Post by clonem on Jan 5, 2014 12:23:08 GMT -5
With the severe winter storm currently brewing outside here in Illinois, I am reflecting lately on what it really means that some of us are doing/accomplishing. First of all, though the low here in central Illinois will be near -20°F for a couple days, with a high tomorrow around only -10°F, I am confident in my plants' safety outside (yes, outside) during their dormancy. I thank the folks at Sarracenia Northwest for my education in that department.
I used to think, and sometimes still do, what a shame it is that our friends over in the UK have a good bit more of the most important Sarracenia genetic material (clones) in existence. The fact that Sarracenia originate here and that another country (others in Europe also) is in possession of the best collections seems outrageous at times. My view has tempered somewhat, however, due to the activities of folks such as Mike Wang.
I wonder how often we step back and look at what we're actually doing/accomplishing. Slowly, I believe, we are beginning to match (and vitally so) what our friends abroad have been doing for years. I don't really know a thing about the famous names in this field, only that Mike King at Shropshire Sarracenias, for instance, appears to be a living legend at his accomplishments. Years of field trips and hard work have yielded his collection which is in the UK NCCPG (National Council for the Conservation of Plants & Gardens) collection.
Indeed, people like Mike King and Mike Wang are scientists besides hobbysists/horticulturists. Most of us owe a great deal to them, and the conservation of the plants we love depends on their continued work. This is the main point of my reflection, that although not all of us have the means, it is indeed our duty to think about the future for these plants after we're gone, and ensure that there are many places around the world in which these rare plants are protected. Great successes have been achieved in plant protection, particularly in orchids and Nepenthes, due to propagation, education and distribution. I believe Mike King has set an international standard, and slowly we are beginning to follow, here where Sarracenia began.
It is my hope that we never stop learning and improving in our growing efforts, and always think about the future of these plants after we're gone.
—Patrick
I used to think, and sometimes still do, what a shame it is that our friends over in the UK have a good bit more of the most important Sarracenia genetic material (clones) in existence. The fact that Sarracenia originate here and that another country (others in Europe also) is in possession of the best collections seems outrageous at times. My view has tempered somewhat, however, due to the activities of folks such as Mike Wang.
I wonder how often we step back and look at what we're actually doing/accomplishing. Slowly, I believe, we are beginning to match (and vitally so) what our friends abroad have been doing for years. I don't really know a thing about the famous names in this field, only that Mike King at Shropshire Sarracenias, for instance, appears to be a living legend at his accomplishments. Years of field trips and hard work have yielded his collection which is in the UK NCCPG (National Council for the Conservation of Plants & Gardens) collection.
Indeed, people like Mike King and Mike Wang are scientists besides hobbysists/horticulturists. Most of us owe a great deal to them, and the conservation of the plants we love depends on their continued work. This is the main point of my reflection, that although not all of us have the means, it is indeed our duty to think about the future for these plants after we're gone, and ensure that there are many places around the world in which these rare plants are protected. Great successes have been achieved in plant protection, particularly in orchids and Nepenthes, due to propagation, education and distribution. I believe Mike King has set an international standard, and slowly we are beginning to follow, here where Sarracenia began.
It is my hope that we never stop learning and improving in our growing efforts, and always think about the future of these plants after we're gone.
—Patrick