Nepenthes seeds and Ebay

[strath76]

Well written Sockhom. I think you have missed something though with the seeds that are sold on ebay, and that is that the buyer cannot be sure what they are actually buying. many nep seeds look very similar and some people are more than happy to get seed from plants they are growing and pass them off as something more exotic or rare.

The sellers may also not know the true species as they may have been supplied the seed from another source. Due to the amount of time it takes for plants to reach a level that allows a definite id and often the poor germination (especially if the seller is deliberately misleading people) it is difficult for people to take action if they are cheated.

I agree that the collection of wild seed needs to b treated very carefully though and that poaching of seed should not be encouraged however collection in a sustained manner is the only way to introduce new species into cultivation which will lead to the reduction in the poaching of plants into the future. Look forward to further discussion on the matter.