Exotic union creates hardy new Orchid

A new hybrid orchid, Dendrobium ‘Nancy Fairfax’, bred from parents collected in Papua New Guinea and specifically created to withstand Sydney’s climatic conditions, will soon be available for the public to grow.

Botanic Gardens Trust Executive Director, Dr Tim Entwisle said the beautiful flower will be presented to John and Libby Fairfax, who gave the orchid its name in honour of John’s mother Lady (Nancy) Fairfax, a longstanding supporter of the Gardens and other charitable causes.

“The Botanic Gardens has more than 20 new hybrid orchids in cultivation. We’re giving naming rights to people and organisations that contribute over $1 million towards our 2016 bicentenary campaign. In just over five years Sydney’s Royal Botanic Gardens will be 200 years old and we want to celebrate this occasion with some important capital projects,” Dr Entwisle said.

“The generous contribution of John and Libby allowed the Trust to purchase ‘The Jungle’ adjacent to Mount Tomah Botanic Garden in the Blue Mountains and construct the accessible Nancy Fairfax Walk through this rainforest.

“Other gifts to the bicentenary will assist with projects such as the redevelopment of our Tropical Centre, which will be transformed into the ‘Survival Arc’, and children’s gardens on each of the Trust’s estates. Already the State Government has contributed $15.5 million towards PlantBank, the new seed bank facility at Mount Annan Botanic Garden. ”

Phil Spence, creator of the the Nancy Fairfax Dendrobium, said the hybrid is a result of an early 1960s collection trip into Papua New Guinea.

“I collected two orchid species, one from very high country in Papua New Guinea, about 3,000 metres above sea level and frontier territory at the time, the other from the coast,” Mr Spence said.

“The high country orchid, is featured on the PNG flag and called the Dendrobium engae, named after the Enga Province where it’s from. It’s difficult to grow from seed and doesn’t like summer; it enjoys the winter temperatures. Whereas, the coastal species, Dendrobium johnsoniae from the Bulolo Wau Valley is from a very hot steamy area. It’s found on the Kokoda Track and was named after a missionary’s daughter. Unless crossed with another species, Dendrobium johnsoniae would need a warm glasshouse to grow in Sydney.

“I produced Dendrobium ‘Nancy Fairfax ’ by crossing these two species, making a hybrid that is beautiful, with long-lasting flowers and more temperature tolerant. The range of orchids available to grow around Sydney is limited and I’m keen to get greater variety in cultivation. Dendrobium ‘Nancy Fairfax’ flowers in autumn through to late spring, and has a beautiful perfume,” he said.

Mr Spence uses tissue culture to raise large numbers of seedlings, and currently has 5000 of the new orchid. Seeds produced after hand pollination are sewn on seaweed agar infused with nutrients and sugar,” he said.

Dr Entwisle said, “The Royal Botanic Gardens will be donating its royalty back to projects that assist the country of origin, Papua New Guinea.”