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Who can you trust? |
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(above) Many Trichocereus varieties can flower simultaneously. Seeds
will almost surely be cross-pollinated with unknown donor
pollen. |
Backyard seed sellers ignore the problem of inbreeding and
cross pollination. In a natural setting San Pedro and Torches self propagate—not by seed—but
by pups from the roots and self rooting fallen pieces (logging).
After many years they form a stand comprised of what appear to be
separate plants; but
they are all genetically identical to the parent.
Seed from such a
plant does not increase "genetic diversity" as some think. It
is simple inbreeding.
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| Genetic diversity is a characteristic of ecosystems and
gene pools...there are many
different versions of otherwise similar organisms. ...the Irish potato famine can be attributed in part
to the fact that the genetic distance of all potatoes in the
country was very low, making it easier for one virus to
infect and kill much of the crop. (from Wikipedia) |
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Heirloom tomatoes, peppers and and other annual
vegetables exist in large numbers
of varieties not commercially grown. Instead, their seeds
are saved year after year by the individuals that raise them. My
own mother, for example, saved her home grown tomato seeds every
season. That is how "heirloom" varieties are preserved.
| Biodiversity applies to plant varieties,
not individual
specimens |
| "...Seeds of Change started with a simple
mission: to help preserve biodiversity...We sought to do this by
cultivating and disseminating an extensive range of
open-pollinated, organically grown, heirloom and traditional...seeds." |
(Above) This mission statement is from
Seeds of Change.
They refer to cultivating "...an extensive range
of (plants)..." NOT to cross breeding them. |
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In Peru various varieties of Trichocereus have been prevented
from cross pollination by geographical separation. Collectors specify a
collection site # to keep track of where
particular types are located. Valleys, mountains, and elevation keep
varieties separated over thousands of years—thus preventing
cross-breeding. This leads to easily
identifiable types such as San Pedro, Bridgesii, and Peruvianus.
If a flowering Trichocereus is pollinated by another
Trichocereus variety it becomes a hybrid.
The San Pedro X Peruvianus is a well known one that has very nice
characteristics. But not all hybrids are good. I personally do not
trust seed because many varieties of Trichocereus will flower at the
same time. Unwanted cross pollination is bound to occur.
One of the worst experiences I've had with
other vendors was with RSB. The plant they associated with their
seed is shown at right. Their sample picture is not a standard Peruvianus.
I know that for a certainty because I own specimens of the
variety pictured. What they sell is something else.
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| If this was a simple mistake I would have expected RSB to
remove the photo and replace it with the actual Moe, Larry &
Curley varieties (see below) their plants will
mature into. |
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| The seedlings RSB sold do not grow up to look
anything like this sample. |
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216 is NOT 500
I ordered 500 seedlings from RSB but only received 216. The
invoice said "Quantity 500". Yet a note explained that since some of
the seedlings were "bigger than 1-gram" that made them count as 2
plants. I sent the half filled order back and never contacted RSB
again. What a rip off! |
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| (above)
Look at this RSB batch in which 20% died
from root shock. Another 20% were permanently sickly. RSB stopped
selling them right after my order, then said in a SPAM email that
their seedlings had suffered freeze damage. They never made it up to
me. |
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| Seed source? |
When collected? |
View a sample plant? |
| Where is the seed from?
How was the plant pollinated? Was it self pollinated
(inbreeding) or was it pollinated with another
specimen? If so what was the second specimen? |
How old is
the seed? Is it fresh this year? When did the
specimen flower? Was germination rate tested? When?
What was % of seed germinating? |
Is a photo
available of the seed donor plant? Why not? Is a
photo of the donor plant available or was the plant
self pollinated (inbred)? Are pictures available of
plants grown for several years from the seed? |
| (above) I
have never seen any USA seed source provide any of
this information. |
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