N. Jackson, A. P. Blair and M. Gall. ;
It is deeply regretted that six of the above —
gentlemen have since passed away and they were
not only a deep loss to those nearest and dearest _
AUSTRALIAN ORCHID REVIEW, MARCH, 1949
to them, but also to the Queensland Orchid Society.
The first monthly meeting of the Society was held on Friday, March 9th, 1934, when 21 were Present, of whom 3 were ladies.
At the second monthly meeting which was held in the C.T.A. main dining hall on April 20th, 1934, two lecturettes were delivered, one by the late Mr. L. Franzen on the “Orchid beetle,” and the other by Mr. L. P. Hayes on potting Orchids, accompanied by a practical demonstration, and both speakers, as you will appreciate, were attentively listened to and applauded for their contributions which were of educational value to the members present.
Lectures such as these and others on Vandas, Phalaenopsis, Cattleyas, Cypripediums, Cym- bidiums, fertilising of Orchids, pH and the D.D.T.’s have been given by members practic- ally every month since the Society’s inception, and they have been appreciated by both Country and Metropolitan members. It is to be hoped that the younger members of the Queens- land Orchid Society will rally forth and pre- pare lecturettes or give notes on their ex- periences in Orchid growing.
The importaton of plants from overseas was one of the many problems confronting the Q.0.S. as we were not a trading Society, so the late Mr. J. R. Tanner (then Treasurer of the Society) volunteered to do the importing and finance the whole project. Quite a few members of our Society owe a lot to our late ‘dear friend for the opportunity of building up their collections with hybrid. Cattleyas, Den- ‘drobes and Vandas, as Mr. Tanner would not charge a penny more than the actual landed cost. In fact, I often used to feel that he bore a lot of losses instead of spreading the burden of such losses over the number of good plants which members actually received. It calls to mind a little incident which I am sure will make a few smile when I remind them of the occasion Mr. Tanner was ordering a lot of Dendrobes from a firm in Burma, as they had ‘sent a special price list of quantities of fifty and hundred of each variety, and I said, “Order fifty Renanthera imschootiana, Jim!” and he teplied, “Where am I going to get rid of all of those, as hardly anyone knows what they are like?” “Pll take twenty-five, Jim,” was my teply, so, having only twenty-five to distribute made him feel at ease, and he ordered them accordingly,
During one of my business trips to South Queensland they arrived, so on the Saturday
Page 5
afternoon following my return I called to pick my lot up. Mr. Tanner said, “Here are your imschootianas,” but I could not see them until they were pointed out, whereupon I exclaimed,
“They're not imschootianas,’ and so we had all
been taken in with the deal. They turned out to be some form of Arachnanthe, and not worth the trouble of potting. At a later date Mr. Tanner placed an order with an Indian firm so I modified my order to twelve, but they were the genuine Orchid we had sought.
There was a lot of hard work to be done at the beginning of the Society’s existence and I took the opportunity wherever I could boost the Society by giving short talks over 4BH, 4MD and 4BU, getting members in every town I visited north of Brisbane, and as far away as Mossman.
Funds, of course, were needed in the first year or two, and I -was optimistic about getting a few life members from among our members, so I set the ball rolling by paying in my cheque for £10/10/-, expecting to be followed by a few more affluent members, but the ball didn’t roll any further. I even tried very hard one Sunday morning in North Queensland to get a well-to-do man to become a life member, and I am quite certain that had he had his cheque book on him I would have succeeded, but just at that stage his wife called him saying he was wanted on the ’phone (I have an idea she had been listening to our’ conversation) for when he returned to me he said, “I think PIl just pay 7/6 this time, as you never know, I may die before I get my money’s worth out of being a Life Member. Anyway, perhaps next year when you come up I may give you a cheque for £10/10/- then.” However, my friend evidently knew more than I did for he passed away before I visited the town the following year.
Owing to pressure of business, and when the spadework in the organisation of the Society was finished, I relinquished the Hon. Secretary- ship and the Society was very fortunate in securing Mr. Harveyson to fill the post. He has done, and still is doing, a marvellous job. Dur- ing the war years he worked hard to raise funds for various patriotic bodies. Members respon- ded very generously, enabling Mr. Harveyson’s schemes to be a huge success.
I should have mentioned earlier that for a time we met monthly at Mr. Beard’s office un- til we had to find a larger meeting room, which we eventually did through the good grace of the late Mr. Tanner, as he arranged for our monthly
Page 6
meetings to be held in Wertheim House oppo- site the Customs House, but as our member- ship grew we found the accommodation not to our satisfaction, and were not unmindful of the fact that some of our members were not too happy about being trapped inside the lift. Then Lt. Col. A. T. Jackson arranged for our meet- ings to be held in the Miniature Rifle Range Building where we have been very comfortably suited for quite a few years now.
Over the years the Society has had some very fine spring showings here, and on 11th October, 1940, Mr. J. Murray Cox, who was President at the time, had organised an Orchid Show and Patriotic Concert in the City Hall. The Lord Mayor (Ald J. B. Chandler) was very enthu-
AUSTRALIAN ORCHID REVIEW, MARCH, 1949
siastic about it, and suggested that we hold a two or three days’ show for patriotic purposes in 1941. For the three days and three nights only 500 people paid for admission, but we didn’t have the Americans here then or our attendances would have been enormous. The Society is still gaining new members and doing good work which I feel sure will ever continue so.
I am indebted to Mr. Beard for his rough notes used to convene the original meeting in 1934, and also to Mr. Harveyson for making available the old minute book which showed a true record of those who attended the in- augural meeting, and other literature he made available to me.
A Word to Beginners in the Art of Orchid Shoulder Spray Making
@ Although laying no claims to being an ex- pert on the subject, I have had some little experience and success in the making of Orchid shoulder sprays and hereunder I offer a few suggestions which may help some interested would-be florist on the way to success in this particular branch of floral art.
First of all, to make a successful shoulder spray one must have good quality flowers which are pleasing to the eye and also good lasting,
as flowers used in ladies’ shoulders sprays are
usually made up some time before the hour of wearing and when worn are subjected to both sun and wind, or else hot lights in crowded halls, where a very fragile flower would wilt and spoil the whole effect of the creation.
Other essentials are harmonising embellish- ments, such as coloured leaves, ribbon, grasses, or maidenhair fern, but these, of course, must be left to the maker’s discretion and sense of harmony. At the present time there is a con- troversy as to the suitability of cellophane- covered wire in various designs being used with Orchids—one side liking same and the other believing that this added embellishment is too dominant and detracts from the prominence of the Orchid flowers—but here again this matter is one for the judgment of the florist or wearer.
When creating a shoulder spray or corsage one must see that a strong enough florist’s wire is used to support the Orchids and foliage and that everything is firmly wired and well finished off so that no short ends of wire are left protruding to catch the wearer’s frock. The
stems may be covered after wiring by winding a strip of cellophane around the wired stalks, but this is only done to prevent staining the frock and is not absolutely necessary if a firm piece of ornamental fern or leaf is placed be- hind the finished spray.
The ffowers when ready for assembling are wired artistically together in a zig-zag fashion (not directly under one another) and the em- bellishments so placed to fill in any large gaps between the flowers. However, any foliage or trimming should be merely subsidiary and not overlap or crowd out the Orchid flowers, as, after all, these are the main items of the spray. Also, the flowers should be so placed that if the foliage wilts before the flower (which is quite often the case) the spray would still serve its purpose and look attractive.
It is the writer’s opinion that three Cym- bidiums are sufficient for a shoulder spray for day-time wear and four or at the most five flowers for the evening, ball, or wedding. In any case the flowers should not be over-large or a thicker wire than necessary used, as this tends to make the spray too heavy and will weigh down a lady’s light frock.
When the flowers and trimmings are assembled. satisfactorily—see that the spray “sits” evenly and does not wobble unnecessarily when laid on a flat surface—then, if desired, a bunch of ribbon may be added at the base of the spray and also a piece of fern is placed up the back to protect the wearer’s frock as mentioned above. To add this protection a firm piece of
AUSTRALIAN ORCHID REVIEW, MARCH, 1949
Page 7
Don’t Get in a Rut
W. PALMER, Drummoyne, N.S.W.
@ These remarks cover several aspects of Orchid growing that have been spoken of at our meet- ings and will contain some friendly criticism and, I trust, a few helpful hints to members, both old and new.
Some Interstate Societies know us as the Cym- bidium Society of N.S.W. As we are all aware, a big number of our members do grow only Cymbidiums. So let us get out of the Cym- bidium rut and let our mutual hobby cover a wider variety of Orchids.
We have heard a lot about composts for various plants. My experience has taught me that most Orchids are very adaptable to a variety of composts. I have seen Cymbidiums growing in so many mixtures, from sawdust to tan bark and in various positions in and out of doors and in rockeries, that I am led to wonder which is the ideal one. The same applies to Cypripediums, which grow in fibre, tan bark and garden loam, and now we have seen the stately Cattleya family growing like a green bay tree in tan bark and tan bark mixtures,
Let us now turn to the question of light, par- ticularly in regard to glasshouses, for our plants. I am sure that most growers use the hip-type roof. Is this in the best interest of the plants? I do not always think so. In Newcastle and Melbourne recently I saw two houses designed by growers to suit their own needs and they were obtaining excellent results. In addition I believe we can give our plants more light than we do with beneficial effect.
My next comment will probably get me a caning from some of the members. Hybridis- ing and seed-raising has become an established - part of Orchid culture here and although we
A Se es
fern is wired at its stalk end and the top of the fern is laid along the back-bone of the spray and the wire wound round the stem.
After this the handle claims our attention. This is the butt of the spray where all the wires are wound together and is used to help the Wearer pin it to her frock. The handle should be shortened to the required length—usually about in. to 3in.—and should be practically out of sight under the lower leaves or flowers. It is then covered with tinfoil or cellophane.
This then should complete the Orchid shoul- der spray and should present a charming effect
_ to delight the heart of any lady.
JOYCE P, LAVERICK.
have seen a few nice flowers from our raisers, what about trying for some new colours? What about a blue Cattleya or Cymbidium? Is this impossible? Whilst I know that from pollenisa- tion to flowering is a long, tedious process, I think these colours are not beyond our hybrid- ists here. In Melbourne, last March, I saw a Cattleya Paryasates which had a definite blue tint through the petals and sepals. If this were used as a base to work on, could we not evolve this colour mentioned above? This is where a community seed centre would and could oper- ate. In regard to the Cymbidium let the older members throw their minds back to Cymb. Profusion var. Violaceum at Mr. J. Bisset’s show at David Jones in 1943.
Now let us look at ‘another aspect of Orchid growing. At the present time many of our out- door growers are turning to glasshouse culture and this will open up an entirely new field for them. By combining the two methods of cul- ture, those who have been tied to Cymbidiums alone may now have blooms all the year round and not only in the winter and spring. At the various shows last year we had a very good lesson in this regard. Many ‘families, the names of which were previously only hearsay, were shown in bloom on the show benches. Let us take some of these names and we will be able to see how easy it is to get out of the big three “C” rut. Cyms.—Catts.—Cyps. I am not over- looking the fact that the big three can supply flowers all the year round, but variety is the spice of life in Orchid growing as in other things.
The Vandaceous group with the nice-scented flowers. Ceologynes, the Dendrobium family, Laelias, Miltonias, the Oncidium group, Phal- aenopsis family, Renantheras, Zygopetalums, Phaius family, Bletias, Epidendrums, Lycastes, and last but by no means least the Odontoglos- sum and QOdontioda families and our own native Orchid species. ;
Many members may think me boastful to name all these families, but I have them all in in my own collection and quite a few more, too, on the average suburban garden back yard area of 6oft. x 40ft.
Quite a number of these families are avail- able at our commercial growers and, if not, can be imported from England, India and Java and in some cases, can be obtained by exchange with overseas growers. Continued on page 13
Page 8
AUSTRALIAN ORCHID REVIEW, MARCH, 1949 |
Cymbidium Culture in Sydney
A. R. BEGG, Bellevue Hill, N.S.W.
@ I have been asked by the Hon. Editor for another article on these popular Orchids grown here in Sydney in the open or in bush houses. I will refer to my last paper in the September Review, 1947., and include any further obser- yations noted since that date.
Repotting takes up such a lot of time each year that it is advisable to start early, say August, and get all small plants and those that do not require breaking up done and finished first and out of the way. All plants which have undamaged roots can be potted early, but if plants are pot-bound or are to be cut up and divided it is advisable to wait until late Sep- tember or early October for warmer weather when root growth starts more readily and the check to the plant is not so prolonged. I find also that some Cymbidiums are not checked by division, while others resent it and always re- ceive a check; this must also be considered. If the grower has a heated glasshouse available, plants can be dene much earlier, even an un- heated house is a great help to put plants into for a few weeks after division.
I rarely repot plants carrying flower spikes. I find root action is practically dormant then and it is advisable to cut flowers a week or so before dividing a plant.
Breaking up a favourite plant that has be- come pot-bound is a major operation for a be- ginner. Previously, I have favoured a knife and cutting the rhizome before knocking the plant from its pot. I have since acquired a special thin pair of secateurs and I now dry the plant for a week then knock it out of the pot and lay it on soft ground, remove the crocking material and then with secateurs sever back- bulbs (if any) first and also cut away their dead roots. I will then probably be able to cut the plant into two divisions and by taking one piece in each hand and gently shaking and pull- ing apart in most cases the divisions separate gradually with roots in reasonable condition. Press a little powdered sulphur on the cut sur- faces of the rhizome. Pot your pieces in damp compost and refrain from watering for a few days, and then water lightly for some time and gradually increase as the plant shows signs of growing.
If the roots have been bady smashed or are non-existant it is advisable to trim the leaves back to half length to check transpiration of water which causes the bulbs to shrivel (water
passing out of the plant through the leaves and | none coming in because there is no root action): Place plant in glasshouse for a week or so in 4 warm corner if possible.
Pots are still hard to obtain and we have— very little choice; in most types the drainagé hole is too small and should be enlarged. See you © crock your pots correctly, large pieces at the bottom, then smaller, and finish with a hand-— ful of fine chips on top; do it properly, it important. It is no use having correct mixtufé_ in the compost if your crocking is faulty. I use and find, the zinc perforated discs quite satis factory with a handful of small cinders or chat-_ coal on top. I am sure Cymbidiums cannot bée~ overpotted when grownig in the open in Syd-— ney provided the compost and crocking are correct. In large pots the plants get more food; require less watering, and the roots are not sO matted when it is time for division, the maid — drawback with large pots is the amount of com-— post they require and the trouble in moving them about.
Composts.—It has been said that Cym-— bidiums will grow in any compost withit reason, yes, and I have seen some queer ones | too. I have a friend who throws in everything — he can lay his hands on from shavings to ol bags, but I think we should be more discerning Tan bark has given excellent results not only for Cymbidiums but for many other types of Orchids and I would say it is No. 1 choice. Us’ it partly rotted, Leaf mould is very populaf also any rotted vegetable matter such as hops nut husks, etc., are all suitable if in propet condition as plant foods. A mixture of tha above items should make a good compost. In-— clude a small quantity of charcoal lumps an? up to 15 per cent. coarse river sand or brick rubble to keep the compost open. Old cow manure can be included to enrich the mixtuse— and perhaps a trace of bone meal. The mai? — factor is to see the compost is open and that
water wil pass through it readily. |
Watering is an important part of culture” which every grower must decide for himself to suit his own particular conditions, situatiots — type of compost and size of pots; the compost — should be damp but not always wet. Briefly, i would say give plenty of water in the warm months when plants are in full growth and gradually reduce it towards winter, when wate! —
AUSTRALIAN ORCHID REVIEW, MARCH, 1949
occasionally in the mornings on warm days.
While on the subject of watering, last year several Sydney growers had trouble with new growths burning and looking unsightly and leaving black spots and rough surfaces on the new leaves; a few of my plants suffered, but some growers’ plants were badly affected. The trouble may be a fungus disease; it is caused by constant overhead watering, a bad circulation of air (plants too close together) and the early morning sun burning the young damp growths. Last year, you will recall, we had a very wet late spring and early summer, with the absence of wind; this was probably a contributing fac- tor to the trouble. To combat this trouble I would suggest more room between plants, less overhead watering (water the compost only, at times) and perhaps a little more shade on the eastern side of the house to reduce the early, morning sun’s rays.
Aspect.—A north-easterly aspect seems to be the ideal in Sydney. Protect your plants from both the sudden cold south and t west winds. The north-east winds are moisture carrying and are not cold,
Give your flowering size plants positions where they will receive the maximum hours of sunlight. The smaller plants can be moved to the more shady positions, as the seasons change plants may be moved to better positions for sunlight, but when the flower spikes appear point them towards the north at all times.
Lightly cover your bush house with ti-tree or lattice as the full sun’s rays are too severe., Given good aspect and growing conditions the flowering yield should be at least 80 per cent. of mature plants each year. I have been able to maintain this year after year and have visited many collections where at least 80 per cent. of the plants carried flower spikes. I mention this in reply to a Melbourne writer who stated that the percentage of flowering is much greater in Melbourne under glass than in Syd- ney in the open. This critic is comparing good Melbourne growers with indifferent Sydney stowers. I will admit some Sydney collections are very large and the plants do not get enough individual attention, but given good treatment and plenty of sun hours the floral return should be high.
Diseases.—In my last article I mentioned Causes and treatment for black rot, or rhizome rot. I am sure it is caused by decay germs en- tering the bulbs at the cut surfaces, When you divide a plant use clean tools, dip them in metho- lated spirits after each cut or better still steri- ise them over a flame and rub powdered sulphur
’
he hot drying ©
Page 9
on all cut surfaces while they are still moist.
Virus or Mosaic Disease-—Some plants appear to have this in a mild form which does not affect the growth or flowering of the plant, but when Cymbidiums get it badly nothing can be done to save the plants. I would advise beginners to look carefully and see there is no flecking in the new growths of plants they are about to purchase.
I have used the new D.D.T. sprays for scale » and other insect pests with success, and also removed all slaters and ants from near my plants. These sprays are a great help, but care must be exercised and directions followed care- fully.
Another interesting phase of Cymbidium cul- ture is the growing of plants from seed; several growers have been interested in it for years in a small way, but soon large quantities of Aus- tralian seedlings will be flowered each year in Sydney; our climate ‘is most suitable and the time from sowing the seed is flasks to flowering should be reduced. An odd plant or two flowered last season in 3 years; this must surely be a re- cord. In 4 years many should flower and I ex- pect large quantities will flower in 5 years. I would advise growers to obtain a few small seedlings if possible; an unflowered plant is al- ways interesting. Some will be of poor quality, but there is always the possibility of flowering a champion.
Show Flowers-—Under our judging stan- dards Form and Colour receive the largest allot- ment of points. If you wish to exhibit and hope for success your flowers must receive good points in these sections and to obtain good form and colour your plants must- not be forced either with extra heat or manures. Exhibitors of dahlias and chrysanthemums obtain remark- able results by disbudding and forcing their plants with manures, but you cannot get the same results with Orchids. My advice is to grow your plants under reasonable conditions, don’t overfeed them and bring your flowers out slowly. If you force with manures or heat or both you may gain a point for size but will cer- tainly lose several points for form and colour.
In reviewing the last year’s flowers, I was pleased to notice larger numbers of quality flowers on the show benches and at the Society meetings; this indicates that we are improving our culture, which is all to the good. One Swal- low I recall flowered first over 5 years ago, but I never saw it better than at our last show; also that old favourite Ceres x F. J. Hanbury we seem to be growing better ever year; it was a fine colour this year.
Page 10
AUSTRALIAN ORCHID REVIEW, MARCH, 1949
Phalaenopsis Amabilis var. Rosenstromii
C. FREEMAN,
@® The genus Phalaenopsis, consisting of over thirty known species and a large number of natural hybrids, extends from Burma, through Indonesia, down to Northern Australia, but the variety Rosenstromii is not so widely spread as most people believe. To my knowledge, it is found only on three or four small creeks in the Ingham district, North Queensland, and on the Daintree River, about 400 miles to the north where less than a dozen plants have, as far as is known, been collected.
Rosenstromii are found growing well off the beaten track in almost inaccessible country, so there are few who are able to go hunting for them. It is just as well, as they are not in any place plentiful, so are left to propagate them- selves, although the orchid butterfly takes a toll of many. They grow in one of the fairly wet belts, the average rainfall being 200 inches a year, and at an altitude of from 300 to 2500 feet above sea level. Some are found in open forests growing on bloodwood (Eucalyptus corymbosa) and “dead finish” (Albizzia basal- tica) trees; others in higher scrubs, on the umbrella trees, Brassaia actinophylla, but I have not found any in the rain forest. They use various trees for hosts, but the trees must have a coarse bark to hold the necessary moisture.
Some Rosenstromii are found growing on humus collected on the ground, evidently hay- ing been dislodged from the limbs of their host by a passing storm. Others are found growing on the damp lichen-covered rocks that face the waterfalls. Others again have been found grow- ing in mid-air suspended from their host by a root. Although these plants grow in various places they are seldom found more than 200 yards from the main watercourse which runs down the steep gorges draining a large horse- shoe-shaped mountain range.
The northern tip of the range is two miles longer than the southern, and the width of the cpening would be about four miles, with the widest part of the horseshoe about fifteen miles. The gorges in the basin rise sharply to 3,000 feet in less than three miles.
In winter and summer there is always a mois- ture-laden wind from seawards moving up the mountain side. In the summer time the northern trade wind carries with it moisture from the swamps between the coast and the range, while during the winter the south-easterly wind with its warm air also finds its way into the horse-
Townsville, @.
shoe-shaped basin. The steepness of the water- ways causes a series of waterfalls, with con- tinuous mist rising day and night, with the wind driving this moisture continually upwards.
Attention must also be drawn to the cloud —
bank on the hills. From September to March, this bank of clouds is always to be seen on the range and may last for several weeks, there- fore the hours of daylight might have a lot to do with the growth of Rosenstromii... In the gorges where they grow, even in mid-summer the most sunlight they could receive would be only about seven hours. Some observations that I have made are:—Plants growing in the open forest are always stunted and yellow of leaf, and I have never seen one of those with a flower or looking as though it had flowered. When growing in the higher altitudes they are strong and have a good root system. Those found on the rocks and in the humus on the ground are always the best, with long, well- shaped leaves, and sometimes with roots a yard or more in length. The very best grow on the rough, lichen-covered granite boulders facing waterfalls and when in these places seem to be in flower six months of the year. One such plant that I observed was seen in flower in October, and was still in flower in March the following year.
On one particular creek Rosenstromii were
found growing only on one side of the creek. This had me puzzled until I discovered that the side where none grew was the side where the sunlight did not strike until well after mid- day. On most of the creeks the hours of day- light have to be considered, for on several occasions we have camped half-way up the range and it was 10 a.m. before it was light encugh to search for Orchids. This fact should have an important bearing on their distribution.
We will now deal with a method of cultivat- ing these plants, which has given me results as good as, or better than, those grown by nature. Take the Orchid and clip the roots, then select an earthenware pot with a slotted side or with a piece broken out of the side and place a small pad of polypodium peat on the bottom. On this place a few crocks of old weathered bones and put the roots of the plant through the slot or opening at the side. Next fill the pot to about one and half inches from the top with pure, wet, fresh cow manure. Place a pad of peat on the top to checke the growth of weeds always
AUSTRALIAN ORCHID REVIEW, MARCH, 1949
found in fresh manure, and then place the pot- ted Orchid in a warm shaded place and give it plenty of water. These plants can take more water during the summer than most Orchids, and should be saturated from October until March. During the winter they should be kept fairly dry, and only watered sparingly in the Morning on bright sunny days. Care must also be taken that water does not lodge in the spaces where the leaves clasp the root stock, as this has a tendency to rot the leaves.
During the summer months the plant should be lowered to about a foot from the ground, and the floor of the bush house should be kept reasonably damp. A spray twice a day will keep the leaves bright and firm and growing.
I trust these few items are of interest and may help some growers who would like to cul-
tivate the Rosenstromii variety of Phalaenopsis amabilis,
Page II
@ The Royal Society of N.S.W. Honours Prominent Orchidologist.—The Royal Society of New South Wales recently awarded the Clarke Memorial Medal to the Reverend H. M. R. Rupp, B.A., of Northbridge, N.S.W.
The Clarke Medal is awarded periodically as a recognition of distinguished work in some field of natural science carried out in or on the Australian Commonwealth and its Territory.
In this case the award was made for meri- torious service in connection with research work and identification of Australian Orchids.
Orchid enthusiasts are very pleased that Mr. Rupp’s work should’ have been recognised in this way. The great amount of valuable work car- ried out consistently over many years, both in the field and the herbarium by him is well known and appreciated.
Awards made by the Orchid Society of N.S.W. during 1948
Gold Medal:
Cymbidium Girrahween var. Enid cco
. Dr. K. Kirkland’
or a specially meritorious display of Miscellaneous ,
Orchids at the Spring Show, 1948 Award of Merit:
Cattleya Sohma Varo lac 1a eS ASSO mmnnenmr tenia ents Hardyana x B/C Veitchii var. Noel .. yrpripedium Rosemary Whaiteman var Girrahween ” Smolensk yar Laelia Sasso... » Lady Emily var. Laelia Sasso ” Momag yar. Laelia Sasso
Highly Commended:
Cymbidium Swallow var. Soulangeama imum
”» Balkis yar. Luath wu ” Historian var. Linfield . » Goldcrest yar, Wondabah
Cattleya L/C Tortole var. Verlie yee » _ B/C Piccadilly var. Verlie .. Cypripedium Shina Weve, WSS pee i Cameo yar. Girrahween
a Euryostom var. Rex... Ondontioda Irma Leo
Dendrobium Gatton Nuenerdh vere Wale 5 Award of Distinction:
Cultural Certificate: Odontoglossum Grande ...... Oncidium Sphacelatum_ ..
Special Awards:
Mr. L. Sasso
iomemercae NG, 1G, NERO Mr. N. Macdonald Mr. C. H. Deane =n Mr. L. Sasso . Mr. L. Sasso Mr. L. Sasso
Mr. A. R. Begg .. Dr. Burstal . Mr. R. Dart Mr. A. R. Begg . Mr. L, Sasso » MR, Ih, SEO . L. Sasso Mr. C. H. Deane on INN Il, Besse
Mr. W. Fahey fe Mr. L. Sasso
is Mr. L. Sasso Mr. C. Cambourn Mr. C. Cambourn
meee Comlete Sasso, . Mr. L. Sasso
Cymbidium Hawfinch x Amberley. Certificate of Recognition of
pioneering of hybridisation, and Bronze Medal for the first oi flowering of an outstanding improvement on the parent plants........... iver Medal for a meritorius display of Miscellaneou Orchids at the
Winter Show, 8/7/48
. Messrs. A. B. Porter & C, Cambourn
. Mr. L. Sasso
Page 12
AUSTRALIAN ORCHID REVIEW, MARCH, 1949
An Orchid Press and Herbarium WARREN ABELL, Durong, via Tingoor, @.
@ Though an admirer and collector of native Orchids for some three years it was only twelve months ago that I began pressing specimens. This was chiefly due to the persistent advice of Rev. Rupp and Mr. A. W. Dockrill, who pointed out that pressed specimens, while lack- ing the natural colour mostly, were better than none. How true!
My first efforts were not very successful and I decided to have a press made to obviate the use of heavy and bulky weights.
As shown in the diagram, it consists of two steel frames and two sheets of masonite.
The frames are of lin. by 3-1é6in. flat steel reinforced by 3-8in. square bars welded on top of one and bottom of the other. The frames are welded at the corners, the bottom one hay- ing a 3-8in. bolt welded in each corner and the top one having oversize holes to allow these bolts to pass through. The masonite sheets, the same size as the frames, 1Sin. x 10in., also are bored in the corners. Washers and wing nuts for the bolts complete the press.
Once the press was used any doubts as to its efficiency vanished.
The size, 1Sin. x 10in., allows for the use of foolscap size equipment since that is easiest to get.
To press Orchids, I use thick cardboards, cheap white paper, and good quality fine white cardboard for mounting.
Cut newspapers, folded to half their width which makes them approximately 9 inches wide, in 15in, lengths. Between the folded paper place the specimens held in position on the plain paper by strips of transparent gummed paper (NOT cellulose tape), cover with another sheet and close the newspaper. Place one thick card- board on the masonite sheet on the bottom frame, then the newspaper and specimens, then another piece of cardboard. The next lot of specimens can go on top, then another card- board and so on.
Then the other masonite sheet and frame and screw down tight.
The white paper is to keep the newsprint
Continued on page 15
\“x Ve” stee\
AUSTRALIAN ORCHID REVIEW, MARCH, 1949
Page 13 PERSONNEL Hon. Editor: ASSOCIATES: W. WORTH Victoria: Queensland: South Australia: Tasmania: 1 Ward St. R. VICK TREVOR E. HUNT M. HILL H. J. EXLEY Willoughby, N.S.W. 32 Northcote Av., 15) Challinor’ Se. 26 Blanche St. 5 Bedford St. Phone: XL3533 Balwyn, E.8 Gawler New Town
Nine flowers and 1 bud. of polypodium fibre, deca charcoal and bone dust.
and March, lasts 8 weeks, ning down the centre, petals
Continued from page 7
Nothing is so uninteresting as a lot of leaves and bulbs, but if the newcomer can be shown only a few flowers at the time of his visit his enthusiasm and interest are maintained and he will then change to more varied and interesting subjects. Even if he has a few casualities on the way, it will enable him to get out of the rut
and obtain new interest and ideas in our mutual hobby,
Ipswich
CYPRIPEDIUM SPICERIANUM Grown by James Bearup, Clayfield, Brisbane, in a mixture
yed vegetation from garden rubbish, loam, sharp sand, Hardy and free-flowering in Brisbane, Colour, dorsal sepal white with distinct purple line run- light green shaded purple-brown,
Flowers, February
yellow and purple, pouch
© Queensland Native Plants Protection Act of 1930.—In connection with protection of native Orchids under this Act, the public is advised that an Order in Council issued on January 13th, 1949, prohibits the removal of the following Orchids from all leasehold land in Queensland:— Dendrcbiums, superbiens,
phalaenopsis, bigibbum and
Page 14 AUSTRALIAN ORCHID REVIEW, MARCH, 1949
Cymbidiums, Pauwelsii and Ceres, in out-of-doors landscape at the garden of Les. Plowman, Vaucluse, N.S.W.
AUSTRALIAN ORCHID REVIEW, MARCH, 1949
Page I5
LAELIA ANCEPS
A highly colured vari flowered regularly in a
N
@ Put your problem down on paper, hand it to your local Orchid Society. Others with similar difficulties will appreciate the benefit to be re- ceived from the answer to your query.
PHALAENOPSIS AMABILIS, VAR. ROSENSTROMII Grown by G. A. Roberts, Hobart, Tasmania, in minimum temperature of 55° greenhouse. Photographed by A, Cruickshank.
ety grown by W. Worth. For several years this plant : lightly covered bush-house at Willoughby, near Sydney. Ow growing in an unheated glass-house and doing equally well.
Continued from page 12
from coming off on specimens. Always write name, date, place and collector on them. The newspaper is to absorb any juices and prevent absolute flatness of pressing, and the carboards prevent one specimen’s bulk from spoiling that above it. - With epiphytes of any bulk, a hammer judiciously used to reduce them to a semi-flat shape is necessary. Terrestrials with woody stems can be squashed with the blunt end of a pencil, This must be done to allow the juices to be absorbed by the paper, and reduce their size.
While drying examine often to kill any in- sects which often hatch and destroy specimens.
When dry, cut away the gummed paper, transfer specimens on to the plain white boards which should have a protecting cover of white Paper and print in the details shown on the pressing sheets, with the name of the specimen
¢. and author at the bottom, where the cover does
not quite reach. Then enclose these boards in foolscap folders with the name of the genus in large letters and the species included in the folder (suually about 6 or 8 will fill a folder) in small letters after.
The result is a neat, indexed herbarium.
Page 16
AUSTRALIAN ORCHID REVIEW, MARCH, 1949
From the Editor’s Mail Bag
Enclosed find draft to cover my subscription to the Australian Orchid Review. 1 do not want to get in arrears as I enjoy the Review very much. In fact read it from cover to cover.
I especially enjoy the colour plates at it is difficult for me to visualise from. the description or from a black and white plate. For example, in one of your copies you had a coloured plate of Dendrobium Tofftii. I shall never be satisfied ‘until I possess one of these plants.
Some day I will be going to Australia to at- tend one of your meetings and to see some of your beautiful Dendrobiums and wonderful Cymbidiums.
I take an active part in both the California and the Peninsula Societies and extend to mem- bers of your Societies, a cordial invitation to attend our meetings. Both Societies meet once a month. If you will advise me when any of your members come to the U.S.A. I will be glad to meet them and show them what we are accomplishing in the growing of Orchids.
Thanking you for attending to the matter of my subscription, I am,
Wm. GROSS. 1275 Woodland Ave., Palo Alto, California,
U.S.A.
Hon. Editor.—Readers who are visiting the U.S.A. will assuredly contact Mr. Gross and accept his kind offer. This letter also affords me the opportunity to say that overseas subscriptions of ten shillings sterling per annum should be sent to Shepherd and Newman, Yurong St., Sydney, N.S.W., and not to the Hon. Editor.
@ Dear Sir.—In the December issue of the Aust. Orchid Review an illustration appeared of the Queensland Dend. Phalaenopsis. Last year I obtained several of these plants and also Dend. Tofftii and several other varieties, but although they were nice healthy plants I can’t do any god with them. I keep them in a heated glasshouse during the winter and in the sum- mer keep a fairly high humidity. Some of them have thrown aerial growths, but none has made any new growth from the base. I think if you could get some of your Queensland readers to write an article in the Azstralian Orchid Re- view giying full particulars of the period of rest (if any) it may help me and other of your readers who may be having similar trouble if we knew just what months they were to be kept dry and the amount of moisture required when growing. I have them in polypodium fibre
and charcoal. I would also like to know the address of the publishers of the English Orchid Review if you could furnish me with same. My only complaint with the Aust. Orchid Review is that it is not a monthy publication, otherwise it is excellent. Dr. H. HISCOX. Box 118, Redcliff, Victoria.
[The address of the English Orchid Review is 33 John Street, London, W.C.1. England. This grower’s experience is typical of that of almost all growers in the Southern States.
Experience has proved that there are few orchids so difficult to grow as those from North Queensland and New Guinea.
We have received letters from all States telling of non- success and many losses. The fault does not lie with the plants or the supplier, but is the result of growers, mostly novices, purchasing varieties of which they have little or no knowledge.
To prevent this loss the Orchid Society or some reliable local authority should be consulted as to their suitability before any orchids are purchased from places with dif- ferent climatic cnditions such as rainfall and tempera- ture. Perhaps someone who has been successful with these orchids will supply the cultural article as requested. —Hon. Editor.]
PUBLICATIONS RECEIVED ® Orchids.—A booklet issued by the Orchid Growers’ Association of England to stimulate the Public’s interest and enlighten them in the culture of Orchids.
The introduction states that the hobby of Orchid growing need not be an expensive one, and that cultural methods are not more diffi- cult than those used for many other exotic plants.
Naturally the publication is devoted to glass- house culture. Chapters are devoted to: ‘‘Where do yaluable Orchids come from?” ‘The best known genera.” ‘Hints on buying.” “Hints for Beginners.” ‘“Temperatures.”’ “Shading.” ‘“Damp- ing.” “Watering.” “Resting.” “Potting mate- rials.” ‘‘Orchid pests.”
Our copy from Mr. Peter Black, of Black & Flory, Slough, England.
@ Last October Mr. D. R. Symons, of Mascot, N.S.W., potted a back-bulb of cymbidium x Armynell in the usual compost. It had neither roots nor leaves. Within a few weeks of potting the bulb a growth appeared. This growth has turned out to be a flower spike. The grower considers this to be unusual and asks if others have had a similar experience.
.
————S eee
AUSTRALIAN ORCHID REVIEW, MARCH, 1949
Notes for Novices
® So much has now been written in the A.O.R. about the growing of Orchids in general and concerning individual genera by growers of considerable experience and success that there is little of detailed cultural advice remaining to be furnished, Further, the A.O.R. is growing lar- ger and, I consider, better and will naturally con- tinue to present the cultural ideas and practices of various growers from which novices may choose those best suited to their particular con- ditions. Again I would like to stress that be- cause Mr. X does this and Mr. Y does that it does not necessarily follow that a particular practice as detailed will suit your conditions. The basic principles will be sound but the de- tails might require modification. I am referring mainly to those with glasshouses, heated or otherwise and with varied collections. The majority of Sydney growers limit their collec- tions to Cymbidiums about which so much has been said and written that it would be super- fluous for me to dilate in regard to their general culture. However, in common with most Orchids they prefer a humid atmosphere during the growing period. So I would suggest that the ground under the benches or whatever structure it is in which they are grown be kept continually moist either by a covering of tan bark, cinders or other moisture-retaining mat- erial. If those be not available keep the surface of the ground open. If the surface be allowed to become hard or caked, water will run off it and it will remain dry, whereas a broken sur- face will retain moisture. If moss or such like could be induced to grow so much the better. It might be objected that mosses would en- courage slugs and snails. That is quite possible, but the defender type of bait is very effective and would keep those pests in check. The moss could be removed in winter if so desired.
Dendrobiums.—I should have thought that Post-war conditions would have resulted in a big increase in the Dendrobium population. Possibly there are now many plants about, but if so I am not aware of them and the exhibits at the shows have been disappointingly few and small. There have certainly been a few small plants of the new hybrids, but the plants of earlier days with their hundreds of bright- coloured flowers are missing. Why is it? A well-grown specimen of Den. nobile with some hundreds of blooms is, from an aesthetic angle, much more beautiful than a Cymbidium. Of Course, opinions may differ, but I think that
Page 17!
eee
many of the present growers of Orchids have not seen such specimens as used to be shown by Judge Markell and some of the older mem- bers of the Orchid Society of N.S.W. They are easy to grow and flower and do well under bush house treatment in and around Sydney, but I believe best results are obtained by grow- ing them in a glasshouse in spring and summer where the warmth and humidity would induce early and rapid growth and then in April moy- ing them into the bush house where an abun- dance of light and air would assist the pro- duction of flower buds. Water during the late autumn and winter should be just sufficient, to prevent undue shrivelling. Frequent water- ing during that period may result in many aerial growths instead of flower buds. At the time of writing these notes I have in flower Den. infundibulum and its variety Jamesianum. The snow-white flowers with yellowish patch in the labellum are, nearly as large as a small Cattleya and have been out now for eight weeks: and are still fresh. To my mind Den. War- dianum is more beautiful even that most hyb- rids. It is essentially a bush house subject, is. deciduous and flowers on the new growths.
Cattleyas.—The treatment I gave my Cattleyas during the last winter resulted from’ a factor which I had forgotten during the pre- vious winter. Then I brought several plants’ into a glassed-in verandah thinking they might winter better there than in the unheated glass- house. But I forgot that frost will penetrate glass up to 18 inches until I noticed one morn- ing that the moisture which had condensed on the windows had frozen and some Cattleya leaves blackened. Those in the glasshouse were not affected. Last winter I suspected would be severe and it was, with nearly two months of almost continual frosts. I built a frame out of heavy timber nine feet long, about four feet wide and four feet high with a glass lid. On
‘the floor three inches of cinders to conserve
moisure. Each afternoon about 4 o’clock I placed on the floor in the middle of the frame a lighted hurricane lamp, closed the lid and placed over it some heavy sacking. Each morn-. ing when the ground outside was white with frost, inside the frame the temperature varied from 52 to 60 degrees Fah. One filling of kerosene would keep the lamp going about 18 hours. As a result my Cattleyas, which made a very late start owing to the complete absence. of summer, were enabled to complete their
Page 18
growths and produced some fine flowers. I showed several of them at the October meet- ing of the Orchid Society of N.S.W. This idea may be of use to those who wish to try out a few Cattleyas but are dubious about doing so without a heated house. I still maintain, how- ever, that in and around Sydney Cattleyas can be grown successfully without artificial heat. When living in Sydney my Cattleyas grew and flowered well and regularly without artificial heat.
Manuring.—I would again refer growers to the notes on the ‘Feeding of Orchids” in the March, 1947, issue of the A.O.R. I have used the formula detailed in those notes and found it most effective. For novices with small col- lections a simple method is to make sufficient solution to fill a four gallon drum. Have a small bucket close by with an upturned pot in it. Dip a plant and then stand it on the pot to drain while the next plant is being dipped. The liquid which drains into the bucket may after- wards be returned to the drum and used over again.
AUSTRALIAN ORCHID REVIEW, MARCH, 1949 i
In an interesting letter I received from 4 correspondent in New Zealand the writer com- mented on my notes in the September issue of the A.O.R. concerning the flowering of Cym- bidiums and suggested that the late start into growth and the almost entire absence of sun- shine might adversely affect the flowering this
year. It will be interesting to note the result. ©
As a matter of fact many of my trees and
shrubs which flower in the spring had practic- i
ally no flowers at all this spring. Among the — Orchids Den. falcorostrum and Den. speciosum _ Even our lovely
had no flowers whatsoever. native Christmas bush and Christmas Bells did not flower.
@ Questions and Suggestions. —The Com- —
mittee of the Orchid Society of N.S.W. has re-
introduced a box for questions and suggestions —
at the Monthly Meetings of the Society.
Members are invited to make good use of it. — Questions submitted will be answered at the —
following meeting.
The Orchid Society of W.A.
@ This society, formed by a few enthusiasts a couple of years ago, is as yet scarcely out of the swaddling-clothes stage. However, it has successfuily weathered initial difficulties and now appears to be firmly established. At the annual meeting in November, the secretary re- ported a financial membership of 45, and the number is steadily increasing. Attendances at monthly meetings range around 30 or better.
Some of the more knowledgeable members, during their early efforts, found that, as local conditions differ from those of the Eastern States, a certain amount of pioneering work was necessary to determine suitable cultural methods and that to arrive at those methods in- volved resort to the process of trial and error.
While this proved costly for the pioneers, it has undoubtedly enhanced the appeal the society can make, for, at its mothnly meetings, thanks to the good offices of the experimentalists, mem- bers have an opportunity to learn the best that experience has revealed.
An active committee has been appointed whose duty it is to deal with the bulk of the routine business and make recommendations to the general meeting. Under this arrangement, the time occupied by general business at the monthly meetings has been reduced to about
half an hour, leaving the rest of the evening available for talks on Orchid culture and for practical demonstrations of plant division, pot- ting, etc. The system is working well and young growers are put on the right track from the outset.
Another popular feature of our meetings is that members tabling exhibits are called upon to give a brief description of their blooms, ex- plain their cultural methods, and answer any questions. A request has been made to members to jot down queries as they arise whilst work- ing in the greenhouse and hand them in to be answered at the ensuing meeting. It is hoped that this will develop into another useful aid, particularly to beginners.
@ The Western Australia Orchid Society has appointed Mr. J. S. Bridgman, of 49 St. Leonards Ave., West Leederville, Western Australia, to act as Publicity Officer and to supply notes to the A. O. Review.
We are glad to welcome our friends from the far side of the Continent and assure them that space will be available to them and that we not only wish this new society the success that the societies on the East Coast enjoy but will help them where ever possible to do so.
AUSTRALIAN ORCHID REVIEW, MARCH, 1949
Page 19
D.D.T. for Spraying Orchid Plants
JOHN C. DAVIS, Hon. Sec., Orchid Society of N.S.W.
@ Having had my share of troubles during the separate container, an excellent plan is to
recent flowering season with the depredations of various insect pests, I began asking questions about the use and efficacy of D.D.T. as a spray- ing medium for Orchids. During the course of conversation with my friends, it was sugges- ted I should write to Mr. Hermon Slade, an Orchid grower of many years’ experience, and a manufacturing chemist to boot. This appeared a very sound suggestion, so I promptly directed a number of questions to Mr. Slade. This gentle- man very courteously and promptly answered my questions and his reply is attached hereto: —
Mr. Slade’s Letter
“Iam very pleased to have received your let- ter of the 28th October, regarding the use of D.D.T. for spraying of Orchid plants.
“I have been interested in the use of D.D.T. as a plant spray for a considerable time, and other than on Curcubits such as melons, and legumes particularly French beans, I have not noticed any deleterious effects. In general, D.D.T. appears to be a highly useful insecticide as It not oniy results in good initial kill of many, but not all insects, but to a large extent it ren- ders plants immune from further attack for a considerable time. This is particularly notice- able in cabbages and related plants, for if they are sprayed when they are about quarter-grown,
espite almost daily visitation from cabbage butterfly the plant seems to retain immunity. This is probably due to the cabbage butterfly lava being highly sensitive to D.D.T.
“As far as Orchids are concerned, I have not noticed any ill effects, and have on the other hand noticed that some very troublesome pests such as Orchid scale in several forms, thrip, and in fact most pests that attack Orchids, seem to be readily held in check by D.D.T.
“Regarding the form and strength of the
material, I think that the best advice to give you 1s to suggest that you buy and used Taub- man’s “Rucide” or Lane’s “Wellspray Emul- sion.” Normally I make up my own D.D.T. spray, but it is a technical operation and raw materials are not always readily available. Taub- mans and Lanes make good products and. sell at reasonable prices.
“As far as tender seedlings are concerned, [I ave not noticed any deleterious effect on them, but suggest that D.D.T. be used with reason- ane caution. Where seedlings are kept in a
thoroughly spray all the walls of the container with a good strong spray, allow to thoroughly
_dry to render the D\D.T. insoluble and there-
fore permanent, and afterwards replace the seedlings. Any insect pests to gain progress to the seedlings would then have to pass over a film of D.D.T. which would result in most of them being killed.
“JT have not noticed any toxic effects from continued use of D.D.T. on mature plants, and normally find that once every two or three months is sufficient to keep most insect pests down. For instance, Cypripediums and Miltonias, both of which are very susceptible to attack from thrip, when sprayed as suggested show no sign of thrip attack and do ‘not seem to suffer ill effects from the D.D.T. Again, re- garding the spray dripping on composts, I have not noticed any deleterious results, but suggest that the amount allowed to get into the com- post be kept to as low a figure as practicable for safety’s sake.
“Theré is one very important caution to be observed when using D.D.T. sprays on Orchids and other plants..Envisage spraying a cabbage, you will realise the importance of having a wet- ting or spreading agent incorporated with D.D.T., because this prevents the little drops from running off the cabbage like ‘water off a duck’s back,’ in the literal sense. Thus a wet- ting agent is added so that the water wets the leaves. Now it is extremely important to use only the barest minimum of wetting agent to achieve this result, otherwise the water will not only wet the leaves, but will penetrate the stomata or breathing pores and may kill the plant by drowning. This is particularly notice- able when spraying the sheathing young shoots of plicate leaved plants such as Lycastes, and great care must be exercised when D.D.T. is used on young growths. I think, apart from obvious precautions of keeping the amount of Wetting agent to the minimum required to wet the leaves, it is a good idea to first of all spray the plants which have young growths, such as young Cymbidium growths or Lycastes,
with pure water so as to fill up the space which
is so sensitive. If then, a light spraying of D.D.T. is given, the concentration that falls into the growing shoot is reduced and conse- quently danger of damage by so-called burning will be lessened.”
Page 20
Orehids — When and How to wear them
@ There is little need for me to tell readers that the glamourous Orchid usually finds its way on to a feminine shoulder.
It is a great joy to know that these days we haye such an enormous variety of Cymbidium Orchids to choose from; it has all happened so quickly, only a few years ago we had to make up our mind whether it would be a rather dreary green or an even drearier brown corsage —to-day, we have the beautiful pastels—pinks, cyclamens, palest ice greens, yellows, through to the richest golden ones, and so on.
Much thought should be given to the size of the corsage, the colour and the shape. Corsage making in Australia has taken great strides in latter years, in fact one can safely say it com- pares with any country in the world. Great imagination can be shown by the clever florist, in the use of ribbon, cellophane, rare leaves, etc., the correct type of corsage for the time of day, the type of party, the frock, and most impor- tant of all, the wearer herself whether brunette, blonde or silver head.
I have always felt the greatest harm we can do to an Orchid is to wear too many, too often! For example, a well-tailored suit with an enor- mous corsage of six or eight Orchids, and you feel you never want to see one again, but a single Orchid or two cleverly placed on a lapel, and you cannot get to your florist quickly enough before your next luncheon party to do likewise; and then for the 6°p.m. to midnight session we can really let our heads go in so many different ways. Don’t always wear them on your shoulder—make a change.
The most important points in having your corsage “‘made up” are—see it is light in weight, and that the wires are nicely covered with cel- lophane, so as not to mark your very best dress after one wear.
Now let us touch on the luscious and truly lovely Cattleya Orchid; they are much more fragile and therefore not so practical to be worn on all occasions, but so exciting for special parties, balls and weddings.
It is a great pleausre to know that even the smallest pay envelope can afford an Orchid corsage to-day, and you go to your party with your oldest or newest party dress looking more glamourous, yourself feeling happy and confi- dent, all thanks to those who have spent so many years in improving the culture of Orchids.
BETTY H. OSBORNE.
AUSTRALIAN ORCHID REVIEW, MARCH, 1949
FOR CONTINUOUS HEATING
Heremitea safe, steady, easily regulated glass house heating system that requires a minimum of attention. Easy to instal, inexpensive to run, the Ideal Hot Water Heating System has all the practical features needed by Orchid growers.
The Ideal is a coke-burning boiler which burns all night without attention. There are no fumes . nothing but pure warm air can reach your plants. Write, ‘phone or call for quotes and full particulars.
or gases...
MEST
BOILERS
SWANS LTD.
Phone M4301 406-412 ELIZABETH STREET, SYDNEY
Branches at Hurstville and Parramatta
AUSTRALIAN ORCHID REVIEW, MARCH, 1949 . Page 21
kK. S&S. WALKER
AND ASSOCIATES
Announce
A NEW SERVICE TO ORCHID COLLECTORS
We import regularly hybrids and a few of the choicer species in the following genera
CATTLEYA AND BI- AND TRI-GENERIC HYBRIDS
CYMBIDIUM CYPRIPEDIUM DENDROBIUM VANDA ONCIDIUM _ MILTONIA ODONTOGLOSSUM ODONTIODA ODONTONIA ZYGOPETALUM ETC.
Write now, giving full name, address, and class of plants in which you are interested. You will then be placed on our MAILING LIST, and will receive full particulars of our offers at regular intervals, commencing late in March,
FOR YOUR CONVENIENCE we have arranged for a grower in each State to carry a repre- sentative stock of current offerings. You can thus see the grade of plant that you are buying, and book your order on the spot. A list of these addresses is given below.
K. S. WALKER AND ASSOCIATES
HEAD OFFICE: 45 MOUNTAIN VIEW RD., NORTH BALWYN, VICTORIA Telephone: WL3344
INTERSTATE AGENCIES AND DEPOTS—
QUEENSLAND: Mr. Trevor Hunt, 15 Challinor St., Ipswich.
SOUTH AUSTRALIA: Mr. R. L. Smith, 17 Tavistock St., Adelaide. TASMANIA: (under negotiation—enquire Head Office).
NEW SOUTH WALES: Mr. A. Royce, Aqua Flora Park, San Souci. WEST AUSTRALIA: Miss Sylvia Baker, 828 Beaufort St., Maylands.
a Ba a ee TE ee he
WHOLESALERS.—We are prepared to buy high quality even lines of popular orchids (no
cheap species). Please give full particulars and nett wholesale price per hundred or per dozen, according to your supply.
Page 22 AUSTRALIAN ORCHID REVIEW, MARCH, 1949
BLACK & FLORY Ltd.
SLOUGH, BUCKS., ENGLAND
SSO
Are now happy to announce that their stock is now recovered
from the hardships imposed upon it during the War years.
No catalogue is being published just yet, but prospective pur- chasers are respectfully requested to state in what genera they are interested and approximately the number of plants desired
to be sent.
Great Easter Show
SANDERS « SANDERS
Memory of
LOUIS SANDER
from 14th to 24th APRIL, 1949
1000 FLOWERING ORCHIDS! To be held at our
BRUGES’ (BELGIUM) NURSERIES
We shall be pleased to make all necessary reservations for you
SANDERS (ST. ALBANS) LTD., ST. ALBANS, HERTS., ENGLAND
AUSTRALIAN ORCHID REVIEW, MARCH, 1949
‘orchids
a ee,
We are the original pioneers and largest consignors of cymbidium blooms to the United States.
Our system of packing, merchandising and consigning is recognised im the United States as the best. We collect regularly throughout the season.
RELIABILITY, SERVICE
AND SATISFACTION.
WE PAY CASH e¢ CONTACT US EARLY.
x J. MITCHELL
i72 HARROW ROAD, KOGARAH, N.S.W.
telephone LwWws3s5o0e2
Page 23
Page 24 AUSTRALIAN ORCHID REVIEW, MARCH, 1949 —
Orchids
The SYDNEY A. SHEAD NURSERIES 61 HOMER STREET | UNDERCLIFFE N.S.W.
Messrs. Shepherd & Newman Pty. Ltd., printers of the ‘Australian Orchid Review," now have our catalogue in hand.
The main items featured in this catalogue will be:—
1. A list of all award winning Cymbidiums, Cattleyas and Cypri- pediums, with prices, and a description of each flower.
2. Six coloured photographs, and twelve black and white photo- graphs of the Cypripediums, Cattleyas and Cymbidiums con- sidered by the Orchid Society's judges to be the "Champions of Australia.”
3. Articles, by our best growers in each State, giving expert advice on the best and easiest way to grow orchids.
4. Photographs, and articles, relating to 15,000 seedlings offered for sale, with full particulars regarding size and prices.
Our Nurseries are now open from 9 a.m. to 3 ‘p.m. (Monday to Friday). Week-ends by appointment.
Ring MA7924
AUSTRALIAN ORCHID REVIEW, MARCH, 1949 Page 25
To:
Orchid Societies and Cymbidium Growers in America
The Nurseries of Sydney A. Shead, of Sydney, Australia, offer Cymbidium growers in America, South Africa, New Zealand and Europe a new avenue for the purchase of the finest varieties of modern cymbidiums which include plants that have gained Awards of Distinction and won Championships, and Grand Championships Over a period of recent years.
A catalogue is being prepared, and will be for- warded on request as soon as completed, covering a collection of some 20,000 plants, including 500 abso- lutely new varieties to you. These are considered by good judges and overseas visitors to be equal to the world’s best and will be offered at prices which con- stitute the best possible value. A description of each flower of the 500 will be included in the Catalogue.
This catalogue is being produced as the result of numerous enquiries from Mr. Shead’s many American connections, with whom he has maintained business relations for many years. ¥
Correspondence is invited, and should be addressed to “Sheads Nurseries,” 61 Homer Street, Under- cliffe, Sydney, N.S.W.
All enquiries will be answered promptly, and cata- logues mailed post free, together with the fullest in- formation regarding special varieties, prices, etc.
The catalogue includes a list of Westonbirt varieties with prices within the reach of small growers.
Good quality orchids including colour Hybrids in the most attractive shades are available at very reason-
able rates with special concessions to nurseries and florists. :
Sheads Nurseries.
Page 26
AUSTRALIAN ORCHID REVIEW, MARCH, 1949
HODGINS ORCHIDS
P.O. Box 108 FRANKSTON (Vic.)
Offer
Genuine quality Cymbidium Hybrids to the beginner.
Write for our Beginner's List.
Lists also available for the advanced grower.
QUALITY IN
ORCHIDS
CYMBIDIUMS (hybrids) Fine Range Available
Inspection Invited on any day by
arrangement
L. H. NEWMAN 80 Provincial Road, Lindfield Tel. JX2803
HYBRID CATTLEYA PLANTS From 10/6 Easy Culture. Details
MARK REYNOLDS
2 Oswald Street, Cremorne, N.S.W. XM2198
NOTICE TO GROWERS
If you have Orchid plants and bulbs to dispose of by way of sale or exchange, we cordially extend to you the classified advertising facilities provided for your convenience in the Australian Orchid Review, at a minimum of 5/- for two lines and 1/- per line afterwards.
All enquiries should be addressed to the publishers:
SHEPHERD & NEWMAN PTY. LTD. YURONG ST., SYDNEY
ORCHIDS
Regular consignments arriving by air from all parts of the world. Importa- tions include Dendrobiums, Coelogne, Aerides, Vandas, Arachnis, Cyps, Sphat- toglottis, Cattleya, Laelias, Epiden- drums, Phaius, and many others.
Specialist in Australian Native Species
Place your name on my regular mailing list for better Orchids at reasonable prices.
H. HOHNKE
PRINCESS ST., PETRIE.TERRACE, BRISBANE, 9. P.O. Box 193C. Phone: B8062
KNUDSON’S AGAR
and ; TOMATO JUICE AGAR TEST TUBES OR FLASKS. Other Media to your own Prescription.
Prices, etc., on request
W. H. BLACK 185 OXFORD ST., SYDNEY, N.S.W. Tel. FA7462
AUSTRALIAN ORCHID REVIEW, MARCH, 1949 ————
Announcement
THAI ORCHIDS
Vanda coerulea
4 Denisonian = Miss Agnes Joaquim 1 Hookeriana hy teres, etc.
Prices on application
NARONG & SONS
Rosa House, 74, Pramote 1 Lane, Bangkok, Thailand. Cable Ad
Bangkok"
Suravongs Rd., dress: “ROSA,
ORCHIDS
Special Post Free Collection Offers 12 COELOGYNES, 6 sorts
12 DENDROBIUMS, 12 sorts . 12 CYMBIDIUMS, & sorts. 12 CYPRIPEDIUMS, 4 sorts
75/-
, 0 grand and lovely flowering Orchids mos¢ suitable for Amateurs, £6/10/-, or by Air shipment £19,
Cash, please, with order
Get our New Descriptive Catalogue by gir, enclose four shillings in stamps for Postage.
L. B. PRADHAN & SONS PAKYONG, SIKKIM, INDIA {By Appointment to the Sikkim Govt.).
SS ee Notice to Advertisers vente to ‘Advertisers
All en
qUuiries as to Advertising space should
be addressed to the publishers:
AUSTRALIAN ORCHID REVIEW SHEPHERD & NEWMAN PTY. LTD. YURONG STREET, SYDNEY
Page 27
A Limited Number only left
FOR SALE AT ALL BOOKSELLERS |
A Cultural Table of Orchidaceous Plants by J. MURRAY COX
Illustrated in Colour. 400 pages.
No book of this description has been produced since 1932. It is long overdue.
The Table is comprehensive, embracing most genera and species known in a world-wide range of Orchids. Orchids are described and inform- ation given as to origin, natural conditions and the most successful method of cultivation.
There is a complete index which includes the correct botanical nomenclature as well as synonyms, so that, where Orchids are known by their popularly used names, they can be easily traced and referred to in the text. In addition, there is a useful glossary of botanical terms.
The Table, in fact, might aply be regarded as an encyclopaedia of orchids which should be in the library of every Orchid lover.
Price per copy: 4 guineas.
Published by
THE SHEPHERD PRESS
YURONG STREET, SYDNEY N.S.W., AUSTRALIA
Page 28
AUSTRALIAN ORCHID REVIEW, MARCH, 1949
Orchids = Orehids = Orchids
We have a fine collection of all varieties of Orchids, including Cymbidiums,
Dendrobiums, and many other Anthuriums, etc.
miscellaneous and glasshouse plants,
Inspection cordially invited any day (Sundays excepted)
JOHN BISSET
Nursery: 48 Wareemba St., Abbotsford. WA1124. Private: 8 Brisbane Ave., Lindfield. JA8906
ORCHID BOOKS, ETC.
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ORCHID CYMBIDIUM BOOKLET
“Helpful Knowledge for the Beginner’?
Written by A. E. BROWN 47 Union St., Kogarah, N.S.W.
Send a copy to your friends for Xmas. Send addres sand I will forward. Price, 1/6
Before you purchase any Cymbidium Orchid plants, read this booklet well, especially beginners. It should help you and save you oash.
Back Bulbs with roots and shoots a speciality, 5/- each.
AUSTRALIAN ORCHID REVIEW, MARCH, 1949
The Orchid Society of N.S.W.
Meets every Month: Y.W.C.A., Liverpool St. Opposite Anzac Memorial, Sydney MONDAY, MARCH 28 MONDAY, APRIL 25 MONDAY, MAY 30
Patron: President: Hon. Secretary: His Honour A. R. BEGG J. C. DAVIS JUDGE H. F. MARKELL 59 Drumalbyn Road 16 Jarrett St. “Kooyong,” Hastings Road BELLEVUE HILL CAMPSIE WARRAWEE, N.S.W. Phone: FM6034 Hon. Treasurer: Hon. Editor: F. WHITE W. WORTH 316 Parramatta Road 4 Ward Street BURWOOD WILLOUGHBY, N.S.W. Phone: UJ4026 Phone: XL3533
The Queensland Orchid Society
Patron:
E. J. BEARD, Esq., 207 Cavendish Rd., Coorparoo, SE2 President: Hon. Secretary: Hon. Treasurer: C. T. WHITE J. P. McPHEE 225 Main Street T. C. HARVEYSON Carmody Rd. Kangaroo Pr. G.P.O. Box 2002 X St. Lucia, $.W.1 BRISBANE BRISBANE BRISBANE The dates of the next meetings of the Society are as follow:— FRIDAY, MARCH 11 FRIDAY, APRIL 8 FRIDAY, MAY 13
Meeting Place: Miniature Rifle Range Building,
Boundary Street, Brisbane. Meetings held on the Second Friday of each mon
th. Visitors are welcome.
The Victorian Orchid Club
Meets on the third Monda
y in each month (January excepted), in the Indepen- dent Church Hall, Collin:
s Street, Melbourne, at 8 p.m. Prospective members welcome. The dates of the next meetings of the Club are as follow: MONDAY, MARCH 21 MONDAY, APRIL 18 MONDAY, MAY 16
President: Hon. Secretary:
G. E. FLOYD 25 Grandview Road BRIGHTON, S.5. "Phone, XB4996 nwick, S.4.
The Orehid Club of South Australia
Meets on 2nd Monday each month in the Builders and Contractors Bldg., 17 Waymouth St., Adelaide. Visitors are welcome.
MONDAY, MARCH 14 MONDAY, APRIL 11 MONDAY, MAY 9
Vice-President:
R. VICK T. W. CAMERON 32 Northcote Ave., 430 Bourke Street
BALWYN, E.8. MELBOURNE ’Phone WF2365 MU4377
Hon. Treasurer: A. C. DREDGE, 169 Cochrane Street, Elster
Patron: President: Hon Secretary-Treasurer: Dr. M. E. CHINNER R. L. SMITH, The Premier, Hon. T. PLAYFORD 16eOlivelGrove 17 Tavistock St., Norton Summit. HAZELWOOD PARK ADELAIDE.
Wholly set up, printed and published in UE by Shepherd & Newman Pt
y. Ltd., Yurong Street, Sydney Worth, Hon. Editor. :
AUSTRALIAN ORCHID REVIEW, MARCH, 1949
C.. Bow Bells is a botanical phenomenon among orchid plants. All plants grown from this one seed pod are strikingly similar in having all of the superior qualities desired in orchids. Unfortunately, the original Suzanne Hye parent has been lost and it has not been possible to repeat the cross. The plant itself is noted for its vigour and consequently is less difficult than most plants to grow. The flowers have all of the desirable qualities of a fine orchid. The wide petals and sepals have good form and carriage and the large wide lip has a ruffled edge. The flowers are large, having heavy texture, and the throat is beautifully coloured with yellow. As an example of similarity, we exhibited two plants of C. Bow Bells at the American Orchid Society meeting held at Miami, Fla., this year and each plant was awarded an F.C.C. This is a very rare occurrence.
Cattleya Bow Bells
(C. Edithiae White Empress, F.C.C. x C. Suzanne Hye)
A possible explanation of this phenomenon of size and vigor is tetraploidy, a condition in which each plant cell contains double the normal chromosome
compliment. Although tetraploidy in individual plants is a frequent occurrence,
the possibility of the new condition existing in all brother and sister plants of a
cross, as in C. Bow Bells, is extremely remote.
C. Bow Bells normally blooms in the late fall and early winter. We have a large block of these plants to work with and have used them extensively in breeding to obtain these desirable characteristics in hybrids that will bloom at other seasons. We are currently offering the following crosses for sale in community pots—minimum order 10 plants of a cross:
PRICE No. CROSS PER PLANT
R-699 CC. Bow Bells x C. Mossiae Wagneri - - - - - 0/15/8 Season—Winter
R-708 CC. Bow Bells x C. Celia, var. Rivermont - - - - - 0/12/6
Season—Fall
R-826 CC. Bow Bells x C. Snow Song ee ee - - - - 0/12/6 Season—Fall
If you are not already on our mailing list, write us and we will send our complete offerings. We shall be glad to recommend you for membership in the American Orchid Society. The mem- bership fee is £1/5/- annually and includes 12 issues of the Societys bulletin, a monthly magazine devoted to the Orchid cult.
CLINT McDADE AND SONS RIVERMONT ORCHIDS
SIGNAL MOUNTAIN TENNESSEE (a suburb of Chattanooga)
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Quarterly 14
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JUNE ISSUE V
Mill HULL
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VICTORIAN ORCHID CLUB, AND THE ORCHID CLUB OF SOUTH AUSTRALIA.
; NS
THE OFFICIAL ORGAN OF THE ORCHID SOCIETY OF NEW SOUTH WALES (INCORPOR. ATING THE NEWCASTLE ORCHID CIRCLE), THE QUEENSLAND ORCHID SOCIETY, THE
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Page ii AUSTRALIAN ORCHID REVIEW, JUNE, 1949
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ORCHIDS of Quality
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Girrahween Nurseries
190 WOLLONGONG RD., ARNCLIFFE SYDNEY, N.S.W. - TEL. {LX 1106
A Book for all Animal and Bird Lovers
Bush Animals of Australia
By AXEL POIGNANT
With Notes on Birds and Reptiles by J. R. Kinghorn, C.M.Z.S., and on Furred Animals by Ellis Troughton, C.M.Z.S., F.R.Z.S.
Containing 40 pages, each 141 x 94 inches, of magnificent Original Photographs of the Animals of Australia.
Price 8/6, including strong envelope for mailing overseas
OBTAINABLE FROM ALL LEADING BOOKSELLERS OR FROM THE SHEPHERD PRESS, YURONG STREET, SYDNEY, N.S.W.
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SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT TO ORCHID’ ENTHUSIASTS
John Bisset has pleasure in announcing the publication of Two Books on Orchid Culture which are invaluable aids to Orchid enthusiasts
THE CHARM OF GROWING ORCHIDS FOR EVERYBODY ORCHIDS by R. Bruce Hogg by P. A. Gilbert Over 200 pages with 32 pages of 232 pages of Cultural Notes and Photos Illustrations, Price 21/- (Post I/- extra) Price 25/- (Post I/- extra)
. E (Evenings) JA890 JOHN BISSET MARY =n Garb WII
AUSTRALIAN ORCHID REV
Volume 14 JUNE, 1949 | No. 2 The author of each article is responsible for the facts and opinions expressed therein.
Among Victorian Orchid Collections RNP ee ue Pet RANI teed > eonsan 35 Battin s Cones Ops aaa ae ttt peril gece ttin oe Pa Ginn ie OLB part rect 40 Bigibbum or Phalaenopsis? rs ak Sg Pete ER SOR aan lel 2 a woe 34 1 Soy British Orchid Growers’ Association i iehet ys 5 aU. Fal wr che Stal Sa) PeUaeen 39 \ i Cattleyas in Mackay Pe ee So Reh Re Peak cries Geo! Pens 32 \ ‘ GorsagemSpravee akin e manmmenien mee oun: onan otc Sie 1 aM pe 33 NS a — Development of Cymbidium Hybrids 9, ne stem om Oy) res23,0) SE Mig From the Editor’s Mail Bag as Be i ease) ie Perea yal ye BD Pha eitauie Lure of the Orchid, The ae ee ae SR eMiae y Soky dee ae Pr... ove BXG Orchid Growing in West Australia __..... nie ce Je the bests sok Mie & Sede ma 43 Orchid Landscape... A ak det ce ttyy Ge Coe pe, en Age END Se es PesteelndicatOrsh apse trian wth can ree See 33
A gpleety gha er ne A ah bee By Maas a7
Random Notes wn 0 7 Le I ly BARE EE 8 hie pai 4 5
Shoulder Spray, The — .... PRIDE. i pense br absthen = ate Sth am 40 INDEX TO ILLUSTRATIONS
Gymbidium x Adonis 9 9 on cree se we eee re ete Ge
Cymbidium x Girrahween var. Emid oe 0 oem oom ie rete seo, aa
Cymbidium, Family Breeding Chart © x. se un tae he ie 42
Subscription Rates: Australia and New Zealand, 10/- per annum; Overseas, 10/- sterling Per annum. Post free. Payable to Shepherd & Newman Pty. Ltd., Yurong Street, Sydney.
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TAN BARK SPECIALIST Special Orchid Collection Offers A. SMITH Delivered Free by Air Express
65 NORTH ROAD, EASTWOOD) = |_| ajmbidiums, “42; 25 “Cyorenediums, £8/10/4 29
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Supplier to Leading Growers MIRREEL EIEN MEE ee NUE, New or Rotted. Only the best THE HERBAL HOME
WM3675, WA9402 P.O. RHENOCK, SIKKIM 14, INDIA
Page 30
AUSTRALIAN ORCHID REVIEW, JUNE, 1949
Development of Cymbidium Hybrids
HUGH R. G. POATE, Sydney, N.S.W.
@ The recent arrival of “Sanders’ List of Orchid Hybrids to 1/1/46,” which contains the various known crosses of all varieties of Orchids, has provided a long awaited oppor- tunity of enquiring into the parentage of our popular Cymbidium hybrids which are so eminently suited by our Sydney climate. There are about 1120 recorded Cymbidium hybrids, the majority of which have been introduced during the last 20 years. The “List” is dated “to 1/1/46,” but contains a fair number of 1946 hybrids, this probably being made possible by the delay in publication. As a number of hybrids have been introduced in the three years since the “List” closed officially it is to be hoped that either Mr. Fred Sander or another member of the firm will be able to issue a sup- plement at say five year intervals or if this is a task now assuming too onerous proportions for him that the Royal Horticultural Society will carry on this arduous but valuable work as they do for Daffodils. ;
The “List” is arranged alphabetically and in the first part gives the name of each hybrid with its two parents, the name of the raiser and the year of introduction. The second part lists the name of each parent with the other parents used and the names of the resultant hybrids so that each hybrid is listed twice (under each parent), the total number of parents being about 328. Some parents have been used freely, such as Alexanderi, Ceres, Pauwelsii, Insigne Sanderae, etc., while others have only one listed cross, such as Thrush x _ Butterfly—Ilma; Yolande x Susette—Madder Rose; Ilma x Alex- anderi—Gossoon, etc., but judging by the quality of these hybrids it is likely that more crosses have been made from these individual parents and will be recorded in the near future.
Prior to 1905 a number of Cymbidium species were known and those mostly grown were eburneum and some of its varieties from the East Indies, grandiflorum and Tracyanum from the Himalayas and Lowianum from Burma. In 1905 Cymbidium insigne from Annam was shown by Sander and was awarded the F.C.C. of the R.HLS., its description being “a creamy white flower, the segments tipped with rese-purple and the white lip heavily spot- ted with bright purple.’ About the same time Sander had also introduced from Annam Cym- bidium Parishii Sanderae, “ivory white, lip yel- low with purple blotches” and a couple of years
later its varieties superbum, “pink, lip white mottled dark red” and splendens, “white, lip rose-red spotted crimson.” Erythrostylum had also come in from Annam in 1905, ‘white, marked purple, column crimson.” Thus we had the beginings of the colours in Cymbidiums.
The following excerpt is taken from Mr. Fred K. Sander’s introduction to this new “List of Hybrids” :—
“When my firm, through our intrepid collec- tor Micholitz, brought home, bloomed and ex- hibited Cymbidium Sanderi (insigne), erythros- tylum and Parishii Sanderae, we did not foresee that the discovery and cultivation of these species would create an entirely new, immensely valuable range of Orchids. We could not and did not foresee the huge quantities of invalu- able, long-sprayed, long-lasting, _ brightly- coloured Orchids, to be grown for cut flower purposes in all parts of the temperate world.
It is well worth putting on record that as in Cymbidiums so also in all types of Orchids there has bloomed from time to time one individual plant of quite outstanding merit as a parent for future generations.
As if it were but yesterday I can see before me the Cymbidium Alexanderi Westonbirt variety arranged with two or three other novel- ties for the edification of Sir George Holford, on his return to Westonbirt from a prolonged absence. Distinct and magnificent this one out- standing form bloomed among a considerable number of plants from the same seed pod. I did not and could not know, despite my admira- tion, that this one plant would create a vast multitude of superb Orchids, which a quarter of a century later would still be keenly sought after wherever Cymbidiums can be grown— What has occurred may well happen again. At any time someone somewhere will bloom an Orchid that can become the forerunner of im- proved types. So each grower should be on the alert to recognise the value of such an Orchid. This is by no means easy, or else many of us would not have readily parted with just such plants that have subsequently revolutionised a whole race of Orchids. Also it becomes increas- ingly difficult to produce such an outstanding, distinct hybrid because of the sterility of many multi-parented hybrids which refuse to pro- duce good seed or whose offspring refuse to grow and flower freely. It is therefore probable that in the near future breeders of Orchids will
AUSTRALIAN ORCHID REVIEW, JUNE, 1949
have to revert toa species for one of the parents of the crosses they make, in order to obtain fertile seed.”
The quotation is given at length because it Contains a real story and should be of value to hybridists. The parents of Alexanderi were eburneo-Lowianum x insigne and it was intro- duced by Sir George Holford, of Westonbirt, Tetbury, Glos., in 1911 and as Mr. Sanders in- dicates, it has had a wonderful and almost fomantic influence in the production of present day hybrids,
Prior to its introduction, Veitch in 1889 in- troduced eburneo-Lowianum so named after
th its parents; Colman crossed Lowianum x Tracyanum and named the cross Gattonense after his own estate of Gatton Park; in 1902 Wigan showed eburneum x Tracyanum and called it Wiganianum; 1906 Charlesworth crossed eburneum x giganteum and named it after the two parents and Sander introduced Holfordianum by crossing eburneum x grandi- florum and in 1908 Crayshaw crossed grandi- florum x Tracyanum and gave us Rosefieldense.
Then came the great year of 1911 when Sir George Holford introduced Alexanderi and Pauwels of Ghent, Belgium, gave us Pauwelsii
Y a cross from insigne x Lowianum. <A few other crosses from species were introduced and some have been of value as parents for better class hybrids, insigne x Tracyanum—Doris tom McBeans in 1912; insigne x grandiflorum —Conigsbyanum from Hamilton Smith in 1914; insigne x Parishii Sanderae—Dryad by Holford, 1914; insigne x giganteum—lIona by Armstrong & Brown, 1914, and as late as 1926
anbury crosed eburneum x erythrostylum— Niveum,
_ From 1914 onwards began the flood of hyb-
tids and with improved parents and improved methods of seed growing we are seeing better, 1gger and brighter Cymbidium hybrids every year with occasionally one outstanding flower such as Girrahween var. Gloria.
As an example of how the types have been used the following may be noted:—
Albanese.—30 recorded crosses—best known ere are x Alexanderi—Albania (which crossed with Ceres gives us the magnificently coloured
aes x Ceres—Bountiful; x Charm— armeuse; x Princesse Astrid—Princess Juli- ana, etc,
: Alexanderi.—129 recorded crosses—x Cas- or—Baldur; x Ceres—Louis Sander; x Conings- Donum— Cygnus; x Dorothy—Jeanette; x tyad—Merlin; x Eagle—Jungfrau; x Erica
beth, etc.
Page 31
Sander—Bodmin Moor; x Flamingo—Flamenco; x Garnet—Bullfinch; x Glasgow—Historian; x Goldfinch—Galaxy; x Gossander—Cassandra; x Gottianum—Eagle; x I’Ansonii—Emery; x Ilma—Gossoon; x Joy Sander—Janette; x Kit- tiwake—Rosanna; x Louis Sander—Neville Chamberlain; x Lowianum—President Wilson; x Lowii-grandiflorum—Miranda; x Mem. P. W. Janssen—Madonna; x Merlin—Flamingo; x Miranda—Jason; x Pauwelsii—Swallow; x Pre- sident Wilson—Falcon; x Princess Astrid—Prin- cess Elizabeth; x Rosanna—Balkis; x Seamew —Sandpiper; x Swallow—Arabella II; x Tityus —Dorchester, etc.
Ceres.—117 recorded crosses. The best known not already mentioned are x Castor— Trixie; x erythrostylum—Charm; x Flamingo —Gloriana; x Goosander—Jancis; x insigne— Lyoth; x Joy Sander—Joyful; x Louis Sander— Flame; x Lysander—Edzell; x Macaw—Nut- hatch; x Merlin—Cerlin; x Pauwelsii—Joy San- der; x Pearl—Ruskin; x President Wilson— Priam; x Ralph Sander—Carisbrook; x Swallow —Sunrise; x Toucan—Pocahontas; x Vesta— Profusion, &c.
Coningsbyanum.—36 tecorded crosses. x Deris—Guelda; x Miranda—Claudette, etc.
Flamingo.—35 recorded crosses including x Alexanderi—Flamenco; x Ceres—Gloriana; x Jason—Queen Mary; x Olympus—Queen Eliza-*
Insigne Sanderi.—70 recorded crosses, of which eburneo-Lowianum gave us Alexanderi, which has played such a dominant part; x Lowianum—Pauwelsii; x Magali Sander— Sus- ette; x Merlin—Goosander, etc. Insigne has probably played a greater part in the develop- ment of to-day’s hybrids than has any other of the Cymbidium species.
Lowianum.—48 recorded crosses including x Flamenco—Girrahween; x insigne—Pauwelsii; x Rosanna—Imbros; x Venus—Esmeralda, etc.
Pauwelsiiim—78 recorded crosses of which x Alexanderi—Swallow has given us a great number of beautiful ffowers; x Curlew—Goldi- locks; x grandiflorum—Erica Sander; x Joy Sander—Joyance; x President Wilson—Peri, etc:
In the 1948 shows in Sydney the most con- sistent place-getters were Cassandra, Arabella (Magnifica), Balkis and Charm (Elegance) while Girtahween (Enid) was the champion flower. Considerable comment has arisen over the varieties of Arabella and it will be seen from Sander’s List that there are two of them listed as Arabella I and Arabella II of very different parentage. Really, the numerous vari-
Page 32
eties of Swallow easily head the list, but as they are commonly known by. their varietal names they have not been grouped, although Soulan- geana is in the top class. The same applies to the varieties of Louis Sander, of which Girrahween and Kirribilli are outstanding.
Working out the family trees of those first named is very interesting and it will be seen what a big part has been played by Cymbidium
' See Breeding Charts on
From the Editor’s Mail Bag
@ Is there anyone among you who might be good enough to send me two or three addresses of dealers in seeds of hardy native Australian flowering plants as well as the adopted South African. flowering plants? Being from the latter country, I am very partial to their use in Cali- fornia, where they do remarkably well, as, of course, do the Australians. Hence my interest lies in trying to obtain continuous bloom through the year with as much colour as pos- sible by using the best of the products of countries similar to California.
Please accept my thanks in advance for what you may be able to do for me. It will be appre- ciated.
MARIA WILKES. 508 Moreno Avenue, Los Angeles 24, California, U.S.A.
CATTLEYAS IN MACKAY, NTH. QLD. @ Dear Sir,
I am in receipt of your letter inquiring about Cattleya Orchid growing in this locality.
In reply, first I know of no grower here who. has established Cattleyas on Frangipanni trees, though some of the native Dendrobiums are commonly grown in gardens in that way.
Cattleyas are grown here in clay pots or wood baskets in semi-shade provided by the usual form of bush house. Our own location is but a few hundred yards from the sea and only a few feet above sea level. The intervening area is mostly mangrove swamp, but a screen of trees gives some protection from saline winds. ‘The Orchids are, however, exposed to climatic ex- cesses of heat and cold, rain, humidity and droughts in each yearly cycle. From January to April we can expect up to 60 inches of rain with spasms of intense heat and humidity—so to 100 degrees F., with humidity around satura- tion. From May to August weather conditions become cooler and drier, when temperature read- ings as low as 33 degrees F. and 86 degrees F.
AUSTRALIAN ORCHID REVIEW, JUNE, 1949
insigne and Alexanderl and also the great work that was done by Sir George Holford. These family trees will also give our hybridists some idea as to what lines to follow and they also show how important is Mr. Fred Sander’s advice that every now and then it is necessary to put in a good type of species as a parent, the out- standing example in the ones now presented is Girrahween (Enid).
page 42
maximum have been recorded. From September to December the weather becomes very dry and hot with temperatures ranging from 60 degrees F. minimum to 100 degrees F. maximum. As most of the Cattleyas and allied genera obtain- able now are the product of the laboratory, test tube and glass house, with usually complete con- trol of these factors it can be understood. the growing conditions here are by no means ideal by comparison. The first consideration when obtaining new plants is that of acclimatisation and this is best done by having the plants arrive during the milder months of the year.
Perfect drainage is an essential when potting and tan bark from which the dross has been removed is used for planting in. The usual com- posts, particularly those containing sphagnum soon become sodden during the rainy season. Osmunda is quite good when used alone, but is difficult to obtain now.
Pests are numerous and troublesome under our open bush house conditions, the Orchids be- ing exposed to attacks by roving grasshoppers which destroy leaves, buds and flowers if given a chance. The jungle cockroach, a common pest, eats the green tips of exposed roots. Rats can be very destructive, but this danger has been overcome by hanging all plants by means of wire loops inserted through the rims of the pots. Scales, mites, woolly aphis and other insect pests have also to be continually guarded against, by means of spraying with suitable insecticides,
Watering is performed mainly by immersion in a mobile tank using rain water when avail- able. During the hot, dry months, this may be necessary three or four times per week with occasional hosing to increase humidity.
From the above brief summary then it can be concluded Orchid growing here is not any simpler than in the protective shelter of the
-modern heated glass house with its readily con-
trolled temperature, humidity, shade and mois- ture, as well as the greater security the glass house gives against invading pests. My own efforts here under these exposed conditions does indicate the great adaptability of the Cattleya
. = we = a a e ne rec nenenenerenennecrvennnnrm a RN es
AUSTRALIAN ORCHID REVIEW, JUNE, 1949
genus to very considerable variations of climate 4s, on the whole, most plants once acclimatised, Stow quite vigorously, some hybrids flowering twice per annum. However, Orchid growing here, just as anywhere, must be based on a sound Knowledge of the Orchid family and_ their natural requirements, and ability to apply this, as well as some patience, to enjoy successful and sustained results.
P.S. The Frangipanni Plumieria Acutifolia on which native Dendrobiums are scmetimes grown 1s the same as grown in Brisbane and Sydney.
R. BELL, Park Curator, Mackay.
Corsage Spray Making ‘Mrs. J. JOWNSON, Earlwood, N.S.W.
@ Tam a reader of the Orchid Review myself and think that an item or items on spray mak- ing with Cymbidium Orchids as suggested by ae McAuliffe in the December issue is a. good dea, :
I am afraid, however, that I will not be able to help very much, but I will write down the little kits that I have learnt as they come to mind, j
What kind of wire? In spray-making the wire used should be able to support the bloom, that 's, when the flower is wired one should be able aeol it upright without the bloom bending
When: Sprays can be worn, Orchid sprays may
© Worn at any time of the day. The spray made up of 1 or 2 blooms are ideal for the Winter suit or coat.
How many blooms? One or two blooms are quite enough for day wear. In the late afternoon ate €vening as many as 4 flowers can be worn.
t needs to be a very tall person to be able to Wear § blooms successfully. C Se or small flowers. One to three large ymbidium flowers can be made up into a nice ‘Pray, four medium sized flowers really make ‘n ideal spray for evening wear.
ee colour flowers? 1 think in asking what : Our is best one should first know when the SEY 1s to be worn. Pinks, whites and greens apace for night wear. They show up well Nder artificial light. The darker shades should lett for day wear,
What embellishments may be used? Cello- F ane should be used to cover all wires so that fy will not stain the frock of the wearer. habe may be used and also ribbon grass to ribko orm the shape of the spray. Manufactured n should not be used.
Page 33
In endeavouring to make a really good spray one should not depend upon the help of ribbons; they are really not a necessity.
How worn; up or down? The spray should be worn down. When it is being made the florist shapes her spray to be worn down. Therefore, when the wearer pins it upwards the spray loses its shape and does not look so attractive.
Are. Orchids suitable to use with other flowers? Yes, Orchids can be used quite suc- cessfully with other flowers such as tuber roses, hyacinths, delphintums or any other small choice blooms. One Orchid bloom made up with any of these flowers makes a really de- lightful spray and it is not so expensive as one entirely made of Orchids.
Pest Indicators in my Orchid House
CHAS. A. NEWMAN, Bayswater, W.A.
@ Readers of the A.O.R. may be interested to learn of the pest indicators that I use in my Orchid house. I work on the principle that every pest has some particular host that it favours initially above all others, and obsery- ance of this principle has proved to be a great time-saver.
For instance, I have found that Cyps. carry- ing heavy foliage are more susceptible than others to attacks by mealy bug. This pest in- variably makes for the mottled-leaf varieties first of all and, if these varieties are clean, there is no need to search further.
A scrutiny of the Insignes is a reliable guide to the presence or otherwise of scale, the In- signe being the first line to be assaulted. The Dracaena in my glass house gives the earliest warning of any red spider than might be about, and the Croton ranks as first priority-on the list of the thrip.
My Nepenthe tells me whether ants are mak- ing an unwelcome appearance. The Nepenthe belongs to the curious pitcher-plant family, one ef which grows in the Albany district. Its re- ceptacle is much longer and more conical in shape than that of the pitcher plant of local crigin and, instead of having a cap-covering to fit tightly over the orifice, it has a hood. The ants, attracted by a sweet syrup stored at the bottom of the pitcher, enter the orifice and are unable to get out again. All I have to do is to turn the contents of one of the pitchers into my hand—the work of a moment—and ants or no ants is the information given me.
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AUSTRALIAN ORCHID REVIEW, JUNE, 1949
Bigibbum or Phalaenopsis ?
@ Our naming of the coloured illustration in the. December, 1948, issue has been queried by several readers. The following letter from Mr. D..F. Sander of such a famous firm as Sanders (St. Albans), England, decided us to check up. The Hon. Editor.
Dear Sir, ;
I read with the usual interest your December number, and much enjoyed the beautiful re- production of Dendrobium Phalaenopsis.
Why is it titled “Bigibbum var. Phalaenop- sis?” Surely Bigibbum is really distinct from Phalaenopsis or Schroderianum? .
It is a little puzzling to me, as I know Bigib- bum is much smaller than Phalaenopsis, and having also a distinctly bigibbous lip, in other words distinctly chinned.
D. F. SANDER.
We forwarded this letter to Rev. H. M. R. Rupp, the Australian authority, with a request that he comment. He kindly replied as fol lows:—
The best way I can answer your query, re “Dendrobium Phalaenopsis,” is to quote from “A Review of the Genus Dendrobium in Aus- tralia,” by. Trevor E. Hunt and myself, pub- lished in Proc. Linn. Soc. N.S.W. Ixxii (1947- 8); p, 239.
“21. D. bigibbum Lindl . . . We find it neces- sary to associate with this species No. 44, D. Phalaenopsis Fitzg. . . . We have given much time and thought to the vexed problem of the relations between these beautiful North Queens- land Orchids. We realise that the conclusion we have at last reached will probably be unaccept- able to some of our readers, and that it will dis- appoint many who have been anxious to see a concise and clear statement of the distinctions between the numerous varieties (of both D. bigibbum and D. Phalaenopsis) which from time to time have ben recorded. But we have become convinced that F. M. Bailey was entirely correct, from the botanical standpoint, when he reduced Fitzgerald’s D. Phalaenopsis from specific rank to the status of a variety of D. bigibbum. (Queensland Flora, Vol. V, p. 1524.) We may assume, we think, that Fitzgerald has faithfully depicted the typical D. Phalaenopsis in Aust. Ochid 1, 7, and the typical D. bigib- bum in Aust. Orch. 11, 5. No one examining these plates can deny that there are differences between the two Orchids figured there; but are they in any respect more important than those
which distinguish type from variety in scores of other species? Lest this be thought too vague a comparison, take two of our own Australian species of the same genus, viz. D. ¢eretifolium and D. tetragonum. In what particulars are the differences between D. bigibbum and D. Phal- aenopsis more striking, or more important botanically; than those between the typical D. teretifolium and its tropical var. fasciculatum? or those between the little sober-hued flower of the typical D. tetragonum and the large and colourful flower cf var. giganteum? Even in their recognised varieties, D. bigibbum and D. Phalaenopsis seem to aproach one another. White’s var. compactum is generally considered a very distinctive form of the latter; but in what respects does it differ from Reichenbach’s D. bigibbum var. superbum? e
“Generally speaking, the flowers of D. Phal- aenopsis are superior, both in dimensions and in depth of colour, to those of D. bigibbum. But size and colour cannct be made the criteria for specific examination. It is the morphology of the flower which counts most; and we are satis- fied that the structural differences between the flowers of these plants are very slight, and even at their best, are not of much botanical im- portance. Differences in dimensions, colour- scheme, and precise shade of colour itself may be conveniently used to denote the distinctive appearance they give to this or that variant from the typical form; but not to establish new species. If this point of view is not accepted, why not split both bigibbum and Phalaenopsis into still more species? The difference between the typical ‘Cooktown Orchid’ and its var. Rothschildianum, or the new yar. W. Parton, seem to us greater than those which are sup- posed to distinguish it from D. Ligibbum. We follow Bailey in regarding D. Phalaenopsis as a large and beautiful form of D. bigibbum, it- self even more subject to variation that the species proper; and we think that’ its named varieties should be reduced to sub-varieties .. « We do not thing that in a review such as this we can enter into a discussion of the many varieties which have been published. Most of them are based on differences in the colour- scheme of the flowers; in a few there are other distinctions, such as dwarf and compact habit, &c. These variations are chiefly of interest to Orchid growers, and would be more appropri- ately discussed in a journal exclusively devoted to Orchid culture. We may add that in any
I a et ee Siemans resins msn
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AUSTRALIAN ORCHID REVIEW, JUNE, 1949
such discussion we think D. dicuphum F. Muell. should receive some consideration. At least one form of this species approaches very closely D. bigibbum var. candidum.” if
_ [may say that C. T. White himself concurs in our treatment of the subject. In fact Mr. Sander’s “challenge” is the first which has reached our notice. If you look at Fitg.’s two Plates referred to above, you will, I think, agree that D. Phalaenopsis is no less ‘‘double-spurred” than D, bigibbum.
‘dunt and I do not presume to take up the attitude, “We have spoken, and the subject is closed!” In fact, just because we realised the Complexity of the problem, we laid ourselves °pen to a charge of inconsistency by retaining
oth names in our list of Australian Dendrobes. ut we made it clear that our own investiga- “ons drove us to support F. M. Bailey in de- cuning to accept specific distinction between the two. Other investigators may differ from
Page 35
us; but we spent long weeks in studying the problem (the whole review took the best part’ of two years to complete); examining all the forms of which we could obtain specimens, and looking. up all the descriptions we could get. hold of. ry. ;
A reprint of ‘our review was posted to your Society, and unless such reprints are not kept,’ it should be in your library.. For -your con- venience, however, I have typed all the essen- tials of what we said on this’ particular prob- lem.
The typical D. bigibbum and the typical D. Phalaenopsis do look quite different; but they are the two extremes of a long series of inter- mediate forms of flowers; and if specific separ- ation be insisted upon, who is to judge whether any of these intermediates shall be placed with- in D. bigibbum or D. Phalaenopsis? It may be said it doesn’t matter much; but that way lies confusion.
Among Victorian Orchid Collections R. VICK, Balwyn, Vie. '
® Nestled snugly among a natural growth of 8um trees lies the floral farm of Messrs. K and - Jones, of Nunawading, one of the most tstern suburbs of Melbourne. As part of their >usiness they have developed steadily the grow- ng of Orchids —Cypripediums, Cymbidiums and Cattleyas, They had started their collection fore the war began, but active service tem- Porarily halted their plans which are now being Progressively developed. ees glass houses are used to accommodate “€ Orchids, the majority of which are Cyp- ‘pediums, One house is devoted entirely to yn. insigne, and the sunken type used has ee so successful that a new: house, erected a little over a year ago, has been built on the same principle. ; Peas latter house is about ten feet wide and € ridge stands about seven feet above the °er, which is approximately nine inches to a ah lower than the ground level outside. The . ' eG of cement bricks and about four feet a » Urainage from within the house flows to a ment pool covered by a grate inside the door. een ee door is open during suitable weather this mat air entering the house passes over eee carrying evaporated moisture with it. ie eds of tan bark about six inches high ©n either side of the central path which runs ae full length of the house. This retains a xImum of moisture. Small pieces of tiles
_bark, and the pots stand on these tiles.
about an inch thick are half-buried in the tan The Cypripediums are the picture of health and give every evidence of producing abundant flowers. In this house, too, are found a fine collection of Cattleyas recently added. These are sus- pended from two pipes, which run parallel with the length of the house and just clear of the edges of the pathway, and are approximately four feet above the ground level. They thus receive a maximum of moisture from below, and the good growth made is a clear indication that the plants are well satisfied with their new surroundings. In addition, quite a number of flowers were out, and the numerous sheaths in- dicated that more still were to come. Messrs. Jones Bros. should be well satisfied with these “suinea pigs” as they are affectionately called for the progress made by the plants since they were purchased has been very satisfactory.
The Cypripediums show one good indirect re- sult from the hanging pots of Cattleyas. The shade thrown by them — broken as it is — is evidently relished as the growth made by these plants placed nearer the wall where most shade falls is excellent.
A coke-boiler hot-water system provides the heat necessary. The pipes run along the walls on each side of the house about thirty inches above floor level. The house has a quite com- fortable feeling and an adequate moisture-con-
Page 36
tent. The roof has angle iron rafters into which the glass panes are set, and the whole is easily reached when shading has to be applied, or a pane replaced. Its only disadvantage is that to handle the Cypripediums some back bending is necessary. Constructed almost entirely of cement bricks and iron, replacements and repairs should be negligible.
Another house of somewhat similar dimen- sions, but of older design, contains another fine batch of Cypripediums and some Cattleyas.
In this house normal bench practice has been followed, with two side and one central bench. These are of the solid type in the case of the side benches, which have their bases covered with the same moisture-retaining tan bark over which the pots are placed. Here again the plants are thriving and show every promise of a heavy crop of flowers. The Cattleyas are staged at the northern warmer end of the house, and have made much progress in the last year or so.
The Cymbidium house, also of the sunken type, has no heating installation, and has been in operation for two to three years. The plants are this year making very definite progress— solid green leaves and large firm bulbs. Spikes are showing freely from both the older and the immature bulbs. The plants are not staged on benches of normal height, but stand either on the ground or are raised less than a foot.
Among the Cypripediums we find both species and hybrids. Being a commercial propo- sition, we find the free flowering types most popular and particularly the early flowering types. Among the latter were noticed fine flowers of Gigas Corndean Hall var., Harrisi- anum yar. Black Knight —a fine flower, St.
AUSTRALIAN ORCHID REVIEW, JUNE, 1949
Albans, Fairmaud, etc.— all with fine fong stems. Among other hybrids promising good crops of flowers are Dreadnought, Royal George, Swallow, Brita Rotunda, J. M. Black fine var., Lord Wolmer, John Henry, F.C.C. Beside the house devoted wholly to Insigne, there are good batches of the following species, Villosum, Hir- sutissimum, Charlesworthii.
The compost used for the Cypripediums con- sists of tan bark, leaf mould (much of which is gathered from under wattle trees) and broken up crocks. Over a deep layer of crocks in the pots is put a layer of pine needles so that little more than half the pot contains the compost in which the plants thrive. Fine root systems have been developed and plant after plant had roots right to the bottom of the pots. Careful atten- tion is paid to shade—to which these plants are very partial—watering and a warm humid at- mosphere. Plants are freely watered and fre- quently sprayed during the warm season when growth is at its maximum rate.
The Cattleyas are potted in todea fibre with- out any sphagnum, Watering overhead is not excessive, and the plants thrive upon the mois- ture arising from the moist bed below them. Among the varieties are many of outstanding quality, form and colour, namely, British Queen Cliftonii var., Magnifica, Soulange perfection, Profusion in variety, L.C. Queen Mary, L.C. Gatton Lily, L.C. Wembley.
Cymbidiums of class have been added to the list during the past two years, many of the good varieties having colour and form and de- corative value, namely, Sandpiper, Arabella, Stonechat, Cassandra, Galaxy, Swallows in variety including Ronnoc, Ceres var. F.J.H.
The Lure of the Orchid
P. L. MEECH, Artarmon, N.S.W.
@ Until comparatively recent years Orchid growing in Australia was confined to the weal- thier people and a few intrepid growers. Many and varied reasons accounted for this. One reason being that a large bank balance was necessary and another that only a few had suf- ficient knowledge to grow them and another the difficulty of procuring stock. These handi- caps and others have been completely elimina- ted, for now almost everyone from the poor to the rich can, and do, grow them.
You do not require a large cheque book nor a glasshouse or even “green-fingers.”
What is required is some common sense, a_
love of the plants and plenty of patience in relation to the size of the cheque book.
In and around Sydney we are blessed with a climate that is well nigh perfect for the grow- ing of some varieties of Orchids, and as Cym- bidiums do so well they are the beginner’s first choice. My remarks apply especially to them.
The newcomer does not have the pitfalls that older growers had, and does not have to prove by “trial and error” what to grow and how to grow it.
He merely has to consider certain sets of cir- cumstances such as location and environment after visiting various successful growers, and although he will see plants grown and housed
nnn one ne a _ -
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AUSTRALIAN ORCHID REVIEW, JUNE, 1949
differently he will frequently find that the Plants are growing well in each case.
The reason for this successful growing is that consideration has been given to the various Sets of circumstances to provide satisfactory 8rownig conditions.
It is this call for the use of common sense that makes Orchid growing so appealing to Many people.
Some of the main factors that a grower must Consider to become successful are light, sun,
Shade, compost, watering, air and temperature.
ere cannot be any hard and fast rule laid down for novices. Observation and experience are good teachers and very soon he will learn to alter unsatisfactory conditions and later on Combine the various conditions to the best 8towing advantage.
© new grower will find that potting mix- tures composed of tan bark, leaf mould, sand, charcoal, tung husks, old cow manure are used Successfully in various combination and quan- tities by different growers. It is for him to
nd out whether all or some of these ingredients or others suit his particular set of circumstan- Ces. Provided an open mixture is made and good
Tainage allowed it appears that Cymbidiums will grow in almost any compost. Each grower Sconer or later evolves and has a prefernce for
1S Own composts, consisting of one or more in- Sredients.
As IT am writing this a friend ‘dropped in” and looking for information or an argument I ask, what is the best compost for Cymbidiums? But he has closed the door and is quickly on
S way out. You see, he uses leaf mould, sand and cow manure and I use tan bark and char- Coal with the same results.
Although Cymbidiums will grow in the open, and I have seen them growing in full sunlight, it 1s advisable to provide them with some shade.
the expense of a bush house is too great the plants will do quite well under deciduous or high trees, but for ease of handling a bush Ouse is preferred. This should be constructed to face north-east to get the benefit of the Morning sun; this is essential, and the plants should be protected from the west and south Winds as far as possible. A lacing of ti-tree ‘wigs through wire or laths on the roof and Sides will be in order, ‘The idea being to have
tered sunlight on and off.
A rather low bench is indicated to allow close “xamination of the flowers as they appear.
~OWever, it is first necessary to get the plants. This is when the patience starts. If you have ‘large cheque book less patience is required as
Page 37
you can purchase large, flowering-sized plants. Usually, however, a start is made with back- bulbs. If possible these should be large and green; ones that have just lost their leaves are best. All the dead roots must be removed and the bulbs cleared of any scale and the cut sur- face rubbed with lime.
They should be placed in small pots, four- inch ones will do to start. The pots should be well crocked and filled with compost and placed in a warm spot. If a hot-box is available so much the better.
If the weather is warm it will not be long before a growth starts from the base of the bulb. This will usually make rapid progress. The new growth can be removed from the bulb when it has roots a few inches long and the bulb can be replaced to strike again. Sometimes several growths are obtained from the bulb by this method.
Larger plants will often need attention when purchased. If so, they should be removed from the pot, the back-bulbs and dead roots cut away, care being taken not to damage the live roots. Place lime on the cut surfaces and re-
‘place in a larger, well-crocked pot. Label it. Be
sparing with the water for a few days to allow the cuts and broken roots to heal. Give extra
shade.
Contrary to general opinion, I find these operations are best carried out in the warm parts of the year, October, November, March and April, missing the hottest and coldest months of the year. In any case, my own prac- tice is not to pot before October and not later than April. Actually, I divide plants until April whether in spike or not, and I have been doing this for years with good results.
These periods may not suit every grower, their conditions being different from mine.
Water freely daily during the summer months and reduce the quantity towards win- ter, when very little if any will be required.
Now that the Cymbidiums are well under way we shall have time to look round for other varieties, but I shall leave them for another time. These conclusions are strictly from my own experience and growers should not follow blindly but amend them to meet their indi- vidual conditions.
Shows to Come.
® Secretaries of State and Affiliated Societies are invited to forward particulars of their coming shows for insertion in the A.O.R.—location, date and time.
Page::38
AUSTRALIAN ORCHID. REVIEW, JUNE, 1949
Orchid Landscape
@: In a garden at Vaucluse,-near Sydney, Cym- bidium, Orchids .are grouped out-of-doors in landscape fashion with delightful and natural effect. The land has natural advantages such as slope to the north, outcrops of rocks, and native trees. With a, keen'sense of harmony, the owner, Mr. L. G. T: Plowman, has aded to the natural surroundings with cement pockets coloured and formed like the rock and cement. replicas of old tree stumps, all of which are containers for the Cymbidiums. Up in the forks of trees are large nests of Cyms. intermixed with Dendro- biums and ferns, principally Nepholepus and Haresfoot. Mr. Plowman has 166 different varieties of Cymbs. in his Orchid landscape garden. At present, October, these are a pro- fusion of bloom. About 400 visitors have viewed this garden recently as Mr. and Mrs. Plowman allow it to be used each year to augment the funds of Red Cross, Country Women’s and other -worthy organisations.
In this garden no pots are used. Cymbidiums are interspersed amongst ferns (Nepholepus and Mother-of-Millions grow profusely under the light shade of the trees) with here and there a batch of Primula Obconica or English Blue Bells. Masses of Azaleas and richly coloured Draecenas add to the colour scheme. Pendulous Cymbidiums spill their sprays over rocky rid- ges and from forks of trees. Near by two Aus- tralian Gigantic Lilies rear their enormous Heaik on stalks 14 feet high.
Mr. Plowman is an ardent believer in ihe “Orchidaceous‘” appearance of Cymbidiums. He deplores the present-day breeding out of this most fascinating charm of Orchids. If he were judging Cymbidiums he would give 50 per cent. of the points to the general orchidaceous appear- ance of the whole plant and another 25 per cent. to colour. He maintains that the modern gladiolus-like, Westonbirt type should be in a class of its own.
The nearer a Cymbidium resembles a string of brightly coloured spiders the more exotic and orchidaceous it is in Mr. Plowman’s opinion.
His experience has convinced him that it is impossible to get the best out of Cymbidiums when pot grown. Having read of Cymbidiums being found in their natural state with roots 30 feet long he marvels that they live at all in pots which only shows how plants will survive and flower with cramped roots.
In this garden a bed of Pauwelsii, at present
a mass of spikes averaging 28 flowers to each spike, is growing in a concrete imitation mass of stumps holding half a lorry load of tan bark and with enough root room for roots 40 feet or more long. Growth is luxuriant. A deep pink Ceres in enough tan bark to fill 4 kerosene tins sends out canes 6 feet long with very large flowers. Mr.:Plowman contends that large root- ing space ensures large blooms and plenty of them. Of course, in the sun the colour of the blooms does not hold as well in some shades as indoors, but the natural and artistic setting amply repays for this shortcoming.
As regard compost for out-of-doors culture Mr. Plowman finds that Cymbidiums will grow in almost anything. His tests have included pure fowl manure and dry sugar cane fibre, but he finds that on the whole tan bark is best. Large weep holes to give good drainage are, as all growers know, absolutely essential. For plants growing in baskets in forks of trees a fine mixture with some loam is used to help keep in moisture as dryness is much more preva- lent in trees than on the ground.
The paths in this garden are constructed so that one can leisurely wander in and out of Cymbidiums, ferns and fish ponds with here and there a thoughtful and restful seat, the back of which is crested with sprays of Cym- bidiums. This unique garden will be open for public inspection again next September. Mean- while, Mr. Plowman is quite willing to give the benefit of his experiences and experiments (he has had 45 years of them) to anyone de- siring assistance in the growing of Cymbidiums in landscape gardens, for he is convinced that once grown this way one would never revert to pot growing.
@ Since the publication of the picture of Mr. Plowman’s garden he has received a number of letters, both local and from England, enquiring if any manures were used to achieve such re- sults. His reply is that the Cymbidiums are growing in tan bark and nothing else. The par- ticular bed shown is built up to about 2 feet with concrete in the front and 3 feet at the back on a sloping rock. The area is about 6 feet square and holds about 1-3 load of tan bark.
@ The columns of the A.O. Review are available for more and more articles from Australians, and growers all over the world.
Se see i ne ene ne aaa
AUSTRALIAN ORCHID REVIEW,. JUNE, 1949
British Orchid Growers Association
© About a year ago, commercial Orchid Stowers in England and Scotland held a meet- ing in London to discuss the formation of an Orchid Growers’ Association. As a result of this meeting the Association has now had a robust existence for one year. The Association
38 a part of the Horticultural Trades Associa-
“on, and membership is open only to commer- cial Orchid growers in the British Isles. _ Mr. Peter McK. Black was elected the first *-airman and one hundred per cent, represen- tation was obtained so far as is known.
Reduction of expenses to importers of Orchids from England and in many parts of the world has been the prinicpal benefit. This
as been achieved through reduction in freight Fates by sending collective consignments,
The most difficult hurdle to negotiate during 1948, but one which has now been cleared, was ‘ne shipment of plants to Australia. The Cheapest and quickest route is that via Karachi and Calcutta, but the customs authorities in those now sOveriegn states imposed regulations Tendering the sending of Orchid plants more ifcult even than they were. In order to pre- Vent the exit from the packing cases of non- “Xistent diseases and insects the Indian regula- Hons insist on Orchid plants being packed in ‘rmetically sealed metal cases. The Pakistan Tegulations are slightly less absurd and insist Only that the plants shall be packed in insect- Proof canvas covers. Negotiations are still in Progress, but the going is hard. -
British hybrids may now be sent through
€w York and San Francisco at no extra cost to the importer, by reason of a special com- Modity rate for Orchids which has just been 8tanted by Pan American Airways, after the Association had puts its case before them some ume ago. There is little or no delay by this route and there is, of course, no danger of plants be-
8 temoved in transit.
An educational group was shown at Chelsea and Southport Shows, and a television talk was Stven in June, 1948.
Discussions have been had on many matters importance to British Orchid collectors Snerally. The exhibition of British-grown cut wers and of plants at various American and
ey 4 ; : Ane flower shows is to be carried out if pos- e,
of
. A small booklet especially devised for begin- “ts has just been published by the Association.
Page 39
The Association wound up its first yéar fit- tingly by the offer, duly accepted, of a very fine collection of cool and intermediate house plants for Wisley Gardens, in order that students passing through should be able to round off their horticultural education by learn- ing a little of Orchids.
(Hon. Ed.—A small booklet especially devised for be- ginners has been printed by the Association, and the Aus- tralian Orchid Review has permission to publish it with the best wishes of growers in England. This we hope to do in two: instalments as space becomes available. ]
@ Hornsby—Kur-ring-gai Orchid Society. —Second Annual Show. Saturday, 6th August, 1949. From 1 p.m. to 9 p.m. At the Soldiers’ Memorial Hall, Killara. Schedules available from, The Hon. Secretary, N. O. Arnett, 12 Florence St., Hornsby. JU15 64.
@ Should Orchids need watering twice in one day, there is something radically faulty in their cultivation, either the first watering is imper- fect, the pot is too small, the medium lacks nourishment, a draught requires diverting, or some artificial substance creates a non-Sydney evaporation.
There is no better method of watering pot
‘plants than by immersion’ in a bucket, tub or
tank until bubbles cease. It alone ensures a thorough watering with equal moisture throughout the material. All plants respond to it, and not much wonder. Each plant receives more than it gives. There is no loss by leaching. The water becomse impregnated with hormones and rich in plant food. It forcibly expels all foul air and is of itself partly or wholly aerated and always warmer than when taken from the tap cr.tank. Pots so watered require less fre- quent attention.
The disadvantages are, it entails much hand- ling, and takes a long time, also established or specimen Cymbidium pots are inconvenient in weight and size.
Consistent overhead watering, distinct from damping down, should be severely resisted and restricted entirely during extremely hot or dry weather; granted it freshens and revives the plant, but should the heat continue after the moisture \has evaporated, more harm than good can accrue. The plant opens its pores to the moisture, a condition at variance with the tem- perature, from which it has been denied the opportunity to defend itself.
F. Douglas, Mosman, N.S.W..
Page 40
The Shoulder Spray
(Miss) E. A. DUNLOP, @ The Orchid Society of N.S.W. recently did
me the honour of asking me to act as judge at one of the most outstanding exhibitions of Orchids I have witnessed. I found competition among the ladies of the Society to be very keen, and several approached me, asking for hints in the arrangement of Orchids into shoulder sprays. I do hope the following notes will be of some assistance to those and to any others who may be interested.
When. selecting Orchids to be worn think firstly of: (a) Colour; (b) Occasion.
Cattleyas, with all their lushness, are suitable for evening, party and wedding wear.
Cymbidiums, however, can be worn on all occasions and on most frocks, as there is more scope in the colour harmony and they are hardy.
If in doubt as to the colour to be chosen, use preferably white, cream or the palest shade available, as these are neutral.
When actually arranging Orchids, it should be remembered that these are to appear fore-
‘AUSTRALIAN ORCHID REVIEW, JUNE, 1949
most to the eye, with leaves fern and trimmings as a background.
Regarding these leaves, etc., preferably use hardy leaves, i.e. the spotted Dracaena leaves or reedy types which can be looped attractively, as these do not wilt. As maiden hair fern dies quickly when worn, select firm pieces, and use very little.
Wires should be as light in weight as possible, but sufficiently strong to support the weight of the bloom and hold it firmly in place when worn.
All wires should be concealed as, apart from the improvement in the appearance of the spray, the frock is quite protected. It is advisable to bind these as near as possible to the natural. colour of the stems with parafilm or cellophane —not tinsel material. This latter tends to em- phasise the stems, making them noticeable.
On occasions, ribbon trimmings are called for which will tone with frocks or accessories in which case use as little as possible and let it be of good quality.
All these trimmings should be regarded as merely a background and protection for the frock and should not be over prominent.
Barrington Tops. N.S.W.
W. W. ABELL, Durong, via Tingoora, Qld.
@ The Barrington Plateau or “The Tops” as they are better known forms-part of the Great Dividing Range that runs the full length of Eastern Australia. “The Tops” is near the little town of Gloucester, and is a happy hunting ground for the botanist. Anyone considering going there would be well advised to take a pack horse as the way is steep and narrow.
“The Tops’ holds much interest to the nature-lover, but in particular it abounds in terrestrial Orchids, and this was the attraction that led Alick Dockrill and myself to set out from the tiny mill settlement at Hancock’s Farm at 10 a.m. on Christmas Day, 1947. So, with Alick acting as guide, we set off in drizzl- ing rain and plunged into the dripping rain forest with four days to do the trip.
We ploughed along muddy timber tracks through the tall trees to the Allyn River, a crys- tal clear, cold mountain stream. Dense masses of Orchids clustered in the Casuarinas (oaks) on its banks. We waded through and began to climb.
We soon climbed out of the rain forest and emerged on the crest of the spur leading to
“The Tops.” Around us rose spur after spur leading up to the plateau, with densely-forested gullies between. Our way lay upwards through the open forest.
We passed through groves of tree-ferns, strips of Antarctic Beech rain forest and finally, at the top of our climb, came to the snow gums, grey, stunted and weird. A short walk brought us to Carey’s Peak after a night spent camped in the rain forest (for the limbs of the gums are brittle and risky to sleep under).
A wonderful panorama lay before us from the top of Carey’s Peak, 5064ft. Miles of rolling hills leading away to the coast in the distance, forested gullies, patchwork farmlands and small townships.
But behind us lay the moors and we had only three days left. So we unpacked in a hut on Barrington Moor and got out the collecting tins.
Alick’s tins were two in number, about 12ins. x 4ins. x 4ins. with tight fitting lids and they packed one on top of the other in a small haver- sack suspended over one shoulder. The tins were
Continued on page 44.
AUSTRALIAN ORCHID REVIEW, JUNE, 1949 ’ Page 41
CYMBIDIUM, GIRRAHWEEN VAR. EDNI
F.C.C. and Gold Medal, 1948, Orchid Society of N.S.W- Raceme of 10 flowers.
THE ORCHID SOCIETY OF NEW SOUTH WALES Annual Exhibitions, 1949
THE WINTER SHOW ) will be held at the Y.W.C.A., 189 Liverpool Street, Sydney (opp. Anzac Memorial), Monday, 27th June, 2 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Champion Cypripediums at their best. See the latest importations from England. Quaint and unusual types of Orchids. Beautiful Cattleyas, Early Cymbidiums, etc.
THE SPRING SHOW Open Day and Evening The Spring Orchid Exhibition will be held at the SYDNEY TOWN HALL, on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, 20th, 2Ist, 22nd September.
Cymbidiums in all their glory; Cattleyas, Dendrobiums, Odontoglossums. A riot of colour and eauty. Shoulder spray section for Cymbidiums.
Do not miss the District Exhibits, included this year for the first time. Individual competitive
Classes. Schedules available shortly.
The Society's Awards will be granted those Exhibits deemed worthy by the Judging Committee. Open 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.
J. C. DAVIS, Hon. Secretary. 16 Jarrett St., Campsie.
Page 42 AUSTRALIAN ORCHID REVIEW, JUNE, 1949
PERSONNEL
Hon. Editor: W. Worth, 4 Ward St., Willoughby, N.S.W. Phone: XL3533
Associates VICTORIA: QUEENSLAND: SOUTH AUSTRALIA: TASMANIA: WESTERN AUSTRALIA: R. Vick Trevor E. Hunt M. Hill H. J. Exley J. S. Bridgeman 32 Northcote Avy. 15 Challinor St., 26 Blanche St. 5 Bedford St. 49 St. Leonards Ave. Balwyn, E.8. Ipswich. Gawler New Town West Leederville.
Articles, photos, and drawings are invited, and may be forwarded to any of the above gentlemen, for publication in
the Australian Orchid Review.
CYMBIDIUM ADONIS This splendid specimen plant was grown and flowered in the far off, though important little town of Leeton, N.S.W., by Mr. John A. McAuliffe. A very creditable achievement under difficult conditions.
Cymbidiums. Family breeding chart
h GIRRAHWEEN etched Lowianun | Alexanders 1931 Alexanderi W-birt Flamingo ) Holford 1911 | Holford 1925 eburneo- insigne Alexanderi Merlin Lowianun ! Holford 1911 Holford 1920 eburneo-Lowianun insigne Alexanderi Dryad | Holford 1911 | Holford 1914 eburneo- insigne insigne Parishii Lowianun Sanderae
ne a a
AUSTRALIAN ORCHID REVIEW, JUNE, 1949
Page 43
Orchid Growing in West Australia
By the Society’s Publicity Officer
@ To what extent is Orchid growing carried on in Western Australia? This and cognate questions have reached me from the eastern side of the continent, so I shall endeavour to give some idea of what we are doing.
Judged by Eastern States’ standards, we can- Not claim to have any growers operating on a arge scale. In fact, I suppose that if you took the number of growers in N.S.W. or Victoria and divided it by 10, the quotient would rep- resent an overstatement of the position here, and the same would apply equally to the col- lections of growers. Thus we are still very much in the kindergarten stage, though some of our Stowers prefer to call it the pioneering stage.
In pre-war days, there might have been a Score of growers in this State. These individuals for the most part ploughed a lonely furrow, Some adopting hit-or-miss methods and hoping or the best; some experimenting to find cul- tural methods suitable for local conditions. To lve an instance of the former, a couple of en- thusiastic ladies started off 15 or 20 years ago with that good old stand-by Cyp. Insigne, and though working largely in the dark, obtained creditable results. One of them during the war found amongst some soldiers she was entertain- ing a Sydney man with knowledge of the cult,
r. E. J. Harcourt. He demonstrated the art of plant division and repotting and imparted much yaluable information. Being a staunch ydney man, he naturally stressed the virtues of the Cymbidium, and it was not long before
ubby was called upon to provide increased glass house accommodation and write cheques for additional plants. Such instances could be Multiplied, for by such purely fortuitous cir- cumstances did some of our earlier growers get a footing,
One of our earliest amateurs who has worked Wong sound and systematic lines is Mr. A. wens, of Claremont. For the last decade or so, © has corresponded with Mr. T. H. James, of the N.S.W, Society. A debt of gratitude is due to this gentleman for his willingness at all times *o assist the less favoured ones in this State. At a later stage, Mr. E. A. Hamilton, of Chats- Wood, and Mr. Marmion, of Lindfield, visited erth and did much to instruct and encourage Scal growers, Mr. Ewens, in turn, freely dis- Seminated the information he had acquired ‘mongst local growers and so, when our society
was formed a couple of years ago, there was a handy nucleus of members ready to pool their knowledge and make it available to others.
The real stimulus came with the inaugura- tion of the society when growers were enabled to get together and exchange ideas. The society has certainly been instrumental in stirring the enthusiasm of growers. Several members have made importations from the Eastern States and also from England and India. Various growers have remodelled their old glass houses or built new ones, and while these would appeal to a knowledgeable outsider as being mere pigmies, they do indicate advancement. To sum up the position one may say that Orchid growing here is in its infancy and is carried on mainly by novices as an interesting hobby.
Small but quality exhibits of Orchids have been staged at the annual shows of the Royal
. Agricultural Society held each year in October,
but some time must elapse befor the necessary development is obtained to justify members in holding a show of their own. However, the society is considering a proposal to make a shop window display in the winter. This should be the means of enlisting wider public interest in the culture of the Orchid and should prove a good advertisement for the society.
We are grateful to the Royal Agricultural Society for the encouragement it has given by making a room available for meetings, which are held on the third Friday in each month. Most of the time of the meetings is devoted to talks on, and demonstrations of cultural methods, and the society is appreciated for the truly educational work it is doing. No better tribute could be paid to this work than’ the remark of an experienced grower, who perhaps has most to impart and least to learn, when he said, “It would take quite a lot to keep me away from one of our meetings.” The member- ship is steadily increasing; there is a good deal of interchange of visits amongst members and altogether the future seems full of promise.
Admittedly we in this State have not natural conditions anything like comparable with those in N.S.W. This applies more particularly to the culture of the Cymbidium family, for which Sydney is justly famous. When a Sydney friend a few years ago suggested our growing Cym- bidiums under trees or improvised shelters, re- collections of our dry summer heat made some of us feel very nervous about it, but experi-
Page 44
ment showed that the requisite humidity could be supplied and that the plants could withstand
a temperature topping the century without any
noticeable ill-effects.
On the other hand, the equable winter climate of W.A. has advantages. Perth seldom experiences a low night temperature and so artificial heating is not necessary for quite a variety of Orchids. Though a few members have installed heating appliances, the cold house predominates.
W.A. growers are handicapped in the matter of obtaining supplies of bark and fibre. Mallet (not wattle) bark is the tanning agent used locally, and while an occasional grower claims to have used it on his Orchids with success, others report disastrous results. Be that as it may, most of our growers prefer wattle bark, which has to be imported fom the East, and where fibre and sphagnum moss are used, those, too, have to be imported.
Oak leaf tompost, when obtainable, seems to be generally favoured and there is no doubt that the plants respond to its use. In its absence, she- oak compost gives reasonably good results. An observant grower noticed that the wild Orchids were usually to be found at their best amongst the mould deposit from she-oak trees, and this led him to try it out. Differences of opinion exist as to whether the she-oak compost does not break down too quickly to entitle it to be regarded as a first-class compost.
As to water supply, Perth is served from the Mundaring and Canning reservoirs and the water, under normal conditions, seems to be quite suitable for Orchids. But conditions are not always normal. Though these reservoirs have ample storage, which is now being enlarged to serve additional country towns, the con- sumpion of the city and environs mounts so heavily during a heat wave as to exceed the de- livery capacity of the mains.
To eke out supplies, resort is had to deep bores, of which there are several around the city, and this water, being highly mineralised, is disliked by many plants, including Orchids. Some growers use tank water only; some have sunk wells to tap the supply that is available all under Perth at the level of the Swan River and the chain of lakes to the west of the city— water of excellent quality.
Taking into consideration housing, potting and range of Orchids, one of our vice-presi- dents, Mr. H. W. Mercer, has probably the best collection in the State. This grower, whose methods show the maximum of care and thoroughness, has experimented especially with
AUSTRALIAN ORCHID REVIEW, JUNE, 1949
Cymbidiums and, judging by the present con- dition of his plants, should meet with a con- siderable amount of success in the next year or two.
We realise only too well that there is still much that can be regarded as fluid in Orchid culture here. Practices of 10 years ago have been scrapped and fresh experience is being gained each year. Broadly speaking, however, it may be said that we are adopting largely the cul- tural methods employed in the East and that we read with the keenest interest. the notes pub- lished in each issue of the Australian Orchid Review.
While we are fully conscious of the difficul- ties presented by local conditions, we feel that we have reason to be satisfied with the progress of the last two years; we believe that we are now working along sound lines, and if, for the present, we must seek solace in the old injunc- tion ‘““Despise not the day of small things,” we are certainly aiming at getting somewhere worth while, even though we never expect “to set the Thames on fire.”
(Continued from page 40) lined with sphagnum moss to protect the deli- cate Orchid petals. Such was the wealth of specimens obtained that we used any tin we could find and packed them in the packs with our supplies.
The moors on the tops are swampy depressions with swift streams running through them. They are treeless. The bare sides of the ridges were covered with Orchids and had a few wom- bat holes in them. In sheltered parts of the swamps were large beds of sphagnum moss. A beautiful waterfall lay at the western end of the moor.
From dawn to dusk we combed the moors for specimens and at the end of our third day, with specimen tins crammed full, we were on our way back to spend the night at the top of the climb ready for the descent next day.
Back in Sydney we found our bag included some rare and interesting specimens. They con- sisted of:—Pterostylis—falcata, decurva, coc- cinca, parviflora, cycmecephala. Chiloglottis— reflexa, Gunnii trapeziformis. Thelymitra—ixio- des, venosa. Prasophyllum—Hopsonii, brevilabre, odoratum. Diuris—venosa, abbreviata (the for- mer is confined to the “Tops”). Caladenia—an- gustata. Gastrodia—sesamoides. Microtis—parvi- flora. Dipodium—puctatum. Of these Diuris abbreviata, Caladenia angustata, and Chiloglottis trapeziformis had not been previously recorded on Barrington Tops.
|
AUSTRALIAN ORCHID REVIEW, JUNE, 1949
Page 45
Random Notes R. BRUCE HOGG, Kew. Vie.
@ It might sound strange to readers, but (purely in the Orchid sense) since I discon- tnued writing for the Review I have felt lonely. Somehow there is companionship in a pen or Pencil for one can fraternise with mutual lovers of a hobby by being quite alone with a pencil and paper, just writing.
Of course, I know that I am known to my Nends as being a very fickle person, who for Some unknown reason, suddenly changes his allegiance from one friend to another (Orchids are friends), and it was in this spirit that I Passed on first one of the finest collections of Slippers in this country and then one of the finest collections of Cattleyas. However, at least I saw that each of them found a suitable home and I should console myself by saying that my Oss was their pleasure, but is it—for the Cattleyas now all have a liberal serving of lime On the compost which may make them wish they were back with me, but as yet they show nO sign of discontent in their new homes.
However, I am sure that both the Slippers and Cattleyas will forgive me, for their change Of location made room for a very fine collec- “on of their cousins, the Odontoglossum amily, which may haye never come to this Country had I not been so fickle; but what a tisk I took! Slippers and Cattleyas I found easy ‘0 grow, while I had rarely seen a healthy Odon- toglossum in this country, and I have seen a ew collections of 50 or 60 just fade away; but ‘ing always of an inquisitive frame of mind,
Ansisted on buying not only the plants, but With them the know-all of how to grow them.
My readers will be pleased to hear that I have und this family just as easy to grow as any other family, and what lovely Orchids they ‘rel How many of you have seen a healthy member of this family of A.M. class in flower?
Ow many know that a collection of them, and their half brothers, the Odontioda, will give Owers all the year round? How many know that because they are a cool (not cold) loving Orchid there is not the tedious attention to the Stove required by the Cattleya? And this family ends itself better to make up into shoulder ‘prays than any other Orchid. They are light, ‘it very flat and come in a great variety of Colour, Surely Princess Elizabeth would not ave allowed them to predominate in her wed- 8 corsage had they not been worthy.
set out to write random notes and, having
read the foregcing, it sounds more like propa- ganda, but it is not meant as such, for, for the time being, I am selfish enough to want to keep this family to myself.
Let me back away from the Odontoglossum family for a while and go back to my first love, the Cymbidium. We never stop learning. While my plants are as healthy as ever, during the last three years a yellow streaking or variegation has frequently appeared in the foliage of the new growths. They have grown, rooted and flowered as well as usual, but the fact remains that that yellow streaking is there. Some Sydney friends have said that it is mosaic. This I will not have, for I know mosaic is a killer, and plants do not from year to year grow and root as normal plants if they have mosaic.
Three years ago I started’ using considerable quantities of tan bark and oak leaf mould in my mixture, and I feel that one of these is respon-
‘sible, and since other growers who use tan bark
but only a little leaf mould have not as much variegation as I do, I put it down to the leaf mould. That great grower, the late Basil Hod- gins, called this condition “stomach ache,” and he was right. Next year there will be no leaf mould in my mix, although I am conscious that oak leaf is much stronger in manurial properties than any other. Perhaps I will plant a few check pots with a small quantity of a weaker leaf mould. I am going right back to red todea as a base with a filling of mountain soil, turf and tan bark. My plants never did better than when I used this mix. It may be that leaf mould can be freely used for outside growing, but should be restrained in glass house growth, for there is little doubt that the greater heat in a glass house brings about a more rapid, perhaps too rapid, release of the food contained in the leaf mould.
What strides have been made with the modern Cymbidium and what a lovely display they make! I am glad that colour is now occupying its just place. I well remember having the temerity (when Westonbirts were the boom) to say that a collection of Westonbirts was not a collection of Cymbidiums. However, I was pro- tected by that long 600 miles from Sydney and many Melbourne growers supported my view.
Of course, we all agree that the Cymbidium is seen at its best arranged in a glass house where the full grace of the long spike can best dis- play itself. It is nearly as beautiful in the house
Page 46
in large jardinieres — seven or eight spikes to each vase. I have kept them for six or eight weeks in this way, then cut off the individual flowers and put them in a floating bowl where they still retain their beauty; but the Cym- bidium loses most of its beauty, in my humble opinion, when made up in groups of one, two or three flowers into shoulder sprays.
Speaking of Cymbidiums, I am certain that the number of flowers we get is relative to the rapidity of growth in the spring. Those blessed with glass should use considerable heat until nature takes over the job, but those growing in the open are at the mercy of Jupiter. However, given a good start there is little doubt that the greater the aeration of the plants, the higher the percentage of flower, provided they get a good start in the spring. Thus, once spring re- strained its fickleness out-door growing could increase the percentage of flower.
Reverting to my present craze, they are do- ing remarkably well, but will never stand the sukdivision given to Cymbidiums, and in con- sequence, it will take many more years for the desirable varieties to be fully distributed. I re- potted all of mine this year and on advice from England I cut down the leaf mould in the mix- ture to about one-quarter of that previously used. A few plants shrivelled after potting, but now they are growing vigorously and I look forward to much pleasure as they flower, for I now have 15 or 16 which cost between £25 and £75 each. 3 ;
I have about eight Vuylstekeara. These I am informed are better than the Odontoglossum. They are a tri-generic family produced by cross- ing the Odontioda with the Miltonia. They are larger flowers than the Odontoglossum and have a far wider field of colour, and strangely, in spite of the Miltonia blood, have much longer lasting qualities.
Speaking of the Miltonia, what a lovely Orchid it is! I have 10 plants, but six of these were good yarieties imported at a high price (for this family) and I always look forward to them flowering. They last quite a while on the plant, but wilt rapidly when picked.
When the coloured plate of Miltonia ‘Maiden’s Blush’ (parentage unknown) appeared in a Lon- don paper, I wrote abroad seeking a division. I was informed that while it was a lovely Mil- tonia, better ones could be purchased at a frac- tion of its price, the reason being that when it received a high award at the last Chelsea Show, some Orchid authority said to a- journalist, “Maiden’s Blush, parentage unknown—wouldn’t the maiden blush.” This received world-wide
AUSTRALIAN ORCHID REVIEW, JUNE, 1949
publicity and created a demand for the variety which carried it to record prices.
Speaking of prices, Melbourne papers recently published a report of Orchids purchased at £500 each in England. I paid 50 guineas Sterling last year for Odontoglossum ‘Melbourne A.M. var. Susan.’ I cannot credit anyone paying 500 guineas for a plant, the flower of which they have not seen. Of course, I am aware that very high prices have been paid for Orchid plants in flower in Australia.
I have made a number of Odontoglossum crosses and have four nice pods ripening, also one very good Miltonia cross, one Vuylstekeara and two Odontonia. I have lost a number of crosses and am certain that the loss is due to watering over the foliage. Water carries a mul- titude of fungus spores and after cross fertilis- ing a plant water should not be sprayed on the wilting flower.
Fertilised plants should he hung where nor- mal spraying does not reach them. Until I did this, every Vuylstekeara cross died. I have only done one since and it has taken. The Vuyl- stekeara takes longer than any other Orchid to flower from seed—hence its price, but I under- stand that the Odontoglossum and Odontioda mature rapidly.
These notes would be incomplete without re- ference to Cattleyas and Slippers. I am certain that the chief desires of the Cattleya family are firstly, a minimum temperature of 60d.F. with a humidity of about 70 per cent., secondly, to be protected from the glare of bright sunlight, and thirdly, to be protected from the owner who, out of sheer love for his plants, cannot re- sist giving them just a little water every time he looks at them.
Slippers like cool, but never cold conditions, full shade in mid-summer and (apologies to the tan bark adherents) a mixture comprising chiefly red todea fibre and mountain soil, and strangely they are much more friendly to the free waterer than the Cattleya.
Well, friends, thank you for relieving my boredom and perhaps you will excuse me if I use the Review occasionally to have a chat with you.
@ As cymbidium buds emerge from the sheath wrap dry cotton wool around the stem and tie it below the bottom bud. If kept dry this will prevent slugs, snails and caterpillars from climbing the stem and chewing the buds and flowers.
en ROU OA eT nl SR i
AUSTRALIAN ORCHID REVIEW, JUNE, 1949
PUBLICATIONS RECEIVED
@ An illustrated folder and partial price list from Sanders (St. Albans) Ltd., England, con- tains 23 representative varieties, Cattleyas, Odontoglossums, Aerides, Epidendrum vitel- enum var. majus, Lycastes, Angraecums, Mas- devallias and highly coloured Cypripediums and Cymbidiums. Produced by the five colour pro- cess on art paper they are stated to be a fore- taste of those which will appear in the new
Orchid guide,
@ An interesting visitor by D.C.6 from Amer- lca recently was Mrs. N. R. Pamly, of San Mateo, California, who is a keen horticulturist,
ing a member of the San Francisco and Hills- borough Garden Clubs.
_ Local orchid growers were keenly interested iN a corsage of American grown cymbidiums of nice quality worn by Mrs. Pamly. The keeping quality of the cymbidiums was emphasised by the act that the corsage was presented to Mrs. Pamly on 29th March before leaving America.
¢ flowers were still quite bright and attractive ®n 30th April, at Killara, N.S.W.
Mrs. Pamly mentioned that our cymbidium Owers had been appreciated in San Francisco ast season, having proved both attractive and satisfactory,
Before leaving she had met our Patron, Judge Markell, with whom she had lunch and gained Much information about horticultural matters in Australia, particularly orchids.
© Dendrobium x Gatton Sunray F.C.C— Mr. D. Hemmings exhibited a fine sample of this grand Dendrobium at the November meet- ing of the Orchid Society of N.S.W. It was tightly adjudged the best Dendrobium at the Meeting,
This Dendrobium is a hybrid from the well- NOWn species Dalhousieanum and Chryso- foxum. It shows its Dalhousieanum parentage in ts wide lip with yellowish brown throat.
; The Chrysotoxum strain is shown in its pleas- ing light yellow petals. The two spikes carried bout 19 very large flowers on each. A well- 8town plant flowered in a warm glasshouse.
Sanders (St. Albans) Ltd. address is Royal
tchid Nursery, St. Albans, Herts., England.
€ report this because we have received a
I : ans : etter from a reader requesting this information.
l
Page 47
As the result of seeing Sander’s advertisement in recent issues of the A.O.R. he addressed a letter to the firm. It travelled to three Aus- tralian States and finally was returned to him.
The much-travelled envelope, now in our pos- session, is covered with postmarks tracing its wanderings. It didn’t get to Herts., England.
@ Queensland Orchid Society.—List of offi- cers for 1949.
Patron: E. J. Beard, 207 Cavendish Rd., Coorparoo, S.Ei2,
President: Dr. Alexander Inglis, 400 Queen St., Brisbane.
Hon. Secretary: 'T. C. Harveyson, G.P-.O. Box 2002X, Brisbane,
Hon. Treasurer: J. P. McPhee, Carmody Road, St. Lucia, $.W.1.
Hon. Technical Adviser: Prof. D. A. Herbert, 47 Adam- son St., Wooloowin.
Hon. Organiser: Mrs. H. J, Schmutter, Blackwood Rd.
Salisburv.
Classified Adwertisements
Minimum 2 lines, 5/-; and I/- per line afterwards.
VALUABLE ORCHID PLANTS for Sale or Ex- change for Stamp Collection. 7 Tilba Ave., Bal- main. N.S.W.
HYBRIDISTS Save Time and Money
Make certain your seeds are fertile. Examine your seeds before planting for presence of embryo. é
Inexpensive microscope suitable for Orchid culture, from
ALEX HALE PTY. LTD. Optometrists & Opticians 194 GEORGE STREET Cnr. Royal Arcade
BCPA
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INI Di GUS ene ORVWVAESRES Sydney/Honolulu cscs. 5/11 per lb. weight aay alee Francisco wu... 8/4 ve lb. YS Fa
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YO ARE INVITED
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@ Above is a shot from Cinesound pictures film of Mr. C. R. Deane's orchids at Greenacres.’ Taken from the homestead it shows some of the Orchid houses with the farm manager's home in the distance.
All Orchid lovers should see this large collection in its beautiful mountain setting.
Flower lovers can accept this as their special invitation to visit Greenacres display of flowering Cymbidiums from June to December.
Cymbidiums in flower for sale at prices that will please.
= sti cantatas a A at —
iin citainai
A section of our Flask House
IT’S THE CLIMATE
San Francisco's flower growing reputation is the result of it's naturally air
Conditioned atmosphere.
During our fifty years, we have found it quite easy to grow sturdy, healthy
0 1 e . . . ° tchid plants in our cool, clean, moist climate. Its all-year mildness permits
_ °Ptimum orchid growing conditions to be maintaind in our glass houses.
| LW, :
EK. W. McLELLAN CO.
BOX 289, COLMA SAN FRANCISCO, 25, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A. |
Exporters
Orchid G mporters—Hypbridizers.
TOWwers
Page 50 : AUSTRALIAN ORCHID REVIEW, JUNE, 1949
K. 8. WALKER
AND ASSOCIATES
wish to thank collectors for their strong support in recent months, and assure them of a continuation of the same careful attention.
No Orchid collector can afford not to try out our plants for himself. All sorts
of uncommon plants are regularly distributed by us, as well as choice plants, flowered and unflowered, of the latest popular hybrids.
Our Tasmanian friends can now book their erders through Mr. Alan Cruickshank, 72 Tolosa Street, Glenorchy.
Remember, we can deliver Orchids to your door practically anywhere in Aus- tralia, the plants are good, and prices surprisingly low.
Sander’s Hybrid List available shortly. Those on our Mailing List will be advised
HEAD OFFICE: 45 MOUNTAIN VIEW RD., NORTH BALWYN, VICTORIA
Telephone: WL3344
BLACK & FLORY Ltd.
SLOUGH, BUCKS., ENGLAND
ESD
Are now happy to announce that their stock is now recovered
from the hardships imposed upon it during the War years.
No catalogue is being published just yet, but prospective pur-
chasers are respectfully requested to state in what genera they
are interested and approximately the number of plants desired
to be sent.
ee
ares
AUSTRALIAN ORCHID REVIEW, JUNE, 1949 P\ Sous | Page 51
orchids ss teed,
We are the original pioneers and largest consignors of ecymbidium blooms to the United States.
Our system of packing, merchandising and consigning is recognised in the United States as the best. We collect regularly throughout the season.
RELIABILITY, SERVICE AND SATISFACTION.
WE PAY CASH ¢ CONTACT US EARLY.
* JB. MEPTCHELLEL
172 HARROW ROAD, KOGARAH, N.S.W.
telephone LW 3 5 0 2
Page 52 AUSTRALIAN ORCHID REVIEW, JUNE, 1949,
Orchids
The SYDNEY A. SHEAD NURSERIES 61 HOMER STREET UNDERCLIFFE N.S.W.
Messrs. Shepherd & Newman Pty. Ltd., printers of the ‘Australian Orchid Review,'' now have our catalogue in hand. We hope to have supplies ready for delivery during July.
The main items featured in this catalogue will be:—
1. A list of all award winning Cymbidiums, Cattleyas and Cypri- pediums, with prices, and a description of each flower.
2. Six coloured photographs, and twelve black and white photo- graphs of the Cypripediums, Cattleyas and Cymbidiums con-
sidered by the Orchid Society's judges to be the ‘Champions of Australia."
3. Articles, by our best growers in each State, giving expert advice on the best and easiest way to grow orchids.
4, Photographs, and articles, relating to 15,000 seedlings offered for sale, with full particulars regarding size and prices.
Our Nurseries are now open from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. (Monday to Friday). Week-ends by appointment.
Ring MA7924
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AUSTRALIAN ORCHID REVIEW, JUNE, 1949
Page 53
To:
Orchid Societies and Cymbidium Growers in America
The Nurseries of Sydney A. Shead, of Sydney, Australia, offer Cymbidium growers in America, South Africa, New Zealand and Europe a new avenue for the purchase of the finest varieties of modern cymbidiums which include plants that have gained Awards of Distinction and won Championships, and Grand Championships over a period of recent years.
A catalogue is being prepared, and will be for- warded on request as soon as completed, covering a collection of some 20,000 plants, including 500 abso- lutely new varieties to you. These are considered by good judges and overseas visitors to be equal to the world’s best and will be offered at prices which con- stitute the best possible value. A description of each flower of the 500 will be included in the Catalogue.
This catalogue is being produced as the result of numerous enquiries from Mr. Shead’s many American connections, with whom he has maintained business relations for many years.
Correspondence is invited, and should be addressed to “Sheads Nurseries,” 61 Homer Street, Under- cliffe, Sydney, N.S.W.
All enquiries will be answered promptly, and cata- logues mailed post free, together with the fullest in- formation regarding special varieties, prices, etc.
The catalogue includes a list of Westonbirt varieties with prices within the reach of small growers.
Good quality orchids including colour Hybrids in the most attractive shades are available at very reason- able rates with special concessions to nurseries and florists.
Sheads Nurseries.
Page 54 AUSTRALIAN ORCHID REVIEW, JUNE, 1949
FOR CONTINUOUS HEATING
HODGINS ORCHIDS
P.O. Box 108 FRANKSTON (Vic.)
Offer Genuine quality Cymbidium Hybrids to the beginner.
Write for our Beginner's List. e
Lists also available for the advanced grower.
Here is a safe, steady, easily regulated glass
house heating system that requires a minimum
of attention. Easy to instal, inexpensive to run, the Ideal Hot Water Heating System has all the practical features needed by Orchid growers. The Ideal is a coke-burning boiler which burns QUALITY IN all night without attention. There are no fumes or gases ... nothing but pure warm air can
reach your plants. Write, ‘phone or call for ORCHIDS
quotes and full particulars.
CYMBIDIUMS (hybrids)
Fine Range Available ~~ IDEAL, YVR § © AWM ne => IF) y ) ) y) A y Inspection Invited on any day by YD Ute 8 LD BOILERS arrangement e SWANS LTD. L. H. NEWMAN Phone M4301 80 Provincial Road, Lindfield . _ SYDNEY, N.S.W. | 406-412 ELIZABETH STREET, SYDNEY Tel. JX2803 Branches at Hurstville and Parramatta
AUSTRALIAN ORCHID REVIEW, JUNE, 1949 Page 55
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Announcement
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THAI ORCHIDS |
Vanda coerulea
1 Denisonian
] Miss Agnes Joaquim |
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" Hookeriana FOR SALE AT ALL BOOKSELLERS " teres, etc.
Prices on application A Cultural Table | NARONG & SONS of | Rosa House, 74, Pramote 1 Lane, Suravongs Rd., |
| Bangkok, Thailand. Cable Address: "ROSA, Orchidaceous Plants | | Bangkok"
by J. MURRAY COX
|
Illustrated in Colour. 400 pages.
HYBRID CATTLEYA PLANTS
i From 10/6 No book of this description has been produced Easy Culture. Details since 1932. It is long overdue. The Table is comprehensive, embracing most
MARK REYNOLDS genera and species known in a world-wide range 2 Oswald Street, Cremorne, N.S.W. of Orchids. Orchids are described and inform-
XM2198 ation given as to origin, natural conditions and the most successful method of cultivation.
There is a complete index which includes the
K N UD SON'S AGAR correct botanical nomenclature as well as |
(Formula “C”) synonyms, so that, where Orchids are known by |
Test Tube Quantities—25/- doz., their popularly used names, they can be easily
180/- gross traced and referred to in the text. In addition,
Flask quantities. Prices on application. there is a useful glossary of botanical terms. ther media to your own prescription.
L The Table, in fact, might aply be regarded as an
Outfits. ’ 5 i 5
Sterilised Seed-to-Agar Planting encyclopaedia of orchids which should be in the library of every Orchid lover.
Further particulars on request.
] : W. H. BLACK 85 OXFORD ST., SYDNEY, N.S.W. Tel. FA7462
Price per copy: 4 guineas.
@ Notice to Advertisers:
All en sh
Published by
THE SHEPHERD PRESS
YURONG STREET, SYDNEY N.S.W., AUSTRALIA
quiries as to Advertising space ould be addressed to the publishers:
5 AUSTRALIAN ORCHID REVIEW HEPHERD & NEWMAN PTY. LTD. YURONG STREET, SYDNEY
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Page 56
AUSTRALIAN ORCHID REVIEW, JUNE, 1949
Orchids =