Rick Barry
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- Dec 16, 2006
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Even the most prideful and accomplished Paph growers admit to the demise of some plants for apparently inexplicable reasons. We are aware of several factors which typically contribute to the death of a plant; pests, pathogens and cultural factors are most commonly suspected. Occasionally, though, growers will admit that certain species tend to languish in their collections in spite of their own best efforts.
Certain genera are notably difficult to grow or flower, but Paphs are not usually included in that group, since they are not considered terribly exacting in their requirements. Given proper amounts of light and water most Paphs will grow and flower under typical household conditions. There are certain Paphs which are notoriously difficult to raise to maturity and (CITES notwithstanding) have not been widely distributed as a result. Other plants seem to survive for years, only to die seemingly of old age, in violation of the common assumption that an orchid plant should (given proper culture) live almost in perpetuity, or at least beyond the lifespan of most humans.
Paph growers (like most orchid growers) are hesitant to point out their own deficiences, but some have such sterling reputations that it's diificult to attribute their losses to their own activities. In spite of many attempts at line breeding, many breeders fail at producing vigorous lines of certain species. Those plants that do become available to the public often die shortly after being sold. These failures may be explainable in terms of low fertility or vigor, but over time line breeding should produce more fertile and vigorous breeding stock, in the process overcoming such limitations. Breeders may note the lack of a market for some species, but rare is the Paph collector who would pass up the opportunity to acquire, at a reasonable price, a species plant they don't already possess.
When a new species is discovered there is a familiar sequence of events that follows. Known populations are ripped out of the wild in response to the global demand for specimens. Smugglers distribute the plants to those willing to pay exhorbitant prices. Plants in bloom are immediately selfed or sibbed to satisfy the nearly insatiable demand. Within a number of years (depending upon the species) the species either is available in profusion or relatively rarely seen. Certain species stubbornly refuse to thrive.
It would be informative for Paph buyers to be aware of species that have never become widely available, and perhaps the reasons for this outcome. The current mania for Phrag kovachii may be an interesting case study in the propagation and dissemination of a new species. Might it develop that this species will turn out to be difficult to grow and bloom, even as its hybrids may flourish? No one can answer that question for a certainty, but experience tells us it is possible, and that is one reason I am hesitant to mortgage my home for a seedling. My other line of reasoning is that no matter how good the current crop of kovachii seedlings may turn out, line breeding with the best of these should ultimately produce far superior plants. Either way, I prefer to let the professionals work it out. I did the same with Paph sangii, and saved a few dollars in the process.
My question to other Paph growers (or even Phrag growers, if you feel left out) is: What species to you consider problematic in terms of bringing to maturity? Which species have seemed to decline over time, in spite of your best efforts? Consider species that you rarely see offered as divisions, or only see offered at absurdly high prices in spite of the fact that the species has been propagated for many years. What can be assumed from such experiences?
Just a few talking points for your consideration.
Regards,
Rick
Certain genera are notably difficult to grow or flower, but Paphs are not usually included in that group, since they are not considered terribly exacting in their requirements. Given proper amounts of light and water most Paphs will grow and flower under typical household conditions. There are certain Paphs which are notoriously difficult to raise to maturity and (CITES notwithstanding) have not been widely distributed as a result. Other plants seem to survive for years, only to die seemingly of old age, in violation of the common assumption that an orchid plant should (given proper culture) live almost in perpetuity, or at least beyond the lifespan of most humans.
Paph growers (like most orchid growers) are hesitant to point out their own deficiences, but some have such sterling reputations that it's diificult to attribute their losses to their own activities. In spite of many attempts at line breeding, many breeders fail at producing vigorous lines of certain species. Those plants that do become available to the public often die shortly after being sold. These failures may be explainable in terms of low fertility or vigor, but over time line breeding should produce more fertile and vigorous breeding stock, in the process overcoming such limitations. Breeders may note the lack of a market for some species, but rare is the Paph collector who would pass up the opportunity to acquire, at a reasonable price, a species plant they don't already possess.
When a new species is discovered there is a familiar sequence of events that follows. Known populations are ripped out of the wild in response to the global demand for specimens. Smugglers distribute the plants to those willing to pay exhorbitant prices. Plants in bloom are immediately selfed or sibbed to satisfy the nearly insatiable demand. Within a number of years (depending upon the species) the species either is available in profusion or relatively rarely seen. Certain species stubbornly refuse to thrive.
It would be informative for Paph buyers to be aware of species that have never become widely available, and perhaps the reasons for this outcome. The current mania for Phrag kovachii may be an interesting case study in the propagation and dissemination of a new species. Might it develop that this species will turn out to be difficult to grow and bloom, even as its hybrids may flourish? No one can answer that question for a certainty, but experience tells us it is possible, and that is one reason I am hesitant to mortgage my home for a seedling. My other line of reasoning is that no matter how good the current crop of kovachii seedlings may turn out, line breeding with the best of these should ultimately produce far superior plants. Either way, I prefer to let the professionals work it out. I did the same with Paph sangii, and saved a few dollars in the process.
My question to other Paph growers (or even Phrag growers, if you feel left out) is: What species to you consider problematic in terms of bringing to maturity? Which species have seemed to decline over time, in spite of your best efforts? Consider species that you rarely see offered as divisions, or only see offered at absurdly high prices in spite of the fact that the species has been propagated for many years. What can be assumed from such experiences?
Just a few talking points for your consideration.
Regards,
Rick