I heard from another site that the Phrag kovachii from Peruflora were not the true species. Can anyone confirm this?

Paphman910

Chuck Acker just sent me a letter and my deposit check informing me DNA testing has confirmed that all of his seedlings are not 100% true kovachii seedlings. He noticed last year that a number of seedings were growing at a considerably more vigorous pace than other plants from the same source.

He reported that he "can ethically sell these plants as Phrag kovachii" and is refunding my deposit.

This is bound to be costing him a TON of money. I'm sorry for his loss and will return as a customer again very soon!

I'll wait around for the F2 and F3 kovachii seedlings and hybrids!

DANG!!!

I have also read on the web that many of the species flask from peru are hybrids not true species. ?????

What a bummer! At least he is honest and returning the deposits, so that is good.

How disappointing! I'm assuming that does not apply to the crosses but then does one have to wonder what is actually in this cross? It also starts one thinking how rare are true kovachii???

I am glad that Peruflora informed his customers. Thank god for DNA testing. Too bad this wasn't done with Paph sanderianum flask from Orchid Zone.

Paphman910

I went down to Peru with Chuck but I purchased several different kovachii sibs and hybrids. One particular kovachii sib cross appears to be different in leaf habit so Chuck and I are now doing DNA sequencing on the one in question plus some other kovachii sibs as well. This testing is being done by 2 different labs. The tests have not been completed yet and the interpretation of them should reveal the true identity. I must say though that the sequencing results are not always 100 percent correct and I will explain this later in an upcoming post. We are confident that the tests will help us understand what this particular cross is or is not.

Fortunately I have enough of some of the other sib crosses that I know to be true so substitutions can be made if indeed there is a problem. Chuck did not want to wait for the results as he is heading out of the country on vacation about the time he was to release the first plants. Chuck really only had the one sib cross that did well for him so he does not have the option of replacing them with another sib cross, at least not at this time. If there were mistakes Manolo has said to us that he will stand behind his sale and get us true kovachii replacement plants for those we received which may be wrong.. Unfortunately it will may be spring before Chuck and I will have the replacement plants.

This is most frustrating for Chuck and I but especially for Chuck. He was so excited to go down with me to get these flasks. I have known Chuck for a long time. It was his father Walter who was really there for me in the beginning of my Orchid Business in the late 1970's. He supplied me with beautiful Cattleyas and other plants. I used to visit their nursery 10 to 15 times per year in those days a trip of 450 plus miles from my place.

I will certainly post when we find out what the results of these tests really are.

Jerry Lee Fischer, Orchids Limited

Oh ouch...that is really too bad. I have heard nothing but good things about Chuck Acker, and of course I have always been please with OL as well. I hope that both of you get all your seedlings back and don't take a huge hit financially.

Oh I why must there be fake seedlings around:mad:
The monopoly Canadian kovachii vendor has flasks that came from Alfredo Manrique (who also sends plants to Piping Rock Orchids). Are there any doubts about these flasks?

Oh I why must there be fake seedlings around:mad:
The monopoly Canadian kovachii vendor has flasks that came from Alfredo Manrique (who also sends plants to Piping Rock Orchids). Are there any doubts about these flasks?

I have seen Alfedo Manrique's 5 kovachii plants and visited his lab when I was in Peru last fall. Looking at the mature kovachii plants and comparing them to his kovachii seedlings here in the states, there is no doubt in my mind that his seedlings are kovachii.

This is too bad for everyone, but the growers have the most at stake. Thanks to Jerry and to Chuck for letting folks know the current situation and what's being done to find out what's what.

As the 2nd person to reserve a kovachii with Jerry Fischer, I'm waiting on pins and needles, but it can't be anything compared to what the growers are going through, including their expensive, arduous trips to Peru and then long, careful cultivation of these history-making treasures.

Holding good thoughts -

The Pk's here in Canada are true. Peter has worked down there and been in contact with his friend constantly.
There was rumors of the fake seedlings from the begining.
It is sad that this has to happen. It puts a bad taste in everybodys mouth.

It might be worthwhile to go back & reread Jason's thread. He stated one sib to be in question. Are we jumping the gun, assuming there's alot more?
Could be correct, maybe not, could be the result of a human err.
If the people in Peru knowingly decieved, you'd never want to deal with them again. One would think, they'd realize how much more they would lose in the long run & not do it intentionally.
I quess I like to give people the benefit of the doubt.
THANKS -JASON!

I recieved an email this morning confirming that the Canadian PK are true to the species. I will be getting mine within the next year.

I feel sorry for all those who fell victim in the US to the scheme. Apparently Peruflora purchased some seed that was claimed to be kovachii and that is where the mixup occured.

I wonder what phrag it was that was sold as kovachii?

I feel bad and dumb for questioning Peter Croezen for a moment now.... Peter is a nice and genuine person based on his emails. I'm very sorry. I believed him since the beginning and place my order very early, just this made me wonder. Yay this spring I should get my seedlings, I hope my order was in early enough to be near the top of the list:p I doubt Peter is making a lot of money from this because the plants are cheap compared to the competitors in the states. He has to deal with all this paperwork and installed air conditioning and travelled to bring the flask up himself. What do you think?

I would like to make it clear that there is only one kovachii sib cross which is suspected to be wrong. The others are fine.

Manolo did not purchase seed. The seed capsule was from one of the 5 plants they have a permit for. He has been very up front and apologetic about the problem and has stated very emphatically that he will do all he can to correct the situation. I have a lab too and yes even we make mistakes. I accept this problem as an honest mistake and not some scheme.

I am sure there are those out there who actually delight in this problem.As for me I would not wish it upon anyone.

All I ask is that people not imagine or believe things they know nothing about.

Sincerely, Jerry Lee Fischer

Thanks for the clarifications Jerry. It will be nice when this is all behind us and we have a few generations of kovachii.

Thnx for the info...:cool: