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Native Orchid Society Of
South Australia Inc.
Journal
Thelymitra grandiflora ssp. exposa
Photo: R. Bates
February 2015
Volume 39 No. 1
2
Native Orchid Society of South Australia
PO Box 565 Unley SA 5061 Website: www.nossa.org.au Ph: 8294 8014 February 2015 Vol. 39 No. 1
President
Robert Lawrence Email: [email protected]
Vice President Kris Kopicki
Secretary Michael Clark Email:[email protected]
Treasurer Gordon Ninnes Email: [email protected]
Editors John & Lorraine Badger Email: [email protected]
Assistant Editor Helen Lawrence
Committee Jan Adams Bob Bates Rosalie Lawrence David Hirst
Other Positions Membership Liaison Officer
Robert Lawrence Ph: 8294 8014 Email:[email protected]
Botanical Advisor Bob Bates
Conservation Officer
Thelma Bridle Ph: 8384 4174
Field Trips Coordinator Rob & Jenny Pauley
Librarian Pauline Meyers
Registrar of Judges Les Nesbitt
Show Marshall Vacant
Trading Table Judy Penney
Tuber Bank Coordinator Jane Higgs Ph: 8558 6247 Email: [email protected]
Website Manager Rosalie Lawrence
Email:[email protected]
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.
Contents
Title Author Page
Notice Board 3 From The President Robert Lawrence 4 New South Australian Species 2014 Bob Bates 5 Prasophyllum frenchii Survey Thelma Bridle 6 News from ANOS 6 Mt Lofty Gardens Field Trip Len Stephens 7 Spiders and their allies poster set David Hirst 7 Fire Orchids of Scott Creek Bob Bates 8 November Winning Photo Rosalie Lawrence 9 Tuber Bank Report Jane Higgs 9 Diuris Behrii Project Report 2014 Les Nesbitt 10
Life Members
Mr R Hargreaves† Mr G Carne Mr H Goldsack† Mr R Bates Mr R Robjohns† Mr R Shooter Mr J Simmons† Mr W Dear Mr D Wells† Mrs C Houston Mr L Nesbitt Mr D Hirst
Patron: Mr L. Nesbitt
The Native Orchid Society of South Australia, while taking all due care, takes 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.
Front cover - photo Robert Bates, Sept 2014 A newly named subspecies.
Thelymitra grandiflora ssp. exposa R.J. Bates ssp. nov.
This new subspecies of Australia’s largest sun orchid (restricted to South Australia) is limited to high, rocky exposed parts of the Flinders Ranges which begin more than one hundred km north of Adelaide. This rare taxon extends for 250 km from near Laura in the south of the Range almost to Arkaroola in the north and is conserved both in national parks and native forest reserves.
Bates, R (2014) A New Subspecies of the “Giant Sun Orchid” Thelymitra grandiflora …” Australian Orchid Review Vol 79 No 6 p. 52
Native Orchid Society of South Australia Inc. Journal February 2015 Vol. 39 No. 1
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NOTICE BOARD
The Native Orchid Society of South Australia meets every fourth Tuesday of the months February to November at St Matthew's Hall, Bridge Street, Kensington. Meeting starts at 8:00 p.m. Doors to the hall open from 7:15 pm to allow Members access to the Library, Trading Table and Grower’s Forum.
WELCOME TO NEW MEMBERS
Ed Lowrey of Dernancourt
2015 FIELD TRIPS - PLANNING SESSION + TEA Saturday 28th Feb– 3 pm followed by tea
Location: The Badgers 23 Cumming St., Craigburn Farm Please bring a plate of food to share.
FIRST JUDGES’ MEETING FOR 2015
Saturday 7th March - 9.30 am to 11.30 am
Location: Les Nesbitt’s 18 Cambridge street, Vale Park
Any member interested in learning to judge native orchids is welcome to attend
NEXT GENERAL MEETING FEB 2015 Tues 24th February - Thelma Bridle guest speaker.
INTERNATIONAL ORCHID FAIRS FOR 2015
Castle Hill NSW - 17th & 18th April 9 am – 4 pm, free entry and parking
Victoria - 22nd – 24th August at Skye
Queensland – 7th & 8th March
ARTICLES FOR NEXT JOURNAL
Articles need to reach the Editor no later than Friday 6th March 2015. Thank you.
2015 WEEDING DATES - BELAIR NATIONAL PK
Weeding in Pterostylis cucullata sites.
April 11th
May 9th
June 13th
October 10th Please contact Thelma Bridle - Ph: 8384 4174 if wishing to attend and for further information.
2015 WEEDING AT BRENTWOOD Advanced notice for weeding at the Caladenia intuta site, Brentwood Cemetery
Saturday June 27th
Please contact Thelma Bridle - Ph: 8384 4174 if wishing to attend and for further information.
NEW BOOK - ORCHID POLLINATORS OF VIC.
Rudie Kuiter’s third edition of Orchid Pollinators of Victoria is now for sale Being more than double the size of the 2nd edition it will make interesting reading. Anyone interested in a copy please contact Rosalie Lawrence - email: [email protected].
2015 AGM – MARCH 24 Nomination Forms accompany this journal. Forms can be handed in at next meeting or to a current Committee member by Tuesday 3rd March.
Date Event Feb 24th Tues General Meeting Speaker : Thelma Bridle - “ Fungi of the Adelaide Hills” Feb 28th Sat Field Trip Planning Session - at the Badger’s - further information below Mar 3rd Tues Committee Meeting at Badger’s place Mar 6th Last day for March Journal articles Mar 7th Judges’ meeting - at Les Nesbitt’s place -further information below Mar 24th General Meeting AGM Speaker : Kris Kopicki “Carnivorous plants” Mar 31st Committee Meeting TBA Apr 11th Weeding at Belair – further information below
Native Orchid Society of South Australia Inc. Journal February 2015 Vol. 39 No. 1
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From the President
Robert Lawrence
Ray Nash orchid collection
The first item on the Agenda at our recent committee meeting was a letter from Ray Nash offering much of his collection of potted orchids to NOSSA. For those who don’t know Ray, he was an already well known orchidologist before the founding of NOSSA in 1977. In those early days he was involved as a speaker, leader of field trips, teacher about orchids and a mentor to some of those on the management committee. Rosalie and I have been asked about him, but he was before our time. His letter was therefore most welcome.
The first part of the committee meeting was about the orchid collection. A van, a station wagon and a trailer were filled with orchids. We had the trailer load delivered to us to look after. It was only 6 containers, the largest being a washing machine tub! Members have already been busy dividing some of the orchids and their efforts are appreciated. Most of the orchids are likely to be made available for selling, but the details are yet to be determined.
Nominations for the management committee
This is another reminder that the Annual General Meeting is approaching on Tuesday 24 March. As stated in my item in the last journal with the exception of two ordinary members of the committee (David Hirst and Robert Bates), all other positions will be declared vacant. If you are at all interested and believe that you can make a contribution, please talk to one of the members of the management committee. Nomination forms accompany this issue of the Journal which are due for submission by the committee meeting on 3 March 2014.
Field Trips in 2015
I am pleased to inform the membership that Rob and Jenny Pauley are taking on the role of Field Trip Coordinator from the start of this year. We are hoping to organize a planning meeting shortly for trips in the coming year.
Uraidla Sustainability Fair
NOSSA has accepted an invitation to set up a stand at the Uraidla Sustainability Fare on Saturday 21
February. Volunteers are required. Please let us know if you are available to help with the stall. Being in the country we are likely to come in contact with people who want to know more about native orchids in their area.
Sampson Flat fire
The year was no sooner underway when the Sampson Flat fire destroyed a large area of bush land including Mt Gawler Native Forest and Millbrook Reservoir Reserves. Orchid surveys in the burnt areas are being considered in spring this year; the summer fire is likely to have opened up areas for orchids and it could be a valuable opportunity to observe orchids after the fire.
Membership renewals and questionnaire
Thank you to all who have paid their annual subscriptions and especially to those of you who indicated your areas of interest. By answering the questions on the invoice form it gives the management committee valuable information that will help with planning.
For those who have not renewed, would you please do so soon? We wait to learn more about your areas of interest.
Morialta Conservation Park anniversary
NOSSA has been invited to participate in 100th anniversary celebrations being organized by the Friends of Black Hill and Morialta Conservation Park. As part of the celebrations NOSSA is sponsoring a poster in the Historic Images Exhibition. We are likely to be involved in other related events and will keep you informed throughout the year. Website: http://www.fobhm.org/morialta100years/index.htm
Editor’s note: A visit to the NOSSA website’s Blog provides insight into difficulties faced by the team when repotting Ray’s orchids.
Native Orchid Society of South Australia Inc. Journal February 2015 Vol. 39 No. 1
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New South Australian Orchid Species For 2014
Bob Bates
Newly published or raised to species level:
In this category we have Arachnorchis subglabriphylla R Bates from the north Flinders published in the Australian Orchid Review in May, the first ever orchid restricted to the northern Flinders to be named. Other NOSSA members involved in naming this new green comb spider orchid include Barb and Ken Bayley with Barb providing some beautiful images.
The second new species Oligochaetochilus simulans, (published as Pterostylis simulans R. Bates) in the September Orchadian is also restricted to the northern Flinders. Many NOSSA members were involved in this project too including (Barbie again) and June Niejalke who both provided images of the new species for publication.
The third orchid, to be published in December is Thelymitra grandiflora ssp exposa another Flinders
Ranges taxon and another one where NOSSA members provided images for publishing. By my count there are still quite a few orchids from the north Flinders to be named and described yet.
A fourth species, Caladenia pygmaea, not a new taxon but based on Caladenia carnea var pygmaea named by Adelaide’s RS Rogers, who if NOSSA was
around in the 1920’s would certainly have been a member! The Caladenia pygmaea paper published in the October AOR again required help from many NOSSA members, specifically June Niejalke for photographs. Until our recent study this orchid had mysteriously disappeared from all current Australian orchid listings.
Other orchids confirmed for SA in 2014 include three new spider orchids such as one from Rockleigh found by Peter Watts, another from the western Murray flats from Sedan to Hartley and one (a dwarf wispy spider orchid (Jonesiopsis) from central Eyre Peninsula. We will need the help of NOSSA photographers again to provide images for their publication hopefully in late 2015.
Only one new greenhood was confirmed for SA in 2014, again by members of NOSSA’s conservation group. This was X Taurodium toveyanum found during our Forestry SA survey in winter.
NOSSA’s Linguella study project 2014 also revealed probable new taxa from across South Australia and may even have confirmed the existence of true Linguella nana near Nangwarry.
NOSSA members June, Barbie and Ken took images of other new Oligochaetochilus species during 2014 including O. sp Halophilus, and O. sp Upper Spencer Gulf which will allow these to be published in the next couple of years.
Orchids with extensions of known range were very limited in 2014 but some have had their known range more accurately determined. Arachnorchis tensa for example, previously considered our most widespread green comb spider orchid is now considered to be a rare species limited to the Murray Plains east of the River, which explains the need to publish new names for several more green combs in other areas as far west as the Nullarbor Plain and even Kangaroo Island.
Any member who is interested in studying and imaging these new orchids should let me know over the next few months.
R Bates, December 2014.
Native Orchid Society of South Australia Inc. Journal February 2015 Vol. 39 No. 1
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Prasophyllum frenchii Survey
Piccaninnie Ponds December 2014
Thelma Bridle, Conservation Officer
Prasophyllum frenchii is a regionally endangered leek orchid found in coastal swamps in the lower
South East of South Australia and scattered in southern Victoria. It has EPBC (Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation) listing. Piccaninnie Ponds supports the largest population in SA. Flowers come in a range of colours (see photo) on stems to 40 cm tall. The fragrant flowers are similar to P. murfetti which is endemic to the Fleurieu Peninsular.
Eleven NOSSA members participated in a one day survey in early December of known P. frenchii sites in Piccaninnie Ponds Conservation Park with DEWNR (Department of Environment, Water and Natural Resources) staff and local volunteers. Water management changes at Piccaninnie Ponds has seen an increase in flows to the ponds. This has not affected the swampy areas favoured by P. frenchii.
Generally numbers of P. frenchii were down from a count conducted in 2011. The dry spring of 2014 influenced the degree of wetness in the areas preferred by the orchids, and increasing growth of Coast Wattle (Acacia longifolia var. sophorae) encroaching across the limestone pavement is detrimental to the orchid.
Total number of P. frenchii recorded:
Dec 2011 - 835 plants Dec 2014 - 377 plants.
It was pleasing to record 34 plants of the multi-stemmed Gentianella gunniana (Mountain Gentian), most in flower or seed. This endangered herb is usually found in alpine regions, so the plants at Piccaninnie Povement, are probably a sub-species. This is the only site in SA where it grows. A few plants of Gastrodia procera (Potato Orchid) were recorded also. This species with its upright flower spike when in bud, compared to G. sesamoides with a bent over spike tip, has been recorded at Piccaninnie Ponds since at least 1996, but only in small numbers. The species is endangered in the lower South East region.
A report on findings was submitted to DEWNR, SE.
ANOS News Dec 2014
Next ANOS Conference
Identifying a suitable, affordable venue for a full conference proved too difficult and an alternative ‘scaled down’ event is beingconsidered.
Upgraded Website
Plans to have this completed by year end did not eventuate due to unforeseen prolems.
It is hoped to have this settled early in 2015.
The Orchadian
A reminder that all contributions are very welcome – these may be very short, long or anywhere in between! The journal can only be as good as the support which it receives. All contributions to editor, Greg Steenbeeke e-mail: [email protected]
Photo: Prasophyllum fitzgeraldii Thelma Bridle
Photo: Gentianella gunniana T. Bridle
Native Orchid Society of South Australia Inc. Journal February 2015 Vol. 39 No. 1
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Mt Lofty Botanic Gardens Field Trip
27th December 2014
Len Stephens
photo: Dipodium roseum LB
On 27th December, NOSSA members met at the lower car park of Mount Lofty Botanic Gardens in the hope of finding hyacinth (Dipodium) orchids. Members present were Robert and Rosalie Lawrence, Leo Davis, Len Stephens and Rick Egel.
We found a strong population of Dipodium roseum with the flowers ranging in colour from light to dark pink while stem colours ranged from green to very dark red; almost black. Many of the flowers had been eaten by kangaroos including the one D. pardalinum Robert knew about. Many others had flowered and set seed while others were still coming up.
The walk finished around eleven thirty and Robert offered to take us to a Thelymitra circumspecta located in a wet area in the Hills that flowers in December. One plant was found but it had finished flowering so maybe next year we will find it in flower. Something to look forward to.
Leo took members to see a Dipodium with spotted flowers ie D. pardalinum which he had found in Hender Reserve, Stirling. As we were walking through Woorabinda to the reserve we found many plants of D. roseum but sadly they had been picked and discarded. What a shame that many people do not understand they are destroying the plant whose beauty has attracted them in the first place. By all means take photos but leave the flowers to mature, set seed and populate.
We stopped for lunch and a chat about one thirty, then headed home after a lovely morning.
Editor’s Note: Len is one of NOSSA’s newer members and it is great to see his first article of his field trip experience. Thank you Len and looking forward to future aritcles.
For a comparison of the two species check out the NOSSA website.
Spiders and their Allies of Adelaide Region Poster Set
David Hirst will have a two poster set of "Spiders and their Allies of the Adelaide Region" available for purchase at the meeting The posters have been produced by the Butterfly Conservation SA Inc. with a grant from the Adelaide and Mount Lofty Ranges Natural Resources Management Board. The majority of photos and text were provided by David. All you need to know in identifying our local spiders. Proceeds go to the Butterfly Cons. Price is $10.00 for the set.
Photo: pulled out Dipodium - Rosalie Lawrence
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Fire Orchids of Scott Creek 2014
Bob Bates
A fire adjacent Neville Road in early 2014 had a wonderful effect on many orchid species which are rarely seen in Scott Creek, at least in numbers. Several months without rain meant that all the orchids were less than half their normal size.
Much of the Park was under the effect of a thrip plague but the burned area was relatively free of them. Six different fire stimulated orchids were found in flower in October.
The first of these, near the start of the Bandicoot Track, was about fifty Pyrorchis nigricans in flower. This was not seen on our NOSSA visit as our leader had not done his fore planning well enough.
The second fire species was NOSSA’s emblem Leptoceras menziesii, in the first gully along Neville road, lots in flower but all stunted and again not seen on our NOSSA visit.
The third species, known for thirty years from leaves only was the fragrant fire leek Prasophyllum elatum with about twenty stunted flower spikes, all of the melanic form. The fire had ensured that at least half of the population had flowered but sadly nearly all plants were eaten the week after our NOSSA visit. (see trip report in December journal).
Another rare fire leek orchid in the Park is Prasophyllum sp Bushfires but the drought prevented any of these making it to flowering as it blooms in November, December.
The fourth species was another leek orchid Prasophyllum odoratum which had scattered flowers all through the burned area, but all except one was eaten, the culprits unknown but leek orchid plants are very sweet in taste.
The fifth species was one of the fire loving sun orchids, Thelymitra benthamiana which after fire can form a scape 30cm tall and produce six large leopard spotted flowers, but only if good early spring rains arrive. The average size of the fifteen seen in 2014 was about ten cm and few produced more
than a single flower. Other fire stimulated sun orchids included a plant of T batesii. The sixth fire stimulated orchid was Diuris brevifolia, never seen in this block before and just one precocious flower was seen on our NOSSA visit in October. Pre climate change this species was a Nov-Dec bloomer.
The tiniest fire stimulated species was the pygmy pink fingers Caladenia pygmaea flowering well in patches of dwarf cushion sedge; the average height of these was about 4cm, but without fire the buds can’t push through the dense leaves of the sedge.
Free entry Castle Hill International Orchid Fair
Friday 17th & Saturday 18th April
Free Car
parking
9 am - 4 pm Castle Hill Showground, Harvey Lowe Pavilion, Entry via Showground Rd, NSW
Light Refreshments 21 Orchid Specialist Nurseries & Ancillary suppliers
Photo: Pyorchis nigricans R. Bates
Native Orchid Society of South Australia Inc. Journal February 2015 Vol. 39 No. 1
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November Winning Photo Pt 2
Rosalie Lawrence
The November competition consisted of photographs of insects on orchids. There was quite a range of insects but the winner was a draw between Cyrtostylis robusta (Winter Gnat Orchid) with an ant and Pterostylis curta (Blunt Greenhood) with a midge fly; both taken by Doug Castle.
With today’s technology it is not only easier to take crisp images but fine details can be seen particularly when enlarging the image. Hence when the pictures are enlarged it is possible to see hairs on the ant and feathered antennae on the midge fly.
With identifying orchids, it is often the detail that is important. Both of these orchids are distinctive and can be readily identified but it is good to examine why this is the case.
With the greenhood, there is enough detail to see that the dorsal sepal and lateral petals have united to form a galea, ie hood, and that the lateral sepals are semi-fused and erect resulting in lateral orifices (side gap) between the two structures. These are some of the features that separate Pterostylis* from the other greenhoods such as Diplodium,
Speculantha and Taurantha. This becomes apparent when browsing through the greenhood photographs, pages 286 to 339, in Jones “A Complete Guide to Native Orchids of Australia”. Having established that the plant is a Pterostylis, the twisted labellum is diagnostic of a P. curta as it is the only one that is described with a twisted labellum. Although not all the identifying features are present, enough information is available in this picture for identification.
In contrast the photograph of the Cyrtostylis robusta only has sufficient data to confidently identify it as a Cyrtostylis species, having a distinctive labellum that is larger than the lateral sepals and petals. In South Australia there are only two species and according to Bates (2011), the distinguishing features between the two appear to be the leaf, the bud and the labellum. In this picture, the angle of the image does not give a clear view of the labellum (it could possibly be damaged) and of course there is no bud or leaf. It is possible that the pale edges of the dorsal sepal may give a clue to species identification as C. reniformis has mainly darker buds than C. robusta. Obviously Doug was able to identify it from
Native Orchid Society of South Australia Inc. Journal February 2015 Vol. 39 No. 1
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his observations of the other features not present in this photograph.
In summary, one image is not always sufficient for identification. As was discussed on the night, to confirm identification, orchids should always be photographed from more than one angle, including pictures of other parts of the plant.
*In South Australia, Pterostylis foliata is a possible exception as it has no obvious lateral orifice.
References Jones, D.L., et al (2006) Australian orchid genera. An information and identification system. CSIRO Pub, Collingwood, Vic. Bates, R.J. (2011) South Australia’s Native Orchids. DVD-ROM. Native Orchid Society of South Australia Inc.: Adelaide. Jones, D.L. (2006) A Complete Guide to Native Orchids of Australia, including island territories. New Holl& Pubs: Sydney.
Kuitpo (in Lieu of Cox Scrub) Field Trip
Saturday 8th November 2014
Lorraine Badger
The scheduled field trip to Cox Scrub was cancelled due to the very dry spring. Any orchids that might have shown their flowers would have been quickly dried up or been spoiled by the dreaded thrips. It was still spring and people were very keen to find something in flower and so it was decided to try Kuitpo Native Forest Reserve which was not quite so dry. The weather was ideal and an enthusiastic group of members, including a number of our newer members, met at the headquarters bright and early.
The first stop was at Knott Hill which I would think is a popular spot for many NOSSA members. Some folk quickly headed along the track and up the hill to see if they could find any of those unique little duck orchids, Caleana major, which truly resemble a duck in flight. Often listed amongst some of the world’s more unusual orchids it has attracted attention from all corners of the world. In fact the 2014 winners of
the Australian Orchid Foundation essay chose this orchid as their topic. It makes interesting reading. (see reference at end of article.) However, in their haste this group missed the emerging late flowering donkey, Diuris brevifolia, that Robert had found further back down the track.
All were soon rewarded with the first siting of flying ducks and out came the cameras and folk could be seen on their knees trying to get a good photo. This year the flying ducks seemed to be concentrated in the shady areas amongst the trees but a few were still found along the verge. The little ducks, Paracaleana minor, were just emerging and it was interesting to see the unopened buds. Those amongst the group for whom this was their first
siting were amazed at just how small they were.
After a dalliance in the bush we returned to the track to find Thelma with her protégés who had joined us on the previous field trip to Scott Creek. After a quick comparison of who had found what we left them to look further along the track whilst our group returned to the cars to move to Chookarloo campsite for lunch. With food in hand a number of folk checked out the area for potato orchids, Gastrodia sesamoides, but they were mostly finished and some were in seed.
After lunch we moved to an area running along the boundary behind Chookarloo. Here in the deep litter of the stringy bark stand quite a number of potato orchids were found with a number of good flowers.
It was a great day out, particularly when we nearly did not have an excursion.
Photo: Knott Hill - Jenny Woodley
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Photos L- R Gastrodia sesamoides L Badger
To read AUSTRALIAN ORCHID FOUNDATION – Essay winner 2014 “Our Favourite Orchid” go to” http://www.australianorchidfoundation.org.au/images/Essays/2014/1st%20Prize%20My%20Favourite%20Orchid%20-
%20Yin%20and%20Sau%20Chan.pdf
Tuber Bank Report
December 2014 -January 2015
Jane Higgs
Thank you to those members who promised and supplied tubers for the Tuber Bank and also to those who purchased tubers – I hope they thrive.
There was not a great response to the donation of tubers and consequently, there were not a lot of tubers ordered. However, any number of tubers, no matter how small the number, that are sold and subsequently grown on is good.
Not all tubers promised eventuated, because, until the pots are actually tipped out, no one knows how many tubers are in the pot, but 41 lots were ordered, and all of these were able to be filled with some substitutes.
Photo: Paracaleana minor - L Badger Photo: Paracaleana minor - L Badger Photo: Caleana major - L Badger
Native Orchid Society of South Australia Inc. Journal February 2015 Vol. 39 No. 1
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Diuris behrii Project
Final Report 31 December 2014
Les Nesbitt
This is the final report for the 2014 growing season. The August-November spring period was much drier than normal which required regular hand watering of the orchid pots until mid-November. Healthy tubers were still produced despite the dry spring. Due to a very wet February, June & July, total rainfall for the year was 887mm or 22mm above the 10 year average.
Repotting was completed on 15 December 2014. Only mother pots without daughter tubers had their tubers removed this year. The aim was to get extra tubers in case of loss of the mother clone. All clones now have a backup tuber except for C68. 6 clones have no spare tuber large enough to be a daughter for reintroduction yet.
No daughter tubers were lost during the growing season. There were an additional 85 daughter tubers potted up this year which almost replaced the 95 that went back to the mine lease area in winter for planting out. This also shows that small tubers are increasing in size each year and some grow large enough for reintroduction. The number of small tubers is almost doubling annually and they are numerically the largest group.
At year end there were 73 mother clones in 150mm pots, 254 daughter tubers in 100mm pots, approx. 544 small tubers in 125mm pots and 27 pots of seedlings. This gives a total of about 890 Diuris
tubers in the shadehouse. At the same time last year there were about 616 tubers. A few of the very small tubers and some of the seedlings did not grow again after last summer. By any measure it was another successful year with some 370 extra orchids produced. Four seed pods were collected for sowing on all pots next Easter. A number of seedlings germinated in 2014 in different size pots but usually only in ones and twos per pot. This is different behaviour to Caladenia where 100 seedlings per pot is not unusual. Identification is difficult as there are two weedy bulbs having a single leaf making it difficult to distinguish from Diuris seedlings when small. It would seem that the number of seedling pots will increase each year until the seedling orchid tubers are large enough to pot up separately. The seedling pots were not repotted this year except to remove any large daughter tubers. The year in which seedlings first appeared is noted on the seedling pot label.
For the first time there are 5 swan orchid daughter tubers plus some small tubers. I hope these all come up again next year. The 2 rufa group Pterostylis plants were weaker this year and neither plant flowered. They have not been repotted. There are still more than 150 Microtis tubers in the shadehouse despite 5 pots of 7 plants going back to the mine site earlier this year.
