Awarded Natives of the Early Years
Recently when good friend Dennis Wood loaned me his copy of ‘The Australian Orchid Council Awards Register: 1964 – 1986 —Nos. 1 to 600’ to research an article that I was writing on Dendrobium Speciosum ‘National White’ I took the opportunity to scan the record for other native orchids that received awards in the early years. I was greatly surprised to discover that of the first 600 awards only 18 were awarded to native orchids.
While the small number of native species and hybrids to receive award recognition may have been a surprise so too was the relatively large variety of species and hybrids across a number of genera
- 4 Sarcochilus species
- 1 Sarcochilus hybrid
- 5 Dendrobium species
- 7 Dendrobium hybrids
- 1 terrestrial species
There was also a large variety of growers achieving these awards. Most growers only appear once or twice on the list with J. Smith being the exception with 3 awards.
Just what this all means I’m not sure. Perhaps in these relatively early years of interest in native orchids there were few specialist native growers. Maybe early attempts at hybridising were struggling in their attempts to to develop quality breeding lines. Possibly growers were not encouraged to put natives up for award consideration. It is also possible that the 18 awards that were given compares very favourably with the level of recognition granted to other genera – I didn’t have the inclination to count all of the other awards!
Regardless of these possible justifications it is surely the case that orchid species and hybrids being grown in their country of origin where a greater availability of genetic material, large areas of suitable environment and a healthy interest in all things native exist there should have been greater recognition of our native orchids. 18 awards out of 600 represents a mere 3 out of every 100 awards granted or 3 awards every 2 years over the first 12 years of AOC awards – I rest my case!
Summary Of AOC Awards to Native Orchids 1964 -1986
Award No. Plant Owner Award Year
159 Den. Bardo Rose ‘Berowra’ R. Kerr HCC 1975
231 Sarco. falcatus ‘Miriam Ann’ A. J. Merriman HCC 1977
296 Den. Bardo Rose ‘Teresa’ C. Brandon HCC 1979
297 Den. speciosum ‘National White’ C. Brandon HCC 1979
298 Den. kingianum ‘Bungan Castle’ E. Webeck AM 1979
299 Sarco. hartmannii ‘Kerri’ J. Williams AM 1979
330 Den. Ku-Ring-Gai ‘Ann Brown’ W. Brown HCC 1980
339 Caladenia catenata ‘Gigantea’ J. Smith HCC 1980
371 Den. striolatum ‘Lesley’ I. Brewster HCC 1981
382 Den b’bum var. superbum ‘Blue Horizon’ J.Mackinney AD 1982
388 Den. Rachelle Simpson ‘Qlander’ S. Hayden HCC 1982
392 Den. Hilda Poxon ‘The Lodge’ Mr & Mrs R. Rankine HCC 1982
425 Sarco. Fitzhart ‘Wollumbin’ B. Simpson HCC 1982
454 Den. falcorostrum ‘Anembo’ E. Gogerly AM 1983
473 Den. Bardo Rose ‘Bronilyn’ J.Smith HCC 1983
492 Den. Hilda Poxon ‘Gold Star’ J. Smith AD 1984
496 Sarco. hartmannii ‘Sylvanvale’ K. Wilson HCC 1984
527 Sarco. hartmannii ‘George’ G. Colthup AM 1985
20 or more years later some of these plants are still seen as winners on show benches or appear as parents in nursery catalogues – they have been good enough to stand the test of time.. but what became of the others?
Neville Roper Sept 2003