General News
1 August, 2025
BARRY'S CORNER: Orchids
With this handy and long awaited rain there should be a few orchids poppinng up around the bush.
It will be easier to spot because thew grass is struggling to make growth.
In the next few days many of the greenhoods will start to emerge.
There are many types of greenhood they are more subtle than the caladenias without the showy, more colorful flowers.
It is not usual to find them in an open paddock or often in unexpected disturbed soil but I have had a good season now and again with huge numbers of diuris (donkey orchid) growing between acacia plantations.
This is not normal (this section had not seen a plough for some years). It also shows there is no set formula and it screams for more research.
None of them grow too tall and the plant can be quite thin so it can be a while to get your eye in.
There is a big variation with height from ground level to 30cm.
Of course rabbits and livestock will nibble them off. Wallabies keep orchids on the menu.
Orchids can be found across the Wimmera and Mallee and carefull wandering in a patch of bush; sometimes but rarely on a road reserve.
They tend to grow in groups but there are many individuals growing silently in bush reserves, parks and long term bush.
Orchids will sprout in a variety of soil types from clay to light sand and at times only one plant can be found with no others in sight.
The past few seasons have not been particuly good for orchid hunting but these come in cycles.
These delicate plants only display for a few weeks and once there is a variation with weather they quickly disappear, too much sun, heavy rain and it will speed up the decline.
While they last it makes a good time to hone up on your photography skills.
Many a competition has benefited from good photos of orchids.
Anyone with a half decent camera even a smart phone camera can do a good job on small subjects such as orchids.
There is a need to get the lens close to the subject; make a full frame.
However warmer days are just around the corner and this will speed up many growth patterns.
A magnifying glass is always useful in orchid hunting.