Judging was done yesterday morning at the Tauranga Orchid Show with thanks to all the judges who came and participated, some of them from as far as Auckland and Waikato. Then as a sort of ceremonial end to the 2-day show, the trophies were presented yesterday afternoon.
Congratulations to all the winners and our society’s grateful thanks to all the growers who displayed their beautiful flowering orchids to make this one-off May show a delightful destination for visitors. A special thanks to the club members who volunteered during the show to help make it happen and those who were in the ‘set-up’ and ‘clean-up’ gangs. None of it would be possible without our willing club members.
Thomas Brown (right) of the Whangarei Orchid Society receives the Alec Roy Cup for Best Cymbidium from Tauranga Orchid Society president Conrad Coenen. The winning orchid was the species Cymbidium erythrostylum, native to Vietnam. Photo: Sandra Simpson
Tania Langen of Ninox Orchids accepts the trophy for Best Australian Dendrobium, won by their plant on Whangarei stand, Den. bigibbum, also known as the Cooktown orchid and the floral emblem of Queensland. Photo: Sandra Simpson
Lee and Roy Neale of Leroy Orchids retained the Brian Enticott Cup for Best Cattleya, this time with Rhyncholaeliocattleya Village Chief North ‘Green Genius’. Photo: Sandra Simpson
Receiving the Barry Curtis Bowl for Best Oncidiinae on behalf of the absent Cliff Goodchild is Faye Driprose, secretary of the BOP Orchid Society. Photo: Sandra Simpson
Ute Rank, who had bought her multi-stemmed Gomesa crispa all the way from Taranaki, was delighted to win the Natalie Simmonds Trophy for Best Specimen Plant. Photo: Sandra Simpson
Equally delighted with winning Reserve Champion with Bulbophyllum rothschildianum ‘dark’ x self was Hubert Muisers of Ninox Orchids. Photo: Sandra Simpson
Chris Whitby from Hawkes Bay took home two trophies – Best Paphiopediulm and Grand Champion. Here, he is presented with the Grand Champion tray by Conrad Coenen. Photo: Sandra Simpson
Grand Champion and Best Paphiopedilum of the 2023 show is a big flower with a big name! Paphiopedilum (Junko’s Melody x armeniacum) ‘Golden Smile’ x Nori’s Song ‘Golden’. Grown by Chris Whitby of Hawkes Bay.
Reserve Champion was this multi-flowered Bulbophyllum rothschildianum ‘dark’ x self, grown by Ninox Orchids of Whangarei. Photo: Sandra Simpson
Is alive and well at the Tauranga Orchid Show – heaps of flowering plants on display, plants of all sorts for sale, great food from the cafe, what more could we want?
The show is being held at this different time of the year, just for this year, to accommodate a Taurangs display at the National Orchid Expo at Mystery Creek in September, part of the Orchids & More event. Having a show in a completely different season means there are orchids on display that will likely be new to visitors. Come and see for yourself! Or, better yet, give mum an early Mother’s Day present and bring her along tomorrow (May 6), our last day.
Central to the Tauranga society display is this scale model of the Eiffel Tower. Photo: Sandra Simpson
One of the so-called monkey-face orchids is Dracula gigas, which has come all the way from Whangarei for the show. Photo: Sandra Simpson
Habenaria carnea x rhodochela is being shown by Anjo McKernan of Auckland. Photo: Sandra Simpson
Odontocidium Papatoetoe Prophet was registered in 2009 by the late Alf Day of Auckland. Photo: Sandra Simpson
A splash of colour on the Leroy Orchids stand from Cattlianthe Aussie Sunset x Leroy’s Sunset. Photo: Sandra Simpson
A few members of the vast orchid family – the ‘jewel orchids’ are grown primarily for their foliage. This bowl on the Tauranga stand shows a few different types. Photo: Sandra Simpson
Nice buzz in the hall on both days of the BOP Orchid Show in Te Puke with one of the organisers calling it ‘nice and chatty’ with people of all ages attending to enjoy the several displays of flowering orchids, orchids and other plants and growing gear for sale, and a sensational cafe.
Doing justice to the colour of the flowers with a camera was difficult. An eye-catching intense, dark purple all over, more like the flowers at the bottom than at the top. Photo: Sandra Simpson
The orchid’s roots are about 1m long. Photo: Sandra Simpson
Grand Champion was Vanda Pat Delight x Katsuura, which has also been nominated for an OCNZ award, grown by Ninox Orchids of Whangarei. Owners Hubert Muisers and Tania Langen said it was an absolute mission to get the plant to Te Puke and it was displayed on a piece of reinforcing rod to accommodate its long, trailing roots.
“We almost didn’t bring it,” Tania said, “but it’s at its best so Hubert screwed the rod it’s tied to on to a shelf in the van and we wrapped the flowers with batting to protect them.”
They’ve owned the plant for 10 years-plus and estimate that it’s a 15-year-old plant. They plan to register the cross as Vanda Midnight Blue with the varietal name of ‘Ruru’ – the name of their business is the first part of the scientific name for the morepork, Ninox novaeseelandiae, with ruru being the Maori name for the little owl.
Phalaenopsis ‘White Witch’, cascaded from the top of the BOP Orchid Society stand, and came complete with a preying mantis on top. Photo: Sandra Simpson
Reserve Champion was Phalaenopsis ‘White Witch’ CCC/OCNZ grown by Diane Hintz of the BOP Orchid Society, which topped the club’s display.
She’s owned the plant for a long time and says it’s generally in flower for 6-8 months at a time. This flowering started before Christmas and, believe it or not, is all off one stem. Diane thinks the flowers may have lasted so well because of the unusually cool summer we’ve had.
When it won its OCNZ cultural award she joked that she wanted to call it a word that rhymes with witch because it’s so difficult to transport.
“One flower got bent bringing it here and I was thrilled that that was all the damage. It’s just about impossible to get it in and out of the car.”
The other big excitement at the show was the news from Lee Neale of Leroy Orchids who, in the process of registering a cross with the RHS, was delighted to learn that Rth. Leroy’s Star x Pcv. Key Lime Stars has been honoured with the new hybrid grex of Nealeara (Nlr) and the plant named as Nealeara Seeing Stars. How many people have a grex named after them? The organisers of Orchids & More are thrilled to have two of this elite club attending – Fred Clarke (Fredclarkeara) and Lee and Roy Neale.
A closer look at Nealeara Seeing Stars ‘Triumph’, 2 years from the flask and with 3 flowers on one spike. Lee has already seen a green flower on another Seeing Stars seedling and hopes there will be a pink one too. Photo: Sandra Simpson
People flooded through the doors of this year’s Tauranga Orchid Show, a wonderful sight for the organising team who no doubt breathed a sigh of relief . Plant sales tables were stripped bare over the course of the two days, which means everyone is happy – purchasers and the out-of-town vendors, some of whom had travelled from Whangarei and Auckland to be with us.
There was a happy buzz in the room, the sort that happens when old friends get together again after a while apart. Food 101 ran a great little cafe during the show and the Racecourse venue was great, as always. Visitors this year though turned left instead of right to find the show and the new room, which is shaped differently to the other, gave the display a fresh look.
Grand Champion orchid was Paphiopedilum Fleuret Isles, grown by Cliff Goodchild, president of the BOP Orchid Society. This plant also won Best Paphiopedilum and Best Specimen Plant. Photo: Sandra Simpson
Reserve Champion was Dendrobium Fortune Lady ‘Muse’ shown by Ninox Orchids of Whangarei. Photo: Sandra Simpson
Tania Langen of Ninox Orchids receives the Reserve Champion trophy from Tauranga Orchid Society president Conrad Coenen. Photo: Sandra Simpson
Best Cymbidium was Cym. Fury Land ‘Fortius’ grown by Ninox Orchids.
There were several new trophies awarded this year and the club was delighted that Susan Enticott, daughter of our late Life Member Brian Enticott was able to come and present the cup donated in Brian’s name.
Susan Enticott (left) with Lee Neale, grower of Laelia jongheana ‘Heart’s Desire’, winner of the Brian Enticott Cup for Best Cattleya. Photo: Sandra Simpson
Odontoglossum Anna-Claire, grown by Trevor and Pam Signal of the Tauranga society, won the new Barry Curtis bowl for Best Oncidiinae plant. Photo: Sandra Simpson
Jo Dawkins (left) and Deborah Parkinson admire Dendrobium Limelight, grown by Cliff Goodchild, winner of the new Best Australian Dendrobium trophy. Photo: Sandra Simpson
Not many orchid genus names begin with the letter ‘F’ and the ones that do are all man-made! Here is what the American Orchid Society has to say about these types of plant:
One unique feature of orchids is the viability of hybrids not only between species, but between related genera. Traditionally, one of the definitions of a species is that it is reproductively isolated from its closest relatives … [humans and chimpanzees] Because the orchid family is so recently evolved, physiological barriers to interspecific (between species) and intergeneric (between genera) hybrids are not well developed; seasonal, geographic and pollinator barriers suffice.
Perhaps as much because early orchid growers had not learned what constituted a valid species or genus as from a spirit of adventure, it was seen more than 100 years ago that hybridizing within the orchid family did not follow the same rules as in other groups of flowering plants.
Here in Tauranga we don’t often see an orchid genus beginning with ‘F’, perhaps the most likely would be a Fredclarkeara, created and registered by Fred Clarke of Sunset Valley Orchids in Santa Barbara, California. It is a cross between Catasetum x Clowesia x Mormodes and is a deciduous orchid.
Upon its introduction in 2002 Fdk. After Dark ‘SVO Black Pearl’ garnered much attention as it has almost- black flowers. Go here to read more and see several different forms of Fdk. After Dark.
Fredclarkeara After Dark ‘Leroy’ photographed at the 2018 Waitakare Orchid Society Show. The plant, owned by Lee and Roy Neale, won a Certificate of Cultural Commendation and an Award of Merit, as well as the Cultural Award of the Year from the Orchid Council of NZ. Photo: Sandra Simpson
This article has been put together from a talk Lee Neale (Leroy Orchids) gave at the 2019 National Orchid Expo and an article written in about 2005 by Jim Freeman of the Manhattan Orchid Society in New York.
Latouria dendrobiums – prolific flowering plants that come in a variety of colours with long-lasting flowers that can have dots, stripes, and bars – come from New Guinea, The Philippines, part of Indonesia, Melanesia (New Caledonia, Vanuatu, Solomon Islands and Fiji) and Australia. Fifty-three species have been identified (45 in New Guinea alone) but there could be up to 100.
Dendrobium Roy Tokunaga ‘Big Boy’. Photo: Sandra Simpson
In their native habitat the various Latouria species can be found from sea level up to about 3,800m, but they all get year-round rainfall, something to remember when we grow them. They are epiphytic plants, vigorous growers and tolerant to extremes in temperature.
Discovered by Blume in 1850, the genus was named for French botanist Leschenault de la Tour (1773−1826) and reclassified into Dendrobiums in 1855. However, Latouria orchids didn’t seriously catch the eye of hybridisers until the 1980s and 1990s. What makes them attractive to the hobby grower?
They flower quickly from the flask
The flowers last for months (6 months is not uncommon)
They flower easily and often more than once a year
Mature plants produce multiple stems per pseudobulb
They flower from the same pseudobulb for years
The plants are largely disease free
There are miniature and intermediate types available.
What are the down sides? Larger plants have tall, narrow pseudobulbs that can make for ungainly plants that tip over easily (but we already have plants like that, don’t we?) and flowers can be hidden under the top leaves or droop their heads on the stem. These shortcomings are being addressed by both line-breeding of species and hybridising, while the drooping flower issue can be countered by planting in a hanging basket.
Roy Tokunaga, of H & R Orchids in Hawaii, is one of the world’s top Latouria breeders. Leroy Orchids has imported many flasks from Roy and visited his business in Hawaii.
In Auckland conditions, which aren’t too dissimilar to those of Tauranga, Lee finds the plants don’t take a winter rest, although need less water then than in summer.
Dendrobium Lutin Blanc. Photo: Sandra Simpson
She pots them using a bit of fern fibre/sphagnum to help retain water, mixed with No 2 or No 3 bark and, to sharpen drainage, some pumice. The plants, which have fine roots, are fertilised with each watering and receive a feed of calcium once a month (Lee believes monthly calcium helps her plants grow more strongly). They need constant air movement and protection from direct sunlight, although like a good level of light. Lee repots when the new growths reach the side of the pot, moving the plant up just one size of pot.
If you have a top-heavy plant consider using a terracotta pot to help ‘anchor it’ but be aware that you’ll need to water it more often in summer.
Latouria Species and Hybrids
Possibly the most popular species for modern hybridising is Den. atroviolaceum; it’s compact, has purple-spotted white flowers that are large for the size of the plant, grows easily and can remain in bloom for up to 6 months. A pretty plant in its own right, it is the parent of a number of well-known hybrids such as Andree Millar, Roy Tokunaga and Wonder Nishii.
Den. aberrans is a true mini with pseudobulbs only a few inches tall. From the tips sprout little white flowers, blush pink around the labellum; they last and last and last — some claim up to 9 months! Its primary hybrids, Maiden Charlotte, Mini Snowflake, Micro Chip and Lutin Blanc, are near-perfect windowsill orchids, being under 15cm high.
Den. alexanderae has red-spotted twisted petals and a red-veined dagger-shaped lip and is one of the taller-growing species, but its size can be controlled in hybrids such as Green Elf and Spider Lily. It also has a warm, honey-like scent that may be passed on to its progeny!
Den. convolutum is the best-known warm-growing, green-flowered species. It stands about a 30cm high, can flower any time during the year, and the flowers typically last up to 6 months. Combined with Den. atroviolaceum it produces Andree Millar, and with Den. aberrans makes Aussie’s Pixie. Other well-known hybrids include Gerald McCraith, Green Elf and Key Lime.
Den. johnsoniae may be the most gorgeous Latouria: Its large white flowers have upswept petals and sepals like wings, and red lines in the lip. These qualities have earned it awards as a straight species, unusual for a Latouria. It’s a parent of such distinguished hybrids as Roy Tokunaga and Stephen Batchelor. Its flowers also last for months and can occur in any season.
A botanical illustration of Dendrobium macrophyllum by Walter Hood Fitch (1817-1892) that appeared in Curtis’s Botanical Magazine in 1867. Image: Wikimedia Commons
Den. macrophyllum has a wide native habitat which means it grows well in a variety of conditions. It’s one of the tallest, with pseudobulbs over 60cm high. Flower count is up to 25 per spike, and its green-to-yellow flowers have a good size and shape. It was parent to many early Latouria hybrids, such as New Guinea, Nellie, and Caprice.
Den. rhodostictum is another compact gem similar to Den. johnsoniae in size and looks: its white flowers have purple spots on the lip margins and are held above the foliage, they may have a light fragrance. Roy Tokunaga liked it so much he named one of its primary hybrids Nora Tokunaga after his wife; it’s also the other half of the popular Maiden Charlotte.
Den spectabile: Hillwood Gardens, Washington, DC. Photo: David J. Stang, via Wikimedia
Den. spectabile has bizarrely corkscrewed petals and sepals, yellow-green with heavy maroon spotting. It has a strong, sweet fragrance, rare in this group. It grows upwards of 60cm tall, with spikes rising up above the leaves. As a parent, it adds drama to hybrids like Adara Nishii and Woodlawn.
Congratulations to Tauranga Orchid Society member Craig Parsons and his huge orchid – Grand Champion of the 2019 Tauranga Orchid Show – who have now won the Orchid Council of New Zealand’s Cultural Award for 2019.
Dendrobium nobile ‘Traveller’ at the 2019 Tauranga Orchid Show. Photo: Sandra Simpson
This means Craig is able to give his plant an official name and he’s chosen Dendrobium nobile ‘Traveller’ to mark the daunting task he had in moving his tree-grown outdoor plant to and from the show.
‘Traveller’ was awarded 95 points by OCNZ judges and received a Certificate of Cultural Excellence. In announcing the Orchids of the Year for 2019, the council also gave Special Merit Awards for Culture to Phragmipedium Grande ‘Jacqui’s Dream’ (93.14), grown by Thomas Petrie; and Dendrobium thyrsiflorum ‘Datter’ (90.52), grown by Leroy Orchids.
2019 Orchids of the Year
Orchid of the Year: Phragmipedium Grande ‘Jacqui’s Dream’, FCC 92.79, Thomas Petrie (also Grand Champion at the National Orchid Expo). Cymbidium of the Year: Cym. Memoria Norm Porter ‘Redvale’, AM 82.78, R & S Tucker. Species of the Year: Paphiopedilum lowii ‘Katipo’, AM 83.30, Jason Strong (Reserve Champion at the Expo).
Phragmipedium Grande ‘Jacqui’s Dream’, New Zealand’s Orchid of the Year 2019, is grown by Thomas Petrie of Hawke’s Bay. Photo: Sandra Simpson
All these plants will feature in the 2020 Yearbook, available from about June.
A beautiful couple of days in New Plymouth for the weekend’s show – and the views of Mt Taranaki were gorgeous, both during the day and at sunset (not a given that the mountain will reveal itself in all its glory). I hope you enjoy some photos of the beautiful blooms on show.
Grand champion was Miltonia Andrea West ‘Wild, Wild West’, grown by Aaron Gibson of Waitara. Photo: Sandra Simpson
Reserve Champion was Rlc Stippled Sunset ‘Sundown’, grown by Leroy Orchids of Auckland. Photo: Sandra Simpson
Another Australian orchid is Dockrillia wassellii ‘Ivory Shower’. In the wild, the plants are found only on the Cape York Peninsula. Read more here. Photo: Sandra Simpson
Chysis tricostata is from Central America. Photo: Sandra Simpson
This striking mass of colour is Odontoglossum splendidum (registered 1907) x Odontioda Bradshawiae (registered in 1903). Photo: Sandra Simpson
Bulbophyllum thiurum is native to lowland swamp forests in Malaysia and is likely extinct in the wild. It was only identified in 2005. The intriguing, and brightly coloured, flower is tiny! Photo: Sandra Simpson
Bulb. pecten-veneris, found in China, Hong Kong, Vietnam, Laos and Thailand, has tiny green flowers and is also known as Bulb. flaviflorum. Photo: Sandra Simpson
This unnamed mini Phalaenopsis was gathering a lot of attention for its cascades of dark, almost black, flowers. Unfortunately, it has photographed with much more ‘red’ than the eye saw. Photo: Sandra Simpson
Stenoglottis woodii is a ground orchid native to South Africa. Read more here. Photo: Sandra Simpson
Maxillaria coguniauxiana var longifolia is native to Brazil. The idea of tilting the pot to show off the flowers was clever – Promenaea were also displayed like this. Photo: Sandra Simpson
If today’s wet weather put you off from venturing out, here’s a little photo teaser from the Tauranga Orchid Show to tempt you to visit tomorrow or Sunday – open 10am-4pm at Tauranga Racecourse, $3 entry (under-12 free). Champion plants will be chosen tomorrow.
The kokedama (Japanese moss ball) demonstrations at 11am and 2pm have proved popular and lots of happy buyers left with a kokedama orchid. See you there!
Cattleya Fire Magic ‘Solar Flare’ is grown by Diane Hintz of Te Puke. Photo: Sandra Simpson
Laelia superbiens (formerly a Schomburgkia) is displayed on the Whangarei Orchid Society stand. The plant has large ‘puffball’ flower heads on long, thin canes. As tall as me! Photo: Sandra Simpson
Sarcochilus weinthalli, grown by Patricia Hutchins of Sunvale Orchids in Gisborne, is an Australian native species. Photo: Sandra Simpson
A Miltoniopsis (pansy orchid) displayed by Ninox Orchids, Whangarei. Photo: Sandra Simpson
Rhyncholaeliocattleya Village Chief North ‘Green Genius’ is grown by Lee and Roy Neale of Leroy Orchids, Auckland. Photo: Sandra Simpson
Tauranga Orchid Society 