An Opinion .

[Arenalbotanicalgarden]

Fun Schtuff !

[Cym Ladye]

Originally Posted by Arenalbotanicalgarden

Fun Schtuff !

Thanks for starting this great thread, which could easily have been on the Advanced Forum! Many novice growers on this Beginner Forum may not even be fully aware of the difference between the terms "species" and "hybrid".

CL

[camille1585]

Originally Posted by Cym Ladye

Thanks for starting this great thread, which could easily have been on the Advanced Forum! Many novice growers on this Beginner Forum may not even be fully aware of the difference between the terms "species" and "hybrid".

CL

I can move it there, I agree that is is quite heavy stuff we're discussing.

[Starla]

No No it shouldnt be moved. Its good for us newbies to read and its not like its rocket science or anything! We can all understand it!

I wasnt entirely sure what the person who posted this tread was getting at. I have a few species and a few hybrids and I honestly dont think it makes the blindest bit of difference. I understand the importance of preserving the species for future generations, but we dont all have the luxury of having a botanical garden! Im a windowsill grower in a cold country who cant afford all the fancy things you might need to grow lovely orchids from Costa Rica! But my collection is beautiful and as varied as possible and quite often its only through hybridization that I can have something that ordinarily wouldnt be available to me.

[RobS]

Originally Posted by 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.

I disagree completly I'm a windowsill grower up north to and I only grow species (mainly Encyclia but also: Cattleya, Laelia, Epidendrum, Galeandra). You can check by following my posts although there are many plants from my parents I typically indicate when I grown them in the windowsill.

My lattitude is around 51° which is clearly higher then Manhattan.

Encyclia's are great plants for this. They are forgiving (I frequently travel for work so even in summer they are regulary only cared for once a week. They have long lasting flower 3 weeks and more that are often fragrant.

Several of the Australian dendrobium can be grown outside during most of the year only taken inside to a light cool room when outside temperatures go below 5°C at night.

So it does limit your choices but it's absolutly not impossible. Focus on plants with pseudobulbs and or thickened leaves. Avoid those with warm requirements although this is sometimes flexible.

[Arenalbotanicalgarden]

I'm beginning to know you guys.
Great group of thinkers we have here.

[Cym Ladye]

Originally Posted by camille1585

I can move it there, I agree that is is quite heavy stuff we're discussing.

The topic of "Saving the Orchid Species" is undoubtedly the biggest "Hot Topic" going in the orchid world today. In a perfect world, all the developing countries would hold their "development" in a status quo position and stop bulldozers from destroying the orchid habitat. If not that, the regulations from these same countries would allow "rescue" of species in the path of development. And the "brain trusts" controlling cites, as we know them pertaining to orchids, would get their heads out of the sand.

Sadly we do not live in a perfect world and these dreams will never come about. Hence, we have to go to "Plan B" and are left with trying to preserve the species in any manner we can, small or large. Many botanic gardens are attempting to keep collections of species thriving or asking hobbyists and hybridizers to self and sib what species they have for distribution of pods to other growers. Encouraging the growing of species among hobbyists and keeping the plight of species in the wild in the public eye all help, but nothing will replace the keeping of all species safe as a genetic pool in their native habitats.

CL

[tucker85]

Originally Posted by camille1585

Sorry, I have a plant breeding background so I forget that vocabulary that is basic in breeding is not for other people.

Heterosis = hybrid vigor. Basically the offspring is superior to the sum of the parents, sort of like 1+1=3. This effect is especially strong when you cross 2 highly inbred (pure) parents. F1 hybrids of crop plants are a famous example of this: higher yields, better growth, more vigorous plants. It also happens to a lesser extent in less pure lines, which explains why hybrids are more adaptable.

Thank you for the great explanation. That's interesting information. I think we're lucky to have people with education and experience like yours on this fourm.

[Gage]

Originally Posted by Cym Ladye

The topic of "Saving the Orchid Species" is undoubtedly the biggest "Hot Topic" going in the orchid world today. In a perfect world, all the developing countries would hold their "development" in a status quo position and stop bulldozers from destroying the orchid habitat. If not that, the regulations from these same countries would allow "rescue" of species in the path of development. And the "brain trusts" controlling cites, as we know them pertaining to orchids, would get their heads out of the sand.

Sadly we do not live in a perfect world and these dreams will never come about. Hence, we have to go to "Plan B" and are left with trying to preserve the species in any manner we can, small or large. Many botanic gardens are attempting to keep collections of species thriving or asking hobbyists and hybridizers to self and sib what species they have for distribution of pods to other growers. Encouraging the growing of species among hobbyists and keeping the plight of species in the wild in the public eye all help, but nothing will replace the keeping of all species safe as a genetic pool in their native habitats.

CL

Beautifully put. Thank you.