2009 OrchidBoard Calendar

[flhiker]

Originally Posted by cb977

All I know for sure is this...

it's gonna be a beautiful calendar again!

You know it!! There are some great photographers here. I truly enjoy the 2008 calendar and now have something to look forward to in January.

[epiphyte78]

Regarding creating a demand for endangered or rare orchids species...

Personally, I don't think that an orchid should be included in the calender if there isn't a readily available supply that has been propagated from seed or tissue culture and is reasonably affordable. It seems pretty straightfoward that it puts a strain on wild populations to create a demand for orchids that orchid nurseries do not carry. To break it down even further, when demand is greater than supply, prices go up which increases the incentive for people to illegally collect and sell those sought after species.

In the cases where there are available and affordable sources of nursery propagated but threatened species then those sources should be prominently displayed beneath the photo. The sources can be listed for free as a sort of 'thank you for providing a legitimate source for these orchids that we love so much' or the space can be sold to the nursery that offers the highest bid.

Obviously, standards of availability and affordability are subjective but most will probably agree that one nursery offering the species for $100 can't really be considered readily available or reasonably affordable.

This guideline shouldn't just apply to the calender but to forum posts as well as AOS magazine articles. It's really just a matter of ethical consumerism. My apologies if it sounds like I'm riding a high horse but I know from personal experience how easy it is to assume the best when you find an orchid that you've been looking high and low for.

[Junebug]

It appears that beautiful Noid photos are not eligible. That's a shame and negates rule #6 giving equal chances to everyone.

[cb977]

I really don't think we're going to take this thing that far...I think only putting in photos of orchids that are readily available would make this more complicated than it needs to be.

The calendars so far have been lovely and any member of OB knows that plucking them out of nature is a no-no so let's just enjoy this for what it is...a way to share some beautiful orchid photos...and raise some funds so Marty can keep our community going

to the

[cb977]

Originally Posted by Junebug

It appears that beautiful Noid photos are not eligible. That's a shame and negates rule #6 giving equal chances to everyone.

I don't think this question has come up before
In my opinion, NOIDs should be entered like any other orchid.

[Marty]

So should we change the theme to "Any Orchid Photo" ? Or should we stick only to species ? You know me... I'll go with the popular vote, It's all about you guys

[cb977]

My vote is for any orchid photo. We have lots of various types of collections here on OB, some of which do not have species within them. As long as it's a beautiful orchid being shared, it's good with me

[Junebug]

I think Noids should be included. Excluding them might offend some people. Orchid culture, is orchid culture regardless of all the technical stuff and a beautiful photo is a beautiful photo. Some people might have great photography skills but can't submit an awesome photo because their lovely orchid subject is a Noid. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder regardless of a name. Are Noid growers unworthy?

[Marty]

OK, you guys win. ANY ORCHID PHOTO it is ... species, hybrids, noids, wild or tamed

[flhiker]

Now the question is can Marty handle the amount of photos that is going to be submitted.