Re: Ron Ratko / Northwest Native Seeds

Infinitely better: survival of wild seed to reproduction is usually
infinitesimal, especially for long-lived perennials and woody plants.  And
reproductive success is usually highly inversely desity-dependent: that
is, higher seed-rain usually doesn't increase numbers of mature plants in
a stable natural environment. [Unstable, weedy environments hardly count:
we have TOO many of the plants in those.]


Collection of wild plants for resale even on one occasion can easily cause
local extinction while it would take determined repeated collection of all
the seed produced to have the same impact on a population.

Meanwhile, when seed is collected one of two things usually happen: the
plant turns out to be garden-worthy and is propagated vegetatively or by
seed from cultivated sources.  Or it turns out to be 'difficult' and in
most cases remains a specialist's plant with no very great demand for
additional seeds.

Calochortus for instance: calculate how many are ready and willing to
start from seed and learn the special requirements to grow to flowering?
Not many ever.  And how many would buy freshly dug flowering plants in
nursery pots [A great many I think.] Is this an issue to you then?

I can vouch that Mr. Ratko is a serious, ethical collector with knowledge
of plant population ecology.  And in fact a very retricted and specialied
clientele.  

loren russell corvallis, oregon

On Thu, 17 Dec 1998, Nan Sterman wrote:

> How do you all feel about buying wild-collected seed?  How does it compare
> to buying wild-collected plants?
> 
> Nan
> **********
> '''''''''''''''''''''''
> Nan Sterman
> San Diego County California
> Sunset zone 24, USDA hardiness zone 10b or 11
> 
>
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