Journal

of the

Native Orchid Society of

South Australia Inc

Print Post Approved .Volume 36 Nº 7

PP 543662/00018 August 2012

NATIVE ORCHID SOCIETY OF SOUTH AUSTRALIA PO BOX 565 UNLEY SA 5061

www.nossa.org.au.

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 Geoffrey Borg: Robert Lawrence ph 82948014, or 0488 356 720

Email. geo34g@gmail.com Email: nossaorchids@hotmail.com

VICE PRESIDENT

Kris Kopicki

COMMITTEE Bill Dear

Bob Bates Cathy Houston

Pamela Monk

EDITOR TREASURER David Hirst Marj Sheppard

14 Beaverdale Avenue Telephone 8344 2124

Windsor Gardens SA 5087 mob. 0419 189 118

Telephone 8261 7998

Email: david.hirst2@bigpond.com

LIFE MEMBERS

Mr R. Hargreaves† Mr. L. Nesbitt

Mr H. Goldsack† Mr G. Carne

Mr R. Robjohns† Mr R Bates

Mr J. Simmons† Mr R Shooter

Mr D. Wells† Mr W Dear Mrs C Houston

Conservation Officer: Cathy Houston telephone 8356 7356; Email: cathyhn@tpg.com.au

Field Trips Coordinator: Wendy Hudson. Ph: 8251 2762, Email: wendyhudson2@bigpond.com

Trading Table: Judy Penney Show Marshall: B Jensen Registrar of Judges: Les Nesbitt

Tuber bank Coordinator: Jane Higgs ph. 8558 6247; email: jhiggs@activ8.net.au

New Members Coordinator: Vacant

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 plants 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 $20.00*

*Postal Mail full year $20.00. Email full year $15.00. Pro-rata rates for third quarter $10.00 and last quarter $5.00

Students $10.00 per year. Juniors $5.00

Front cover from an original drawing of Caleana major by Helen Lawrence. Used with her kind permission.

JOURNAL OF THE

NATIVE ORCHID SOCIETY

OF

SOUTH AUSTRALIA INC.

AUGUST 2012 VOL. 36 NO 7

CONTENTS THIS JOURNAL

Title Author Page

Diary Dates 68

July Judging Results 69

For Your Information – NOSSA News 70

NOSSA SPRING SHOW 22-23 SEPTEMBER 2012 71

Conservation and Plant Growing Exercise 2012 Les Nesbitt 72

Diuris behrii Project Update 3 Les Nesbitt 73

Brentwood Cemetery, Saturday June 23 Bob Gunn 73

Brief Report on the Morialta field trip Pamela Monk

& C Chesson 74

New research on the effects of prescribed burns on terrestrial orchids

Renate Faast 74

Winning Photo for July R Lawrence 77

NOSSA Spring Show Conditions 2011 78

Show Championship Prizes 79

Show Flyer rear cover

The Native Orchid Society of South Australia meets every

4th

Tuesday of the months February –November

NEXT MEETING 28 AUGUST 2012 .

NEXT COMMITTEE MEETING

Tues, 4th

September. Meeting commences at 7:30 p.m. at Geoff’s home 29 Gully

Rd, Seacliff Park. ph 0478 007 902

DIARY DATES

August 26, Sunday Yorke Peninsula

22-23 September 2012 Nossa Spring Show Sept 8 Saturday Mambray Creek, Southern Flinders- see July Journal

25th November Annual NOSSA BBQ, Myponga

NEXT MEETING

Tuesday, 28 August at 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.

There will be two or three 10 minute talks given by NOSSA members at the August meeting.

Judging results for July meeting

Species: None benched.

Hybrids: Dendrobium Avril’s Gold; Dendrobium Glenn Star; Dendrobium Hilda Poxon;

Dendrobium Hilda Poxon ‘spots’ x Ellen Corrina; Dendrobium Jesmond Sparkler ‘Greg Hall’;

Dendrobium Jonathon’s Glory ‘Dark Joy’.

Terrestrials benched;

Species: Acianthus pusillus; Corybas fimbriatus; Corybas hispidus (Qld); Corybas incurvis ( 2

plants, 1 green form); Corysanthes diemenicus (2 plants); Diplodium coccinum (NSW); Linguella

nana; Pterostylis abrupta; Pterostylis collina; Pterostylis curta; Pterostylis nutans (2 plants, one

white);Urochilus sanguineus.

Hybrids: Pterostylis Nodding Grace (2 plants).

Judging results

Epiphyte species Open division Grower

None benched

Epiphyte hybrid Open division

1st Dendrobium Hilda Poxon Les Nesbitt

No 2nd

or 3rd

Epiphytes Hybrids 2nd

division

1st

Dendrobium Avril’s Gold Janet Adams

2nd Dendrobium Jesmond Sparkler ‘Greg Hall’ Janet Adams

3rd Dendrobium Jonathon’s Glory ‘Dark Joy’ Eric Nesbitt

Terrestrial species Open division

1st Corybas incurvis (green form) J & D Higgs

2nd

Diplodium coccinum L & R Gunn

3rd

Corybas fimbriatus Kris Kopicki

Terrestrial hybrids Open division Pterostylis Nodding Grace Les Nesbitt

Terrestrial Species 2nd

division

Acianthus pusillus Bill Dear

Corysanthes diemenicus Janet Adams

Terrestrial Hybrid 2nd

division

Pterostylis Nodding Grace Janet Adams

Popular vote

Terrestrial species: Corybas incurvis (green form) J & D Higgs

Terrestrial hybrid: Pterostylis Nodding Grace Les Nesbitt

Terrestrial species 2nd

Division: Acianthus pusillus Bill Dear

Terrestrial hybrid 2nd

Division: Pterostylis Nodding Grace Janet Adams

Epiphyte Hybrid Dendrobium Hilda Poxon Les Nesbitt

Epiphytes Hybrid 2nd Division: Den. Jonathon’s Glory ‘Dark Joy’ Eric Nesbitt

Plant of the night

Corybas incurvis (green form) J & D Higgs

Plant commentary on terrestrials given by Les Nesbitt & on epiphytes by Noel Oliver.

July Speaker Leslie Gunn spoke on her recent trip to Borneo where they had gone to see Orangutans and

Proboscis Monkeys. She had excellent photographs of these as well as orchid gardens and orchids

good enough to win prizes for sale at local markets. She also showed the striking contrast between

the rich and the poor of the people. The Proboscis Monkeys were at Bako National Park. Most of

the Orangutans were at Semmengoh Orangutan Sanctuary

69

NEXT JUDGES MEETING There will not be a judges meeting in September

FIELD TRIPS

Upcoming Field Trips

All field trips commence at 10:00 AM

Date Site Orchids Meeting Place

August 26, Sunday Yorke

Peninsula -

Muloowurti

e, Mulbura,

Ramsay

Way CP

Yorke Peninsula

spider orchids,

Diuris, Pheladenia,

Diplodium

erythroconchum

Corner Pine Point Rd & Ardrossan-Curramulka

Main Rd, Muloowurtie

NB: As this field trip entails about a three hour

drive from Adelaide, people may consider

looking for local accommodation

Sept 8,

Saturday

Mambray

Creek,

Southern

Flinders

Oligochaetochilus Mambray Creek parking bay on the Port

Wakefield Highway, (eastern or railway line

side of the highway). NB: As this field trip

entails about a three-four hour drive from

Adelaide, people may consider looking for local

accommodation.

Sept 15,

Saturday

Bassnett

Road

Arachnorchis behrii

and other Adelaide

Hills spring

flowering orchids

Meet at corner of Bassnett Road and Humbug

Scrub Road, Para Wirra.

11am,

Sept 26, Saturday;

Oct 1, Sunday;

Oct 27,Saturday

Mt Lofty

Botanic

Gardens

Spring flowering

orchids

These annual public tours will be conducted by a

Mt Lofty Botanic Gardens Guide. Meet at the

southern carpark, Lampert Road, Crafers. UBD

145F4

Oct 7

Sunday

Sandy

Creek

Prasophyllum and

Oligochactochilus

psammophilus

Meet corner of Barossa Valley Way and

Williamstown Road, Sandy Creek.

Oct 13

Saturday

Scott Creek

CP

Thelymitra

grandiflora

Meet corner of Cherry Gardens Road and

Dorsett Vale Road. UBD 168E8

Request for photographs Russell Dahms of the SA Branch of the Australian Plant Society (APS) has been seeking

photographs for the Australian Native Plants Query Interactive Database. He has written to

NOSSA seeking photographs of orchids that have been sold by the APS at its shows. Free

copies of the database or annual updates are available to those who contribute photographs

to the database. Currently the database is missing photographs of:

• Diuris corymbosa

• Microtis unifolia

• Pterostylis abrupta

• Pterostylis furcata If you have photographs of these species, the Secretary can provide contact details.

Robert Lawrence

70

FOR YOUR INFORMATION - NOSSA NEWS

ARTICLES / ITEMS FOR NEXT JOURNAL Articles / items for the September journal need to reach the Editor by Friday September 7

th.

Winners of trophies at the 2011 Spring Show should

return them at the August meeting so that they are ready

for the next Show.

NOSSA SPRING SHOW 22-23 SEPTEMBER 2012 St Bernadette’s Hall, South Road, St Marys

Plants for display and sale can be taken to St Bernadette’s Hall on Friday 21st September

between the hours of 2pm and 8pm. If you cannot get to the show setup until after work,

please notify Bodo Jensen (Show Marshall) or Bill Dear of your estimated arrival time to

ensure the hall remains open.

Judging will commence at 8am on Saturday 22nd

. The show will be open to the public from

10am. Entries in the Floral Art section have until 10am Saturday to complete their

arrangements. We need all your flowering plants to make a show. Remember it is a show

not just a contest. Your plants are there to impress and create interest amongst the general

public, not just because they are expected to win a prize.

Nomination forms will NOT be required. All plants will be judged. If you have not owned

the plant for six months or more or you do not wish your plant to be judged please indicate

by placing the letters NFJ on your plant label attached to the plant. Plants damaged in

transit to the show should display a red streamer on the pot. Parts of the damaged plant, i.e.

flowers that have been broken off, must be placed on the top of the pot. The details must be

written on the “Damaged Plant List” held at the judging table; if this is done the plant will be

judged in the normal way.

Orchid seedlings flowering for the first time should display a white streamer on the plant.

(Note: this class is for seedlings, not a mericlone - see definition of seedling in ‘Spring Show

Conditions’ elsewhere in this Journal). Streamers will be available at the judging table.

Labels: All plants should have a label attached. The public like to see the name of the

orchid they are looking at. Please take care in writing your labels ensuring they are easily

readable and attach them to the plant so the judges and the public can see them.

The show closes at 4pm on Sunday 23rd

. All plants to be removed by 5pm.

Please read the Spring Show Conditions elsewhere in this Journal, bring all your plants

along and enjoy the show.

Plastic bags: Please bring along to the show only plastic bags you will use yourself or

environmentally friendly bags that meet present standards.

Volunteers: are needed to man the entrance and raffle table, the trading table, answer

questions and assist the public in selecting plants.

Raffle plants: See Bill Dear if you have any suitable large plants in flower that can be

donated as raffle plants. Plant sales tickets can also be obtained from Bill.

No plants are for sale until the trading table opens at 10am on

Saturday morning 71

2012 MEMBERSHIP NOTICE Members who wish to pay 2012 Membership Fees electronically should e-mail NOSSA Treasurer on

nossatreasurer@hotmail.com

You will receive banking details so that you can complete your subscription. Please remember to include in your e-

mail any change of address details. Marj Sheppard, Treasurer

There will be 50 free seedling plants to be given away on each day of the show.

Exhibitor Numbers. If any new growers want a number for the spring show or have

forgotten their number, see the judges at the next meeting who have a list or can arrange to

get a new number for you. Your exhibitors number is used at all orchid clubs and societies

in South Australia.

Conservation and Plant Growing Exercise 2012 Les Nesbitt

Seedlings of Dockrillia teretifolia, the bridal veil orchid, in 50mm tubes will be available at the

August meeting. This hardy native epiphytic orchid is difficult to obtain in SA and is sought after by

all orchid growers. A large plant in full flower is a magnificent sight. This is your chance to help

conserve one of Australia’s iconic epiphytic orchids.

There will be a limit of one plant per member at the August meeting at a cost of $2 per plant. This

low price is possible because NOSSA is subsidising the cost of the seedlings. The NOSSA exercise

plants are identified with a label, “Dockrillia teretifolia NOSSA 2012”.

Each person who pays $2 will receive a numbered ticket. During the meeting numbers will be drawn

from a hat. The holder of the first number drawn gets to choose the best plant and so on until all

numbers are drawn.

Seedlings left over will be available at the September meeting for those that missed out in August. If

any seedlings remain members may then get another plant.

Plants will be called in 3 times a year for comparison and to measure progress. Say March, August

(flowering time) and November until the first plant flowers. The growers with the healthiest plants

will be invited to discuss their growing conditions and methods. It may be several years before we

see the first flower.

Dockrillia teretifolia The Bridal Veil Orchid

This orchid has wiry pendulous stems ending in long pencil thick cylindrical leaves (rat’s tails).

Specimen plants can grow to 3m in length. It can be found in nature in Coastal NSW and

Queensland in open forest at low altitudes. Dockrillia teretifolia likes growing on casuarina trees but

also grows on a variety of host trees and sometimes on rocks. The white spidery flowers grow in

clusters of 4-15 from just behind the new leaves. There may be 2-3 flowering racemes per leaf

resulting in hundreds of flowers on a large plant. Flowering time is July to October with August the

optimum month. The thick roots run up and down the host branch for up to a metre.

Culture in Adelaide

Most large plants I have seen in Adelaide have been mounted on slabs of cork, hardwood or treefern.

A large mount is best as the mass of roots can be as big as the leaf and stems. It will grow happily in

a shadehouse in Adelaide provided it is watered regularly in dry weather. Being an epiphytic orchid

it must have good drainage or the roots will rot in winter.

The seedlings are one year out of flask so have already survived an Adelaide summer and winter.

You can choose to mount your seedling or pot it on into a larger pot this spring. To mount a plant

just remove it from the tube, shake off the bark and place the orchid against the mount. You can put

some moss over the roots and then bind the orchid firmly to the mount with fishing line, string, panty

hose or whatever is at hand. I have found that the roots formed in the tube do not continue to grow

but new roots develop in spring and in a few months attach the orchid to the mount. By the end of

summer the ties can be removed. Mounted orchids grow best if misted every day or 2 in warm

weather and even several times a day during heat waves in Adelaide. The seedlings in tubes grew

faster than mounted seedlings last summer. I used pine bark. Here is your chance to experiment.

Dockrillias grow happily on trees that have permanent bark such as fruit trees (apricot, plum and

peach) or jacaranda, casuarina or paperbark. A position facing the morning sun is preferred. Good

growing.

72

Diuris behrii Project Update 3 Les Nesbitt

A followup report was produced for Hillgrove on 26th

July to pick up the late emerging

orchids and those that had been chewed down below ground level at the time of the initial

report on 17th May.

On close inspection 168 D. behrii plants were found spread across 71 bags. This was an

increase of 85 plants since the initial report. That means that up to 97 daughter plants can be

potted up individually for reintroduction next year. Some plants were weak and may need to

be grown on for another year before replanting at the mine site.

In addition there were 3 non multiplying Pterostylis rosettes, 77 Microtis leaves and 2

Monadenia bractiata plants. The Microtis were growing in 8 bags which indicates that they

were probably numerous at the original site.

All orchid plants survived the very wet month of June when 193mm was recorded in my

rain gauge.

31 bags had no local orchid leaves this year. These bags were not empty but contained

grasses, lilies, ferns and groundcovers.

A hatching of baby slugs in July was countered by placing a blue snail pellet in each bag.

John Crocker has requested that the lilies be potted up separately for reintroduction next

year at the mine site. They are mostly chocolate lilies (Anthropodium species) with 2 yellow

bulbine lilies (Bulbine bulbosa)

Last year at Kanmantoo the D. behrii plants flowered in late August. I expect that flowering

will be in early September at my wetter higher elevation site. Being inside a shadehouse

also delays flowering. Twelve plants were in early bud on 26th

July.

Brentwood Cemetery Saturday June 23 Bob Gunn

Despite the very wet weather which prevailed from Wednesday onwards, the Saturday

dawned cloudy, but fine and a good group assembled at the cemetery ready for work.

The Friends of Brentwood headed by Sue numbered about 10 and proceeded to clear and

clean Gravesites and Headstones, and then tackled the very invasive Bridal Creeper, which

was still prevalent in the Cemetery area.

The rest of us, made up of 4 NOSSA members and 1 from the Threatened Species Action

Group, headed by Deborah Furbank (DEH and NOSSA) in the absence of Cathy Houston,

took on the other invaders in the preservation area, Boxthorn, Freesia, and Bridal creeper.

There was visual evidence in this area of the efforts of last year’s weeding, with a significant

decline in the Boxthorn presence, fewer Freesias, and less Bridal creeper, but still requiring

much more culling, so we set to our tasks.

73

Three hours later we were invited to adjourn to Sue’s home for a lunch which she provided

on behalf of the Friends group. I am sure that if everyone knew about the lunch, we would

have been inundated with volunteers, it was magnificent, and greatly appreciated by all.

After a leisurely hour’s enjoyment, most of the group returned to the cemetery to put in

more effort, until it was time to depart to their homes or lodgings.

Once again a large impact on the weeds was achieved and the cemetery preservation was

enhanced.

We saw many large colonies of Acianthus throughout, in various stages, from leaves to

flowering plants, and noticed leaves of Arachnorcis in several sites in the preservation area.

Brief report on the Morialta Field Trip. Pamela Monk

Held on Wednesday 11 July (thanks to Clive Chesson for the species list).

On Wednesday 11 July 14 members gathered to orchid hunt in Morialta Conservation Park.

Expert commentary and spotting by leader Bob Bates enhanced an enjoyable day out. The

following is a list of species seen.

Species Common Name Stage

Acianthus pusillus Mosquito orchid Leaves +/- fruit ('pods')

Arachnorchis tentaculata King Spider-orchid; Large Green-comb

Spider-orchid

Leaves only

Corysanthes diemenica Veined Helmet Orchid: Flowers and leaves

Cyrtostylis reniformis Small Gnat Orchid Leaves +/- floral buds

Cyrtostylis robusta Robust or Winter Gnat Orchid Leaves +/- floral buds

Diplodium robustum Large Shell-orchid With flower and cauline leaves

or basal rosettes

Diplodium sp. aff.

alata ADELAIDE HILLS

Tall Shell-orchid With flower and cauline leaves

or basal rosettes

Linguella sp. aff.

nana ADELAIDE HILLS

Dwarf Greenhood Leaves +/- floral bud/flower

Pterostylis pedunculata Maroon Hood: Leaves only: rosette

Thelymitra sp. Sun Orchid Leaf only

Urochilus sanguineus Red-banded Greenhood; Blood

Greenhood

Leaves +/- floral buds +/-

flowers

New research on the effects of prescribed burns on terrestrial orchids

Renate Faast Some of you will remember me from my postgraduate research a few years ago studying the

reproductive ecology of Caladenia rigida (Stiff White Spider Orchid) and Caladenia tentaculata

(King Spider Orchid). I thoroughly enjoyed delving into the intriguing world of these plants,

learning some of their well-kept secrets, dispelling old myths and most importantly helping to

uncover some of the important factors that may be leading to their decline.

Some of the key findings of this research included:

C. rigida is pollinated by a wide range of pollinators consisting mostly of native bees and hover

flies, with the occasional bee-mimic fly, and even honey-bees.

the surface of the labellum and the base of the column in C. rigida contain sugars, suggesting that

insects may be attracted to the flowers by a food reward.

the endangered (in SA) White-wing Chough has a particular penchant for C. rigida flowers in the

northern Lofties, and these birds are responsible for devouring over 80% of flowers at some sites.

herbivore exclusion cages are an effective way to protect flowers and increase seed release,

provided that the cage design does not hinder pollinators.

74

pollination rates of C. tentaculata are generally much lower and more variable than those of C.

rigida, most likely because the former species relies on a single species of wasp, as opposed to a

variety of bees and flies. This puts into question the long-term prospects for a species that is still

regarded as wide-spread and common.

less than 10% of seeds collected from small populations of C. rigida in the southern Lofties were

viable, compared with over 36% from larger northern populations. Combining this with estimates of

seed germination and seedling survival, the long-term prognosis for these small populations is grim.

I am happy to share more details and findings with anyone that is interested and there is a

copy of my thesis in the NOSSA library. Of course, this work would not have been such a

success without the help of a large number of people including DEWNR, Forestry SA and

SA Water staff, numerous NOSSA volunteers, Friends of Parks, as well as orchid experts

from all around Australia, and I am extremely grateful for their contributions.

A new project

I am delighted to be back at the University of Adelaide working on a new, but closely

related research project investigating the impacts of prescribed burning on the reproductive

ecology of some of our terrestrial orchids. This is a collaborative project involving The

Australian Research Council, The University of Adelaide, SA Museum, The Australian

Orchid Foundation, The SA Nature Foundation, SA Water, Forestry SA and the Department

of Environment, Water and Natural Resources.

Among the questions we would like to answer are:

How does fire affect the reproductive output of orchid populations, taking into account impacts

on pollination and grazing?

Are orchids with different pollination strategies affected differently by fire?

How do pollinator communities respond to fire?

Does fire affect seed viability and seedling establishment?

How sensitive are orchid tubers to the increased soil temperatures associated with fire?

Do more flowers mean more seeds?

Fire management programs are being implemented throughout southern Australia and while some

effects of controlled burning on biodiversity are predictable, many are not. Although fire can

promote the flowering of many species of terrestrial orchids, its effect on the reproductive output and

hence long-term survival of orchid populations is unknown. Observations of increased flowering do

not necessarily translate into increased population numbers in following years. Pollination success

and seed release can be very low for most terrestrial orchids, and quite often this is due to a shortage

of pollinators. As yet, little research has been carried out to assess the response of pollinator

populations to fire, and how this affects pollination success. Of particular importance for the

management of threatened populations is that they are usually very small and already impacted by

other stressors such as habitat loss and fragmentation, weed invasion and a changing climate.

Are pollinators and herbivores affected by fire?

Pollinator communities can be affected directly by fire, through mortality, or indirectly through the

loss of food (e.g. nectar, pollen) or nesting sites. The recovery of pollinator populations will also

depend on their ability to disperse from adjacent unburnt areas. Furthermore, a decrease in the

number of other flowering plants following fire could limit the number of pollinators that are

attracted to the area. Because different types of pollinators are likely to respond differently to fires,

plants that depend on specific pollinators may be even more susceptible than those that are visited by

a range of insects. Another potential side-effect of burning is the impact on grazing pressure.

Young, highly nutritious shoots and seedlings attract herbivores, and with the simultaneous reduction

of understorey plants may put orchid leaves and flowers at even greater risk of being found and

eaten.

75

What happens to seeds and seedlings?

The survival of orchid seeds and tubers during fire is likely to depend on their depth within the soil,

their growth stage and the intensity of the fire. Seedling tubers which are close to the soil surface

may be vulnerable to increased soil temperatures. Likewise, even the mature stages of shallow-

tubered species such as Acianthus, Corybas, Cyrtostylis and Pterostylis, may be sensitive to fire,

particularly during late autumn to early spring, when the new tubers are developing. The long-term

viability of some orchid populations may depend on the timing and frequency of fires. For example,

given that rates of orchid pollination vary greatly from one year to another and are often quite low, a

fire that occurs shortly after a “good” year could destroy most of the seeds and/or seedlings

produced, and may represent a significant set-back for that population.

Even if seed production is increased by fire, at least a fraction of these seeds must germinate and

establish to ensure the survival of populations. The effects of fire on the viability of orchid seed and

the establishment of seedlings have not been investigated. Post-fire conditions may favour

emergence and establishment because of increased availability of some resources (e.g. nutrients,

water), but they may also be limited by changes in the mycorrhizal community, changes in rates of

herbivory and, in years subsequent to the fire, increased competition with surrounding fire-promoted

plants.

Our approach

To answer some of these questions, our research will focus on target species within the genus

Caladenia. We will monitor pollination success, herbivory and seed production at prescribed burn

sites (before and after fire) and at nearby unburnt sites, and relate these to a range of habitat and soil

characteristics. Other orchid species present at these sites will be studied in less detail. Pollinator

populations will be surveyed at burn and control sites using a variety of trapping techniques, and we

will use new molecular methods to help identify these insects. Seedling survival and establishment

will be monitiored at each site, and seeds will be collected and assessed for their viability and

temperature sensitivity. Most of this work will be carried out in the Mt Lofty region and the project

will run for 3 – 4 years.

In addition to surveying orchids and their environment directly in the field, I would like to carry out

some controlled laboratory experiments to determine how sensitive orchid seedlings and adult tubers

are to increases in soil temperature. This would involve subjecting tubers growing in pots, to a range

of temperatures that replicate those encountered during a prescribed burn. In this way we could test

the vulnerability of tubers growing at different depths and at different growth stages (e.g. dormant,

developing new tubers, emergent). By precisesly controlling the temperature and length of exposure,

we can differentiate between impacts that are a direct result of increased soil temperature, and other

fire-induced factors such as smoke, ethylene, changes in soil nutrients and so on. Ideally, we could

complement this work with fire experiments carried out in the field on naturally growing orchids,

using burn boxes.

There are lots of “burning” questions to keep me busy for the next few years! Of course, if any of

you are keen to be involved with this work, I would be delighted to have your help, advice or ideas.

Extra pairs of orchid-spotting eyes to search out those elusive flowers at my study sites are more than

welcome. Also, I would be most grateful to any growers that can help supply seedlings (in particular

Caladenia species) or adult tubers (Acianthus, Corybas, Cyrtostylis and Pterostylis) for the

temperature sensitivity experiments. We will be applying for extra funding to help cover the costs of

growing tubers. Please contact me on renate.faast@adelaide.edu.au or 0429 177 371 or 8339 2428.

Looking foward to a productive Spring, and keeping you up to date on our findings.

76

July 2012 Winning Photo

Rosalie Lawrence

It is good to see the different photos being sent in by the members. The range of

photographs are quite varied and this month’s selection was no different. To illustrate the

variation, I have included a picture of this month’s entries. This month’s winning

photograph came from Pauline Meyers.

77

Pauline’s entry from

Western Australia was

identified as Caladenia

petrensis x Caladenia

roei. This beautiful

hybrid is a Jonesiopsis

otherwise known as

Wispy Spider orchids or

Daddy Longlegs.

Caladenia roei (Clown

orchid) is widely

distributed throughout

the south west region of

Western Australia and

flowers from August to

October.

Caladenia petrensis

(Ironstone Spider

orchid) does not have as

wide a range as roei and

it flowers from August

to September.

(Information from Spider-

orchids the Genus Caladenia,

and its Relatives in Australia

Gary Backhouse 2011)

NOSSA SPRING SHOW CONDITIONS 2012 1. Entries of exhibits are free and open to financial Society Members 2. Setup day will be Friday 21st September 2012 between 2pm and 8pm [see also page 71] in St. Bernadette’s

Hall, Main South Rd, St Mary’s. Judging will commence at 8am on Saturday 22nd September. The show will open to the public at 10am on Saturday 22nd September.

3. The Show will close at 4.00 pm on Sunday 23rd September 2012 and all plants are to be removed by 6.00pm.

4. No sales of plants on the trading table to members will be allowed on Friday or until the doors open at 10.00am on Saturday morning so that everyone has a chance to buy the best plants.

5. Members wishing to sell plants or items on the trading table must have 3 flowering plants in the Show display and should help during the show.

6. All sections and classes cover Australasian Native Orchids only. Australasian means the Commonwealth of Australia and Territories, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Fiji, New Caledonia, Irian Jaya, Timor, Solomon Islands and Vanuatu.

7. Plants competing for prizes shall have been owned and in the possession of the exhibitor for the preceding six (6) months. This does not apply to ferns and foliage.

8. Plants exhibited in displays will be eligible for prize cards. 9. All entries exhibited in classes 101-503 are eligible for prize cards. 10. Nominations are not required. To be eligible for prizes, exhibits must have a label attached showing the

plant name and exhibitors number and be exhibited by the time judging commences. Plants not eligible must show NFJ on the label.

11. There is no restriction on the number of separate entries by an exhibitor in any one class or classes. Entries in joint names will be accepted.

12. ANOS Judging Standards apply. Judges decisions shall be final and binding. 13. No prize shall be given if in the opinion of the judges a prize is not warranted. 14. Exhibits must not be removed from the display before the termination of the show, unless exceptional

circumstances are involved and then only with the approval of the Show Marshall. 15. NOSSA will not be held responsible for any loss or damage to plants or other items on display and no

exhibitor and/or seller of plants or other items shall have any claim against the Society or Show Officials. 16. Definition of a seedling. A seedling shall mean the complete plant grown from seed, (not a mericlone)

flowering for the first time. The status of a seedling shall be retained throughout the flowering season in which it first flowers.

17. Australian Dendrobium species* included in: a) Dendrobium section Dedrocoryne are: (adae, aemulum, falcorostrum, fleckeri, jonesii sp. aff jonesii

(ruppianum), kingianum, gracilicaule, (macropus), moorii, speciosum complex, tetragonum complex. b) Dendrobium section Monophyllacea are: carrii, monophyllum, and schneiderae. c) Dendrobium section Phalaenanthe are: affine and bigibbum. d) Dendrobium section Spathulata are: antennatum, carronii, canaliculatum complex, discolour, johannis,

mirbelianum, nindii and trilamellatum. e) Dockrillia section are: bowmanii, calamiforme, cucumerinum, fairfaxii, sp. aff. fairfaxii (teretifolium

complex), linguiforme, lichenastrum, mortii,(tennuissimum), prenticeii, pugioniforme, rigidum, racemosum, striolatum, shoeninum (beckleri), torresae, teretifolium and wasselii.

*It is the policy of NOSSA to neither accept nor reject the proposed name changes. 18. The staging of exhibits in all classes shall be entirely under the control and direction of the Show Marshall

or his deputy. 19. The Society reserves the exclusive rights to photograph for its own purposes any exhibits in the show. 20. Water must not be used in any display. Early morning misting may be allowed under the authority of the

Show Marshall. 21. The Show Marshall or his deputy reserves the right to reject, remove or rearrange any exhibit. 22. Exhibitors may use ferns and/or foliage to embellish exhibits. Such plants will not be taken into

consideration when judging except for decorative effect in display classes. 23. No flowers or fruit other than native orchids may be used in any display. 24. When displays are being judged for arrangement and display, recognition will be given to displays that are

un-cluttered and plants are spaced to best advantage. As a guide approximately 20% of the floor area should be open to allow access by judges.

25. In the floral art classes, Australasian native orchids and plant material must be used in all classes. Any Australasian embellishment may be used. There are no ownership restrictions.

26. Staging must be completed for the Floral Art section by 10.00am on Saturday 22nd September 2012.

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Championship Prizes Grand Champion of the Show (Terrestrial or Epiphyte) Donated by NOSSA Champion Terrestrial Species (The Roy Hargreaves Trophy) Donated by the Hargreaves Family Champion Terrestrial Hybrid (The Kay Nesbitt Trophy) Donated by Les Nesbitt Champion Epiphytic Species (The Wells Trophy) Donated by Bubs Wells Champion Epiphytic Hybrid Donated by NOSSA Champion Novice Terrestrial Species (The Fuller Terrestrial Trophy) Donated by Margaret Fuller Champion Novice Epiphytic Species (The Fuller Epiphyte Trophy) Donated by Margaret Fuller Champion Floral Art Exhibit (Champion Card) Best Australian Species Bill Murdoch Trophy nomination and also Les Nesbitt Award nomination. Best Australian Hybrid Ira Butler Trophy nomination and also Reg Shooter Award nomination Best Australasian Species and Hybrid G. Herman Slade Trophy Nominations Displays A card will be presented to the best floor display in each section. Section 1 Floor Display Section 2 Tabletop display Orchid Classes All orchids benched will be judged if eligible. Owners not wanting an orchid judged or one not eligible must show on label NFJ (Not for judging) Orchids for judging may be staged in displays or as individual plants on the benches provided. First and second prize cards will be awarded.

Australian Epiphytic Species Australian Hybrids. Hybrids with non-Australian parentage, either wholly or partly, are not eligible for these classes.

Class Class

101 Dendrobium falcorostrum 201 Dendrobium Bardo Rose, Delicatum and Gracillimum

102 Dendrobium gracilicaule 202 Dendrobium Hybrid, White/Cream

103 Dendrobium kingianum 203 Dendrobium Hybrid, Yellow/Orange

104 Dendrobium speciosum complex 204 Dendrobium hybrid, Pink/Red/Purple

105 Dendrobium tetragonum complex 205 Dendrobium Hybrid, Any other Colour

106 Other Dendrobium species section Dendrocoryne 206 Dockrillia Hybrid

107 Dockrillia species 207 Sarcanthinae Hybrid, White

108 Other dendrobium species 208 Sarcanthinae Hybrid, Pink/Red

109 Sarcochilus falcatus 209 Sarcanthinae Hybrid, Any other colour

110 Sarcochilus aequalis 210 Seedling Epiphyte Hybrid, first flowering

111 Other Sarcochilus species 211 Specimen Hybrid Epiphyte

112 Other Sarcanthinae species

113 Other Epiphytic species

114 Seedling Epiphytic species – first flowering Terrestrial Hybrids

115 Specimen Epiphytic species 212 Caladenia Alliance Hybrid

213 Diuris Hybrid

Terrestrial Species 214 Pterostylis Alliance Hybrid

116 Acianthus 215 Thelymitra Hybrid

117 Caladenia alliance 216 Other Terrestrial Hybrid

118 Chiloglottis alliance 217 Seedling Terrestrial Hybrid

119 Cyrtostylis 218 Specimen Terrestrial Hybrid

120 Diuris

121 Glossodia Floral Art Arrangements

122 Multiflowered Pterostylis alliance species 501 Shoulder spray of Native Orchids

123 Other Pterostylis alliance species 502 Restaurant Table Centrepiece featuring native orchids to fit inside an imaginary container 150mm diameter x 250mm tall.

124 Thelymitra 503 Vase of native orchids

125 Other Terrestrial species

126 Seedling terrestrial species, first flowering

127 Specimen Terrestrial species

Australasian Species. Includes species from within the ANOS defined Australasian Region. With the exception of Australia

Australasian Hybrids. Hybrids between Australasian parents only or with mixed Australasian & Australian parentage.

301 Australasian Dendrobium species 401 Australasian Hybrid

302 Other Australasian Species

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2012

Entrance by gold coin donation

There will be 50 free seedling plants to be given away on each day of the show.

Saturday 22nd

September, 10am-5pm

Sunday 23rd

September, 10am-4pm

Plants benched July 2012 1 photo's D. Hirst

Corybas hispidus

Acianthus pusillus

Urochilus sanguineus

Corybas diemenicus

Pterostylis concinna

Pterostylis nutans

Pterostylis Nodding Grace Pterostylis nutans

Corybas fimbriatus

Corybas diemenicus

Corybas incurvus green form

Plants benched July 2012 2 photo's D. Hirst

Dendrobium Jonathon's Glory'Dark Joy'

Dendrobium Hilda Poxon 'spots'x Ellen Corrina

Acianthus pusillus

Diplodium coccinum

Den. Jesmond Sparkler 'Greg Hall'

Plants benched July 2012 3 photo's D. Hirst

Dendrobium Hilda Poxon

Dendrobium Avril's Gold

Dendrobium Glenn Star