What is accepted as a donation (2010.01.03.)

I've been asked what species are accepted to the seedbank. As this question is important for everyone I will discuss it here on the message-board. Of course, anyone can make suggestions regarding this subject in PM or e-mail.

Sometimes it is difficult to draw the line between terrestrial and epiphytic plants, especially when a species grows on rocks in the wild. These litophytic species live on the ground and sometimes seem to be terrestrial, but their cultural requirements are more like those of an epiphytic plant. This is clearly shown by the fact that litophytic species are often found in epiphytic orchid collections (eg. a collection of epiphytic Cattleya and Dendrobium species can also feature some litophytic Dendrobium and Laelia plants). It is also confusing that litophytic plants often grow in cracks and pockets on the rock surface where some sand/soil accumulated.

Many of these litophytic species can be grown mounted on bark like true epiphytes and so they are fit for the greenhouses of collectors of epiphytic species. A greenhouse housing a terrestrial collection, however, has a very different climate, and is not suitable for these intermediate litophytes.

It may help in the decision to consider a genus as a whole rather than an individual species. Dendrobium for example is an epiphytic genus with some litophytic species that can also be grown as epiphytes. Therefore I would put all Dendrobiums into the epiphytic category. I feel that the border-line case is the group of slipper orchids. The tropical/subtropical Paphiopedilum and Phragmipedium are often found alongside epiphytes in intermediate and warm houses, while the hardy Cypripedium species can be kept in cool greenhouses with other terrestrials. In case of litophytic Paph. and Phrag. species, the plants never grow on bare rocks in the wild but the roots are always covered at least with wet moss. Most species however root in rotting leaf litter on forest floors, and therefore these genera are better grouped to the terrestrials.

Different people will have different opinions, and everyone draws the line between epiphytes and terrestrials elsewhere. It is up to you to make the decision what you will donate. The seedbank will accept anything, as I can't tell what species growers might be interested in. My experiences so far shows that at least one third of the growers are also interested in epiphytes, so it's not a problem if a few species with an intermediate lifestyle slip in.


Article about Habenaria and Pecteilis gemination (2010.01.03.)

Here is a link that may be helpful for anyone interested in the Habenaria/Pecteilis seeds.

Send your seeds and filled in form to:

Szabo Peter
Marcius 15 ter 2.
(Szentharomsag Gyogyszertar)
9800 Vasvar
Hungary
(Europe)