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Post by chloroplast on Sept 14, 2009 20:30:21 GMT
There is no need to scientifically prove anything about a cultivar before publishing: this is because the concept of a cultivar is not a scientific one, but based more on satisfying the needs of horticulturalists. As far as I know, "cultivar" is not interchangable with "variety" or any other botanical rank.
But you're argument is correct: people "experiment" too little with a plant before publishing it as a cultivar, and even fewer stop to think whether the plant truly merits cultivar status. That's why the literature is flooded with cultivars, most (deservignly) relegated to obscurity or oblivion long ago.
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sundewman
Full Member
Happy Growing!
Posts: 235
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Post by sundewman on Sept 15, 2009 22:01:14 GMT
Thank you for that explanation! So in theory, D. capensis 'Albino' could technically be a cultivar that doesn't even exist?
If it turns out the original plants that they used to define the cultivar weren't subjected to enough light intensity to turn the glands to pink, then is there a way to modify the cultivar description to correct their error (of lack of experimenting)?
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Post by Dave Evans on Sept 16, 2009 3:18:10 GMT
What does everyone name their plants then eg. "Alba", 'Albino', "White flower" ? Naming conventions. "Albino" is a named cultivar. If you are sure to have the named cultivar and nothing but the named cultivar for sure, you give it the name of the named cultivar. And you are not sure if it is the named cultivar or you received the plant with another name, you cannot use the name of the named cultivar for it without knowing if the plant has its origin in the named cultivar. Hello Jess, This is specifically how not to use a cultivar name. First, the cultivated variety has to exist. Since no one has demonstrated this plant actually exists, I'm pretty sure the name is bogus, even if your plant comes with this on the label... If it doesn't match the description, it is not that plant regardless of what the label says. And if this plant actually exists, someone has to find it and put a (correct) label on it. So please don't follow the advice given above.
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Post by Dave Evans on Sept 16, 2009 3:25:50 GMT
And why are so many folks slapping "Alba" on their plants? Here is another bogus name. Is this shorthand for "Jessica Alba"?
If you have a plant label which has Drosera capensis "Alba" on it; change the label to something that makes sense like; D. c. white flowers. "Alba" is someone's name, or it is Latin for white and neither combination applies to plants under the name Drosera capensis.
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Post by stevestewart on Sept 16, 2009 19:00:48 GMT
And why are so many folks slapping "Alba" on their plants? Here is another bogus name. Is this shorthand for "Jessica Alba"? If you have a plant label which has Drosera capensis "Alba" on it; change the label to something that makes sense like; D. c. white flowers. "Alba" is someone's name, or it is Latin for white and neither combination applies to plants under the name Drosera capensis. Dave, The reason so many folks are using the name Drosera capensis "Alba" is because of the popular picture book about carnivorous plants that people use as a "bible" for naming their carnivorous plant collections. Many plant names used in the book are repeatedly misspelled and or bogus. Some of the plant names became cultivars by the act of publishing the names in this book. This topic was discussed on the cp listserv years ago. Take care, Steven Stewart
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Post by seedling on Jan 5, 2010 20:00:28 GMT
I agree. The light is stronger and it is more effective.
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Post by Dave Evans on Jan 6, 2010 5:13:26 GMT
Some of the plant names became cultivars by the act of publishing the names in this book. This topic was discussed on the cp listserv years ago. Take care, Steven Stewart I have to say, if the author didn't intend to name any new varieties, it is a very large stretch for someone else to come along later and claim these are now cultivars. Talk about arrogant...
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Post by stevestewart on Jan 6, 2010 13:18:36 GMT
Dave,
In the authors words "This book will be a guide not only for the collector, but for the teacher who may want a terrarium of carnivorous plants in the classroom..."
Take care, Steven Stewart
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