Journal of the Native Orchid Society of South Inc

Oligochaetochilus excelsus

Print Post Approved .Volume 29 Nº 10 PP 543662/00018 November 2005 NATIVE ORCHID SOCIETY OF POST OFFICE BOX 565 UNLEY SOUTH AUSTRALIA 5061

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 Bob Bates: Cathy Houston Telephone 8251 5251 telephone 8356 7356

VICE PRESIDENT Bodo Jensen

COMMITTEE Malcolm Guy Brendan Killen John Bartram Bill Dear

EDITOR TREASURER David Hirst Peter McCauley 14 Beaverdale Avenue ASSISTANT TREASURER Windsor Gardens SA 5087 Bill Dear Telephone 8261 7998 telephone 8296 2111 Email [email protected] mobile 0414 633941

LIFE MEMBERS Mr R. Hargreaves† Mr D. Wells Mr H. Goldsack† Mr G. Carne Mr R. Robjohns† Mr R Bates Mr J. Simmons† Mr R Shooter Mr. L. Nesbitt Bill Dear

Registrar of Judges: Reg Shooter Trading Table: Judy Penney Field Trips and Conservation: Thelma Bridle telephone 8384 4174 Tuber bank Coordinator: Malcolm Guy telephone 8276 7350 New Members Coordinator: Malcolm Guy telephone 8276 7350

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 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 $16.00

Front cover from an original drawing by Jane Hutchinson. Used with her kind permission.

JOURNAL OF THE NATIVE ORCHID SOCIETY OF SOUTH AUSTRALIA INC.

NOVEMBER 2005 VOL. 29 NO 10

CONTENTS THIS JOURNAL

Title Author Page

Diary Dates 92 October Meeting 93 For Your Information – NOSSA News 94 How it is Done Reg Shooter 96 Extinct Orchid? Thelma Bridle 96 Orchid Grid – September 2005 Les Nesbitt 97 Kuitpo Karers Kolumn September 05 Les Nesbitt 97 Field Trip Report – Sevenhill 8/10/05 Thelma Bridle 98 Field Trip to Wadmore Park, Athelstone. 25th September Cathy Houston 99 Weevils Feeding on Orchids Thelma Bridle 100

NEXT MEETING 22 November 2004 Tuesday, 22 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 is the much anticipated Annual Auction which is followed by a Xmas Supper for the last meeting of 2005. Not to forget the drawing of the Xmas hamper raffle.

DIARY DATES

Tues 22 Nov Annual Auction, Raffle & Christmas Supper Sun 4th Dec Morning field trip to Kuitpo Forest for duck orchids (prior to BBQ) 4 Dec Annual BBQ Sat 10th Dec Afternoon field trip for Orthoceras strictum

NEXT COMMITTEE MEETING Wed, 30th November at the home of Malcolm Guy. Meeting commences at 7:30 p.m. SEPTEMBER MEETING Epiphytes benched Species Dendrobium kingianum (5 plants); Den. monophyllum; Dockrillia linguiformis; Dock. prenticii; Dock. puginiforme (2 plants); Dock striolata; Sarcochilus falcatus (4 plants); Sarco. hartmannii (4 plants). Hybrids Dendrobium Ellen; Den. Gerald McCraith; Rhinochilus Lava Burst (2 plants); Sarcochilus Burgundy on Ice; Sarco. Dorrigo; Sarco. Fitzhart (2 plants); Sarco. Melba; Sarco. Sweetheart; Sarco. Wandjina x hartmannii; Sarco. Weinhart

Terrestrials benched Species Caladenia tentaculata; Chiloglottis aff. trapeziformis; orientis; Glossodia major; Thelymitra ixiodes; Phaius tankervilliae. Hybrids Diuris Mule; Thelymitra Kay Nesbitt.

Judging results Epiphyte species 1st Sarcochilus hartmannii grown by Wally Walloscheck 2nd Dockrillia linguiformis grown by Brendan Killen 3rd Sarcochilus falcatus grown by Steve Howard

Epiphyte Hybrid 1st Sarcochilus Weinhart grown by Brendan Killen 2nd Sarcochilus First Light grown by R Job & E Viskic 3rd Rhinochilus Lava Burst grown by Brendan Killen

Terrestrial Species 1st Caladenia tentaculata grown by Les Nesbitt 2nd Phaius tankervillae grown by Les Nesbitt 3rd Diuris orientalis grown by Les Nesbitt

Terrestrial Hybrids 1st Diuris Mule grown by Les Nesbitt 2nd Thelymitra Kay Nesbitt grown by Les Nesbitt No 3rd place

Plant of the night Sarcochilus hartmannii grown by Wally Walloscheck

Popular vote results Epiphyte Hybrid Sarcochilus Weinhart grown by Wally Walloscheck Epiphyte species Sarcochilus hartmannii grown by Wally Walloscheck Terrestrial Species Caladenia tentaculata grown by Les Nesbitt Terrestrial Hybrids Thelymitra Kay Nesbitt grown by Les Nesbitt

Commentary on Terrestrials given by Les Nesbitt and on Epiphytes by John Gay.

93 OCTOBER SUBJECTS The meeting began with the successful passing of amending the Constitution for the Society. The main business of the meeting was ‘Question Time’ and several members took the opportunity to gather information on how to deal with red spider mite and scale insects.

The Editor had a slide show running on a lap-top computer on the sidelines showing all the Award winning plants from the 2005 NOSSA Spring Show.

FOR YOUR INFORMATION - NOSSA NEWS

SPECIAL GENERAL MEETING

nd A Special general meeting will be held on 22 November at St. Matthew’s Hall, Bridge St, Kensington at 8:00p.m.

Following on from the new Rules that were passed at the October meeting a Special General Meeting is called for the purpose of ratifying the subscription rate for 2006.

NOVEMBER MEETING ANNUAL AUCTION, XMAS RAFFLE & SUPPER

Bring along those unwanted items that could be of value to another person for the Annual Auction at the November meeting. Books, plants (not necessarily orchids), gardening items and other bric-a-brac can be auctioned for this important fund-raiser. Don’t forget to bring along your spare cash to join the fun and grab the bargains.

Xmas Supper for the last meeting of 2005. Bring a plate to share.

Raffle Tickets for the Christmas hamper - $1.00

REMINDER - TUBER BANK – 2005-2006

This is a reminder to Terrestrial growers to check your pots to see what tubers you can donate to the tuber bank. Please remember to include locality data with the tubers. The tuber bank depends on growers supplying tubers for the younger or new growers and to ensure a good stock of plants is widely available. Please advise Malcolm Guy – by 29th November 15 Naomi Tce, Pasadena, SA Phone: 8276 7350 The list of tubers available will be published in the December Journal

94 Tuber Bank Potting Day Potting Day at Malcolm Guy’s 11th December at 2:00pm for those who would like assistance with repotting those terrestrial orchids with tubers earmarked for the Tuber Bank.

NEW MEMBERS On behalf of the Committee and members of NOSSA the following new members are welcomed to the Society; Ms Shirley Hannan, Mr Ben Jacobs, Mr & Mrs J Jacobs, Mr Matthew Rielly, Mr P Speer and Mr & Mrs W Veitch.

NOSSA FIELD TRIPS FOR DECEMBER

Sun 4th December Morning field trip to Kuitpo Forest for duck orchids (prior to the BBQ lunch at Wally and Shirley’s) Meet: 10am in Kangarilla

Sat 10th December Afternoon field trip for Orthoceras strictum Meet: 2pm Main entrance to Belair National Park

XMAS BBQ

As last year the Xmas BBQ will be held at the home of Wally and Shirley Walloscheck’s at Cherry Gardens.

Sunday 4th December at 11:30 am

NOSSA will be providing the meat.

Please bring A salad or dessert to share and $2.00 donation

Also bring a chair, folding table, plates, eating utensils and drinks inc. tea-bags, coffee, milk & sugar. Hot water will be provided.

LIBRARY BOOKS Please return Library Books at the November Meeting for stock-taking

95 How it is done Reg Shooter

The October meeting could be called Sarcochilus night, out of a total of 31 plants benched 17 were Sarcochilus, providing a sight to behold. They ranged from the tiny cream spotted red flowers of Sarcochilus Weinhart, exhibited by Brendan Killen (It is a cross between Sarco weinthalii & hartmannii) on a small to the large specimen sized plant of Wally’s Sarco hartmannii it carried a total of 104 racemes (Bodo counted them) with an average of 18 crystalline white flowers per raceme. The judges were very impressed with the culture of this species they examined it closely eventually awarding the owner with a Certificate of Cultural Commendation. Another Sarcochilus that caught the judges eye was a relatively small plant of Sarcochilus falcatus grown by Steve Howard. It was mounted on a piece of tree branch, which seems to be the way this orchid prefers to grow and carried two 150mm long racemes of almost pure white large flowers 30mm across. This is about as big as they get on this species. Sarco. falcatus is the most widely spread of the Sarcochilus genus. In its natural habitat it extends from North Queensland right down the eastern seaboard to Eastern Victoria. It is a very variable species some have flowers that remain ‘cuppy’ and do not open fully whilst others have wide flat segments. Like many of the Sarcochilus species it is lightly perfumed smelling a little like tuberoses. In the terrestrials there was a magnificent specimen pot of Caladenia tentaculata a species endemic to South Australia. It was exhibited by Les Nesbitt who gave an interesting account of how he grows this species. There were eighteen 35cm tall flowers in a 300mm pot with many seedlings around the base of the plants. Les informed the meeting that he had ‘potted on’ this pot starting with a 150mm pot 3 years ago then into a larger pot until this size. Potted on means the whole contents of the pot is carefully removed without breaking the surrounding compost and placing the mass into a larger pot adding new soil around the outside of the potted mass. By doing this the vital Mycorrhiza fungi remains in the pot to be utilised by the seedlings that Les sows around the plants. We are fortunate in this State to have person such Les who is willing to share his great knowledge with us.

EXTINCT ORCHID? Thelma Bridle

Caladenia gracilis, the musky spider orchid, has been considered extinct in South Australia for some years. Only recorded on a few occasions in the South East, it is quite common in Victoria, and .

The stem has several, large, white, finger-Caladenia flowers, with red hairs on the backs of the flower segments. The flowers have a strong musky perfume.

Phil and I found 5 plants of the species in Mary Seymour Conservation Park near Naracoorte in early October, growing in grass on the edge of a melaleuca swamp, which was quite dry this season.

Suspecting just a large-flowered C. carnea, as I approached closer to the flowers, I could smell the perfume so characteristic of the species and knew we had found C. gracilis – not extinct in SA after all. This finding has been reported to the Herbarium.

Note: Cathy and Malcolm Houston searched the area and doubled the number of plants we had found.

96 ORCHID GRID – 24 October 2005 Les Nesbitt

At the end of September a clump of 3 lost plants of Caladenia carnea were rediscovered when they flowered. I had marked down the wrong grid reference last year and could not find the thin leaves again this winter. Now they have their own stake as they are part of my new project to propagate fungus dependent orchids. I pollinated the flowers on discovery and at the next visit a few days later I could not see them. On close inspection all the flowers had been neatly nipped off leaving only the bare stalks. Is this the work of sleepy lizards? One was seen in the bush nearby and the flowers are at exactly the right height for a lizard.

Thelymitra luteocilium was the next orchid to flower in early October. This plant quickly went to seed as it is a self pollinating species. Thel. pauciflora would open if the rain would dry up. Over 100mm has fallen in October at this site. Thel. pauciflora is also self pollinating and some years the flowers do not open at all.

The Diuris that flowered in September was Pioneer ‘Big Ears’ not orientis. One plant out of an extensive colony of Diuris orientis flowered in early October. Two tiny seedlings have appeared next to the leaf of Caladenia tentaculata from seed sown at Easter. I have also deflasked some seedlings of this species near to the mother plant.

Kuitpo Karers Kolumn 24 October 05 Les Nesbitt

Three pots of rescued orchids were seen at the September meeting. They were Caladenia tentaculata, Cyrtostylis reniformis and Leptoceras menziesii.

My pots of Caladenia tentaculata, grown in the Hills, were starting to open at the end of the first week in October. Glossodia major flowers opened about a week earlier. The flowers of both species have been hand pollinated to ensure I have enough seed for sowing next autumn. Pods are well developed already.

Rust has appeared on the leaves of Pyrorchis nigricans as round pustules. It looks as though the leaves have measles.

The first flower has opened on Calochilus robertsonii. My plants do not look good and may have the dreaded rust also since they are closely related to thelymitra.

Pterostylis foliata plants flowered this month and were quickly pollinated by gnats that seem to be everywhere this spring. No seedlings of Ptst. foliata or Calochilus robertsonii have appeared around mother plants. Late seedlings of Glossodia major are showing in several pots of that species. The wet spring is ideal for seedling growth.

The Journal this year has again been heavy on articles on Terrestrials. More articles on Epiphytes are needed for next year so put your ideas down in writing over the seasons break. Many thanks to those who have contributed in the past and we look forward to more of your articles

97 FIELD TRIP REPORT – SEVENHILL 8/10/05 Thelma Bridle

DEH arranged permission for NOSSA and others to conduct an orchid survey on a large block owned by Sevenhill winery. Grazed until recently, this site is gradually rehabilitating and it is hoped the comeback of orchid species will continue.

Thirteen intrepid orchid enthusiasts braved heavy rain, hail and gale force winds in cool temperatures to count orchids. Both the number of orchids seen and the variety of species made up for the weather, but photographs were in very short supply in such adverse conditions.

We counted over 3,000 Caladenia argocalla, the large white spider orchid endemic primarily to the Clare area these days, due to agricultural pressures further south. A good proportion of plants had 2 flowers per stem and there were large colonies with hundreds of flowering plants. C. tensa, although not numerous, were tall, sturdy specimens with large flowers.

Many Thelymitra species were found, with most very close to flowering. The most numerous species was T. albiflora, many flowers on short stems crowded together in groups. On a warm, sunny day the flowers would be a splendid sight. T. ‘glaucophylla’ was found in both forms, the large, swollen buds of the early race ready to burst into blue, perfumed flowers. The later form, with its glaucous leaf, rattling buds and a bloom that can be rubbed off the greyish stem were still some weeks from flowering.

A few Monadenia bracteata were found and removed. This requires monitoring and the topped lavender, the scourge of the Clare Valley, requires some control to encourage a wide diversity of orchids in the future at this site.

Orchid species recorded 8/10/05

Caladenia argocalla (f) Pheladenia deformis (s) C. argocalla x tensa (f) Prasophyllum odoratum (b) C. carnea (f) Thelymitra albiflora (b) C. leptochila (f) T. batesii (b) C. tensa (f) T. batesii x pauciflora (b) Diplodium robustum (l) T. x chasmogama (b) Diuris behrii (f) T. ‘glaucophylla’ (b) Eriochilus cucullatus (l) T. ‘glaucophylla’ x pauciflora (b) Glossodia major (f) T. grandiflora (l) Hymenochilus muticus (f/fo) T. luteocilium (fo) Microtis ‘brevis’ (f) T. rubra (b) M. frutetorum (f) T. sp ‘unknown’ (b) M. sp. (b) Oligochaetochilus sp (l)

Orchids in inverted commas are recognised but not yet officially described and named. (b) bud; (f) flower, (fo) flower over, (l) leaf, (s) seedpod.

98 FIELD TRIP TO WADMORE PARK, ATHELSTONE. 25th SEPTEMBER. Cathy Houston.

On a morning forecast to be wet, three stalwarts met at Wadmore Park and were not disappointed. The rain had set in before we left the carpark. Unfortunately, none of the Campbelltown City Council representatives were able to accompany us. After a fairly short while we had walked out of one of the feral grassy areas and into a reasonable grassy slope. Thelymitras were in abundance, as one would expect for such habitat. Several times we found plants (T. bracteata) with two leaves at the base an a long- tepalled bud trying to open. Had it been warmer we would also have seen T. antennifera, T. luteocilium, T. rubra in flower; all were just waiting to open. Scattered intermittently throughout the area were flowers and buds of Caladenia tentaculata, often small groups of such. It was quite apparent that the blue Pheladenia deformis had been quite showy some weeks before, as evidenced by the number of capsules seen. Further on we walked into heathland and some Casuarina. Here we saw the only Diuris of the day; D. pardina was finished and had not made capsules. We saw only a handful of plants. Similarly, this was where Glossodia major was in flower. sanguinea and P. pedunculata also occurred here, but it was the end of the morning before we finally found P. nana, a small colony at that. Later we came across a much better population scattered in leaf and bark litter under the trees. Plenty of capsules had formed. Still we encountered C. tentaculata intermittently. Numbers were quite high, we thought, until Malcolm spoke to a regular visitor to the park. She had been walking in here for well over sixty years and told stories of C. tentaculata being so abundant that they were everywhere “Nowadays you have to search for them” she said. Perhaps the most noteworthy, from my point of view, was a small colony of C. prolata in heavy litter under a patch of pink gum (Eucalyptus fasciculosa). Buds were still very small, but leaves were long. Least exciting was the discovery of Disa bracteata in a healthy piece of heath. It surprised us that they had not colonized the grasslands. However, late in the walk we found them in this habitat and realised that we may well have missed seeing them in the adverse conditions. This park is crisscrossed with paths and appears to be well used by the local residents, even in this consistent rain. Some areas are completely wasted into feral grasslands, some heathy areas are also spoilt by introduced grasses and garden rubbish and much of the creek area is also spoilt. However, there are still some attractive grassy woodland areas and similarly some heathy areas are quite healthy. A further visit (hopefully) in better conditions is warranted, particularly to check-out the Thelymitras.

Caladenia prolata b Pterostylis nana 'hills' p Caladenia tentaculata f, b Pterostylis pedunculata f, p Disa bracteata l Pterostylis sanguinea f.o. Diuris pardina f.o. Thelymitra antennifera b Glossodia major f Thelymitra bracteata b Microtis arenaria b, f Thelymitra luteocilium p, b Pheladenia deformis p Thelymitra pauciflora-group b Thelymitra rubra b

b - bud, f - flower, f.o. - flower over, l - leaf, p - pod

99 WEEVILS FEEDING ON ORCHIDS Thelma Bridle

Amycterine weevils are a large group of flightless weevils endemic to Australia. They are found mainly in SW Australia, the arid centre and drier parts of Eastern Australia. It is suspected that both larvae and adults feed on , primarily grasses, sedges and lilies.

The genus Tetralophus has two similar species, apparently restricted to SE Australia (SA, Vic, Tas & S NSW), namely T. sculpuratus and T. excurusus. These small black weevils are most likely to be found in lowland eucalypt woodlands and open forests. Whilst the larvae of the weevils feed on underground parts of their host, the adults generally feed on the above ground part of the same species.

Nick Porch at Monash University is researching the distribution of these weevils and their feeding habits. To date 5 records of adult T. sculpuratus feeding on Thelymitra have been found. Feeding occurred during the day between Aug and Oct, 4 consuming leaves, the fifth consuming a stem. Is T. sculpuratus restricted to Thelymitra? A very recent record (2/10/05) is of a weevil feeding on a Microtis leaf. The weevil species involved is yet to be determined.

Nick would appreciate any assistance NOSSA members might be able to provide: 1. Specimens – if you can, collect the specimen, record the date and time, the detailed location and notes on the host and what the beetle was doing. This information will help build a detailed picture of the ecology of these weevils. 2. Photographs – I know there are plenty of photographers out there. I have no images of these beetles on their hosts and these would be greatly appreciated if you can get them. 3. Anecdotes about past observations that may have been of these or other beetles would also be useful. 4. Finally, and I shudder at the suggestion knowing the way in which growers treasure their charges, it would be interesting to attempt rearing these weevils on cultivated orchids. First we would need a number of live captured adults (this may be difficult enough to make this an unlikely exercise) and a pot of suitable hosts (probably Thelymitra). I’m happy to chat about this to anyone who would even consider this exercise.

Please forward any information to : Nick Porch Geography & Environmental Science, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria 3800 [email protected] Phone (home) (03) 9531 5311

[Comment from Bob Bates ‘Interestingly, I saw one of these weevils eating a sun orchid flower at Alligator Gorge on 9/10/05. I often see similar hard body black weevils eating orchids and I kill the ones eating rare species’ ]

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