Species -vs- Hybrid?

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

Originally Posted by tropterrarium

Nowadays, mericloning (tissue culture of meristematic tissue ~ stem cells of plants) can overcome the limitation of line breeding.

To some degree, in certain contexts. It still has it's own limitations and problems.

[palm521]

species offer a botanical value that hybrids lacks, of course, hybrids (in most cases) do have a higher ornamental value.

natural hybrids, are not that hard to come by , given that 2 different species have a blooming season and distribution that overlaps. (C. gravesiana is a clear example). being a successful (natural) hybrid requires the presence of a pollinator that could be attracted to the resulting flower.

exceptional species are present in nature , keep in mind that pollinators does not differentiate between exception or normal flowers they are all the same for them, some wild collected exceptional plants, are still top of the line, meaning that in some cases not even man has been able to produce better than some of the original parents used. WHEN you pollinate 2 exceptional plants , you are also pollinating all the parents in the background for each parent so chances are still slim to get something better. the only way is to keep "rolling the dice" and be lucky, chances are you will not get something better.

flowers for the plant are not meant as a "thank you for growing me", and "here is my present to you" but an effort to reproduce themselves. (it is still a reward for us who admire their complexity and beauty)

for nature standards, a plant that cannot reproduce itself using natural means , are simply a fail, and natural selection will eventually eliminate them because its inability to reproduce itself, (still their are pretty and should always be admired )

orchid species (for me) are in the culprit of plant evolution, they adapted and changed to survive and thrive, my admiration for nature is what makes me grow species over the more "showy hybrids" they might be more challenging, but they are also more rewarding. (for me)

Cheers!

Antonio.

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

I tend not to think in terms of hybrids being easier to grow and species being harder to grow. I think that's just the most incorrect way of looking at things.

I know of plenty of species orchids that are so sturdy, only the worst possible mistake or neglect will kill them off.

I would more accurately say that some species are difficult to grow because of the environmental climate of their place of origin, while other species are very hardy due to the environmental climate of their place of origin.

Orchids are partially the products of the environments they have adapted to, therefore, hardiness of an orchid can be somewhat relative.

I have both species and hybrids, but my plants are mostly species.

[peeweelovesbooks]

I don't necessarily have a philosophical preference to species over hybrids; I tend to buy what is pleasing to my eye, and species for me, are more aesthetically pleasing than most hybrids.

I grow warm-hot growers, and, although I love a bit of floof in my orchids, I INTENSELY DISLIKE overly floofy orchids. I also INTENSELY DISLIKE splash patterns, or sherbert-colored blooms. Most of the Catt hybrids I see nowadays fall into the over-floof, sherbert colored, or splash pattern category. Some of them are so ruffled (at least to me) that it doesn't even look like an orchid bloom.

Species, while complex blooms, tend to have "cleaner lines," and purer colors. I also LOVE the old-timey Cattleyas for this reason. And, while these are still somewhat floofy, they still are classics-sort of like that perfect white-tailored shirt that makes everyone look good. Even my schomburgkias with the "corkscrew curls" as I like to call them, have very clean lines.

My eyes just naturally prefer these shapes and colors over most of the new stuff.

[AnonYMouse]

Originally Posted by King_of_orchid_growing:)

I tend not to think in terms of hybrids being easier to grow and species being harder to grow.

I kill NoID phals but my species are doing okay.

I, too, have mostly species (excepting catts) for their looks, more exotic IMO.

[Leafmite]

I have both species and hybrids...whatever catches my eye. I haven't really found species more difficult to grow. Some species do have a set pattern and rest period but at least one can look them up and have a guideline. I think being raised in captivity makes many plants much more adaptable than those raised in their natural environment.
I seem to have mostly species, but not by design. I don't think it matters too much. I buy for fragrance and what seems beautiful to me.

[No-Pro-mwa]

I am a complete novice but I have an equestris and a Mannii and I have had the best luck with them than any of my hybrids. Could be that those two are just easy to grow which is what I am thinking. I also just got a villosum.

I also don't like the splash colors not sure why as I don't mind some frill.