> Third, this leaves my 1996 holiday calendar as blank. I'm considering
> visiting the Dominican Republic (1 species) or I could go to Northern
> Greece (several ping forms). But if anyone is looking for a companion
> priority). If it is to see Pings, even one rare one (or one new to
> cultivation) is sufficient to attract me. If it isn't to see Pings,
> at. Any ideas welcome (but I'm not willing to travel alone into deepest
> jungle such as in Mexico, much as I'd like to visit).
How about considering a visit to Peru, Bolivia, Colombia, or
Venezuela to see the native andean Pings?? I know there are 3 species in
that region, though I don't remember their names. I have a feeling these
are not in cultivation and haven't really been studied much. I know there
are P.chilensis and P.antarctica in the southern part of the Andes, but
at least the latter is in cultivation thanks to Randy Lamb (Hi Randy!).
Unfortunately, I won't be able to go along, but maybe you can convince
Sebastian Vieira (Hi Sebas!) from Colombia to go along.
I have to admit that my main interest in sending ANY CPer over to
the Andes is to search for and study the local Drosera as well. In
Venezuela there is the strange and mysterious D.cendeensis, which
probably extends into Colombia. In Colombia I know you can find
D.communis and D.colombiana at the foot of the Andes, maybe others. The
other day I saw the weirdest Drosera collection from Ecuador, a plant
similar to the Brazilian D.chrysolepis!!!!
Best of luck!
Fernando Rivadavia
Sao Paulo, Brazil