Conserving Our Collections: Planning for a Future

MarilyninOttawa

Hello everyone. Today we are discussing something which is vitally important to conservation. How can ensure that our orchids are taken care of in the event of disaster, tragedy or when we decide to be absent for extended periods. If we were talking about a dog or cat, there would be no hesitation. Someone must feed and water them. It might be the neighbor or a kennel that provides the service but they would be taken care of. What about living plants? The next time vacation rolls around will we be wondering "Who will take care of the orchids?" How many of you have a plan? A family emergency requires us to be absent for days, weeks or even months: who can take care of our orchids? Does anyone have a plan? Tragedy strikes and a serious orchid collector dies suddenly: who will take care of that collection of orchids? Have you discussed this with local specialist collectors?

These scenarios are well known to the orchid community yet there is little effective planning at the individual, family, or orchid society level to deal with the issue of vulnerable plants. Without careful planning and activation of those plans, orchid collections can be quickly lost to inappropriate care, inclement weather, pests and diseases. After a hurricane, orchids will be vulnerable to bacterial and fungal diseases as we see here with a Cattleya.

Even inappropriate pesticide application can kill vulnerable plants as we see with this Psychopsis papilio after being sprayed with Cygon.

Red Spider Mite can overwhelm a collection left too dry and too warm for comfort, except for the pest of course.

How many of you knew about the AOS emergency card? http://www.aos.org/aos/conservation/page09.aspx

Jade_in_GR
I never heard of the AOS card.

John_in_Arcadia,_CA
I knew about it but had forgotten it.

Steve_in_the_Adirondacks
So far, my only plan has to be home in 9 days or less.

MarilyninOttawa
Species in our collections should be of particular concern since they may not be easily replaced. While botanical gardens have contingency plans ready to implement in the case of emergency and staffing plans to deal with vacation and illness, rarely are we are similarly prepared. For the serious collector who truly cares about conservation, the message is simple: Plan, plan, plan.

Vacation planning should begin weeks or even months before the first day of the long awaited trip. We may cultivate a trusted neighbor to stand in during our absence. We may rely on family members or even hire a plant care business to do the work. In all cases, the caregiver must be provided with training and walked through the daily routine. I leave printed instructions and create visual clues in the form of colored markers to highlight which plants require special care. We all know how a heavy hand at watering can spell death for some precious orchids and how others are always thirsty. Phals and similar hybrids are easy to take care of provided the caregiver is given instructions as to what and what not to do.

Leaving vulnerable orchids to survive in an unsuitable habitat such as your garden could spell disaster if weather does not cooperate. This Clowesia dodsoniana no longer exists because it was left to fend for itself for several months during a hot, dry summer.

Ed_in_Sat
It seems to me most orchid societies could organize a help group for this sort of thing. We've always helped on our own, but there is no reason why a society should not have a help squad.

MarilyninOttawa
One of the major challenges to society help teams is a concern about liability. It is one thing to assist someone who cannot water their plants because they are laid up with a broken leg. It is something else to enter a person's home when no one is home. While there is a mutual concern about damage to someone else's orchids and property, and all may be forgiven if all that happens is a broken spike, it still pays to be cautious: friendships have been fractured over much less and there may be liability issues. Be certain that the caregiver has contact information, understands that you have a backup plan, and knows what to do in an emergency.

Even with all our planning, things can go awry at the last minute. I have had that experience and I know how relieved I was that I had a backup plan in the form of another neighbor ready, willing and able to act as a replacement. Whew! In this instance, the problems arose before we left town and I was able to contact my substitute but what if it had happened during my absence?

Having the alternate arrangements organized with full knowledge of the primary caregiver would help manage a smooth transition. We must have a backup plan just in case the worst happens. Plan, plan, plan.

Similarly, if the emergency care card is never filled in or is on your desk beneath a stack of bills, it helps no one and especially not the orchids.

Contingency planning is needed for the unexpected events including prolonged power outage, floods, hurricanes and fire. I have had experience with all these challenges and was grateful that I had a contingency plan. It was not a written plan but I had thought about what I could do in the event of emergency. Backup generators do provide power when you need it but you must already have a generator on hand as well as fuel to operate it until either power is restored or you have moved the orchids to a secure location. You have poor quality well water and depend upon a reverse osmosis (RO) system to safely water your plants. If water becomes unavailable or quality changes such that certain orchids could be adversely affected, you need a readily available backup supply. This means having a reservoir of good quality water which could be rainwater, melted snow or reserved RO water to use during the emergency period. Furthermore, if water quality is an issue, you need to regularly monitor pH, conductivity, etc to be certain that the water is safe for your plants. These disas no longer exist because of water quality issues.

You may have only a short time to select plants to 'save' so it is a good idea to label your collection accordingly as is done in some public collections. This way, the most valuable plants are more likely to survive. Of course, sharing divisions of selected plants with growers at a distance is always a good way to lower risk when tragedy strikes.

How many of you have shared a division with this thought in mind? In the era of blackouts and power cuts, perhaps it might be a good idea. I was able to return a division many years after the original owner had given a piece to me then lost his plant during a storm. Makes you feel good to help and to share.

N_Calif_Kathy
I have. And I am a recipient of others, too. I got the idea from you and Lois Greer!

Jade_in_GR
Marilyn, I have experienced just that. Several plants were taken from my porch several years ago. Earlier, I had given divisions or cuttings to several friends. Now my plants are offspring of those share plants.

MarilyninOttawa
Imagine! The circle closes.

Succession planning is probably the least thought about but should be seriously considered by anyone having a collection of species or breeding stock. Even with detailed directions as to the care and disposition of a collection, unless we tell others of our intent, no one may learn of those wishes before the plants have succumbed. It goes without saying that all plants should be labeled and that useful records are stored somewhere safe. This Paph, chamberlainianum no longer lives because there was no plan.

The late Edward W. Greenwood retired to Mexico where he carried out extensive research of the orchid flora. He produced thousands of slides, floral dissections mounted on cards, and copious detailed notes of his investigations. This a mounted, freshly dissected flower of Govenia sp.

He planned so that his collection of slides, books, papers and other information would continue being a reference tool for future orchid conservationists. Furthermore, he made those around him aware of his wishes so that after his very productive life ended in 2002, his legacy remains intact and can be visited at the Oakes Ames Orchid Library Archives. (http://www.huh.harvard.edu/libraries/archives/EDWEB/edweb.html)

How many of us have a plan or have even discussed the disposition of our orchids (especially species and valuable clones), notes and books?

For those inheriting orchids, the plants may be especially important as they represent a living remembrance of a loved one and their green thumb. Often the family member knows nothing about orchids but despite that is managing to keep a very special plant alive.

They are ready to do whatever to keep this legacy alive and thriving but they need help with potting, division, etc. This is when orchid societies can assist whoever asks for help. Someone asked our society to help and the advice came from me with an invitation to come to meeting. Given the size and type of the plant, recommend a suitable pot and the most appropriate potting material. Offer to repot the orchid or provide additional advice at a meeting. Your good turn will turn into a learning experience for everyone and perhaps line up some new orchid friends for the grower.

John in Arcadia, CA
The Orchid Digest has been the recipient of slides and books and papers from several important members who have past away.

MarilyninOttawa
That is good to know. I am delighted to know how records/writing are being accumulated at the Orchid Digest and that there is a backup plan.

John in Arcadia, CA
Thank you. The Orchid Digest has become the depository for Western America and the Huntington Library is the final recipient if we should close. We are getting the 98 years of Armacost & Royston records soon. We got John Hanes records and several other growers records including Norris Powell's . The Stewart Orchid records will come with the Armacost & Royston but we already have a great deal from Hetherington such as Stewart's studbook. With the Huntington Library as a final site, they will be available well into the future .

MarilyninOttawa
To summarize: Plan for vacations Identify who can take care of your orchids when you are away. Discuss options with family, friends and neighbors. Ask for suggestions from orchid society members or contact housesitting businesses that also provide plant care services. Prepare a plant care schedule.

Plan for contingencies Consider how to take care of the orchids during a power failure, in summer heat or winter cold, or what plans to have in place if you suddenly become ill or have to evacuate the premises. Have a list of the most valuable plants that must be saved if at all possible. Mark these plants so that they may be quickly located and removed to safety.

Plan for succession Keep records up to date and plants labeled. Identify whom you want to take care of your orchids once you no longer are able, be certain that they are willing, and share this with your family. Plan for a future for species such as this Cattleya maxima. Species deserve our consideration and knowledge gained from years of experience cannot be recreated without difficulty.

MarilyninOttawa
That is the end of the formal presentation. Now for discussion.

N_Calif_Kathy
While you were talking I went out and took some pictures of my emergency 'plan'. The first step is that the phone list inside the house also has an orchid friend's phone number in case the housesitter needs help. But if there's another kind of emergency and a neighbor or policeman or fireman needs to know where the shut off are I have instructions taped on the GH front door.

Then on the outside I have the same blue tape:

Water	Gas	and electricity

This idea was taken from pet activists who have emergency notification on their front doors as to how many pets and what types are inside in case a fireman has to break down a door etc. They know who's there. I continued the blue tape on the inside the greenhouse as to which hoses/equipment is to be used and which isn't. (for example I have one hose that leaks like a sieve.... I don't know why I haven't tossed it. But I labeled it 'do not use' before I went on my last vacation.)

John in Arcadia,CA
Our city gives those pet notices out. I have them but have never filled them out. This is a good idea. I will do some of this tomorrow. It is an easy thing to do.

MarilyninOttawa
Labels are important, as are records. Together with a plan, I know that my plants stand a good chance of surviving. In the meantime, I share seedlings of unusual species with a botanical garden and also with a range of local growers.

janetteh
There is a man in our orchid society who is a bit eccentric and can get on your nerves, but he has a kind heart. About 8 or 9 years ago another member of the OS husband was diagnosed with a brain tumor. She had to take him to Durham for treatment and it was a long and difficult road for her. Her orchids took a back seat and suffered. One day this man showed up at her door and told her that he was going to take her orchids. She was embrassed to let him see them but let him have the plants. He took them home, repotted all of them and took care of them until she was able to take them back and tend to them. Not too many of us have good samaritans like this in our local OS.

MarilyninOttawa
Sometimes we must reach out into the community. One of our founding members became unable to care for his plants so offered me a couple and all those huge cymbids to someone with a lot more room. Well, his Bif. atropupurea rewards me every year and reminds me too, of his generosity and care for living things.

Jade_in_GR
Another thing one might do is to find a younger member in your society who may need an orchid mentor. Get them good and hooked and you will have a home for you lovelies.

N_Calif_Kathy
Tom had a nice chat on leaving your orchid collection to a University or Botanical Garden. (Its in the archives.) His main point was to remember to leave money to fund the care of the orchids, too. You can't just depend on the University's budget to feed/water/and care for your collection.

MarilyninOttawa
This is an important point. You cannot 'saddle' an individual or institution with something they cannot afford to keep. When planning continuity of care, ask the proposed recipient about this.

Jade_in_GR
I have made provision for my orchid library and many of the species in my collection.

N_Calif_Kathy
As far as leaving your library books, one of the judges passed away and her heirs divided up all the books into lots and handed them out to the AOS students. Some were good some weren't, but it was a good idea as to how to get rid of books which heirs may not know what to do with. (ie give them to students)

Jade_in_GR
A member of our society disposed of his collection with a super sale. Then he had a email auction of his orchid library and donated the profits to the society. He got a tax deduction and people got the books they wanted. As Marilyn stressed, the important thing is to have a plan and make sure someone else is aware of it.

MarilyninOttawa
Isn't that a useful approach all round? Several of our members have given or left books to the society or to particular members. Those left to the library are examined for value and duplication. Extras (usually AOS Bulletins) are auctioned which raises funds for conservation activities. I have several left this way and it is a nice memento.

-end

Prechat Handout

Conserving Our Collections: Planning for a Future

Marilyn H. S. Light
Copyright 2006

The next time vacation rolls around will we be wondering "Who will take care of the orchids?" A family emergency requires us to be absent for days, weeks or even months: who can take care of our orchids? Tragedy strikes and a serious orchid collector dies suddenly: who will take care of that collection of orchids? These scenarios are well known to the orchid community yet there is little effective planning at the individual, family, or orchid society level to deal with the issue of vulnerable plants. Without careful planning and activation of those plans, orchid collections can be quickly lost to inappropriate care, inclement weather, pests and diseases. Species in our collections should be of particular concern since they may not be easily replaced. While botanical gardens have contingency plans ready to implement in the case of emergency and staffing plans to deal with vacation and illness, rarely are we are similarly prepared. For the serious collector who truly cares about conservation, the message is simple: Plan, plan, plan.

Vacation planning should begin weeks or even months before the first day of the long awaited trip. We may cultivate a trusted neighbour to stand in during our absence. We may rely on family members or even hire a plant care business to do the work. In all cases, the caregiver must be provided with training and walked through the daily routine. I leave printed instructions and create visual clues in the form of colored markers to highlight which plants require special care. We all know how a heavy hand at watering can spell death for some precious orchids and how others are always thirsty. While there is a mutual concern about damage to someone else's orchids and property, and all may be forgiven if all that happens is a broken spike, it still pays to be cautious: friendships have been fractured over much less and there may be liability issues. Be certain that the caregiver has contact information, understands that you have a backup plan, and knows what to do in an emergency.

Even with all our planning, things can go awry at the last minute. I have had that experience and I know how relieved I was that I had a backup plan in the form of another neighbor ready, willing and able to act as a replacement. Whew! In this instance, the problems arose before we left town and I was able to contact my substitute but what if it had happened during my absence? Having the alternate arrangements organized with full knowledge of the primary caregiver would help manage a smooth transition. We must have a backup plan just in case the worst happens. Plan, plan, plan.

Contingency planning is needed for the unexpected events including prolonged power outage, floods, hurricanes and fire. I have had experience with all these challenges and was grateful that I had a contingency plan. It was not a written plan but I had thought about what I could do in the event of emergency. Backup generators do provide power when you need it but you must already have a generator on hand as well as fuel to operate it until either power is restored or you have moved the orchids to a secure location. You may have only a short time to select plants to 'save' so it is a good idea to label your collection accordingly as is done in some public collections. This way, the most valuable plants are more likely to survive. Of course, sharing divisions of selected plants with growers at a distance is always a good way to lower risk when tragedy strikes.

Succession planning is probably the least thought about but should be seriously considered by anyone having a collection of species or breeding stock. Even with detailed directions as to the care and disposition of a collection, unless we tell others of our intent, no one may learn of those wishes before the plants have succumbed. It goes without saying that all plants should be labelled and that useful records are stored somewhere safe.

For those inheriting orchids, the plants may be especially important as they represent a living remembrance of a loved one and their green thumb. Often the family member knows nothing about orchids but despite that is managing to keep a very special plant alive. They are ready to do whatever to keep this legacy alive and thriving but they need help with potting, division, etc. This is when orchid societies can assist whomever asks for help. Given the size and type of the plant, recommend a suitable pot and the most appropriate potting material. Offer to repot the orchid or provide additional advice at a meeting. Your good turn will turn into a learning experience for everyone and perhaps line up some new orchid friends for the grower.

To summarize:

Plan for vacations Identify who can take care of your orchids when you are away. Discuss options with family, friends and neighbours. Ask for suggestions from orchid society members or contact house sitting businesses that also provide plant care services. Prepare a plant care schedule.

Plan for contingencies Consider how to take care of the orchids during a power failure, in summer heat or winter cold, or what plans to have in place if you suddenly become ill or have to evacuate the premises. Have a list of the most valuable plants which must be saved if at all possible. Mark these plants so that they may be quickly located and removed to safety.

Plan for succession Keep records up to date and plants labelled. Identify who you want to take care of your orchids once you no longer are able, be certain that they are willing, and share this with your family.