PREVIOUS MEETING: JUNE 5th 2005

Tracy advised all of the outcome of the committee meeting that was held on
12 May 2005. Every one present supported the idea of having the mini-show and potting demonstration brought forward to early September. The mini-show will now take place for a whole week, from 3 to 11 September 2005 with the re-potting being done only on the first weekend, 3 & 4 September 2005.

The members present also supported the proposal that the hosting of the 2009 National Show not be proceeded with at this stage but be reconsidered at a later stage.

Mike Wigley then gave a very interesting talk and slide show on the indigenous orchids of Kwa Zulu Natal, many of which also occur here in our area.

A big thanks once again to Ray & Cynthia for hosting the presentation and meeting at their home.

Apologies: were received from Dot Norval, Cecil & Elsje Rautenbach and Peter Foulds.

PLANT TABLE:

Members’ votes resulted in the following:

Species: / 1st / Coelia bella / - / Mike & Yvonne Bond
2nd / Dendrochilum bicallosum / - / Robert & Tracy Moss
3rd / Gomesa crispa / - / Robert & Tracy Moss
Hybrids: / 1st / Asda. Thepthong x Gua Chia Long / - / Mike & Yvonne Bond
2nd / Blc Nacouchee ‘Mission Park’ / - / Jessica de Beer
3rd / Den. Miss Singapore / - / Robert & Tracy Moss

Raffle: The plant on raffle, a Sc Batemanniana was won by Maureen Wells. May you have good luck with your plant.

GONUBIE GOSSIP:

Shop News:

As the meeting will be held at Honeydale, the shop will be open on 25th June 2005 from 14:00 to 16:30 instead of on 3 July 2005.

Fine, medium and coarse bark are all back in stock.

Just arrived – wire cymbidium stakes @ R3.00 each and an excellent book for beginners “Orchid Culture Some Sound Advice.”

NEXT MEETING - 3 JULY 2005:

Members are reminded that a lunch will be held before the meeting on 3 July 2005 at 12:00 noon. Tickets are still available from Tracy at Pioneer up until Sunday, 26 June 2005 at R20.00 each. Come and have a delicious lunch with us, the proceeds of which is going towards the funds for the 2006 National Show. The menu consists of home-made butternut soup with freshly baked bread, mild (but tasty) curry and rice, including salads and dessert.

Remember to bring your own cutlery, crockery, glasses and beverages.

Stan Wedge will be our guest speaker at this meeting. Come and enjoy his humorous way of speaking and benefit from his vast knowledge of orchids.

There will be a plant table and also remember to write the names of your flowering plants that you bring on a separate piece of paper for easy identification.

GOS QUIZ:

JUNE’S ANSWER:

A monopodial orchid refers to an orchid with a growth form where there is a single vegetative growth that continues to grow from the top from year to year, adding new leaves at its tip. Examples of monopodial orchids are Vandas and Phalaenopsis.

Maureen Wells continued her winning streak as her entry was the first correct one drawn. She won an Epiphronitis Veitchii for her efforts. Good luck with your plant.

JULY’S QUESTION:

Cattleya warscewiczii was discovered in 1849 by Josef Warscewicz in Colombia. This cattleya is also known as (1)………………

(2) What does this name refer to?

Tip from the plant table(courtesy of the Natal Orchid Society)

Oncidium plants need to grow in strong light, which will reduce the spotting on the leaves due to humidity. These spots do not cause problems but are unsightly. A sulphur based spray can also be used to counteract spotting. Remember that both cinnamon and garlic are effective as fungicides.