Bristol & West of England Orchid Society
Bulletin No. 625
Happy New Year and good Orchid Growing in 2016
A meeting of the Society was held on 12th December 2015 in the Good Shepherd Hall with John Hale taking
the chair and 29 members present. Apologies: Pat Garrett, Larry Lerway, Peter Holl, Karen Millington,
Meredith Tomlinson, and Beryl and Peter Miller.
This was our Christmas meeting and the first thing I must do is to thank all the ladies who provided a
wonderful range of savoury foods and cakes, I think probably the best ever!
As is our custom at the Christmas meeting we had a couple of short talks by members and a fun quiz on a
wide range of orchid matters. First, Peter Bird spoke about the new Society website he, with Walter’s
support, have set up. It is easy to use, the full address is www.bristolorchidsociety.club, but can also be
accessed by just entering bristol orchids. Its primary purpose is to provide information to the outside world
and to attract new members, but it is also very much intended as a facility for members to use, so please do
have a look at it.
The main areas covered in the website: Details of the current year’s programme, how to find and contact us,
photographs of our last annual show and one of a recent table show together with a detailed account of our
most recent meeting. There is also an archive area containing past bulletins. One area which hasn’t got going
yet is the “Cultivation Corner” where we hope to see all kinds of useful tips on culture, pest control etc., but
we do need members to supply material for this. Don’t be put off if you can’t get your contribution typed,
handwritten is fine, we can easily get it typed up for you. Items can be handed either to Peter or to a member
of the committee. Peter is also happy to include any photographs of general interest you might have. The
only qualification is that these are in J-peg format (widely used these days) and that the file be no larger than 1
M/bt.
Our second speaker was Trey Sanders whose subject was “Growing in Baskets”. Pleurothallis remain Trey’s
main interest but he also has a good numbers of masdevalliasand draculas. Many of these come from altitudes
of 1000 – 1400 meters and are mostly cool growing, a few intermediate. Trey grows quite cool down to 7oC
in the winter months. Quite a few species are pendent in habit and suited to growing in baskets which can be
hung at appropriate heights to show the flowers to best advantage. Basket culture is particularly suitable for
draculas as many send their flowers down through the medium.
Trey then gave a demonstration of his “repotting” technique. First disinfect baskets that have been used
before (most will have been as they are quite expensive to purchase, commonly £8 plus). Plants are gently
eased out of their pots trying not to disturb the root ball, placed in the basket and a mixture of about 4/5ths wet
sphagnum moss and 1/5th coarse perlite worked in gently around the root ball. It is never a good idea to water
these types of plants from the top as emerging growths and flower spikes can rot off in as little as 24 hours.
Instead, stand the basket in a tray of rainwater and the moss will soon take up as much water as it can hold.
Weekly spraying is also beneficial. The other advantage to this method is that all orchid roots require air and
that will be available in abundance. Draculas require very high humidity and will only grow in a greenhouse.
Use pure rainwater with only a light feed. Black leaf tips indicate plants have been allowed to get too dry.
To round off Trey produced another of his teaser quizzes which generated a lot of fun with Richard Kellett
emerging as the winner.
Photo Competition – The response to this was rather disappointing with only seven pictures presented.
Members voted and selected Gordon’s stunning red masdevallia as the best print and this has been submitted
to the national completion with four others. We want to get more members involved in this competition so,
during the summer months when the light is better, we are thinking of asking members to bring their cameras
in and take pictures of the table show entries.
Notices:
1. Subscriptions will be due in January - £12. If you would like to set up a standing order to settle these
please give me a ring on the number below and I will send you the simple but necessary form.
2. The second sale of phalaenopsis plants realised £12 for Society funds making a total of £68. Thanks to
Robin for organizing this.
John Hale - 01453 822693
Table Show Results – 12th December 2015 – 13 Exhibits
Judges: Richard Kellett, Ian Parsons, Hywell Griffiths, Arnold Cleveley & Trey Sanders
Observer: Ken Morton
This is a good place to thank Arnold Cleveley for the splendid groups of plants he has brought to the
Society during the year but on a non-competitive basis. His December array was magnificent.
Culture
Merit
Total
Exhibitor
Hybrids:
LC ‘Da Jiao
LC Dinard ‘Blue Heaven’
Potinara ‘Little Love’
BLC ‘Eagle Eye’
BLC Sanyung Ruby ‘Grand Dragon’
Phalaenopsis – unknown
Phalaenopsis – unknown
Paphiopedilum ‘Sukhakulii x Charlesworthii’
Brassia – unknown cross
Phragmipedium – unknown besseae cross
14
14
13
15
13
15
12
13
13
12
18
17
16
14
15
13
16
14
13
14
32
31
29
29
28
28
28
27
26
26
Ken Morton
Ken Morton
Ken Morton
Ken Morton
Ken Morton
Maria Pozsgai
Richard Kellett
Ken Morton
Lilian Dawes
Ken Morton
Species:
Ludisia discolour
Paphiopedilum insigne
Coelogyne speciosa
13
13
12
13
13
14
26
26
26
Maria Pozsgai
Chai Butler
Ronnie Moore
Tea roster: January
February
March
Chai Butler
Gordon Churchill
Bob Farmiloe
John Butler
Rita Cleveley
Nigel Andrews
 View our BWEOS website - - - - www.bristolorchids.club
Next meeting is on Saturday 13 Dec., 2.30 pm, Good Shepherd Hall
Kelvin Bush, one of the most recent growers to

have reached expert status,

will talk on the amazing species of Disa.

These plants need a specialised culture if they

are to blossom well.

Kevin will also have plants for sale.

Then follow judges’ comments on the Table Show

and a discussion of orchid culture.
