Regarding the official policies of Mt. Kinabalu Park, I tried
reasoning with them through diplomatic channels. Really. A
friend of mine works at the Malaysian Embassy here in Washington,
DC. I composed a very formal (yet humble) letter, emphasizing
the conservationist intentions of the U.S. growers I knew at the
time. I explained that, if the plants were propagated abundantly
then the poaching in the Park would cease after a time. I
asked that, if any park ranger happened upon some Nepenthes
seed pods during his rounds, then would the officials please
send the seeds to us for distribution. I also mentioned that
the seeds would probably not germinate as efficiently if they
were just left in the wild. My friend found the appropriate
person at the Park, forwarded my letter to him with a cover
letter in Malay, and we waited. The reply was a short,
courteous letter saying that they would not do as I had
asked. They gave no reasons for their decision. When my
friend spoke with the official over the phone, the
official told him to refer me to growers in Germany, and
also the MISSOURI BOTANICAL GARDENS for finding the Mt.
Kinabalu Nepenthes.
Now, I've heard several people in this group mention Longwood
Gardens, but no one has mentioned Missouri Botanical Gardens.
I was told by another grower that, the last he had heard was
that the curator there had a great collection but guarded it
jealously. He wouldn't talk to any other growers unless there
was a chance he could find a rare specimen that he didn't already
have. This is much in line with what Don Burden posted last
night, about growers of rare Nepenthes trading/selling only to
each other. Jeez, I'd be happy if they threw some cuttings
my way. I can't bear to see plant material wasted, especially
of those species that people are eager to obtain.
Perry