Yes, the resources it takes to traditionally publish a book for retail is enormous, that it why often we are relegated to exchanging information on these forum, even though this is not in the least new tech.
I think it would be beneficial for the AOS to provide an open source, on genetics and hybridization. I'm not sure at moment there much place to go after a strong 100 years of orchid propagation, unless they innovate the approach and archive the information being lost. Also there is something to say about preserving the cultural history of plant societies. I'd be certain disaster for the hobby if only what commercial valuable survives.
I don't think it would be all that difficult to pull together the information. Maybe, I write to OrchidRoots and AOS gauge potential since they already have the digital infrastructure.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Fairorchids
As mentioned by Abe1997, many breeders are understandably reluctant to share their hard earned knowledge. Having said that:
A few of the breeders truly understand the genetics, but most do not (or have only a rudimentary understanding). Thus, a lot of the breeding is 'seat of the pants - guided by some experience'.
Secondly, books on this subject would have a very limited target audience. Most growers are perfectly content to grow their favorite plants, but their eyes glaze over when a discussion turns to advanced breeding & genetics.
This is unfortunate, since a vast knowledge is lost every time a nursery closes (or the proprietor passes on). The current number of nurseries with a breeding program is a pale ghost of yesteryear, so we have already lost a significant volume of irreplacable data.
Perhaps the AOS should step up to the plate, and provide a platform for this type of information?
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