Welcome to WOSA
Very little is known about indigenous orchids by the public who are largely unaware that there are over 450 species of which 45 are endemic (only occur in South Africa). Very little research has been carried out regarding ecology, conservation and propagation although a number of species have become extinct and habitat destruction is progressing at an alarming rate. Up until now there has been no attempt to address these issues on a National scale and Provincial legislation and cooperation is fragmented. Only through a focused National integrated effort that engages the public and all roll players will survival of orchids be assured.
- Details
- Written by Brad-Lee Dauth
Third Wild Orchids Conference
Dullstroom 19-21 January 2018
Theme - 'Getting to know our orchids'
Announcing the dates for our third Southern African Wild Orchid Conference.
The weekend starts with an organized tour of the orchids of Long Tom Pass hosted by Lourens and Jolisa Grobler. Details will be advised later.
Once again the Conference will be held at Dunkeld Country Estate in Dullstroom on Saturday 20th January 2018 where, in traditional fashion, we will have many interesting presentations and topics on indigenous orchids.
The Conference starts at 9am on Saturday to allow day delegates who do not want to sleep over, the opportunity to participate in the days' proceedings, and still drive home after the Conference.
On Saturday evening we held the Conference dinner.
We start Sunday morning with 3 workshops where delegates have the opportunity of joining in the discussion groups. We then move onto a guided tour of Verloren Valei Nature Reserve after which delegates can start on their homeward journey.
The popular guidebook ' Flowers of Verloren Valei ' will be on sale and is the ideal companion on a visit to the Reserve.
If you wish to register or obtain more information contact, Ines Neto on. This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
The Conference will take place at the Dunkeld Country Estate on the Torteldoos road, Dullstroom, 19 - 21 January 2018
Click the link below for more information and the Conference Registration form.
WOSA3_CONF_registration_form.pdf
WOSA 3 Press Release Jan 2018
Wild Orchids Southern Africa Conference 3
As we approached the event at the end of January 2018, activity increased amongst orchid lovers to register. We had a record number of 74 registrants of which 2 were International visitors. Ten of these were day visitors. For those with less time to spare the starting time of 9.15 am on Saturday is late enough to allow time to travel to Dullstroom on the day of the Conference and return home afterwards.
The conference started with a Long Tom Pass Field Trip on Friday afternoon which was well attended. Approaching the meeting place just before 12:00 it looked like a bush wedding taking place with all the parked vehicles. Lourens Grobler led the guides and members saw and photographed over 24 species in three different locations close to the parking area.
The Conference got underway on Saturday morning with a long list of interesting topics by leading experts on indigenous orchids. The highlight was the Albertina Sisulu Orchid Workshop in the afternoon. It was attended by four Professors of three universities that are involved in orchid research. Perhaps the highlight is the research being carried out on orchid mycorrhiza which is considered one of the key elements in propagation and relocation of ground Orchids.
Two mini-workshops were held on Sunday morning and registrants were able to interact and gave valuable input. The group then moved out to the Verloren Valei Field Trip under the control of Gerrit van Ede,
From all accounts, the Conference was a success and most instructive and enjoyable. The Conference has become an ‘Event’ which should not be missed. The venue for the next conference will be in the Drakensberg at the end of January 2019.
The proceedings of WOSA3 will be posted on our website in the near future. We will advise when this is complete.
- Details
- Written by Brad-Lee Dauth
Flowers of Verloren Valei Field Guide
Field Guide to the orchids and selected flowers of the Verloren Valei Nature Reserve
A Field guide to the wonderful floral diversity of the Verloren Valei Nature Reserve in Mpumalanga - A RAMSAR Wetland Site. Compiled by Gerrit van Ede whose intimate knowledge of Verloren Valei and its botanical treasures makes this a must have for all lovers of indigenous wild flowers.
- 180 Plants, including 66 orchids comprehensively described with fine colour photographs of each
- Pages colour coded for easy identification
- Order now to ensure that you secure one of these Limited Edition copies
- Available direct from This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. and also from selected Dullstroom destinations
PROCEEDS FROM THE SALE OF THIS GUIDE WILL GO TO FRIENDS OF VERLOREN VALEI TO DEVELOP THE RESERVE
- Details
- Written by Brad-Lee Dauth
Proceedings WOSA 1 Conference 2016
Ever wondered what pollinates the night scented Mystacidiums? South Africa has seven species of the epiphytic (growing on trees) Mystacidium. Some are green and some are white flowered. In their paper on page 79, Nic Venter and Prof Craig Peter explain why different moths pollinate the beautiful orchids with some spectacular photographs of the moths in action. Using state of the art, movement triggered night cameras the secret of the moth pollination is unravelled. Download the
complete proceedings of the WOSA 1 Conference held in Dullstroom in January 2016 and find valuable information and spectacular photos in 11 additional articles and 4 workshop summaries. Register for the WOSA 2017 conference from 20-22 January 2017 and “Get to know our orchids” - next year’s conference theme!
Proceedings WOSA 1 Conference 2016 PDF Download
- Details
- Written by Brad-Lee Dauth
The Birth of a Star
We have been searching for a popular name for one of the most beautiful indigenous orchids which is on the verge of extinction.
Plans are afoot to develop land at Proteadal, bordering the Walter Sisulu National Botanical Gardens, Mogale City (Krugersdorp). The last known viable colony on the planet of Brachycorythis conica subspecies transvaalensis occurs in these hills. If these plans are allowed to go ahead it may put paid to the species.
A campaign is being waged by the Proteadal Conservation Association (PCA) in the HIGH COURT to review the Record of Decision (ROD) by the Gauteng MEC approving the development that is a serious threat to the colony.
In this campaign we need to find a common name that can be pronounced and will be recognized as the rallying point of the campaign.
We have selected the name Albertina Sisulu Orchid, honouring one of the shining stars in our history. This name has been endorsed by the Sisulu family and we have designed this logo from the painting of the flower and plant by botanical artist Daleen Roodt.
- Brachycorythis conica ssp. Transvaalensis by Andrew Hankey
Prepared by Bill Mincher Chairmen WOSA
- Details
- Written by Brad-Lee Dauth
Save Mogale City’s critically endangered Albertina Sisulu Orchid!
A Mogale developer has been given approval to build high density housing on the site of a beautiful, enigmatic and critically endangered Albertina Sisulu Orchid. Mogale residents are outraged.
If the housing development goes ahead, the indigenous Albertina Sisulu Orchid (Brachycorythis conica subsp. Transvaalensis) will be lost for ever.
#AlbertinaSisuluOrchid at #Proteadal. @Proteadal
Read more: Save Mogale City’s critically endangered Albertina Sisulu Orchid!
- Details
- Written by Brad-Lee Dauth
Result of Field Trips during 2nd Conference 2017
Dullstroom
20th and 22nd January 2017
Orchid Hunting on the White Ridge
Notes:
1. Morphologically this cross appears to be between Disa versicolor and Disa rhodantha.
2. The McMurtry et al concept of Eulophia hians "aestivalis" form and Eulophia hians var. nutans is difficult to distinguish at this time of the year. Normally the "aestivalis" form on Verloren Valei flowers earlier and the spikes are short. I decided the plant my group saw was rather E. hians var. nutans, although the colour pointed to the "aestivalis form". Johnson et al would consider the plant as E. hians var. nutans.
Factors affecting flowering of the terrestrial orchids
A number of factors may influence whether a terrestrial orchid will flower or not.
Fire has been recorded as influencing and, in some cases, to be necessary for the flowering of some terrestrial orchids.
Whether the plant is large enough to flower is another factor.
Soil temperature during summer and winter may influence the initiation of flowers.
The past two seasons are of interest. Researching terrestrial orchids is not that easy. I think we should report what we found so that future researchers may benefit from our observations. The climate in the 2015 - 2016 summer was different from other years in that rainfall was considerably less than the average and summer temperatures were quite a bit higher than normal. I think the winter was also warmer than usual. This information should be available from the Reserve Management. Then in 2016 no blocks were burnt. Only the fire-breaks were burnt. The burning of the fire-breaks can be used to some extent, as control, but unfortunately the burning of the fire-breaks occur too early in the season - late autumn (May) or early winter (beginning June). Burning this time of the year may be detrimental to some, especially, later flowering orchids.
The following remarks are relevant in this context.
3. Disa rhodantha habitat is the edge of streams, marshes and wet grassland. Drought may influence the development of the new tuber. It may be too small to support flowering. I visited a number of the localities of D. rhodantha and found very few plants. As the localities are all wet, the lack of fire this season is most likely the reason why only a few plants flowered. However, two colonies were on a fire-break, but in wet grassland. Those colonies did not flower well. The grassland may have been too dry during the drought, affecting the development of tubers in that season. The warmer winter may also have influenced the initiation of flowering.
4. The Disperis wealei colony was a surprise. With over 30 plants in flower in a small area slightly away from its normal habitat - was really something to see. We did not find plants in flower along the Lunsklip River. This may be due to flooding of the river, which could clearly be seen in the grass along the river.
5. Very few of these two species - Satyrium hallackii subsp. ocellatum and Satyrium longicauda - were in flower. However, a lot of flower spikes could be seen. The impression however, is that it will be less than in 2016.
6. Schizochilus zeyheri normally grows along watercourses, marshes and seasonally wet grassland. Few flowering plants were seen in its normal habitat. However, we found a colony in a wet part of a fire-break. The colony was flowering well, indicating the importance of fire.
In summary, understanding the flowering of terrestrial orchids is a complex matter. In some cases dependence on fire could be derived and in other cases fire did not play a role in their flowering. Some species were more affected by the previous season's climate than other species, while others showed little effect.
For more information regarding the preservation of South Africa's wild Orchids or if you would like to get involved please email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or complete this short form Contact Us and we will contact you.