Bonatea speciosa

[b amateur]

Thanks.I grow my avatar in a pot lined w/ limestone to try to replicate those same in situ conditions.As for Hab's,it seems that about half of all terrestrials are or were lumped in that group at one time or another. Just googled Stenoglottis also.Must have longifolia! What a stunner! Brad

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

Stenos are cool. I don't own any, maybe I'll get a few later. I've always been curious about them, but I never got any because when I first saw them I really "didn't know what they were".

Thankfully, I now know more about them and would be more comfortable getting a few in the future.

[b amateur]

By the way, I still want to try Bonatea. Brad

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

I realize that. I didn't say you couldn't get Bonatea speciosa.

I recommended other plants that were more readily available to grow as full blown potted plants for you to get used to the idea of growing Bonatea speciosa.

They have root tubers. Root tubers are prone to rot. If you're not used to it, you could wipe out all the Bonatea at your disposal. Root tubers are not the same as the sturdier stem tubers, which Bletilla striata have.

I'm growing Bonatea speciosa from seed, and it's no cake walk. I've had the seeds for about a month and they still haven't popped up yet. I'm wondering if I've messed up. And this is even after help from people who studied orchids and their seed germination for a living who either retired or currently work for universities teaching botany, such as Joseph Ardetti from UC Irvine.

This is why I'm redirecting you to try something else first so you don't get antsy.

Just because you have seed doesn't guarantee you squat. Especially if you're beginning to try out sowing orchid seeds.

Trust me, take it from someone who is a beginner at sowing orchid seeds as well.

The first orchid seed I've successfully germinated were those of Bletilla striata. And this is because they were able to be sown ex-vitro (yes, you read correctly, I successfully germinated Bletilla striata using the ex-vitro way of sowing orchid seeds).

My suggestion is to get used to growing plants that also have root tubers that are readily available as full blown potted plants and are easy to grow. Less work, less hassle, fewer anxieties.

I wouldn't be helping out if I just told you where to get the Bonatea seeds. Because then you'd have to learn a whole new set of skills.

I hope you understand where I'm coming from.

Listen, ultimately if you want to, you can do anything you want. But I seriously recommend you not get any terrestrial orchids that require a dormant period when they're about to enter dormancy, (yeah, that's right, dormancy is coming up in about a few weeks, October). First of all you won't see anything. Second, you don't have enough experience to pull them through dormancy, (I'm kinda getting nervous as dormancy starts turning the corner, I've already wiped out one colony of Habenaria sp. and a couple of Habenaria medusa tubers, and I've been growing orchids for 7 or 8 yrs). Third, I'd like to see you succeed too, because if I'm able to help you succeed, I know what works and what doesn't.

You get me? This is why if you wanted something now, I recommended evergreen Disas, especially when you're in freakin' Michigan where it snows (Disas don't like frost, but it can get cold enough where you are). At least with these, you'll see something right now.

[Des]

Originally Posted by b amateur

As my small garden population grows in pace with my insatiable curiosity,the idea of turning to deciduous botanicals becomes more and more appealing. The concept of growing something as beautiful as Bonatea speciosa or as other-worldly as Bon. polypodantha and overwinter them with my dahlias in the corner of the basement sounds pretty damn good.This would leave room in the light garden for more[must have more].The problem is finding seed.Any ideas out there?

Bonatea Speciosa is native to the area in which I live here in SA I have it growing in my garden along with Disa Cornuta .

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

Hi, Des.

It's been a while.

Apparently the Disa cornuta are out of harm's way.

Is it possible to harvest some seed of Bonatea speciosa for bamateur, so he may try it out for himself?

In the meantime, could I ask if there's a possibility of harvesting some Disa cornuta seeds for me as well?

I'm currently sowing a small batch of Disa cornuta seeds, but I'd be interested in getting more to hopefully get a good genetic mix of plants to breed.

If it wouldn't be any trouble of course.

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

Alright, if you feel that you can get adequate help in the department of sowing orchid seeds, and you're willing to be patient with them...

You gotta understand that there's no guarantee you'll obtain any plants also...

Try Aaron Hick's Orchid Seedbank Project.

I highly suggest buying the materials necessary for sowing orchid seeds if you haven't done it before, prior to buying the seeds.

[b amateur]

Hello Des. Thanks for wading in here.You must have a lovely garden.I only recently moved to this area from further north where I grew several species of cypripediums[acaule, reginae] in the pines behind my former home[very near to where Ross lives]. I would like to know more about Bonatea from a native area grower. Please...Brad

[Des]

Originally Posted by King_of_orchid_growing:)

Hi, Des.

It's been a while.

Apparently the Disa cornuta are out of harm's way.

Is it possible to harvest some seed of Bonatea speciosa for bamateur, so he may try it out for himself?

In the meantime, could I ask if there's a possibility of harvesting some Disa cornuta seeds for me as well?

I'm currently sowing a small batch of Disa cornuta seeds, but I'd be interested in getting more to hopefully get a good genetic mix of plants to breed.

If it wouldn't be any trouble of course.

The Bonatea in my garden have finished flowering ,I will check to see if any made seed pods tomorrow .
The Disa Cornuta are developing flower spikes at the moment . there is also one which has come up in the middle of the field opposite my home, I am trying to protect it by placing a few bricks around it in the hope that they wont mow over the plant.
How did you know that they have cancelled that buildind project . THe whole suburb signed petitions to object against it !!It was wonderful to actually win for a change !!I feel as though nature itself has been given a reprieve
Can I just place the seed pod in an envelope and mail it to you will your customs folk allow that ?

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

Customs will not bother. They will allow it. That's how I got my seeds, (they're from a dealer in Knysna, South Africa, but they didn't provide enough seed per packet and I got 3). Dry seed is fine too.

Here's a link on how to ship and store seeds.

Lotte & Thomas Orchids

Thank you. I actually didn't know that you guys had petitioned to halt construction in the area and succeeded. I was referring to the plants you had transferred to your garden.