Hello from Southamerica

[Delicious]

I have been trying to start an orchid collection. Since i live on the Andes in Southamerica you can walk around the tropical rainforset and collect a huge variety of wild orchids. Since i am relatively new to Orchid cultivation i will need all the help you can give me.
In retribution i promise i will post pictures and reports of as many species as i can find.
In the momento i have two Cymbidiums, two odontoglossums and a variety of tiny orchid that i found last week in the forest. I wish we could classify it. I am uploading a couple of pictures for your delight.

Best regards,

Delicious

[jerrymeola]

Since you are looking at wild native species it will be possible for you to identify them from photos. You will need to get a reference book that has a section on cool growing Andes species.

Here in the United States it is hard to grow cooler growing species and most people grow warm tolerant hybrids. I could not even begin to ID cool plants as I can not grow them. Maybe you will get lucky and someone in our more northern climates will have seen them.

[Orchid_lady]

Isn't it illegal to take orchids from the wild? Because they are endangered species?

[Delicious]

Hello

jerrymeola: Thanks for clearing that out. I should deffenetly get that book. Maybe i should open a thread under the name: Wild Andean Orchids.

Orchid_lady: I appreciate your concern. Some orchids are endangered species, but here in the Andes they thrive. They grow all around. Just this year i bought a beatiful terrain with a breathtaking view. I plan to build a nice house in the near future. One of the many things that made me buy this piece of land was the fact that in a quick walk you can find more than 5 spieces of orchids.
Fortunately i am concsious that i am not only entitled to the property of the land but also with the responsability of protecting the flora and fauna i will be hosting.

Best regards,

Delicious