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Who We Are revisited
My responses to Kye's questions:
--------------------------------------------------------- -- Who am I and What Is My Gender? John Varigos - male of course - wife (Barbara) and two boys who are definitely not interested in growing orchids and who humour me my obsession! Photo over on ABPO. -- Where am I? Where do I grow? I live in an inner suburb of Melbourne, Australia, where the winters are reasonably mild (definitely no snow and a very occassional mild frost) allowing for outdoor growing of cool tolerant orchids but the summers can be a real beast with temperatures on some days over 40°C with less than 10% humidity. Challenging growing conditions. I have a small heated glasshouse [3m X 3m - min 14°C] and a similar size shade house covered in 50% shade cloth. I have finally negotiated with my wife to install a larger glasshouse which will more than double my area under glass. This will be installed in Autumn (March April next year). Can't wait - orchid growers nirvana - more space!! -- What do I grow? I am totally into species and have a mixed collection of about 500 from all continents except Europe and Nth America. I do have a leaning to the African/Madagascan species, Australian epiphytes and Dendrobiums especially New Guinea ones. Since my trip to Sicily and several field trips around Australia, I have also developed an interest in terrestrials and have recently started trying to grow Australian ones. -- The decade of my age? 5rd. -- How long have I been growing orchids? I started growing orchids nearly 30 years ago when my wife took me to an orchid show at a local shopping centre. She still rues the day. -- My biggest orchid accomplishment(s)? Probably getting a Maxillaria sophronitis to flower after 23 years. Bought as a seedling, the plant has grown magnificently such that I now have two mounts covered in growth - but no flowers. Three years ago after many years of frustration I told it (yes I talk to my orchids) that if it didn't flower this year it I would get rid of it. Several weeks later I noticed a splash of red and found a solitary flower. It had met my challenge. Each year since it has had more flowers - just a late maturer I guess. -- Miscellaneous Info... I am a novice orchid photographer and really enjoy looking for orchids in situ. One of my life's highlights was a trip earlier this year with several mates to Borneo. There is nothing like seeing orchids in their native habitat. We are currently planning another trip for 2006, this time to Thailand, Laos and Borneo (can't wait to get back). I am pharmacologist and to pay for my excesses I have worked in the Pharmaceutical industry most of my life. I also have an academic appointment at Monash Uni Dept of Medicine. My area of expertise is coordinating large cardiovascular clinical trials. I also love my one year old chocolate Labrador, Baci. Cheers John -- John Varigos Melbourne, Australia __________________________________________ To email me remove "usenet." from my email address. |
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