An Opinion .

[Rowangreen]

Actually, true Cym Ladye, I was totally forgetting about division *G*. That is a means by which 'genetic purity' can be preserved. (Assuming the plant can be divided 'forever'). If your aim is to eventually repopulate the wild, you'd still need enough different plants in the first place, and a place to eventually put them back in.

[Merlyn]

The 1+1=3 is EXACTLY what AOS judges expect in a hybrid if they're considering it to win an award.

BTW, out of 145 chids, I have 75 species and 25 primary hybrids, the remaining 45 are hybrids.

[Arenalbotanicalgarden]

Originally Posted by Rowangreen

So, you are saying that your friend has a set up that not only perfectly replicates the climate of a particular place in the Andeas, but also includes competition from other none-orchid plants, insect pollinators and pests, fungi species, mammals, birds etc. And he allows the orchids to seed naturally, rather than putting them in flasks?

If not, then he is not perfectly replicating the conditions in the Andeas. Over generations his plants will probably lose resistance to disease. Eventually they may be unable to reproduce without flasking.

And does he have a mate who's duplicating the different conditions on the next ridge to the site he's duplicating?

And what happens in a couple of hundred years, if humans keep breeding at current rates, and not only is the hillside he replicated now built on, but the government is re-possessing his home as they need to house more people in that area? No more orchid 'ark' , and nowhere for them to go back to.

Keeping species in captivity is a valuable resource and a way of preserving them in the short term. It is not a long term solution to loss of wild genetic diversity.

Agreed. It doesn't hurt to try.
I disagree, genetically.Climate is climate. Some of the very best Cattleya Skinnerii (Guaria morada)are grown right in town. Most of the surrounding forests have been raped. Care to guess by whom ?

[Arenalbotanicalgarden]

BTW. Humans will be non existent in fifty years.

[Rowangreen]

Lol, I doubt humans will all be gone. Though there's a fair chance of an epidemic culling numbers a good amount. If so I just hope the remainder have the sense to realise less people means more for each.

[RobS]

I agree that hybrids play a role in getting people into the hobby and that some people just like big flashy hybrids (tastes differ). But there are many easy to grow beautifull species and there are many hybrids that are just copies of the same.

My main issue is with non intergenerice hybrids in non starter genera like Encylia, Stanhopea, etc. These ad confusion to identification and nothing to easy to grow hybrids or orchids in general for beginners.

[Leafmite]

Everyday, more 'wild' land is lost to farming, housing, and other needs of humans. So much more of the world is being destroyed by pollution. Water runoff, enriched with nitrates, phosphates, and, often, sewage, and acid rain (sulfuric acid from cars is the main problem though some is from manufacturing) are destroying the oceans and other waters of the world and the trees and plants that could help to provide a balance are being cleared away. Where I live, this is really evident. Our yard looks crazy, filled with trees, shrubs, and untreated...trying to be environmentally responsible is not popular here. We have one car, very fuel efficient, because we try to bike or walk most places. I try to use organic fertilizers, recycle, not be wasteful, and only buy orchids from responsible places. I try not to mourn what is lost forever, and regret that I cannot change the world.
Leaf mite

[Carpe Diem]

Beat this !
Attached Thumbnails
Well, this didn't work as expected With any luck at all, I will have a flower that's equally as beautiful. I have a Kalihi with 2 spikes, on the tallest spike the bud is forming now. I have to admit to cheating, bought the plant in spike, beginning of Aug. They sure are very slow growers. I also bought a digi cam, now I just have to learn how to use it. So much to learn, so little time! What a gorgeous flower! If mine turns out half as beautiful, I'll be over the moon!

[Bud]

Its easy for you to say...you live in a place where there is abundant orchid species. I am a windowsill grower in a temperate zone and I am limited to what I can grow in my environment. But I am myself surprised at the species I am able to grow and let bloom...I like all kinds of flowers...it may be hybrids or noids if they come to my posession it means it has a purpose in my life...it makes me happy to see my blooms and to know that I can grow orchids; because not everyone can grow orchids...we are special.

[Carpe Diem]

I have to agree with Bud. I'm a windowsill grower too, up north. It severely limits ones choices. I am actually very surprised that my Kalihi has come this far. Hopefully all of my orchids make it through our long, cold, dark winter. Where is global warming when you need it!?