Question
I missed the NOSSA Spring Show and I was wondering if there was a way of purchasing native orchids – Cym canaliculatum, non-hybrid Sarcochilus, Den falcorostrum, D. ligguiforme & Bulbophyllums mainly, but also any others which will grow in shadehouse conditions in Victor Harbor?
Answer
There are several places where these orchids can be purchased. Sizes vary so suggested you contact the growers. Stick to larger and more established plants if you are a beginner. Most will grow well in Victor with the milder climate. If you get hold of Cym. canaliculatum make sure they are kept dry and under cover from April to October.
Orchids on Newbold, prop. Stephen Stebbing, can be accessed thru the net or better still, Ebay. Only found Bulb. shepherdii on the net last night but I have seen exiguum (I got a piece) but in the way of species Dendrobium he has cucumerinum, pugioniforme, tertagonum, linguiformis, schoeninum, striolatum ( various clones of the species). Has plenty of Sarcochilus but mostly hybrids, would suggest though he would have some of the typical species such as hartmanii, fitzgeraldii. He does have the Cymbidium species such as suave and maddidum but doubtful about canaliculatum.
Fernacres Nursery in Victoria deals will bush salvaged species from logging areas. Mostly sold bare root but has good sized plants for reasonable prices. This will be a better bet for picking up Den. falcorostrum and those mentioned above. They may have cannaliculatum.
The Rock Lily Man (Gerry Walsh) I know was selling sizeable clumps of established bush salvaged falcorostrum recently and should still have a few left. He has fabulous Den. speciosum available but be prepared to pay good dollars for show bench stuff.
Australian Orchid Nursery (Wayne Turville) specialises in natives but has moved a bit more towards Cymbidiums. His mounted plants are first class and I know from time to time he has some of the other Bulbophyllums.
You can always ask them for other species. They don’t always list everything and may have a piece or two of the lesser species lying around that they don’t list.
Most of these growers usually have links to other nurseries so with a bit of homework you can usually always get what you want.
NOSSA 