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Garden Orchids
Rather than trying to cover the huge subject of orchids entirely, on this page the emphasis will be on easy-to-grow orchids suitable for the general landscape (including Australian native orchids). Given the current need for low-water use plants and plants suitable for small gardens and patios etc, it may be time to explore the potential of orchids as ornamental plants for the regular home gardener.
Consider joining your local orchid society for information as well as shows, displays, meetings, outings or plant sales. Please check the bottom of the page for links.
News
Rare orchid flowers for 4th time in 40 years
Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne's specimen Bulbophyllum fletcherianum has recently flowered for only the 4th time since it was collected in Papua New Guinea in the early seventies. The species is also unusual in that its flowers smaell strongly of rotting meat, and it has leaves that grow to almost 1.8 metres long. Source: Rare 'rotting meat' orchid in flower for first time in six years (June 2011)
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Where to buy Orchids
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Some garden centres will carry a limited selection of orchids. For a larger selection look for an orchid nursery in your area, or an online or mail order nursery.
Do you operate such an orchid nursery? Find out more about advertising here.
For the most up-to-date information on opening hours, items in stock, prices etc, be sure to contact the business directly. The following list may include interstate online retailers and mail order suppliers.
A. C. & C. M. STAFFORD
"CharCol" Farm Nursery
Eskdale District, QLD
Mob: 0427 607 275
charcolio@skymesh.com.au
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We hold a permit to propagate native plants for sale, and sell to the public at Esk Markets on Saturday mornings and Crows Nest Market on the first Sunday of every month. Phone or email to check availability and arrange special orders.
Propagated & rescued native orchids: Cymbidium canaliculatum; Dendrobium speciosum (King Orchid), D. gracilicaule, D. monophyllum; Dockrillia brownii, D. linguiformis, D. teretifolia; Sarcochilus
Other natives including: Tree Ferns, Birds Nest Fern, Staghorn & Elkhorn Ferns, Xanthorrhoea glauca (Grass Tree), Grevillea robusta, Toona ciliata, Clerodendrum floribundum, Hardenbergia violacea, Wahlenbergia stricta (Native Bluebell).
We also produce premium quality sifted hardwood charcoal (five grades, two bag sizes) suitable for orchids, bromeliads & general garden use. Buy direct from us.
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More advertisiers needed! As well as orchid nurseries in Qld, mail-order and online suppliers of orchids to Qld may also be listed here. Information for advertisers.
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More Links
The following links are for general information and research - some species or cultivars mentioned in these websites may be unavailable in Australia
Queensland
Orchids Orchids of Lamington National Park
Many clubs and societies list upcoming events in the Events Diary, so why not see what's on in your area?
Australia
International
There are a plethora of websites about orchids on the internet. Just go to your favourite search engine and you'll quickly find plenty of information. Here are few to get you started:
Orchid Arabia Orchids of the Arabian Peninsula. Saudi Aramco World magazine
Species or Groups:
Dendrobium
Cymbidium
Black Orchid Cymbidium canaliculatum, at the Toowoomba Plants blog
Cymbidium canaliculatum (Black orchid, Channel-leaf Cymbidium, Tiger orchid)
Oncidium
Vandas
Others
Older News
Mackay orchid house revamp a success
The success of the Mackay Regional Council Orchid House refurbishment has been demonstrated by a flowering of the rare Tongue Orchid (Bulbophyllum fletcherianum). Tongue-shaped leaves growing to almost 1.8 metres make this New Guinea native one of the world's largest growing orchids, while the short-lived flowers have a colour and aroma that attract blowflies and carrion beetles. The Orchid House in Queens Park, Mackay, also house 675 other orchid varieties. Source: Rare orchid thrives in newly refurbished Orchid House (July 2010)
Cricket identified as orchid pollinator
Researchers trying to discover the pollinator of Angraecum cadetii on the island of Reunion trained a night camera on the orchid and caught a wingless cricket in the act. They say there is a close match between the cricket's head and the flower's nectar-spur opening, and that the cricket's utilisation of nectar might be an adaptation to the scarcity of other insects on the island. Source: First known instance of a cricket as an orchid pollinator captured on film by Kew scientist (January 2010)
Native orchid rediscovered
Two plants of Dwarf Spider-Orchid (Caladenia pumila), have been found in Victoria. This species was last seen in 1926, and was thought to be extinct. In the two months since the discovery, no additional plants have been found. The location of the two known plants is being kept a secret for their protection, but attempts are being made to propagate from them. More information from Victoria's The Department of Sustainability and Environment: 'Lost' orchid re-discovered after 83 years (December 2009)
More to come in future updates.
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