Aerangis arachnopus - pollinia

[in-vitro]

Does anyone grow Aerangis here?
For propagation-matters we would need pollinia of the species Aerangis arachnopus. Would swap pollen in return, too, of course. ´Flowers of our plants are expected in about August/September 2009. We tissue-propagated this species about 6, 7 years ago so all of our plants are clone-identical and can´t be crossed among each other. Important that the ID of the species is proved to be correct.
thanks
in-vitro

[T. migratoris]

I wish.

And I wish you luck, sincerely.

And I wish for offspring.

[in-vitro]

@Migratoris
thanks a lot for your wishes. Finding an arachnopus as a clone-different and pollen-donating plant anywhere upon the globe isn´t so difficult. Chance is quite vivid to trace one. As always it´s rather not a thing of a plant´s existence but a humane kind of readiness and to convince people that property is *nice* but the conservation of an actually endangered species is still a wee bit more important. It´s a matter of fact that we who are caring for some rare species´ propagation and their further existence are always jeopardizing a handful owners´ pride who simply watch out to be and stay the only who do possess and are allowed to possess. So you can turn it as you want, either some are endangering a species´ exsistence by holding it back, hiding it or we are compromising the value of their property by propagating and distributing species . I saw into the faces of people as Aerangis appendiculata got available again upon Europe. There wasn´t happiness only but sometimes disappointment, too. Weird anyhow, isn´t it? So opening the eyes of some owners in order to watch the situation from another point of view is often the biggest hurdle. And the only factor one needs plenty of is *time* and during that keeping the own material in a good temper hoping whilst seeking for a plant as a pollen-donator one doesn´t lose the plant which should act as pollen-acceptor and pod-carrier finally. Exciting thing, isn´t it?
in-vitro

[mrbreeze]

I have one plant but I have not figured out how to bloom it as yet. I certainly wish I'd had a clue that Hoosiers was going to close a few years before they did. I would have more than one arachnopus in that case. If I manage to bloom it, you can certainly have some pollen.

[Karen]

I sent you a PM!

[in-vitro]

I just want to post an up-date here after initiating an - as it appeared and how it got - worldwide search for pollen referring this cute species Aerangis arachnopus. Well, we could pollinate 11 flowers this year (out-cross) but 10 of them dropped after a while. The last is now both, our hope and glory. Pollination took place at the end of July, plan is to cut it off about middle of December, about 2 months before its averagely ripening-time is ending.
Additionally we achieved a just starting germination of Aerangis hologlottis, an (ex-)African species occurring upon Sri-Lanka mainly but where almost all known habitats suffered a lot from the long-lasting civil-war. Most were destroyed. As an extremely short-living species it is planned to re-establish habitats there again. But as often the plan what happens to seedlings and shall be their future fate is already fixed far before the plants appear as protocorms. I am actually faced with the information that the natural vector (pollinator) got extinct (almost versus totally?) so a re-establishment would be useless.
Thanks also for a collaboration pushing Aerangis appendiculata seedlings from printed book-pictures back to life again. The first batches shall be ready for deflask in the course of 2010.
In 2010 we try to get Aerangis jacksonii back to availability, including Aerangis decaryana, maybe Aerangis collum-cygni, too, and we plan a re-make of Aerangis chirioana. Can already sense your sweating & trembling *MB* and thought of you overtaking some as - how do we call that? - … items on loan .
Thanks for your all help especially referring the arachnopus-pollinia. I am tried to keep you informed about the arachnopus´ viability then,
i.v.

[Alexis]

Thanks for the update. You're doing a good thing!

[T. migratoris]

Originally Posted by in-vitro

In 2010 we try to get Aerangis jacksonii back to availability,

When Hoosier's was selling off their inventory I tried like a madman to talk them out of a plant or two of Aerangis jacksonii, to no avail. Man, what I'd give for one of those.

[in-vitro]

Originally Posted by T. migratoris

When Hoosier's was selling off their inventory I tried like a madman to talk them out of a plant or two of Aerangis jacksonii, to no avail. Man, what I'd give for one of those.

That´s the point, commerce destroyed a lot. Species are kept low in availability just in order to keep the price high. Species are only propagated when the chance is vivid enough money re-flows into the pocket of one´s own. One must start thinking in a different way, initiating a propagation-project when the species demands after that, be it that the natural habitat is endangered in its existence, be it that we are faced with a severe clone-problem or that the species is little showy only and no one cares whether it goes lost or not.
I recently harvested a pod of Cattleya nobilior containing about 2 million seed-corns. Mother nature planned that every orchid seed-corn requires a certain fungus without a germination can´t happen as you maybe know. The chance that even a few seed-corns out of that pod will meet this fungus and start a germination is considerably slim. That´s the reason why it takes so many seeds in quantity just in order to increase the chance. Over the asymbiotic-method of propagation we can obtain a germination-rate of almost 100% what means in other words almost each seed-corn we do sow gets to germination. Can you tell me what to do with about 2.ooo ooo Cattleya nobilior seedlings? I can imagine you´ll have a lot of ideas including reforestation in natural habitats, maybe even the hint you want some. You can get 1.000, do you like them? It´s so paradox as we own the technique to flood the world with orchids. We own the technique but we don´t use it really. We don´t care, are actually interested in hybrids, creating still more lousy hybrids, sighing only all these orchid-species become extinct and there´s nothing we can do against it … . I am working on this, T. Migratoris, you will obtain your desired jacksonii and you won´t have to run mad because of that just you guaranteed me you keep them well and we can get to pollinia/seeds when it becomes important again. Is that a deal?

[Karen]

I don't necessarily agree that "commerce has destroyed a lot", but rather that some plants are hard to find, possibly because they were rare in nature, and artificial cultivation isn't easy either. Yes, there are very expensive species, Aeranthes henricii, as an example. It's apparently very difficult to grow, and bloom in cultivation. Yet, I know of a grower in Northern California, that has sold at least previously bloomed plants ( on Ebay) so, it must not be difficult to grow & bloom, given the right conditions.
Some people are still working with the species.
Patience is a good thing!
Thanks for your work, in-vitro!

[bnerison]

We grow primarily Angraecum and Aerangis species. I have several arachnopus stock plants that will bloom later this year. I also have jacksonii, kirkii, mairae, as well as many impossible to find Antraecum species. I am happy to trade pollen from most of our plants when I have enough to insure pollination. Let me know what you are interested. I am a very green newbie to blogging but will try to do my best to respond when asked. We order from Michelle at Malala every March and have the process well enough refined so the success rate for us it 85% to 90% survival. We are making contact with people who want to get in on the order and can send a 2010 list with prices attached. If you would like to be included just email billn@brenan.net and we will get you on the mailing list at Botanica Ltd

[Karen]

Hey & WELCOME to bnerison!

I participated in the Malala order last year, and am VERY happy with my plants.
I will be ordering more this year!
In fact, I've been bugging Bill for this years list!
So, it's MORE than Angraecoids ( Yes, Mr. Breeze, there ARE other orchids!)
It' s a Madagascar-a-go-go!
Get an email off to Bill, even if just to look at the list!

[xmpraedicta]

Yes, I did in fact spend the last hour and a half sorting through the list and I have finally narrowed down my selection to a meager 8 plants. I bet Mr.B is gonna cream himself when he sees this

[Karen]

Bumpdate!

You will enjoy looking/ drooling at the Malala list.
Maybe even buying!

[Marni]

Originally Posted by xmpraedicta

Yes, I did in fact spend the last hour and a half sorting through the list and I have finally narrowed down my selection to a meager 8 plants.

No matter how many you buy, when they start blooming you are going to kick yourself for not buying twice as many.

[mrbreeze]

The list is always oh so tempting! I certainly won't be able to resist. But alas...I do pine for the old days. Back before Dr. Pressman died, when Malala would come to Redlands....ooh la la. Word to the wise....Madagascar is a long way away from Miami and Miami is a long way away from MN. I had pretty significant death last year on the more dainty and fragile types. But never fear, there are plenty of rubust and vigorous gems on the list!

and Marni is exactly right as usual.

[Karen]

LOL!
Mr. Breeze, I did loose a couple of plants from my Malalalala order last year.
BUT I HAVE 3 IN SPIKE, already.
Marni, has taught me her evil ways.
If you buy 2 of each, you might get 2 different clones!
And, yes, I am going to buy twice as much as I bought last year.
I do wish Aerangis jacksonii was on the list.
(But, Bnerison has some, and they're in spike, so someday........)

Order many!
Who knows? someday we'll be trading!

[nusbaum]

Well, I was just considering that a few people here would love to know about this list, and perhaps I should figure a way to gracefully share it. Boy, am I behind the times!!

[Tom_in_PA]

Karen (or anyone else) - Is there a chance someone can share the list with me?

[T. migratoris]

Check your email Tom.

[Karen]

Heh. T. migratoris, you beat me to it.

Tom, email billn@brenan.net to get on the list, directly.
Then you'll get it next year too!

[T. migratoris]

Ya gotta get up a bit earlier next time Karen!

[speavey]

I dont know if anyone will see this but I came across the Aerangis Arachnopus thread and saw something about a Malala List? All I know about it is what I read. Not much. What I do know is that I would love to see it. I have e-mailed billn@brenan.net with no reply. Any suggestions? Also, I on a never ending quest for Aerangis Splendida if anyone can help
Thanks,
Stephen

[mrbreeze]

We all want splendida... good luck with that.

It could be that Bill and Brenda are out at a show. If they're home, they're usually very good about replying to emails and what-not. Give 'em a few more days I think.

[xmpraedicta]

I got a splendida from Andy's about half a year ago - not sure if they still have any though (it wasn't listed on their website..had to ask for it). Not a huge plant, but hey beggers can't be choosers.

So...is it too early to ask what people ordered?

[bnerison]

Our arachnopis are blooming presently and I could try to harvest and store some for you. We are attempting to produce viable seed but having a difficult time carrying it to "term". Let us know! I posted our email incorrectly in a previous blog. Our correct email is billn@bresnan.net. Sorry about that.

[bnerison]

Stephan,

Sorry for the wrong email. Try billn@bresnan.net.