Re: your mail

Bob Beer (bbeer@u.washington.edu)
Fri, 1 Oct 1993 09:20:01 -0700 (PDT)

> Unfortunately, from a conservation/ecological standpoint, a species is not
> "saved" from extinction/depletion by cultivation -- unless very stringent
> guidlines are followed (significant sample size, grown similar to habitat
> etc...) and this would not be a fun way for most people to grow plants as a
> hobby.

True, but in some cases it is all there is. There are several orchids
which are known only in cultivation, and the original habitats are
unknown (and possibly gone). Sure, it is not as desirable as having a
whole wild population, but to say it doesn't save it from extinction is a
bit extreme as well, since in several cases it has.