ugly orchid - Orchid Board

smweaver · #1 07-13-2009, 10:55 AM

I would like to suggest (half jokingly) that we create a "What were they thinking?" category on this site. And the first topic I would like to include is one regarding this doubiously beneficial coupling of Stanhopea martiana and Coryanthes macrantha:

Orchid of the Week Library: Coryhopea (Stan. martiana x Cory. macrantha aureum)

If anyone ever sees Stanhopea martiana in bloom, you'll probably not forget the experience. The blooms are astoundingly beautiful (in my opinion). Even by stanhopea standards, they're quite stunning and have a fantastic fragrance. Why anyone would think that they could somehow improve upon the species by creating a plant that's flowers look like they were inspired by either the pen of Mary Shelley or the paintbrush of Hieronymus Bosch is beyond me.

Steve

Zoi2 · #2 07-13-2009, 05:48 PM

OMG, it looks like it's sprouted legs and feet!

Joann

boytjie · #3 07-13-2009, 06:51 PM

It's all in the eye of the beholder. I love my Bulbo's, one and all, and think that many of their flowers can be incredibly beautiful - but when friends see them blooming, their reactions are, to put it mildly, "mixed."

Tim · #4 07-13-2009, 07:54 PM

WOOT I'd buy it

Call_Me_Bob · #5 07-13-2009, 10:12 PM

wow!

http://image22.webshots.com/23/8/64/...0tZvhKG_fs.jpg

http://www.paphiopedilum.pl/storczyk...slides/495.jpg

isurus79 · #6 07-13-2009, 11:50 PM

That is one ugly hybrid!! It looks like red chicken feet! I'd probably buy it though. lol I don't think I've seen any Stanhopea hybrids where the progeny look better than the parents. Especially this one!!!

smweaver · #7 07-14-2009, 06:26 AM

I wouldn't say that Bulbophyllums are ugly at all. In fact, many of them are quite intriguing (even though I don't grow any, I can certainly appreciate their appeal). The picture that was posted of the (I think) Bulbophyllum phalaenopsis is a good case in point. It may not have the flash of an electric-blue flowered hybrid vanda, but there's no denying that it's got a certain intriguing quality to it that would make me want to learn more about it (if, perhaps, staying respectfully out of smelling distance). The reason I posted the picture of this Stanhopea/Coryanthes hybrid is that it just reminds me of something where the breeder wasn't trying to improve upon either species, but just for the novelty of it. But if you read the description that the breeder included with the plant ("intrigued with the possibilities..." "...we have not been disappointed with this cross"), you (or at least I) get the impression that they simply created it because they could. Yes, beauty is in the eye of the beholder. But I would be willing to bet that anyone who's given the chance to choose between purchasing a flowering Stanhopea martiana (or a Coryanthes macrantha) and a plant that's flowers have an uncanny resemblance to dangling globs of ground beef would probably grab the martiana.