Cattleya (Slc.) Psyche ‘China’ X self

[MattWoelfsen]

I purchased a flask from eBay vendor Mab360 on April 01, 2014. According to Mab360, he "made this flask from a selfing of the original awarded Cattleya Psyche ‘China’. This plant received a AM of 84 points in 1977! Psyche is great primary hybrid between Cattleya (Laelia) cinnabarina x Cattleya (Sophronitis coccinea). This flask will yield some plants better than China and some less. This is much better than a cloning as you may get something real special! The name Psyche may not ring a bell but it the parent of many awarded plants (ie. Precious Stones, Marathon, and many more) and a great primary hybrid."

These are photos from the vendor:

The flower:


Cattleya Psyche 'China' by MattWoelfsen, on Flickr

The flask

Cattleya Psyche 'China' by MattWoelfsen, on Flickr

When I deflasked, I got 26 seedlings. Today I had the time to repot them in their individual pots. I ended up with 3 compots, two pots with two plants, and one pot with three seedlings. 13 individual pots. Here are my little seedlings:



I'm trying a new mix: one part charcoal, one part LECA, one part Orchiata, and one part grow stones. This is a very porous mix but the LECA and grow stones absorbs water and releases moisture in the drying process. I also line the bottom of each pot with NZ sphagnum moss. In the winter I water my Laelia hybrids by putting them in pans of water so that the moisture wicks up into the pot.

[WhiteRabbit]

Cool!

[Orchidgirl83]

That is a very lovely cross!

[judith_arquette]

Looking forward to watching them grow

[MattWoelfsen]

Thank you all for looking. I'm taking most of these to my orchid society meeting this Sunday for our "Sell your Excess and Fund Raising".

[Oscarman]

Growing out seedlings from a flask is very rewarding - it's neat to see what you get and the influence of the parents. Is this like raising kids!

[BettyE]

They look great...I wish you good luck with them...BettyE

[Paul]

If I knew what your plant interests were, I'd inquire about doing a trade with you. I had a Slc Pysche around 15yrs ago. Was a very nice miniature. Unfortunately I eventually lost it.

Glad to see someone bringing back one of the old hybrids! Haven't seen one of these around in quite a long time.

[MattWoelfsen]

Originally Posted by Paul

If I knew what your plant interests were, I'd inquire about doing a trade with you. I had a Slc Pysche around 15yrs ago. Was a very nice miniature. Unfortunately I eventually lost it.



Glad to see someone bringing back one of the old hybrids! Haven't seen one of these around in quite a long time.

I'm actually selling these along with two other Brassocattleya (Bc) (Little Stars x Maikai) 'Hawaii' and Brassolaeliocattleya (Blc) Mem. Vida Lee 'Limelight' to the society for $5 each--all proceeds going to my society's show fund.

I already earmarked two sets of Brassos to two other forum friends. If you want one Paul, its $5 plus postage. I don't guarantee their longevity once you get them but I'll pack the plant as good as I can to arrive intact. PM me if you wish to acquire one of these plants.

Note: all of these plants that I've gotten as compots or flasks, I got because of my interest in these particular orchids. Unfortunately, I do not have a greenhouse and I don't have room to grow all of these seedlings. The cost of getting these plants in this form was economically better than getting more mature plants of the same cultivar.

Since I am an officer of my society, I always try to figure out how I can keep our society funded. This is one way I contribute.

[Leafmite]

Looks like you have done a great job with them! Crosses are certainly a gamble but definitely a fun one. I am surprised you aren't keeping the batch until they bloom so can select the best chances for awards. Then again, they do take up quite a bit of space.... I admit, after breeding and raising betta fish (just once!) I have never had the urge to buy flasks. I somehow picture it as having the seedlings everywhere (like I had one gallon glass jars everywhere). :0

---------- Post added at 04:47 PM ---------- Previous post was at 04:44 PM ----------

Pretty cool, Mattwoelfsen. I think that is a great way to help your society. Keep up the good work!