Journal of the

Native Orchid Society of

South Australia Inc

Print Post Approved .Volume 34 Nº 10

PP 543662/00018 November 2010

NATIVE ORCHID SOCIETY OF SOUTH AUSTRALIA PO BOX 565 UNLEY SA 5061

www.nossa.org.au.

The Native Orchid Society of South Australia promotes the conservation of orchids through

the preservation of natural habitat and through cultivation. Except with the documented

official representation of the management committee, no person may represent the Society on

any matter. All native orchids are protected in the wild; their collection without written

Government permit is illegal.

PRESIDENT SECRETARY Bodo Jensen: Robert Lawrence

Telephone 8243 0251 ph: 8294 8014 email: robert_w_lawrence@hotmail.com

VICE PRESIDENT

Cathy Houston telephone 8356 7356; Email: cathyhn@tpg.com.au

COMMITTEE Bob Bates Jan Adams

John Bartram Robert Lawrence

EDITOR TREASURER David Hirst Marj Sheppard

14 Beaverdale Avenue Telephone 8344 2124

Windsor Gardens SA 5087 0419 189 118

Telephone 8261 7998

Email: david.hirst2@bigpond.com

LIFE MEMBERS

Mr R. Hargreaves† Mr. L. Nesbitt

Mr H. Goldsack† Mr G. Carne

Mr R. Robjohns† Mr R Bates

Mr J. Simmons† Mr R Shooter

Mr D. Wells† Mr W Dear

Conservation Officer: Thelma Bridle Registrar of Judges: Les Nesbitt

Field Trips Coordinator: Bob Bates 82515251 or 0402 291 904 or bobbates63@hotmail.com

Trading Table: Judy Penney

Tuber bank Coordinator: Jane Higgs ph. 8558 6247; email: jhiggs@activ8.net.au

New Members Coordinator: John Bartram ph: 8331 3541; email: barjd@adam.com.au

PATRON Mr L. Nesbitt

The Native Orchid Society of South Australia, while taking all due care, take no responsibility for loss or damage

to any plants whether at shows, meetings or exhibits.

Views or opinions expressed by authors of articles within this Journal do not necessarily reflect the views or

opinions of the management committee. We condone the reprint of any articles if acknowledgment is given

Journal Cost $2. per issue. Family or Single Membership with subscription $20.00*

*Postal Mail full year $20.00. Email full year $15.00. Pro-rata rates for third quarter $10.00 and last quarter $5.00

Students $10.00 per year. Juniors $5.00

Front cover from an original drawing by Thelma Bridle. Used with her kind permission.

JOURNAL OF THE

NATIVE ORCHID SOCIETY

OF

SOUTH AUSTRALIA INC.

NOVEMBER 2010 VOL. 34 NO 10

CONTENTS THIS JOURNAL

Title Author Page

Diary Dates 90

October Meeting 91

For Your Information – NOSSA News 92

NOSSA 2010 Sarcochilus Show results 95

VALE: Everett Charles Foster OAM 95

NOSSA excursion to Christmas Tree Hill: Kuitpo R. Bates 96

Slugs and snails Roger Finn 97

Do We Realise by Roy Hargreaves 98

The Native Orchid Society of South Australia meets every

4th

Tuesday of the months February -November

NEXT MEETING 23 NOVEMBER 2010

Tuesday, 23 November, St Matthew's Hall, Bridge Street, Kensington. Meeting starts at

8:00 p.m. Doors to the hall will be open from 7:15 p.m. to allow Members access to the

Library and trading table.

The November Meeting will be the Annual Auction and Supper.

Don’t forget your plants to place on the bench for judging and bring a plate of supper to

share.

NEXT COMMITTEE MEETING

Tues, 30th

November at the home of Bodo Jensen. Meeting commences at 7:30

p.m.

DIARY DATES

December 12th

Orthoceras at Scott Creek

January 2nd

2011 for Dipodium walk at Nurrutti

OCTOBER MEETING

Plants Benched

Epiphyte Species: Bulbophyllum elisae; Dendrobium gracillicaule var howeanum (now known as

Den. macropus): Dendrobium speciosum (2 plants): Dendrobium kingianum (5 plants): Dendrobium

kingianum ‘big foot’; Dockrillia schoenina (2 plants); Dockrillia striolatum:

Epiphyte Hybrids: Dendrobium Bardo Rose x falcorostrum; Dendrobium kingianum var silcockii x

Bardo Rose; Dendrobium Ronald Banks; Dockrillia Ida Mary; Dockrillia Stephen.

Terrestrial Species: Caladenia tentaculata (2 plants); Diuris orientis; D. orientis ‘yellow’; D.

micrantha; Glossodia major; Leptoceras menziesii; Phiaius tankervilliae; Pterostylis biseta;

Oligochaetochilus (Pterostylis) petrosus; Thelymitra nuda.

Terrestrial Hybrids: Caladenia Fairy Floss; Chiloglottis x Pescottiana; Diuris Earwig; Diuris Big

Ears; Pterostylis Hoodwink (3 plants); Pterostylis Tallhood; Thelymitra ‘Gemfire’.

Judging Results Grower

Epiphyte Species Open Division

1st Dockrillia schoenina Steve Howard

2nd

Dockrillia striolatum Wally Walloscheck

3rd Dendrobium macropus Wally Walloscheck

Epiphyte Hybrids Open Division

1st Dendrobium Ronald Banks Wally Walloscheck

2nd

Dockrillia Stephen Steve Howard

3rd

Dendrobium Bardo Rose x falcorostrum Wally Walloscheck

Epiphyte Species Second Division

1st Dendrobium kingianum Bigfoot ‘NRF” Steve Howlett

2nd

Dendrobium kingianum Janet Adams

3rd

Dockrillia schoenina Kris Kopicki

Epiphyte Hybrids Second Division

1st Dockrillia Ida Mary Bill Dear

2nd

Dendrobium kingianum x Bardo Rose Steve Howlett

No 3rd

place

Terrestrial species Open Division

1st Diuris orientis Les Nesbitt

2nd Glossodia major Les Nesbitt

3rd

Caladenia tentaculata Les Nesbitt

Terrestrial Hybrids Open Division

1st Diuris Pioneer ‘Big Ears’ Les Nesbitt

2nd

Caladenia Fairy Floss Les Nesbitt

3rd

Pterostylis Tall hood Les Nesbitt

Terrestrial species Second Division

1st Caladenia tentaculata Bill Dear

2nd

Phaius tankervilleae W & J Thompson

No 3rd

place

91

Terrestrial hybrid Second Division

None benched

Popular vote results

Terrestrial species Open Division

Caladenia tentaculata Les Nesbitt

Terrestrial Hybrids Open Division

Diuris Pioneer ‘Big Ears’ equal Les Nesbitt

Chiloglottis trapeziformis equal Les Nesbitt

Terrestrial species Second Division

Phaius tankervilleae W & J Thompson

Terrestrial hybrid Second Division

None benched

Epiphyte Species Open Division

Dendrobium kingianum Wally Walloscheck

Epiphyte hybrids Open Division

Dendrobium Ronald Banks Wally Walloscheck

Epiphyte Species Second Division

Bulbophyllum elisae Kris Kopicki

Epiphyte hybrid Second Division

Dendrobium kingianum ‘Bigfoot’ Steve Howlett

Orchid of the night

Dendrobium Ronald Banks Wally Walloscheck

Commentaries on terrestrials given by Les Nesbitt & on epiphytes by Reg Shooter

OCTOBER SPEAKER

Noel Oliver gave a talk was on the Dendrobium speciosum species. Noel describes it as the

‘king of orchids’ for it has to contend with the Australian bush including flood, drought, fire

and everything trying to eat it. There are six varieties namely pedunculatum, curvicaule,

capricornicum, grandiflorum, hillii and speciosum. Noel went though where they are

grown. All of these are found on the east coast of Aust from Victoria following the coast up

to Cooktown. The presentation on the disc was put together by Bill Dobson and showed all

the varieties in colour photography. The presentation was enjoyed by all.

FIELD TRIPS

Saturday December 12th

Meet at corner of Cherry Gardens Rd & Dorset Vale Rd at

10a.m. (locality is Cherry Gardens). The aim is to visit Scott Creek Conservation Park for

observations of Orthoceras strictum.

Sunday 2nd

January: Dipodium walk. Please refer to NOSSA web site at a later date for

details of this event.

Contact Cathy Houston.

92

FOR YOUR INFORMATION - NOSSA NEWS

XMAS RAFFLE

Items can still be added to the Christmas Stocking/Basket Raffle prize at the November

meeting. Please bring these in to Faye Eaton. Again, please check that the use by dates on

the products will still be current into 2011.

ANNUAL AUCTION

You may find you have acquired too many plants over time, so bring those surplus plants

along to the Annual Auction along with those orchid related unwanted items that could be of

value and joy to another person. Don’t be guilty of being a hoarder. Start by putting

together all those unusual and/or attractive items that you no longer have any use for instead.

Allow the enjoyment of them to be shared by others.

Be there for a wonderful evening and bring your wallet to snap up a bargain item you

have been waiting for yourself.

Would members please return all library books at the

November meeting so that a stock-take can be done over the

Xmas break.

93

TUBER BANK Tubers (or, at this stage, promise of prospective tubers) are urgently needed for

the Tuber Bank. Could you please let me know if you will have any, and what

they are, as soon as possible, so that I can compile a list for the December

Journal.

Don’t forget, excess tubers donated to the tuber bank raise $$$ for NOSSA, it encourages

other members to grow them on and when they multiply, donate them back to the tuber bank

and so on. With endangered species it helps to ensure that they are kept in existence. Also if

for some reason you lose your own stock they may be able to be replaced from another

members stock that could have come from you initially.

Thank you. Contact details are as follows:-

Jane Higgs

Phone no. 08 85586247

P.O. Box 134

MYPONGA. S.A. 5202

email: jhiggs@activ8.net.au

XMAS SUPPER

Please bring a plate of savouries or sweets to share at the Xmas supper

after the auction.

ANNUAL BBQ

The Annual BBQ November 28th will be held at Jane & Don Higgs property at

Myponga. See Map Below.

NOSSA will be providing the meat. Please bring a salad or dessert to share and $2.00

donation per person.

Also bring plates, eating utensils and drinks other than tea-bags, coffee, milk & sugar. Chairs,

tables will also be provided.

Perpetual Show Trophies will be presented at the November meeting.

94

ARTICLES / ITEMS FOR NEXT JOURNAL

Articles / items for the December journal need to reach the Editor by Friday Dec. 3rd

.

JUDGES MEETING Next judges meeting is on Saturday 4th December starting 9.30 am at 18 Cambridge St Vale

Park

NOSSA 2010 Sarcochilus Show results

One other Sarcochilus benched was Sarc. argochilus.

VALE: Everett Charles Foster OAM. 21st September 1919 - 28

th October 2010

On the 28th

of October, ANOS Geelong lost one of the founding members and tireless contributor to the group. Everett was the inaugural President of ANOS Geelong (1987-1990), Secretary from 1990 to 2008, and Bulletin Editor until April 2009. Everett only relinquished his position on the committee this year. In 2005 Everett was awarded Life Membership for services to the Group. Our deepest sympathy and condolences go out to Margaret and family.

The above is part of an article that can be followed up in the ANOS Geelong Group Bulletin-

October 2010 (November) and was brought to my attention by Cathy Houston who informs me that

a number of our members will be familiar with Everett. He came on a few of our field trips. (Ed.)

95

DESCRIPTION Orchid Grower

Grand Champion Sarcochilus falcatus Kris Kopicki

Sarcochilus hartmannii

1st Sarco. aequalis Kris Kopicki

2nd Sarco. hartmannii 'Blue Knob" Kris Kopicki

Sarcochilus falcatus

1st Sarco. falcatus Kris Kopicki

2nd Sarco. falcatus 'Mt Banda Banda' Kris Kopicki

Other Sarc. species

1st Sarco. australis Kris Kopicki

2nd Sarco. olivaceous Kris Kopicki

Specimen species 1st Sarco. falcatus Kris Kopicki

Seedling species first flowering 1st Sarco.falcatus Kris Kopicki

Sarc. Hybrid - predominantly

white 1st Sarco. Melba R & L Gunn

Sarc Hybrid - white with red centre 1st Sarco. Burgandy on Ice Judy Penny

Sarc. Hybrid pink/red

1st Sarco. Burgandy on Ice 'Australia' Kris Kopicki

2nd Sarco. Burgandy on Ice 'Australia' Kris Kopicki

Seedling hybrid 1st flowering

1st Sarco. Burgandy on Ice 'Australia' Kris Kopicki

2nd Sarco. Burgandy on Ice 'Australia' Kris Kopicki

NOSSA excursion to Christmas Tree Hill: Kuitpo October 25th

2010 By R. Bates

A dozen members attended this morning only visit which concentrated on slashed fire

breaks along the road. The weather was far too cold to see all the sun orchids open but we

recognised the following from closed flowers: Thelymitra albiflora, T. antennifera, T.

bracteata, T. brevifiolia, T. carnea in hundreds, T. grandiflora, T. inflata in dozens, T.

juncifolia, T. latifolia, T. pauciflora with hybrids and related species, T. rubra and T. x

truncata.

Imagine how gorgeous all these would have been fully open. It was quite a learning

experience but within a short while we could tell the T. carnea from the T. rubra by its tiny

pale pink flowers, yellow column top and smooth finger-like side arms.

The only spider orchids seen were Arachnorchis

leptochila (few) and A. tentaculata (many). Still in good

condition were the waxlip orchids Glossodia major

(lots).

Of the donkey orchids Diuris orientis were in late flower

but Diuris brevifolia were in tight bud. These two rarely

form crosses because of different flowering times.

The bearded orchids Calochilus platychilus were tall and

in good flower, one plant with three flowers open at once

which is unusual except in cold weather. Of the pink

fingers there were a few large pale Petalochilus carneus

but lots of tiny pink Petalochilus pusillus with pale green

buds showing they would be better listed as P. pygmaeus.

Of the greenhoods a Plumatichilos plumosus with its

plume eaten off indicated there would be more nearby,

Pterostylis nutans (nodding greenhoods) were still

flowering but on short stems while P. pedunculata (maroon greenhoods) were plentiful

under the trees.

At least three onion orchids were in flower: Microtis arenaria, Microtis brevis and M.

frutetorum, while M. parviflora were in bud.

After a short break we drive a kilometre

down to Chookarloo and wandered about

under the exotic gums and pines looking

at the buds of potato orchids Gastrodia.

All slender ones had the curved

inflorescence of budding G. sesamoides

while one large clump of robust

specimens had dead straight spikes

indicating a phantom G. procera like

population. We had come especially to

look for the tiny Petalochilus sp. ‘Tiny

white’ but only one could be found amongst hundreds of P. prolata with its small pale

96

flowers and brown buds obvious. Perhaps we were only looking at a dwarf P. prolatus after

all.

A surprise was seeing several cowslips, Diuris behrii still in glower with one suspiciously

like D. chryseopsis which once was common on the Meadows Flats.

As there were also a few Diuris orientis we were not surprised to find hybrids between

them. All up we had little to complain about as there was no rain and in addition to the

orchids in flower we saw leaves and pods of Corunastylis, Corysanthes, Pyrorchis,

Leptoceras and Urochilus. Quite a smorgasbord even if nothing seemed to be as spectacular

as we had hoped. Images by Leo

Slugs and snails Roger Finn

From the Kalhari August 2010

Slugs and snails are pesky critters. In the day time you won't see them. Then at night they

come out and make merry with your orchids - chewing flowers, flower stems and buds,

gorging themselves on new shoots of pseudobulbs and roots. They are the most annoying

pests because they can cause much damage in a short space of time. Both slugs and snails

hide in the bark mix or under pseudobulbs during the day to preserve their moisture. At

night when it is cooler they emerge to feed. Snails will lay their eggs below the surface of

the bark. A time bomb waiting for the right time to explode.

Control

Many types of snails and slugs can be easily dealt with by putting two or three snail and slug

pellets, which contain metaldehyde, onto the surface of the pot. Snails and slugs are

attracted to the pellets. Bingo! Problem solved.

If you suspect that some pots contain snails of slugs then place several slices of apple on the

surface of the bark at evening time. In the morning lift the apple carefully and you will find

snails and slugs feeding on the apple. Bingo! Problem solved.

This is the same principle as putting a wet bag on your lawn in the evening. In the morning

lift the bag carefully and your will find lawn grubs, snails and slugs adhering to it.

Garlic snails or bush snails are harder to eradicate. Use the left over coffee from the plunger

to make a 50/50 mix with water. Spray this into your pots.

Another method to eradicate these persistent critters is to put a layer of diatomaceous earth,

known in Brisbane as Maidenwell stone, on the surface of the bark. As the snail or slug

passes over the diatomaceous earth, it will literally suck the moisture from them.

Beer proves to be irresistible to snails as well as humans. A bowl of beer set among your

orchids will attract them, in they fall and drown. This does spoil the beer and you won't be

able to drink it.

Blue tongue lizards love snails.

Merriman, Alan, Aliens Pests and Diseases Handbook, Glenbrook, Miriam Ann Orchids,

1993

McMaugh, Judy, What Garden Pest or Disease is That? Castle Hill, Lifetime Distributors,

1998.

Yates, Arthur, Yate's Garden Guide, Sydney, Angus and Robinson, 1998.

Watson, James B, Orchid pests and Diseases, American Orchid Society, 2002.

This is part of a series on Pests and Diseases.

97

DO WE REALISE by Roy Hargreaves Reprinted from the NOSSA May 1987 journal Vol. 11 No. 4.

Few members are aware of the time and effort involved in assuring that each copy of our

Journal arrives on time per Australia Post. I can recall only twice in ten years, in

circumstances beyond our control when the Journal arrived late.

The inaugural NOSSA meeting was held March 22nd 1977 and by the following month a

four page newsletter, the forerunner of the current Journal format, had been published and

distributed. Initially the printing was done using a 'Gestetner' machine kindly made available

to NOSSA by the Northern and Eastern Districts Orchid Society. Printing was done at the

home of Les (and Kay) Nesbitt our foundation President and Editor.

The South Coast Orchid Club offered NOSSA the use of one of their ‘Gestetner’ printers

which enabled more convenient day-time printing by NOSSA members. In 1978 NOSSA

purchased a second hand 'Roneo' printer which printed our Journals until December 1985

during which time there were some problems- "When it was good it was very good but when

it was not it was most frustrating. Ron Rob Johns and Don Wells would arrive at my home

equipped with their lunch and often struggle to complete printing before the collating team

of 4-6 people arrived to collate, staple, fold, envelope and address each Journal for postage.

Each page had to be checked for a range of possible problems, removing blank and creased

sheets and then re-printed on the reverse side and be checked again to produce some 300

Journals involving 1250 to 1500 sheets. Since its purchase for about $80.00, the 'Roneo'

produced over 200,000 printed pages. When quoted over $100.00 for a most necessary

cleaning and service several members went to another member’s home garage/workbench to

do the job - at least $100.00 was saved by member’s time and effort.

For some considerable time other printing options and their relative merits and costs were

discussed by the management committee culminating in the contracted use of a company

word-processor and collating photocopier, a step which reduced work hours by NOSSA

members from 25-30 hours to about 12 hours and improved Journal quality.

Our Editors have been Les Nesbitt, George Nieuwenhoven, Letizia Gentile and now again

George Nieuwenhoven. Our article contributors from within and outside of NOSSA are too

numerous to recall. Our typists have worked long hours for a small honourarium. With

respect to those who have worked to print, assemble and distribute the Journal, I would be

sure to miss some who assisted for 2 years or so if I tried to mention them all. Apart from

Don and Ron referred to previously, long time helpers have been Pat Marks, Albie Phillips

and Yvonne Burdett (members of the 'team' for at least 8 years). Also there are those who

are prepared to chip in at short notice to assist. In short there have been NOSSA members

who have been silently and tirelessly working without reward to make our Journal the

quality publication we have come to expect. To all those people it is time we said,

"Thankyou".

How times have changed. When the article above was being written word processing on a

computer was only just beginning to creep in. I can remember my own efforts to learn

‘Word-Perfect’ on a computer that had ONE Megabyte of RAM. Now the process of producing the journal is only a two man job, one to put the journal together and send to the

printer and another to fold & mail out the printed ‘hard’ copies.

However the journal relies enormously on members putting their own experiences or

knowledge to pen & paper or on keyboard and submitting these to the Editor. Without your

efforts there will be little content between the covers.

David Hirst, Editor.

98

Sarcochilus Burgundy On Ice

Plants benched October 2010 1 photo's D. Hirst

Sarcochilus Melba

Sarcochilus falcatus

Sarcochilus falcatus

Sarcochilus hartmannii

NOSSA 2010 SARCOCHILUS SHOW

Plants benched October 2010 2 photo's D. Hirst

Dendrobium Ronald Banks

Sarcochilus argochilus

Sarcochilus olivaceous

Bulbophyllum elisae

Sarcochilus australis

Plants benched October 2010 3 Photos by D Hirst

Thelymitra nuda

Dockrillia Beckleri

Caladenia tentaculata

Dockrillia Stephen

Leptoceras menziesii

Phiaius tankervilliae

Oligochaetochilus biseta

Dockrillia Ida Mary