Bendigo Bank, Tewantin. Account name: Noosa District Orchid & Foliage Society, Inc. BSB: 633 108, A/C No. 156770182

Next meeting - 14 April 2018, 1pm for 1:30 startPlants must be benched before 1:00pm

Next show - Sunshine Coast OS show, 6-7 April 2018

PATRONTony Wellington - Mayor of Noosa

PRESIDENTPhillip Barrye: pcbarry@westnet.com.aup: 5447 7494

SECRETARYLinda Falknere: lindadfalkner@gmail.comp: 0427 570 022

TREASURERLois Walterse: loiswalters@gmail.comp: 5455 6660

NewsletterMARCH 2018

PRESIDENT’S REPORTHello to you all. How good was our meeting this month? With four members talking on different orchid and foliage subjects and demonstrating potting techniques during their presentations we all got a lot of valuable information out of the meeting. A big thankyou to Marty, Sam, David, and Steve for their efforts and to David and Loraine for making it all happen. From a personal perspective I can now do things with my orchids I would have not had the confidence to do before this meeting. Watching Sam take orchids apart is a real eye opener.

Please think about putting your name down for the trip to Wondai, we need a minimum of 30 on the bus and we need you and your $25.00 at the next meeting. Lets go out and support the small orchid growing community and the festival, I’m sure we will all enjoy the day. The date for this trip is the 21st April leaving Tewantin at 7am, returning about 5pm.

If you have orchids in flower for the Caloundra show and would like to put them in our display please remember to provide plant names to Nita and Marty by the 3rd and call Ray or David and Loraine to let them know you want to be part of the presentation. Set up is Thursday 5th in the afternoon from 3pm.

Our Mother’s day show is fast approaching so we need members to help with the set up and the two days of the show, we will be asking for your help at the next meeting on the 14th of April. The show will be held in the CWA hall in Cooroy as per normal so we all know the requirements for this one. If you are like me the rain has set some orchids back but has brought others on so this should make for a fun show.

Hope we see you all at our next meeting.

Phil Barry

President

PLANT OF THE MONTH PAPHIOPEDILUM CROSSIANUMThe parents of this slipper orchid are: Paphiopedilum insigne var alba marginatum x Paphiopedilum venustum var alba ‘Choice’ and from this you can see that it is made up of two species, first letter of each parent being lowercase, so the result is a primary hybrid. The word “alba” shows up in each name and this usually means white or as in this case there is no red pigment in the flower. The bloom is green and white.

The plant was purchased from Ezi-Gro Orchids in WA in September 2003 and first bloomed for us in 2007.

The slippers are Anita’s babies and she looks after them. They are the only orchids we grow under cover and the shade is about 80%, rather shady, which they like. Potted in equal parts of 10mm charcoal, 9 - 12 mm Orchiata bark and jumbo perlite, fertilized with a liquid fertilizer at one gram per litre every week, poured through the mix. The plants are repotted every year in late spring.

Slipper orchids deserve to be grown with care and not just mixed in with the rest of your orchids.Marty Vlekkert

Paphiopedilum Crossianum

PO Box 527Cooroy QLD 4563http://noosaorchidsociety.org.au

DATE CLAIMERMOTHER’S DAY SHOWWhere: CWA Hall

When: 11-12th May

Set up: Thursday 10th May

Start preparing your plants now.

Bendigo Bank, Tewantin. Account name: Noosa District Orchid & Foliage Society, Inc. BSB: 633 108, A/C No. 156770182

Next meeting - 14 April 2018, 1pm for 1:30 startPlants must be benched before 1:00pm

Next show - Sunshine Coast OS show, 6-7 April 2018

UPCOMING DATES

MARCH 30 - 31 Mar Bribie OS show Orchid House,1st Ave, Bribie Island

APRIL

6 - 7 Apr Sunshine Coast OS show in Uniting Church Hall with set up Thursday 5th.

Uniting Church Hall,, Cnr Ulm & Queen St., Caloundra

14 Apr NDOFS Monthly Meeting Tinbeerwah Hall

21 - 22 AprWondai Autumn Garden ExpoSouth Burnett Orchid Society show, RSL Hall Wondai; show opens 9:30AM

Wondai Sportsground & Lions Pavilion, Bunya Highway, Wondai

MAY5 - 6 May Gympie Garden Expo Pavilion, Gympie Showgrounds,

Southside. Set up 4PM11 - 12 May NDOFS Mother’s Day Show (closed) CWA Hall

JUNE9 Jun NDOFS Monthly Meeting Tinbeerwah Hall

16 Jun STOCQ meeting hosted by Maryborough District Orchid Society TBA

JULY

13 - 15 Jul Queensland Garden Expo Nambour Showgrounds14 Jul NDOFS Monthly Meeting Tinbeerwah Hall

18 - 22 Jul Australian Orchid Council Conference and ShowHawkesbury Indoor Stadium, 16 Stewart St, South Windsor, Sydney, NSW

20 - 22 Jul Caboolture OS show Morayfield Community Centre

AUGUST

10 - 11 Aug Maroochydore Orchid Society show Milwell Road Community Centre, Maroochydore

11 Aug NDOFS Monthly Meeting Tinbeerwah Hall

11 - 12 Aug Agnes Water show Agnes Water Community Centre71 Springs Road

30 Aug - 1 Sep Childers and Isis Spring show Cultural Centre, Childers

31 Aug – 1 Sep Nambour Orchid Society Spring Show Uniting Church Hall, Coronation Ave, Nambour. Set up 30 August

SEPTEMBER

8 Sep NDOFS Monthly Meeting Tinbeerwah Hall

14 - 15 Sep NDOFS Spring Show Memorial Hall if renovated TBCSet up 13 Sep

21 - 22 Sep Glasshouse Country OS show set up 20 Sep Beerwah Community Hall, Peachester Road

28 - 30 Sep Hervey Bay Orchid Society Xavier Catholic College 1 Wide Bay Drive, Eli Waters, Hervey Bay.

OCTOBER12 - 13 Oct Bribie IOSr Orchid House,1st Ave, Bribie Island

13 Oct NDOFS Monthly Meeting Tinbeerwah Hall

NOVEMBER

10 Nov NDOFS Monthly Meeting Tinbeerwah Hall10 Nov STOCQ meeting Caboolture

2 – 3 Nov Nambour Orchid Society Orchid species show and trade fair

Uniting Church Hall, Coronation Ave, Nambour.Set up 1 Nov

DECEMBER 8 Dec NDOFS Christmas Party TBA

FUTURE EVENTS

14 - 15 Sep 2019 STOCQ Orchidfest Rockhampton

2023 24th World Orchid Conference Perth

Noosa members are encouraged to enter plants for these shows. Please contact Ray McEwan, on 5442 4064 for further information.

Bendigo Bank, Tewantin. Account name: Noosa District Orchid & Foliage Society, Inc. BSB: 633 108, A/C No. 156770182

Next meeting - 14 April 2018, 1pm for 1:30 startPlants must be benched before 1:00pm

Next show - Sunshine Coast OS show, 6-7 April 2018

PEST OF THE MONTHTHE DENDROBIUM BEETLE - STETHOPACHYS FORMOSA

Also known as Orchid Beetle, these bugs grow to around 10-12mm. The can fly, especially young adults and also have an annoying habit of dropping when you go to grab them.

Generally found in Queensland and Northern New South Wales, but have travelled further south when they can be sheltered in shade houses. In our area, they can be found all year round, especially if we are experiencing a mild winter.

In warmer months, the adult beetle eats the new leaves of orchids, commonly, but not exclusively, hard cane dendrobiums and cattleyas. They also love crucifix orchids and there have been reports of attacking some cycads also.

They then lay eggs in the soft new stems and the larva, a soft white maggot like grub hatches, then eats and destroys the stem and growing tip. At their worst, they will destroy all the new seasons growth on your orchids (Howes 2017).

LIFE CYCLEThe life cycle of the beetle is only a couple of months, so you need to be vigilant in the summer months or the damage will be done before you realise. Four images below show the beetle’s life cycle from egg, larvae, pupa, beetle (Images McQueen 2018).

EVIDENCE- A CASE STUDYCattleya orchid - eggs were removed from 3 buds.

This is a flower bud on the cattleya orchid. The small sugar ants are about 3 mm long so the eggs are about 2 mm long. They are just big enough to see with the naked eye. This is the best stage to get rid of them. They are sticky but easy to remove.

The full bud can be seen with eggs and ants. There are two patches of eggs.

This is still on an orchid flower bud. It shows unhatched eggs, hatched eggs and first instar larva of the dendrobium beetle. There is one larva just emerging from the egg.

Here it looks like one larva is eating an unhatched egg. Again the ant is a good measure of size. The ants are 3 to 4 mm long.

This dendrobium orchid has lost one bud to the larva that is partially covered in its faeces. This is a common behaviour of the larva.

CONTROLSInternet sources and limited published material has revealed several controls, chemical, physical and organic.

a. Detergent with a drop of olive oil sprayed on the orchid.

b. A fine mist of Listerine all over the plant. Must be the original plain, brown variety. Note from me - is this still available?

c. Diazonon for an instant kill of grubs followed by Confidor pills to stop reinfection then a spray of Carbaryl over the leaves and blooms to get rid of the feeding adults.

d. Carbaryl applied at 10g/L is recommended for the control of adults, larvae and eggs. It has a low mammalian toxicity, is readily available and widely used on ornamentals (Gough and Montgomery 1994).

e. Keep a wide top jar handy in your shade house (or where you grow). Half fill it with water, or a combination of cooking oil and water (they drown faster). When looking for the beetle have the jar below where you see them - remember they drop.

f. And my favourite - two bricks

I gratefully acknowledge Bankstown Orchid Society, the Australian Plant Society of New South Wales for access to printed material and Harold McQueen who very generously has shared photos of this menace at various stages of its life cycle on his own plants. A full reference list will be provided on the website soon.

Linda

Damage to leaf

Bendigo Bank, Tewantin. Account name: Noosa District Orchid & Foliage Society, Inc. BSB: 633 108, A/C No. 156770182

Next meeting - 14 April 2018, 1pm for 1:30 startPlants must be benched before 1:00pm

Next show - Sunshine Coast OS show, 6-7 April 2018

Marty Vleckert

Sam Cowie

VARICOSUM ONCIDIUM GROUPSAM COWIEThis group within the Oncidium group lends itself to mounting onto tree fern and other things like trees. Varicosum Oncidiums tend to do most of their growing during the warmer months, putting out new shoots and roots starting about

September and finishing with flowers from January through to May. During the growth cycle they require regular water and fertilizer, but during the off season their requirements are less (just enough to keep them plump). Picking the growth cycle is just a matter of watching the roots, look for those nice green root tips. New roots in spring means the start of the growth season, whereas cessation of active root growth means the end of the season.

The photos show Oncidium Sweet Ears ‘The OrchidWorks’ mounted onto a tree fern slab. Mounting was done at the start of September 2017 and regular watering and fertilizer was started straight away. Watering and fertilizing was done every day during the growing season, except on days it was raining. Watering was done first thing in the morning so that the plant was dry going into the night. They do like a humid environment. Fertilizer was Peters Cal Mag Finisher at the rate of half a gram per litre.

Example of Varicosum Oncidium

DIVIDING AND REPOTTING IN MARCHSome highlights of the March meeting where we learnt about growing caladiums, dividing and repotting an oncidium, and what incorrect watering and fertilising can do to an orchid. The response was wonderful and another “clinic” will be run later in the year.

Bendigo Bank, Tewantin. Account name: Noosa District Orchid & Foliage Society, Inc. BSB: 633 108, A/C No. 156770182

Next meeting - 14 April 2018, 1pm for 1:30 startPlants must be benched before 1:00pm

Next show - Sunshine Coast OS show, 6-7 April 2018

POPULAR VOTE MARCH 2018JC highlighted if not listed separately.

CLASS 1st 2nd 3rd Cattleya Exhibition over 100 mm

Rlc. Mem. Reg DysonR. & M. McEwan

Lc. Little SuzieL. Mills

Cattleya Cluster Rlc. Village ChiefM. & A. Vlekkert

Blc. Bhinga BayR. & M. McEwan

Pot. Burana BeautyS. Flower

Cattleya Novelty C. Caudebec CandyM. & A. Vlekkert

C. Dennis KoneR. & M. McEwan

C. Deception DropM. Atkinson

Dendrobium Alliance

Den. UnknownS. Flower

Den. Dal’s(Delex x Blazzer xx Classic x Dazzler)S. Flower

Den. Alices Rainbow D. Hunter

Den. Taurus x canaliculatumL. Walters

Natives Den. bigibbum var. compactumD. Hunter

Phalaenopsis Phal. UnknownR. & M. McEwan

Species Milt. morelianaD. & L. Lee

Bulb. gamosepalumS. & B. Yeoman

Ddc. latifoliumM. & A. Vlekkert

Vanda Alliance Vasco. Pine RiversR. & M. McEwan

Aranda. Christine x Asc. SubsamarawM. Atkinson

Ascda. Boonyarit RedD. Hunter

Oncidium Alliance Onc. Sharry BabyM. & A. Vlekkert

Mtssa. Aztec ToniS. Flower

Hwra. Lava BurstR. & M. McEwan

Other Genera Paph. CrossianumM. & A. Vlekkert

Paph. CrossianumM. & A. Vlekkert

Novice Odtna. Pacific ParanoiaC. Stewart

Den. Makariki BlueD. Lyons

Lc. Chunforg SmileD. Lyons

Den. SonyaD. Lyons

Bromeliad Tillandsia cyaneaR. & M. McEwan

Brom. UnknownJ. & G. Menkens

Neo. Galactic WarriorL. Walters

Anthurium Ant. UnknownJ. & G. Menkens

Ant. UnknownL. Walters

Ferns and Fern Allies

Huperzia squarosa PNGD. Hunter

Davallia fejeensisR. & M. McEwan

Foliage BegoniaM. Smith

BegoniaJ. Kratzmann

DracaeanaL. Walters

Dendrobium SonyaRestrepia brachypus

Rlc. Village Chief North ‘Green Genius’

Vanda Pine Rivers ‘Wasana’

Cattleya Caudabec Candy

Dendrochilum latifolium

Oncidium Sharry Baby

Bendigo Bank, Tewantin. Account name: Noosa District Orchid & Foliage Society, Inc. BSB: 633 108, A/C No. 156770182

Next meeting - 14 April 2018, 1pm for 1:30 startPlants must be benched before 1:00pm

Next show - Sunshine Coast OS show, 6-7 April 2018

SPONSORSPlease support our sponsors, as their help makes this newsletter possible.

BEN & NANCY RYDER

Anthuriums - Yandina Markets

REMINDERIf you need new labels email Marty & Anita at ndofslabels@gmail.com

IF YOU WOULD LOVE TO RECEIVE NEWSLETTERS FROM OTHER SOCIETIES IN THE AREA PLEASE LET LINDA KNOW AND SHE WILL ADD YOU TO THE LIST

DON’T FORGETPlease bring your mug, badge and a contribution to afternoon tea when you can.

PLEASE BE COURTEOUSNo conversations during presentations. If you need to chat, please go outside.

SOUTH BURNETT ORCHID SHOW AND THE WONDAI GARDEN EXPO BUS TRIPYou need to get your names to Philip ASAP if you wish to travel on the bus. We will leave Tewantin at 7am then pick up at Cooroy and Gympie. Cost Bus $25 plus entry of $5 into the Expo and $3 into the orchid show. Morning tea and lunch will be at your expense. You can obtain morning tea at the Orchid Show and a great lunch at the RSL (bookings advised). Also, food is available at the Expo. Money will be payable at the April Meeting.

MEETING NOTESMARCH MEETING NOTESRaffle draw March meeting. Lucky Door- Marty Vlekkert. Raffle winners- Marion Mapleston, Neil Beasley, Philip Barry, Brian Donnelly, Nita Bettridge, Lois Walters, Gav Menkens, John Simmons, Shirley Flower

Thank you to everyone for bringing in plants for the clinic.

APRIL MEETINGIf you love growing Cattleyas then you need to be at this meeting. Our very own John Green will team up with Doug Wanka to tell us everything we need to know to grow beautiful plants. Doug will also be bringing some plants for sale.

SUNSHINE COAST ORCHID SOCIETY SHOW (CALOUNDRA)For anyone intending to show plants, Anita needs label requests by 5pm Tuesday 3rd April. Please send requests to ndofslabels@gmail.com

Plants need to be delivered to Ray McEwan if you are unable to take them yourself. Drop them to place 3 Casuarina Ct Noosaville on Wednesday 4th of April before 11 am or after 2 pm.

You also need to notify Linda (lindadfalkner@gmail.com or 0427 579922) that you are showing plants, so you get a show number from the organisers. Please do this by Monday 2nd April.

DEADLINE FOR MAY NEWSLETTER 17TH APRILAll members are welcome to advertise orchid related contributions.

Mother’s Day show will be the peak time for Dendrobium hybrids