| In the past, a big part of why orchids were so expensive was the difficulty of seed germination. A seed capsule would be scattered at the base of the parent plant and if you had a compatible fungus int he pot, a few might develop a symbiosis. THus, you could either have the plants imported from the tropics at great expense or purchase what could be one of two or three seedlings from a cross.
The asymbiotic germination methods have revolutionized orchid breeding. Clonal propagation has also revolutionized the face of the hobby, making the most rare and highly awarded plants available to the average hobbyist.
Viva la scientific advancement!
-Cj |