The North of England Orchid Society po o o o o p o o o o o p o o o p o o o o o o o 1 May meeting, Barton It was good to see a wide variety of species at this meeting of our Society, as well as several Vandaceous hybrids. David Crook gained a First with a large group of small plants and Reg Harrison was heavily awarded for an eclectic collection of splendidly grown plants. Ken Smith came first with Cymb. Cliff Hutchings (4N) as well as with Cymb. Finger of Suspicion, Reg’s Cymb Sweet Devon coming 3 rd . (L to R below). Malcolm White’s Scaphosepalum verrucosum (above, R) came second to (L to R below) Reg’s Dracula. houtteana (above R) in the Pleurothallid class, as did Denys Morten’s Cypripedium Kentuckiense ‘Maxi’ to Reg’s Calanthe brevicornu in the Terrestrials. Lorraine Mitchell beat off Leon Skorczewski’s challenge in the Vandaceous class with her Vanda Hisnying ‘Starlight’ (L), his Ascocenda (Ascocentrum x Vanda) Singha Chiba coming second and Kagawara Christie, third.
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The North of England Orchid Society 2018 Newsletter Issue 4
As possibly the oldest Orchid society in the world we exist to promote the cultivation of Orchids, both species and hybrids, and welcome new members so as to help and encourage all who are interested in growing Orchids, however large or small their collection. 1 May meeting, Barton It was good to see a wide variety of species at this meeting of our Society, as well as several Vandaceous hybrids. David Crook gained a First with a large group of small plants and Reg Harrison was heavily awarded for an eclectic collection of splendidly grown plants. Ken Smith came first with Cymb. Cliff Hutchings (4N) as well as with Cymb. Finger of Suspicion, Reg’s Cymb Sweet Devon coming 3rd. (L to R below). Malcolm White’s Scaphosepalum verrucosum (above, R) came second to (L to R below) Reg’s Dracula. houtteana (above R) in the Pleurothallid class, as did Denys Morten’s Cypripedium Kentuckiense ‘Maxi’ to Reg’s Calanthe brevicornu in the Terrestrials. Lorraine Mitchell beat off Leon Skorczewski’s challenge in the Vandaceous class with her Vanda Hisnying ‘Starlight’ (L), his Ascocenda (Ascocentrum x Vanda) Singha Chiba coming second and Kagawara Christie, third.
The North of England Orchid Society 2018 Newsletter Issue 4
As possibly the oldest Orchid society in the world we exist to promote the cultivation of Orchids, both species and hybrids, and welcome new members so as to help and encourage all who are interested in growing Orchids, however large or small their collection. 2 However, Reg Harrison stole the show in the Species classes with Chysis bractescens, 2nd., and a lovely Bulbophyllum eberhartii, 1st. Lastly, a few more species were given 1sts., Muriel Rutter exhibiting Epidendrum ibaguense, Betty Bray with Dendrobium kingianum alba and I with Dendrobium fimbriatum var oculatum with three spikes, flowering for the first time since I acquired it in 1996! .
The North of England Orchid Society 2018 Newsletter Issue 4
As possibly the oldest Orchid society in the world we exist to promote the cultivation of Orchids, both species and hybrids, and welcome new members so as to help and encourage all who are interested in growing Orchids, however large or small their collection. 3 Spanish Terrestrials: Louise Redgrave After a brief introduction, Louise outlined her background as a botanist and ecologist and the talk was based on two botanical holidays in Spain, organised by the Botanical Society of the British Isles. After briefly outlining the Spanish Geography, Topography, Geology and Climate over the regions visited, she moved on to a more detailed description of the following: Picos de Europa Lies approximately 70km west of Santander, part of the Cantabrian Mountains, formed of carboniferous limestone compared to the slate and shales of the Cantabrian Range. The Picos enjoy an Atlantic temperate climate with frequent mists in the spring and autumn. Gorges within are sheltered from climatic extremes so that flora is more representative of the Mediterranean. The western valleys support flora comparable with the mountains of Ireland and the Scottish Western Isles. Ascending up the valley sides hay meadows give way to Heathland and there are patches of deciduous Oak woodland in wetter valleys. Areas were designated as National Parks from 1918 to 1995. Above the hotel (in Espinosa) in Alpine meadows were Ophrys fusca and tenthredenifera, Orchis anthropomorpha, Orchis ustulata, and various Dactylorhiza together with Neottia nidus-avis in a small Beech copse, Neotinea maculata, Himantoglossum hircinum and Anacamptis pyramidalis. The following day, outside Tudes, Orchis papillionacea, the pink butterfly orchid was seen. After the cable car, various alpines were seen as well as lower down, fly orchids (Ophrys insectifera) and Helleborines. Many other orchid species were observed in the following days and a total of at least 32 were spotted during the 7-day holiday. The Sierra de Grazalema lies in Western Andalucia, intercepts Atlantic weather systems and is one of the rainiest places in Spain-90 miles west of Grazalema, Malaga. Grazalema mountain village lies in the heart of the Natural park in a range of limestone mountains and where an important Spanish fir forest still exists. 27 species of orchids exist including Ophrys Lutea, Cephalanthera longifolia, Tongue orchids growing in impermeable basins, small leaved tongue orchids, Mirror Ophrys, Lange’s orchids and many more. Between 18 and 27 species were seen in the second holiday, in addition to many herbaceous flowers. Keith Hemming
The North of England Orchid Society 2018 Newsletter Issue 4
As possibly the oldest Orchid society in the world we exist to promote the cultivation of Orchids, both species and hybrids, and welcome new members so as to help and encourage all who are interested in growing Orchids, however large or small their collection. 4 June Annual Show, Tatton Park A successful meeting, well supported by our sister societies and by the trade, was held in glorious weather, the effect of which was to grant us a passable improvement of illumination in the Tenants Hall. The simultaneous Tatton car show failed to provide us with the large attendance we might have hoped for; perhaps the temptation of sun-bathing in the unexpected warmth proving too attractive to the general populace. However some new members were recruited, though Jeff Hutchings’ magnificent display of Calanthes failed to attract many buyers. Our own stand of some 90-plus plants was rewarded with 7 AOMs and attractive displays were mounted by Harrogate OS, CANWOS, Hinkley & District OS and East Midlands OS, the latter being awarded Best in Show for a magnificent table of specimen plants including several huge Dendr. thrysiflorums and a magnificent Dendr. griffithianum (below R). Some of the usual suspects manned the Society/Tombola table and your editor was to be seen trundling around in a wheelchair propelled by one of my French grandchildren, two of whom had come over for the day.
The North of England Orchid Society 2018 Newsletter Issue 4
As possibly the oldest Orchid society in the world we exist to promote the cultivation of Orchids, both species and hybrids, and welcome new members so as to help and encourage all who are interested in growing Orchids, however large or small their collection. 5 CANWOS Hinkley & District OS Harrogate OS East Midlands OS Our Society gained 7 Firsts, for, among others, Catt. aurantiaca (David Crook), Lycaste luminosa (Tina Stagg), Phrag humboldtii (Eddie Oates) and Vanda Winnie Red (Reg Harrison) as well as 7 AOMs including Renanthera imschootiana (George Barnes) and Calanthe discolor x tricarinata (Reg Harrison). Catt. aurantiaca Lycaste luminosa Phrag. humboldtii
The North of England Orchid Society 2018 Newsletter Issue 4
As possibly the oldest Orchid society in the world we exist to promote the cultivation of Orchids, both species and hybrids, and welcome new members so as to help and encourage all who are interested in growing Orchids, however large or small their collection. 6 Vanda Winnie Red Renanthera imschootiana Calanthe discolor x tricarinata Among the many specimen plants seen on the other Societies’ stands I was struck by Masdevallia ignea and Zygopetalum Arthur Ellen on the CANWOS display and Oncidium sphacelatum on the Harrogate table. As mentioned above, we were well supported by the trade, despite losses by retirement, emigration etc. Burnham put up their traditional huge display, Lawrence Hobbs, Andrew Bannister (Orchid Alchemy) and Peter White all took stands, as did a new outfit (from Hungary, no less), Spiceotic Plants. As ever we were also supported by our own members, John Keeling, Phoenix and Jeff Hutchings. Malvern Show A very enjoyable weekend was had by all at Malvern. We arrived on Wednesday and started setting up the stand, finishing on Thursday morning. The weather was changeable but mostly dry and sunny. It was hard work mossing the stand up, but in the end, it was well worth it. We did intent to moss the whole stand but we didn't have enough moss so we did the back half of the stand with the moss and the front half as we normally do, also grouping some plants in four baskets. When we had finished we were very pleased and thought it looked better that it would have done if fully mossed, which was also the thoughts of Clare Hermans and Peter White on the Judging Committee when giving feed-back. At the end of the day it is very tiring but I think we all agree that it was worth the effort, resulting as it did in a Gold Medal! There were also four awards of merit, George Barnes for Odontoglossum naevium, Eddie Oats for Paphiopedilum St. Swithen and Renanthera Tom Thumb and myself for Cattleya aurantiaca. Thanks to all the team for their hard work and everyone who loaned the plants.
The North of England Orchid Society 2018 Newsletter Issue 4
As possibly the oldest Orchid society in the world we exist to promote the cultivation of Orchids, both species and hybrids, and welcome new members so as to help and encourage all who are interested in growing Orchids, however large or small their collection. 7 It was nice to see a few members of the Society come to the show for the day and visit us. On Saturday night Lynda and I went to the bar-b-que. There was lots of good tasty food and everyone had a good laugh at the auction. I ended up buying a plant. The evening raised about £1600 for Charity which is fantastic. David Crook Chris Barker writes: Dear all, Many thanks for supporting the Malvern Orchid Show. It felt like the best one that we have ever had in so many ways, the number of visitors through the marquee each day, the amount of sales, with many very happy traders, some great displays, record numbers of plants for the RHS Committee, a record sum of £1600+ raised at the BBQ, the new location was a success, and most important of all, the happy and friendly atmosphere. The dates for the show for next year are the 14th - 16th June 2019. BREXIT may prove to be a nuisance but we are formulating a contingency plan just in case. Thanks again for a trouble-free show and please pass on my thanks to your helpers. Best wishes Chris
The North of England Orchid Society 2018 Newsletter Issue 4
As possibly the oldest Orchid society in the world we exist to promote the cultivation of Orchids, both species and hybrids, and welcome new members so as to help and encourage all who are interested in growing Orchids, however large or small their collection. 8 July Show, Barton Village Hall In splendid summer weather and in full holiday season it was perhaps unsurprising to have a limited attendance at what proved to be a splendid if shortened meeting, the world cup match involving England being due to start at 3pm. In the event the show benches were well filled with many specimen plants, not least in the small species and Vandaceous classes, both won, to his great surprise, by your editor. In fact just two members, Denis Morten and Leon Skorczewski could have put on the display between them, as will become apparent below. Dennis’ Lycaste aromatica won the large species class, Leon’s Anguloa brevilabris coming second, followed by Chris Burrows’ Thunia chinensis and Leon’s Bulbophyllum lobbii. Lycaste aromatica Anguloa brevilabris Bulbophyllum lobbii A couple of nice Cattleyas caught my attention, aclandii and granulosa, shown by David Crook ( R). Thunia chinensis The slippers were well represented, though Dennis Morten’s miniature Paph did not photograph well. Malcolm White showed Phrag. pearcei x Eric Young (L), Eddie Oates putting up Paph. St Swithins (R) and Lady Isobel.
The North of England Orchid Society 2018 Newsletter Issue 4
As possibly the oldest Orchid society in the world we exist to promote the cultivation of Orchids, both species and hybrids, and welcome new members so as to help and encourage all who are interested in growing Orchids, however large or small their collection. 9 Two Pleuothallids with minute flowers taxed my photographic skills, Barbosella australis (Leon S) and Stelis emarginata (K Hemmings), as did my own Neofinettia falcata (now Vanda) with 5 spikes and Lockhartia oerstedii. Barbosell aaustralis Stelis emarginata Neofinettia(Vanda) falcata Lockhartia oerstedii There were good showings of Odonts as well as some interesting species; Encyclia michuacana (K Hemming) Coelogyne barfordense with multiple spikes (M White) and Rhynchostele cochleata (D Morten) Encyclia michuacha Coelogyne barfordense Rhynchostele cochleata
The North of England Orchid Society 2018 Newsletter Issue 4
As possibly the oldest Orchid society in the world we exist to promote the cultivation of Orchids, both species and hybrids, and welcome new members so as to help and encourage all who are interested in growing Orchids, however large or small their collection. 10 Finally, there was a well filled class of Dendrobiums, won by David Crook with Dendrobium subacaule, Leon Skorczewski’s Dendrobium Victoria Regina coming second, Denis Morten’s Dendrobium lamyaiae third and Sheila Yates’ Dendrobium Sweet Dawn fourth. Finally, Denis Morten’s Disa watsonii and Reg Harrison’s Ponerorchis graminifolia caught my eye. Dendrobium subacaule Dendrobium Victoria Regina Dendrobium lamyaiae Dendrobium Sweet Dawn Disa watsonii Ponerorchis graminifolia Editorial note: I apologise for the late production of this edition, occasioned by my enfeebled state. It had to wait for a break in my chemo and partial recovery from poisoning.
