Random orchids from Peru, don't know what to do!

[Ron-NY]

Wow, thanks a bunch for all the information, that is very helpful and exciting. Excellent timing too as I was just about to start on the potting. I think I will go with the moss for most on your suggestion. I also have some fine coco mix that has worked well with fine root plants that like even moisture that is tempting to try.

I knew I had read of someone going there from the board and now recall you mentioning it when you posted a few of your plants. I didn't get the location as he was running around trying to deal with a much larger pile of plants, but it sounded rather similar to your experience. He mentioned that it was very remote and rather sketchy.

Right now I am considering if I should use a bottle cap or a teaspoon scoop to put the littlest one in.

The little ones that I brought home.
, I made a compot of them with them all growing together...as they are getting bigger and blooming, I have been removing them and potting them up seperately.

[0rch1dman]

I am a little confused about how you got these. Do you know a collector that brought them from Peru or did you order them from Peru and they were mailed to you? How do I get on that program??? Trying to identify these plants would be great fun!!!

[mycologist]

Phew, all done finally.

The little ones that I brought home.
, I made a compot of them with them all growing together...as they are getting bigger and blooming, I have been removing them and potting them up seperately.

Very good then, that is what I had settled on too. I think the Comprettia spike may still be active but I need to put a lens on it to see what is going on.

I am a little confused about how you got these. Do you know a collector that brought them from Peru or did you order them from Peru and they were mailed to you? How do I get on that program??? Trying to identify these plants would be great fun!!!

I'm still a little confused myself actually, but here is the story. The collector volunteers at our university greenhouse. He has a lot of cool plants (mostly into ferns) there and it is good for the students to be exposed to them so he gets to use some space. I chatted with him at the greenhouse a couple of times over the last year and he knew I was into orchids (and on the committee that oversees the greenhouse).

Then the other day I decided to get some coffee on campus and ran into him fresh off his trip. He mentioned that he had a bunch of duplicates and offered me a few. Ostensibly it was an organized trip with permits as I know they came through the USDA inspection at customs and many of the collections were going to a major botanical garden.

I'm still asking myself how it is possible to get any luckier!

[dsm]

How exciting! It will be very interesting to watch them grow.

[padams2359]

I would like to meet that guy. I would be happy to try saving those guys.

[Becky15349]

Wow, this is definitely one of the coolest member experiences I've read about on this forum!! Those plants you received are so valuable...how many of us can say that we have plants than literally came straight from a jungle in Peru? Too cool!! All I can say is, I'm glad they are in good hands - let us know how they are!!

[Ron-NY]

I only had seen Comparettia falcata during my hikes in Peru. There were an amazing # of them growing in the trees of the town's main square. I still have my Peruvian collected one in moss but I have recently obtained speciosa and immediately stick mounted it with a moss pad on the stick. I plan on moving the falcata to a stick mount as well. They take bright light but no direct sun.

[mycologist]

It is really nice to have contact here with people who share my excitement.

I'll post up some pics of them potted up with numbers if anyone wants to help sort them out.

Thanks!

[mycologist]

It looks like a lot of these will make it. I think the guy at the greenhouse has some names now, I should get over there and look at his labels if they are still there.

Maxillaria? These were the rootless stalks:


Maxillaria? #2


Maxillaria? #3


If these above all turn out to be the same I will be happy to share. I might be able to divide the big one in a bit too.


Pleurothallis? (1&2) - I have a bunch of these, do you want some this spring Ron?


???


Onc.


THe Bulbo has a new lead



Stelis cf. atra (the one that flowered)


The super minis - the Comparettia flowered right away and has suffered a lot. No clue on the other two.

[Ron-NY]

the other 2 may be Stelis as well