Question
QUESTION: Jim,

I've started breeding warming blooming Cymbidiums and am looking to acquire more breeding plants.  Aside from Cym Golden Elf, what others would you recommend for use as parents?  Also, what are sources for these plants.  The nurseries I've checked with typically grow standards which require much colder temps. than I have here in Hawaii.

Thank you.

ANSWER: Hi Al,

The only person I know that has been working with hybridizing warmth tolerant cymbidiums on the Hawaiian Islands is Bob Harris, who lives in Hawi, Hawaii. If you live on the Big Island, you might be able to locate him through the local orchid clubs or phone book.  He is very knowledgeable about warmth tolerant cymbidiums.

If you cannot find him, let me know and I'll see if I can through some other means.  

Jim Kawasaki
San Jose, Ca.



---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Jim,

Thank you.

I guess I should have been a little clearer in my question.  I know of Bob Harris and have already raided his stock.  Consequently, I am looking for other sources of plants inf information, outside of Hawaii.

Answer
Hi Al,

Ah ha!  So you've already met Bob Harris and got all the warmth tolerant cymbidiums in his collection.  Outside of Bob, I don't believe any one else on the islands is working at hybridizing cymbibiums so that means you will have to try California and Thailand where there are several persons working on them.  

In California, try George Hatfield at http://www.hatfieldorchids.com/.  He has done some hybridizing of his own plus carries warmth tolerant cymbidiums made by Andy Easton.  In Thailand there is Kobsukh Kaerantane (spelling?) at http://www.pakkretfloriculture.co.th.  I'm not sure what Hawaii's requirements are for importing orchids from California are but I know you have to have a C.I.T.E.S. permit for Thailand.  Bob Harris probably can fill you in on the various details of what is required for both.  Of further note, there are a couple of persons in Australia starting a warmth tolerant cymbidium program with Australian species plus some others but, as I said, they are just starting and do not have much to offer at this time.  Oh, I almost forgot, there is Kevin Hipkins in Australia who has a few warmth tolerants in his breeding program, try him at http://www.royaleorchids.com/.  

Additionally, if you are interested, Hatfield Orchids is having a sale over the Memorial Day weekend plus another sale over the July 11, 12, 13 weekend during the annual Santa Barbara Orchid Fair.  Next year in March (not sure of the date) there is the annual Santa Barbara Orchid Show that will have many vendors selling various orchids, Kobsukh may be there as there is a standing open invitation from George Hatfield who may begin to carry some of his hybrids.  I believe Royale Orchids will be at both the fair and Show.  If you pre-order, Royale will bring them to the show and thus save you some shipping costs and trouble with C.I.T.E.S. permits.  

Lastly, if you are truly interested in hybridizing cymbidiums, I would recommend that you become a member of the International Cymbidium Alliance Forum, go to: http://forums.delphiforums.com/Cymbidium1/ and follow the intructions to become a member.  All of the persons I've mentioned, including Bob Harris, are members and there have been several discussions about breeding for warmth tolerance in cymbidiums.  Although I do not do any hybridizing, I find the discussions very interesting and informative.  

Hope this helped.  Good luck in your quest.  

Jim Kawasaki
San Jose, Ca.