Cattleya gaskelliana rescue

[smweaver]

A local botanical garden was tossing out a number of their cattleya species last fall because of space considerations, and this is one that I rescued. The tag in the pot identified it as Cattleya gaskelliana. It was a bit of a runt when I got it (and it still hasn't completely recovered), and the curator told me that it hadn't flowered for years. It struggled to survive over the winter and spring, but apparently felt decent enough to send up a spike with one flower, which has a wonderful scent. Although the flower hasn't been open for more than a week, I'm going to cut it off later today in the hope that the plant puts all of its energy into getting bigger and healthier. Can anyone who grows this species give me some cultural advice, please--light levels, temperature preferences, rest or no rest, when to repot, etc.? Thanks!

Steve

[Chubidubi]

That's a lovely flower. You guys have such good luck rescueing 'chids. I can't find one even if my life depended on it.lol
GREAT JOB!

[Orchidflowerchild]

Cattleya gaskelliana

From CHadwick Orchids.

-Cj

[quiltingwacko]

That looks like good info. I have a tiny gaskelliana that came to me bare root about a month ago. What lovely blooms to look forward to!

[taipan]

Originally Posted by smweaver

A local botanical garden was tossing out a number of their cattleya species last fall because of space considerations, and this is one that I rescued. The tag in the pot identified it as Cattleya gaskelliana. It was a bit of a runt when I got it (and it still hasn't completely recovered), and the curator told me that it hadn't flowered for years. It struggled to survive over the winter and spring, but apparently felt decent enough to send up a spike with one flower, which has a wonderful scent. Although the flower hasn't been open for more than a week, I'm going to cut it off later today in the hope that the plant puts all of its energy into getting bigger and healthier. Can anyone who grows this species give me some cultural advice, please--light levels, temperature preferences, rest or no rest, when to repot, etc.? Thanks!

Steve

So much for conservation by Botanical institutions !!!!!
throwing away some of their species. This is one of my favourite Catt.species for which I have a number of clones. Yes "Orchidflowerchild" - Chadwicks have some good info on Catt.species. I grow mine under 60% shade & water everyday ( unless it rains ) but unless you live in an area with constant 30 to 35 deg days then check people in your area.

[sucuz]

Originally Posted by taipan

So much for conservation by Botanical institutions !!!!!
throwing away some of their species. This is one of my favourite Catt.species for which I have a number of clones. Yes "Orchidflowerchild" - Chadwicks have some good info on Catt.species. I grow mine under 60% shade & water everyday ( unless it rains ) but unless you live in an area with constant 30 to 35 deg days then check people in your area.

Yeah, it seems like travesty, but many botanical institutions are limited by space considerations, as mentioned in the original post. It seems to be fairly common practice among such places to cull the collection. When a plant is small, hasn't bloomed in years, isn't performing to expectations, 'not pulling its weight'--it may be viewed as a liability, especially if there are better specimens of the same plant in the collection. Space, and costs involved in the care (fertilizers. staff time, etc) influence the decision. Often volunteers at the facility get adoption rights as a perk before the plants get consigned to the great compost heap in the sky.

[DebsC]

It's a beautiful flower. Sad to think it might never have been had it not been rescued. Seems, the gardens could run a sale or something...anything other than throwing them out.

[taipan]

sucuz/Debsc
Yes it is a travesty throwing away species.
They could have sales thus raising money to purchase equipment, sundries ( ie fertiliser etc ), donate them to orchid societies in their area or even holding an auction. Throwing them away - NO. Just my 2 satangs worth ( 1 satang=1/100th Baht,1US$ =32 baht )

[Roly0217]

WOW, Nice score !!! I've never ever been able to find a rescue plant I guess it's just my luck or that people keep them until they dry.

[Royal]

Nice story, kid of like adopting a dog with health problems and hiving it grow up to be nice and healthy! Hold on, I'm tearing up...

I'm with Tiapan on this one. Sell them, auction them, create awareness, something. Seems like they'd be missing a great opportunity to publicize their facility.