Maroochydore Orchid Society Inc. presents,

‘The Observer’ P.O. Box 382, Maroochydore 4558

www.maroochydoreorchidsociety.com.au

Patroness - Rosanna Natoli

President - Duncan McMartin (07) 5448 5300

Secretary - Kathy Howatson (07) 5448 4450 maroochyorchid1@optusnet.com.au

Treasurer - Del Whittaker (07) 5476 5305

Editor - Fred Lenz (07) 54915654 fmlenz@westnet.com.au

The next cultural meeting is Tuesday 1st May

Summary of Reed-Stem Epidendrum Cultural Meeting Presentation by Ian Walker

Reed-Stem Epidendrums commonly known as crucifix or sun

orchids are easy to grow and are a great lead in to orchid growing

for novice growers.

Species in the genus originate from tropical and subtropical

Americas and the Caribbean.

Modern breeding of reed-stem epis. is producing large single and

multi-coloured flowers which can easily rival traditional show bench

winners for the top prizes.

Potting Media/Potting

The potting media I'm using for mature Reed-Stems is 2 parts Kiwi

Bark(50% No3/ 50% No4 size), 2 parts coconut chip, 1 part perlite.

This mix provides good drainage while still allowing the mix to

remain moist. For propagating smaller plants I change the Kiwi

Bark down to 50/50 No2/No3 size.

Epi. Wedding Valley “Sakura”

I prefer to under pot the plants in relation to their size as the plants naturally produce masses of aerial roots.

The pot is basically anchorage for the plant as it is a true epiphyte/lithophyte orchid.

Light Requirements

I grow the plants under 50% shade, hanging them just beneath the shade cloth. Orchid house walls are also

50% shade cloth providing good air movement.

It is recommended not to grow the modern mericlones/seedlings in full sun as you would the older types of

crucifix.

Fertilizer

I'm using an older style foliar fertilizer (for all orchids) which has given me good

results over many years.

The fertilizer is Flowfeed: From mid Sept to end of January Flowfeed EX7 (N

20.8%, P 3.3%, K 17.4% + T.E.) on a 10 day cycle.

From Feb to mid Sept Flowfeed GF9 (N 14.0%, P 4.6%, K 23.0% +T.E.) on a 14 day cycle.

I also use Calcium Nitrate at the rate of 3 grams/litre from mid Sept to the end of January as my source of

calcium for the plants.

** Please note: This is what works fairly well for me under my conditions and

may not be suitable for your situation. I think successful orchid growing comes

from trial and error over many years. Try something different if you are not

succeeding.

Cheers

Ian Walker

SCOSCaloundra Autumn Orchid Show

As shown on the Display Results Sheet Maroochydore OS produced

a creditable display to gain third place. After the stand was erected, Kathy

and Loraine superbly and skilfully arranged the wide array of orchids and

foliage into a grand display.

Champion Orchid

RESULTS

John Salway 3x1st, 2x 2nd, 2x 3rd MOS Display

Fred/Marg Lenz 3x 2nd

Loraine Hocking 1x 2nd

Ian Walker 2x1st, 1x 3rd

Peter Henssler 1x 1st, 1x 3rd

Rod Aisthorpe 1 x 3rd Reserve Champion

APRIL CULTURAL MEETING RESULTS

JUDGES CHOICE POPULAR CHOICE

NOVICE

1 Onc Sharry Baby

Member Joanne McLoughlan

2 Den. unknown Den. unknown

Member B Garner B Garner

SPECIES

1 Den. bigibbum Den. bigibbum

Member John Salway John Salway

2 Phrag. longifolium

Member Peter Henssler OAM

3 Galeandra lucastris

Member Joe Mercieca

FOLIAGE

1 Calathea Calathea

Member Loraine Hocking Loraine Hocking

2 unknown

Member Loraine Hocking

3 Asplenium Fern

Member Richard Bryan

ONCIDIUM

1 Oncdm. Succubus Oncdm. Succubus

Member Loraine Hocking Loraine Hocking

2 Onc. Wildcat

Member Loraine Hocking

3 Mtassa. Aztec “Toni’

Member Peter Henssler OAM

DENDROBIUM

1 Den. Ceasar Green

Member John Salway

2 Den. Airy Crimson Den. Airy Crimson

Member Joe Mercieca Joe Mercieca

3 Den. Racheal Simpon

Member John Salway

CATTLEYA

1 C. unknown C. unknown

Member Kev. Rimmington Kev. Rimmington

2 C. unknown

Member Del Whittaker

3 Lc. Loveknot

Member Joe Mercieca

VANDA

1 V. Mirissa’s Little Doll

Member John Salway

2 V. Gordon Dillion V. Gordon Dillion

Member Loraine Hocking Loraine Hocking

3 V. Precious

Member John Salway

ANY OTHER GENERA 1 Phrag. Sedenii “Nicky” Phrag. Sedenii “Nicky”

Member Peter Henssler OAM Peter Henssler OAM

2 Bulb. unknown

Member Duncan McMartin

3 Paph. Cherry Glace x farrieanum

Member Joe Mercieca

OVERALL WINNER John Salway Vanda Marissa’s Little Doll

APRIL BENCHED PLANTS

Oncdm. Succubus Onc. Sharry Baby Den Ceasar Green

Calathea Asplenium Fern

Phrag. Sedenii “Nicky” V. Gordon Dillion Mtssa Aztec “Toni” Mtssa Aztec “Toni”

PLANT of the APRIL

V.Marissa’s Little Doll. This plant was purchased from Aranbeem Orchids and is

a mericlone. The cross that made this was V.Tubtim Velvet x V.John De Biase

both are exceptional parents. I have seen numerous plants of this at nurseries in

Thailand. It is grown under 50% shade cloth with alsynite on top. I water by hand

every day in summer early morning and in winter maybe every second day

depending on temperature and cloud cover. I fertilize in warm months with

Calcium Nitrate once a week. In the cooler months I use Peters Flower Booster.

Regards John Salway

BUSH HOUSE VISIT

On a beautiful Autumn Sunday morning, the 15th of April, nine members visited the bush houses of Bill Letcher in

Nambour. We were treated to an extensive variety of orchid genera in various environments. Bill generously donated

an orchid to the visiting members and we thank him for his hospitality. The bakery over the road from Bill’s place was

perfect for our morning tea and a chat.

Bill in amongst his plants and one species in flower. Even Richard’s dog admired Kathy’s Laelia species.

Supper Roster for 2018

May: Richard Bryan & Peter Hensler

June: Loraine Hocking & John Salway

July: Ian Walker & Barry Cheeseman

August: Kathy Howatson, Billy Letcher

September: Del Whittaker, Kev Rimmington

October: Fred & Marg Lenz

November: ________________, _________________

WEDNESDAY 30th MAY 2018 AT Noosa Botanic Gardens COOROY NONSTOP ENTERTAINMENT 60’S--- 70’S MUSIC ...... (Buddy Holly, Neil Diamond, Everly Brs.)

LIVE ON STAGE THE STOLZENBERG BROTHERS. Guest speakers on plants, foliage,broms and orchids.

9.AM start official opening 10.AM AUSTRALIAN ICON and HISTORIAN

RICHARD KINNON ALL ABOUT EARLY AUSTRALIA’S OUT BACK ,

LONGREACH

GUIDED TOURS OF THE GARDENS BY FRIENDS OF THE GARDENS

BURGERS – SANDWICHES – CAKES

BILLY TEA WITH DAMPER AND TREACLE PLANT SALES (cash no eftpos)

MONSTER RAFFLE DRAWN AT 1.00PM MAIN STAGE

COFFEE and ICE CREAM VENDORS LOTS MORE Contact Kevin 0400793930 E. rosco611@gmail.com

COMBINED GARDEN

CLUBS’ PICNIC DAY

STOCQ & OQI MEETING 16th June Hosted by the Maryborough District OS

St. Paul's Church Hall, Corner Adelaide and Ellena Streets, Maryborough.

The Agenda for the day 9am Judges meeting

9.30am - 9.50am Morning Tea,

9.50am -10.45am STOCQ MEETING (all invited to attend)

10.45am -11.15am OQI Meeting (all welcome to attend)

11.15am -12.00 guest Speaker: Steven Swan Topic Tolumnia (Or Mini Oncidiums)

12.00 -1.00pm Lunch

1.00pm AfternoonVisits - Ron Southern, Don & Jacki Cantle.

Lunch will be provided for $12. For catering purposes, please reply with numbers attending to

secretarymdos@gmail.com by Friday 1stJune.

FUTURE INTERNATIONAL /AUSTRALIAN CONFERENCES AND SHOWS

2018 18 – 22 July Orchids in the Foothills, 21st AOC Conference & Show, Hawkesbury Indoor Stadium, South

Windsor NSW

2019 14 – 15 September STOCQ Orchidfest Rockhampton OS

LIBRARY

An orchid book library is available at the Girl Guide Hall for all members to use. Please ensure borrowed

books are signed out by our Librarian, Joe Mercieca

ORCHID QUIZ

Test your orchid knowledge

Complete the names of the Cattleya Alliance Species below:

Abbreviation Name

Amb

B

Ctpsl

Dga

E

Lps

Ngl

Orstdl

Psy

Rl

Scgl

Schom

Sphrnt

S

Tet

Ttma

2018 CALENDAR

EVENT LOCATION SET UP SHOW DAYS/TIMES Gympie Garden Expo &

Orchid Show Gympie Showgrounds

Pavilion Friday 4th May Saturday 5th May 8am -4pm

Sunday 6th May 8am – 3pm

Bundaberg OS Show Bundaberg Civic Centre Thursday 10th May Friday 11th May Saturday 12th May Sunday 13th May

Noosa District Orchid & Foliage Show

CWA hall Cooroy (closed show)

na Friday 11th May Saturday 12th May

Boyne Tannum Orchid & Foliage Show

St Francis Primary School Francis Way off Hampton

Drve Tannum Sands

Friday 25th May @3.30pm Saturday 26th May Sunday 27th May

Tweed District OS Show Tweed City Shopping Centre Wednesday 30th May Thurs/Frid/Sat 31/5,1/6,2/6

STOCQ MEETING Maryborough &District OS

St. Paul's Church Hall, Corner Adelaide and Ellena Streets,

Maryborough.

Saturday 16th June

Saturday 16th June Start 9.00am

Morning tea 9.30am

Caboolture OS Show Morayfield Community Hall Thursday 19th July Friday 20TH July Saturday 21st July Sunday 22nd July

Combined Societies Workshop

Howard n/a Saturday 14th July

Maroochydore Orchid Society Show

Millwell Rd Community Hall Thursday 9th August Friday 10th August Saturday 11th August

Agnes Waters OS Show Agnes Waters Community Hall

Friday 10th August Saturday 11th August Sunday 12th August

Nambour OS Show Nambour Uniting Church Hall Thursday 30th August Friday 31st August Saturday 1st September

Childers & Isis OS Show Isis Cultural Centre,Childers Thursday 30th August Friday 31st August Saturday 1st September

Maryborough &District OS Spring Show

St. Paul's Church Hall, Corner Adelaide and Ellena Streets,

Maryborough.

Wednesday 12th September Thursday 13th September Friday 14th September

Noosa Orchid & Foliage Society Show

Cooroy RSL Hall (if renovated)

Thursday 13th September Friday 14th September Saturday 15th September

Glasshouse Country OS Show Beerwah Community Hall Thursday 20th September Friday 21st September Saturday 22nd September

Hervey Bay Orchid & Garden Spectacular

Xavier Catholic College 1 Wide Bay Dve Eli Waters H/B

Thursday 27th September Friday 28th September Saturday 29th September Sunday 30th September

Rockhampton Orchid Society Show

Rockhampton SHS Campbell St

na Saturday 29th September Sunday 30th September

Bribie Island Orchid Society Show

Orchid House 156A First Avenue

Thursday 11th October Friday 12th October Saturday 13th October

Nambour OS Species Show Nambour Uniting Church Hall Thursday 1st November Friday 2nd November Saturday 3rd November

STOCQ meeting Caboolture OS

tba n/a Saturday 10th November

STOCQ 2019 AGM Albert Bowls Club Gympie na Saturday 9th February 2019

IF YOU HAVE AN INTERESTING ARTICLE TO SHARE IN THE NEWSLETTER PLEASE CONTACT THE EDITOR

Disclaimer: While the Editor endeavours to ensure the reliability of this newsletter, neither the Editor nor the

Maroochydore Orchid Society Inc. can assume any responsibility for the information or advice given to readers of

The Observer.

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