maitaman from Panama' - Orchid Board

maitaman · #1 02-06-2008, 09:30 AM

Greetings all. I'm retired here in Panama' where I have places in Bocas del Toro (Island group) and David (Large city). I spend as much time as possible in the mountains or islands where there are more than 1200 listed species at this time. I've found some that I do not believe are listed - yet. Most of my friends here are the Indios (Indigenous people here) and I go where no white man has gone before. I play rock music and write books. mostly SciFi and murder mystreries, but some about orchid research etc. I wrote one about growing from seed in your kitchen for pennies that is quite popular.
Elec. went off, so I'll close for now.

tuvoc · #2 02-07-2008, 05:21 PM

HM. Rock music and SciFi are almost as fun as orchids. I know, I love them all. Welcome aboard, and have fun.

Kim

cb977 · #3 02-07-2008, 05:35 PM

Hi

and

Sounds like you live a very interesting life...and I want to hear more!

What types of orchids do you grow there?

If you have any questions, let us know

Ross · #4 02-07-2008, 05:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by maitaman

Greetings all. I'm retired here in Panama' where I have places in Bocas del Toro (Island group) and David (Large city). I spend as much time as possible in the mountains or islands where there are more than 1200 listed species at this time. I've found some that I do not believe are listed - yet. Most of my friends here are the Indios (Indigenous people here) and I go where no white man has gone before. I play rock music and write books. mostly SciFi and murder mystreries, but some about orchid research etc. I wrote one about growing from seed in your kitchen for pennies that is quite popular.
Elec. went off, so I'll close for now.

Wow! Elec went off. You must be remote! Welcome and I hope to see pictures (when you get a chance) of your area and the orchids you grow.

maitaman · #5 02-08-2008, 08:58 AM

There are more than 1200 native species of orchids here in Panama'. They're everywhere you look, particularly high in the cloud and rain forests. Here on the Caribbean coast the trees are often covered with orchids, nemedia, epidendrum, catasetum ... they're everywhere. Most are small-flowered, but there are a number of larger blooms. Nemedia, Cstm. macranthum and Epi. falcatum are in bloom now.
I'll post pictures soon. Panama' is a fantastic place - but the people are what make it paradise. Most of my friends are Indios, so I go to a lot of places no white person has ever been.

cobbi311 · #6 02-18-2008, 10:51 PM

Wow am I glad you came along!
I have so many questions to ask you. First of all welcome aboard. You have such an exciting life. I cant wait untill you post some pics.
Now for the questions: I purchased 3 bare root orchids from a show, which came from Panama, Epi.Panama ruby (meducae x porax), Epi.agoyoanense, and maxilania sanderiana. If you have any information about any of these I would really appreciate your help. I have searched all over the internet and cant find any information on the care or culture. I am not sure if I have the spelling correct because the tags were very difficult to read.

Djarum Black · #7 02-18-2008, 11:10 PM

Hi welcome to the OB! I think it's so awesome you joined!

I've read one of your books! I enjoyed it very much!

I just wanted to tell you that your book played a major factor in why I took the plunge and started flasking orchids at home. I learned so much from reading your book and all the information it had!
(If you had a fan club, I'd join it, LOL)

I am totally looking forward to your posts!

maitaman · #8 02-19-2008, 09:22 AM

Cobbi311 - They are from moderate altitude. I see some of the epis growing by the road as semi-terrestrials but they do well in some finer mixes. Porpax is a tree-dweller. Moderate to bright light, lots of water, but dry between waterings. Max. sanderiana is one of the tenuifolia types, if I remember, so needs to be mounted or grown is a well-drained medium. It also likes lots of water, but to dry between waterings. There are a lot of cloud forests here, and those generally grow in or near such places.