Upcoming Events: Sutherland Shire Orchid Society January 2018

SSOS January Meeting

8th Jan

Camden Haven Orchid Show 13th-14th Jan

SSOS February Meeting 12th

Feb

Articles This Month:

You Grew It

In My Greenhouse

The wonderful Green Rock

Orchid: elliptica

President: Frank Daniel

Vice President: George Birss Editor: Richard Dimon

[email protected]

SSOS GENERAL MEETING thanked for his efforts with the Growers group, Diane Philips for organising our suppers at our meetings; Pam MINUTES - 11 December 2017 Davies for tallying the monthly show bench results from which the annual point scores are calculated, the taking the photographs at our meetings, and collating the number of benched in each class at each meeting. Frank Daniel welcomed our members and guests to the Diane and Pam were given a Westfield voucher in meeting. He asked appreciation. for a member to motion that the November minutes were accurate. Robert Nicol motioned they were correct. Carried. After general business, Frank awarded the Annual Point Score trophy to Sandra Crosby and Tony Costa who

achieved 779 points. This was the tenth year they have Correspondence received won this award. Vic Petrovski was second with 285 points. The top point scorer in Intermediate was Peter • OSNSW November 2017 Orchid News. Ng with 186 points, and in Novice it was Howard Chen • Newsletters from Batemans Bay, Eastern Suburbs, with 124 points. Gavin Curtis was awarded the Rona Bankstown and North Shore Orchid Societies Goudie Trophy as he gained the most first places in our 3 • Flyer from Eurobodalla Orchid Society advertising their March Workshop to be held on 17 &18 March 2018 in Tuross Heads. Speakers include Kevin Hipkins, Clive Halls, Wally Rhodes & Jeanne Dunn

New members this month are Jessica Sutton (Junior class) and John Ng (Novice class)

Tonight Frank said it had been a great year with three successful shows. He thanked the committee who worked very hard in managing the business of the Society throughout the year and our judges, raffle ticket sellers, sales table assistants, those people who put out and put away the tables at our meetings, and the volunteers at our shows and BBQs. George Birss was 2

shows (Winter, Spring & Spectacular) but failed to win a display the size of which will depend upon the number of Champion Prize. plants provided by members. The appearance money for the displays and champion awards are very generous. To Frank presented certificates and gifts to the first and attend the show and vendor area, it costs $10 per day. To second place getters in each class of the annual point attend the full program on Friday and Saturday the cost scores. Members then adjourned to the hall for the is $100 per day. If you volunteer for half a day, you are Christmas party and the giant raffle. Everyone had a entitled to entry to the show for the rest of the day for great time. free. The distance to the venue is about 2km further than Orchids Out West. Members are asked to seriously consider either attending or exhibiting their plants in the Upcoming speakers are: conference. JANUARY: Joyce Stone will present a talk and a potting demonstration on Pterostylis orchids

FEBRUARY: ECO products & judging of growing competition

MARCH: AGM & Seedling Competition judging

ITEMS OF INTEREST

Our Society’s membership renewals are due. All members who pay their membership by the close of the January 2018 meeting will go in the draw for a 12 month Shoalhaven Orchid Society are selling their tables. The subscription to Orchids Australia. For those of you who Society will be buying some to replace to faulty ones in wish to receive the bulletin in the mail there will be an the hall if we can get them for $20-25 a table. If anyone additional charge of $15 per annum to assist with the is interested in buying any, please let George know. photocopying and postage costs. This does not apply to life members.

The Annual Points Scores recommence from tonight's Jan Robinson spoke to members on attending the AOC meeting. The committee reviewed the number of plants Conference in July 2018 at Windsor. She explained it will benched in each class over the year and have made some be a international conference being held in Sydney which changes to the Schedule. In Open class, Class 11 and 14 our Society should support. The Society will put on a have been combined and will be called Phalaenopsis; in 3

Novice there was no change and in Intermediate Class 37 think that the flower is a spider and sting it at the Seedling has been eliminated. (the part of the orchid that holds the flowers sexual organs) attempting to pull it away to consume it,

consequently stinging away at the lip and in it’s struggle The committee has considered who should be promoted picks up the pollina on it’s head. They then fly to another from the Novice and Intermediate classes based on the flower where it is stripped from it’s head. annual point scores and general ability in growing orchids. The committee has approved the elevation of Peter Ng (186 pts), Peng Sanaphay (64 pts) to Open class and Herbert Chen (124 pts), John Chan (96 pts) and Robert Cawley (49 pts) will escalate to Intermediate class.

Frank mentioned in March the AGM will be held. The position of President and Secretary need to be filled in particular. Members were asked to consider nominating for these positions.

NAME BADGE DRAW – Frank Daniel Found from Mexico to Venezuala in cloud forests at elevations of 900 to 2400m an epiphyte orchid that LUCKY PLANTS - Herbert Chen, Owen Sutton and Heath grows on tree trunks and large branches. The Myers. pseudobulbs bare two strappy leaves that arise from the Next meeting: 8 January 2018 base. From here one or two long erect to arching arise from the mature pseudobulbs each carrying up to 20 peppery scented flowers (particularly in the evening). The 15 to 20 cm flowers are a light apple YOU GREW IT green marked with darker green markings. The largish white lip is covered in green “warts”. Brassia verrucosa – exhibited by John Costa A relatively easy orchid to grow in a pot or basket using large bark so the roots can grow through. Give bright light Commonly called “spider orchids”, or “the Warty and plenty of water. Many of the Brassia’s like to be out Brassia”. Brassia orchids are pollinated by female spider in almost full sun and need these conditions to flower. stinging wasps that because of the shape of the flower 4

Many growers tie Brassia to a backyard tree and enjoy the emerge. The flowers are an “oxblood” red up to 5cm floral display as it drifts in the breeze. across with a white cream lip with red spotting. Yellow colour forms are also available. Maxillaria tenuifolia – exhibited by Lee Buividis This is one orchid every grower should have. Easy to grow and propagation is easy. Grow in a squat pot or mount on a piece of tree fern. Give good light and plenty of water during summer. As your grows “UP” simply cut back to a desired height and plant all the cut off pseudobulbs into a pot and soon you will have another pot full.

As it flowers around Christmas it makes a great table decoration, probably around an outdoor setting as the smell of a large plant may be overpowering inside.

Bulbophyllum carunculatum –

Commonly referred to as “the Coconut orchid”, due to the Exhibited by George Birss distinctive aroma given off by the flowers. Often a grower will smell the orchid long before they realise it is in bloom. Usually flowers around Christmas.

An epiphytic and occasionally terrestrial species orchid found from Mexico to Costa Rica at low elevations up to 1500m so can be grown cold to warm.

The pseudobulbs tend to “climb” and grow on top of each other and produce a grass like foliage that in itself is attractive as a house plant. The rhizome (a prostrate or underground stem which the pseudobulb arises from) is completely enveloped by scarious (thin dry membrane, brownish in colour, that overlaps small Found only on the island of Salawesi, Indonesia at roots) making each pseudobulb a potential new plant. elevations of 800 – 900m as a warm growing epiphyte. From each mature pseudobulb a single flower will

5

The Ovoid (egg shaped) pseudobulb carries only one leaf plants were short stemmed and all flowered on the from which a 45cm long grows. This leafless or near leafless canes. Two plants had flowers of produces successive opening flowers, as many as 12 the same size (one of these is the pictured plant) the other fragrant, but not nice, 7 – 10cm flowers that are yellow or was a smaller plant than the other two in size and stem yellow green often with red stripping towards the centre length but the flower although very similar in shape and with a very dark purple maroon longish lip that wobbles. colour was probably 1/3 smaller. It will be interesting to A very attractive and striking flower that looks great in see these plants next year to compare again. any collection. Dendrobium catenatum is found in China, Korea and A medium to large growing plant that likes to spread out, Japan growing at elevations of 1200 – 1600m in deep likes a shallow pot or tray or mounted with many short mountainous forests as a cool to warm epiphyte. roots so like a fast draining medium, to be kept moist with They have long clustered terete (cylindrical or slightly bright shady conditions. tapered) pendant or erect stems carrying many Dendrobium catenatum – exhibited deciduous leaves. The inflorescence has 4 -5 flowers on by Jan Robinson the upper 1/3 of a leafless cane. The flowers are smallish at 20mm across and are a pale crystalline yellow green that are almost translucent.

They are very slow growers, like a well-drained mix, bright light and good air movement.

This is the first time I have had mine flower. I am not sure where I got it from and although I think it is stunning it is not big and showy, probably not for everybody but for those who like Dendrobiums and things that are small and unusual this is one of my favourites now.

Footnote: At first glance you may assume that dendrobiums are just another beautiful flower but you would be very wrong. All dendrobium species (and Synonyms: Dendrobium catencatum and Dendrobium probably hybrids) are valued in Chinese medicine. officinale. Dendrobium officinale is actually an endangered native Note: On the night there were three plants benched that orchid. Traditionally used in Chinese medicine fell under these names. One plant of Dendrobium dendrobium stalks can fetch $1000/kg, Dendrobium catenatum and two plants Dendrobium officinale. All the officinale is valued at $16,000/kg.

6

Looking at my plant I have a long way to go to make my Many of my Bulbophyllums have been or are in flower fortune, I would estimate I have about $0.80 worth. and seem to love these conditions.

IN MY GREEN HOUSE Bulbo. frostii is a small Cirrhopetalum type bulbo from Vietnam. It has several small flowers that look a little like “elves” slippers that are cream in colour with maroon spots all over with a dark maroon lip that is inside the slipper. Bulbo. tingabarinum is another Cirrho. Type bulbo, but this one is bright orange and the flowers fan out in a circular pattern. Another Bulbo. In flower is

Wilba Chang, this is a hybrid which is a cross between B. Well the year is almost over as I write this column. Today carunculatum and B. echinolabium, much bigger than the weather is overcast and coolish around the mid 20’s the other two mentioned with a sequential opening 12 to but tomorrow who knows. One day great for getting out 15cm long flower that is yellow, veined with red brown and messing with your orchids the next so hot the only stripes and a 2 -3cm long dark red purple labellum or lip. place to be is in the pool or inside with the air con cranked Quite spectacular. right up. Today is one that was great to get among out and messing around in the greenhouse. I spent the morning Also in the hot house (should I say glass house because it tidying up and weeding. Not only are the orchids doesn’t need heating at present) is a cute little plant of throwing up new growths but the weeds seem to like this Pleurothallis tribuloides which comes from Central weather even more. I rue the day I purchased a plant that America. It is mounted on a piece of cork and the leaves had “flick weed “ seed in the mix, I must have removed are only about 2 -3cm in length with small burnt rust two cups full. If you don’t get it early the seeds “flick” to flowers that are only about 4mm in length and hidden the next plant. You can be so observant but it only takes amongst the foliage. one little plant that you don’t notice and it matures and Over the Christmas period I have had in flower a hybrid the spread is on again. “Aeroguard” is a good way to kill Vanda with three long inflorescence, Vanda Star small infestations providing the orchid is a big chunky Sapphire X Vanda Fuch’s Fortune which has been type of plant, not small and delicate. adorning my sun room with it’s cream and purple Things that are powering along at present are flowers. Not big an showy like most vandas but very Coelogynes, Cattleyas, Zygopetalums, Bulbophyllums, intricate in shape and colouring. just about everything seems to be putting up new shoots In the shade house Stenoglottis woodii is throwing up and growths. All of my Phragmipediums have developed flower spikes that will display tiny white flowers of about new growths and at present they can’t get enough water 20 - 40 to each stem. This is a plant that dies off over or fertilizer. I grow them in water well pots with plenty of light. 7

winter and has no leaves so don’t think it’s died and throw Winner Paph. Susan Booth S. T. Ho it out as it reshoots in the spring. OPEN CLASS SPECIES Winner Paph. rothschildianum S. T. Ho At last year’s winter show I benched a plant of INTERMEDIATE JUDGES CHOICE R. Dendrobium lowesii, well guess what, this weather has Winner Brassia verrucosa Jackson messed it around and it’s in bud and even some flowers NOVICE & JUNIOR JUDGES CHOICE now, should be a better flowering than last year but J. Winner Paph. acmodontum Sharpha maybe not for the Winter show. m PRESIDENT'S CHOICE Speaking of weather Stanhopea orchids, or at least mine, V. Winner Vasco Pine Rivers are confused. A that usually flowers at Christmas Petrovski and missed last year has done it again. Out of about 10 CLASS # 1 AUSTRALIAN NATIVES 1st Den. lichenastrum G. Birss Stanhopea of varying types none have any spikes. Either CLASS # 2 PAPHIOPEDILUMS SPECIES I’m not going to get any or it will be another late flowering 1st Paph. rothschildianum S. T. Ho again this year. 2nd Paph. esquirolei H. Myers CLASS # 3 LAELIINAE OVER 110MM Keep an eye out for snails and those little green grubs that (CLASSICAL SHAPE) S.Crosby/ seem to have a GPS designed especially for new shoots or 1st Sc. Dal's Choice 'Merrigum' T.Costa flower buds. I haven’t seen many Dendrobium Beetles of CLASS # 4 NOVELTY PAPHIOPEDILUMS late but they seem to disappear when it gets really hot and 1st Paph. Susan Booth S. T. Ho come back for a second visit around February. 2nd Paph. Shin-Yi Princess S. T. Ho 3rd Paph. Memnon H. Myers Paph. (Winston Churchill x With these hot days it is always advisable to water early 4th H. Myers Knock Knock) x Pulsar and mist during the day but even if it is hot water is CLASS # 7 LAELIINAE (NON CLASSICAL essential. It is better to put up with a little leaf burn SHAPE) S.Crosby/ instead of having a plant die due to lack of water. A good 1st Epi. Seto Raspberry T.Costa idea is trays of water under benches or under trays D. 2nd Epi. Topaz Special 'Elegante' holding plants this keeps up the humidity and keeps the Phillips area cool and if you have frogs gives them a place to live. Epi. Topaz Delight "All Year D. 3rd Pink' Phillips CLASS # 8 LAELIINAE UP TO & INCLUDING 80MM (CLASSICAL SHAPE) S.Crosby/ MONTHLY JUDGING RESULTS – 1st Pot. Dal's Emperor 'Arcadia' T.Costa December 2017 Lc. Tokyo Magic x Slc. V. 2nd Cosmic Delite Petrovski PLANT OF NIGHT CLASS # 9 AUSTRALIAN NATIVE HYBRIDS Winner Paph. rothschildianum S. T. Ho OPEN CLASS HYBRID 8

S.Crosby/ 3rd Onc. 'unknown' M. Luk 1st Den. Hilda Poxon T.Costa Bllra. Dreamy 'Kool & 4th P. Davies CLASS # 9A DENDROBIUM SPECIES Kinky' EXOTIC CLASS # 16 MISCELLANEOUS HYBRIDS J. Prom. Kiwi Invader x J. 1st Den. catenatum 1st Robinson guttata Robinson V. S.Crosby/ 2nd Den. johnsoniae 2nd Lyc. Garfield Petrovski T.Costa L. Sarco. hartmannii x Phal. 3rd Den. catenatum 3rd H. Myers Buivids Danse L. S.Crosby/ 4th Den. chrysotoxum 4th Lyc. Aquila 'Gem' Buivids T.Costa CLASS # 10 SPECIES ASIAN (Elsewhere not CLASS # 17 DENDROBIUM HYBRIDS Included) S.Crosby/ 1st Den. Fraser's Caramel Twist 1st Bulb. carunculatum G. Birss T.Costa 2nd Bulb. lobbii G. Birss C. 2nd Den. Belmont Dream 'Nev' 3rd Chsch. parishii G. Birss Brandon CLASS # 10B ONCIDINAE SPECIES V. 3rd Den. Gatton Sunray 1st Onc. pumilum G. Birss Petrovski S.Crosby/ 4th Den. Sakoi Blue M. Luk 2nd Gdp. divaricatum T.Costa CLASS # 18 VANDACEOUS CLASS # 11A COELGYNINAE SPECIES S.Crosby/ 1st V. Gordon Dillon 'Lea' 1st Ddc.pangasinanense G. Birss T.Costa L. V. 2nd Ddc.pangasinanense 2nd Vasco Pine Rivers Buivids Petrovski 3rd Coel. fragrans G. Birss M. 3rd Vasco. Mem. Clem Crosbie 4th Ddc. latifolium G. Birss Dimon CLASS # 12 SEEDLING V. Patcharee Delight 'Red & M. 4th 1st Paph. rothschildianum S. T. Ho Waxy' Dimon 2nd V. garayi G. Birss CLASS # 19 MASDEVALLIA & DRACULA 3rd V. garayi G. Birss SPECIES CLASS # 13 ONCIDIUM HYBRIDS 60MM 1st Masd. floribunda G. Birss AND UNDER CLASS # 21A PLEUROTHALLIDINAE V. HYBRIDS 1st Brsdm. Memoria Artur Elle Petrovski S.Crosby/ 1st Masd. Rein Touch 2nd Onc. Sharry Baby P. Davies T.Costa 3rd Onc. Mendenhall G. Birss S.Crosby/ 2nd Masd. Memoria Alex Arms S.Crosby/ T.Costa 4th Onc. Splinter x sphacelatum T.Costa CLASS # 21B LAELIINAE SPECIES CLASS # 15 ONCIDIUM HYBRIDS OVER 1st Laelia purpurata var. carnea J. Costa 60mm S.Crosby/ 2nd Epi. paniculatum 1st Mps. Breathless 'Brillant' M. Luk T.Costa S.Crosby/ 3rd Psh. vespa M. Luk 2nd Odcdm. Tiger Barb T.Costa

9

CLASS # 22 MINITURE CYMBIDIUMS 1st Ng P 186 UNDER 60mm 2nd Sanaphay P 64 rd V. 3 Nicol R 38 1st Cym. Blind Faith Petrovski Novice Trophy CLASS # 23 SPECIES OTHER (NOT 1st Chen H 124 ELSEWHERE INCLUDED) 2nd Chan J 96 1st Brassia verrucosa J. Costa 3rd Cawley R 49 L. 2nd Cuitlanzina pendula Buivids Class # 1 AUSTRALIAN NATIVES st L. 1 Crosby, Costa S & T 50 3rd Maxillaria tenuifolia 2nd Brandon C 22 Buivids 3rd Birss G 13 V. 4th Maxillaria tenuifolia 3rd Buivids L 13 Petrovski CLASS # 24A NATIVE SARCANTHINAE CLASS #2 PAPHIOPEDILUMS SPECIES HYBRIDS 1st Ho ST 73 S.Crosby/ 2nd Crosby, Costa S & T 19 1st Sarco. Wild Rose rd T.Costa 3 Myers H 9

CLASS # 29 NOVICE - MISCELLANEOUS CLASS # 3 LAELIINAE OVER 110MM (CLASSICAL J. SHAPE) 1st Phal. 'unknown' Sharpha 1st Hyde T 28 m 2nd McEvoy W 26 F. 3rd Crosby, Costa S & T 22 2nd Phal. 'unknown' Andrews CLASS # 4 NOVELTY PAPHIOPEDILUMS J. Mps. Pink Momma 1st Ho St 57 3rd Sharpha 'Yosemite Sam' 2nd Petrovski V 16 m 3rd Myers H 14 4th Odcdm. Wildcat 'Ocelot' F. Daniel CLASS # 30 NOVICE -SPECIES CLASS # 5 LAELIINAE OVER 80MM UP TO & J. INCLUDING 110MM (CLASSICAL SHAPE) ST 1st Paph. acmodontum Sharpha 1 Crosby, Costa S & T 51 2nd Buivids L 30 m 3rd McEvoy W 19 CLASS # 36 INTERMEDIATE - SPECIES R. 1st Brs. Verrucosa CLASS # 6 PAPHIOPEDILUM Jackson 1ST Ho ST 31 2nd Angcm. magdalenae 'Keiths' R. Nicol 2nd Petrovski V 17 3rd Myers H 4

CLASS # 7 LAELIINAE (NON CLASSICAL SHAPE) 2017 Annual point score 1ST McEvoy W 50 2nd Petrovski V 19 Open Point score trophy 3rd Crosby, Costa S & T 14 st 1 Crosby, Costa S & T 779 3rd Luk M 14 nd 2 Petrovski B. 285 rd 3 Ho ST 243 CLASS # 8 LAELIINAE UP TO & INCLUDING 80MM (CLASSICAL SHAPE) Intermediate Trophy 1ST Crosby, Costa S & T 72 10

2nd Petrovski V 13 3rd Davies P 11 CLASS # 16 MISCELLANEOUS HYBRIDS 1st Chalmers I & I 35 CLASS # 9 AUSTRALIAN NATIVE HYBRIDS 2nd Crosby, Costa S & T 31 1st Crosby, Costa S & T 59 3rd Petrovski V 21 2nd Brandon C 42 3rd Dimon M 9 CLASS # 17 DENDROBIUM HYBRIDS 1st Crosby, Costa S & T 26 CLASS # 9A DENDROBIUM SPECIES EXOTIC 2nd Brandon C 25 1st Buivids L 39 3rd Petrovski V 16 2nd Chalmers I & I 28 3rd Petrovski V 26 CLASS # 18 VANDACEOUS 1st Dimon M 63 CLASS # 10 SPECIES ASIAN (OTHER THAN 2nd Luk M 16 COELGYNINAE) 3rd Chalmers I & I 15 1st Chalmers I & I 28 2nd Buivids L 23 CLASS # 19 MASDEVALLIA & DRACULA SPECIES 3rd Crosby, Costa S & T 13 1ST Crosby, Costa S & T 15 2nd Birss G 5 Class #10B ONCIDINAE SPECIES 1st Crosby, Costa S & T 27 CLASS # 20 INTERMEDIATE CYMBIDIUMS 60 TO 2nd Luk M 14 90 MM 3rd Buivids L 9 1st Petrovski V 38 3rd Robinson J 9 2nd Luk M 3

CLASS # 11 PHALAENOPSIS OVER 75MM CLASS # 21A PLEUROTHALLIDINAE HYBRIDS 1ST Luk M 28 1st Crosby, Costa S & T 82 2nd Birss G 10 2nd Birss G 17 3rd Davies P 7 3rd Chapman W & J 9

CLASS # 11A COELGYNINAE SPECIES CLASS # 21B LAELIINAE SPECIES 1ST Birss G 29 1st McEvoy W 42 2nd Costa J 19 2nd Crosby, Costa S & T 32 3rd Chalmers I & I 18 3rd Buivids L 23

CLASS # 13 ONCIDIUM HYBRIDS 60MM AND CLASS # 22 MINITURE CYMBIDIUMS UNDER UNDER 60MM 1st Crosby, Costa S & T 56 1ST Petrovski V 54 2nd Luk M 16 2nd Luk M 11 3rd Davies P 12 3rd Crosby, Costa S & T 5 3rd Phillips D 5 CLASS # 23 SPECIES OTHER ( NOT ELSEWHERE CLASS # 14 PHALAENOPSIS 75MM AND UNDER INCLUDED) 1st Luk M 33 2nd Hodder G 18 1st Buivids L 35 3rd Birss G 4 2nd Crosby, Costa S & T 16 3rd Myers H 14 CLASS # 15 ONCIDIUM HYBRIDS OVER 60MM 1st Crosby, Costa S & T 47 CLASS # 23A OTHER PLEUROTHALLIDINAE 2nd Luk M 21 SPECIES 2nd Davies P 21 1st Crosby, Costa S & T 69 11

2nd Birss G 41 2nd Jackson R 20 3rd Chalmers I & I 37 3rd Sanaphay P 6

CLASS # 24 STANDARD CYMBIDIUMS CLASS # 34 INTERMEDIATE – LAELIINAE 1st Petrovski V 11 1st Ng P 100 2nd Myers H 3 2nd Sanaphay P 10 3rd Middleton P 9 CLASS # 24A NATIVE SARCANTHINAE HYBRIDS 1st Brandon C 63 CLASS # 35 INTERMEDIATE – MISCELLANEOUS 2nd Crosby, Costa S & T 18 1st Ng P 50 3rd Birss G 4 2nd Sanaphay P 28 3rd Middleton P 15 CLASS # 25 NOVICE – PAPHIOPEDILUM 1st Chan J 5 CLASS # 36 INTERMEDIATE – SPECIES 1st Nicol R 18 CLASS # 26 NOVICE – CYMBIDIUMS 2nd Sanaphay P 16 1st Chen H 23 3rd Matheson C 8 2nd Daniel F 6 3rd Cawley R 5 CLASS # 37 INTERMEDIATE SEEDLINGS 1st Ng P 5 CLASS # 27 NOVICE – NATIVE & NATIVE HYBRIDS 1st Chen H 28 2nd Castle C 14 3rd Chan J 8 The wonderful Green Rock Orchid: 3rd Cawley R 8 Rimacola elliptica CLASS # 28 NOVICE – LAELIINAE 1ST Chan J 49 by Richard Dimon 2nd Chen H 19 3rd Daniel F 8 During the Christmas holidays I made the trip up the CLASS # 29 NOVICE – MISCELLANEOUS 1ST Chen H 54 the Blue Mountains, stopping at Wentworth Falls. 2nd Cawley R 22 Stumbling along one of the main walking tracks, I was 3rd Sharpham J 18 fortunate to come across a group of Rimacola elliptica CLASS # 30 NOVICE – SPECIES in flower. Commonly called Green beaks, or the Green 1ST Chan J 20 2nd Cawley R 14 Rock Orchid, this species is a rock-cliff specialist (or 3rd Daniel F 10 lithophyte) growing directly on moist rock faces, or

CLASS # 31 INTERMEDIATE – PAPHIOPEDILUMS within a layer of organic matter within fissures of the 1ST Matheson C 8 rock surface. 2nd Ng P 5

CLASS # 32 INTERMEDIATE – CYMBIDIUMS The species was initially placed into the genus 1st Ng P 5 in 1810 by Robert Brown, a Scottish CLASS # 33 INTERMEDIATE – NATIVE SPECIES & botanist who first came to Australia on the NATIVE HYBRIDS 1st Hannah D & M 23 Investigator with Mathew Flinders. The species has 12

very elliptical shaped leaves compared to other (with legal means of collection ofcourse). I can only Lyperanthus species described by Brown at the time, assume it is due to the highly specific environmental thus the name Lyperanthus ellipticus was given. conditions required to replicate the growing conditions However, the species was taken out of Lyperanthus of this species. I wouldn’t bother unless you have a and placed into its very own genus, Rimacola (meaning spare sandstone cliff lying about! For the meantime, I’ll inhabiting crevices) in 1942 by Australian clergyman be appreciating the wonderful display of flowers from and botanist, Herman Rupp. Rimacola is a monotypic the side of the walking track :p genus, meaning it only has one species currently recorded. Rupp provided several reasons for why the species should be split from other Lyperanthus, mainly due to it’s unique habit, inflorescence, and foliage. The labellum of Rimacola is also cleaved and undivided, which is not found in other members of Lyperanthus.

The distribution of Rimacola elliptica is found in coastal areas of New South Wales from Broken Bay to

Port Hacking, extending west into the Blue Mountains, where it is solely confined to moist clayey crevices found in sandstone cliffs or wet ledges.

Although locally common in the area, I have been told that R. elliptica has been unsuccessful in cultivation

13

SSOS Members – Fees for 2018 are now due. If you pay by the January meeting, your name will automatically go into our draw for a free annual subscription to the magazine Orchids Australia (prize value of $55!!)

MEMBERSHIP SUBSCRIPTION RENEWAL FORM

PLEASE UPDATE IF YOUR DETAILS HAVE CHANGED

NAME: ______

Address: ______Postcode______Email address: ______

ANNUAL SUBSCRIPTION FEES (PLEASE CIRCLE AS APPLICABLE)

ADULT DOUBLE $15.00 PA DOUBLE PENSIONER $10.00 PA

ADULT SINGLE $12.00 PA SINGLE PENSIONER $ 8.00 PA

JUNIOR (UNDER 16 YRS) $2.00 PA

IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO RECEIVE THE MONTHLY BULLETIN BY MAIL, THERE WILL BE AN ADDITIONAL $15 ANNUAL SURCHARGE PAYBLE WITH YOUR MEMBERSHIP FEES.

Please complete this form and present with payment at our monthly meeting or send form and cheque to: The Treasurer, Sutherland Shire Orchid Society Inc., 92A The Esplanade, Sylvania 2224.

If you would like to pay by direct deposit, the Society’s banking details are as follow:

BSB 062 278, Account #10023286 ; Account Name Sutherland Shire Orchid Society Inc.

MAKE SURE YOU PUT YOUR NAME IN THE REFECE FIELD!!

Articles for the Bulletin If you are interested in providing articles for our monthly bulletin or any feedback on articles that you would like to see in the bulletin, please email Richard Dimon at [email protected] The articles can be on anything you like related to orchids. Pictures to go with articles are also encouraged.

Disclaimer: The growing guides are provided only as a starting basis to cultivation. Local conditions in your area may require modification to these suggestions. SSOS will not be responsible for the results of your cultivation practices. The opinions expressed in these articles are those of the author and not those of SSOS, SSOS in no way endorses or supports any claims or opinions of said authors. Pictures provided by Pamela Davies, Jan Robinson, and Richard Dimon and may not be used without the expressed permission of the photographer. 14