Hybrid growth habit variation

[MCSchrum]

I know that flower shape and color can vary dramatically between seed grown individuals of the same hybrid cross, but does growth habit vary as greatly? Whenever two plants with very different growth habitats, such as a Cattleya and a Brassavola, are bred together, do all the resulting offspring have the same growth habit? Is there a wide amount of variation, with some offspring inheriting the Cattleya growth habit and some with the Brassavola habit?

[tucker85]

Yes, there definitely can be a difference in the growth habit of plants from the same cross. When I buy seedlings of a new cross, I often buy 3 or 4 plants in an attempt to increase my chances of getting something really special. Sometimes the seedlings look like they come from completely different parents. That's not always the case but it happens often enough.

[orchidsamore]

You will also get drastic differences in growth habits in clones as well as seed crosses.

Out of a thousand seedlings 10% are throwaways, they never seem to grow properly. The rest can have growth rates from very slow to speeding. This is about the same for seed crosses and clones.

Growth rates differ greatly on how well the seedlings were grown when small. Inconsistent water and fertilizer is cumulative. It can stunt a plant to the point where it never recovers. One plant blocking another from the water and fertilizer source is all it takes. It is not as critical for more mature plants

Human studies show that an infant not eating for a day is the equivalent of an adult not eating for a week. It is similar for plants.

[Fairorchids]

If you cross two species, you will get fairly uniform results. However, there is usually a distinct difference between AxB and BxA; as pod parent tends to dominate in some aspects. As many breeders make reciprocal crosses ('both ways'), check the label to see which one you are buying.

For example, if you cross Rhynchostylis gigantea with Neofinetia falcata (= Neostylis Pinky):

With RG as pod parent, plants are larger & flowers fuller.
With NF as pod parent, plants are much smaller and flowers more star shaped.

If you sibling cross two plants of a primary hybrid, you will get results ranging from either parent and across the inbetween spectrum.

[lotis146]

Great question! And interesting answers.

Quick side question: so if the pod parent is peloric is it likely that this trait will pass on?