A surprised father to 10 orchids

[lambelkip]

Bud - I don't have a problem with people feeding themselves or supporting their families. The thing you have to realize, though, is that for the average middle class Philippino family of 5, total income is about $4916 per year (206,000 PHP). The poverty line is about $2010(84,205 PHP) and the minimum subsistance level is about $1395(58,430 PHP) - source National Statistical Coordination Board/Philippines
at those rates, $17 is a full days pay for a family, or 2-3 days pay for a single income earner. This is enough to encourage people to leave middle class jobs in the city, and go out and plunder nature just for the sake of making money - it's no longer just about survival. At the height of the tourist season, a single vendor can sell dozens of wild collected plants each day. It has led to the extinction of many species, and will lead to the extinction of many more.

[torosphere]

Hey thanks for the replies.

That's a few weight off my shoulders. Indeed, there's a good chance what I got are hybrids or raised in someone's backyard. I'm not too sure if there are wild orchids to be found at the base of an active Mayon volcano. The volcano last erupted in 2009 with sulfur emissions and lava flow. The surrounding area is not really a rainforest the environment conducive to wild varieties. And I don't think urban dwellers will flock to these areas soon to collect wild orchids. On the contrary, people from the rural areas migrate to the city for better employment opportunities. Nevertheless, thank you for reminding me of the consequences of buying wild orchids. It's good to know these things.

On another note, I must commend you, Bud. Your knowledge of the varieties native to my country put me to shame. It seems like you have quite a few orchids of Filipino ancestry. And yes, $17 is enough to feed a family, most specially in rural areas. We're thankful that our soil is fertile enough to grow vegetables and other crops for consumption. When I was reviewing for my licensure exam a couple of years ago, I stayed at a dormitory with a daily meal allowance of $5. Since I don't normally eat breakfast, lunch at dear ol' KFC or McD's is well within budget and a simple barbecue for dinner is enough to get through the day. Food is quite cheap here. Thank goodness.

Again, I could not thank you enough for sharing your knowledge. I feel much better now knowing what to do. I'll definitely post pics when these babies bloom.