Message from the President
Welcome back to another year of orchid culture. What a fantastic summer we’ve been having, I do hope your orchids have coped during those very hot, dry days. Alas, the country is back in the red traffic light setting presenting more challenges to the way in which we will have to hold society meetings, judges’ meetings and shows but we will find ways to meet in a safe way so that we don’t miss out on the social aspects of orchid growing. While in the orange setting, I caught up with the South Auckland Orchid Society spending a pleasant afternoon with them in Onewhero. The following weekend NZOS held a sales day at Mt. Albert. It was great seeing everyone again and I noticed a lot of plants being sold. The following day we were plunged back into red so there were a few nervous people, but I think everyone came through it unscathed.
OCNZ has a new Patron. I have great pleasure in announcing the appointment of Roy Neale from the Waitakere Orchid Club to this position. Many of you will know that Roy is a past president of OCNZ and that both he and his wife Lee are great supporters of the New Zealand orchid scene. Roy feels very honoured to have been invited to take up this role and will support OCNZ and orchid societies in any way that he can. Covid permitting, I am sure you will see Roy and Lee out and about during the year.
22nd Australian Orchid Council Conference and Show August 31 – September 4
We have received an update from the Planning Committee which lists their programme of speakers, all from Australia because of the uncertainty of international travellers being able to attend. Speakers include: Professor Kingsley Dixon from Curtin University in WA will present the keynote address on The Past, Present & Future of Australian Orchid Conservation; Dr Marion Davey, president of the Australian Orchid Council, will present 2 talks – Bulbophyllum growing techniques, and the role of species in Vanda breeding; Gary Yong Gee will also present 2 talks – orchids of Madagascar and Phalaenopsis species; Michael Coker will present talks on Paphiopedilums and Phragmipediums; and Roslyn Capell on the use and influence of Den. canaliculatum in Australian native orchid hybridising; Phil Spence will share his knowledge of Latouria Dendrobiums; and Callyn Farrell will focus on the Dendrobium section Rhizobium. Full conference details from the website.
Orchid Council Website
A full set of OCNZ awards for 2021 may be seen here. Congratulations to all. Show dates may be viewed here. Under the Red ‘traffic light’ system, please check dates directly with societies.
Missing Species – Proof of Presence
Glenys has been diligently spending her free time scouring for any New Zealand references of the species contained in the pdf below. Evidence can be in the form of catalogues, society newsletters, show entries, articles written about NZ growers, plant lists, etc. The key thing is they must display a date. Anyone with information should email Glenys.