Guarianthe skinneri `Debbie'

[Jeff214]

Here is Guarianthe skinneri albescens-occulata `Debbie' blooming on three spikes. While it's listed as "albescens-occulata"... I think this is what people refer to as a "rosada". It started as a crystallin white, with a nearly indiscernible amount of pink, then getting a pink blush over the last two weeks. The three spikes opened about a week apart and you can see the progression there.

I like the white the most, but it's nice to have a color change too. (but now I need to find an alba...)

The flowers are about 4-4.5 inches wide and have a pleasant floral fragrance. love the explosion of blooms!










--earlier...---------------------------------



--even_earlier...--------------------------

[Keysguy]

Hopefully there is a skinneri expert that can school us on this.
I have an alba 'Debbie' that is 99.9% white.
I have an var. occulata that has a very definite blush of lavender in it.

What does occulata mean and how is that distinguished from albescens or are they the same thing?

I love skinneri and I'd really like to understand the varieties.

[Jeff214]

I got it from Waldor's, which is where the 'Debbie' clone originates. It mentions that 'occulata' refers to the dark coloration in the center of the lip.



I grow mine under bright lights and the pink tones definitely came through after a few days. I thought blooms that look alba in shade, but can form a pink tinge in bright sun after a few days is called a 'rosada'.

Well whatever it is, this plant is quite vigorous with large blooms! I am happy with it but I'll look for an alba next...!

[DirtyCoconuts]

i love it!!!

[isurus79]

Really nice! Its been so long since I grew this species I'd forgotten it's fragrant.

[Jeff214]

Originally Posted by isurus79

Really nice! Its been so long since I grew this species I'd forgotten it's fragrant.

Thanks! It's a light, rose-like fragrance.

[camille1585]

That is a beautiful Catt, and I'm impressed by the number of blooms on it. Lovely color too, and it seems quite unique for white blooms to color shift like that.

[SouthPark]

Excellent photos. Very nice flowers and colours ----- extremely relaxing and enjoyable to see these pics.

[Jeff214]

I saw this on Waldor.

"This is our classic C. skinneri. Our first FCC/AOS (91 points in 1985). This is a division of a mericlone that was done not long after the plant was awarded...

We exhibited this plant at the New York Flower Show as a meristem mutation because of the pink pigment in the flower, and it was awarded an AM/AOS. However, we later learned that when they bloom late in the season with very bright light and cool temps, the pink pigment can come through on any of them. This is a division of the plant that was shown in NY, I believe that since the error was made known, that the award was not registered."