PICTURE GALLERY

Soldier beetles
Family cantheridae, species chauliognathus. Can reach large numbers around March. Typically feed on nectar, pollen and other insects. Larvae are typically carnivorous, although a few species feed on plants. Generally not harmful to orchids.

Moisture stress
A crinkled or consertina leaf is not a disease but rather a result of the plant suffering moisture stress at a time when the leaf was forming. The disfiguration, although reducing in severity, will remain until the leaf dies. Note healthy and disfigured leaf of Prosthechea cochleata (syn. Encyclia cochleata)

Mites
Mites, red spotted spider mites et al are almost invisble to the naked eye, but not so the damage they do. Typical damage is a loss of colour in the leaf. Mites mostly live on the underside of the leaf, usually making a fine web. Essential to spray underside of leaves. Picture shows damage to Pterostylus curta.

Scale
There are numerous species of scale. Scale are typically classified as either 'hard' (armoured) or soft (not armoured). Scale insects have sucking mouthparts to feed on the plants sap. The young (nymphs) are highly mobile, but rarely move when they settle on a plant. For minor infestations, can be removed (squashed) by a finger nail. White oil is effective. Picture shows 'cotton' scale (pulvinaria) species on a cymbidium pseudobulb.

Garlic Snail
Although only small, it is surprising the havoc this pest can do to orchid inflorescences and growing tips, especially roots. They hide in open potting mixes, emerging at night to feed. Sometimes called bush snails. Only Baysol® provides some control of this pest and must be scattered liberally, especially on the potting mix. Picture shows a mature garlic snail on a metric ruler.

Angraecum didieri
Flowering period: October - December
Description: Brilliant white flower with spur up to 15cm.
Distribution: Madagascar.
Habitat: Deciduous seasonal forests
Culture: Suitable for pot culture (coarse free draining) but happier on hardwood slab.
Min temp: Ok down to 0C.
Reference:

Cymbidium suave
Flowering period: October - December
Description: Miniature flower, green/yellow, pendulous inflorescence
Distribution: East slopes of the Great Dividing Range and coastal NSW.
Habitat: Coastal lowlands and mountain slopes
Culture: Suitable for pot culture in old hardwood sawdust, well rotted timber or material from tree pipe. Keep well watered.
Min temp: Ok down to 0C.
Reference:

Dendrobium fimbriatum var. oculatum
(syn. Dendrobium paxtonii)
Flowering period: October - December
Description: Pseudobulbs up to 2 metres, becoming pendulous. Inflorescences arise on apical part of leafless stems. Flowers last a week or slightly longer
Distribution: South east Asia.
Habitat: Deciduous seasonal montane forests
Culture: Suitable for pot culture. Alllow to dry out for one or two days at a time during winter.
Min temp: Ok down to 0C.
Reference: Lavarack, Harris, Stocker.

Diplodium Truncatum
Name: Little dumpies, Brittle greenhood
Flowering period: February to July.
Description: Terrestrial. Rosette leaves, inflorescence 50mm to 150mm.
Distribution: Northern NSW to Melbourne, tableland and slopes of Dividing Range.
Habitat: Open forest, scrubland and grassland.
Culture: Suitable for pot culture.
Min temp: Not a constraint
Reference:Jones. Orchid photoed in parkland in Queanbeyan.

Dockrillia striolata
Synonym: Den. tetragonum var. giganteum
Common name: Streaked rock orchid
Name: striolatum meaning with fine stria (stripes):
Flowering period: September to December.
Distribution: NE coast Tasmania to Hunter River (NSW).
Habitat: On rocks, rarely on trees; on the ranges, rarely on the coast, frequently on very exposed places.
Culture: Tightly tied to cork slabs or hardwood blocks best. Plenty of water during hotest months, mist at dusk. Just moist in winter.
Min temp: 1°C
Reference: Upton

Dockrillia cucumerina
Common name: Cucumber or gherkin orchid after shape of leaves
Flowering period: Summer
Distribution: Qld and NSW coastal to eastern ranges.
Habitat: On large trees beside streams.
Culture: Tightly tied to cork slabs or hardwood blocks best. Plenty of water during hotest months, mist at dusk. Just moist in winter.
Min temp: 1°C
Reference: Jones

Gomesa recurva
Flowering period: Summer
Distribution: Brazil.
Habitat: Epiphytic or lithophytic.
Culture: Mounted or in pots with well draining mixture. High humidity and ample water
Min temp: frost point
Reference: Botanica

Maxillaria sanguinolenta
Description: Distinctive dark burgundy lip. Inflorescence about 10 cm long, each with single flower which hides below the foliage. Flowers about 4 cm wide. Flowering period: most of year. Cultivation: Pot in well drained mix or mount.

Miltonia clowesii
Description: Raceme up to 60 cm long, bearing 5 to 10 flowers, each about 8 cm long.
Flowering period: Autumn.
Cultivation: Grows happily in pot but tends to ramble.

Oncidium Incurvum
Flowering period: March to May.
Description: Erect to arching inflorescence to 1.6 m. Flowers about 2.5 cm wide, fragrant.
Distribution: Mexico.
Habitat: na
Culture: Suitable for pot culture.
Min temp: na
Reference:

Stanhopea nigroviolacea
Flowering period: December to February.
Description: Pendulous inflorescence with up to 3 flowers. Flowers up to 20 cm wide, very fragrant. Leaves leathery
Distribution: Mexico.
Habitat: na
Culture: Hanging basket.
Min temp: frost point
Reference:

Tetrabaculum capitisyork
(syn. Den. tetragonum var. giganteum) Description: Distinctive four sided pseudobulbs. Flowering period: spring. Cultivation: Best grown on trees, but in Canberra's winter is happy on a slab or in pot with open bark media.