MIRIAM ANN ORCHIDS NEWSLETTER ALAN'S COLUMN ...

MIRIAM ANN ORCHIDS NEWSLETTER
ALAN’S COLUMN FEBRUARY 2012
Well Christmas has been and gone and we are now in the second month of the new year! I hope all
had a fabulous Christmas season. With the New Year now with us a lot of work will now have to
commence. Weeding – fertilising- potting on those overgrown pots which have no room for the
seasons spikes to come through Just go up one size. Seedlings of all genera can go up a size if
needed. Once seedlings have been moved on they will start to grow like a house on fire especially
if they are fertilised weekly with a good fertiliser and a little top dressing like MERRI COTE or
ORGANIC LIFE. DO NOT OVER DO THE TOP DRESSING or disaster will strike ( e.g. with NEUTROG
pellets). Watch for aphids, two spotted mites, scale and dendrobium beetle. More info on their
control in the culture notes.
On a sader note Juergen Heindke the proprieter of El Dorado Orchids passed away in January. El
Dorado was noted for its large collection of Cattleya and Laelia species. Every time we were
holidaying in the Ballina area it was a must to drop in for a look see and drink tea on the verandah.
Our condolences go out to his wife Kay.
NEW INSECTICIDES
Over the years we see many agricultural chemicals released but few are suitable for use on
ornamentals. Bayer have released a new insecticide in a tablet form. The interesting thing about
these tablets is that they also contain a fertiliser! Many generics have been released. The original
was Bayer CONFIDOR. Bayer have released this product under the name of INITIATOR®. The
active constituent is 200g/Kg IMIDACLOPRID. Wat makes it so interesting is that the tablets contain
a fertiliser:
Nitrogen (N) as slow release 3.85%
Nitrogen (N) as Ammonium nitrate 1.75%
Total nitrogen 5.6%
Phosphorus (P) as calcium phosphate 2.6%
Phosphorus (P) as slow release 2.85
Total Phosphorus 5.4%
Potassium (K)Slow release 4.2%
Magnesium (Mg) slow release 1.4%
It is only available in a pack of 300 x 2.5g tablets which equals a 750g pack. At the moment it is
only registered for use on roses, azaleas, palms, shrubs etc. It is a Group 4A insecticide.
NEW PLANT FOOD
A new plant food is ready to hit the market – Yes another one!! This one is called POWER PELLETS
These pellets are about the size of coarse perlite white in colour. The analysis is as follows:-
Nitrogen as organic 3.0%, Phosphorus as organic 1.0% Potassium as organic 2.0%. For best results
the potting media must be kept moist to stimulate microbial activity and also to help release
nutrients that are in the pellets. If used as a top dressing they work best if covered with mulch.
RATES: Pots I am trialing 1 tablespoon per 200ml pot. I will let you know how the plants respond.
If successful MIRIAM ANN will have it for sale .
Well, what should we be doing now?
CATTLEYAS: are now in full growth. I have noticed that their growths are fatter than last year. I
think last year did not agree with the growing of catts. Keep the nutrients up to the plants. Keep
moist. DO NOT OVER WATER or fungal problems could occur. A protective spray with an all
purpose fungicide such as MANCOZEB or BRAVO® could be good insurance against leaf spots.
AGRIFOS 600®, ALIETTE® or FONGARID® could be applied monthly to help control bulb and root
rots. Don’t forget to add MAXWET® to the above at label rate. (not oil). Make sure you apply
sufficient to drench the roots when using chemicals to control root rots.
Keep all eyes open for signs of scale or mealy bug. These may be controlled by the use of ECO
OIL®, ANTI SCALE® or PEST OIL®. DO NOT SPRAY if the temperature is above 27 degrees
celcius. That is 2 days before, while and 2 days after.
Alternate a good soluable fertiliser with a good organic. One could use MERRI FERT and liquid
BLOOD and BONE or maybe a fish concentrate.

Plants not in sheaf or seedlings maybe potted on. After repotting drench with AUXINONE® or
SUPER THRIVE®. Keep shaded for a couple of weeks.
CYMBIDIUMS: are now starting to send up their racemes. Be careful when weeding or you could
knock off this flowers! Look under leaves for signs of Two-spotted mites. If present spray with ECO
OIL®, OMITE® or one of the Neem products. If infestation is very bad, think of an OVICIDE to mix
with your favourite spray APOLLO SC® works very well as a tank mix to help control these pests.
Very little is needed as the rate is only 30ml in 100L of water.
Now is the time to give your plants a good spray with a protective fungicide THIRAM®, BRAVO® or
MANCOZEB could be used. Two sprays 14days apart should help to protect the plants from a fungal
invasion. Don’t forget to add an oil to the fungicide such as SPRAY TECH OIL® or ECO OIL®. .
By the tome you receive this newsletter you could start to repot those tougchy greens and reds.
Seedlings can go up a size. When doing this add a little MERRI COTE in the mix or come ZEOLITES.
Keep plants just moist. Water at sunset. Fertilise weekly with a low nitrogen fertiliser such as
MERRI FERT or PETERS Cal Mag hi K or CAMPBELLS ORCHID SPECIAL (YELLOW).
PHALAENOPSIS are growing well. Repot if necessary. Keep pushing your seedlings. Keep moist
with plenty of air movement with 65% humidity. Watch for leaf spot. A spray with a HYDROGEN
PEROXIDE compound such as HYSAN® or O.T.C. ORCHID HYGEINE and MAINTENANCE SOLUTION
(available from MIRIAM ANN ORCHIDS) works excellent on bacterial rots especially on all large soft
leaved plants such as catts and phals. Fertilise weekly with MERRI FERT ore CAMPBELLS BLUE at
1.3g / litre of water .
NOBLE dendrobiums are now growing well. Give them plenty of air, water and fertiliser. Watch out
for loopers. Use MAVRIK®, SUCCESS®, DIPEL® or BACCHUS® to control these grubs. Black spot
fungus is also a pain. Can be controlled by the use of MANCOZEB every 21 days if the weather is
wet and cool. Add an oil to the MANCOZEB (e.g. ECO OIL®). Fertilise weekly with an organic such
as GROWTH BLOOD and BONE® or a fish compound.
AUSSIE NATIVES are really growing this year. Repot now if necessary. Then drench with
AUXINONE® or SUPERTHRIVE®. This will get the roots moving. Keep plants just moist with plenty
of air and light. Watch for dendrobium beetle. Control with CARBARYL or CONFIDOR®. Last
season many growers had good control with ECO NEEM®. Aphids are also around. Spray with
CONFIDOR® or PIRIMOR®. Use SUCCESS® for grubs.
HARD CANE DENDS. Are now just starting to grow new growths in the Sydney area. I would think
the growths should be well up by now up north. Keep them moving with plenty of light, fertiliser
and moisture. Fertilise weekly with MERRI FERT at 1.5g/litre of water. Watch for dendrobium
beetles and loopers.
MILTONA and INTERGENERICS are growing well down here. Some are in bud, some in flower.
These are great to grow as you can get flowers any time of the year. Keep shaded with plenty of air
movement. Fertilise with light mixture. Half strength would be great. Watch for grubs and aphids.
PAPHS have liked the weather conditions we have been having in Sydney. Most growers have found
their plants have been growing at a great rate. No pests to worry about. Just watch for mealy bug
in the centre of the new growths. MALATHION at label rate seems to clear up the problem. Keep
plants just moist with good air circulation. Fertilise weekly with half strength organic. DO NOT
OVER DO IT. Drench monthly with AGRIFOS 600 to keep growth rot away O.T.C. can also be used.
A SAD STORY BUT TRUE.
Way back in April 2003 we dropped into Dark Star Orchids. Hans suggested that we take an
unnamed cymbidium seedling home. As I was a cymbidium grower he thought I would be able to
flower the seedling very quickly. Over the years I have divided the large plant – grown it in full sun,
shade house, hot house, cold house, tunnel etc. but alas no spikes. It has been divided into small
pots different growing media, over grown pots, but alas still no spike. Here it is 2012, I wonder if we

will see flowers this year. I will keep you informed! I don’t know who will get the greatest shock –
Hans or myself. This could be the year!
MIRIAM’S SHOP
We now have MERRI FERT and MERRI COTE in 500g, 1Kg, 5Kg and 20Kg containers. BASA COTE in
1Kg tubs, Sphagnum moss, Port pots, Labels etc. A range of chemicals always in stock. If not in
stock give us a ring. OTC. (Hydrogen peroxcide + silver ) is now available in 1 litre containers.
Remember, all items mentioned in our notes are usually available. For that hard to get product give
me a ring on 024739 5141 or 0439 514 141 or email.
HORTICULTURAL BOOKS
FLORILEGIUM have recently released their summer 2011 – 2012 plant listing. All forms of plants
are listed including the latest orchid books. Their shop is situated at 65 Derwent St., Glebe N.S.W.
For information regarding a particular book you can phone on 02 9571 8222, Fax 02 8208 9938 or
Email: sales @ florilegium.com.au
While talking about books ORCHIDACEOUS BOOKS stock a large range of new and second hand
books on all horticultural subjects.. For that hard to fund books give Graham Muller (the proprietor)
a ring on 07 41221251 and he will chase it up for your. Email: books@orchidaceousbooks.com.au
THE ORCHADIAN.
If you grow Aussie natives and their hybrids you should subscribe to THE ORCHADIAN. The
December edition is a pearla! Beautiful plates and excellent articles. For further information
regarding subscribing send a letter to A.N.O.S. Inc. P.O. Box 2088 Keperra. Qld 4054. For those
growers who do not have a computer, that the way to go – very reliable – no virus problems!
ORCHID CLASSES are still held on the second Saturday of the month. The next one will be held on
Saturday 11 th February, commencing at 2pm. All welcome. For further particulars give Miriam a
ring. As I have retired our shop will be open most days. Please ring before setting out to see us as
we may be out shopping or at appointments.
Thank you to all of you who wished me a speeding recovery after my recent stint in hospital. As of
now I have recovered around 80%.
NOTE: MIRIAM ANN PRODUCTS are available at TINONEE ORCHIDS
Well all for now. See you all soon
TILL NEXT TIME
GOOD GROWING
ALAN & MIRIAM MERRIMAN
89 Levy Street, GLENBROOK NSW 2773
PHONE 02 4739 5141 FAX 02 4739 8090 MOBILE 0439 5141
EMAIL mirannorchids@pnc.com.au