Air-cone pot topic drift

[CarlG]

The whole discussion of air-cone pots brought me back to the days when Ray Rands was active in the orchid business. For those not seasoned enough to remember, he sold mostly Paphiopedilums back in the 80s and before. His advertisements in the AOS Bulletin were entertaining, the Dr. Toot comments especially.

Anyway, besides his Air-Cone Pot, he was selling a papiopedilum mix that incorporated walnut shell fragments. The reasoning behind this was two-fold:

1) The shells were durable, thus helping to keep mixes free-draining, and
2) Some of the shells would wind up orientated that they would retain water, thus helping keeping the medium moist without it being soaked.

Who remembers this, and what results did you have? Is this an idea that should be resurrected?

 

[big923cattleya]

I remember Rand’s Orchids.
I remember air cone pots.
The “Bulletin” takes me back too.
I don’t believe that I ever purchased anything from him. Nor do I recall his media.

 

[Ray]

I didn't recall him selling a mix, but what I remember most was his "interesting" attempts the application of pollinia from two, different plants when making "tri-species" hybrids.

I suppose he hadn't studied pollination or genetics very well.

 

[Tom-DE]

I remember some of his ads in the 80s/90s but I do not remember that he was selling his special walnut shell mix...I bought a few Paphs from him directly or indirectly too, matter of fact, my only Saint Swithin used philippinense var laevigatum was from him and still living vigorously, but after a couple of very expensive mislabeled plants from him, I refused to be his customer again.

 

[littlefrog]

I used to order his bundle of plants almost every month. And thought the three pollinia thing was pretty silly... I still have some of those plants. Dr Toot was his dog, I believe. I think I might still have a Dr. Toot (kolopakingii x something parvi).

 

[Paphluvr]

I was able to visit Ray’s greenhouse a couple of times back in the late ‘70’s while I was working as a field service technician. I don’t remember anything about a proprietary potting mix but I do recall him being somewhat of a character.