Non Profit outreach program - Orchid Board

hcastil3 · #1 09-06-2017, 08:49 AM

Hello everyone, I don't know if I'm violating any rules here so that is why I'm putting this heading here.

Please feel free to delete it if it does violate any of the terms.

I'm part of a non profit organization in Utah. My job is to promote curiosity to children and adults about ecosystems.

I have a three story indoor tropical jungle that I wish to cover with orchids. I have been collecting orchids for years now. I have donated all of my personal orchids that I had left which now live in the indoor jungle. (I want to build a botanical institution like Kew's collection someday)

I'm the botanist/ horticulturist at the organization and therefore I see them everyday.

We run on donations and we are building a research center to encourage scientists and children to pursue higher education.

If anyone has any extra divisions, or orchids that you would like to donate please reach out to me at hector.c@thelivingplanet.com

we will pay for shipping and also give tax write off documents if requested.

again I just want to promote curiosity about orchids in particular. My niche in the orchid world is micro miniatures, Angreacoids, and leafless orchids

I apologize if I have violated any policies of the forum.

Ray · #2 09-06-2017, 09:08 AM

Hector, not only do I find that to be an appropriate post, I think your effort is fantastic!

I'm sorry I have nothing to contribute, having sold or given away the huge portion of my collection last summer.

camille1585 · #3 09-06-2017, 09:57 AM

That's an awesome project! Anything that can get children (and adults) interested in science and nature is a fantastic initiative.

Wish I could help from my side of the pond. Does the organization accept paypal donations? Is there a website to visit for more information?

hcastil3 · #4 09-06-2017, 12:34 PM

Thank you !!! We do accept donations its on our website: https://thelivingplanet.com/

We are an aquarium that is trying to move away from the typical aquarium fish based attractions, and we have a plan to add another indoor rain forest that is five stories. The donation page is Giving it shows how to donate to us.

I appreciate both of your support.

---------- Post added at 10:34 AM ---------- Previous post was at 10:33 AM ----------

Giving

No-Pro-mwa · #5 09-07-2017, 11:16 AM

Very cool. I just may have some to send you. I'll e-mail you. Will any kind work?

hcastil3 · #6 09-07-2017, 11:24 AM

Hi Shannon, yes anything will work for sure. Eventually I would like to provide divisions to people who are interested as well. We just want people to see the variety of orchids. I'll have to post some pics here shortly.

Optimist · #7 09-09-2017, 10:56 PM

I've sent you an e-mail.

hcastil3 · #8 09-10-2017, 03:25 PM

I just wanted to thank everyone that has been very supportive of this messege. I have revcieved multiple emails and donations and I appreciate every single one of them.

I have also talked to our accoutant and if someone wishes to donate cash electronically directly to our horticulture department, email me and I can have our accountant flag it for orchid purchases only.

If I don't know about the donation and you do it through the site I provided, the donations will go to the entire facility as a whole, and we I won't know how those funds are allocated.

Again, thank you for supporting this vision we want to create.

I hope everyone in Florida is doing well,

TOMMYMIAMI Is in the middle of the storms path, so wish him luck as well.

Cheddarbob14 · #9 09-12-2017, 08:56 PM

Contemplating a number of things with my relatively small collection, including downsizing. Have thought about converting an area into an artificial light, grow area, not gonna happen. My only problem with donating about 6 or 7 oncidium types (2 brassias, 2 miltassias , a brassidium, and a couple of noids) is I have recently had my 1st spider mite outbreak. I have been treating with the equivalent of napalm, nuclear weapons, and a couple swings with Mjolnir. I would not even think to send unless I know for a fact that they have been eradicated. That being said, how can I confirm I would not be sending you infested plants? If they were not in their current state, I'd be packing them tomorrow

hcastil3 · #10 09-12-2017, 10:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cheddarbob14

Contemplating a number of things with my relatively small collection, including downsizing. Have thought about converting an area into an artificial light, grow area, not gonna happen. My only problem with donating about 6 or 7 oncidium types (2 brassias, 2 miltassias , a brassidium, and a couple of noids) is I have recently had my 1st spider mite outbreak. I have been treating with the equivalent of napalm, nuclear weapons, and a couple swings with Mjolnir. I would not even think to send unless I know for a fact that they have been eradicated. That being said, how can I confirm I would not be sending you infested plants? If they were not in their current state, I'd be packing them tomorrow

hahaha I love your treatment regiment.

The indoor jungle has free flight birds throughout so we can only use pesticides and different chemicals that do not interfere with the fish, the birds, turtles snakes. ect.

We can't even use neem oil, so naturally we have a constant battle with pests....

We are focusing on biocontrols with include parasitic wasps Anygyrus psudococcii, mealy bug destroyers, lacewings, and other predatory insects.

that being said, we always have shipments of plants coming from all over and we have a little "quarantine" area for the plants where we keep them until we are confident that they are free of pests.

Please email me, or if you rather stay on OB, let me know when you would be ready so I could provide the address.

Thank you for thinking of me.