BP SPECIES NEWSLETTER SEPTEMBER 2001
Photos in this issue: Vanda
boxallii (right), Grammatophyllum measuresianum erectum
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A. What's New in flask.
Seed of Lycaste toglotii from Venezuela slowly germinating,
no description at present. The Philippino Saccolabium quisumbingii
is now developing into healthy plantlets in flasks. Dend
stratiotes "Sunda Isles", the large antelope species is
also germinating again. Our previous sowing eventually sold and were deflasked.
TOP
B. What's ready to replate NOW.
Saccolabium quisumbingii, or Tuberolabium
quisumbingii is a small fleshy leafed
monopodial with leaves to about 10cm ( 4 inches) long, on a short stout
stem. The plants are warm to intermediate growing, requiring shade similar
to that for Phalaenopsis, but with perhaps a bit more light
to promote better flowering. A small slotted pot or basket with an open
coarse media is required. Slabs of treefern also provide a suitable host,
with sufficient water to keep plants damp but not wet. Usually on
multiple spikes, the flowers are not large, but their white crystaline
texture and contrasting purple splashed lip present an attractive spike,
or several, of delicate flowers. A small grower, happy in a 10 cm (4 inch
pot), with attractive flowers, ideal as a space saver.
Several of the rarer Stanhopeas are shooting up with the
warmer spring in Australia. Stanhopea xytriophora , stevensoni
, lietzei "KB", martiana , gibbosa "KB" , connata Orange Jewel AM
x self.The species marked "KB" are from a European nurserymen specialising
in selected species orchids.
A different colour
form of Vanda boxallii yellow is nearly ready for replating,.
This form has a yellow background colour with the redbrown lateral sepals,
instead of the typical white and redpurple ( dsee photo). Both forms are
in flask and are robust growers both in and out of flask, although
they are small growers.
The African
Jumellea filicornoides wont be long; this is a delightful
small grower, erect growing, that produces pure white sparkiling textured
flowers along the stem. Very fragrant, a long spur, and does well
in a small pot or basket, in a open coarse media.
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C. What's new in Plants;
Its spring in Australia now, but more like summer, HOT. Not a great deal
of activity in the potted plants and seedlings during winter. A few
near flowering size plants of a choice form of Grammatophyllum mearuresianum
have established in slotted 5inch pots. We flasked this form and called
it variety erectum for its almost upright spike of about
7cm cream white flowers blotched chestnut. The colours of this species
are a lot brighter than
most Grammatophyllums, which tend to be somewhat dull. It grows
well in a slotted pot or basket, and once it has established its "nest"
of aerial roots, should be left undisturbed.
Grammatophyllum measuresianum var erectum;
Philippines, a short bulbed species, very robust, that will grow into a
large clump in an 8 inch basket. Flower spikes to a metre ( 3 feet +) or
more high, almost vertical, with 30 to 40 or more flowers. Flowers
about 6 to 7 cm across ( 3 inches), clean cream white, blotched chestnut.
The genus is warm growing, the
plants need sunlight short of burning the leaves and good air movement.
Once established in a slotted pot or basket, the plants develop a aerial
root system to form a saucer like "nest". This acts as a collector of leaf
mould which then forms the plants growing media. The plants do well in
deciduous or semi deciduous trees in the garden, with adequate water, where
the plants flourish on the supply of leaf mould, protection from the hot
summer sun and extra light in winter.
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D. Web page. Check
out our web page at http://ultra.ultra.net.au/~bporchid/list
This is constantly
under revision and you will find heaps of colour photos, articles on species
in cultivation and in the wild, plus links to other interesting species
orchids, and more photographs.
howy exhibit, equal to any species. Text & photos at web page Ian
Walters.
TOP
E. Humour.
His wife complained " I am sick of doing all the
housework, cooking, washing, chase after the children and make all the
decisions, why do I have to do everything and decide everything?"
Him, "Yes dear, and what do
you think we can do about it ?"
The winter was so cold, the lawyers had
their hands in their own pockets.
A frog fronted the Bank
and said to Patricia Black, the teller, "My name's Kermit Jagger, I want
a loan and I have this little carved ivory elephant as collateral."
Patricia asked him to
wait while she consulted the Manager. The Manager inspected the ivory elephant
and said " It's a knick knack, Patty Black, give the frog a loan,
his old man's a Rolling Stone"
Yours in orchids,
Ian and Pat Walters, Burleigh Park Orchid Nursery
54 Hammond Way, Thuringowa, Australia 4815
Email us at bporchid@ultra.net.au
www.ultra.net.au/~bporchid
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