The "Bio-Dome" from Borneo Exotics

[leilani]

Is it just me or does Borneo Exotics newest venture seem "kitchy" in nature.

One disadvantage of corporate investors is the need to spin money any way you can. I give you the newest incarnation of the old "Death Cube" ......

Borneo Exotics .......

wait for it .....

BIO-DOME! ;D

www.borneoexotics.com/bio-domes/tropical.html

Your not going to preserve much by cultivating in these.

[whimgrinder]

Jan 9, 2013 23:13:23 GMT -10 leilani said:

Is it just me or does Borneo Exotics newest venture seem "kitchy" in nature.

Its not just you, Sam. This marketing ploy doesn't inspire confidence in me. Perhaps it will have the advantage (if you can call it an advantage) of pushing the Nepenthes genus more into the public eye by making them more ubiquitous in commerce (as we've all seen Dionaea become, in part because of "death cube" marketing). But I am skeptical that this "checkout aisle" approach to presenting a product will be anything more than a novelty marketing opportunity, one that the community will look upon with disdain, and one that will have questionable results. I look at this and think that it is intended to do nothing more than increase profit for BE, and has nothing whatsoever to do with conservation.

Perhaps we should be asking ourselves the question "In practice, how is this going to be beneficial?"

[Dave Evans]

Err, It looks good to me. It seems likely to help keep plants alive long enough for their new owners learn how to care for them.

[peterhewitt]

I agree with Dave, the plants are being produced anyway, anything that helps them stay alive a little longer so that the public can gain experience and interest is good in my book. Nepenthes are fairly difficult to move around as a sale item, this will help spread the product further. And what pray tell is wrong with BE earning a Profit? Were it not for them, many of us would not have access to these plants. I dont agree with some of their business practices but all in all I think this is a god Idea. But as far as conservation goes....I'm not so sure, its a business idea.

[whimgrinder]

There is absolutely nothing wrong with BE engineering solutions to their marketing issues. Nobody, myself included, would suggest they shouldn't make money doubt what they do! I simply meant to express skepticism for this particular gimmick, comparing it to Venus Flytrap "death cube" marketing. The last time I saw a display of Dionaea in these cubes at the local grocery store, they had been on display in the store for weeks, receiving no water or any kind of care, and they looked like you-know-what. Two weeks later the display box was gone. I asked where they went (I was going to see if I could make an offer for them; a rescue effort) and I was told they had been thrown out cause they had mostly died. I'm sure that is what happens to 90% of these. I hope the BE domes don't simply create the same scenario for Nepenthes.

[peterhewitt]

You are absolutely right and I meant no offense, this Marketing idea is actually exactly the same as the "Death Cube" idea. In my business I unfortunately have realized that a large portion ( more thar 70%) of my Flytraps and Sarracenia end up on the rubbish heap. But I put .it down to helping fund the Dreams of those individuals who have success, and then go on to become collectors. The very beauty of Tissue culture ( and I think it only redeeming feature.) is that plants like this can be produced relatively cheaply, for the mass Market, which must have a certain level of retention. my final judgement would depend on what the price is for these, and what percentage goes back in to Conservation.

[william9in]

My Bio-Dome!