Phrag. d'alessandroi 'DD #2'

[tomkalina]

One of three original clones from Dennis D'alessandro back in the day. Another good example of tray culture for this species.

 

[monocotman]

Tom
lovely. I suspect that lots of other phrags and paphs would show equal lelevs of improved growth with trays. It’s just a matter of space!
David

 

[abax]

WOW Tom, that bloom looks like it's on fire. What a color!

 

[NYEric]

Yay besseae (v. dalessandroi)! How deep are the trays? I wonder where Dennis is, probably laughing at us living here in a 3rd World country!

 

[tomkalina]

Yay besseae (v. dalessandroi)! How deep are the trays? I wonder where Dennis is, probably laughing at us living here in a 3rd World country!

Standard 10 x 20 x 2 1/2 inches deep propagation trays with slotted bottoms for drainage. (See photo). I think most garden centers carry them, especially in the spring, or eBay. Haven't heard from Dennis in a long time; I assume he's still down in Ecuador?

 

[PeteM]

I ordered 2 bonsai forest trays on Etsy the other day after your recent posts. Finally going to give it a try for these walkers.

 

[NYEric]

Haven't heard from Dennis in a long time; I assume he's still down in Ecuador?

I'm sure he is, he tried to talk me into moving there. I hope I live long enough to visit or see retirement!

 

[tomkalina]

Not sure how you'd get there with COVID restrictions, but I'd advise going as soon as it's possible; the hikes aren't too strenuous for anyone in decent shape. The first trip I took about ten years ago was guided by Ecuagenera and it was excellent, especially since I was interested in seeing Phrag. besseae in it's natural habitat and analysing leachate and substrate samples.

 

[FrankRC]

Yay besseae (v. dalessandroi)! How deep are the trays? I wonder where Dennis is, probably laughing at us living here in a 3rd World country!

Eric, Denis has given up orchids and now owns a coffee shop in Vilcabamba, Ecuador where he lives with his family. BTW the plant in the photos does not exhibit the correct characteristic of true v. dalessandroi. Given its size, it should.

Wide, shallow clay pots can achieve the same results. All besseae need space.

Best regards,

 

[cnycharles]

Which characteristics are missing? It looks like it’s branching