NIGHTCLIFF ORCHID SOCIETYSPRING SHOW

SEPTEMBER 5th and 6th 2015Copyright 2015 Nightcliff Orchid Society

Vascostylis Alice’s Anie

CONTENTS

PAGE 3 About Nightcliff Orchid Society

PAGE 6 Getting to know your orchid and what to buy

PAGE 10 Orchid shows over the last 12 months

PAGE 12 List of classes for competition

PAGE 14 Judging Orchids

PAGE 18 Litchfield Orchid Club

PAGE 19 Acknowledgements and thank you

ABOUT NIGHTCLIFF ORCHID SOCIETY 

ABOUT NIGHTCLIFF ORCHID SOCIETY

Nightcliff Orchid Society was founded in 1978 and originatedas a group of friends who shared a love for orchids, but also a desire for social activities. From this simple start, the club has grown and now has about 40 members.

 

Nightcliff Orchid SocietyOffice Bearers 2015

Patron Natasha Fyles, MLA 

President : Anthony Fuller0437914089

Vice President: Heidi Jatis0409696366

Secretary: Marion Davey Ph 8927 8198Marion.davey@hotmail.com.au

Treasurer Rob Chapmann Ph 0428240172rwchappy@bigpond.com

Public Officer Rob ChapmanPh 0428240172rwchappy@bigpond.net.au

Orchid Registrar Marion Davey Ph 8927 8198marion.davey@hotmail.com.au

Bulletin Editor : Marion Davey Ph 8927 8198Librarian Wally Grimm

—————————————————————COMMITTEE MEMBERS

Peter Caldwell: peter.j.caldwell@gmail.comLynne Strathie : lynnestrathie@iinet.net.au Mark Ryan: markymarkryan@hotmail.comWally Grimm: mangoe1926@gmail.com

 The club meets on the second Monday of each month at the Nightcliff Community Hall, Bauhinia Street, at 7.30 Meetings are a chance for members to meet socially and learn more about orchids in an informal setting. Plants belonging tomembers are brought in and displayed and there is an opportunity to examine the plants and ask questions while enjoying light refreshments.  The second part of the evening usually consist of a demonstration involving orchids or a talk that may be instructional or informative.  In addition to monthly meetings, the club organises a series of weekend events such as the BBQ at the Botanical Gardens, communal meals at a member’s house and, of course, visits to members’ shade houses to check out their orchids

 

COMMUNITY HALL

Full range of orchid potsBest range of statues and Water Features in DarwinTroforte Microbial based natural mineral fertilisersBig range of pond pumps, filters. Technical advice for pond care. Solar pumps with 2 year warranty. Free servicing. www.tigerpots.com.au and www.saveyoursoils.com.au

A BIG THANK YOU TO ALL WHO DONATED MAJOR RAFFLE PRIZES

SENATOR NIGEL SCULLION

TRACY VILLAGE SPORTS AND SOCIAL CLUB

VALLEYEXOTIC FLOWERS

Casuarina Home Hardware - Go to where the Tradies go

COLIN ISAAC

GETTING TO KNOW YOUR ORCHIDS AND LEARNING WHAT TO BUY

Orchids are flowering plants that have been around for a very long time. Because of this, they have evolved in many different ways and can live in very different places. They have an extraordinary range of shapes and sizes and their flowers vary from surprisingly large to almost needing a microscope to see them. The colour range of their flowers is also vast although many of the more commonly grown orchids are the familiar reds, purples, pinks, whites, yellows and oranges. The flowers can also have spots, stripes, blotches, lines or simply be one uniform colour. There is something to please everyone.  As a generalisation, species orchids [the type that grow naturally in the wild] are probably a little harder to grow and are often less spectacular when they flower. They also often only flower once a year, which can be a little frustrating. If you look at an orchid label and it is written in italics [like Vanda lamellata], then it is a species.

Dendrobium leonis with flowers Trichoglottis isosepala with approx. 10mm across clusters of flowers approx.

7.5mm across.

Phalaenopsis violacea with Bulbophyllum digoelense.striking flowers produced A challenge to grow, but largeover several weeks successive flowers opening over

several weeks

Orchid hybrids are the result of possible thousands of hours of crossing species orchids and growing their seeds to try to produce different orchids that have “improved” properties, such as bigger flowers, more frequent flowering, more vigorously growing plants. The orchids that are most commonly on sale in nurseries and shops are likely to be hybrids. If you look at the label it is likely to be written similar to Vanda Gordon Dillon [with most of the name NOT in italics].

Vanda Robert’s Delight Dendrobium Sweet Dawn

Both of the above orchids will grow and flower happily in Darwin, as will the two below.

Rlc. Margaret Goldston x Rlc. Dal’s Horizon Oncidesa Gower Ramsay

Once an orchid nursery has produced a wonderful new hybrid, the idea is to try to recoup some of the hours of labour and general expense involved, so the desired orchid is cloned. This means that a small part of the plant is used to produce literally hundreds of copies of the plant and they will all be exactly the same as the desired parent [as long as you grow it correctly and feed it, of course]. These plants are sold as mericlones and are generally cheaper than a newly made hybrid or existing species. They represent good value and are ideal for

beginners. It should turn out to be exactly like its picture.This prize winning Phalaenopsis i-Hsin Sun Beauty is an example of a typical mericloned plant. It is sold with a guarantee that it will look just as it does [although the owner, Neil Smith, must also take pride in a very well grown plant!]. There will be no surprises, good or bad.

Recommendations for buying orchids1. A cheap, reliable orchid: buy

something mericloned.

2. An interesting, perhaps surprising orchid:

buy a hybrid.

3. A challenging orchid probably only flowering yearly: buy a species.

At Affordable Prices

ORCHID SHOWS OVER THE LAST 12 MONTHS.

Last year’s NOS Spring Show, also held at Tracy Village Sports and Social Club was a huge success, with excess of 200 plants entered for competition and many beautiful and unusual orchids for sale.

The Grand Champion Orchid was a beautifully grown specimen of Williamcookara Bill owned and prepared by Warren Crozier. The plant had 7 separate spikes all carrying undamaged, well presented flowers. Warren is a well respected local grower who owns a wide variety of orchids but is particularly known for growing this kind of orchid.

The runner-up was also a well grown large plant carrying a single inflorescence of striking dark flowers, not quite black, but close to it.

Cymbidium Australian Midnight

Williamcookara Bill

Champion Species: Ionopsis utricularioides Champion Oncidiinae Oncidesa Gower Ramsay

Ctna. Tongance Jane x Keith Roth Tolumnia Crownfox Blush

Leomesezia Lava Burst Champion Specimen at the Spectacular Vanda Hyasmin

A selection of orchids from this year’s LOC Orchid Spectacular

Nightcliff Orchid Society Spring Show 2015

CLASSES OF COMPETITION

Prize Money :- $15 for first $10 for second $5 for third $150 Grand Champion Natasha Fyles MLA $100 Reserve Champion Gerry Wood MLA$100 Champion Species, Natasha Griggs MP$100 Champion Specimen, Nicole Manison MLA$100 Highest Aggregate The Hon. David Tollner MLA$25 Champion Hybrid Classes

Certificates Will be awarded to all prize winners

Section 1 LAELIINAE HYBRIDS SPONSORED BY

Class 1 Standard over 100mm Dept. of Primary Industry and FisheriesClass 2 Standard 60mm to 100mm The Hon. Peter Styles MLAClass 3 Compact – B. nodosa type hybrids La Pira familyClass 4 with Encyclia/Epidendrum Ron JamesClass 5 with Caularthron Lisa’s Lunch BarClass 6 with Broughtonia – Red/Pink Nathan Barrett MLAClass 7 with Broughtonia – Other Colours Wells Creek OrchidsClass 8 Reserved Katrina Fong LimChampion Natasha Fyles MLA

Section 2 DENDROBIUM HYBRIDS

Class 9 ¾ Intermediate Lia Finocchiaro MLAClass 10 Intermediate White/Pink Dept. Of Primary Industry and FisheriesClass 11 Intermediate – Other Colours Peter CaldwellClass 12 Spatulata – Miniature Mark RyanClass 13 Formosa Type Nathan Barrett MLAClass 14 Reserved Warren CrozierChampion Katrina Fong Lim

Section 3 VANDEAE HYBRIDS

Class 15 Vanda over 65mm Sue and Brendan McKeonClass 16 Vanda under 65mm Lisa’s Lunch BarClass 17 with Rhynchostylis The Hon. Peter Styles MLAClass 18 other Intergeneric Dept. of Primary Industry and FisheriesClass 19 Vanda Non-Standard Nathan Barrett MLAClass 20 Semi – terete Mark RyanClass 21 Reserved Electrical Supply SolutionsChampion Natasha Fyles MLA

Section 4 PHALAENOPSIS HYBRIDS

Class 22 Standard - White predominant Wells Creek OrchidsClass 23 Standard - Pink predominant Peter CaldwellClass 24 Non- Standard - Yellow predominant Puma EnergyClass 25 Non- Standard - other colours La Pira FamilyClass 26 Reserved Nathan Barrett MLA

Champion Katrina Fong Lim

Section 5 ONCIDIINAE HYBRIDS

Class 27 Tolumnia Sue and Brendan McKeonClass 28 Varicosum Type – Yellow Predominant Litchfield Orchid ClubClass 29 Varicosum Type – Other Colours Lisa’s Lunch BarClass 30 Reserved The Hon. Peter Styles MLAChampion La Pira family

Section 6 MISCELLANEOUS HYBRIDS

Class 31 Paphiopedilum/ Phragmipedium Peter CaldwellClass 32 Spathoglottis Well’s Creek OrchidsClass 33 Reserved Puma EnergyChampion Katrina Fong Lim

Section 7 SPECIES

Class 34 Laeliinae La Pira FamilyClass 35 Dendrobium Nathan Barrett MLAClass 36 Vandeae Barb. PromnitzClass 37 Phalaenopsis Di DowlingClass 38 Bulbophyllum Electrical Supply SolutionsClass 39 Paphiopedilum Dept. of Primary Industry and FisheriesClass 40 Oncidiinae Sue and Brendan McKeonClass 41 Dendrochilum Ron JamesClass 42 Other Litchfield Orchid ClubClass 43 Reserved Katrina Fong Lim

JUDGING ORCHIDS

Many people take a lot of time and trouble to examine the winning orchids, but it is clear from their comments that they are frequently at a loss to understand the results of judging. The following tips may help.

1. With few exceptions, the plant itself is ignored when judging. Only the flower/s matter. This is why a horrible looking plant could become Grand Champion.

2. Individual orchid flowers are broadly assessed on shape, colour, and floral arrangement. As a generalisation, flowers should be symmetrical, evenly coloured, and well distributed along the flower stem.

The flowers are all being displayed at the wrong angle A correctly presented flower ‘spike’ as the flower ‘spike’ has only recently been staked up.

One petal is correctly held, the other is drooping. One petal is bent over

A very attractive group of flowers carried on leafless, unattractive pseudobulbs. Only the flowers are judged

3. Of great importance is that the flower/s are undamaged. This means that if the flower has been affected by wind, rain or sun or even slightly eaten by grasshoppers or thrips, it will not win.

4.  It is important that the flowers are not deformed in any way e.g. rolled up petals or lip.

5.  Where an orchid carried many flowers on a single ‘spike’ [or inflorescence], it is essential that none have dropped off or otherwise been damaged. They also need to be arranged well along the length of the ‘spike’. For example, if a Dendrobium orchid has 3 spikes, each with 20 large well coloured flowers, but on each spike a flower is damaged or missing, it will not win. If 2 spikes are no good but the 3rd is ok, it could win.

6.  To become Champion Orchid does require a certain amount of luck. It is quite possible to carefully nurture an orchid that has the most wonderful big fat buds that are due to fully open just before a show only to find a grasshopper snacking on a petal on the morning of the show.

Who knows, with good growing, care and perhaps some luck, you could own the next award winning orchid!

Instead of there being 4 separate flowers carried at intervals along the ‘spike’, they have fused together.

This flower ‘spike’ has at least 3 flowers missing.

NIGHTCLIFF ORCHID SOCIETY OF THE NT (INC.)———————————————

APPLICATION FOR MEMBERSHIP 

I would like to join / continue my membership of

The Nightcliff Orchid Society  

Please find enclosed the amount of $………. being the annual membership fee.

Fees are as follow (please circle choice):

  Individual $20 Family $30 Junior /Pensioner $15

 plus a joining fee of $15.00 for new members

 Name: Mr/Mrs/Ms ………………………………………………… Home Address: …………………………………………………

………………………………………………… Postal Address: ………………………………………………… 

………………………………………………… Telephone No: ……………………… (Home)

 

……………………… (Work)

……………………… (Mobile)  

Email Address: ………………………………………………  

 

On becoming a member, I agree to abide by the Constitution, Rules and By-laws of the Nightcliff Orchid Society. (Please ask the Secretary for a copy of these documents

if you require them.)

  Signed: ……………………………….. Date: ………………..

 ——————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————–

For Use By Treasurer 

Received By: …………………………………………………

 

Official Receipt No: ……………………………. Date: ……………………..

LITCHFIELD ORCHID CLUB

The Top End has two Orchid clubs, Nightcliff Orchid Society and Litchfield Orchid Club. Both cater for all orchid lovers, from the complete beginner right up to the grower intent on winning prizes and obtaining National Awards.

Litchfield Orchid Club meets on the first Wednesday of each month at Howard Springs Community Hall. The meeting formally commences at 8.00pm but members wishing to enter their plants for competitive judging need to bring and bench them before 7.30 pm, when the judging panel meets to assess that month’s entered plants. Each month, plants are judged according to specified rules and an overall winner is selected, plus second and third and there is also a Popular Vote where an orchid is chosen by members simply according to what they like best that evening. Points are awarded each month and accumulate to appoint annual winners in each category.

In addition to the more serious judging side, the monthly meeting that follows on after a delicious supper may include talks, orchid information or presentations by guest speakers. The club also has numerous social activities. It is also possible to purchase plants, pots, fertilisers and orchid sundries.

The two clubs have many members in common since people who become interested in orchids tend to become ‘orchid tragics’ and need more than one orchid event per month.

For further information about Litchfield Orchid Club contact the President, Sherryl Fett on 0412279979

   

 

THANK YOU!

An event such as this could not take place without the help and support of a great many people, working behind the scenes. A big Thank You to all of these people who know who they are.

Thanks are also due to the many people and organisations who contributed financially to the production of this programme, who sponsored the various orchid classes and prizes and who donated raffle prizes.

Natasha Fyles MLALa Pira FamilyNathan Barrett MLALitchfield Orchid ClubDepartment of Primary Industry and FisheriesNicole Manison MLABunningsCasuarina Home Timber and HardwareNatasha Griggs MPThe Hon. David Tollner MLAKatrina Fong LimSue and Brendan McKeonLisa’s Lunch BarArnos TyresKarl’s Auto RepairsGerry Wood MLALia Finocchiaro MLAThe Hon. Peter Styles MLARon JamesPeter CaldwellMark RyanPalmerston OrchidsElectrical Supply SolutionsAMW Professional ServicesTigers PotsNigel Scullion MPOutback BakeryLyndall’s Professional Hair Care

Neil and Sue Smith [Wells Creek Orchids]Warren CrozierOutback BakeryElectrical Supply SolutionsDi DowlingFlowers from the HeartBirds of Paradise FashionsPuma EnergyDollars and SenseColin IsaacKerryn StewardTracy Village Sports and Social ClubBarb. Promnitz

Address: 30 Winnellie Road, Winnellie

Nicole Manison, Member for Wanguri

Karl's Auto RepairsAddress: Coonawarra Rd, Winnellie NT 0820

Phone:(08) 8984 4956

Arno with over 56 years of experience in the tyre business all acrossDarwin, he and his family have been successfully running their own familytyre business in Winnellie for 29 years. At the age of 53 Arno & his wifedecided it was time to start their own company. A very unique businesswhere you'll find Arno himself along with his Wife & Children, hisGrandchildren and his Great Grandchildren who are all a part of running thebusiness. A very family friendly business. We are genuinely family ownedand operated.

Servicing a wide range of makes and models anything from- Passenger & 4WD- Mower & Atv- Light truck- Trucks- Trailers- Agriculture- Earthmoving

Stocking many of the top line brands such asDunlop, Goodyear, Bridgestone, Yokohama, Toyo, Maxxis, Doublecoin, GTradial, Kenda... Ask us about our special truck tyres.

Ph: 8947 2190Ph: 8947 2213 Arno's Tyre Service Pty Ltd

Paraphalaenopsis serpentilingua

Remember, you can either wait to see more orchids at next year’s major Orchid Shows hosted by either Litchfield Orchid Club or Nightcliff

Orchid Society, or why not join one of the clubs.

Nightcliff Orchid Society meets every second Monday of the Month at Nightcliff Community Hall and Litchfield Orchid Club on the first Wednesday of each Month at Howard Springs Community Hall.

A VERY BIG ‘THANK YOU’ TO TRACY VILLAGE SPORTS AND SOCIAL CLUB,

CASUARINA NT 0810 FOR HOSTING THIS YEAR’S

NIGHTCLIFF ORCHID SOCIETY SPRING SHOW