New Catasetum cross not what one would expect

[glengary54]

I just bought a Catasetum hybrid, a cross of Ctsm pileatum v Imperiale 'SVO Blood Red' X Ctsm John C Burchett 'Ursa Major' FCC/AOS (see the links below). Both parents are very dark reds. This progeny came out green with spots. I wish it had the big flat lip from John C Burchett. Having bought it, I'm not so sure that I like it.

Sunset Valley Orchids - Grower and hybridizer of quality orchids, Vista CA


Sunset Valley Orchids - Grower and hybridizer of quality orchids, Vista CA

[Merlyn]

I have to agree with you, Glen !

[isurus79]

I think I would also be a bit frustrated that such dark, wide lipped parents gave a somewhat closed, light colored progeny. Is this the first bloom? Also, how long have the flowers been open? Its pretty otherwise.

[glengary54]

It is a first bloom and the flowers just started to open yesterday, I don't really think that they will flatten out any. It will be interesting to breed with it and see what the progeny look like.

[isurus79]

I would be curious to see what a selfing or a sib cross would look like.

[glengary54]

Originally Posted by isurus79

I would be curious to see what a selfing or a sib cross would look like.

So, you want me to buy another one? I would if I thought that I could ever get female flowers. I have finally just given up and started using the perfect flowers of Clowesias to breed with. Out of all the crosses that I attempted, every last one of them aborted at some point. That will have to change this growing season.

[ronaldhanko]

Wish I had room to grow Catasetums again. Love their flowers and think this is wonderful.

[glengary54]

Originally Posted by ronaldhanko

Wish I had room to grow Catasetums again. Love their flowers and think this is wonderful.

Thanks Ron, fortunately I can grow them out doors year round. The greenhouse would be a bit over crowded with all thosw large leaves. It's bad enough that I also grow Stanhopeas, Gongoras, Lycastes and Anguloas.

[kavanaru]

I think it is a nice flower, which in the pic is not fully open... wait 2 or 3 days for it... furthermore, in future blooms the flowers can be larger if well grown... not uncommon for pileatum and its hybrids to produce monster flowers one year and less than average the next year...

as for color... even though I like this one a lot, I was also expecting darker flowers from this cross... it seems that this cross has given a wide range of colors, from completely white to dark red (yet, not seen any as dark as the JCB parent!)... but if we keep in mind that JCB is a pretty complex hybrid and the pileatum imperiale a very variable variety (due to its "hybrid" background - genes introgression from macrocarpum) it is also not very surprising to have this result...

[InspirChid1712]

If you're reeeeeeeally unhappy with it, I'd be glad to take it off your hands! :-D