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Canberra Orchid Society

PICTURE GALLERY

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Pests and Diseases
Some Orchid Species
Some Chinese Orchids

Pests and Diseases of Orchids

Soldier beetles, Moisture stress, Scale, Garlic Snail

Soldier beetles

Family cantheridae, species chauliognathus. Can reach large numbers around March. Typically feed on nectar, pollen and other insects. Larvae are typically carnivorous, although a few species feed on plants. Generally not harmful to orchids.

Moisture stress

 picture of orchid showing water stress
A crinkled or consertina leaf is not a disease but rather a result of the plant suffering moisture stress at a time when the leaf was forming. The disfiguration, although reducing in severity, will remain until the leaf dies. Note healthy and disfigured leaf of Prosthechea cochleata (syn. Encyclia cochleata)

Mites

picture of mte damage to an orchid
Mites, red spotted spider mites et al are almost invisble to the naked eye, but not so the damage they do. Typical damage is a loss of colour in the leaf. Mites mostly live on the underside of the leaf, usually making a fine web. Some surface indoor/outdoor sprays for spiders, ants etc are effective in controlling mites but check that it is not harmful to plants. Essential to spray underside of leaves. Picture shows damage to Pterostylus curta.

Scale

picture of scale on an orchid
There are numerous species of scale. Scale are typically classified as either 'hard' (armoured) or soft (not armoured). Scale insects have sucking mouthparts to feed on the plants sap. The young (nymphs) are highly mobile, but rarely move when they settle on a plant. For minor infestations, can be removed (squashed) by a finger nail. White oil is effective. Picture shows 'cotton' scale (pulvinaria) species on a cymbidium pseudobulb.

Garlic Snail

picture of garlic or bush snail
Although only small, it is surprising the havoc this pest can do to orchid inflorescences and growing tips, especially roots. They hide in open potting mixes, emerging at night to feed. Sometimes called bush snails. Only Baysol® provides some control of this pest if crushed and scattered liberally, especially on the potting mix. Picture shows a mature garlic snail on a metric ruler.

Some Orchid Species

Orchid

Picture

Photos by Society members. Culture based on members experience.
Angraecum didieri
Flowering period:October - December>
Description:Brilliant white flower with spur up to 15cm.>
Distribution:Madagascar.
Habitat:Deciduous seasonal forests
Culture:Suitable for pot culture (coarse free draining) but happier on hardwood slab.
Min temp:Ok down to 0C.
Reference:
picture of Angraecum didieri
Angraecum magdalenae
Flowering period:October - January
Description:Brilliant white flower with spur about 10cm. Tends to produce new growths from the base.
Distribution:Madagascar.
Habitat:Leaf litter pockets on exposed boulders.
Culture:Suitable for pot culture (coarse free draining). Reduce watering in winter.
Min temp:Protect from frost but ok down to 0C.
Reference:Botanica's Pocket Orchids
 picture of Angraecum magdalenae
Angraecum scottianum
Flowering period:October - January
Description:Brilliant white flower, non-resupinate, with spur up to 15cm. Leaves are terete.
Distribution:Comoros Islands, north of Madagascar.
Habitat:Deciduous seasonal forests
Culture:Suitable for pot (coarse free draining) and mount culture.
Min temp:Protect from frost but ok down to 0C.
Reference:Botanica's Pocket Orchids
 picture of Angraecum scottianum
Bulbophyllum rothschildianum
Flowering period:predominantly January - May.
Description:Umbrils typically of 5 or 6 flowers, rambling habit.
Distribution:India and Thailand.
Habitat:Mountain regions
Culture:Best suited to tree fern slab. Keep well watered and humid. Partially shaded
Min temp:Ok down to 0C.
Reference: Botanica, OrchidWiz
picture of bulbophyllum rothschildianum
Cymbidium suave
Flowering period:October - December
Description:Miniature flower, green/yellow, pendulous inflorescence
Distribution:East slopes of the Great Dividing Range and coastal NSW.
Habitat:Coastal lowlands and mountain slopes
Culture:Suitable for pot culture in old hardwood sawdust, well rotted timber or material from tree pipe. Keep well watered.
Min temp:Ok down to 0C.
Reference:
picture of Cymbidium suave
Dendrobium chryseum
(syn. Dendrobium flaviflorum, clavatum)
Flowering period:December - January
Description:slender canes up to up to 75cm, semi pendulous. Canes become leafless after maturity. Flowers on leafless canes, often two or more inflorescences of two to four flowers at top nodes. Flowers pleasantly fragrant.
Distribution:South east Asia, typically at elevations of 1500 - 2000m.
Habitat:Cool climate.
Culture:Pot culture. Semi shade, likes air movement. Reduce watering in winter but don't allow to dry out.
Min temp:Ok down to 0C or lower if frost protected.
Reference:Botanica and OrchidWiz.

picture of Dendrobium chryseum
Dendrobium fimbriatum var. oculatum
(syn. Dendrobium paxtonii)
Flowering period:October - December
Description:Pseudobulbs up to 2 metres, becoming pendulous. Inflorescences arise on apical part of leafless stems. Flowers last a week or slightly longer
Distribution:South east Asia.
Habitat:Deciduous seasonal montane forests
Culture:Suitable for pot culture. Alllow to dry out for one or two days at a time during winter.
Min temp:Ok down to 0C.
Reference:Lavarack, Harris, Stocker.

picture of Sendrobium fimbriatum
Dendrobium loddigesii
(syn. Dendrobium seidelianum)
Flowering period:October - December
Description:small plant slender stems up to 15cm, branches freely and may form mats. Many single large flowers for size of the plant, along the stems and lasting about 3 weeks.
Distribution:Laos, southern China, Hong Kong.
Habitat:Areas with a distinct dry winter.
Culture:Suitable for slab or pot culture. Do not water during winter until buds formed to produce a good flowering.
Min temp:Ok down to 0C.
Reference:Lavarack, Harris, Stocker and Botanica.

pictur of Dendrobium loddigesii
Diplodium truncatum
Name: Little dumpies, Brittle greenhood
Flowering period:February to July.
Description:Terrestrial. Rosette leaves, inflorescence 50mm to 150mm.
Distribution:Northern NSW to Melbourne, tableland and slopes of Dividing Range.
Habitat:Open forest, scrubland and grassland.
Culture:Suitable for pot culture.
Min temp:Not a constraint
Reference:Jones. Orchid photoed in parkland in Queanbeyan.
picture of Diplodium truncatum
Diuris minor
Name: Small Purple Donkey Orchid
Flowering period:October to January.
Description:Terrestrial. Rosette leaves, flower stem 200mm to 450mm, 1-8 flowers.
Distribution:New England tableland.
Habitat:Open forest, scrubland and grassland.
Culture:Suitable for pot culture.
Min temp:Not a constraint
Reference:Jones. Orchid photoed in Inverell.
picture of Diuris minor
Dockrillia striolata
Common name: Streaked rock orchid
Name:striolatum meaning with fine stria (stripes).
Flowering period:September to December.
Distribution:NE coast Tasmania to Hunter River (NSW).
Habitat:On rocks, rarely on trees; on the ranges, rarely on the coast, frequently on very exposed places.
Culture:Tightly tied to cork slabs or hardwood blocks best. Plenty of water during hotest months, mist at dusk. Just moist in winter.
Min temp:1°C
Reference:Upton
picture of Dockrillia striolata
Dockrillia cucumerina
Common name: Cucumber or gherkin orchid after shape of leaves
Flowering period:Summer
Distribution:Qld and NSW coastal to eastern ranges.
Habitat:On large trees beside streams.
Culture:Tightly tied to cork slabs or hardwood blocks best. Plenty of water during hotest months, mist at dusk. Just moist in winter.
Min temp:1°C
Reference:Jones
picture of Dockrillia cucumerina
Gomesa radicans
(syn ornithophora radicans, sigmatostalix radicans)
Flowering period:autumn mainly. Flower 5-10mm, pleasantly fragrant on hot day.
Distribution:Brazil.
Habitat:Epiphytic or lithophytic.
Culture:Mounted (tree fern, cork or rough bark) or in pots with well draining mixture. High humidity and ample water. Bright light.
Min temp:frost point
picture of Gomesa radicans
Gomesa recurva
Flowering period:Summer
Distribution:Brazil.
Habitat:Epiphytic or lithophytic.
Culture:Mounted or in pots with well draining mixture. High humidity and ample water
Min temp:frost point
Reference:Botanica
picture of Gomesa recurva
Cattleya perrinii (syn Laelia perrinii
Flowering period:February - April. Dorsal sepal bends backwards.
Distribution:Coastal mountains of Brazil.
Habitat:Epiphytic or lithophytic.
Culture:In pots with well draining mixture. Lovely purple markings on underside of leaves.
Min temp:frost point
Reference:OrchidWiz and personal
picture of Cattleya perrinii
Maxillaria picta
Description:Distinctive splotches on backs of petals and sepals. Inflorescence about 10 cm long, each with single flower. Flowers about 4 cm wide.
Flowering period:spring.
Cultivation:Pot in well drained mix or mount. Min temp:frost point
picture of Maxillaria picta
Maxillaria sanguinolenta
Description:Distinctive dark burgundy lip. Inflorescence about 10 cm long, each with single flower which hides below the foliage. Flowers about 4 cm wide.
Flowering period:most of year.
Cultivation:Pot in well drained mix or mount.
picture of Maxillaria sanguinolenta
Maxillaria variablis var. Chocolate
Description: Flower dark colourabout 20 mm wide.
Flowering period:summer.
Cultivation:Pot in well drained mix or mount.
picture of Maxillaria variablis
Miltonia clowesii
Description:Raceme up to 60 cm long, bearing 5 to 10 flowers, each about 8 cm long.
Flowering period:Autumn.
Cultivation:Grows happily in pot but tends to ramble.
picture of Miltonia clowesii
Oncidium incurvum
Flowering period:March to May.
Description:Erect to arching inflorescence to 1.6 m. Flowers about 2.5 cm wide, fragrant.
Distribution:Mexico.
Habitat:na
Culture:Suitable for pot culture.
Min temp:na
Reference:
picture of Oncidium incurvum
Oncidium edwallii
Flowering period:October to December.
Description:Small plant, flowers about 10mm x 10mm, inflorescence to 250mm. Leaves stiff and leathery
Distribution:na.
Habitat:na
Culture:Suitable for pot culture.
Min temp:Protect from frost, but will tolerate 0C.
Reference:
picture of Oncidium edwallii
Paphiopedilum insigne
Flowering period:May to August.
Description:One of the easier paphs to grow, flowers long lasting.
Distribution:Mountains of Nepal and northern India.
Habitat:
Culture:Pot culture. Doesn't like repotting. Don't overwater
Min temp:Protect from frost.
Reference:Botanica
picture of Paphiopedilum insigne
Stanhopea nigroviolacea
Flowering period:December to February.
Description:Pendulous inflorescence with up to 3 flowers. Flowers up to 20 cm wide, very fragrant. Leaves leathery
Distribution:Mexico.
Habitat:na
Culture:Hanging basket.
Min temp:frost point
Reference:

picture of Stanhopea nigroviolacea
Tetrabaculum capitisyork
(syn. Den. tetragonum var. giganteum)
Description:Distinctive four sided pseudobulbs.
Flowering period:spring.
Cultivation:Best grown on trees, but in Canberra's winter is happy on a mount or in pot with open bark media.
picture of Tetrabaculum capitisyork
Trichocentrum pumilum
(syn. Lophiaris pumila)
Description:A miniature orchid with masses of small flowers.
Flowering period:December-February
Cultivation:Small pot or hanging basket. Very compact when grown in bright light.
Min temp:frost point
 picture of Trichocentrum pumilum
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Some Chinese Orchids

Dr Ben Wallace and his wife provide escorted tours to central-southern China. This area of China is described by Ben as Shangri-La and encompasses cities of Zhongdian, Huanglong and Lijian.

Various species of orchids are found in this region and these have not been grown outside of China. The following images are of some of these orchids.

OrchidPicture
Photos by Ben Wallace
Cypripedium bardolphianum picture of Cypripedium <i>bardolphianum
Cypripedium unknown picture of Cypripedium unknown
Cypripedium guttatum picture of Cypripedium guttatum
Cypripedium plectrochilon picture of Cypripedium plectrochilon</i>
Cypripedium tibeticum picture of Cypripedium <i>tibeticum</i>
Cypripedium yunnanense picture of Cypripedium <i>yunnanense</i>
Habenaria napa picture of Habenaria <i>napa</i>
Oreorchis erythrochrysa picture of Oreorchis <i>erythrochrysa</i>
Pleione aurita picture of Pleione <i>aurita</i>
Pleione bulbocoides picture of Pleione <i>bulbocoides</i>
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