Editor's note: The pics ARE THE SAME for both the large and small pictures that Andy mentions. That's the way they came to me in my transcript! I'm leaving it that way till we finalize it for the REAL archives page. So don't bother clicking on both pics, THEY ARE THE SAME! --KB]
OrchidSafari
Brazilian Trek: Brazilian cattleyas
By Andy NVA
Saturday, January 15, 2000
Andy_NVA
First let me welcome everyone to tonight's talk. This is going to be quite
informal and you are welcome to ask as many questions as you like. I have
selected over 30 slides from my 1998 trip to Brazil to share with you tonight.
Perhaps if this works out, we can cover the slides from my 1999 trip another
time. These slides are strictly of orchids in their native habitat with
maybe one or two pictures of the general habitats in which they are found.
I'm going to post URLs for two pictures. The pictures will be identical
except for the size. I suggest we all look at the smaller picture and if
you want a closer look, go back and click on the larger one. So without
further ado, our trip starts out in Washington DC where we fly to the Brazilian
capitol of Brasilia. From Brasilia, we fly to Fortaleza, catch another flight
to Saolouis and from there we travel by bus to Imperatriz. After 36 hours
of traveling, we are all glad to stay put for a while. After settling in
at a hotel, we walked around town, ate dinner and prepared for tomorrow's
expedition. One of the first orchids we encountered was Catasetum macrocarpum:
Small
photo, Large
photo.
A close up of the female flowers shows a native bee in the process of pollinating the plant: Small photo, Large photo. Perhaps the larger photo shows the bee below the cluster of flowers more clearly.
If you look closely at the tree on which the Catasetum is growing, you will notice it has been burned from the many attempts the local farmers make at clearing land. Here we see Catasetum seedlings growing on the side of a scorched palm tree: Small photo, Large photo.
New_User
Were there any male flowers on the plant?
Andy_NVA
Interesting question. The male flowers were on the shady side of the trees
and the female flowers were on the sunny side.
Karen
Is this typical, Andy?
Ed_in_SAT
Funny - I ran into a shady side female on my last collecting trip. Hmmmmmmmmmm.
Andy_NVA
Yes it is. I've seen clumps of Ctsms completely encircle the tree with male
and female flowers distributed according to the north/south side of the
tree trunk. South sunny-female North shadey-male.
whapy_in_Biggin_Hill,SE_E
That makes the males the shady ones:-)
Andy_NVA
Higher up in the palm trees were clusters of Vanilla vines growing out from
behind the dead leaf fronds: Small
photo, Large
photo . These particular palm trees seemed to be preferred by many of
the Catasetums through out Brazil.
Here's a closer look at that Vanilla: Small photo, Large photo.
Karen
I'm going to ask a 'stupid' question, Andy. Are those coconuts in the palm
tree?
pecteilis_in_KY
The palms look like the boot jack palms of S Florida. Same retained leaf
boots and sheaths. Possibilities?
Andy_NVA
Those fruits you see are the nuts of the BubuSue palm tree. We used these
trees to help up locate the Ctsms. as they are favored my many of the genus.
The fruits are edible and I tried one. Slimy nutty flavor. I only ate one
;)
Ed_in_SAT
Doesn't look like [Vanilla] planifolia. Any idea of bloom color?
Super
Were the Vanillas in Bloom?
Andy_NVA
Never saw a flower. Lots of seed pods, but they rotted so easly, I didn't
get any seed for propagating.
Vida
How big are they? In the pic they look about the size of a cantaloupe or
something like that.
Andy_NVA
After our fill of Catasetums and Vanilla, we planned a day trip to Carolina
(pronounced caroLEENa) where maybe there, we would find something different
- maybe a cattleya??. Our first day out brought us new adventures and new
orchids. The first was a Cycnoches which I found high on a tree branch near
the roadside: Small
photo, Large
photo.
The seed pods of the vannilla looked like small bunches of bananas. Maybe 3-4 inches long and maybe 1/4 inch thick.
Vida .
Is that white thing sticking out from the flower itself or ???
Andy_NVA
As we entered into the thicker forest, Russ stumbled upon the only galeandra
found on this trip: Small
photo, Large photo
Barbara,_N._CA
That looks like Cyc.chlorochilon.
Andy_NVA
Catasetums seemed to be everywhere in Brazil. Here is a Catasetum galeriatum:
Small
photo:
Large
photo
Ed_in_SAT
Might be pentadactylon if those dark areas are brown or chocolate colored
pigmentation.
Andy_NVA
Here's a close up: Small
photo: Large
photo
Andy_NVA
We found rat tail Oncidiums, and Encyclias that day too, but in all the
excitement, I forgot to take pictures. The Onc. hung off the tree branches
and trunks like icesickles on a Christmas tree. Unfortunately, none were
in bloom. They were quite abundant on some trees and narry a one on others.
It was interesting how one tree would host several different kinds of orchids
and others would not. It was a successful day to say the least, but still
no Cattleyas.
The following day, we would take a bus trip back to Brasilia to finish
out our trip. Our guide was not able to join us right away, so a couple
of us decided to take a day and visit a forest preserve on the other side
of town. Orchids are everywhere in Brazil and this place was no exception.
Here we saw a Hebinaria in bloom: Small
photo: Large photo: button
button
Ed_in_SAT
Couldn't find my reference, but I think that Vanilla might be what they
call pompona down there. You might want to look it up if you go back.
Karen
You all must have had sharp eyes-these seem to blend in w/ their surroundings
pretty well!
Andy_NVA
and some other type of terrestrial orchid: Small
photo: Large
photo: The photo isn't too clear, but the mottling on the leaves of
this orchid made it particularly beautiful.
Ed_in_SAT
Maybe H. uliginosa (sp?). It is down there.
Andy_NVA
As it turned out, our guide was REALLY tied up, so we all decided to take
a bus trip to Belhorzante and visit a Brazilian catasetum expert-Dr. Kleber.
In fact a Brazilian Catasteum was named after him- Ctsm kleberianum one
of Brazils most colorful and beautiful Catasetums. Dr. Kleber took time
off from his work and guided us through some of Brazils most rich orchid
habitats: Small
photo: Large
photo
Lets try it again: Small photo: Large photo
Sharon_in_Indiana
And oh the large picture even shows a spider web! Wonderful photography,
Andy.
AHORCHID
What sort of elevation do we have there?
Andy_NVA
These rocky hills were home to quite a few orchids. On the way to these
sites, Dr Kleber pointed out many forests that were filled with Cattelya
pumila, but alas, we were not destine to stop. Needless to say, I wasn't
happy that we weren't stopping, but all was forgiven when we arrived at
the 'other' orchid sites: Small
photo , Large
photo
Susan-from-Oregon
That Habernaria looks much like our native Oregon Habernarias!
Andy_NVA
I got that one backwards. I don't recall off hand what the elevation was.
Gene Monnier kept those records. Gene is with JEM orchids in Delray FL.
Here is a close up of the Laelias: Small photo: Large photo
These were rock dwelling laelias and some sort of pleurothalis. Don't ask me which ones. I'm nervious with these pics. not comming up *Blush*
Barbara,_N._CA
L. sincorana?
AHORCHID
Do these grow on side of road or are you out in forest?
MiamiBert
"Unknown terrestrial" = Eulophidium Maculatum [old name, genus
been changed recently] Species originally from AFRICA!
pecteilis_in_KY
Oh, an alien weed!
MiamiBert
Eulophidium maculatum now naturalized all over New World, even Miami
CJ-Orchidflowerchild
Are those rupiculous Laelias?
ClareinLA
I must admit I was surprised to find the laelias on the ground. Is this
typical?
Andy_NVA
Here's a couple more photos of the same plants: Small
photo, Large
photo
Small
photo, Large
photo; Small
photo, Large
photo
marylois
Right, CJ.
Ed_in_SAT
Probably rock dwellers - the rupicolous laelias in the parviflorae area
ClareinLA
Can you imagine walking into something like that?
Karen
No, I can't! They look like coneflowers or something!
Sharon_in_Indiana
I sit in awe of you all. Your knowledge of orchids is so tremendous that
I don't know if I will ever achieve a level of knowledge anywhere near any
of you. This is said as I repeatedly bow while backing out of the room.
Andy_NVA
Can you believe, you couldn't walk without stepping on them? Dr. Kleber
claimed this area was going to be destroyed soon. These weren't the only
orchids growing among the scrub brush. Take a look at these photos: Small
photo: Large
photo rock dwelling Oncidiums
Zeynep
I was thinking the same thing Clare.... Andy, were you soaking the pleasure
and the excitement? And you are doing an excellent presentation, I am enjoying
it very much.
Andy_NVA
Small
photo: Large
photo:Zygopetalums
Karen
Andy, is there any recovery effort in cases where areas are going to be
destroyed? Does anyone try to relocate these babies?
Ed_in_SAT
Somehow, I don't get the Oncidium connection here. Rocks are the first clue:
not really rare, but not preferred Onc. growth habit.
Andy_NVA
Here's a couple more photos of the same plants: Small
photo: Large
photo; Small
photo: Large
photo; Small
photo:Large
photo
Andy_NVA
Bifrenaria Small
photo: Large
photo
Barbara,_N._CA
What a Zygo, too bad wasn't in bloom.
Andy_NVA
WOW! What a great side trip! I was introduced to orchids I didn't even know
grew in Brazil! So now it's back to Brasilia to see if our guide was free
to show us around the orchid habitats there, before heading back home. And
that she did! Promises of Cattleyas to boot! Our first stop was the habitat
of Phrag. vitatum and Cattleya nobilior: Small
photo: Large
photo
Small
photo: Large
photo
No Cattelya nobilior. All had been collected. Our guide said that there were 'many many cattelyas but now they are no more' But that was OK. I got to see Phrag. vitatum in it's natural habitat! What a thrill. Now we were off on our last exploration along a winding river/streem through the 'Chapada' which refers to the flat rock outcroppings: Small photo: Large photo
Orchids here, were as abundant as they were in Belahorzante, We saw; Small photo: Large photo: Cyrtopodiums
Zeynep
Andy, was Arthur Holtz with you during this trip by any chance?
pecteilis_in_KY
Andy, I had the impression that most tropical orchids were dendritic. They
are terrestrial or litho?
MiamiBert
Andy, I saw 2 Phrags, no c. nobilior!???
Andy_NVA
Nope. Not Cattleyas. They had all been collected. Ed. There were not trees
for the Onc. Perhaps these were not Onc. after all. I will know for sure
when the seeds mature and bloom for me. They are all in flask now. Karen:
No efforts are being made that I know of to preserve these habitats. That's
why I collected seed to take back and grow.
Ed_in_SAT
Maybe paludicolum if it was real wet there.
Susan-from Oregon
Andy, will you let us know what your seedlings grow up to be. (I'll still
be wondering)
Andy_NVA
Not sure of the meaning dendridic. Please define. Zeynep: Yes Art Holts
was our leader and chief
Karen
Andy, I was wondering more if people actually collected plants from areas
that were going to be destroyed. I know collecting in the wild's forbidden,
but...
Andy_NVA
Small
photo: Large
photo: Epidendrums
Ed_in_SAT
Not sure, either. Thought dendrites were crystalline.
pecteilis_in_KY
Growing in trees, on the trunk or in the upper branches. The light available
in the sites you have shown change my ideas on light in the GH.
Susan-from-Oregon
Are you going to tear off the shading first thing tommorrow?
pecteilis_in_KY
No, but if I can increase the night radiation in warm weather then I can
increase the light, and the air movement.
MiamiBert
Holst will be leading discussion of Catasetums at the Miami Show in March
[plug,plug]
Andy_NVA
Natives collect and sell orchids along the road in some parts. I never saw
them, but our fearless leader told of such things.
Small photo: Large photo: Epidendrums
Ed_in_SAT
ibaguense, maybe?
Susan-from-Oregon
I've seen pictures of one Epi violacea that look just like that one.
Andy_NVA
Got me on that one Ed. It was the only one around and no seed pods. :(
MiamiBert
If I remember correctly, natural habitat of ibiguense is high altitude,
Central America
Andy_NVA
Be careful now. I can't grow Brazilian orchids here like they grow in the
wild. Don't know why, but I give them less light than they get in their
natural habitat. I'll burn them up in direct like like they get back home.
Small
photo: Large
photo: Epiphitic Oncidiums
Zeynep
Andy, do you have identification for that Oncidium? Nice color....
Andy_NVA
Small
photo: Large
photo: Lentil size pleurothalids
Karen
Another 'stupid' question: Those are orchids?
Andy_NVA
Small
photo: Large
photo: rock dwelling epidendrons
Randy,_MI
I have a blooming radicans that looks very similar...
Andy_NVA
Aren't all Onc. the same ;) I wrote the name down and I can't find it. Yes
those little green and red tree dwelling lentils are orchids!
marylois
They are nice! Bet there would be a market for them - seed grown, I mean.
Ed_in_SAT
Wide range and very adaptable. Fond of drainage ways but not wet footing.
Andy_NVA
I didn't believe the lentels were orchids either, but I was assured they
were by everyone in our party. Small
photo: Large
photo: Weird little orchids of some sort growing in moss on a branch
over the water
Ed_in_SAT
Randy, your radicans should be more toward the red or orange tones. Secundum
goes to whites and pinks. It is a brave soul who will say precisely what
these reed types are. Sign me unbrave!!!!!!
ClareinLA
Wow, forget the pots and bark. I'm putting rocks in the back yard to foster
a few of these.
Zeynep
Do you have a name for the pleuro? You can e-mail me later with those infos,
I would love the name... They are definetly worth giving a try.:-)
ClareinLA
I'm amazed at how many you found in bloom.
Andy_NVA
I'll try and get the name of the pleuros. and post them to the web site.
OK?
Andy_NVA
We had a great trip and saw more different kinds of orchids than I ever
hoped to see. Hope you all enjoyed the trip! Small
photo: Large
photo: Bulbo photos.
Andy_NVA
Small
photo: Large
photo: Even Bulbophylums!!
Karen
Thank you Andy!!! Wonderful show-thanks for sharing the pictures and your
tales w/ us!
marylois
Love it, Andy! Bet you never smile that broadly climbing a light pole! *LOL*
Thank you, Andy. Excellent! When are we doing Part 2?
