Propagation of endangered species

[flhiker]

Just read a story in the 2/11 AOS magazine of a couple in China propagating rare an endangered species like Paphiopedilum and Cypripedium. Their reason for this is to protect the wild grown plants. Their theory is if they are available for purchase that the demand for poaching will drop. Being that I love searching for wild endangered orchids, this article hit home. I have always felt that their is Conservation in Propagation and encourage this practice.

Just would like to hear others thoughts on this subject.