Tetraploid Cattleya varieties

[Graham McKay]

Is there a list of present Cattleya(Rlc etc) varieties and clones that we know are Tetraploid.I have used Colchicine with Phalaenopsis but it seems more difficult in Cattleya - possibly best on seeds or early protocorms.

It would help if we knew if any of the present exhibition varieties are Tetraploid other than the few that are often species sold by HR in Hawaii.

Can anyone help with experience in this area ?

[WhiteRabbit]

[Graham McKay]

I can't bring your reply.It is not a silly question.A tetraploid is a plant that has double the chromosome number found in a normal plant species .There can be triploids where a 2n has been bred to a 4 n.These triploids 3n are often sterile and difficult to breed with although they can sometimes be used as the pod parent plant.In Orchids there can be 5n,6n chromosome number plants.
Most Standard Cattleya are now 4 n chromosome number but I wondered if there was any published list of known 4N .It doesn't matter as I will find out in my breeding.I don't own a microscope any more to check in that way.

Cheers to everyone- enjoy your persuils in life.

[orchidsarefun]

I doubt there is a comprehensive list. For example when registering a new hybrid with RHS, ploidy is not a required completion field. Its not even asked. In fact you don't even have to submit a photo.
I would say that Normans Orchids in California may be a good resource as I know they do seed propagation of different orchids.

[estación seca]

Welcome to the Orchid Board!

Bump means the person doesn't know the answer, but is posting something so your thread is brought to the top of the stack again.

I suspect most breeders don't verify chromosome counts most of the time. It takes time and/or money. If they do they may regard the information as a business secret.