Latest Newsletter Return to Home Page  February & March 2010, Newsletter 302Meetings of the Society are held on the fourth Tuesday of each month (except December), at St John’s Church Hall, St John’s Avenue, Churchdown, Glos., commencing at 7.30 pm.
Chairman: Mike Lambert Tel: Stroud (01453) 764635 or e-mail chairman@cheltenhamorchids.org R.J. Wells, Hon. Secretary, 15 Lapwing Close, Northway, Tewkesbury, Glos., GL20 8TN. Tel: Tewkesbury (01684) 294485 e-mail secretary@cheltenhamorchids.org Web http://www.cheltenhamorchids.org
Recent Meetings In January Janet Plested visited us to talk about ‘Paphiopedilums made easy’, an interesting and well illustrated talk, during which she mentioned using cinnamon powder against rot. A word of caution here, that’s the cinnamon you might use when cooking and not to be confused with any other spices you may have in the cupboard! Editors note…….This reminded me that one of our members, Barbara Glayzer is also a member of the ‘British Paphiopedilum Society’ so if any of you Paph-fanatics want to know more about this society and it’s activities please speak to Barbara. Chairman’s Challenge The solution to my last challenge was the orchid hybrid Pleione Shantung. The answers to the questions are shown below. Don’t forget to add the letters i, a and u! Thanks to those who did have a go!
1. Type of Falcon. (9) Peregine 2. Resting something on your knees with arm like structures. (7) Lapwing 3. These birds are sometimes bold or even golden. (5) Eagle 4. 2 whit 2 who! (3) Owl 5. Messing around in the air. (7) Skylark 6. Will take fish from a garden pond – usually female? (5) Heron 7. Cashew being born (8) Nuthatch 8. After dark in a strong wind. (12) Nightingale 9. After dark container for jam. (8) Nightjar 10. Famous brand of whisky. (6) Grouse 11. Keeping warm in bed without being down. (5) Eider 12. At the cross roads …. left. (4) Tern Now for this editions challenge! Have a go at solving the clues, take the first letter of each answer, re-arrange the letters to give the name of a recent speaker at one of our monthly meetings. All the answers are edible! 1. Common name for Aubergine (3,5) 2. Adam’s favourite Fruit. (5) 3. This variety is for cooking, not drinking (6) 4. Usually red, juicy salad fruit (6) 5. Small citrus fruit found in stockings around Christmas Time (9) 6. A variety of Artichoke (9) 7. We will go if you “allow us” to! (7) 8. Smooth-skinned Peach (9) 9. Spiky fruit often served with a gammon steak (9) 10. Royal variety of potato without the title (6) 11. Bitter lettuce-type salad leaf (6) 12. E.g. 10th January 2008, 25th February 2010, (4)
Please let me have your answers by Friday 16th April 2010 either by email at chairman@cheltenhamorchids.org by telephone 01453 764635, by post to ‘Chairman’s Challenge’, 12 The Beagles, Cashes Green, Stroud, GL5 4SD or handed to me at our next meeting! Good luck! Mike Lambert. An update from Robin Hall following his last item on ‘Keeping Your Greenhouse Warmer in Winter’
In my article on ‘Keeping Your Greenhouse Warmer in Winter’ published in the last newsletter, I mentioned a certain four legged pest that I eventually tracked down and with a piece of cheese managed to catch and dispatch. Well, you never guess what; I found evidence of a second mouse (They say that mice never come singly). I was checking the greenhouse on Friday (1st January) and noticed the bud on a Paphiopedilum was missing. It was Paph. Maudiae and we were looking forward to seeing the plant in flower. We have been enjoying a lot of our Paphiopedilums coming into flower in the last six months and it is our habit that as soon as we see a spike developing we bring the plant forward on the bench for easier observation. As I moved along the bench something caught my eye. I didn’t see what it was but something moved. Time to set the traps again! I also noticed that another Paphiopedilum had been chewed. This time Paph. tranlienianum, a plant purchased at the Bournemouth Show last year. Not only that but the flower of Soph. wittigiana * had been completely eaten. At this point the air turned blue and words were said that I can’t commit to paper! Saturday morning revealed all the cheese I had set on traps had been eaten but no mouse. I reset the traps and we set out to the local supermarket to replenish stocks in case of more bad weather. On returning I checked the traps just in case. There it was a big fat mouse (Well it would have been with my genuine mature Christmas Cheddar). Not only do mice not appear singly, but sometimes in pairs, and if this happens there must be a nest. Sure enough I lifted up a large pot, I think a Phalaenopsis and underneath found the nest, it was beautifully made out of coconut fibre, bark, leaves, polystyrene and cork. There was enough material to fill a 5" pot. All was probably pinched from buckets of compost I keep under the bench.
* Sometimes known as Soph. rosea, it has delicate rose coloured flowers about 2” across, the plant itself is small and this particular one was purchased as a flask of seedlings about four years ago, so to have the plant flower for the first time and then to find the flower eaten, well you can understand the need to catch the little varmint. Robin Hall. Editors note…….My thanks to Robin for this update, we look forward to seeing Soph. wittigiana on the show table next year! Notices Notice of Society's 35th Annual General MeetingTuesday 27th April 2010With reference to the above meeting, members are reminded of Society Rule 4a. This says, "Noticeof propositions for changes in Society Rules shall be forwarded in writing to the Secretary of the Society not less than 21 days prior to the AGM and signed by both the proposer and seconder". An AGM pack will be circulated to members prior to the meeting; this will also contain details of the ‘Members Plant Sale’ which will take place after the AGM. The rules for this sale will be the same as last year and so each plant will require two labels, I am reminding you of this point now so that if you require more labels you will be able to purchase them at the March meeting! (See ‘Items for Sale’ for prices.)
A reminder to the Monthly Table Show Judges/Observers March - Arnold Cleveley, Norman Eacott & Alan Greatwood (Judges) Barbara Glazer & Roy Tustin (Observers). April - Arnold Cleveley, Brenda Eacott & Leon Habgood (Judges), Pauline Fosbury & Shelia Webb (Observers). May – Arnold Cleveley, Diane Hall & Val Rowe (Judges), Liz Gardner & Barbara Glazer (Observers).
If you are due to judge/observe at a monthly meeting and cannot make it, please let Arnold Cleveley know well in advance on Home: 01452 720417 or Mobile: 07940 558253 so that he can make alternative arrangements prior to the meeting. Editors note…….If you are interested in Judging or Observing please let Arnold know, observing gives you the opportunity to ask questions as the plants are judged, the ‘Judges’ don’t bite, well I don’t think they do! And we are still looking for an ‘Assistant Table Show Steward’ for Arnold, with a view to taking over from him in 2011, you do not need to be a Judge/Observer to do this job and the job could be shared by one or more members, if you are interested please contact the Secretary for more details.
And a reminder for those who volunteered to do the refreshmentsMarch – Shelia Webb, Mary Jarrett & Chris Hicks. April – Joan Green, Alan Cursue & Rex Harden. May – Vivienne Cale, Jan Bowden & Richard Cale. If you have volunteered to help with the refreshments and cannot make it please let the Secretary know well in advance.
South West OS Show – Saturday 27th February 2010 We will be exhibiting at the South West OS Show in West Monkton Village Hall, Monkton Heathfield, near Taunton on Saturday 27th February 2010, if you have any plants that you would like to loan the Society for this exhibit please contact one of the following to arrange to drop them off on or before Thursday 25th February 2010: Bob Farmiloe on Stroud (01453) 762366 Leon Habgood on Gloucester (01452) 556040 Tom Price on Gloucester (01452) 421408 Please note you will also need to make arrangements to pick them up again, either at the end of the show or by prior arrangement with one of the above.
We still need a hand at the Cheltenham & District OS Show on Saturday 6th March 2010 As you all know our Annual Show takes place on Saturday 6th March 2010 in Churchdown Community Centre and we still require help in a number of areas, not forgetting your plants. Just remember the more members that help the less we all have to do ensuring that everyone can enjoy the show, and for those that sign up for a job(s) there’s free entry & complimentary drink(s). If you have any plants for the Society Exhibit they can be dropped off at the Community Centre on Friday 5th March between 7 pm and 9 pm. If you are not bringing plants until the morning of the show please ensure they are at the hall by 8.30 am. If you have any plants and are unable to get to the hall during/or by the above times, or any questions about what needs doing, or about the show itself, or you require more ‘Show Posters’ please contact Alan Cursue the Show Secretary on 01452 616387 or email showsec@cheltenhamorchids.org.
Bristol & West of England OS ShowSaturday 27th March 2010We will be exhibiting at the Bristol & West of England OS Show in The Town Hall, Chipping Sodbury, near Bristol on Saturday 27th March 2010, if you have any plants that you would like to loan the Society for this exhibit please contact one of the following to arrange to drop them off on or before Thursday 25th March, perhaps at the Society meeting on the 23rd: Bob Farmiloe on Stroud (01453) 762366 Leon Habgood on Gloucester (01452) 556040 Tom Price on Gloucester (01452) 421408 Please note you will also need to make arrangements to pick them up again, either at the end of the show or by prior arrangement with one of the above. The show will be open to the public between 1100 – 1600 hours. If you would like to help in transporting equipment and plants, and/or setting up our exhibit please make contact with Tom Price on the number above. Cotswold & Malvern Alpine Group Spring ShowEaster Monday 5th April 2010The AGS Cotswold & Malvern Group are holding their spring show and plant sale on Monday 5th April 2010 (Easter Monday), 1200 - 1600 hours at Pershore Horticultural College, Avonbank, Pershore, Worcestershire, WR10 3JP. The Alpine Garden Society Centre and Garden will also be open as will the grounds and plant centre at the college, you could even see some hardy orchids at the show! The AGS Cotswold and Malvern Group are supporting our annual show so the least we can do is support their show. Change to 2010 Society Programme Most members will be aware that at the beginning of the year a fire at Riley’s Nursery caused a considerable amount of damage. In view of this the visit to the nursery planned for Tuesday 22nd June 2010 has been cancelled and we will now meet at St. John’s Church Hall as usual on this date. The good news is that Riley’s plan to have plants in flower again by Christmas and we hope to visit them in May 2011. I know a number of members contacted them following the fire, and publish below an email received by the Chairman from Tim & Marie Riley.
‘Thanks for your
message, Tim and Marie’
Quiet Please! Could we once again ask members not to talk whilst the guest speaker is, or when the table show is being discussed as happened at the January meeting. If you must have a conversation please leave the room and have it outside, otherwise the talk and discussion on the table show is spoiled for everyone else. Editors note…….And mobile phones are just as annoying, please try and make sure they are switched off or on vibrate. Now I’ve mentioned this the first one to ring will probably be mine!
Display Boards The observant among you will know that the Society’s display boards are brought to most meetings and used to display photos of our outings, exhibits at shows and notices. If you have anything you would like to display on the boards (including photos of that orchid that never flowers at the right time for the table show!), please see Alan Cursue at the start of any meeting.
Got a ‘Problem Plant’ or two!For those members who are unaware and have a problem plant, at our monthly meetings there will be a table set aside and marked ‘Problem Plants’, advice regarding any plants on this table will be given before the talk on the ‘Table Show’ plants. If you have a ‘Pest’ problem and want advice can we ask that you bring the ‘Pest’ in a sealed see-through container for advice on how to deal with the little b…….lighters! So if you would like advice you can bring your plant, pest or problem to any monthly meeting or you can seek advice by speaking to a member of the Management Committee, if they can’t answer your question they will know a person who can and introduce you to them.
OS Email Group - Newsletter If you would like to join the Society e-mail group, please send an e-mail to secretary@cheltenhamorchids.org with ‘OS Email Group subscribe’ as the subject. Your details will then be added to the subscriber’s list and you will receive your newsletter and regular updates of information, plant lists etc, which are sent to the secretary in advance of Society meetings. Society Web Site Most of those members with email will already know that we have a web site www.cheltenhamorchids.org if you haven’t had a look already, when you are next online please take a look and let us know what you think. If you have any ideas for improving the content, are having problems accessing the system etc, please let the Secretary know. Editors note…….The website is updated on a regular basis so please check it now and again and keep yourself up to date with what’s going on in the orchid world, and more!
Society Information Files Members are reminded that in place of the mass of leaflets, catalogues etc, which used to be put out on a table at the monthly meetings, they will now find two blue ring binders marked ‘Information File’ and a black one marked ‘Committee Minutes’ which contains approved minutes of Committee, Sub-Committee and BOC meetings. Society Library More members are using the ‘Society Library’ now so could we ask that you only take books out for a maximum of two months before returning them in case other members are waiting to borrow them. If no one is then you can borrow the same book(s) again, a bit like renewing them at your local library.
Dates for your Diary
For a full list of Shows and Events around the country that might be of interest, Members who have internet access can go to www.cheltenhamorchids.org and select ‘Orchid Events Information’ from the left hand menu. On the page that this link opens you will have the choice of ‘Society Events Calendar’ or ‘British Orchid Council’. The ‘Society Events Calendar’ lists all shows/events that I’m aware of throughout the country and includes most events listed on the ‘British Orchid Council’ link. If you know of a show/event that might be of interest to members please let the Secretary know.
Items for Sale
Bark etc.
Fleeces, Polo Shirts and Sweatshirts All available in Bottle green, Navy blue, Royal blue and Burgundy.
These prices are subject to variation from manufacturer. Orders for all above should be placed with Tom Price at a meeting or on 01452 421408.
Editors note…….If you’ve got anything for sale and would like to advertise it in the newsletter please contact the Secretary with details.
Next Meetings
Members Plant Sales at Monthly Meetings If Members wish to bring plants for sale they are welcome to bring them to any meeting where the ‘Guest Speaker’ is not selling plants, if a speaker is bringing plants this will be published in the ‘Next Meetings’ item. At meetings where plants are brought for sale, the plants must have 2 labels with them, 1 giving the name of the plant, and 1 the name of the seller/price. Members are reminded that plants in flower are more likely to sell than plants that aren’t, but if they’re not in flower you could always supply a photograph/picture of what the flowers should look like!
Contributions to the Newsletter are always appreciated. Notices, articles, items for sale etc. for inclusion in the next issue need to arrive with the Secretary by Tuesday 20th April 2010 |