Keith nobody here is an expert no matter how much their desire.
Even the experts might know a lot more than us hobbyists but they won't know things we might know and vice versa.
It's just too broad of a subject. Like I mentioned recently growing out seeds is an artform in itself that not many orchid growers can do hence some might rely on labs to do it for them.
A true expert will know everything there is to know but that is practically impossible too and we know a lot of facts are in fact still just assumptions. So even if the expert knows all, if some of that knowledge is just assumptions made over the years then it could be wrong all along. If an expert said it then it can be easy to believe it without questioning it whereas I question everything. It's the only way to know an assumption is correct. Since experts get things wrong all the time too if one just blindly trusts the experts then it might be the best knowledge out there but maybe some hobbyists have already figured out something better.
I know even Roy, watching his presentation and many other growers - all they have is 40 years worth of experience. Some growers I don't even think they know that much but if one has been growing for 40 years one can talk about growing for 2 hours, whether one is an expert on the matter or not.
During Roy's talk, it became obvious his knowledge on the subject is more advanced than most. Most would not even know that a 3N plant can be used for breeding (which is what most experts have reckoned in the past) and Roy did quite a bit too after watching his presentation. I also loved the part where he bought several 4N why not's - crossed them with each other and produced even better plants than the original 2N with 4N and the seller telling him the original was better.
Like Roy says it comes down to experience and the amount of books you have read.
I am sure once I have 40 years experience I will know more than Roy did in the 80's when he started.
Will that make me an expert? Like said when it comes to plants nobody will ever completely figure them out. We do not live long enough. There are too many orchid species and the subject too vast and complex to know everything.
That said I also find it frustrating for people to claim with absolute certainty they are an expert. It is usually the people that do not make the right observations or ask the right questionsthat are the ones to do this.
I think it bugs everyone.
When I buy a car I buy he car the people driving them tell me they like best. I do not listen to the sales rep telling me what car I need.
But at the same time I probably give too many answers when I don't have the experience either.
I won't pretend to be anything but a hobby grower but I do read a lot.
Like these days I have learnt so much through youtube. I know there is a lot of misinformation but a good grower should question it all and make their own conlusions based on their knowledge and experience. All the information is still useful.
Some growers refuse to watch youtube videos. They were experts before youtube was invented after all but like said I have learnt a lot through youtube.
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