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Rockhampton Orchid Society Inc. www.rockhamptonorchidsociety.com.au P. O. Box 594 Red Hill Rockhampton, 4701 Founded 1955

Newsletter March 2018

Editor’snotesWellIcoulduselotsofclichésheresuchas,‘whatgoesaroundcomesaround’,or‘I’mback’.However,whenIlookedthroughmyfilesitwasFeb.2012whenIlastcompiledtheSociety’sNewsletter.IwouldliketoformallythankmypredecessorSandraRowcliffeforherserviceforthelastthreeyears.Unliketherestofsociety,forROSIthenewyearstartsnowfollowingtheFebruaryAGM.Wehaveplentytolookforwardtoincludinginthenearfuturethetri-annualclubvisitwhichwillbeoverbythetimeyoureadthisandthentheAutumnshowinApril.TheschedulefortheshowisincludedinthisNewsletter.Gettingrapidlycloserandonly18monthsawaynow,isthesociety’shostingofSTOCconferenceinSeptember2019.TheAGMofcoursecomeswithchangeandtheelectionoftheSociety’s(workers)executive,committeeandex-officiopositionswhoarechargedundertheconstitutiontodotheirbestfortheSocietyandchartthecourseforthefuture.ThebiggestchangehasseentheretirementofourlongservingTreasurerBillRichardsonwhowethankforhisdedicationandservicestothesocietyformanyyearsandmorerecentlycontinuingwhileenduringill-health–ThanksBill!Ifyoudidn’tmaketheAGM,youcanfindoutwhoisdoingwhatbyconsultingthetableofofficebearers.Iwillendeavourtoincludeasmuchculturalinformationongrowingorchids,whichistheprimarypurposeofthesocietyasIcanintheNewsletter.TostartIhaveaddedanarticleIhaverecentlywrittenfortheOrchidAustraliamagazinewhichwillbepublishedintheforthcomingAutumnmagazine.ItisaboutourAustralian(Queensland)iconicCooktownOrchid;IhavealsotakentheopportunitytoincludeinthearticlethefirstnoteaboutushostingtheSTOCconference.Itwillbethefirstofmanyasthenewcommitteetakesupthechallengeofmakingtheconferenceasuccess.Ialsointendtoincludea‘culturetable’forthegenerawegrowandaspeciesofthemonthfeaturestartinginnextNewsletter.Ifanyonehasaparticularspeciestheywouldlikefeatured,pleasee-mailmeyourrequest.Onthesocialsideofthesociety,itiswithmuchsadnessthatourlong-timeSocialEditorandLifeMemberEleanorDean(Ellie’sCorner)isnolongerabletocontinueinthisroleduetocontinuingill-health.Asaresult,thereisanopeningforsomeonewhowouldliketocontinuethisrole.TerryhastoldmeheisabletopassonEllie’snotesonbirthdays,etc.,tothe‘successfulapplicant’.Manymembersrightlyplacegreatimportanceonthesocialsideofoursociety,sohereisachanceforsomeonetokeepthetraditiongoing.Pleasee-mailmeorcallifyouareinterestedindiscussingmakingthepositionsuityou.Likewise,onthesocialscenetheNewGrowersformatrecentlyhascomeunderalotofdiscussiononitsfuture,

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andthenewCoordinatorforthegroup,MargHandley,hasrequestedthatinterestedmembersattendherresidence16FlindersClose,LammermoorYeppoononSaturday24th.Marchat2pm.toplantheyearahead.Inclosing,asyoucanseewedohavealottolookforwardtointheforthcomingyear,inarguablywhatisthebestOrchidSocietyinQueensland.Untilnextmonth,JeffGlover

GrowersTipSpidermiteshavebeenveryactiverecently,attackinganyorchidswithlargerelativelythinleaves,suchas,CatasetinaeandPhaius(swamporchids).Theythriveinthehightempsanddryconditionswehavejustendured.Ifyoudon’twishtouseagriculturalsprays,thebestwaytocombatthemistokeepyourgreenhouseinhighhumidity.Thiscanbeachievedbymistingusinggardenhosefittingsorinvestinginanelectricalpoweredmistingdevice.Asimplehygrometer(measureshumidity)canbepurchasedfromhardwarestoresandplacedinthegreenhousetomonitorthehumidity.However,ifyouwishtousechemicalcontrolandinevitablyyouwill,consideringtherecentweather,makesureyouuseamiticideormiticideandinsecticidecombination.Sprayafortnightaparttoensureyoukillthehatchlingsfromtheeggsyouwillmissinthefirstspray.

Suitableproductsinclude,Stealth,Kelthane,andYatesNatrasoap(chemicalfree)32.

OfficeBearersExecutive:Patron:VacantPresident:JeffBloxsombloxsom123@optusnet.com.au 4928 6582 Vice President : Peter Jenkinson pe.oni@hotmail ph.0439515820 Secretary: Trish Craig ph. 49226621 rockyorchidsociety@gmail.com Treasurer: Sandra Rowcliffe: svpsli@bigpond.net.au Ph. 49364040 Committee Terry Dean 49282278 terryellie@optusnet.com.au Jeff Glover j-glover@bigpond.com Ph. .49287701 Trevor Handley 49393196 Marg Handley 49393196 Bob Lakey rlakey@dodo.com.au Ph.49288093 Nat Lakey 49288093 Tony March (contact details on application) Bill Richardson william.r@optusnet.com Ph. 49226621 Allan White Ph. 0419580086 Ex Officio Positions Society Registrar: Terry Dean Newsletter Editor: Jeff Glover Assist Newsletter Editor : Jenny Moore Technical Advisors: John Frisch, Jeff Glover Webmaster: Bob Lakey Newgrowers/Workshops Co-coordinator Marg Handley Providor Maxine Maunder Promotion Officer Sandra Rowcliffe /Jeff Glover (STOC) Door Monitors Lorraine and Brian Weaver Librarian: Jack Martin Raffle Plant Caretaker: Terry Dean Property Officers: Barry and Faye English. Shows and Meetings Show Marshall: Jeff Glover Chief Steward: Moyna Richardson Plant/Barcode collators Trish Craig & Barry English Australian Orchid Council ROSI Based Judging Team Judges: Associate Judges Jeff Glover Trish Craig Terry Dean Doug Chippendale Marty Gunder Peter Jenkinson Faye English Nat Lakey Bernard Hilse Sandra Rowcliffe

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RockhamptonOrchidSocietyInc.

AnnualGeneralMeetingTuesday27thFebruary2018Attendance:AsperregisterApologies:AsperregisterMinutesofpreviousAGMmeetingwereapprovedascorrectandaccurate.Nobusinessarisingfromthem.Moved AllanWhite SecondedSandraRowcliffe CarriedPresident’sReport:CirculatedintheFebruary2018newsletter.JeffBloxsomthankedallmembersfortheirsupportovertheprevious12months.Treasurer’sReport:PresentedbyBillRichardson(asperreportdistributedatthemeeting).BillmentionedthatourbookshavebeenauditedandBillhasalettertoconfirmthat.Billmovedthathisreportbeaccepted. SecondedPeterRankin CarriedElectionofOfficials:PresidentJeffBloxsomthankedcommitteemembersforallthegoodworkduringtheyearaswellasallmemberswhoseparticipationatmeetings,showsandtripshavekepttheclubstrong.Allpositionsweredeclaredvacant.JeffhandedtheChairovertoPeterJenkinsonwhoreadoutthenominationforpresident.Astherewasonlyonenominationforpresident,JeffBloxsomwasre-electedunopposed.PeterJenkinsonrelinquishedtheChairtoJeffBloxsomwhoreadouttheremainingnominations.VicePresident:PeterJenkinson -ElectedunopposedSecretary:TrishCraig -ElectedunopposedTreasurer:SandraRowcliffe -ElectedunopposedCommittee:1.JeffGlover -Electedunopposed 2.TonyMarch -Electedunopposed 3.TerryDean -Electedunopposed 4.BobLakey -Electedunopposed 5.BillRichardson -Electedunopposed 6.AllanWhite -Electedunopposed 7.NatLakey -Electedunopposed 8.TrevorHandley -Electedunopposed 9.MargHandley -ElectedunopposedLibrarian:JackMartin -ElectedunopposedEditor:JeffGlover -Electedunopposed AssistantEditor:JennyMoore -ElectedunopposedPublicityOfficers:JeffGlover&SandraRowcliffe -AcceptedRegistrar:TerryDean -AcceptedTechnicalAdvisors:JohnFrisch -Accepted JeffGlover -AcceptedProvedore:MaxineMaunder -AcceptedDoorMonitors/Hostess:BryanWeaver -AcceptedLorraineWeaver -AcceptedPropertyOfficers:Faye&BarryEnglish -AcceptedPlantCaretaker:TerryDean -AcceptedWebMaster:BobLakey -AcceptedTherewerenonominationsforNewGrower’sCoordinator.Aftersomediscussion,MargandTrevorHandleyagreedtogiveitago.Meetingclosedat8.12pm JeffBloxsomPresident TrishCraigSecretary

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GeneralMeetingTuesday27thFebruary2018

Attendance:AsperregisterApologies:AsperregisterNewMembers:RobynBentleyVisitors:NilLuckyNumber:24JohnLowryMinutesofpreviousmonthlymeetingwereapprovedascorrectandaccurate.MovedMLyons SecondedPRankin CarriedCorrespondence:IN–NEWSLETTERSBlackwater&DistrictOrchid&FoliageClubInc.BoyneTannumOrchid&FoliageSoc.(includingshowscheduleandentryforms)CabooltureOrchidSocietyInc.Childers&IsisDistrictOrchidSocietyInc.GladstoneOrchid&FoliageSocietyInc.Gympie&DistrictOrchidSocietyInc.Mackay&DistrictOrchidSocietyInc.(includingnotificationofFieldDayon9/10June2018)MidMurrayOrchidClubInc.NambourOrchidSocietyInc.NightcliffOrchidSocietyRockhamptonHorticulturalSocietyInc.TheSunshineCoastOrchidSocietyCaloundraInc.TownsvilleOrchidSoc.Inc.Emailsre:STOCQ–AGMandgeneralmeetingdetailsOQI–MinutesofrecentGeneralMeetingOQI-WorldOrchidConference23inTaiwan2020AOC-21stAOCConference&ShowFebruaryupdateQldOrchidSocietyInc.–2018CalendarMail:TheRock:StatementsOrchidsAustraliaAustralianOrchidReviewAustraliapost:AccountforPOBoxrentalOUTCertificatesofMembershiptoBerylLedwy(10years)andMike&PhillisHenderson(30years)Motionthattheinwardcorrespondencebeacceptedandtheoutwardcorrespondenceendorsed:Moved TCraig Seconded ZKidman CarriedTreasurer’sReport:ReadandmovedforacceptancebyBRichardson Seconded MLyons CarriedGeneralBusiness:ThecurrentmeetingnightannualcompetitionruleswerepublishedintheFebruarynewsletter.Pleasenotethenewsections.Theserulesshouldbepublishedinthenewsletteratthebeginningofeachyear.

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AlargenumberoforchidbooksandmagazineshavebeendonatedbyPeterShelton.Thebookswillgointothelibraryandthemagazines(AmericanOrchidSocietyBulletin,OrchidsAustraliaandAustralianOrchidReview)willbeavailableas‘giveaways’atgeneralmeetings.Althoughsomeofthemagazinesareoldtherearestillmanygoodarticlesinofthem.Show–Thestandarddisplaysizewillbea1.8mblowmouldtable.Theseareabletoberentedandreturnedattheendoftheshow.Thisremovesthecostofhavingspecialtablesmadeforthepurposeandalsomeanswedonotneedtofindspaceforstorageforthetables.Therewillbethreeprizesforstandarddisplays:–1stprize-$150,2ndprize-$100and3rdprize-$50.Therewillalsobeanincentiveofa$20vouchertoourshopforthoseputtingastandarddisplay.Corsageswillreceivethesameprizemoneyasfloralart.Designatedsectionsfortabledplantswillbeprovidedontheshowtables.Thoseenteringtabledplantsarerequestedtoputtheirplantsinthecorrectsectionsonthetables.InotherwordsputyourDendrobiumsintheDendrobiumsection,OncidiumsintheOncidiinaesection,CattleyaintheLailiinaesectionetc.ThesesectionswillbeexpandedorcontractedontheFridaydependingondemandforspace.Triennialweekend:ThewelcomemorningteawillbeattheRockhamptonBowlsClubCostsperhead–Saturdaylunch-$15,Saturdaydinner-$30andSundaylunch-$20SundaylunchandfarewellwillbeatNorthRockhamptonBowlsClub.PlantCommentary:JeffGlovergaveacomprehensiveandinformativecommentaryontheplantstabled.Heincludedanexplanationofthejudgingrulesforthebenefitofnewgrowers.ExhibiterRaffle:B&HHilseGeneralRaffle:JLowreyx2,TCraig,SRowcliffe,JMartin,C.McCabe,JBloxsomNewGrowers:TherewillbeanewgrowersmeetingattheHandley’sresidenceinYeppoonon24thMarch2018.Meetingclosedat10.06pm.NextcommitteemeetingwillbeheldattheRichardson’sresidenceon13thMarchcommencingat7.00pm.JeffBloxsom TrishCraigPresident SecretaryStore VouchersBarry and Faye have advised that not all the vouchers won at the Christmas party have been redeemed as yet, and would like to advise that they are only valid until the end of March (this month) so if you still have some; don’t miss out! MonthlyMeetingJudgingNowthatwehave4residentAssoc.Judgesand5Judges,ratherthanhasbeenthepractiseofnominatingjudgeseachmonth;thecommitteehasendorsedthechangeinthatajudgingteamwillbesourcedfromthosemembersofthejudgingteaminattendanceonthenight.Inreality,thishasalreadybeenhappeningwhiletheAssoc.Judgeswereintraining.

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MonthlyCompetitionResults–February2018(PlantsTabled:Advanced46;Novice19)JudgesChoice V.CamanoBeauty‘Pink’ J&NGlover Den.SophieBonnie‘RedEyeSpecial’ J&SFrisch Rhy.retusa P&TJenkinsonPopularVote–AdvancedCattleyaover100mm Rlc.AlmaKee‘Tipmalee’ T&MHandleyCattleyaupto100mm Wlc.(Cook.)TropicalSnowflake M&SRowcliffeVandaceousover65mm V.SomsriSunset T&EDeanVandaceousupto65mm V.KenKone‘CrownfoxSundancer’ T&EDeanDendrobium Den.SophieBonnie‘RedEyeSpecial’ J&SFrischPhalaenopsis Phal.ChianXenPiano T&MHandleySpecies Rhy.retusa P&TJenkinsonMiscellaneous Ctsm.Orchidglade‘DavieRanches’ W&MRichardsonNovice.Cattleya C.CaudebecxBlc.WaianaeLeopard D&SEggleshawDendrobium Den.AiryCrimson(namenotregistered) T.MarchMiscellaneous Ctsm.PortageeStarxCtsm.LouiseClarkD&LHumble 0000000000000000000000000000000000000000

Den.SophieBonnie‘RedEyeSpecial’V.CamanoBeauty‘Pink’

Rhy.retusa

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ROSIAutumn2018ShowSchedule:

AutumnShow2018RockhamptonHighSchoolAssemblyHallCampbellStreet,Rockhampton.Setupdisplays2pm–8pmFriday

Judgingfrom7.30amSaturdayShowopentothepublic:- Saturday14thApril9.00am–4.00pmSunday15thApril9.00am–3.00pmAdmission–Adults$3.00Childrenfree President–JeffBloxsom0407995122 ShowMarshallJeffGlover 0409633469ChiefSteward–MoynaRichardson

Prizes

GrandChampion: $200.00plusTrophy,Rosette&CardReserveChampion:$100.00plusRosette&CardBestSpecimen:$50.00plusTrophy,Rosette&CardBestExoticSpecies:$20.00plusTrophy,Rosette&CardBestAust.Species:$20.00plusTrophy,Rosette&CardBestOrchidbyNoviceGrower:$30.00plusTrophy,Rosette&CardRunneruptoBestNovice:$15.00plusRibbon&CardClassChampions(Classes1to6&8):$20.00plusRosette&CardRunneruptoC.C.&BestSpecies:$10.00plusRibbon&CardClassSections:(1.01to8.10)1st$10.002nd$5.00plusRibbon&Card 1

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TableDisplay1800mmx750mm.(Allentriesforthisdisplayreceivea$20.00voucherontheclubstore) 1st.$150.00plusRosette&Card 2nd.$100.00plusRibbon&Card 3rd.$50.00plusRibbon&Card ContainerDisplay: 1st$50.00plusRosette&Card 2nd$30.00plusribbon&Card 3rd$20.00plusribbon&CardFloralArt(Class9)Arrangement:-1st$20.00:2nd$10.00plusRibbon&CardCorsage:-1st$20.00:2nd$10.00plusRibbon&Card

Class1.00Laeliinae

1.01Standardshape,bloomsizeover100mm,predominatelyWhite1.02Standardshape,bloomsizeover100mm,Mauve/Purpleshades1.03Standardshape,bloomsizeover100mm,anyothercolour1.04Standardshape,bloomsizeupto100mm,predominatelyWhite1.05Standardshape,bloomsizeupto100mm,Mauve/Purpleshades1.06Standardshape,bloomsizeupto100mm,anyothercolour1.07Standardshape,miniatureplantsize,bloomsizeupto75mm1.08Nonstandard,Cluster,notlessthanfive(5)bloomsperstem- (ExcludingreedstemEpidendrums.-CrucifixOrchids)1.09Nonstandard,anyother

Class2.00Vandeae(excludingPhalaenopsis)

2.01Vandeae,standardshape,bloomsizeover65m2.02Vandeae,standardshape,bloomsize30mmupto65mm2.03Vandeae,standardshape,bloomsizeunder30mm2.04Vandeae,non-standardshape,bloomsizeover65mm2.05Vandeae,non-standardshape,bloomsize30mmto65mm2.06Vandeae,non-standardshape,bloomsizeunder30mmClass3.00Dendrobium.3.01Phalaenanthetype,predominatelyWhite3.02Phalaenanthetype,predominatelyPurple/Mauve3.03Phalaenanthetype,anyothercolour.3.04Phalaenanthe–peloric(PansyorEkapoltype)3.05Intermediatetype3.06Spatulatatype3.07AnyOthertype

Class 4.00 Oncidiinae 4.01 Oncidiinae over 75mm 4.02 Oncidiinae 40mm to 75mm 4.03 Oncidiinae under 40mm Class5.00Paphiopedilum/Phragmipedium5.01Standardtype5.02Maudiaetypecharacteristics 2

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5.03Brachypetalum/Parvisepalumtypecharacteristics5.04Multi-floraltype5.05Anyothertype5.06PhragmipediumClass6.00OtherGenera6.01Phalaenopsisover60mm6.02Phalaenopsisupto60mm6.03Catasetinae6.04Epidendrum(reedstemtype)(CrucifixOrchid)6.05AnyotherhybridClass7.00Species7.01Laeliinae(Cattleya,Laelia,Sophronitis,orBrassavolaonly)(ornewgenusnames)7.02Vandeae(excludingPhalaenopsis)7.03Phalaenopsis7.04Dendrobium,Australian7.05Dendrobium,Exotic7.06Oncidiinae7.07Paphiopedilum/Phragmipedium7.08Catasetinae7.09AnyotherAustralianspecies7.10AnyotherExoticspeciesClass8.00Foliage/Fern8.01Anthurium(var.andreanumorschizeraenum)8.02Bromelaid8.03Tillandsia8.04SucculentorCactus8.05Bonsai8.06Anyotherfoliage-over200mmdia.potsize8.07Anyotherfoliage-upto200mmdia.potsize8.08Adiantum(MaidenHairFern)8.09Huperzia(TasselFern)8.10AnyotherfernClass9.00FloralArt9.01Arrangement-usingpredominatelyorchidbloomswithembellishments9.02Corsage–usingpredominatelyorchidblooms(Pleasenote:NoClassChampionRibboninClass9.00)

(8)TheShowMarshallinconjunctionwithseniorjudgesshallhavetherighttorefusetheexhibitionofanyplantwhich,intheiropinion,appearsdiseasedorpestinfected.(9)Bothplantsalessupervisorswillhavetheauthoritytoacceptorrejectanyplant/ssubmittedforsale.CommissiontotheSocietyonplantsalesis20%.(10)Prizesawardedfor1stand2ndineachsection.ClassChampionsshallbeselectedfromthewinnersofeachsectioninthatclass.BestAust.SpeciesandBestExoticSpeciesshallbeselectedfromthespeciesclass.ThejudgewillalsoselectfromallotherplantsintheirclasstheplantdeemedtoberunneruptotheClassChampion,andbestAust.Species,andbestExoticSpecies.BestSpecimenOrchidshallbeselectedfromallplantsexhibited.BestOrchidbyR.O.S.NoviceGrowerplustherunnerupshallbeselectedfromplantsidentifiedon

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plantlabelas“novicegrower”or(‘redspotsticker’availableatset–upFriday). 3(11)GrandChampionoftheshowshallbeselectedfromtheClassChampionsplusboth“BestSpecies”and“BestSpecimen”.TheReserveChampionoftheshowshallbeselectedfromtheremainingClassChampions,orBestSpecies,orBestSpecimen,plustheplantpreviouslychosenasrunnerup,inthesectionfromwhichtheGrandChampionwasselected.(12)TheRockhamptonOrchidSocietyInc.oritsagentswillacceptnoresponsibilityfortheft,loss,destructionordamagetoplantsorproperty. (13)ContainerDisplays.Thecontainermaybeapot,saucer,basket,partofahollowtreeorotherdevicetohouseandsupportthedisplay.Overalldimensionsshallfitwithina50cm.squareareawithnoheightrestrictionbutmustbefreestanding.Aminimumoftwo(2)floweringorchidplantsalongwithcutflowersshallbeinthedisplayplusembellishmentsusingfernsand/orfoliageplantsandotherpropswhichmaybeusedtohighlightatheme.Theonlyflowersallowedindisplayotherthanorchidsarebromeliadsandanthuriumsorrelatedtypes.Registeredfloweringorchidplantswithinthedisplayareeligibleforindividualjudging.Thesemusthavetheregisteredplantnamelabeldisplayedclosetotheirbloom/s.Containerdisplayjudgingwillbebasedontheoverallaestheticappearanceandqualityofalltheplantsincludedandwillbecompletedbeforeanyindividualjudging.Noonestyleofdisplayistheideal.Allstylesareofequalvaluewhenbeingjudged.

PlantBarcodesMembersaretousetheBarcode-Collatorallottedtothempreviouslyatlastyear’sSpringShow.NewMemberscanchoosebetween(TrishCraigandBarryEnglish)see‘OfficeBearersTable’forcontactdetails.PlantlistsforshowentriesaretobesenttoeithercollatornolaterthantheWednesday(11thApril)beforetheShow.Yournominatedcollatorwilladvisewhenyourbarcodedplant-labelsarereadyforcollection.ShowDisplaysAsdiscussedattheFebruaryMeetingstartingatthisShowtherewillbeonlyonedisplaysize.Thesocietywillsupplyastandard1.8metertable.Astandardbacking–standwillalsobesupplied,at1meterwideasusedpreviouslyontheSmallDisplay.Youcanusethisoracombinationofyourownbackingmaterials.

NextMonthlyMeeting:Tuesday27thMarch.Starts7.30pm.NoticetoMembers:Pleaseassistifyoucanwithcleaningthehallafterthemeeting

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MusingsonTheCooktownOrchid,DendrobiumbigibbumByJeffGlover TheCooktownOrchidissosynonymouswithQueenslandasthestate’sfloralemblemitisevenan‘anti-fatiguetrivia’questionatvarioussitesontheBruceHighwaythatrunsalongthecoastfromBrisbanetoCairns.ItiswidelyregardedasAustralia’smostattractiveendemicorchid.Formanypeopletheveryname‘CooktownOrchid’invokesimagesoftropicalrainforestsrunningdowntoseasfilledwithcoral,andbeacheswithwavingpalmtrees.However,thisisnotso,itisinsteadmostlyfoundintheverydifferentbiographicalzoneoftheopenforestsofCapeYorkPeninsular,ratherthangrowingintherenownedWetTropicstothesouthofCooktownasiswidelybelieved.(LavarackandGray,1992).

Asaresult,growingonthetipandthewesterndrysideofthepeninsularitshostsarethetreesoftheremnantpatchesofscrubsandmonsoonforests,nottropicalpalmsandotherrainforesttreesassomeexpect.Italsooccasionallycanbefoundgrowingonrockfacesthatareshadedfromtheextremesoftheafternoonsun.Thedistincteither,dryandhot,thenwetandhot,seasonsforthisregionhasramificationsforcollectorcultivation;particularlyforthosewishingtogrowitinthecooler,wetterinWintersouthernstates.Itmusthaveadryrestperiodtobesuccessfullygrownincoolwetclimates.WhenconsideringthisclimaticgrowthpatternanunderstandingcanalsobeformedastowhyitanditshugenumberofprogenyflowerinAutumnratherthaninSpringasdothemajorityofotherfloweringorchids.

TriviasignontheBruceHighwayThisisdirectlyaresultoftheseclimaticconditions.HavingreceivedabundantwaterfromthemonsooninSummer;onceinflower,andthenhopefullypollinated,itsseedsarelaterdispersedinthefavourablewetandhotseasonandsothecyclecontinuesagainnextSummer.AcheckonOrchidwizversion3Xshowsithas279primaryhybridsand3884progenies.Asaresult,itgoeswithoutsayingthatonewouldbehardpressedtofindaphalaenanthedendrobiumthatwouldnothaveDendrobiumbigibbuminitsfamilytree.Interestingly,intheGeographicalDistributionnoteonthisUSAderiveddatabase,HawaiiisalsolistedalongwithAustralia(Queensland)andNewGuineaasendemicregions.ThisremindsmeofthespielofatourguidewhenIwasoncevisitingHawaiipontificatingabouttheHawaiianMacadamiaNut(QueenslandNut)whichaccordingtohim,wasalsoapparentlyendemictoHawaii.

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Thisorchidishighlyvariableinvarietyandform,therearealsorecognizedsub-veritiesandsub-species(ssp.)andhistoricalsynonymsstillinuse;averitabletaxonomistsnightmare.Withoutdelvingtoofarintothisbotanist’sminefield,itissafealsotosaythatalbaformsarefarfromuncommonandthevery‘lightblue’form‘coerulea’isalsooftenseenincultivationinQueensland.Inaddition,thereisthequestionofDendrobiumphalaenopsiswhichwasonceregardedasasynonymforbiggibum;nomenclaturethatcanstillbefoundinuse.However,itisnowDen.bigibbumfma.alba(ownerTDean)formallyregardedasaseparatespecies.Aswell,byhumaninterventionthroughlinebreeding,manyplantshavebeenderivedinthismannerandtheresultantflowerslookinmyopinionliketheequivalentofsomeoutcomesofhumancosmeticsurgery.Justliketheoriginalsurgerypatient,‘LineBred’formsarealteredsomuchinshapethattheylooknothingliketheoriginalspeciesandaremoreakintomulti-levelhybrids.Similarly,bicolour,stripedandflaredsupposed‘CooktownOrchids’arenowexhibitedatshows,andinmyexperienceareonesurewaytogetintoa‘robustdiscussion’ifdoubtiscastupontheirauthenticity.Iheardonewagsaythatthe‘flared’versionwasendemictoPhuketandfoundgrowingwildinThairestaurants!Lamentably,suchisthepopularityofthislittle‘AussieGem’,everyorchidbreederworld-wideoverthepast5decadeshaswantedapieceoftheactionleadingtomuchconfusionastojustwhatnowistherealMcCoy.

Itisgenerallyacceptedthattherearethreedistinctvarietiesthatvaryenoughinstructuralformthatwarrantthisdistinction.Dendrobiumbigibbumvar.superbumisthemoreabundantandwiththelargestflowersandlongestcanes.WhilethenorthernformDendrobiumbigibbumvar.bigibbumhassmallerflowersandoftendisplaysawhitespotonthelabellum(LavarackandGray,1992).ThethirdrecognizedvarietyDendrobiumbigibbumvar.compactum,orbetterknownbythecolloquialsobriquetof‘DwarfCooktownOrchid’,isfoundgrowinginthecoastalrangessouthofMossman,FarNthQld.Inthepastthiswasthemostcontestedastowhetheritwasadistinctvariety,orjusttheresultofdifferentgrowingconditionsandotherenvironmentalfactors.However,overtheyearsitwasfoundthatitstillmaintainsitsdwarfhabitincultivationwhileothersfoundfurthernorthand

Dendrobiumbigibbumvarbigibbumdisplayingawhitetip.(Lavarack&Gray,1992

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inthewesternrangesoftheCapeYorkPeninsulardonot.Therefore,thisculturalexhibitionstronglylendstotheargumentthatitisindeedstructurallydifferentandislikewise,geneticallydistincttotheextenttowarrantthisclassification.(LavarackandGray,1992).Inaddition,to‘muddythewatersfurther’,aspreviouslynoted,albaformsoccurinallvarieties,soitisentirelyfeasibleandproventohaveaplantwiththenomenclatureofDendrobiumbigibbumvar.compactumfma.alba,inotherwordsawhiteDwarfCooktownOrchid.Yetanotherfeatureofthisendearing‘AussieWonder’isitspropensityfornotonlybreedinginartificialconditions,butitsnaturalpartnershipwithwhatcouldberegardedasthe‘AussieBattler’oforchids’,Dendrobiumdiscolor,alsoknownasthe‘GoldenOrchid’.Thisspeciesisfoundgrowinginmanydiverselocationssuchas,frommangroveswampstoopenforests,rangingtothetipofCapeYorktoCentralQueensland.Itisveryhardy,haslonglastingflowersandproducesmanyroot–ladenplantletsfromitsrobustcanesandcanformhugeclumpsontreesandrockfaceswhentheseadheretothehosts’surface.WhenfoundgrowingtogethertheygiveusthebeautifulbotanicalgiftofthenaturalhybridDendrobiumXsuperbiens,knowncolloquiallyas‘CurleyPink’.InitsnaturalsituationItis

AmodernphalaenantheDen.hybridderivedfromtheCooktownOrchidproducedfrominsectcrosspollinationandwindborneseeddispersal.Likemosthybridsitgainsthebestfrombothparents,inthiscase,thecolourfromDendrobiumbigibbumandtherobustness,flowerlongevity,and‘twisted’flowerstructurefromDendrobiumdiscolour.OnceestablishedItcanbequiteprolificthankstoitsplantletproducingpropensityalsoinheritedfromdiscolourandisfoundgrowinginmanygardensthroughoutQueenslandonhosttreessuchasPalmsandFrangipani.ThelatterareperfecthostastheytendtodefoliatetosomeextentinWinterincentralandsouthernQueenslandlocations,andthenprovideafullcanopyinSummerthatgivesprotectionfrom

Den.CurlyPinkintheauthor’sgardenshowingaseedpodandplantlet(kiekie),farright.

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theharshsunandheat.Manyoftheplantletsaregivenaway,andonreflectionthisprobablywasmyfirstknowledgeoforchidsasachild.Wehadahugefrangipanitreeinourbackyardwhichalwaysseemedtohavethepinkflowersoftheorchidsmingledwiththewhiteandyellowofthefrangipani.Lookingback,ittrulywasabeautifultropicalimagethatlingersinmymemory;onewhichwasreplicatedforothersmanytimesbythegiftofplantletstoneighboursandfriendsbymymother;wholatertoldmeourcropofCurleyPinkwasstartedfrommyNanna,whonotsurprisinglyalsohadaFrangipaniinheryardcoveredinCurleyPink.Naturally,Ihaveitinmygarden,andyes,onFrangipaniandPalmstrees.Ittrulyistheorchid-giftthatkeepsongiving.AsAustraliansandQueenslanderswecertainlycanbeproudofourCooktownOrchid’scontributiontotheOrchidWorld.It’sbeautifulcolours,varietalrange,shape,hardinessandfertilityareasourceofadmirationworld-wide.Especially,whencomingfromacontinentnotthoughtofasbeingahometobeautifulexoticendemicorchids.WemaynothavetheabundantgeneraandspeciesofAsiaandtheAmericas,butinDendrobiumbiggibumwedohaveoneofthebest.TherewouldbemanyanoverseasflowerindustrythatwouldnotbeinexistenceifitwasnotforthepresenceofthislittleAussieBreeder.IfyouwouldliketoseemoreofwhatQueenslandhastoofferincoloursotherthantheMaroonoffootballfame,keepaplaceonyourcalendarforSeptember14-15,2019astheRockhamptonOrchidSocietywillbehostingthe10th.Sub-TropicalOrchidCouncilConferenceandShow,inRockhampton,Australia’sfirsttropicalCityandTheBeefandBarraCapitalsituatedontheTropicofCapricornbythemightyFitzroyRiver.DetailsandupdateswillbeappearinginOrchidAustraliafromnowonandalsoontheRockhamptonOrchidSocietyInc.websitewww.rockhamptonorchidsociety.com.auWehopeyoucanjoinus;youmaynotbeabletoseeaCooktownorchidinthewild;butIknowtherearemanygardenswereaCurleyPinkmaybeonoffer.Thetriviaanswersign.SourcesCited:AustralianTropicalOrchids.BillLavarack&BruceGray.1992,Firth&FirthBooks.,Malanda,Qld.Australia.SourcesConsulted:GrowingAustralianOrchids.A.M.Brombery&B.Maloney.1998,KangarooPressPty.Ltd,EastRoseville,Australia.

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