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 Club of South Australia Inc. The Conference dates are from 18 to 21 September, in the Centennial Hall of the Royal Adelaide Showgrounds. The main Conference hotel is the Corus Grosvenor Hotel, on North Terrace in central Adelaide. A reminder that early-bird registration closes on 31 January, 2003. (For latest information, check the listing at the top of our ConneXions page.

AOC Orchids of the Year 2001

AOC Registrar General of Judging, Colin Jennings, divulges the winners in the various categories for this annual prestigious award. The process begins in March after all AOC Awards for the previous year are in and processed. The judges in each panel make their nominations; these are then circulated through all panels within that State; and the votes counted. The slides of all finalists are then circulated to the panels and the final vote taken. The AOC Registrar General of Judging collates the votes and advises the results to the AOC Annual General Meeting for ratification. By this time is is September/October. Unfortunately we are not able to publish the results until our December issue. So here are the results for the year 2001:

AOC Orchid Hybrid of the Year - Blc. Brunswick Bonanza 'Michael' FCC/AOC 2001 (pictured), owned by the late Gordon Vallance;

Orchid Species of the Year - Dendrobium speciosum var. curvicaule 'Daylight Moon' FCC/AOC 2001, owned by Anthony & Jacqueline Blewitt, NSW; and Award of Distinction of the Year was Sc. Petite Baby Lea AD/AOC 2001, owned by Castle Creek Orchids, Vic.

Cymbidiums - the Lip

West Australian nurseryman Kevin Butler continues his series on the variations in lip colour in Cymbidiums, this time reporting on his observations of selected red, brown and purple cymbidiums. The article is accompanied by seven of Kevin's excellent photographs.

Selected Species with Peter Taylor - Gastrochilus bellinus

Peter's 'Selected Species' articles always guarantee a fine read, and this one is no exception. He delves into the discovery of the species in 1873, nomenclature, natural habitat, through to growing this delightful space-saving species. Half page photo by the man himself.

An Overview of some new Orchid Species

Regular contributor to Orchids Australia, Rod Rice, brings us information on some of the new orchid species still being discovered around the world - Renantheras, Bulbophyllums, Stanhopeas, Gongoras, Corybas and Polycycnis to name a few. Photographs of five of these new finds accompany the article. After all these years one would think that we would be running out of new orchids to find, but it seems that is not so.

Chance Find of new Orchid in the Northern Territory

Well it doesn't only happen overseas - we continue with a story of a find of a new orchid in our own Top End. This report, thanks to the Nightcliffe Orchid Society, Darwin, describes the events surrounding the discovery of a new terrestrial orchid (and some fauna) as yet unnamed but believed to be of the genus Phirignopsis. The find was in the Victoria River area of the Northern Territory.

Plastic Mesh Orchid hosts in the Tropics

Des Pike gives the first instalment on the construction and use of host tubes made from the common plastic roof guttering mesh. These tubes and the growing method is proving to be taking off like the proverbial wild fire across the Northern Territory.

Bulb Rot in Cymbidiums

Our Publications Director and nurseryman, Peter Chiles, S.A., reports on a curse of the cymbidium growers - aggressive bulb rot, and what to do about it if it strikes.

Coelogyne cristata in Tasmania

Ross Smith and John Whitney share their culture of this showy cooler growing orchid with our Tasmanian reporter, Rex Johnson, who also took the spectacular photos.

Back to Basics - Water and Orchids (Part 2)

North Queensland resident Dr Noel Grundon recently presented a paper on this topic to a State meeting of the Queensland societies. Part 1 appeared last issue, and in the December issue we publish Part 2.

Campaign to protect a rare Orchid

Dennis Simmons, Editor of Orchids Australia, reports on a campaign to save a colony of the Eastern Underground Orchid, Rhizanthella slateri, at Alum Mountain near Bulahdelah, NSW, in the light of proposals to re-route the Pacific Highway through the area - and the problems with the bureaucrats.

Using your computer as a Sander's Book

Brian Maxwell describes in simple terms how to use your computer to find out the parentage and other details of orchids or if that hybrid you have just flowered has been named. Illustrations from the RHS website accompany the article. (You can find out link to the 'RHS Hybrid Checker' on our ConneXions page under "Links to Reference Sites on the Web".

Annual Index for the year 2002.

Book Reviews:

A Field Guide to the Wild Orchids of Thailand (3rd ed.) is reviewed by Des Pike, and The Wild Orchids of Arizona and New Mexico is reviewed by Rod Rice.

Plus� -

All the regular features of: Latest list of Australian Orchid Council awards for 2002; Computer Corner, what's winning at Shows around the country, Cultural Notes for various parts of Australia, and our list of upcoming International orchid events through to 2005. There is also a surprise for some lucky Australian subscriber - Orchids Australia free for one year, provided it is claimed in 14 days.