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The best preview one can have of the upcoming chat with Don Pylant, Curator,
is to visit the San Antonio Botanical Gardens website Present were: 18 marylois Jane5536 (L.I. N.Y) marylois sparkysteve (of Boca Raton Florida) JCY8S (John in Arcadia, CA) marylois marylois donpy The old Exhibition Room of the Lucile Halsell Conservatory complex is the site for the new Orchids and Epiphytes exhibit. It features an 18 foot tall, 1 ton, man-made epiphyte tree and a rain forest pool and rockfall of about 30 tons of feather rock volcanic boulders. It has been a gradual change - most of the concrete columns have been covered with moss and planted with epiphytic ferns, orchids, bromeliads,cactus (yes, cactus!) and other plants that prefer growing in the air rather than on the ground. We have installed reverse osmosis water treatment, a 1000 psi fog system, air conditioning and supplemental lighting in the low-light areas. (Did you know RO water makes great coffee?) The centerpiece of the exhibit is the epiphyte tree with a redwood boardwalk leading under it and through a changing bank of special plants. The walls are turning emerald with vines and climbing plants. One corner features a fallen rain forest tree, with plants that thrive high in the rainforest canopy, lying on a carpet of mosses and insectivorous plants. Another corner is home for our lithophytic (rock-growing) plants. Dry streams, small grottos, and tropical ravines are being created all through the room. The epiphyte tree frame was constructed by staff after hours and on weekends. A staff member purchased the welding equipment out of his own pocket and recruited his father-in-law, a master welder, to built the heart of this tree from salvaged drill stem pipe and metal. When the frame was done, other staff took over - transforming the tree into a habitat for cascading mosses, epiphytic orchids, bromeliads, and other special plants, by covering the steel frame with moss and bark pieces from cork oaks We then covered it with plants (many from CITES rescue programs and confiscations) This was an instant success with visitors and gave is the incentive to proceed with the conversion. The lithophyte display that is home for plants that prefer growing on rock starts with a 26 foot wide emerald forest pool. This is the foundation for 30 tons of volcanic stone set against the walls We then attached lithophytic plants to these rocks at appropriate heights and light levels. A dozen trickling streams cascade down between the plants on this 12 foot tall wall of boulders. A boardwalk overlook allows visitors to take a closer look. Some of those species orchids have tiny blooms! Since this was an unbudgeted project - funded by scrounging, begging, and a good deal of creative acquisition - we were always looking for free stuff. A mesquite tree in a vacant lot across from the conservatory split in two. We saw in it the root of a rainforest canopy plant display. We manhandled the tree into place with chains, dollies and about 12 people! The plants have taken off! donpy bmtorchids (Barbara from No. California) More fun orchid pictures:
PRE-DISCUSSION
TRANSCRIPT 20 MAY 98
donpy (Don Pylant, San Antonio Botanical Gardens)
55SS (James in Fresno CA)
marylois (Northwestern LA)
sparkysteve (Boca Raton FL)
paulav (Boca Raton FL)
Jane5536 (L.I., NY)
AndyNVA (West Virginia)
JCY8S (John, Arcadia CA)
a.b.s.dog (Janet in NE Pennsylvania)
uncleearl (Earl in Vacaville CA)
CaryStarr [has not provided email addr or location]
gaillevy [Boca Raton CA]
KB Barrett [Kathy in N Calif]
marilyninOttawa [Quebec, Canada]
206.87.90.145 visiting)
ChuckMyr (Austin MN)
Bmtorchids (Barbara, Martinez CA)
clairinla [Los Angeles CA - please confirm email address]
Hello, all - and especially Cary Starr - welcome to OrchidSafari. Just heard from Don Pylant - having trouble getting on.
He's the speaker tonight, I guess
Yep, Jane - from the San Antonio Botanical Gardens - anyone check out the URL?
Was awesome there, Lois!!
Yes, Lois, I did. Beautiful site but very slow to come up but worth the wait. I guess it has too many graphics that are too large.
Yes! Well worth the trip - great website, just technically - then add the great renditions of what's going on - fantastic! Yes, the best of them are slow - at least he hasn't messed around with JAVA. Good clean site.
I'd like to introduce Don Pylant of the San Antonio Botanical Gardens. Don is our speaker this evening. Why not describe the lithophyte project in planning? ...the framework...what orchids you plan to incorporate...how constructed, etc.
Hello, This is Don Pylant.
I scanned the photos on a flatbed scanner meant for prints instead of slides, so some of the graphics are poor. Here is the general description of the project.
Room centerpiece
Welding
Bark covering
Epiphyte tree
Visitors
C.skinneri var. alba
Overlook
Canopy branch plantings
Epi.stamfordianum
The really nice thing about this exhibit - because of the air conditioning, pure water, varied media and temperature layers in the room, we can grow a huge range of species in the same room. Here's a view of the finished exhibit, just awaiting more lithophytes.
View of exhibit"
What a lovely look out place. Make me almost want to go visit.
marilyninOttawa
I wonder if you plan to incorporate only lithophytes of the Americas or to include those from other continents?
donpy
No. Not just New World stuff, but I will try to concentrate on New World species.
marilyninOttawa
What type of rock are you using? Granite, limestone or another type?
donpy
We are using a volcanic rock called featherrock.
JCY8S (John in Arcadia, CA)
Isn't the featherrock very sharp?
donpy
Oh yes! it is sharp like spun glass. The rocks are heavy, but not as heavy as, say ,granite. One man lifts a 12 x 12' stone.
KB Barrett
I saw the San Antonio website, looks like a nice facility! I was interested the computer controlled climate.
donpy
Climate control is system by Q-Com. It is PC based and communicates with sensors and device controllers through a regular ac power line, kind of like those plug-in intercom systems for your home. Great system! Anyone who wants a full description of the other features should email me.
bmtorchids (Barbara from No. California)
Don, do you add any supplement into the R.O. water?
marilyninOttawa
How do you plan to fertilize the plants Don? Which formulae?
donpy
Many fertilizer types - mostly soluble now, later organic because of algae problems. R/O water is used mostly, fertilizer injection uses city water (evil stuff).
marilyninOttawa
I was thinking about algae problems but this should lessen once the plant community becomes established. What do you think?
marylois
Have you located plant stock yet?
donpy
Yes, on plants. Lithophytic orchids are hard to find. Algae in the water is moderated by algae eating fish and snails, suspended algae is taken out with a sand filter in line with the dozen or so little waterfalls.
marilyninOttawa
Tetramicra is a New World species that can be grown lithophytically in very bright light.
bmtorchids (Barbara from No. California)
Don, do you add the fertilizer every time?
donpy
No, not every time. We really haven't established a schedule for the lithos. Will depend on natural stuff from water. We have fish and frogs.
marilyninOttawa
In fact a lot of epiphytes can grow lithophytically if companion plants such as ferns, mosses and Selaginellas are there also.
marylois
Lovely! How do you manage pests, Don?
donpy
All biological control except ants that enjoy a healthy dose of IGRs and boric acid baits. The ants kill our good bugs!!
JCY8S (John in Arcadia, CA)
Ants are terrible especially when you get a nest IN a pot or two!!
sparkysteve (of Boca Raton Florida)
don---do any of the plants grow from seed?
donpy
Seedlings are taking over some areas. No orchid yet, but ferns are a weed now!
JCY8S (John in Arcadia, CA)
Don - your pictures are great!!! I must visit you sometime.
marilyninOttawa
Very inviting !
CaryStarr
I want to go there!!!!!!!!!
marylois
Yes, Cary - it's well worth a visit. Their website is a treat in itself.
bmtorchids (Barbara from No. California)
Wow! that is great. I wish Fleur was here, so she can see the Spanish moss, since she didn't know what it is.
JCY8S (John in Arcadia, CA)
Maybe the correct orchid fungi are not present yet
donpy
I have some lithophytic orchids, but I am looking for lots lots more! Any help is appreciated.
a.b.s.dog
What is a lithophytic orchid? Help a beginner.
donpy
Lithophytes are plants that are NORMALLY found growing on rocks.
sparkysteve (of Boca Raton Florida)
a.b.s.dog---plants that grow on rocks are litho's,
uncleearl
litho = stone, rock Phyte = plant.
bmtorchids (Barbara from No. California)
In my exprience the ferns are big carrier for bugs. How do you control it.
donpy
Ferns carry orchid scale and Pinaspis scale. If you do not care if you use oils, Ultrafine oils kill the scale and the ferns!
donpy
Anyone with questions later, or sources for lithopytic species email me at donpylant@sabot.org
Thanks for the invitation. I will email you information I could not relay here. Thanks for your patience with a neophyte to chat!! Nice to talk with everyone!
sparkysteve (of Boca Raton Florida)
Great pix, don!!!!!
bmtorchids (Barbara from No. California)
Thank you for coming Don. I will visit your Website more later on.
KB Barrett
Don how long from planning stage to completion?
donpy
Planning stage? What's that? It has taken two years so far.
bmtorchids (Barbara from No. California)
I have a L. sincorana for 4 years it did not thing. Then I remembered they grow on rocks (correct me if I'm wrong). So I let it dry out most of the time, and give lime fert. It's blooming now.
KB Barrett
Two years is pretty quick! After the earthquake here in 89 we are just now getting the freeways up and running again!
marylois
Yes, Don - you need L. sincorana, L. pumila, L. milleri...several of the Mexican rock dwelling laelias...the rupicolous laelias...
donpy
Laelias have been recommended. What temp range will they take?
marylois
Quite a bit of heat ... roots shaded by debris...evenings cool.
bmtorchids (Barbara from No. California
I would say 55 to 85 degrees. Lois?
donpy
Any good sources for them? Will they grow in a 2 in blanket of sphagnum on a vertical surface?
sparkysteve (of Boca Raton Florida
Don't have to get that cold---I've seen them grow here.
bmtorchids (Barbara from No. California
I would just glue them on the rocks.
sparkysteve (of Boca Raton Florida
Or lava rock.
donpy
Glue them on? What about concrete surfaces?
bmtorchids (Barbara from No. California
Yes, super glue does wonders.
sparkysteve (of Boca Raton Florida
Elmer's or carpenters glue does good.
marylois
About right, Barb - just checking Withner - can't find temps there.
'Parviflorae section - 'environment is one that has hot days, cool nights, with heavy dew providing the moisture. The key to cultivating this somewhat challenging section of Laelias is their need for high light, cool nights, high humidity and fast-drying...'
donpy
Must go - dinner bell.
bmtorchids (Barbara from No. California
Thank you, Don.
Andy NVA (Northern VA.)
Don, thank you for coming :)
sparkysteve (of Boca Raton Florida
Did a great job!! When is the bus leaving????
KB Barrett
Thanks, Don! Come back sometime and chat again!
donpy
Thanks for the info, marylois. And I will come back.
sparkysteve (of Boca Raton Florida
I want more pix!! And another descriptive hour!!!!
marylois
Thanks, again, Don. Good job! We'll be watching for you - and also watching for lithophyte sources. Let's post to the OLD for lithophyte suggestions and sources!
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