Terrestrial orchids 2015

[Maren]

Steve,

regarding the C. plectrochilum, you might have been disappointed because it was sitting smilingly in my shopping bag. I just had to treat myself after the disappointment with that fraudulent seller we discussed earlier.

[Maggi Young]

Steve,

regarding the C. plectrochilum, you might have been disappointed because it was sitting smilingly in my shopping bag. I just had to treat myself after the disappointment with that fraudulent seller we discussed earlier.

Tee Hee!!

[Tony Willis]

I had the dark leaved form for several years but never managed to flower it.

Dactylorhiza sambucina,somewhat easier

[SteveC2]

Steve,

regarding the C. plectrochilum, you might have been disappointed because it was sitting smilingly in my shopping bag. I just had to treat myself after the disappointment with that fraudulent seller we discussed earlier.

Probably went to a better home!

[Maren]

Steve,
you are most gracious. I hope I can live up to this.

[Anthony Darby]

Just checked the NZ MPI Plants Biosecurity Index and Ophrys is not there, which is a shame, as they would grow well here. Cyps could be imported in flasks with a phytosanitary certificate, but Auckland may be too mild? Interestingly, this from the Nelson Orchid Society shows Ophrys apifera. http://orchidcouncil.co.nz/Newsletters/nos-aug2013.pdf

[Yann]

Orchis simia
O. scolopax  are now at their best

[monocotman]

Anthony,
if you want to try a cyp in Auckland then formosanum ( and maybe japonicum) is reputed to require much less vernalization
than any of the others.
It is also quite good at withstanding summer heat,
Regards,
David

[mark smyth]

Steve Garvie lovely photos. What camera and lens do you use?

[Peter Maguire]

Mark,

Before Steve replies I would add that I suspect that it's not just about the camera and lens. I'm sure that at least 50% of the secret of Steve's excellent pictures is due to the fact that his garden is continually bathed in warm evening light - everyday. 

[fredg]

This year's offering of Neotinea tridentata

[Melvyn Jope]

Fabulous image Fred.

[David Nicholson]

Cracking image Fred. As one who is, and has been for some considerable time   , trying to move from auto settings to manual, could you give an indication please of the settings you used?

[fredg]

This is off Flickr David, hope it helps. What it means is I took a sub £100 camera set it on auto and pressed to focus then clicked  .
I used to do the manual settings and focusing stuff including all the lens changes with my Olympus and Nikon cameras. Not much point any more really. Nowadays I have a slogan ( just made it up 5 seconds ago).
USE A BRIDGE CAMERA, PREVENT THAT HERNIA 

[Steve Garvie]

Cracking plant and image Fred!!'

Steve Garvie lovely photos. What camera and lens do you use?

Mark, I use a Canon 7D with a Canon 100mm IS macro lens handheld.
Whilst good kit makes it easier to get good images it really is all about the light.
Wherever possible I move the plants so that they are in good light whilst the background is in shadow. I shoot in aperture priority to control depth of field which can help the subject stand out.  I shoot raw files and convert them in Breezebrowser using a high chroma setting that mimics Velvia film.

As Peter suggests warm evening light makes a big difference -I have it available here on demand courtesy of the Grangemouth petrochemical complex.