Odontoglossum Alliance

[Gary S]

Mr Cym,

You promote the forum for discussion on Cym's and Odont's, but I see a distinct lack of topics and interest in the latter. I personally do not grow them, but I see some wonderful colour combinations and truly a lot of complex intergeneric hybrids around the place using them. Is that scene even less overwhelming over there than the Cym scene you mention in another post.

People must be buying them as seedlings as there are heaps for sale in the general orchid nursery on line sites and on ebay for example.

Where are all the growers who grow these types these days.

Gary..

[MrCym]

"Heaps of new seedlings"?? I doubt it. Heaps of old clones, I believe. The key players, few, are going along nicely, the problem is that there are too few seedlings available as pre-blooming plants and in the absence of such plants, enthusiasm wanes. Even worse than with Cyms. I say this after seeing one of the best hobby-type Odont Intergenerics I have ever bred start to open this week. Photos to follow.

[Gary S]

Ah, I did not say "new" Andy.

Look forward to some pics then, who knows might even find some space for a few.

Cheers

Gary..

[richardb]

As bemoaned in my post earlier this month, Odontoglossums are all but extinct here in the UK - and I don't mean just because they have changed the name. Finding supplies of good plants even throughout the EU is almost impossible. Importing from outside EU is prohibitive because of our draconian DEFRA CITES prices. I have located some in New Zealand, but the cost of import puts me off.
I am grateful for the 300 or so which I have, and sadly I try to acquire others these days from growers retiring from the hobby or deceased owners whom I have respected.
Richard

[Gary S]

Richard

That is not good news, I would have thought the UK would be one of the bastions for this orchid especially reading early orchid books.

You are correct though on the govt regulations re import of live plants - even lab raised. We have the same issues here in Oz.

Good luck with the search over there for these.

Gary

[MrCym]

Richard,

I'm going to take a punt and say now that you are lucky not to be importing any Odont Alliance from New Zealand! The plants would either come from the "Fat Slug" or Paradise Orchids, both unscrupulous sellers of mediocre product. Maunder at Paradise was born in Aussie so I guess we can apportion some blame to them. He used to sell Disas and ripped off people all around the world. I have a photo of some Odont flasks from Tucker's Orchids, they were among the poorest plants ex-flask I have ever seen! And I've seen a few. Caveat emptor!!

[richardb]

Sounds like our Draconian CITES/DEFRA regs have saved me from hell then - at least some good has come out if it.
Thanks for the tips.
Richard

[kamuela]

Richard,

Perhaps you should contact Keith Andrew in Piddletrenthide. He has 500+ odont seedlings coming on and I'm sure this exceeds his present growing space. Although he is retired and not in the best of health, he still hybridizes, does his own lab work, and of course, produces more than he can grow on. If it weren't for the hassles of CITES I would acquire everything I could from Keith. He is "The Master" and therefore you have an enviable position having access to him in the U.K.!

[MrCym]

Richard,

Believe me, you will be happy for my tip. I could tell you horror stories about both of those sources.

Keith indeed, he is so often overlooked by the UK orchid enthusiasts and we know he is a hybridizing genius!

[Nigel]

Would one of the Odontoglossum enthusiasts inform me of the ideal growing conditions for them....temp/water etc. Thanks.
Are they successfully grown with Cymbidiums?