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 I first started speaking to orchid societies in the days
when there were just Kodachrome slides and rather unreliable
projectors. I often used two projectors to contrast and compare different
orchids. The advent of digital projectors, PowerPoint and digital cameras has
made the job easier for me, although not necessarily for my partner, Roger, who
does all the technical computer work!
Over the years I have spoken at a number of meetings,
both in Australia and elsewhere, on a wide variety of subjects. I use a PowerPoint
presentation to which I give an individual commentary depending on
the interests of the society or group concerned. I often include some 'tourist'
information when there has been travel associated with a conference or trip to
give a context for the talk.
There are a number of different subjects on which I have
given talks and I am constantly adding to them, both about different places I
have been and as a result of specific requests from orchid societies. Most
talks last about 45 minutes, depending on the questions and discussions which
they generate.
Listed below are some of the talks which I have already
given and can repeat or vary if requested. Bear in mind that I live in Brisbane,
Australia, so may like some help with travelling costs if you are not in this
area.
If your favourite subject isn't here, let me know!
Orchid Conferences
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The 18th World Orchid conference and show
in Dijon in
central France in March 2005. The conference was held in conjunction with the
Florrissimo which takes place in Dijon every four
years. I have talked separately about the show itself, the species orchids
and the Slipper orchids.
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The 19th World Orchid conference and show
held in Miami in
the USA in January 2008. I have talked separately about the show itself and
the species orchids.
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The 10th Asia-Pacific Orchid Show and the 20th
China Orchid Show were held together
in Chongqing in Central China in 2010. First prizes were two small cars and
the only sales were the locals outside selling plants ripped out of the
forests. China is an amazing experience!
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17th Australian Orchid Conference and Show
'Orchids in
Paradise' was the subject of this conference and show held in Port Macquarie
in Northern New South Wales in 2006 with speakers from around the world.
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Orchids around the world
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Terrestrial Orchids of Australia
A brief overview of the many deciduous terrestrial
orchids in our continent and hints on the cultivation of some of them under
south-east Queensland conditions.
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Dendrobiums of Australasia
There are a
number of different genera and species in the Dendrobium alliance, and this
talk analyses the ones that can be found in the Australian region.
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Spectacular West Australia
Springtime in WA
is the best time to see its amazing collection of unique wildflowers, and is
also the time at which they organise their orchid shows and conferences. On
one trip I photographed 60 different orchid species in the wild, many of
which cannot be found anywhere else in the world. WA is also host to one of
the amazing underground orchids.
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Orchids of Niugini
The Niugini Highlands are host to many exotic
orchid species as well as fascinating cultural displays and gatherings.
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A Selection of Aëridinae
Aëridinae are vandaceous
or monopodial orchids that are found
predominantly in the South-East Asian and Australasian
region.
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The Orchids of Borneo and Kota Kinabalu
A trip through northern Borneo looking at orchids
in the wild, some in collections and some of the other species one can
confront if you aren’t careful!
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Orchids in Guatemala
Guatemala has a number of
unique orchid species as well as having others which can be found further
North and South in Central America.
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Orchid conservation in Costa Rica
The country with
the highest proportion of National Parks in the World is host to a wide
variety of native orchids. I also attended the 3rd International Orchid
Conservation Congress and Show there.
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What happened to the Brazilian
Laelias?
DNA work and other analysis has thrown
doubt on the classification of the Brazilian Laelias
and this talk discusses some of the latest developments and name changes.
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Exploring Ecuador,
Exploring Ecuador and Peru
and Slippers in
Ecuador and Peru Yes! there are orchids at Machu Picchu
as well as several other parts of the Andes and the Amazon basin.
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Orchid collections
See behind the scenes at the Kew and Wisley
Botanic Gardens and one of the National Orchid Collections in the UK, the Eric Young
Orchid Foundation in Jersey, the Singapore Botanic Gardens, Kabukiran Orchids in the Philippines, Orchid Zone in the
USA, Ecuagenera in Ecuador and Willy Kentner's
nursery buried in snow in Germany!
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Weird and wonderful species
The World is full
of the most amazing orchids and this talk illustrates some of the more
bizarre and unique species from around the world.
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Other subjects
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Why does my orchid have more than one name?
One of the most
common questions of hobby growers. I talk of the history of naming orchids,
the difficulties of deciding which name to use and the recent changes as a
result of DNA work.
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Cattleya species, Bulbophyllum and its
allies and Oncidium and its
relatives are all talks looking at these various groups, the classifications
of the genera that make them up and the recent DNA work which is suggesting
all sorts of confusing name changes.
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Miniature species - a selection
Some orchid
species have almost the smallest flowers of any plants, but there are also a
number of other orchids which are fascinating miniatures.
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Judging species orchids
and Judging
Pleurothallidinae Talks on the procedures, problems and pitfalls
of judging these kinds of orchids.
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Name that species
is a quiz program asking participants (usually
split into groups) to name a species based on its photo. Fun for Christmas and
other celebrations.
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