Primary hybrids of Phalaenopsis -- two examples

Heterosis or hybrid vigor is a well-known phenomenon in plant breeding and has been taken advantage of by orchid hybridizers for the last century and a half. The first man-made orchid hybrid registered at the Royal Horticultural Society in 1856 was, in fact, a primary hybrid between Calanthe sylvatica and Calanthe triplicata, creating Calanthe Dominyi. Primary hybrids are special because both parents are 'pure' species, and are often as just as easily identified as their species parents because they exhibit highly consistent morphologies.

Natural primary hybrids are also found in nature between species (often within the same genus) that have had the chance to meet in the wild. These are usually denoted by taxonomists with the x symbol before the species name. Two famous examples of natural primary hybrids in Phalaenopsis are Phalaenopsis x intermedia (Phal. equestris x Phal. sanderiana) and Phalaenopsis x gersenii (Phal. sumatrana x Phal. violacea).

In the case of the genus Phalaenopsis, assuming the currently accepted 64 extant species, there are theoretically 4032 possible primary combinations! Here are but two examples of them -- Phalaenopsis Guadalupe Pineda (Phal. bellina x Phal. amboinensis) and Phalaenopsis Tzu Chiang Tetralitz (Phal. micholitzii x Phal. tetraspis). The Guadalupe Pineda is fragrant, but presents more of the musky scent from Phal. amboinensis rather than the sweeter, fruitier scent from Phal. bellina. Fragrance is also present in Phal. Tzu Chiang Tetralitz, and it can described as being a light, sweet, grassy scent inherited Phal. tetraspis, which also imparts the random pigmented barring on the sepals and petals. Both hybrids will flower more than once a year, which is an additional advantage of having genomes from two species.

Phalaenopsis Guadalupe Pineda (Phal. bellina x Phal. amboinensis)

Phalaenopsis Tzu Chiang Tetralitz 'Little Hearts' (Phal. micholitzii x Phal. tetraspis)

First bloom Phalaenopsis mariae

Phalaenopsis mariae is a species with a purported range from Sabah to the Philippines. It has one of the most peculiar fragrance from the genus Phalaenopsis, because it is smells exactly like freshly zested tangerines. The much varied olfactory notes that are presented by this genus remains one of the most intriguing aspects in the diversification of this orchid taxon, and a major reason for this genus as being a favorite among orchid collectors. As such, I'm hoping to blog soon about the scents produced by the different Phalaenopsis species, accounted through personal experience and from descriptions by others.

Phalaenopsis mariae

Phalaenopsis bellina from Krull-Smith

This is the plant featured in the 'sneak peek' from the last post. Despite being its first bloom, this is the nicest Phalaenopsis bellina that I own. Hopefully, it will continue to grow and improve. Currently, the flower has a natural spread of 4.5 cm, which is quite large by this species' standards, but not surprising considering its parentage.

Phalaenopsis bellina ('Krull's Perfection' FCC/AOS x 'Krull's Prince' AM/AOS)

Phalaenopsis violacea revisited

Second bud to bloom on this Phalaenopsis violacea. It is fast becoming a favorite in the collection.

Phalaenopsis violacea fma. semi-alba (NO857 'Morning Star' x 'H.P.')

Another view with a sneak peak of a Phalaenopsis bellina in the background.

Hiking the Padawan Highlands in March 2015

Had the chance to hike around the area generically known as 'Borneo Highlands' in March this year. We only did one of the loops in the area and did not hike up Gunung Penrissen, which is the highest peak in this area, at a modest 1326 meters above sea level. Will definitely have to hike up the summit on my next visit.

Gunung Penrissen (top) and the Kalimantan Barat valley (bottom) as seen from the official viewpoint area.

It is much cooler in this region due to the elevation and the persistent fog (you can see some of that misty weather in the shot above). There are many stunning tree ferns (the genus Cyathea) as well as huge Zingiberaceae specimens to be seen during the hike. The predominant tree fern species is probably Cyathea latebrosa, although one may need to have a closer look to be certain considering the variation and uncertainty presented by species in this genus. There's a closely related species named Cyathea wallacei which may be present here as well.

Cyathea latebrosa

The climate here is very conducive for many orchid species, but we went at the time when not many were flowering. We only saw only three orchid species in flower, two of which were identifiable.

1. Arundina graminifolia

Zoomed out photo of Arundina graminifolia clusters with Cyathea latebrosa in the background.

2. Dendrobium paathii

3. Eria sp.? (mass flowering high up in the trees)

4. Dendrobium sp.?

5. Oberonia sp.?

6. Coelogyne odoardi ? (lithophytic)

7. ?? (litophytic)

8. Jewel orchid ? (terrestrial)

Coelogyne usitana

The genus Coelogyne is widespread in Asia, adapting to many climes and is a prominent genus on Borneo. They typically have a creeping rhizome, with pseudobulbs that carry beautiful plicate leaves. Their charming inflorescences often carry many flowers but Coelogyne usitana along with other species in this group are exceptions for this flowering habit because the raceme will continue to flower indefinitely, much like Phalaenopsis bellina. Coelogyne usitana was only described in 2001 and is endemic to Mindanao in the Philippines. It's an easy grower, and the flowers from the plant shown here has a honey-like scent.

Coelogyne usitana ('Giant' x self)

First bloom Phalaenopsis violacea

This Phalaenopsis violacea is from one of the the first batch of phal seedlings I obtained for this collection, so it does hold a bit of a sentimental value now that it is in bloom even though it has rather reflexed petals. It has great fragrance and I do enjoy the fine hypnotic patterns on the flower.

Phalaenopsis violacea (from Peninsular Malaysia) is very closely related to Phalaenopsis bellina (from Borneo) and have so far been accepted as separate species. Recently, there is another split in this species complex in the form of Phalaenopsis mentawaiensis (from Mentawai, West Sumatra) that exhibit very long racemes but with a flower form most similar to Phalaenopsis violacea. Because all three species used to be considered a single species (ie Phalaenopsis violacea), some line-bred "species" stocks are potentially intermixed hybrids.

Phalaenopsis violacea