Dennis D'Alessandro began growing orchids over 25 years ago and in 1977 moved to southern Ecuador where he was curator of the orchid collection at Orquideario Predesur, a botanical garden dedicated to the cultivation of the native orchid species of Ecuador.

Since then he has collected and cataloged over 1000 specimens, of which over 80 species were new to science.

Mr. D'Alessandro now divides his time between Ecuador where he maintains an orchid nursery in the town of Vilcabamba, and the United States where he is the owner of Gypsy Glen Orchids in Beaver, Pa.

During the last 5 years I've spent a total of about Digital Horizon 6 months in Borneo studying orchid habitats and visiting orchid nurseries around the island. Many nights were spent in the bush eating wild food.The days were spent trekking through the rainforest where the temperature and humidity were unbearable, and leeches cover your body.

I have also spent a number of weeks at an orchid nursery, "Orchidwoods," in North Borneo, where the owner was a practicing sorcerer.

We have discovered a number of new Bulbophyllum species that are pending identification.

Dennis D'Alessandro is available for speaking engagements: