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  Re: Philodendron spiritus-sancti
From: Denis denis at skg.com> on 2000.10.08 at 04:26:05(5528)
Dear Scott and Other Aroiders:

The piece you got at the auction came from the collection of Betty
Waterbury who left the IAS two pieces of this lovely Philodendron and
some other assorted rare Aroids in her will to support the Society which
she and several others founded in the 1970's. It was collected in Brazil
by the Guide who was showing her the various collecting areas in the
countryside. He did not share the exact location of the collection site
with her and made her wait in the car. (this is the story I was told,
correct me if I'm Wrong, please.) The plants were entrusted to me to
grow for the Society. It does not grow very fast in my nursery and has
never flowered...perhaps it's getting too much shade. What light level
are you growing in. We were set to sell another piece of the P.
spiritus sancti at the Auction this year. However, an off shore
customer($) came into my nursery and offered me $500 for the Scrawny
basal piece which I had topped in the Spring. Since the last Auction
price received was only $350 and after conferring with Tricia Frank, IAS
Treasurer we decided that the $500 was a fair price and more than we
were likely to get from the Auction. There should be another piece for
next year. Scott, if you could get your piece of the plant to set seed
that would be great. But if it were that easy there would already be
millions of them out there. Monroe Birdsey alway said that the
Philodendron that was growing in his trees was the same species as this
Spiritus Sancti thing but nobody was ever willing to pay $350 to $500
for his plant when he gave the cuttings away for free. I regret now
selling that piece for $500, for many people said to me at the show they
would have liked to have bid on it. But like I said there will be
another piece for next year. So far, to the best of my recollection this
Plant, (thanks to the generosity of our Auction bidders) has raised
about $1500 for the IAS publication fund.(Tricia correct me if this is
not a high enough number.) Sorry to be so wordy.

Denis Rotolante

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