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Maroochydore Orchid Society, P.O. Box 382, Maroochydore 4558 APRIL 2015

www.maroochydoreorchidsociety.com.au

Patroness - Rosanna Natoli

President - Duncan McMartin (07) 5448 5300

Secretary - Kathy Howatson (07) 5448 4450 maroochyorchid1@optusnet.com.au

Treasurer - Del Whittaker (07) 5476 5300

Editor - Merryan Hardman hmerryan@yahoo.com

CULTURAL MEETING

Cultural Meeting is held on the 1st Tuesday of the month at the Girl Guide Hall, Beach Road, Maroochydore,

7.30pm. AGM will be held at October meeting. Members and visitors are welcome. All plants to be tabled by

7.30pm for judging.

2015 CALENDAR

Society Show Dates:

UK - Orchid Show, RHS LONDON: April 9-12; Orchid Science Conference, RBG Kew:

April 8-9; Orchid Conference, RHS London: April 10-11

10th – 11th April – SCOSC Autumn Show (DISPLAY), Uniting Church Hall, Cnr Queen and

Ulm Streets, Caloundra (set up 9th April 3pm)

18th April – South Burnett Orchid Society, (BENCHING), RSL Hall, Wondai (set up 17th

April 3pm)

2nd – 3rd May – Gympie and District Orchid Society Show (DISPLAY), Gympie

Showgrounds (set up 1st May 3pm)

7th – 8th May – M.O.S. Mother’s Day Show (CLOSED), Big Top Shopping Centre,

Maroochydore (set up 6th May – take down 9pm 8th May)

8th – 9th May – Noosa District Orchid and Foliage Society (CLOSED), RSL Hall, Cooroy

MEMBERSHIP FEES

Annual Fee $10 Badge (optional) $10

All enquiries, please contact Del.

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20th June - STOCQ Meeting, Uniting Church Hall, Coronation Ave, Nambour, hosted by

Nambour Orchid Society

3rd – 5th July – Caboolture Orchid Society Show (DISPLAY), Morayfield Community

Complex, 298 Morayfield Rd, Morayfield (set up 2nd July 3pm)

7th – 8th August, M.O.S. Annual Show (BENCHING), Millwell Road Community Hall,

Millwell Road East, Maroochydore (set up 6th August 3pm)

28th – 29th August – Nambour Orchid Society Show (DISPLAY), Uniting Church,

Donaldson Street, Nambour (set up 27th August 3pm)

10th – 11th September – SCOSC Spring Show, Pelican Waters Shopping Village (CLOSED)

16th – 23rd September - 20th A.O.C. National and 50th TQOC Conference and Show,

Mackay

18th – 19th September – Noosa District Orchid and Foliage Society Show (BENCHING)

Community Hall, Maple Street, Cooroy (set up 17th September 3pm)

18th – 23rd September - The triennial AOC Orchid Conference and Show, Mackay

Entertainment and Convention Centre (MECC)

25th – 26th September – Glasshouse Country Orchid Society Show (DISPLAY) Beerwah

Community Centre, Peachester Road, Beerwah (set up 24th September 3pm)

3rd – 4th October – Bribie Island Orchid Society Spring Show (BENCHING) 156a First

Avenue Bongaree (set up 2nd October 3pm)

30th – 31st October – Nambour Orchid Society Species Show (BENCHING), Uniting

Church, Donaldson Road, Nambour (set up 29th October 3pm)

November - STOCQ Meeting, (Venue and date TBA), hosted by Hervey Bay Orchid Society

11th – 12th June 2016 – Diamond Festival of Orchids

NZ - 22nd – 25th September 2016 – Auckland Orchid and Flower Show, ASB

Showgrounds

CULTURAL MEETING RESULTS

CATEGORY FIRST SECOND THIRD

OPEN C.Caudebec Candy C.Fantasia Jibura V.Suksamran Sunlight

John Salway Kathy Howatson John Thelander

INTERMEDIATE - - -

- - -

NOVICE Onc.Alosuka Den.Aree Dung Den.Enobi Purple x

Den.bigibbum

Lorraine Hocking Joe Merieca Joe Merieca

SPECIES Den.macrophyllum Bulb.grandflorum Trich.braciata

Rod Aisthorpe Bill Letcher John Thelander

FOLIAGE Aglaminia Begonia Antherium

Lorraine Hocking Robyn Voltz Del Whittaker

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A few words from Rod Aisthorpe , our overall Popular winner about his prize orchid:-

Orchid Name: Den.macrophyllum

History of this Plant: This is the most widespread of the section, Latouria. It is extending from the western end of

Java, the Philippines to Samoa, and growing on the island of New Guinea, being one of their largest epiphytes. Grows

in hot steamy lowland to about 500m.

Growing Procedure: This one is growing in New Zealand bark under about 70% shade cloth during summer, and

covered in solo weave and curtains all around the orchid house during winter, and have 2 fans on timers for air

movement. It is fertilized with different products during the year.

Some other beautiful entries:

Open winner - C.Caudebec Candy

Species winner-Den.macrophyllum

Novice winner - Onc.AlosukaFoliage winner - Aglaminia

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INTEREST IN BUS TRIP

It was brought up at the meeting that a bus trip could be on the cards. Please keep Sunday 21st June free as

we are hoping to arrange a trip to Robertsons, Darryl Bank’s, Trost’s, and Frizzo’s – all great orchid

stockists. A picnic is suggested at Maleny. Anyone interested, or with suggestions, should contact Kathy.

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Bloomin’ lovely orchid display by Kristy Muir (Maroochy Weekly 12/3/15)

Kathy Howatson still vividly remembers the moment she fell in love with orchids – 17 years ago.

Her love of orchids has since taken on a life of its own, being involved with the Maroochydore Orchid

Society.

The orchid lovers will host a one-day show at Bli Bli on March 28.

Mrs Howatson’s love of orchids stemmed from being given an orchid as a thank-you gift.

‘The orchid, which I found out was called Stanhopea wardii, flowered out of the bottom of the basket with

three beautiful flowers smelling like chocolate mint biscuits’, Mrs Howatson said. ‘The fragrance was so

captivating. This was the beginning of my love of orchids’.

Mrs Howatson said she subsequently bought more Dendrobium orchids from the markets, which fuelled her

passion for the flowers.

‘Soon I had a collection that I needed to look after’.

So, in 2000 Mrs Howatson joined the Maroochydore Orchid Society to find out how to care for her orchids.

‘When I joined, the experienced members suggested I do a judging course to really understand orchids’, she

said. ‘Being an Australian Orchid Council judge entitles me to judge at any major orchid show in the world, as

the qualification is recognised worldwide. I am able to appreciate all orchids but my personal favourite are the

cattleyas. They have big, showy flowers and a beautiful perfume. Each different cattleya has a different

perfume’.

Mrs Howason’s advice to people who are thinking about getting into orchids or people who love orchids and

have come from another climate, is to join an orchid society and ask questions.

There are nine societies from Bribie Island and Caboolture, all the way up to Gypmie.

‘Experienced growers are always eager to impart knowledge and answer questions’, she said.

The Maroochydore Orchid Society will hold a one-day show at Bli Bli Uniting Church Hall on March 28,

8.30am-4.30pm.

There will be a display of orchids put on by all the members of the society, as well as a sales area. Potting

demonstrations will occur at 10.30am and 1.30pm.

The society has also organised a Mother’s Day show at the new Big Top Shopping Centre, on May 7-8.

QUEENSLAND INTERNATIONAL ORCHID FAIR

On 6th, 7th, and 8th of March this year, Beenleigh Showgrounds in Brisbane hosted the QIOF. With nurseries

from local, interstate and international addresses attending, all types of orchids were on display to be bought. The

selection was, for this newbie, mindboggling – a bit like a kid in a candy store. Tough decisions were made and quite a

few equitants and vandas are now happily residing back on the Sunshine Coast.

The only drama I experienced happened when I locked the car keys in the boot, along with the orchids. RACQ

have never had such a desperate phone call. The lady telephonist quickly asked if people or pets were locked in the

car. ‘No’, I wailed, ‘much more important than that! Orchids! And they are cooking in the heat’. After she stopped

laughing, the mechanic turned up earlier than expected, and popped the boot. I will definitely be marking my calendar

for next year’s show, and I will keep the keys on my body!

NAMBOUR ONE DAY SHOW

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The first show of the year was held by Nambour Orchid Society as the Uniting Church in Coolum Beach, and

we are off to a fine start on the Sunshine Coast. Below are the winning orchids. Just to give us a heads-up as to the

level our orchids will be judged in future shows. Keep up the good work, Nambour.

M.O.S. BLI BLI ONE-DAY SHOW

Our annual One-Day show got off to a roaring start. We put up a display and had benching, and had enough

flowers for both easily. What a spectacular sight. And it was great to see Iris after all her recent health issues. For

those that could not attend, here are the main winners: Grand Champion, Reserve Champion and Best Species…

These are some of the other wonderful entries:

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Thank you to all the volunteers that manned show – kitchen, raffle, door, sales and advice. Here are some,

recovering from the busy day.

SUPPER ROSTER 2015

Month Person

May Del Whittaker

June Kev Rimmington

July John Salway

August Robyn Volz

September John Thelander

October Louise Myers

November Merryan Hardman

December Joe Mercieca

Disclaimer: While the Editor endeavours to ensure the reliability of this newsletter, neither the Editor nor the Maroochydore Orchid Society Inc.

can assume any responsibility for the information or advice given to readers of The Observer.