30 Members attended the meeting.

The Pleione workshop was postponed and instead there was a short discussion about the Spring Show followed by a presentation from Jon and Sheila about growing orchids indoors.

Spring Show

Next time the Membership Enquiries table would be better sited within the hall, preferably near the Society's display. This could include an advice facility.

Growing orchids indoors

Jon brought a goldfish bowl full of Madagascan miniatures, which are mist-sprayed once per day. A good way to grow orchids in a dry house which normally like high humidity.

Sheila showed several plants grown in glass vases, including Ascocenda and Neofinetia. She half-fills the vases with water, leaves them to 'soak' for an hour and then empties out all the water in winter, but leaves a little in the bottom of the vase during the warmer summer months.

Steve remarked he had successfully grown Odontoglossum alliance and Miltoniopsis on an East facing windowsill in a cat litter tray with Perlag in the base to keep the humidity at around 60 - 70 degrees. Temperature in the mid 60s Fahrenheit. He found it helped to grow them a bit on the dry side in order to acclimatise them to the conditions. Some of these tend to grow long aerial roots which Sheila pointed out can often be persuaded to grow down into the medium with care.

Other plants suggested by Jon and Sheila:

• Angraecum scottianum grows better on a windowsill than in a humid greenhouse as it prefers a drier atmosphere.
• Miniature Lemboglossum suitable for a cool conservatory.
• Dendrobium kingianum - grow on the dry side indoors in winter, preferably in a cool conservatory, at about 48 degrees Fahrenheit minimum. Stand them outside in Summer in a sheltered spot, and water freely.
• Encyclias vitellina and cochleata both do well indoors. Do not feed excessively and give plenty of light.