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Post by Sockhom on Jan 31, 2011 21:36:58 GMT
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Post by Brian Barnes on Jan 31, 2011 21:58:15 GMT
Hi Francois,
Wow...that is very sad news indeed. Has there been any efforts to get N. bokorensis well-established in cultivation or within the Ark of Life Nepenthes Conservation project?
Brian Barnes, ICPS Director of Conservation
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Post by Sockhom on Jan 31, 2011 22:08:31 GMT
Hi Brian,
I have sent seeds to major nurseries back in 2007 and the plant is now available from The Nepenthes nursery and from Christian Klein, among others. It should be available by BE and Exotica Plants as well soon. I have also sent many seeds to seasoned growers. The plant being, on top of this, a very fast grower, I can fairly say that it's going to be established in cultivation. Some attempts are currently being made to obtain seeds from cultivated material. I don't know if Nepenthes bokorensis is a good candidate for the Ark of Life since the range of available cultivated material is quite large but its habitat sure needs to be monitored: the species may be wiped out from the wild within a decade. I'm hoping to locate another population in a nearby plateau but it may be just a dream.
Cheers,
François.
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Post by Sockhom on Feb 7, 2011 14:07:47 GMT
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Post by Brian Barnes on Feb 8, 2011 15:09:00 GMT
Hey Socky,
Thanks for the link and for keeping us informed on this situation.
Brian
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Post by Sockhom on Feb 17, 2011 20:51:41 GMT
Hello,
I am sad to announce that all the bokorensis plants that you have seen in all the pictures I posted these last years are now gone. This is a quote from a mail I received today from my fellow friend Jeremy Holden who works on Cambodian carnivorous plants with me: Basically the plant in its known areas is now highly threatened. The roadside plants are all gone because this section has been expanded. Further roads are penetrating in to the interior also, including the waterfall area. Where we filmed the plants is very flat and wide and I wouldn't be surprised if this is not the site for the proposed golf course.
There is a last chance that I can include some original spots of N. bokorensis in a kind of botanical park that might be built up there on Mount Bokor. I will meet the guys in charge next August and will use my best diplomatic skills. But I'm not optimistic.
François.
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Post by Brian Barnes on Feb 17, 2011 22:22:46 GMT
Hello Francois, This truly is gut-wrenching news, although I do appreciate you keeping us informed. Also, I'm very pleased that this fantastic species is in cultivation and will be propagated through the Ark of Life project. Without your generosity, this plant truly would not have had any hope of possible reintroduction someday. Thanks for rescuing this one for us Socky, it is deeply appreciated. You're definitely a botanical hero of sorts... Happy Growing, Brian Barnes ICPS Director of Conservation
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Post by Sockhom on Feb 21, 2011 22:44:32 GMT
Hi, I've been quite filled with sadness when I learned that almost all known populations of Nepenthes bokorensis have been wiped out from Phnom Bokor. Yesterday, my friend Jelle Wouters, from Belgium, kindly send me a mail to inform me that he managed to pollinate his female N. bokorensis thanks to the pollen of three different males. As far as I know, these will be the first seeds of N. bokorensis produced in cultivation. A spark in the darkness. Well done Jelle! François.
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