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Showing posts from October, 2019

Coelogyne pandurata Lindl.

Hugh Low was one of he most enterprising and energetic orchid collectors during a period of time when "orchid mania" gripped England and Europe. From Sarawak especially he introduced many distinctive orchids to the great nurseries of the time and he is generally recognised as a pioneer of orchidology in the Malay states. Low had a fascinating life. Born in 1824 to a father in the nursery audemars piguet replica sale business (Hugh Low and Co.), he quickly developed both a love of plants and a keen eye of observation. He first travelled to Sarawak in 1845 and in his notes he states that "my object (the collection of plants and seeds) led me more into the country.... than any other Englishman who has yet visited the shores of this island (Borneo)". He chanel replica was the first European to ascend Mt. Kinabalu where he collected extensively. He mixed enthusiastically with the native peoples and became so well known as a plant collector hat the beautiful "j...

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you ship blooming orchids? Orchids are best shipped with buds that are just about to open. We ship plants that will be flowering within a few of days of arrival. We'll always let you know exactly what stage of blooming the particular orchid you'd like is in. Where can you ship orchids? White Oak Orchids ships orchids through out the continental USA. Our own delivery trucks service the greater San Francisco Bay Area, California, USA. What kinds of orchids or gifts are available? We have selections from all genera of orchids all colors and sizes! Orchids can be shipped in nursery pots or as beautiful gifts, complete with decorative containers, moss and other fancy details. Please feel free to call or email us with your queries and we would be delited to complete your requests and dreams! Are orchids hard to grow? Not at all! Like any plant, orchids need light, water, food, air movement and correct temperatures to thrive. Your challenge to growing orchids is fou...

Paphiopedilum charlesworthii

Rebecca Northern, in Miniature Orchids, refers to Paphiopedilum charlesworthii as 'a stunning species' and the accompanying photograph, taken some years ago in Sydney supports this accolade. However, where have all the charlesworthii's gone? A quick review of some early copies of the Australian Orchid Review shows that this species, along with Paphiopedilum spicerianum, was the favoured shade/bush house Paph. of many growers in what today (with the sophistication of shade cloth, misting systems, etc) would be considered fairly primitive conditions! For some reason the species appears to have fallen out of favour with Paph. growers and I have not seen even a small plant, much less one of the great specimens of earlier years, benched at society meetings for a very long time. Perhaps familiarity led to some contempt for the species as 'old fashioned' and as exciting new species from Indonesia, Borneo and, more recently, the stunning Parvisepalum section from China, w...

Thelymitra spiralis

We are proud to bring to the orchid world a preview of Ron Herberle's superb photographic collection of this colourful genus of Australian terrestrial orchids, now available on the internet, thanks to the efforts of Tony Watkinson. Tony tells of falling under the spell of the Thelymitra genus and his huge undertaking to display them to the world. These are all from the South West corner of Wesern Australia. The website contains over 200 photographs. Although Tony says the site is essentially finished, he is hoping to add a few bits and pieces, including an interview with Ron about his 30 year love affair with these highly colourful "sun orchids". The article contains another five photographs, just to whet the appetite. (Photo: Viv Holly) Click here for Ron's web site 16th Australian Orchid Conference 2003 The premier event on the Australian orchid calendar is held every three years in different States, and this year hosting has been undertaken by the Orchid Clu...

Pescatorea coronaria

Since the mid 19th century there has been much confusion regarding exactly which genus the spectacular and horticulturally desirable orchids today known as Pescatorea best fit into. However, there has never been confusion regarding the desirability of the Pescatorea species. The Pescatorea alliance includes orchids as Bollea species (one of the best is the blue Bollea coelestis), Huntleya species, Chondrorhyncha species and some would allow Zygopetalum, a close relative, to be part of the allowance. All the aforementioned genera contain some terrific species but, to my undoubtedly biased eye, the jewels of the alliance are the Pescatorea species and, of these, the species I have selected this month, Pestcatorea coronoria, has a singular beauty. The genus Pescatorea is small, from 12-16 species, distributed from Costa Rica to Ecuador. The generic name is dedicated to M. Pescatore, a French patron of orchid species in the mid-19th century. Veitch writing 1887, lumps Pescatorea with a...

resources

Be Water Wise ============= By Colin Hamilton Whether we like it or not, Australia is in dire straits with its water supplies. As a result of prolonged periods of drought, many water collection areas, including the underground aquifer, have not received sufficient run-off for replenishment. But we, as a nation, have kept using water with gay abandon. We are one of the highest users of water per capita of any nation. Now the rooster has come home to roost. We have to take action to conserve our dwindling resources. I have given the matter some thought and asked some friends from around Australia for their ideas on how to save water in caring for their orchids, and looked at some of the websites advising tips to help mend our wicked ways. � I guess the first and probably most obvious, yet most ignored, is the dripping tap. Leaking taps, pipes and dishwasher hoses is an easy way to reduce water wastage. One leaking tap can waste more than 2,000 litres a month. (Source: Sydney Wa...

Greetings, Orchid

================= Greetings, Orchid Lovers ======================== Captain Stew of the Mouse Patrol here, with my regular report on the happenings at Stewart Orchids. Have I ever been busy! The Boss has been finishing up his Major Clean-up of the premises ........ and boyohboy, are we ever clean! Only trouble is, hunting is getting pretty slim for old Stew, now that things are so clean and polished. All the varmints are departing for some more comfortably neglected and messy place, where they can set up housekeeping. I am having to depend on the kindness of strangers and friends for most of my treats. [Hint --- hint!] But it does give me more time for my writing, which is fun, too. Back From Their Travels ======================= The Boss and Mrs. Boss are back from their adventures in Houston, Texas, and Des Moines, Iowa. Boss says they loved their stopover in Houston for the Houston Summer Workshop, visiting with old friends and making new ones. He hated to leave before the...

It's time to shear behind a open bloomers

Jun 15, 2015 — After a brief compassion with Martha Foley about a soppy continue now plaguing North Country gardeners, Cooperative Extension horticulturist Amy Ivy reminds us it is time to whet a pruning shears and tackle those open bloomers. Be dauntless — namby-pamby snipping here and there is not enough, though don’t take some-more than a third of a plant. Martha Foley: Well, it is darned slimy out there. Who would have thought, after what looked like a immature drought usually a integrate of weeks ago? Amy Ivy is a horticulturalist with Cornell Cooperative Extension Service adult in Clinton and Essex counties. Good morning, Amy. Amy Ivy: Good morning, Martha. MF: Wet over your approach as well, we think? AI: Oh my goodness, yes. we can’t trust it, what an extreme…just spin off a faucet, it’s unequivocally bad. MF: Well, we’ll get some few breaks this week, though yeah, we’ve incited a dilemma on a weather, that is for sure. AI: Yes. And everything’s slow, so if you’...

Amesiella monticola,

Amesiella monticola, from Nueva Vizcaya (central Luzon) in the Philippines, is described and illustrated as new. Introduction The genus Amesiella was previously considered to be monotypic. During the past decade, the authors have cultivated and studied many clones of Amesiella philippinensis including a population of what was loosely referred to as the "albinistic form" of this taxon. We believe these clones constitute a separate, and readily identifiable species, which is described here as new. Taxonomy Amesiella monticola J.E. Cootes et D.P. Banks sp. nov. TYPE: PHILIPPINES. Cultivated ex Luzon, Nueva Vizcaya: Imugan area, alt. c. 2,000 metres, November 1995, M. Errington ME001/97 (holotype: NSW [sheet no. 421898]; isotype CANB [sheet no. 9804189]). Species haec A. philippinensis (Ames) Schltr. affinis, sed aliter forma labelli; floribus odoratis; calcari nectarii multo longiore, differt. Description Growth habit: upright, monopodial, 2.5 cm tall x 16 cm wide. Roots: 4....

New Guinea Orchids

Family classification Modern molecular techniques have indicated that orchids can be subdivided in 5 subfamilies (Pridgeon et al. 1999): Apostasioideae, Vanilloideae, Cypripedioideae, Orchidoideae, and Epidendroideae. All subfamilies occur in New Guinea. The first three are small in numbers, and except for the Vanilloideae they are quite deviating from the morphological pattern known from �real� orchids: they have two or three anthers. All other orchids possess only one anther. The Orchidoideae in New Guinea contain 31 genera with some 185 species. Members of this subfamily are mainly terrestrials. The genus Corybas shows an extensive radiation of c. 45 endemic species in New Guinea; it occurs from India to New Zealand, with about 125 species. The Epidendroideae are by far the most significant subfamily in New Guinea, with perhaps as many as 2600 species in 93 genera. Most are epiphytes. 21 subtribes occur here, with the Bulbophyllinae, the Dendrobiinae, the Glomerinae and the Thelasii...

ORCHIDS

1. Cattleya aclandiae 'Malibu' HCC/AOS Sold Out 'Malibu' is an awarded form of the Brazilian species with a dwarfish growth habit. Its excellently formed waxy four-inch flowers have olive-green sepals and petals with large dark-brown spots and blotches in a pleasing pattern. Its lip is unusually wide with pale-pink side lobes and a purple apex. 2. Encyclia adenocaula 'Nayarit' $50 This species (syn. Epidendrum nemorale) is known only from western Mexico. In nature it grows in rather dry oak and pine forests at three to six thousand feet. This clone, 'Nayarit', has showy sprays of large, star-shaped, rose-pink flowers with a wide pointed lip, veined with darker rose. 3. Cattleya amethystoglossa var. Sanderae 'Armacost' Sold Out Cattleya amethystoglossa has two major color variations--cultivars with a rose-lilac base color and cultivars with a creamy white base color. These latter are called variety Sanderae type, of which 'Armacost' is ...

Gardening

Garden Pruning ============== Pruning is an aspect of gardening that intimidates many novice gardeners. However, due to its importance for both the health and overall aesthetic beauty of your garden or landscape, pruning is very essential. The good news is that it is not as difficult as many people might think, so long as they are armed with the right tools and information. This straight forward and informative guide will aim to give gardeners of all levels an overview of the when, what, and how of pruning. Putting this knowledge into practice will go a long way to making your garden healthier and prettier. When To Prune. Knowing the best time to prune will often depend on the type of plant in question. First of all, maintenance pruning–the removal of weak, dead, or crossing branches–can be done any time of year on an as needed basis and will improve the overall health and look of any plants. For most flowering plants and shrubs, the type of pruning that encourages growth is best ...

Pescatorea coronaria

Since the mid 19th century there has been much confusion regarding exactly which genus the spectacular and horticulturally desirable orchids today known as Pescatorea best fit into. However, there has never been confusion regarding the desirability of the Pescatorea species. The Pescatorea alliance includes orchids as Bollea species (one of the best is the blue Bollea coelestis), Huntleya species, Chondrorhyncha species and some would allow Zygopetalum, a close relative, to be part of the allowance. All the aforementioned genera contain some terrific species but, to my undoubtedly biased eye, the jewels of the alliance are the Pescatorea species and, of these, the species I have selected this month, Pestcatorea coronoria, has a singular beauty. The genus Pescatorea is small, from 12-16 species, distributed from Costa Rica to Ecuador. The generic name is dedicated to M. Pescatore, a French patron of orchid species in the mid-19th century. Veitch writing 1887, lumps Pescatorea with ...