Date: Fri, 22 Aug 97 11:14:17 -0700 From: Ken Cusson <kenc@salinas.net> To: cp@opus.hpl.hp.com Message-Id: <aabcdefg3220$foo@default> Subject: Re: FAQ and VFTs
Derek Glidden wrote:
>As for the VFT section of the FAQ, I believe that it *is* discouraging.
>IMHO, the FAQ is supposed to have information to *encourage* people in
>picking up CP as a hobby. The "doomed" stuff should be left out. Yet
>it should still make the point that CPs are *not easy to grow* like a
>Pothos or a Spider Plant, but can be kept alive with some effort.
Good point, Derek! And so are all the comments that everyone else has
made. However, I think there is another side to this as well ...
Although Barry's FAQ on VFT may be a little "strong" it nonetheless deals
with a pair of problems that constantly "bug" me ... 1) the lack of the
average store manager's willingness to follow simple instructions (when
they are given) and 2) the wholesale stripping of plants from the wild by
Nursery owners wanting to make a buck at the expense of the continued
existence of these plants in the wild.
1) Whenever I see CP in a hardware/nursery store, Dept. store nursery,
etc. I ALWAYS take the time to talk to the manager of the dept. to clue
them in on why their plants are dying (rarely do I seem them thriving).
With perhaps one exception, every manager has listened attentively and
promised to "change their ways" for the "sake of the profit."
Unfortunately, not even one of them has done so. When checking back a
week later, which I always do, the plants (the ones still alive) are
worse off yet (I usually casually talk to a clerk to see if anything has
changed).
Barry is absolutely correct ... even if the person who purchases the
plant really sincerely wants to do everything possible to provide the
best environment possible for the plant, the odds are highly against the
plant's survival because of the lack of care given to it by the
"experts." I think Barry should go even further and try to discourage a
CP "newbie" from buying one of these plants without, at least, a very
careful examination of the condition of the plant by someone who "knows"
these plants, including an inspection of the root system, or at least a
look inside the pot.
Granted, a few commersial nurseries are getting the hint and are
providing good growing instructions for the customer, but the problem is
that these instructions are not, generally, being followed by the vendor
before the plant gets to the customer!
2) VFT plants (even seedlings) ARE being pulled up by the thousands from
the wild and then being sold as "curiosities." Even though it is illegal,
and carries with it a very expensive fine if caught ("if caught" is the
catch phrase, unfortunately) it is still happening and is the one major
problem that is threatening this plucky little plant's survival in the
wild. Why does it continue? Because the demand is VERY high for these
little guys and the average customer could care less where it came from!
As long as this demand continues to grow, and the customer continues to
buy them, the practice will continue and the plants will continue to
dwindle in the wild. (It isn't really the authorities that are to blame
... they cannot be everywhere, all the time. They will "throw the book"
at anyone they catch ... the trick is to catch them, however!)
Again, more and more commercial nurseries are getting "on the bandwagon"
and using methods such as Tissue Culture to provide better quality
plants (with better chances for survival "in captivity") than can be
found in the wild. However, it is still easier, and cheaper (if not
caught) to pay kids a quarter a plant to dig them up for you from the
local swamp! Plus, what a wonderful feeling to know that you are
providing a way to make a little money for these poor,
economically-deprived children! (Gee, now they won't have to steal
cigarettes from their parents anymore ... sorry, I couldn't resist the
sarcasm ...)
Sure, I want to see more and more people growing CP and thus helping
these plants to survive (& hopefully thrive) into the 21st century ...
but I simply do not believe that it will be done by encouraging the local
"I Could Care Less" Dept. Store Nursery Manager to buy the cheapest VFTs
he can find so he can unload them on an unsuspecting (and too-often
un-caring) public. Noone wins here ... especially not the future of CP!
No, in my mind, Barry has the right idea ... tell the public the truth
about "those odd little plants at the drug store" and send them in the
direction of those who can provide good-quality plants, that can be grown
easily, with good growing instructions/advice.
Hopefully this has been worth more than $.02 .... :-)
Ken Cusson
kenc@salinas.net
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