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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 in Queensland (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 about Orchids
Mixed Messages From Alluring Orchid
A little-known fact about mosquitoes is that adults of both sexes feed on floral nectar and other plant sugars. Some plants in turn use mosquitoes as pollinators. A Northern Hemisphere orchid called Platanthera obtusata advertises its nectar by emitting an alluring scent. Scientists have found it's a mixture of different odour compounds in exactly the right proportions that does the trick, but some of the components have a repulsive effect in isolation. They also found that one of the repellent chemicals lights up the same parts of the mosquito brain as DEET. An orchid-inspired compound could provide an effective (and better-smelling) alternative for personal insect protection in the future. Source: Mosquitoes are drawn to flowers as much as people - and now scientists know why. (January 2020)
Older news items at bottom of page.Where to buy Orchids in Qld
Some garden centres will carry a limited selection of orchids. For a larger selection look for an orchid specialist in your area, or a mail order or online orchid nursery. Specialists are also likely to stock the pots, baskets, mixes and fertilisers best suited to orchid culture.
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RED FOX ORCHIDS 191 Dances Rd,
Caboolture, Qld
Mob: 0437 937 505
redfoxorchids.com.au |
Red Fox Orchids carries a large range of genera and is always searching the globe for new and interesting varieties for collectors and landscapers. A selection of bromeliads including Tillandsia is also available, plus a growing range of tropical plants suitable for indoors. Buy online and have the highest quality plants and orchid-growing supplies delivered right to your door. Red Fox Orchids staff have developed a packing method that gets plants to their destination quickly and in great condition. The range is constantly changing, so keep an eye on the WEBSITE or send a message if you're looking for something special. You can also arrange an appointment to visit the nursery in person.
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As well as orchid nurseries in Qld, mail-order and online suppliers of orchids to Qld may also be listed here. If you're such a business, learn more: Information for advertisers.
More Online Information
Many clubs and societies list upcoming events in the Events Diary, so why not see what's on in your area?
Older News
Nitrogen and flowering in Phalaenopsis
 The moth orchid cultivar used in the study at a nursery in Taiwan. Photo by Yao-Chien Alex Chang | A study on the use of nitrogen by Phalaenopsis (moth orchid) shows that adequate nitrogen fertilisation is required at all stages of growth for good flowering. The uptake and use of the nutrient throughout the growth cycle was followed by using the N15 isotope. It was found that a substantial amount of nitrogen taken up by the inflorescence was derived from fertiliser applied during flower development, but that some of the nitrogen applied in earlier vegetative growth stages also ended up in the flower spike. Source: Nitrogen source determined significant for inflorescence development in Phalaenopsis (March 2014) |
Night-flowering orchid discovered
The first known night-flowering orchid has been discovered on an island near Papua New Guinea. Even though many other orchids are pollinated by moths, their flowers remain open during the day. In contrast, the flowers of Bulbophyllum nocturnum open after dark and close in the morning. They last only one night. It's pollinator is as yet unknown, but could be a midge. Source: World's first night-flowering orchid is discovered (November 2011)
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 smell 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)
Mackay orchid house revamp a successThe 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)
