PO Box 126

Browns Plains BC

Qld 4118

July 2009 Volume 49 Number 6

Visiting Societies in August Redlands Orchid Society

West Moreton Orchid Group

Affiliated Societies, Judging Roster for August John Oxley O.S. 2nd Wednesday @ 7.30pm M. Illingworth. R. Illingworth. N. Woolley.

Student Judges No Students

Logan & District 3rd Tuesday @ 7.45pm G. Yong Gee. M. Billiau. N. Woolley.

Student Judges A. Bergstrum. T. Turner. D. Walker.

Brisbane O.S. 4th Monday @ 7.45pm G. Yong Gee. K. Webster. I. Vescovi.

Student Judges J. Rooks. B. Nicoll.

Beaudesert O & F.S. 3rd Wednesday @ 7.30pm D. Cleal. M. Billiau.

Student Judges A. Bergstrum.

Patron The Hon. Anna Bligh MP Premier of Queensland

President M/s Christene Dennis chris.dennis7@bigpond.com 07 3298 5514 A/H

Secretary Mrs Maree Illingworth r.m.illingworth@bigpond.com 07 3800 3213

Treasurer Mr Nick Woolley nmwoolley@optusnet.com.au 07 3201 6414

Editor Mrs Diane Walker kerdi49@bigpond.com 07 5527 3781

Judges for Q.O.S. General Meeting on 10th August 2009 D. Stahlhut. N. Herbert. K. Webster. B. Williams. L. Vickers. C. Murray.

Students: D. Buhse. K. Buhse. L. Calligros.

Next Meeting:-Monday: 10th August @ 8.00pm. Venue:-Greenslopes Bowls Club: 131 Ridge Street.

Guest Speaker in August Gordon Grant

“Orchids of Taiwan”

QOS Web Site www.qos.org.au

Newly appointed Life Members of the Queensland Orchid Society.

Albert & Anne Gibbard Tom Jenkins Reg Illingworth

QUEENSLAND ORCHID SOCIETY INC. GENERAL MEETING

Greenslopes Bowls Club, 131 Ridge Street, Greenslopes

MINUTES, Monday 13th July 2009

The President, Christene Dennis declared the General Meeting open at 8.00pm

Welcome The President welcomed Members, Visitors and Judges

The Judges were – J Buckley, B Kable, D Nitschinsk, I Vescovi, M Billiau, and H Edwards

Student Judges were –D Martens, L Martens

Welcome to the Guest Speaker this evening, Mr. Alvin Bryant whose subject is “A Life in Orchids”.

The Guest Society attending this evening was the Darling Downs Orchid Association.

Apologies were recorded in the attendance book.

Members were asked to please sign the Attendance Register for insurance purposes.

Raffle Members were reminded to get their raffle tickets from Ann Kable. The Prizes were orchid plants, Paphs., Australian

Natives, and others, also sundry items which were on the table.

We hope everyone will be impressed with the new speaker system we have in use.

SPECIAL REMINDER: Members were asked to make a note of the change of date for our September meeting. This meeting

will take place on Monday 7th September (the first Monday in September).

On this date, we have a guest speaker from America, Mr. Eric Hunt, a Botanical Photographer and authority on many genera of

orchids. Definitely not to be missed.

Further information will be published in our July & August Bulletins. Please read your Bulletin.

Minutes of the previous meeting in June 2009 were published in the Bulletin. Their adoption was moved by Reg McIlwain and

seconded by Charlie Edwards. CARRIED.

Financial Report - Nick Woolley our Treasurer presented the Financial Report for the month of

June 2009. A copy of the Financial Report was on the notice board. Moved Nick Woolley, Seconded by Albert Gibbard, that

the Treasurer’s Report be adopted. CARRIED.

Correspondence – Your Committee has attended to the routine Correspondence this month. There were advertisements for

shows on the Notice Board for you to check. Check your Bulletin for details.

SHOWS - John Oxley Orchid Society on 18/19 of July, Set up on Friday 17th

At the Auditorium, Mt. Coot-tha Botanic Gardens, Toowong.

REPORT ON THE QOS 75th ANNIVERSARY DINNER LAST SATURDAY, 11th July The Anniversary dinner was a happy and enjoyable event, with a total of 90 people attending.

The meal was excellent, and was enjoyed by all. The light hearted entertainment brought a smile to many faces.

Well deserved Life Membership Certificates & Medals were awarded to Tom Jenkins, Albert & Anne Gibbard and Reg Illingworth. All of these people have contributed much time and effort to the affairs of QOS over many years.

We were happy to see eight Life Members attend.

Charlie Hill joined June 1956 (53 years) Les Lobley joined March 1966 (43 years)

Fred Kleimeyer joined March 1977 (32 years) Percy & Fay Tesch March 1981 (28 years)

Ray Doolan December 1984 (25 years), Nick Woolley October 1991 (18 years)

Maree Illingworth September 1994 (15 years).

Thank you to Helen Murray for the beautiful table decorations and an attractive welcoming arrangement at the entrance. Wine &

chocolates were given out to holders of lucky ticket numbers and the table decorations were given to some of the ladies. Each

dinner guest also received a specially engraved Anniversary Biro.

Thanks go to the Committee for all of the prior arrangements too numerous to list. Thank you to the QOS Members and all of the

Affiliated Societies who attended, many people caught up with old friends, and going by the noise level it appeared there was

much to say.

New Members - Application for Membership.

Mt. Coot-tha Day Orchid Society – They meet at the Ithaca Bowls Club, Fletcher Road, Ithaca

The Committee recommends this application to the Members. Moved Margaret Tierney, Seconded Albert Gibbard, that this

application be accepted. CARRIED. Welcome to the all members of the Mt. Coot-tha Day Orchid Society.

David WOOLF presented a succinct report on the activities of the Darling Downs Orchid Association, whose members turned

up in force, with their orchids, as our Guest Society for the evening. Thank you David.

AWARD JUDGING: Graham McKay’s Doritaenopsis Fusheng Pink Pearl was awarded an HCC. Congratulations Graham.

Our Guest Speaker this evening was Mr. Alvin Bryant whose topic was “A Life in Orchids”. Alvin has been around the traps

for a good many years, being an active breeder, grower and exporter of cut flowers, flasks, community pots and plants, to

markets in Europe, U.S.A. and also Japan. His big interest was cymbidiums which flowered in abundance for him using his own

growing and potting techniques at his big igloo type nursery at Kurnell near Sydney. The many images of his flowering plants

illustrated the high degree of success he has obtained with his breeding program. Thank you Alvin for a most interesting

presentation.

The PLANT OF INTEREST was Paph Leeanum grown by Reg McIlwain. The commentary on this well grown specimen should

be printed out in full in the Bulletin, as it gives an insight into why Reg. is so successful with his orchids.

Benching Results: Les Vickers and Gary Yong Gee commented briefly on the first, second and third place winners from the many

plants tabled this evening. This was also a good test for our new microphones which came up tops!

The winners of the Judges’ Choice were:

Hybrid - Paph. (Linda McCubbin x Ayjay) owned by Margaret Tierney.

Species - Taurantha tenuicauda owned by Gary Yong Gee.

These people receive a plant or other.

The Lucky Exhibitor was Norm Bulmer

Prizes were selected from the bench by ten winners of the raffle, as also did the winners of the Judges’ choices, the lucky

exhibitor and the three placegetters from the display by our Guest Society.

Thanks to Members and Visitors for attending. Thanks to Judges, Exhibitors, and people who helped to set up the hall.

Members were asked to please assist in getting the hall back into order? Thank you.

NEXT GENERAL MEETING IS ON Monday 10th August 2009 at 8pm Greenslopes Bowls Club. Good Night and Safe Trip Home. Meeting Closed 9.55pm

Special Interest Plant of the Month –JULY 2009

PLANT NAME: Paphiopedilum Leeanum

EXHIBITOR: Reg McIllwain

OWNERS COMMENTS Housing: Growing under fibreglass roof open to the west. This wall

is partially protected by another building.

Watering: Watered thoroughly when required, but must never be allowed to dry out.

Depending on the weather conditions.

Feeding Programme: Fertilized every third watering with various types of fertilizer including Miracle

Grow, Horticultural Solutions, etc.

Potting Medium: A mixture of perlite, coconut fibre, polystyrene pieces with a small amount of blood

& bone added.

KEVIN COOPER’S COMMENTS: This healthy plant carried six flowers on long straight stems. Reg said that it is an

easy plant to grow and flower. This particular plant carried flowers with a large white dorsal, a very well

grown plant.

Cork Oak (Quercus suber)

The Cork Oak Tree is native to the Mediterranean region, with Spain and Portugal being the principal sources

of the world's cork. A drought tolerant species, a Cork Oak can live to an age of approximately 500 years, at-

taining a height of up to 20 metres and a diameter of up to 1 metre. The cork itself is actually the outer bark

layer of the tree. Properly harvested the bark can be removed without injury to the tree every 10 years and

provided the tree is not damaged, new layers of cork are formed each year. Cork Oaks fruit every two to three

years and produce large quantities of acorns. Cork Oak is essentially fire resistant and the foliage results in a

relatively non-flammable, low-level ground fuel.

Article & photos from the Web site of Easy Orchids

JUDGES’ CHOICE - HYBRID :

1 Paph. (Linda McCubbin x Ayjay) Tierney M

2 Den. Wonder Nishii Tierney M

3 Paph. (Double Deception x Global Passport) Tierney M

JUDGES’ CHOICE - SPECIES :

1 Taurantha tenuicauda Yong Gee G

2 Dendrochilum propinquum Yong Gee G

3 Acronia marthae Yong Gee G

GUEST SOCIETY 1 Darling Downs Orchid Association:

1 Cym. Jack Hudlow M Bishop

2 Phal. lobbii Ferguson M

3 Phal. amabilis 'Jeanie' Ferguson M

CATTLEYA EXHIBITION OVER 90mm :

1 Rlc. (Blc.) Memoria Gordon Vallance Martens D&L

2 Rlc. (Blc.) Brunswick Delight 'Gordon’ x Rlc. Burdekin

Storm 'Midnight' Bulmer N

CATTLEYA NON-EXHIBITION :

1 C.. (Lc.) Mini Purple 'Expo 84' Alvis A & P

2 Rsc. Dal's Ambition Alvis A & P

3 Sc. Dream Cloud Alvis A & P

DENDROBIUM :

1 Den. Wonder Nishii Tierney M

2 Den. Daddy Longlegs * Tierney M

PAPHIOPEDILUM EXHIBITION :

1 Paph .( Linda McCubbin x Ayjay) Tierney M

2 Paph. Sunglow * x Paph. (Skip Bartlett x Green Ice)

Tierney M

3 Paph. White Knight 'Tierdon's Second' Tierney M

PAPHIOPEDILUM OTHER :

1 Paph. (Double Deception x Global Passport) Tierney M

2 Paph. Makuli 'Tierdon' Tierney M

3 Paph. (Freemont Park x Raisin Glory) Tierney M

ONCIDIUM ALLIANCE : 1 Hwra. Lava Burst 'Puanani' AM/AOS Haynes F 2 Odcdm. Wildcat 'Red Star' Kidd I R

ONCIDIUM EQUITANT : 1 Tolu. (Crownfox Blush * x Sylvia's Dream)

McIlwain R & T 2 Tolu.( Barbie x Boots x Phyllis Envy)

McIlwain R & T

VANDACEOUS : 1 V. Unknown Westphal M

SPECIES SYMPODIAL : 1 Taurantha tenuicauda Yong Gee G 2 Aeronia marthae Yong Gee G 3 Paph. insigne 'Royalty' McIlwain R & T

SPECIES OTHER : 1 Dendrochillum propinquum Yong Gee G 2 Sayeria convoluta Yong Gee G

3 Restrepiella ophiocephala Yong Gee G

AUSTRALIAN NATIVE SPECIES :

1 Diplodium grandiflorum Yong Gee G

2 Taurantha concinna Yong Gee G

3 Diplodium russellii Yong Gee G 3

AUSTRALIAN NATIVE HYBRID :

1 Den. Brolga 'Fred' Edwards H & C

2 Den. Hilda Poxon * Kidd I R

3 Den. Australian Purple Pepper * McIlwain R & T

Nepenthes Culture Watering & Potting Medium: Nepenthes grow best in water retaining medium such as New Zealand sphagnum moss. Replace the moss as the

moss breaks down, about every 2-3 years. Use only clean water, such as rain, distilled, or reverse osmosis water

(Municipal water has too many minerals). Keep the plants damp, and try not to let them become totally dry in

between watering. Water heavily and thoroughly, feeding lightly with a ratio of 20-10-20 fertilizer every three to

four weeks at ¼ strength. Too much fertilizer might slow down pitcher production.

Growing Habits: Nepenthes can vary in size from small (8-12" tall) to quite large (40-50' in nature). Many Nepenthes are

vigorous, climbing vines and will need to be cut back from time to time to keep them manageable.

Light: The plants can tolerate a wide range of light depending on the species, plant size, and temperature. There are

highland plants, lowland plants, and plants that grow in somewhat intermediate conditions.

Nepenthes are carnivorous plants known for their oddly shaped pitchers, which grow at the ends of their leaves. Many of the plants

are extremely rare and are not often available for purchase. There are two types of pitchers produced by the plants: large,

spectacularly coloured ground pitchers, and narrow aerial pitchers. These plants also produce flower spikes usually coloured in

yellow, green, or mahogany. However, the flowers are small in size and are not nearly as interesting as the pitchers. Nepenthes

plants are either male or female. They cannot be self-pollinated. Pitchers on the end of the leaves allow the plants to collect their

food in nature, as they grow on extremely poor soils and have developed pitchers as a method of trapping insects in order to dissolve

them and assimilate their proteins, sugars, and nutrients into the plants for their own development. They have special digestive

glands for attracting insects and slippery hairs for keeping them in the pitcher, as well as enzymes to dissolve them. There are

different cycles of natural organisms that live in the plant as well. In nature, they can be found growing in sphagnum mosses, in

straight silica sand on limestone cliffs, or wherever there are mosses and sufficient moisture for them to germinate and grow.

These plants can be a good way of increasing humidity within your shadehouse.

Photography by Jim McCubbin

Judges Choice : Hybrid Judges Choice : Species

Plant :- Taurantha tenuicauda

Grower :- Yong Gee G.

Plant :- Paph. (Linda McCubbin x Ayjay)

Grower :- Tierney M.

Plant :- Dend. propinquum

Grower :- Yong Gee G.

Plant :- Hwra. Lava Burst 'Puanani'

Grower :- Haynes F.

Plant:- Paph. Leeanum

Grower :- McIlwain R. & T.

Plant:- Rlc.(Blc) Memoria Gordon

Vallance

Grower:- Martens D & L.

Plant :- Tolu. (Crownfox Blush * x

Sylvia's Dream)

Grower:- McIlwain R. & T.

Plant :- Den. Wonder Nishii

Grower :- Tierney M.

Plant :- Den. Brolga ‘Fred’

Grower :- Edwards H & C.

Plant :- V. Unknown

Grower :- Westphal M.

Plant :- C. (Lc) Mini Purple Expo 84

Grower :- Alvis A. & P.

QOS 75th Anniversary Spring Show.

Venue Auditorium Mt. Coot-tha Botanic Gardens.

Times: Setup Commences 12pm Thursday 10th September 2009

Competition Entries Accepted 2pm - 7.30pm Thursday 10th September 2009

Plant Sales Accepted 2pm - 7.30pm Thursday 10th Septemberl 2009

Judging Commences at 8pm Thursday 10th September 2009

Show Times 9am - 4pm on 11th, 12th & 13th September 2009

Presentation of Prizes 4pm Sunday 13th Septemberl 2009

Setup: This is not a long job but help is needed to put up tables and cover them with cloths and plastic then position the class

signs. The tables arrive at 12pm and if sufficient helpers are available the job can be finished by 1.30pm.

Competition Entries:

Plant owners should place their competition plants, to the best of their ability, in their correct class. Once plants are

benched they should not be moved by anyone other than the Show Marshal (Nick Woolley) or his delegate.

Plant Sales: ( From Don Nitschinsk) For this show we do not require plastic shopping bags, however, we will most certainly appreciate small to

medium cardboard boxes. Please bring these along on either Thursday afternoon or Friday. Assistance will be

required on Thursday afternoon for set up & benching the plants, Friday and Saturday morning for sales/information.

If you can spare some time it would be most helpful on Sunday afternoon. At the last couple of shows there have

been some problems with the quality of some of the plants and specifically the manner in which the tags are written

and attached. This causes concern and slows down the selling of the plants particularly during busy times. Listed

below are some details which you will find useful in this regard.

1. Plants must be securely anchored in the pots through normal growth.

2. QOS tags must be used, filled out clearly with description, colour, members number and price

(Nurseries excepted, own tags permitted.)

3. Tags must be fixed to enable them to be cut off quickly without any adjustment.

4. New tags are to be used NOT altered tags from previous shows.

5. Plants for sale to be checked in and left in the designated place for assistants to place on the bench.

6. Failure to meet these requirements could mean plants will not be placed on the sales bench.

Plant Tags: If you cannot get to the Monthly Meeting then contact Maree Illingworth on 3800 3213 or Don Nitschinsk on

3376 4827 to make alterative arrangements for benching tags and sales tags.

Helpers:

During the show period help is needed in a number of areas. If you can help in the kitchen or are willing to man the

door, sell raffle tickets, provide security or assist in any other way then Maree Illingworth is the person to contact.

At the end of the show there is a need for as many people as possible to assist in dismantling the show and cleaning

up. Once again this does not take long if there are sufficient helpers

Floral Art For floral art the contact is Anne Gibbard on 3269 1631. Flowers will be needed so please think if you can

support this section by supplying your spare flowers. Flowers will be accepted on any day. Friday would be most

appreciated. Anne would like as much Floral Art greenery as you can provide. If you are unsure of what can be used

in the Floral Art, please ring her to find out. Her number is 3269 1631

QOS Registrar Message Please be informed that the next QOS Judges Panel meeting, will take place on August 13th following the AOC Southern Regional Judges Panel Meeting. All QOS Judges are invited to attend.

Athol Rosenberg

The Queensland Orchid Society Inc. whose members contribute to this Bulletin, endeavour to assure the reliability of it’s

contents. Any cultural advice provided is a guide only and may not suit individual growers. It is the responsibility of the

individual to validate such advice before applying suggested methods. The Society welcomes potential members to come to the gen-

eral meetings as our guests, & advise those wishing to join us that subscription fees are $20.00 for a single, $25.00 for a family. Other Orchid Societies interested in affiliating with us are advised that Society Affiliation is $30.00.

Payable on the 1st January each year.

Parting Quote All of us could take a lesson from the weather.

It pays no attention to criticism.

08-09 Maroochydore Orchid Society Milwell Community Hall, Milwell Road, Maroochydore.

27-29 Pine Rivers Orchid Society Deception Bay.

28-30 Gold Coast Orchid Society Jupitors Pavillion, Parklands Drive, Southport.

29-30 Logan & District Orchid Society Logan Central Community Centre.

29-30 North Brisbane Orchid Society Auditorium, Botanic Gardens, Mt Coot-tha.

31 July to Darling Downs Orchid Society Centenary Hts High School, Cnr Ramsay & South Sts., Toowoomba.

02 August

GORDON GRANT

Gordon is currently the Vice President of the

Aspley Orchid Society.

He is a grower of Phalaenopsis Orchids.

His presentation will give you an insight into his

recent visit to Taiwan.

REMINDER

Please remember that your September meeting

will be on the first Monday of the month instead

of the usual second Monday.

This change has been made to accommodate our

overseas guest speaker, Mr Eric Hunt.

September General meeting date :-

7th September 2009

Q: Why are people in the public eye said to be 'in the limelight'?

A: Invented in 1825, limelight was used in lighthouses and stage lighting by burning a cylinder of lime which produced a brilliant

light. In the theatre, performers on stage 'in the limelight' were seen by the audience to be the centre of attention.

Q: Why do ships and aircraft in trouble use 'mayday' as their call for help?

A: This comes from the French word m'aidez -meaning 'help me' --- and is pronounced 'mayday.'