Steve Howard’s October Australian Epiphytes and Terrestrials Orchids Cultural Notes for Adelaide’s conditions.
Epiphytes
- October sees many native epiphytes finish flowering and shortly it will be the best time for potting on and division as new growths are due shortly. The earlier you start, the more time the orchid has a chance to initiate new growth and mature it in time for next years flowering.
- Remove spent flowers as leaving them on the plant in wet and humid conditions leads to rot caused by botryitis.
- Be aware that aphids are in big numbers now and will cause grief to flowers and new growths.
- Malathion at 1 ml/ litre of water will knock them out.
- Repeat fortnightly for 6 weeks to break the breeding cycle.
- Apply lime to plants grown in bark to counteract acidity.
Terrestrials
- Most terrestrials nearing completion of the season.
- Start drying off once leaves start yellowing. Keep water up to those staying green.
- Additional shade helps now as suns intensity increases
NOSSA 