ugly orchid

[smweaver]

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