An Opinion .

[Arenalbotanicalgarden]

I wish that more people would focus on species.
Nothing more to say.

[Arenalbotanicalgarden]

Beat this !

[Starla]

WOW! Thats amazing!!

[tucker85]

Very pretty colors! Many people do collect and grow species.

[camille1585]

Why do you say that? Interesting statement, so I'm curious to know what's behind it.

Many people who have had orchids for a while do move into species. I have species, and also a lot of hybrids. The advantage of hybrids is that heterosis leads to more vigorous and hardy plants than the species parents. For instance hybrid Phals are often more forgiving of and bloom easily in a wide range of conditions that the species may not like so much.

[Gage]

Maybe as you continue to post friendly and enthusiastic posts on specie, others will be inspired by your love for them and the pictures you share, and will take an interest. I'm looking forward to seeing a lot of specie pics from you!

Currently about 12% of my collection is comprised of specie, and I also love and appreciate many of the hybrids out on the market. Thanks for the post!

[RosieC]

Species are good, and I like to get some when I can. But hybrids are what draw people into the hobby first and there are some really nice ones about.

I just hope that the appeal of hybrids in the mass market draws more people to buy named orchids (hybrids or species)

[Paul]

Originally Posted by camille1585

Why do you say that? Interesting statement, so I'm curious to know what's behind it.

Many people who have had orchids for a while do move into species. I have species, and also a lot of hybrids. The advantage of hybrids is that heterosis leads to more vigorous and hardy plants than the species parents. For instance hybrid Phals are often more forgiving of and bloom easily in a wide range of conditions that the species may not like so much.

+1

[tucker85]

Originally Posted by tucker85

Very pretty colors! Many people do collect and grow species.

OK I hate to show my ignorance but what is heterosis ? It sounds like a skin disease.

[camille1585]

Originally Posted by tucker85

OK I hate to show my ignorance but what is heterosis ? It sounds like a skin disease.

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.