Species.
I wasn't trying to start the same argument I seem to start every time I start a thread on this board. I realize other people may not agree with me, but I prefer species orchids over hybrids, and "unfooledaroundwith" species at that. The less that the species have been changed through breeding for darker color, larger flowers, and bigger spikes then the better I think they are. It's just a preference, not a judgement of anyone for liking something different.
Good thing you weren't trying to start an argument, because you did not. I'm not arguing or challenging your opinion. I asked the question to better understand your feelings about your position on line breeding, species and hybrids. You asked for a discussion and you got it.
I actually agree with your opinion about a collection of "unfooledaroundwith" species being a worthy goal and desire. I personally appreciate pure species more than I do manipulated clones.
Part of me actually worries that when I do get the chance to see an orchid species that I love growing in the wild, that will be it. I will stay there and not come home.
That could happen so easily. So what are you waiting for? Don't miss it.
So with that in mind, my "dream greenhouse" is filled with plants that are the first generation offspring of wild plants. I don't want wild collected plants if they are growing happily where they are without danger of being destroyed.
You could easily fill your dream greenhouse with wild plants that are not growing happily where they are. The world accepts and now demands animals be rescued and provided sanctuary. One day perhaps humanity will not draw a line that excludes plants from the group of life with rights.
In Yellowstone National Park it is not legal to approach wildlife closer than 25yards. Yet it is legal to hook and capture and release a fish. Why is a fish not wildlife? A line exists that gives rights of life to organisms, but the organisms must meet a criteria to qualify? Who gets to be the judge? Orchids being among the most highly evolved plants should be given rights of life and be rescued and placed in sanctuaries that will care for them.
Tell that to your congressman.
I just want one of their chids : ) And if that means all of my besseae are not awardable, and have color breaks on the petals, that's fine with me. They aren't defects to me, it's nature, and she is beautiful without our help. Again, my opinion.
I respect and agree with your opinion. The best way to achieve a collection like this would be to obtain nursery grown plants grown from wild collected seed. One day your color break bessaeas will be a fine genetic collection to begin creating hybrids with varigated flowers. :evil:
I don't feel comfortable discussing Bonsai on a deep level. I am way too new at it to discuss it with any idea of what I am saying. But I will say this. The first thing all the books tell you is don't replicate nature's "mistakes" in your trees. And to me, those "mistakes" are what make trees so great. So I fully intend to ignore that advice for better, or more probably in most people's eyes, worse. : )
I used the bonsai question to find your opinion about hybrids and how you see them verses natural species. Bonsai is an art form based on a living object (and spirituality). Orchid hybrids are art forms based on living objects( and commercialism). Both have their followers. Both have their beauty.
Your answer about bonsai clearly shows you appreciate nature in it's purest and basic form. Your answer about color breaks in an orchid flower shows the same feeling. I assume you have in the past not felt highly of hybrids and line bred species. You felt they were not correct because they were changing nature, an art form. When you become a student of bonsai and try to convince a teacher that a "cross over" limb is OK, because it is natural, your role will be reversed. Your teacher will think you are messing up a good plant just as an orchid specie purest thinks line breeding messes up a specie.
A true conscious orchid hybridizer breeds to improve balance and beauty for the beholder. A bonsai master shapes for the same reasons.
It may seem we have strayed off subject of this thread with this discussion, but not so. Now we know how a person can feel so strongly about species that they might shun hybrids. We also know that a person can change their opinion about hybrids, line breeding, shows, awards and the mix in general.
We know there is no right and wrong way, their are only opinions.
So now back to the original question... can we line breed a specie and reintroduce it into nature to resurrect an extinct specie? Should we?