The K A L H A R I June 2014 The “ Message Stick “ of the A.N.O.S. (Qld ) Kabi Group Inc. Mail: PO Box 424, Aspley 4034 E-Mail: [email protected] Web: www.ourshopfront.com/kabi President: Christene Dennis 3385 6630 Vice-President: Graham Corbin 3399 9208 Secretary: Marilyn Corbin 3399 9208 Treasurer: David James 3359 5752 Editor: Graham Corbin 3399 9208 Coming Events Next Monthly Meeting 10th June 7:45 pm Bald Hills Memorial Hall, 2126 Gympie Road, Bald Hills Next Orchid Amble 9am, 29th June. Neurum Creek Bush Retreat, Mount Archer Next Bush House Visit To be announced Next Committee Meeting 7:30pm 22nd July at Geppert residence Kabi Judging Roster L Burow, H Geppert, P Porteous Judging Panel Meeting 9:30am 20th July, Pine Rivers Special School, Lawnton Beenleigh Judging Roster 7:30pm 3 July L James, H Geppert Supper Roster June: G Scrace & L Biddle July: D&A Gillingham June Feature Item – Orchids of Girraween David James will present a pictorial introduction to the orchids of Girraween and Bald Rock National Parks. This presentation does not illustrate all the orchids that can be found in Girraween and Bald Rock National Parks but some of the more common orchids together with some identification features. The orchids illustrated are both lithophytes and geophytes (terrestrials). The presentation has been prepared with photographs from Graham Corbin and David James taken since 2005 during the Australasian Native Orchid Society (Qld) – Kabi Group weekend orchid ambles to Girraween and Bald Rock National Parks. June Orchid Amble David James The June 2014 orchid amble will be to the northern end of the Mount Mee section of the D’Aguilar National Park from 9:00 am on Sunday 29 June 2014. The amble starting point will be on the roadside just past the entry to the Neurum Creek Bush Retreat (commercial camp ground) on Rasmussen Road in the locality of Mount Archer. This is close the where Rasmussen Road crosses Neurum Creek. The amble will proceed along Rasmussen Road and Lovedays Road stopping at likely locations and walking generally along the roadsides to observe orchids within a short distance of the roads. While the dirt roads are suitable for conventional vehicles, conventional vehicles can be left at the Archer camping area where amblers will be consolidated into a limited number of Page 1 The Kalhari June 2014 vehicles so as to reduce the number of vehicles that have to be parked on the roadside during the amble. This amble hopes to observe winter flowering geophytic orchids like Caladenia, Corybas and Pterostylis species. For course nothing is guaranteed or ruled out. The amble is planned to be either for half a day or all day broken by lunch at the parked vehicles. Ambers can leave at any time. Due to the time of year it may be cool so the amblers should plan to bring warm clothing as well as plenty of water and a good hat. Amblers will need to bring food (lunch) if they are staying all day and water that can be carried during the amble. Any prospective amblers should contact David James (Tel: 3359 5752 or Email: [email protected]) so the amble(s) do not commence without you. Coming Shows 28-29 June North Moreton Qld Mt Coot-tha Botanic Gardens, Orchid Council Toowong 4-6 July Caboolture Orchid Morayfield Community Complex, 9am-4pm, 9am-4pm Society Morayfield Rd, 9am-2pm Morayfield Bench Results – May 2014 Dendrobium Latouria Species 1st Dendrobium shiraishii R Reitano Page 2 The Kalhari June 2014 Dendrobium Phalaenanthe Species 1st Dendrobium bigibbum D Hosking Dendrobium Phalaenanthe Type Hybrids 1st Den. Kiilani Stripe L&D James 2nd Den. Topaz Sweet K&J Gould 3rd Den. Topaz Sweet L&D James Dendrobium Spatulata Species 1st Dendrobium johannis H Geppert 2nd Dendrobium johannis H Geppert Dendrobium Spatulata Type Hybrids 1st Den. John's Charm ‘Bruno’ R Reitano 2nd Den. Carron Deb ‘BJ’ × R Reitano Kuranda 3rd Den. Fraser's Canary Twister J Hutchinson Page 3 The Kalhari June 2014 Dendrobium Spatulata/Phalaenanthe Hybrids 1st Den. Mini Pearl J Hutchinson 2nd Den. Superbiens R Reitano 3rd Den. Hawaiian Twinkle C Warland Other Dendrobium Species 1st Dendrobium lawesii R Reitano Other Dendrobium Hybrids 1st Den. Wasyl H Geppert Page 4 The Kalhari June 2014 Miscellaneous Species 1st Oberonia titania R Reitano 2nd Cadetia taylorii R Reitano Cultural Plant of the Month Den. John's Charm ‘Bruno’ R Reitano Page 5 The Kalhari June 2014 Popular Vote Plant of the Month Dendrobium shiraishii R Reitano Other Plants Benched Den. Alex MacPherson × canaliculatum Den. Nigrescens Fragrance Den. Brown Gloss × canaliculatum Den. Pearl Vera Den. Cherry Dance Den. Pearl Vera × Burbank Sweet Den. Jin Balmoja Den. Shavin White Den. Kiilani Stripe × Topaz Dream Benching Photos courtesy of Jon Cara Non-Competitive Benching David & Len James benched this orchid in non-competitive as they wished to show off the large flowers on this newly purchased hybrid but as they had not owned the plant for six months were unable to bench it competitively. Den. Asternova Sparkle × (Dal's Cheer × Dal's Madam) Page 6 The Kalhari June 2014 Cultural Plant- Den. John's Charm ‘Bruno’ Robert Reitano The plant that received the judge’s choice for Cultural Plant of the Month was Den. John’s Charm ‘Bruno’. It is a primary hybrid within the Spatulata section, between Den. discolor and Den. semifuscum. It exhibited five racemes of well shaped flowers that arranged themselves all around the racemes. The flowers sit perpendicular to the raceme and the colour is a pleasing blend between the colours of both parents. The floral segments of Den. discolor can be rather undulated and twisted; however, the influence of Den. semifuscum has controlled these traits to the point where all segments are well proportioned and the flower shape is uniform across all racemes. The plant is still relatively young and in the future more mature growths are expected to produce even longer racemes. The Spatulata section responds well in warm to hot conditions in the orchid house. And as they do not generally require a resting period during the winter months they do still need to have the occasional watering and light feeding to maintain vigour. Popular Vote - Dendrobium shiraishii Robert Reitano This is a relatively recent discovery in the Latouria section of the genus Dendrobium; having been discovered by Yakawa & Nishida in 1992. It originates from Irian Jaya, in the vicinity of Manokwari at elevations of around 1500 meters. The labellum of the flower is obviously the highlight with the somewhat large side-lobes that are boldly coloured and striated. This contrasts well with the yellow colour of the remaining segments. Research has many photos of this species exhibiting petals often folding down in front of the lateral sepals. The plant I purchased 18 months ago is a fine example where the petals hold themselves almost horizontal giving the flower more balance. The flowers were well arranged on a strong upright inflorescence and they were presented perpendicular and not hanging like many species within the section Latouria. It truly is a spectacular species which responds to intermediate to warm temperatures with medium amounts of light. It is currently growing beneath taller growing dendrobiums in the orchid house and appreciates high levels of humidity during the growing season, with reduced water during the cooler winter months. Page 7 The Kalhari June 2014 Benching Commentary Robert Reitano Dendrobium Phalaenanthe Species Dendrobium bigibbum The plant that received the 1st in this class was an unusual bi-coloured form of Den. bigibbum. The plant was labelled as an album form of this species; however, it certainly was interesting to see the flower colour defying what was indicated on the tag. Although the segments of this plant were not exhibiting the full, over-lapped shape that is desirable of selectively bred Den. bigibbum, it did have well placed sepals and petals. As is often the case with first flowering plants, it is worth waiting to see the flowers of subsequent seasons, as they often develop better shapes as the plant matures. Dendrobium Phalaenanthe Type Hybrids - Den. Kiilani Stripe The parentage of this hybrid is Den. Candy Stripe x Den. Doreen. This is an attractive hybrid with its striped floral segments. The stripes in this Phalaenanthe type hybrid come from the introduction of Den. bifalce, which is the only Latouria species that grows in Australia. This small species is responsible for putting the striping in many Dendrobiums. While the colour and striping was attractive in this hybrid, judges are looking for well positioned sepals and petals, which give a better overall balance to the flower shape. This flower would benefit from the lateral sepals being slightly lower to reduce the flatness of the bottom. In saying that, the floral arrangement was commendable for the display. Dendrobium Spatulata Species - 1st Dendrobium johannis The blooming season for this species is mainly from spring through autumn and into winter. It is a hot to warm growing epiphyte that comes from north-east Australia and Papua and New Guinea. Naturally occurring in and around rainforests and swamps with scarce winter rain, so it responds well to drier conditions and no fertiliser during the winter months. The long-lasting flowers exhibit glossy, chocolate coloured segments with a contrasting yellow labellum. One undesirable Page 8 The Kalhari June 2014 characteristic that often occurs in this species is the broken-leg appearance to one of the lateral sepals. This is a major issue with some Spatulata species and one that judges must acknowledge when looking at the shape of the flowers.