Phragmipedium Kovachii

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

That's true. I had forgotten about Peruflora's monopoly on Phrag kovachii.

[Magnus A]

And one more thing, if I remember correctly. To make a new specie official you have to publish it in a scientific journal and the system demand that you make the growth site public to accept the publication...

[MJSK]

Thank you all for your comments. Philip, I had been wondering if Phrag. Kovachii could have been a natural hybrid (not a man made one) that just some how was newly created. I have a Den. usitae and a Den. x superbiens that are both described as natural hybrids. I guess that it makes sense that there were people who have seen Phrag. kovachii, before it was striped from its habitat, fought over and named and just thought it was a beautiful flower. I have also recently read "Orchid Fever" which has some horror stories of orchids being confiscated because they were 'illegally' obtained and their ultimate fate was to end up dying in the hands of those who couldn't care for them. That is truly a travesty. I wish the international CITES rules would allow experienced orchid growers access to just a few endangered orchid plants so that they could be cultivated, ensuring their ultimate survival in the long run.

I am not a scientist but have been growing orchids for a few years so as my orchid journey goes on, I am learning more and more. After reading about the Phrag. kovachii, I was greatly saddened to read about the destruction of it in Peru. I have had a seedling Phrag. Kovachii (from Piping Rock Orchids, not from the wild) for about six months, obtained before I even really knew about the plant, I just thought it was beautiful. I hope I am successful in getting it to flower.

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

Originally Posted by MJSK

Thank you all for your comments. Philip, I had been wondering if Phrag. Kovachii could have been a natural hybrid (not a man made one) that just some how was newly created. I have a Den. usitae and a Den. x superbiens that are both described as natural hybrids.

It is not a natural hybrid between 2 different species. It breeds true. The variations of the flowers between different specimens are normal variations within a species. As was mentioned prior, despite flower variation from individual-to-individual, they are still recognizable as individuals of Phrag kovachii.

I recommend reading a little about the basics of genetics and Mendel's Punnett Squares and genetic expression.

Originally Posted by MJSK

I have also recently read "Orchid Fever" which has some horror stories of orchids being confiscated because they were 'illegally' obtained and their ultimate fate was to end up dying in the hands of those who couldn't care for them. That is truly a travesty. I wish the international CITES rules would allow experienced orchid growers access to just a few endangered orchid plants so that they could be cultivated, ensuring their ultimate survival in the long run.

Even experienced orchid growers mess up and kill a few. It's unrealistic to believe they are infallible.

The problem with new and rare is that there isn't necessarily a horticultural technique that is already in place to use and guarantee successful results off the bat. Many people who venture this route usually go it alone. There are usually no guides to help them on their quest to figure out how to grow these orchids. Pertinent information that could aid in successfully growing the orchid is often scant. Sometimes information must be sifted through. There are even times when the research being done may not have any direct relation to the plant itself, but rather it is in a roundabout way associated with the plant in question. It is in essence mucking through a giant labyrinth lined with traps and treasure chests, (both big and small), and playing a trial-and-error game until the secret(s) are unlocked.

There are no easy answers to solve this matter.

Originally Posted by MJSK

I am not a scientist but have been growing orchids for a few years so as my orchid journey goes on, I am learning more and more. After reading about the Phrag. kovachii, I was greatly saddened to read about the destruction of it in Peru. I have had a seedling Phrag. Kovachii (from Piping Rock Orchids, not from the wild) for about six months, obtained before I even really knew about the plant, I just thought it was beautiful. I hope I am successful in getting it to flower.

I am not a scientist either. I don't have a degree that certifies that I'm a PhD or whatever in botany, but that doesn't stop me from learning as much as I can about a subject matter I enjoy. I gather that you have similar inclinations as well.

I wish you the best on your endeavor to successfully grow Phrag kovachii. They are beautiful plants/flowers.

[Ray]

Kovachii was a "recent" discovery solely because of the remote nature of its natural habitat.

It cannot possibly be a natural hybrid, as that would require that there were overlapping populations of phrags with obviously shared characteristics, and there are none.

I'm not sure I'd claim that Peruflora had a "monopoly" on it. My recollection (not that it's solid) is that there were three nurseries that were licensed by the government to cultivate it in captivity, and that it was only after a substantial number were grown successfully - i.e., after a stable, continuing population existed - that they were allowed to export them.

[Magnus A]

Ray you are partially right that they were three nursery but it does not seem that the trade restriction you mention was enforced.
Phragmipedium kovachii

Then it is clear that the demand for this spectacular plant could not be mastered. The prices set by international sellers probably increased the pressure on the natural population!