Duane McDowell - Newbie from MN
 

Hello, all! I'm new to this forum, but not actually new to orchid growing. I worked professionally in the orchid business from 1988-1996 (Orchids Limited, Inverness Greenery Orchids and Arnold J. Klehm Growers). I specialized in Paphiopedilum (Paph. Lemon Meringue, Fair Katie, Clarke Gaviota, Dottie McDowell, Meredith Katherine, etc...) and small growing Cattleya types (Slc. Precious Katie, etc...) and also had a great interest in botanical types (Keforea Genesis, Oncidium Meredith Katherine, etc...). In 1996, I wrote and published The Orchid Picture Book.
I've had a few Phalaenopsis in the house over the past fourteen years, but no real orchid collection. Now I have one Phal, one really big Pleurothallis (Acronia gargantua 'Blood Frog' - similar to the one pictured on Eric Hunt's Website - http://www.orchidspecies.com/orphotd...rgargantua.jpg), and I have ordered several small pleurothallids. I'm planning to start up a terrarium for the minis - it looks like there are some great ideas in the forum here. I'm hoping the community can keep me from killing too many plants! I look forward to being a part of the discussion.

Wow, quite a resume for a newbie! ;) Great to have you here Duane. I look forward to your contribtions.

Ever work in any breeding programs?

Royal,
Actually, the hybrids I mentioned in my introductory post are a few that I made and registered. I'm guessing I registered over a hundred hybrids when I was in the business, and, as an employee of Klehm Growers, I made lots more. My best day as a breeder was the day I crossed my select D. pulcherrima '4D Splash' (choompornensis) with Dtps. Pretty Nice 'Arlington' and Dor. pulcherrima 'Arlington'. The Talitha Klehm remake got the Award of Distinction and the pulcherrimas got the AQ for the nursery. I really love complex Paphs - I made a ton of hybrids. I haven't kept up with how the crosses have fared over the years since I've been gone.

Hello, Duane! It sounds like you have a lot of wonderful experience and knowledge! I'm sure your contributions to the forums will be much appreciated. Do you have any pictures of your plants, or your work anywhere on the internet?

Where in the TC do you reside? I'm from Plymouth (west metro). There are at least a couple other forum members from our area that I think will chime in with a "hello!"

Welcome to Orchidboard. Great place to chat and get questions answered.
What pleurothallids are you growing? I have several and grow them successfully in fish tanks (they love the high humidity) with their own lights, fan, etc.

I had a sneaking suspicion that you might have made a few crosses in your day. ;) But wow, congrats on the AD and AQ! As a very new hobbyist breeder an AQ would be my dream. Shoot, an HCC would be fine at this point.

I bet you have quite a bit of info to share about your breeding days. I'd love to pick your brain over a beer one day. Too bad we live near opposite borders. I guess that's what this forum is for. See you around the OB.

I remember you Duane! I used to go out to Klehms all the time. And I still have a piece of that '4D Splash' somewhere...

Nice to see you back.

Rob

Duane, Welcome to OB!

welcome duane, and i look forward to reading your contributions! good to have another 'old pro' wandering about!!!