I'm curious if any of you are growing Philodendron esmeraldense? The species is relatively new and hasn't officially been published to science just yet (thus I didn't put it in italics). It is found only near Lita in northern Ecuador and Dr. Croat is currently working on the scientific description. The leaf blades apparently grow to approximately 30 inches (76cm). It is a vine species that can climb as an epiphyte, grow terrestrially, or even grow on rocks. I'm currently working on a page for my website with the species and would like to have more good photos to use. My specimen is still juvenile and I'm looking for photos that show leaf blades that are between the juvenile state and the fully grown state. If you've got a good photo, please post it and let me know if I can grab it (with credit) for my site. http://www.exoticrainforest.com/Philodendron esmeraldense pc.html Thanks!
The plant was shipped direct from Ecuagenera in Ecuador in the early summer of 2007. It was ordered as Philodendron esmeraldense and has their tag with that I.D. I now have two photos of adult plants and all the characteristics appear to be the same when compared to Dr. Croat's notes. Mine is however still a young specimen. I have this one and one other of an adult specimen posted on the webpage. However, I am posting the link to the page again so you can check the information which was taken directly from Dr. Croat's unpublished scientific description. This page is likely to have some changes made once Dr. Croat reads the article. I only have two of the three photos posted but the third looks exactly like Enid's photo which is now on the page. The third photo just shows a plant that is slightly smaller than her plant but larger than my juvenile plant. That one came from a botanist in France. If you feel something is in error please point it out so I can bring it to Dr. Croat's attention. http://www.exoticrainforest.com/Philodendron esmeraldense pc.html
Hi Ed, I guess you're right. I think it's the angle of the plant, maybe that's why it looked different. We have it growing on a totum. Esmeraldense is a great Philodendron species.
Ed, I'd be happy to send you a cut of rhizome you could root out. This plant is an easy grower. Contact me off thread if you want.
I would love to, but our laws are really strict over here. I will eventually try and get a phyto, depending on expense, as there are a lot of plants that you guys have over there that I would like to grow and possibly sell... Ed
ED. very expensive propisition , importing plants . Get to know your closest quarantine house , and preferebly not the Gov. one [they charge like wounded bulls] Next save up a few thousand dollars . Then get your permit to import , it is country specific and species specific . To make it worth while you must bring in as many plants as possible as the inspection charges are the biggest expense . Minumun of 15 minutes at about $200 per hour . My pathetic 6 species of Amorphophallus took them about 30 seconds to look at for the $50 .
Oh well I better start saving then : / I have a business so it will be tax deductible, but I still have to fork it out in the first place....
get a bunch of people to go in with you on an order! that's what i've seen people do for ordering hoya from your david liddle! they share the costs of the paperwork and plant inspection as well as sharing the costs for the plants themselves.
Hi Ed, Here in the US the Phyto is obtained by the exporter. All you need is to either get an import permit or find out about restrictions for cuttings that are without roots and foliage. I know sometimes there are charges for inspections, but with trades that is usually the only expense, besides parting with a cutting or a plant and the shipping cost. I have several aroid friends in far away places that I trade with. If it were not for friends, we would not have many of the plants we have. Being on an island presents a challenge at times when wanting to obtain new plants, but with the generosity of plant friends we are fortunate. I understand this obstacle and look forward to helping others in the same boat.
May I add a personal comment about Windy's comment. Windy is one of the most sharing collectors I know. Last summer I purchased a few plants from her and when the box arrived there were 25 plants inside! Many were species I really wanted to add to my collection including rare species orchids. Just as Windy said, were it not for friends we would not have many of the plants we have in our collections. My collection is small by comparison to Windy's! If you watch eBay you'll see GypsyTropicals offering rare plants frequently. I've been fortunate enough to have several friends just like Windy who trade specimens with me on a regular basis. As a result, I often give plants to my new friends. Obviously we can't give cuttings to everyone or our collections would soon be depleted. But having friends who love to grow the same things we love is a wonderful advantage to plant collecting. And I have made some great friends as a result of UBC! And Windy, I certainly hope everyone who reads this starts expecting large boxes of free plants!!! But if you make friends, you never know what you just might receive!
Steve, First let me say thank you for the kind words. I'm always interested in helping others with the same interests increase their collection and appreciate their trades. Yes Steve, some were very rare and I'm glad to read that you did enjoy these extra plants, and at the time had hoped you would be encouraged to trade with me and not just consider them as 'free plants'. My collection is not so big that I do not enjoy something new to watch and grow, even if in duplicate to something already in the collection. As every collector knows, here is always a satisfaction to receiving and watching something different grow. I'm not in competition with anyone, I only enjoy what I have and hope to share with others who enjoy the same common interests. Friends, please don't think like Steve has suggested and expect me to supply you with 'large boxes of free plants'....but I do like to trade! If you are looking for something we might have, maybe we can exchange plants with each other.
I am certain Steve meant a 'not' to be inserted in this last statment /// I certainly hope ......everyone who reads this, starts expecting large boxes of free plants!!! But if you make friends, you never know what you just might receive!
My apolgies Windy. I thought you were aware that I'd gladly send you anything in my collection I can take a cutting from. I certainly didn't consider them just "free". I don't know right off of anything I have that you aren't already growing but if there is anything on my site (just check the species list) that you'd like I'll gladly send them to you. Your collection is so much larger than mine I am often amazed at all the species you grow. Again, my apologies. I certainly did not wish to offend you in any way. And it wasn't my intention to suggest you give away a lot of plants. I understand plants are a business for you. My only goal was to point out how kind you have personally been to me. I thought I had thanked you for the plants you sent in a personal email, but if I failed to do so, please know I do very much appreciate them. Especially the orchids. Steve
