The Atlanta Orchid Society

Bulletin

Affiliated with the American Orchid Society, the Orchid Digest Corporation and the Mid-America Orchid Congress

2001 Recipient of the American Orchid Society’s Distinguished Affiliated Societies Service Award Newsletter Editor: Danny Lentz

Volume 46: Number 5 www.atlantaorchidsociety.org May 2005

MAY EVENTS

The Meeting: 8:00 Monday, May 9 at Atlanta Botanical Garden

Richard Hallberg will present a new slide program from Orchid Digest on “Lycastinae”. There is a considerable variety of Lycastes, from small and interesting to larger colorful species and hybrids. The Japanese orchid community, known for their focus on pristine beauty and artful form, are particularly fond of this group of orchids. Members may bring plants to sell. Please remember 10% of sales go to the society.

Our annual auction is coming up on Sunday, June 12. See page 4 for details.

Atlanta Orchid Society 2005 Officers…………Collector’s Item…….Dressleria eburnea (RoEvents Out and About………………Dates foMinutes of the April Meeting ….…….…….…Member Spotlight – Sandy Phillips……………AtOS June Auction – Information & DirectionThe April Exhibition Table (with notes by RoRecent Awards from the Atlanta Judging CenRecent Blooms at the Atlanta Botanical Garde Dipodium, the Hyacinth Orchids……………… Growing Ophrys…by David Mellard………… All contents © Atlanta Orchid Society unless

Inside This Issue

………………………………..….…………… Page 2 lfe) Dodson.…..…by Ron McHatton…..………. Page 2 r your Calendar…………...……….…….……… Page 3

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……………………………………………….. Page 11………………………………………………… Page 13

otherwise noted.

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THE ATLANTA ORCHID SOCIETY

Officers

President David Mellard 3409 Regalwoods Drive Doraville, GA 30340 770-270-5758 dmellard@cdc.gov

Vice-President/Programs Richard Hallberg 152 Sloan St. Roswell, GA 30075 770-587-5827 rkhallberg@mindspring.com

Secretary Sandy Phillips 870 Virginia Circle NE Atlanta, GA 30306 404-874-1417 jerro@mindspring.com

Treasurer Reba Herzfeld 4798 Summerset Lane Dunwoody, GA 30338 770-394-3731 rebareneek@aol.com

Immediate Past President Evan Dessasau III 404-241-4819 edessasau@rmy.emory.edu

Directors (year term expires)

Mark Reinke (2005) 864-718-0152 markreinke@direcway.com Jeff Whitfield (2005) 770-634-6153 jeffers@TheAtlantaOrchidCo.com Sondra Nierenberg (2006) sondranier@aol.com Fred Missbach (2006) 404-237-1694 fredmissbach@aol.com Mikie Emerson (2007) 404-289-3684 knotmary@earthlink.net Danny Lentz (2007) 770-640-0112 dblgongora@bellsouth.net

Other Volunteers Newsletter Editor/Greengrowers Danny Lentz

Webmaster Tom Kaschak zhivago97@aol.com

Librarians Mikie Emerson and Karen Chandler

COLLECTOR’S ITEM Dressleria eburnea (Rolfe) Dodson

dres-LER-ee-ah ee-BURN-ee-ah Tribe: Cymbidieae

Subtribe: Catasetinae Etymology: In honor of Robert Dressler, an active orchid

systematist

The genus Dressleria was described by Cal Dodson in 1975 to more appropriately handle several species previously described as members of the genus Catasetum. As previously described, the genus Catasetum contained three groups; those producing either male or female flowers, those with bisexual flowers and expanded lips such as Clowesia (Catasetum) rosea and a third group characterized by bisexual white or green flowers. This latter group is what became Dressleria. The genus currently contains some 10 species distributed from Central America to Peru. The plants are characterized by fleshy pseudobulbs with thick, heavily veined, deciduous leaves similar to many species of Catasetum. The inflorescences are produced from the lowermost nodes of the pseudobulbs as in Catasetum and Clowesia (they are produced from nodes near the middle of the pseudobulbs in Mormodes and Cycnoches). These species are epiphytes found in very wet forest at elevations from 500 to 1300 meters. They respond well under intermediate conditions. Unlike catasetums, Dressleria species SHOULD NOT be allowed to dry out Dressleria eburnea (synonym: Dressleria sauvis) occurs on both sides of the Andes of South America. This species produces relatively large flowers for the genus (up to 5cm in diameter) and the flowers are produced evenly spaced on the inflorescence rather than crowded on the outermost portion of the inflorescence. The green or white flowers are extremely fragrant and, interestingly, the leaves of this species smell like dirty socks when crushed.

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Plant grown by the Atlanta Botanical Garde

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Events Out and About

May 5/9 (Monday) Atlanta Orchid Society Monthly Meeting. Slide presentation on Lycastinae. 5/13 – 5/15 Redland International Orchid Festival, Homestead, FL. www.redlandorchidfestival.org 5/14 (Saturday) American Orchid Society monthly judging, Atlanta Center, 2 pm, ABG basement workshop. If entering plants, please arrive before 1:30 pm to allow time for research and paperwork.

June Saturday, 6/11. American Orchid Society monthly judging, Atlanta Center, 2 pm, ABG basement workshop. If entering plants, please arrive before 1:30 pm to allow time for research and paperwork. Sunday, 6/12. Atlanta Orchid Society annual auction. American Legion Post 140 near Chastain Park. See page 4 for more information. Monday, 6/13. Atlanta Orchid Society monthly meeting, ABG, Day Hall, 8 p.m. Speaker: TBD

MINUTES OF THE APRIL MEETING The meeting was called to order by President David Mellard. The February minutes were approved as written. The meeting was called to order by President David Mellard. The minutes were approved as written. A vote was taken and passed to allow a by-law change from a minimum of four board meetings to three board meetings per year. A draft of the 2005 roster was available for everyone to check their information. The Smoky Mountain Orchid Show is the weekend of April 16; the Nashville Orchid Show, April 30; Greengrowers, April 16, at the home of Gary Collier and Mark Reinke. AOS judging takes place the second Saturday of each month at 2 p.m. If you are entering a plant, plan to be at the Atlanta Botanical Gardens at 1:30 p.m. This is also a great opportunity to learn more about the criteria used by the judges. Fred Missbach let us know beetles are coming in from China on wood/bamboo. Shipments are now being inspected for beetles, but you may find bamboo (shipped prior to the inspections) at gardening centers which may contain the beetles. Welcome new members: Ramona and Larry Clemente, Mary Helen and Don Reinhard, and Geni Smith. Thanks to all who donated plants to the raffle table: Roy Harrow, Fred Missbach, and others. Thanks to those who brought refreshments: Cathy Caine, Barbara Dampog, Tamara George, Reba Herzfeld, Sandy Phillips, David Tillis, Helen Weil and others. Respectfully submitted, Sandy Phillips

Sandy joined the Society in January 2003. Linda Miller introduced her to the Society at the 2002 Fall Atlanta Orchid Show. Her collection has grown from only a few

Member Spotlight

Sandy Phillips

plants to a hundred plants. She began her orchid collections with plants rescued from estate sales. She has since been convinced it is much easier and less time consuming to buy (or win from the raffle) healthy orchids. Although she has only been a member for a short time, she volunteered to be Secretary in September 2004, and was elected Secretary beginning in January 2005. Sandy grows her orchids in natural light in an enclosed sun porch with eastern, western and northern exposures. Over the past two years, Sandy has experimented with different fertilizers and potting mixtures, with varying success. She appreciates the cultural information she has learned, not only from speakers, but also from the generosity of members.

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A couple of nice plants we’ve purchased at previous Atlanta Orchid Society auctions. On the left, Epc. Rene Marques ‘Flamethrower’. On the right, Iwan. Apple Blossom ‘Golden Elf’.

From GA 4South to thePiedmont RRd. The firs Watch on ydriveway is

From I75: Take I75 tothe PerimetWatch for tend of Chas

From I85, tTurn right oPowers Fertoward ChaLegion drivpark.

Atlanta Orchid Society Auction

Sunday June 12

If you haven’t been to our auction before, this event is always a lot of fun. Lunch (pot luck, bring a dish to pass) is at 11:30 and the bidding begins at 1PM. There are always good bargains on great plants. We hold our Auction at Post 140 of the American Legion. This meeting hall is on the immediate southern edge of Chastain Memorial Park at 3905 Powers Ferry Road. You can get a map of the Chastain Park area at: http://www.chastainconservancy.com/Default.aspx?tabid=737 (marked building 13). You can also go to www.mapquest.com for directions. See you ALL there!!

Join the Atlanta Orchid Society

Membership in the Atlanta Orchid Society is $30 for individuals or $45 for couples. Yearly membership runs January 1-December 31. If you join after September your membership will include the following year. You can join at one of our monthly meetings, or contact the society’s Treasurer (see page 2) for a membership application.

For directions to the Atlanta Botanical Garden, please visit their web site at www.atlantabotanicalgarden.org or contact one of our society’s officers listed on page 2.

Newsletter Submissions To submit material for the newsletter, or to sign up for the email version of the newsletter, please contact Danny Lentz. The deadline for submissions is the 20th of the previous month.

MAIL TO: Danny Lentz 1045 Wordsworth Dr. Roswell, GA 30075 EMAIL: DBLGONGORA@BELLSOUTH.NET

Advertising Advertising is now being accepted for our newsletter. The size and number of ads may be limited at the discretion of the editor. Advertising Rates per issue are: ¼ page $10, ½ page $20, full page $40.

Directions to the Auction:

00 South: Buckhead loop. Take the loop to d and go north. Turn right on Roswell t left will be Powers Ferry Rd. Turn left.our right just as you get to the park. The difficult to spot.

I285 to Roswell Rd. Go south (inside er) to Powers Ferry Rd. Turn right. he driveway on your right at the south tain Park.

ake Piedmont Rd north to Roswell Rd. n Roswell Rd. The first left will be

ry Rd. Turn left and take Powers Ferry stain Park. Look for the American eway on your right just as you see the

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APRIL 2005 EXHIBITION TABLE AWARDS

Cattleya skinneri ‘Casa Luna’

with notes by Ron McHatton CLASS 1: CATTLEYA ALLIANCE Blue (This plant also received the J.C. Mobley Cultural Award) Cattleya skinneri ‘Casa Luna’ AM/AOS Missbach Blue Slc. Mahalo Jack Lentz/Morgan Red (Schom. undulata x Lc. Rojo) Collier/Reinke ‘Marble Branch’ AM/AOS Red Cattleya R. Prowe Lentz/Morgan White Cattleya intermedia fma. orlata Collier/Reinke White Slc. Dream Catcher Collier/Reinke

Slc. Mahalo Jack

(Blue-species) Cattleya skinneri : For mass of spring color you simply can’t beat C. skinneri. This species is the National Flower of Costa Rica and is called Guaria Morada, the Purple Guaria. This local name is the basis for the proposed name Guarianthe for this species as well as the other Central American species such as C. bowringiana having more or less spindle shaped pseudobulbs and 2-4 leaves per pseudobulb. Whether this name (or an apparently older name for this group) sticks or not remains to be seen. Cattleya skinneri is of easy culture although a definite cool, relatively dry rest over the winter months produces the best flower performance. These plants can be extremely floriferous and when this clone received its AM in 1993 it carried 18 flowers on a single inflorescence!

(Blue-hybrid) Slc. Mahalo Jack : Slc. Mahalo Jack is C. walkerana x Sl. Orpetii. The purple pigments introduced from C. walkerana are dominant when combined with orange or red Sophronitis hybrids. Clones of this hybrid range in color from deep iridescent magenta tones to bright purple and a few lighter shades but none of them ever express red or orange.

(White-hybrid) C. R. Prowe : I couldn’t help but note this plant. This Cattleya hybrid, intermedia x Suzanne Hye, dates from 1914! The cross was made by Sanders and these plants are in all likelihood pieces of the original

dlings or a very old remake. It’s nice to see pieces of history still around. see

Cymbidium aloifolium

CLASS 2: CYMBIDIUM Blue Cymbidium aloifolium Harrow

(Blue) Cymbidium aloifolium : This species is the type species for Cymbidium subgenus Cymbidium. In addition to this species, this group includes C. bicolor, C. rectum, C. finlaysonianum, C. atropurpureum, and C. borneense. The species are distinguished by their thick, often rigid leaves with obtuse bilobed tips and usually pendulous inflorescences. Cymbidium aloifolium is found

from Sri Lanka, the Andaman Islands, India, Sikkim, Nepal, Bangladesh, South China, Hong Kong, Myanmar, Thailand, Cambodia, Laos, Vietnam and south to West Malaysia and Java. The species is strictly epiphytic, found in the forks and hollows of large branches and tree trunks growing in open forest with only partial shade. They are commonly lowland plants and have adapted to hot, dry exposed conditions. Grow this one hot and with very bright light.

CLASS 3: DENDROBIUM

Blue Dendrobium thyrsiflorum Missbach Red Dendrobium ( Janya x smillieae ) Dampog White Dendrobium thrysiflorum fma. alboluteum Brinton/Park

(Blue) Dendrobium thyrsiflorum : This plant was entered as Dendrobium densiflorum but must be D. thyrsiflorum. While Den. thyrsiflorum

Page 6 www.atlantaorchidsociety.org May 2005 very closely related, there are obvious differences. The most notably is the color of the flowers. Dendrobium densiflorum is a uniform, bright butter yellow while D. thyrsiflorum has bright white sepals and petals and a solid bright yellow lip. Other closely related species are D. farmeri and D. palpebrae. Both species have basically white and yellow flowers however those of D. farmeri are typically tinged violet.

CLASS 4: EPIDENDRUM Blue Epidendrum Mabel Kanda Collier/Reinke Red Eplc. Charlie Brown ‘Red Baron’ Collier/Reinke White Epidendrum Crystal Valley ‘Pinky’ Harrow

(Blue) Epidendrum Mabel Kanda : This cross was made in 1959 and would today be considered an intergeneric cross. The parents are Psychilis atropurpurea (syn. Epidendrum atropurpureum) and Epidendrum floribundum. The Epi parent dominates for flower color and the dark chocolate pigments from the Psychilis parent have been essentially suppressed. This is a rather common phenomenon in breeding with green flowered Epidendrum species. The genus Psychilis circumscribes those former Epidendrum species hailing from the islands of the Caribbean. These plants are characterized by thickened, often somewhat spindle shaped pseudobulbs with several thick, leathery leaves; a sharp contrast from the reed like canes of most true Epis.

Epidendrum Mabel Kanda

CLASS 5: ONCIDIUM ALLIANCE Blue (This plant also received the J.C. Mobley Cultural Award)

Milt. Bert Field ‘Crimson Glow’ Missbach Red Oncidium alliance hybrid Harrow White Oncidium ampliatum Collier/Reinke

Milt. Bert Field ‘Crimson Glow’

(Red) Miltoniopsis Bert Field ‘Crimson Glow’ : Congratulations! Miltoniopsis aren’t the easiest plants to grow and flower well in warm climates. Here in Florida it’s almost a total waste of space. They simply do not tolerate hot humid nights. If you try these plants, keep in mind that they are NOT cool growers and do best under intermediate conditions. The tricky part is giving them enough light without keeping them too warm. The worst possible thing is to shade them heavily. It’s guaranteed to give you all sorts of leaf spotting and pseudobulb rotting problems. This cross was made in 1965 and is still a great red – excellent shape, full form and great floriferousness!

CLASS 6: CYPRIPEDIUM ALLIANCE Blue Paph. callosum ‘A.O.C.’ AM/AOS (provisional) Whitfield Blue Paph. St. Swithin Collier/Reinke Red Paph. bellatulum Mellard/Marino White Paph. philippinense Brinton/Park (Blue) Paphiopedilum callosum ‘A.O.C.’, AM/AOS (provisional) : If this is Paph. callosum it is one of the best I’ve seen. The flower is magnificently full with exceptional balance. What a difference line breeding can make. My understanding is that this is a line bred Paph. callosum var. sublaeve. The flower has some features consistent with that designation but petal spotting and carriage that may be more influenced by other varietal forms

of the species. It will be interesting to see what a taxonomist has to say about this one. Congratulations to the grower!

Paph. callosum ‘A.O.C.’

Paph. St. Swithin

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CLASS 7: PHALAENOPSIS ALLIANCE Blue Phal. Schillo-Snow Lentz/Morgan Red Phal. Sogo Grape Dampog White Dtps. ( Orglade’s Puff x Lillian Eileen Pita ) Jacobson

(Blue) Phalaenopsis Schillo-Snow : Pretty! The cross, Phal. schilleriana x Hilo Lip, was registered by Breckenridge in 1990. The most notable influence from Hilo Lip is the wonderful full, open lip. Unfortunately, the sharp contrast between the white lip and pink sepals and petals of Hilo Lip has been somewhat diluted by infusion of pink into the lip of this hybrid. But, nonetheless, this is a pretty hybrid.

Phal. Schillo-Snow

Jumellea arachnantha

CLASS 8: VANDACEOUS ALLIANCE Blue Jumellea arachnantha Missbach Red Renanthera Tom Thumb Collier/Reinke White Oeoniella polystachys Mellard/Marino White Ascda. Suksamran Sunlight ‘Gold’ Dampog

(Blue) Jumellea arachnantha : The genus Jumellea contains about 58 species distributed from Kenya into South Africa and eastward to Madagascar and adjacent islands. In their native habitats, these plants are either epiphytes or lithophytes and are easily maintained in cultivation. They respond well either mounted or potted in baskets or pots with excellent drainage. Plants should be given ample water during the growing season and some species benefit from a short dry rest after flowering. While monopodial, the plants freely produce basal keikis and will, over time, develop substantial specimens. Flowers are produced singly but many inflorescences will be produced simultaneously making for a very showy specimen.

CLASS 9: MISCELLANEOUS OTHER GENERA Blue Bifrenaria harrisoniae ‘Ruth’ AM/AOS Missbach Red Pleurothallis marthae Mellard/Marino White Masd. bicornis (syn. Portilla popowiana) Hartong

(Blue) Bifrenaria harrisoniae ‘Ruth’, AM/AOS : This is another one of those things you just don’t see much of anymore. This clone was awarded with three flowers in 1971 at a show in Pennsylvania. Typically one or two flowers are produced per inflorescence. The species is a native of southern Brazil and grows well under intermediate conditions. The plants benefit from uniform watering throughout the year. The key to flowering this species well appears to be providing abundant light, especially during the dull winter months.

Bifrenaria harrisoniae ‘Ruth’

JOIN THE ORCHID D

Don’t let the name fool you, thmembership-based organizatioDesigned to appeal to the midnothing beats the Orchid Digeissues of full-color, in-depth amagazine is large format and talways an extra-special issue d

For membership application fo(404-237-1694)

Please visit our web site at http://www.atlantaorchidsociety.org

The Atlanta Orchid Society web site contains recent newsletters and articles, cultural information for growing orchids in Atlanta, as well as a calendar of events and information about our annual shows.

IGEST CORPORATION

e Orchid Digest is a non-profit n dedicated to orchids.

-range to advanced grower st. For just $32/year you get 4 rticles about orchids. The he fourth issue of the year is evoted to a single genus.

rms contact Fred Missbach

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RECENT ACTIVITIES OF THE ATLANTA JUDGING CENTER

The following awards were granted at the March session of the AOS Atlanta Judging Center. They are provisional awards pending official publication in the Awards Quarterly. Certificates of Horticultural Merit and Certificates of Botanical Recognition are also provisional pending identification by an AOS certified taxonomist prior to publication of the award.

Phalaenopsis Jeannette Pellman ‘Kathy Ann’ HCC 78pts. ( Paul Tatar x Massachusetts Stripe ) Natural Spread: 11.1cm H x 9.7cm V Thirteen well-presented flowers and four buds on one arching inflorescence, plus two flowers and six buds on a second upright inflorescence; flowers white with widespread purple suffusion between prominent darker purple veins; lip lilac heavily overlaid with dark purple veins, mimosa-yellow suffusion between veins basally, side lobes nearly solid dark purple; prominent callus mimosa-yellow with purple spots; column suffused purple, anther cap white; substance fleshy; texture crystalline. Exhibitor: Dennis Billings

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Lycaste Shoalhaven ‘Crystal White’ AM 86 pts. Natural Spread: 16.8cm H x 11.7cm V One exceptionally large flower and one bud well-displayed on two inflorescences; flower concolor white; lip side lobes and callus light yellow; substance hard; texture sparkling. Exhibitor: Fred Missbach

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Phalaenopsis Southern Goddess ‘Snowfall’ HCC 79 pts. ( Marie’s Destiny x aprodite var. formosana )Natural Spread: 9.0cm H x 8.9cm V Thirty-seven round, white flowers and one bud well-presented on three branched, arching inflorescences; lip midlobe suffused mimosa-yellow, side lobes with purple striations basally; prominent callus mimosa-yellow with numerous purple spots; column white; substance fleshy; texture matte. Exhibitor: Stones River Orchids

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JOIN THE AMERICAN ORCHID SOCIETY

$46.50/year, you reap the following benefits:

12 issues of Orchids, the Society’s monthly full color magazine chock full of insightful articles and temptingads for plants and supplies.

10% off on purchases from the Society’s Bookstore and Orchid Emporium. Reduced or free admission to participating botanical gardens.

a limited time, if you join for two years ($84) you will get a $30 gift certificate (good on an order of $100 or e) at any one of 13 commercial growers who advertise rchids. JOIN TODAY. For information, contact n Dessasau (404-241-4819)

Page 9 www.atlantaorchidsociety.org May 2005

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Phragmipedium Les Dirouilles ‘Ramona Lee’ HCC 79 pts. ( Sorceror’s Apprentice x Grande ) One large flower and one bud on one 70-cm inflorescence; dorsal sepal light chartreuse with white picotee on proximal one-thrid, striped moss green centrally transitioning to wine red peripherally; synsepal chartreuse veined wine red with white picotee on proximal one-third; petals citron green with wine red hairs basally, edges wine red coalescing to solid wine red distally; pouch base color light citron green, exterior lightly overlaid chocolate brown, interior heavily spotted wine red, moss green centrally; staminode light citron green with dark maroon hairs; substance firm; texture glossy. Exhibitor: Fred Missbach

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Phragmipedium Red Baron ‘Edwin Boyett’ AM 85 pts. ( Mont Fallu x Andean Fire ) Natural Spread: 16.1cm H x 10.6cm V Four flowers and four buds well-presented on one 89-cm inflorescence; sepals and petals crimson, center of sepals green basally; pouch scarlet, egg yolk yellow internally with minute light crimson spots; substance firm; texture sparkling. Exhibitor: Ed & AnnaLee Boyett

Miltonia cuneata ‘Judy’s Joy’ AM 80 pts. Natural Spread: 6.9cm H x 7.5cm V Thirty-seven undulated flowers and three buds on 10 inflorescences; sepals cream, heavily barred chocolate brown; petals cream strongly blotched chocolate brown; lipwhite spotted brown on two distinct keels, blushed rose basally; column cream with ruffled, fimbriate hood enclosing cream anther cap; substance firm; texture glossy.Exhibitor: Judy Cook

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Ophrys ( fuciflora x heldreichii ) AD/AOS Natural Spread: 2.0cm H x 2.2cm V One striking flower and three buds on one inflorescence; diminutive plant 6cm wide by 5.5cm tall, five whorled leaves to 1.5cm wide by 4.5cm long; sepals light rose-pink with distinctive lime green stripe centrally; petals darker rose-pink; convex lip chartreuse irregularly overlaid rich maroon, small protuberances at side lobes; column cream, lime green apically; substance firm; texture glistening; commended for a distinctive new direction in breeding. Exhibitor: David Mellard

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Recent Blooms at the AtThese pictures were tak

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Lueddemannia pescatorei

© 2005 Danny Lentz

Phalaenopsis ((Spring Doris x California Glow) x Silken Pennant) ‘Spring Silk’ AM 83 pts. Natural Spread: 10.3cm H x 9.7cm V Eleven flat flowers well-displayed on one arching inflorescence; flowers white, lateral sepals spotted red-purple basally; lip white, midlobe spotted red-purple marginally, side lobes striped red-purple internally; callus spotted red-purple; substance firm; texture crystalline. Exhibitor: Stones River Orchids

Paphiopedilum Irish Moss ‘Hwei & Sue’ HCC 79 pts. (Awarded 3/1 at Southeastern Flower Show)Natural Spread: 8.3cm H x 8.0cm V One flower on one 23-cm inflorescence; dorsal sepal whiteoverlaid pale chartreuse basally with heavy burgundy veins; synsepal chartreuse with light burgundy veins; petals chartreuse with light burgundy veins, upper margins hirsute, heavily ruffled; pouch chartreuse with muted burgundy veins, numerous burgundy spots internally; staminode light chartreuse, apple green centrally; column hirsute; substance firm; texture waxy. Exhibitor: Hwei Hsieh

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Dipodium, the Hyacinth Orchids

n Dipodium is a genus of about twenty species that is distributed from Malaysia down through the Pacific region to Australia, where about ten species can be found in the eastern states of the country. Robert Brown described the genus in 1810. The name of the genus is Greek for “two little feet” and refers to the prominent stalks which support the pollinia. Many of the Australian species of Dipodium are saprophytic terrestrials. These leafless plants live off a relationship with fungi in the soil rather than getting their energy through photosynthesis. They are found growing in proximity with Eucalyptus trees. These plants cannot be cultivated. Two of the saprophytic species are D. punctatum and D. roseum, which was recently segregated from D. punctatum. The plants are fairly common in a region near the coast from southern Queensland around to the eastern part of South Australia. D. roseum can also be found in Tasmania. They bloom from November to March. D. punctatum has a purplish-red stalk up to 1 meter tall bearing up to 60 flowers. The flowers are almost 2 cm across, reddish-pink with darker spots. The sepals and petals are not reflexed. It grows at elevations of 10-1100 meters. Matthew Quinn reported seeing these in January: “While on a short holiday to the village of Berry, 2 1/2 hours south of Sydney, I saw this D. punctatum by the side of the road. We were crossing the hills on the Kangaroo Valley Rd (sensationally beautiful as an aside), and once we hit around 350 metres above sea level, these beauties jumped out of nowhere - right by the side of the road. They aren't tiny, at about 50cm high - but I was still impressed that I managed to spot them whilst driving by at about 60km/h. My brain subconsciously said "Orchids!" and I hit the brakes - with luckily no cars behind me. The 2nd photo shows their proximity to the road, and the last shows healthy looking seed pods - also found in abundance further up into the hills”

Dipodium punctatum(top) flowers

(middle) cluster of plants by roadside(bottom) seed pods

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©2004 Reiner Richter

D. roseum has up to 40 flowers on a stalk of up to 1 m or more. The flowers are up to 2.5 cm across, rose pink with small spots. Reiner Richter of Victoria reported seeing many of these plants (up to 100 in a day) while walking in the Doongalla Forest, part of the Dandenong Ranges National Park (http://www.parkweb.vic.gov.au/1park_display.cfm?park=49 ). He saw stalks of various heights with the tallest stalk measuring 1.1 m. These pictures were taken during January and December of 2004. -Danny Lentz References:

Native Orchids of Australia by David L. Jones, 1988

©2004 Reiner Richter

Field Guide to the Orchids of New South Wales and Victoria (Second Edition) by Tony Bishop, 2000 Orchids of Australia by John J. Riley and David P. Banks, 2002 Posts on the alt.binaries.pictures.orchids USENET Newsgroup and personal communications by: Reiner Richter ( http://orchids.rnr.id.au ) Matthew Quinn ( sneff@d2.net.au )

So where can you get terrestrial orchids? After seeing the pretty pictures of David Mellard’s Ophrys plants and some of the Australian species featured in the newsletter, you may start looking for some of these plants to try in your collection. They aren’t easy to find. Once source David has used is Dr. Heinrich Beyrle in Germany. This is where David got his Ophrys tubers. The website is http://www.myorchids.de/index.htm. The site lists many species from both Europe and Australia. Orders are taken during the summer, and shipments are made in September and October.

Some day when I get time I will look for another source of the Australian species. If you know of sources for the European or Australian species please let me know.

-Danny ©20

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Dipodium roseum

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Growing Ophrys by David Mellard

Ophrys, commonly known as bee orchids because many are pollinated by bees, grow in Eurasia, predominantly around the Mediterrean Sea. Consequently, Ophrys are adapted to a Mediterrean climate of cool, moist winters and hot dry summers. Ophrys are summer dormant, coming into growth in the fall and flowering in the spring. Most Ophrys can tolerate a light frost. Because Atlanta's winters are too cold, Ophrys must be grown indoors, under lights, or in a frost free greenhouse. The mix for Ophrys consists of the top few inches of soil from hardwood forests amended with perlite and limestone. One good source of limestone is white gravel chips used in aquarium, which can be found at most stores that specialize in saltwater fish. Some bone meal can also be added along with dolomitic limestone or oyster shell. The important part is to create a light mix that is high in calcium and magnesium and has a pH above 6.5. During growth (if you are using low alkalinity water), plants can be fertilized lightly at about 100 to 200 ppm nitrogen using Michigan State University (MSU) RO fertilizer with added calcium and magnesium. Using the MSU RO fertilizer and Atlanta's low alkalinity water,

an electrical conductivity (EC) reading of 1.6 (or 1/2 to 1 teaspoon per gallon) provides the right concentration of fertilizer. Pots can be fertilized a couple times a month. After flowering and as warm weather approaches, the leaves will turn yellow and die back. Pots should be dried off gradually during this time to allow the plant to form next year's tuber. Pots are not watered or watered just barely during the summer dormancy. This is a critical time and the less frequent light watering depends on the humidity. In humid environments, the surface of the pot can be dry but the soil beneath the surface can maintain enough moisture to prevent the tuber from drying out. In this situation, avoid water. When watering during dormancy, use enough water to wet the top 1/2 to 1 inch of mix; do not water the pot completely. When fall arrives, pots can be given a very light watering until growth appears. As the growing point

emerges, watering can be increased and once leaves appear, fertilizer can be added. Keep consistently moist during the fall, winter, and spring growth period and provide medium to bright light (Cattleya light levels).

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Dan

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Dan

ny L

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Ophrys morisi

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Ophrys morisii lip and column

Ophrys (fuciflora x heldreichii) plant (L), closeup of petals, column and lip (R)

Page 14 www.atlantaorchidsociety.org May 2005

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Maxillaria rufescens Plant grown by Danny Lentz