1

Sutherland Shire Orchid Society December 2016

Reminders:

Membership Renewals Now

Due

Growing Competition Next

Meeting

Upcoming Events:

SSOS December Meeting and

Christmas Party 12th Dec

SSOS January Monthly

Meeting 9th Jan

Camden Haven Orchid

Society Show 14th Jan

President: Frank Daniel

Vice President: Jan Robinson

Editor: Richard Dimon

dimon.richard@gmail.com

SSOS Christmas Party & Giant Raffle will be held on

12 Dec 2016

Don't forget to bring a ($10) gift for the raffle and a

plate of food for the party, such as sandwiches, cakes,

fruit or chocolates.

2

SSOS GENERAL MEETING MINUTES - 14

November 2016

Frank Daniel, our President extended a welcome to our

members and guest, Wendy Dhu. He asked for a member to

motion that the October minutes which were printed in the

Bulletin and distributed either by mail or email were accurate.

Sandra Crosby motioned they were correct.

It was with regret that Frank informed members that our

member John Moss passed away on 24 October 2016. Some of

you may have seen John at Spring Show in September. Frank

thanks those who attended the funeral. The Society will send a

donation of $100 to Calvary Hospital in lieu of flowers at his

funeral. All stood for a minute's silence in memory of John.

We have no new members since last meeting.

Correspondence received included newsletters from OSNSW,

Eastern Suburbs, Eurobodalla, North Shore and Batemans Bay

Orchid societies.

As guest speaker, Wendy Dhu presented on the different types

of Dendrochilum orchids and gave members tips on how to

grow them successfully. She also brought plants from Royale

Orchids for sale.

December meeting: Christmas party & judging of growing

competition

January meeting: Seedling competition presented by Richard

Dimon; & George Birss to talk on his orchidaceous adventure.

February meeting: we hope to have Karen Sommerville from

Royal Botanic Gardens to talk on her work in pollinating Diuris

arenaria and other Diuris species.

MARCH is the AGM.

ITEMS OF INTEREST

Our Society’s membership renewals are now due. Last year

members were offered the opportunity to win a 12 month

subscription to Orchids Australia if you paid your renewal by

the January 2016 meeting. The committee has agreed to repeat

the offer this year. All members who pay their membership

renewal before the February meeting will go in the draw for a 12

month subscription to Orchids Australia. For those of you who

wish to receive the bulletin in the mail there will be an

additional charge of $15 per annum to assist with the

photocopying and postage costs. This does not apply to life

members.

The Christmas Party will be held at the December meeting. We

will have the giant raffle and members are asked to bring a gift

worth $10 to donate to the raffle. The gift can be anything, with

plants, wine and chocolates being popular. Also this year we

won't be having the usual food. Members are asked to bring a

small plate of sandwiches, cakes, slices, fruit or chocolates for

the party.

OSNSW Newsletter published the awards for plants from the

recent shows which included some of our members.

At the Sutherland Monthly meeting Col Brandon was awarded

an AM for Dendrobium speciosum ‘Nifty’

At the Sutherland Spring Show, See Ting Ho was awarded an

AM for Paphiopedilum Shun-Fa Golden ‘Yeowie’; Richard

Dimon was awarded an AM for Dendrobium tetragonum var,

melaleucaphilum ACM ‘Mandarin Explosion’; Col Brandon was

awarded an AM for Dendrobium aemulum ‘Tweed’; Jan

Robinson was awarded an HCC for Dendrobium speciosum

‘Memoria Neville Roper’.

The Society currently has two vacant executive positions on the

committee, being Secretary and Treasurer as well as one

committee position. Jan Robinson is currently performing the

Treasurer's role and Rhonda Jackson is performing the role of

Secretary. The President's position will fall vacant in March.

Members are asked to seriously consider nominating for these

positions at the AGM in March 2017.

For many years Madge and Karen Errington have prepared the

tea and coffee at the meetings and have advised they are no

longer able to organise the suppers at the meetings next year.

Sarcochilus hartmannii 'Vacy' grown by Sandra

Crosby & Tony Costa

3

The Society is very pleased that Mike and Diane Hannah have

agreed to take over this role.

The growing competition will be judged at the December

meeting, so don’t forget to bring your plants along.

Frank had pleasure in announcing that Ian Chalmers and Irene

Bodell were married in Scotland on Saturday, 12 November

2016.

The Society received an email notifying a one day clearance sale

of Laurie Martin's orchids on Saturday, 19 November 2016 at St

Clair as Laurie can no longer look after his orchids. On sale

were Vandaceous, Paphiopedilum, Dendrobium exotic and

Australian natives, Stanhopea, Oncidiinae and Cattleya species

and hybrids; and other miscellaneous genera.

Eurobodalla Orchid Society have notified the orchid sale of their

member, Tom Kelly who is undergoing an extremely

challenging time health wise and finds that all his much loved

collection must be sold. It will be held on Saturday 26

November at 40 Salmon Street, Tuross Head from 10am to

2pm. There is over 500 Sarcochilus, quite a few speciosums &

other genre.

NAME BADGE DRAW – Eddie Chin

LUCKY PLANTS - Tony Costa and Sandra Crosby, May Luk and

John Costa

PRESIDENT'S AWARD - Wayne McEvoy for LC Tropical

Pointer 'cheetah'

RAFFLE: Vic Petrovski, Wal Chapman, Lee Buivids (2), Pat Dos

Santos, Dianne Phillips, Terry Thompson, Pam Davies, Eleanor

Whiting, Frank Daniel, Elise Burriss and Robert Cawley. Thank

you to John Moss' family who donated a framed orchid print for

the raffle.

Next meeting: 12 December 2016

YOU GREW IT!

Chysis laevis - exhibited by Lee Buivids

In referencing this plant in particular and the genus “Chysis” I

believe that Lee’s plant may be wrongly labelled. I can only

make this assumption from looking at the picture of the plant

on the night and the references I have.

There are about six recognised species in this genus some are

distinguishable by colour but most by the “calli” or “keel” on the

lip. These are a raised area, that look like teeth. On Chysis laevis

and Chysis aurea the lip has 5 keel (the three central ones are

white the outer two are coloured).

Lee’s plant, looking closely at the photo there are only three

white keel which is a characteristic of Chysis tricostata, refered

to as “the three ribbed Chysis”.

Chysis tricostata, C. Laevis and C. Aurea all have very similar

colouring and growing requirements and are rarely seen in

collections.

Chysis tricostata is native to Nicaragua and Costa Rica as a

warm growing epyphite at elevations around 1300metres. A

deciduous orchid, where leaves can last 2 years are broad, soft

and papery and will adapt to bright conditions. The flower stem

grows from the base of pseudobulb on a new growth and tends

4

to pendulous. This plant grows well mounted to accommodate

the pendulous habit of the inflorescence. Flowers last 2 -3 weeks

are mainly a cream with yellow / orange spreading along the

petals and sepals. The plant likes intermediate growing

temperatures, filtered light, kept evenly moist during growing

period, but dryer after the leaves fall off.

Dryadella edwallii – exhibited by Sandra

Crosby and Tony Costa

“The partridge in the grass orchid”

A miniature species from Brazil found at elevations of 350 –

1800m.

Growing as a tuft of erect dark green leathery leaves that are

about 3 -6 cm long, this plant even when a specimen still only

takes up a small space on the bench.

The single flowers appear on a shout 2cm inflorescence that are

much shorter than the leaves and the flowers, that are only 2 -3

cm are yellowish green with dark purple spots appear to be

hiding and often a grower will miss the flowering because the

flowers are hard to see with their colouring and hidden

amongst the foliage.

A terrific little orchid as most of the Dryadella genus are, as they

take up very little room, relatively easy to grow. Plants can be

grown in fine bark and perlite to drain quickly but like to be

moist without being continually wet. Keep in partial shade. A

specimen plant will fill a 80mm pot.

Dendrobium thyrsiflorum – exhibited by Jan

Robinson

Found growing in the Himalayas and mountains of Indo China

(hence the nick name “Indian Dendrobium”) as a small to large,

cool growing epiphyte, lithophytes or terrestrial at elevations of

1200 – 2000m in humid, mossy forests.

The slender, roundish, long, yellowish canes will have 5 – 7 dark

green leaves from where the inflorescence arises from the apex

of the cane. The “bunch of grapes” formation of 30 – 50 densely

grouped flowers that can be up to 5mm wide hang in a

spectacular display. The beautiful white flowers with a yellow /

gold broad lip have a very fine serration on the outer edges.

An easy to grow orchid that gives a wonderful display, as do all

of the Indian Dendrobiums, unfortunately only lasts about a

week, but once a plant is well established with numerous

growths holding many heads of flowers the rewards are

justified.

The plant likes a well drained, course mix. Likes to be kept moist

and well fertilized during the growth season with a drier Winter.

Easy to grow in Sydney, under shade cloth.

5

Cymbidium canaliculatum – exhibited by

Sandra Crosby and Tony Costa

Widespread from the Hunter Valley in NSW, to Cape York, and

across the Northern Territory into the Kimberley districts of

W.A. This is a much tougher orchid than the other two

Australian Cymbidiums, C. madidum and C. suave and is found

further inland than most epiphytes. It has a preference for the

drier woodlands particularly on the western side of the Great

Dividing Range. One of it’s favourite hosts is old fence posts in

blazing sun where nothing else would survive. They also like old

Eucalyptus trees where their extensive root systems will travel

down the core seeking nutrients and to insulate the roots. If you

take them out of these environments and give them “better”

conditions the results are often fatal for the plant.

The long stiff, channelled leaves run the rain water and morning

dew down to the pseudobulbs which store moisture, thus

allowing the plant to survive under harsh arid conditions.

From the pseudobulbs a long raceme, that can be pendulous or

upright and up to 50cm long emerges which can carry up to 60

fragrant green, brown flowers that often heavily banded or

spotted to the “sparkesii” variety from North Queensland that

can withstand more humidity and is found closer to the coast.

This one is often referred to as the “black orchid” as the flowers

are a deep maroon and they sometimes appear almost black.

They can sometimes have a gold band on the outer edges of the

petals and sepals.

A hard orchid to grow on the coast, with high humidity and high

rainfall, where the pseudobulbs will rot. The orchid is used to

hot, dry conditions with full sun all year round. The best way to

grow it is to follow nature and water vary rarely.

The potting mix should be a coarse open mix and slightly

alkaline, so add lime or dolomite to the mix.

Monthly Results – October 2016

MONTHLY JUDGING RESULTS

For : Nov-16

PLANT OF NIGHT

Winner Aerangis Elro S. T. Ho

OPEN CLASS HYBRID

Winner Aerangis Elro S. T. Ho

OPEN CLASS SPECIES

Winner C. mossiae W. McEvoy

INTERMEDIATE JUDGES CHOICE

Winner Mps. Breathless 'Brilliant'

C. Matheson

NOVICE & JUNIOR JUDGES CHOICE

Winner Gp. Lady Ramona Harris

J. Chan

PRESIDENT'S CHOICE

Winner Lc. Tropical Pointer 'Cheetah'

W. McEvoy

CLASS # 1 AUSTRALIAN NATIVES

1st Sarco. hartmannii 'Vacy' Crosby/Costa

2nd Cym. canaliculatum Crosby/Costa

3rd Sarco. hartmannii var alba

L. Buivids

4th Sarco. hartmannii var alba 'Blue Knob'

Crosby/Costa

6

CLASS # 2 PAPHIOPEDILUMS SPECIES

1st Paph. liemianum S. T. Ho

2nd Paph. lowii S. T. Ho

CLASS # 4 NOVELTY PAPHIOPEDILUMS

1st Paph. Berenice S. T. Ho

2nd Paph. Larry Booth W. & J. Chapman

3rd Paph. Gold Dollar W. McEvoy

4th Paph. Steve Waters J. Costa

CLASS # 5 LAELIINAE OVER 80MM UP TO & INCLUDING 110MM (CLASSICAL SHAPE)

1st Slc. Lynn Spencer x Dal's Magic

L. Buivids

2nd Slc. Endless Love 'Eros' W. McEvoy

3rd Rlc. Rosella's Storm W. McEvoy

CLASS # 7 LAELIINAE (NON CLASSICAL SHAPE)

1st Epi. Topaz Special 'Elegante'

D. Phillips

2nd Slc. Yellow Bird Crosby/Costa

3rd Bc. Marg Putman V. Petrovski

4th Lc. Tropical Pointer 'Cheetah'

W. McEvoy

CLASS # 8 LAELIINAE UP TO & INCLUDING 80MM (CLASSICAL SHAPE)

1st Pot. Lo's Magic Love 'Dandy'

G. Hodder

2nd Laeliinae 'unknown' V. Petrovski

3rd Lc. Jewel Box 'Scheherazade'

J. Costa

CLASS # 9 AUSTRALIAN NATIVE HYBRIDS

1st Den. Hilda Poxon Crosby/Costa

CLASS # 10 SPECIES ASIAN (OTHER THAN COELGYNINAE)

1st Den. thyrsiflorum J. Robinson

2nd Den. thyrsiflorum O. Sutton

3rd Vanda tricolor M. Luk

4th Den. regium L. Buivids

CLASS # 10B ONCIDINAE SPECIES

1st Trichocentrum stramineum

L. Buivids

CLASS # 11 PHALAENOPSIS OVER 75MM

1st Dtps. Sogo Yukidian G. Hodder

2nd Phal. 'unknown' M. Luk

3rd Phal. 'unknown' M. Luk

4th Phal. 'unknown' M. Luk

CLASS # 11A COELGYNINAE SPECIES

1st Coel. lactea J. Costa

2nd Ddc. sp. Indonesia ?? R. Dimon

CLASS # 12 SEEDLING

1st Sarco. D.N.T. Voodo x Maria Crimson ??

J. Robinson

2nd Paph. Woosner China Moon

S. T. Ho

CLASS # 13 ONCIDIUM HYBRIDS 60MM AND UNDER

1st Onc. Sydney L. Buivids

2nd Onc. Wildcat 'Petite Sarah'

V. Petrovski

3rd Colm. Sphacetante x ornithorynchum

M. Luk

4th Odcdm. Pacific Pagan M. Luk

CLASS # 14 PHALAENOPSIS UNDER 75mm

1st Dtps. Sogo Moonlight G. Hodder

2nd Phal. 'unknown' M. Luk

3rd Phal. 'unknown' M. Luk

CLASS # 15 ONCIDIUM HYBRIDS OVER 60mm

1st Wils. Kendrick Williams 'Rosslow'

Crosby/Costa

CLASS # 17 DENDROBIUM HYBRIDS

1st Den. 'unknown' M. Luk

2nd Den. Swallow V. Petrovski

3rd Den. Mousmee Crosby/Costa

4th Den. griffithianum x densiflorum

G. Hodder

CLASS # 18 VANDACEOUS

1st Aerangis Elro S. T. Ho

2nd Asco. Fralur 'Kultana' ?? W. & J. Chapman

3rd Aerangis Elro M. Luk

4th Vasco. Pine Rivers 'Brighton'

Crosby/Costa

CLASS # 21A PLEUROTHALLIDINAE HYBRIDS

1st Masd. Machi Picchu x Peppermint Glow

Crosby/Costa

7

2nd Masd. Stripe King 'Beenak'

Crosby/Costa

3rd Masd. Copper Angel 'Highland'

Crosby/Costa

4th Masd. Impact 'Fire Brand'

Crosby/Costa

CLASS # 21B LAELIINAE SPECIES

1st C. mossiae W. McEvoy

2nd C. mossiae L. Buivids

3rd C. warneri var alba x amoena

L. Buivids

CLASS # 22 MINITURE CYMBIDIUMS UNDER 60mm

1st Cym. Plush Canyon 'Beenak'

Crosby/Costa

2nd Cym. Cricket Crosby/Costa

3rd Cym. Sweet Devon V. Petrovski

4th Cym. Paradisian Passion V. Petrovski

CLASS # 23 SPECIES OTHER (NOT ELSEWHERE INCLUDED)

1st Chysis laevis L. Buivids

2nd Maxillaria varibilis L. Buivids

3rd Maxillaria schunkeana Crosby/Costa

CLASS # 23A OTHER PLEUROTHALLIDINAE SPECIES

1st Dryadella edwallii Crosby/Costa

CLASS # 24A NATIVE SARCANTHINAE HYBRIDS

1st Sarco. Zoe x Kulnura Dazzel

Crosby/Costa

2nd Sarco. Kulnura Dazzel Crosby/Costa

3rd Sarco. Cherie 'Scarlet Siren' x Peter Jackson 'Red Alert'

Crosby/Costa

4th Sarco Velvet x Fairy 'Scarlet'

Crosby/Costa

CLASS # 27 - NOVICE - NATIVE & NATIVE HYBRIDS

1st Sarco. hartmannii J. Chan

CLASS # 28 NOVICE - LAELIINAE

1st Rth. CRB's Rainbow R. Jackson

2nd E. tampensis M. Spring

3rd Rth. Rosella's Sound J. Chan

CLASS # 29 NOVICE - MISCELLANEOUS

1st Gp. Lady Ramona Harris

J. Chan

2nd Onc. 'unknown' P. Sanaphay

CLASS # 30 NOVICE -SPECIES

1st Chysis laevis D. Went

2nd Den. loddigesii R. Jackson

3rd Den. farmeri P. Sanaphay

4th Coel. 'unknown' P. Sanaphay

CLASS # 31 INTERMEDIATE - PAPHIOPEDILUMS

1st Paph.'unknown' C. Matheson

CLASS # 33 INTERMEDIATE - NATIVE SPECIES & NATIVE HYBRIDS

1st Sarco. Snowhart x Fairy 'Scarlet'

D. & M.Hannah

CLASS # 35 INTERMEDIATE - MISCELLANEOUS

1st Mps. Breathless 'Brilliant'

C. Matheson

2nd Pyp. Mendenhall C. Matheson

3rd V. Fuchs Joy M. Dimon

4th Pyp. Kalihi R. Nicol

CLASS # 36 INTERMEDIATE - SPECIES

1st Ascocentrum miniatum M. Dimon

2nd Coel. lactea C. Matheson

3rd Asctm. ampullaceum var. rubra

M. Dimon

4th Den. fimbriatum var. occulatum

D. & M.Hannah

8

5 Coelogyne to Know About

By Daniel Coulton

Coelogynes are a much maligned group of plants, not well know

by the novice and often dismissed by the serious hobbyist but

Coelogynes have a lot to offer all growers and really should have

a solid place in all collections.

This article looks at the easy end at those plants that are easy to

grow in southern Australia with little specialised housing or years

of orchid knowledge. That of course does not mean that the more

experienced grower should switch off now, as you will see there

is still a great deal of interest for the experienced grower in these

starter Coelogynes.

1. Coelogyne Unchained Melody. Every year in my local

society we sell hundreds of divisions of this absolute star

performer. A cross between Coel. Flaccida and Coel.

Cristata this plant has all the attributes of the perfect

novice plant. It is easy to grow, tolerant of mistakes,

grows fast, flowers reliably, is resistant to disease and

divides easily. In addition it grows well into great

specimen plants that are often impressive at spring

shows around Sydney. For those looking to branch out a

bit there are several clones that vary in colour sometimes

going by the incorrect name of Coel. Intermedia. Being

various shades from white to something you could

almost call tan. In addition there is a plant which goes

under the varietal name ‘alba’ or ‘lemoniana’ they are

both the same but this clone has smaller but often more

flowers as well as distinctly lighter lemon coloured

markings on the labellum.

2. Coelogyne flaccida. As one of the parents Unchained

Melody flaccida is another standout for the beginner.

Having far more pendulous flower spikes and a fragrance

resembling vanilla this plant too makes an awesome

specimen. The additional feature is that flaccid is even

more variable than Unchained melody having flowers in

the off white right through to caramel with several

distinct clones known. The normal or lighter variety is

very easy top grow and is again a show stopper when seen

in full flower. The dark clones which often have larger

flowers are significantly rarer and while not necessarily

hard to grow are a little less vigorous and therefore a little

harder to find than the normal forms.

3. Coelogyne ovalis/fimbriatum these are a complex of

various species and varieties which seem a little confused

and jumbled. Essentially they are all smaller plants with

oval shaped bulbs that produce one or two flowers from

the top of the bulb in the autumn months. They all seem

easily grown and tend to ramble with many clones having

particularly long rhizomes. Taking a pit more sun than

other Coelogynes this plant due to its rambling nature is

best grown in a shallow dish or basket that is kept moist.

For the collectors out there, there are a number of clones

in this complex subgroup, many of which are poorly

named so watch out for what can sometimes be a nice

surprise when looking to acquire these plants.

4. Coelogyne mooreana is one of the most delightful of the

Coelogyne species. Absolutely magnificent when in

flower with huge white filled in flowers most hybridisers

would drool over it is a stunning plant. ‘Brockhurst’ is the

well-known stand out clone which is definitely worth

seeking out. Occasionally a little shy to flower in Sydney

it requires coolish conditions to do well with protection

from harsh summers and those extra chilly nights

recommended. It can flower throughout the year in

flushes and is less of a mass flowerer than flaccida or

cristata. While perhaps not for the novice this is

nevertheless a stunning plant for the collection.

5. Coelogyne tomentosa sometimes wrongly called

massangeana is another cool grower. It has long

pendulous spikes of flowers which can carry sometimes

up to thirty flowers. The spikes are largely produced

sequentially over the summer months and look

impressive when little else is in flower. Growing in

similar conditions to flaccida it like most coelogynes

should be grown into a specimen to get the full effect.

9

Articles for the Bulletin

If you are interested in providing articles for our monthly bulletin, please email Richard Dimon at dimon.richard@gmail.com

The articles can be on anything you like related to orchids. Pictures to go with articles are also encouraged.

Disclaimer: The growing guides are provided only as a starting basis to cultivation. Local conditions in your area may require modification to these suggestions.

SSOS will not be responsible for the results of your cultivation practices. The opinions expressed in these articles are those of the author and not those of SSOS,

SSOS in no way endorses or supports any claims or opinions of said authors. Pictures provided by Pamela Davies, Cheryl Matheson and Richard Dimon and may

not be used without the expressed permission of the photographer.

Cattleya mossiae grown by L. Buivids

10

SSOS Members – Fees for 2017 are now due. If you pay by the January meeting, your name will automatically go into our draw for a free annual subscription to the magazine Orchids Australia (prize value of $55!!)

MEMBERSHIP SUBSCRIPTION RENEWAL FORM

NAME: ____________________________________________________

Address: _____________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________Postcode______________

Email address: _________________________________________________________

ANNUAL SUBSCRIPTION FEES (PLEASE CIRCLE AS APPLICABLE)

ADULT DOUBLE $15.00 PA DOUBLE PENSIONER $10.00 PA

ADULT SINGLE $12.00 PA SINGLE PENSIONER $ 8.00 PA

JUNIOR (UNDER 16 YRS) $2.00 PA

IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO RECEIVE THE MONTHLY BULLETIN BY MAIL, THERE WILL BE AN ADDITIONAL $15

ANNUAL SURCHARGE PAYBLE WITH YOUR MEMBERSHIP FEES.

Please complete this form and present with payment at our monthly meeting or send form and cheque to: The Acting Treasurer,

Sutherland Shire Orchid Society Inc., 31 Kingswood Rd, Engadine 223 3.