As Arthur said, the problem is going to be availability. There are a few large flowered natives eg Phaius tankervilleae, Phalaenopsis rosenstromii, Dendrobium capitisyork and its hybrids and several Caladenia but you'd be hard pressed getting a florist to find them. As you're in NSW, have you considered Dendrobium speciosum (if it's a spring wedding?) The flowers are only around 1 1/2" but the spikes are sufficiently crammed with flowers to give any other native flower a run for its money. You'd probably need to get in touch with some larger native growers or native orchid nurseries in your area to source them but you may be able to come to an agreement between the florist and the grower. However, it may be very difficult assuring good quality flowers at the right time. If you're looking for native orchid growers or nurseries ask at the nearest ANOS group. Go to the links page of their website: http://www.anos.org.au Personally, as weddings are a string of problems waiting to eventuate, I'd be inclined to forego the native orchids or bend the rules and use readily available exotics to save yourself an additional stress. Sorry for the chary, married-male response. Andrew

They can be like a member of the opposite sex (If you are a Republican, any sex if a Democrat). Attractive, but don't let them rule your life, they can become addicting. I must admit that I am somewhat addicted to native Au Dendrobiums which are hard to come by in the US. Good ones that is. The best you can get in the line of Kingianums for example is 'Pink' or 'red' and that's as far as the description often goes. Like anything else there are awarded ones with fantastic colors available in Australia, same with Delicatums. Most of my friends in my Orchid Society know that a D Delicatum is a cross between a D speciosum and a D kingianum but that's as far as it goes. Obviously a Deli with D speciosum 'Daylight Moon' FCC and D kingianum 'Black Beauty' for parents has a better chance of being an outstanding plant. These are two famous Aussie clones. For the benefit of the US readers let me dispel the belief that these plants are difficult to come by. Just like ordering plants from any American vendor, you can fill your shopping cart at Australian vendors like Australian Native Orchids, Cedarvale or Down Under Native Orchids to name just three, pay for it with Pay Pal or credit card and expect the plants at your doorsteps within 10 days. They take care of all the import paper work. Good sized seedlings are no more than $10.00 add 10% to 20% for transportation and bingo you have 'PRIME' Au Dendrobiums. Very few of my orchid friends know how easy and painless it is. I just unpacked 17 good sized seedlings with primo parents from ANO, average cost per plant, including transportation, was $11. What I like about ANO is that they have good photos of the plants on their web page so even if you only have a superficial knowledge about these plants, at least pictures give you an idea what you are getting. Give it a try. Nick

Thanks all. Temps get down to 40's but briefly for a short time. Arthur, I tried to grow one of those hybrids in NY and I recall I couldn't get it to flower. I think I'll pass on these dends. I'm running out of space. Brooke, thanks for stopping by. I was hoping to hear what you were growing and how well they do in Florida. I think the night temps in January would probably do the trick, but I think I'll just stick with the monster hard canes I have and pass on anymore dends. Nick, I'll try to pass around a basket on the forum. You can get some help by joining a 12-step program. I was wondering where you were... Badanobada, nice to meet you and welcome to the forum! Maybe you can help your your old friend? Jane

Registered name is Dendrobium Australian Cracka. Hoges would say "Maaate, that's a cracka". Excellent shape and lovely vivid colours.