Cattleya dorminiana var semi-alba

[NeofinetiaCanada2014]

This plant I purchased at the 2005 Japan Grand Prix show in Tokyo, ten years ago. Unfortunately it bloomed normal colors, brown sepals and petals with purple lip (with two flowers!) A semi-alba would have green sepals and petals with a purple lip. The reason was that it was a selfing of a semi-alba, proving that semi-albas are a recessive gene. If I selfed this, the chances of getting semi-albas would run around 50%. Where's my toothpick?

I grew this plant hydroponically in a square plastic container, perlite on bottom inch and a thin layer of NZ moss on top. Surprisingly it has done well and kept all leaves since a seedling! I let it dry a bit between waterings, watering very lightly. I spray it humid almost daily. I fertilize it every two weeks with little amount. Seems to work for 10 years! I keep it warm and bright (shaded south).







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[Picotee]

Wow! Way to grow!

[katrina]

Good job with it...it's not the easiest of catts to grow and bloom.

I've killed one...growing two more right now and the one has a swelling sheath - fingers crossed.

When I saw the 'semi-alba' listing...I almost held my breath as I opened the thread. LOL! This species isn't seen all that often but to see a semi-alba...well, I never have except in pics. And if I ever see one for sale...it's coming home w/me.

Get that toothpick out and get to work!

[PaphMadMan]

Great photos. I especially appreciate seeing good close-ups from different angles. Thanks for that.

I wouldn't normally advocate a second generation of selfing on a species, but for a reliable-growing plant and a chance for semi-alba, go for it.

[No-Pro-mwa]

Cool one. Such and unusual lip on it.

[NeofinetiaCanada2014]

Thanks all.

Katrina, I wish you luck in finding one. If not, in a few years I might have a few to sell or trade. I know you have very nice plants lol... Let us know when that bud opens on yours!

PaphMadMan, I rarely if ever cross any plant, but for the chance to get a semi-alba, I would! In your opinion, a recessive gene will give 50% off springs with semi-alba lip in this case? Also I try to take as many picture angles so as to appreciate the flowers 3D... Better perception to viewers overall.








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[PaphMadMan]

Originally Posted by NeofinetiaCanada2014

...PaphMadMan, I rarely if ever cross any plant, but for the chance to get a semi-alba, I would! In your opinion, a recessive gene will give 50% off springs with semi-alba lip in this case? Also I try to take as many picture angles so as to appreciate the flowers 3D... Better perception to viewers overall.

If a selfing of a semi-alba produced non-semi-alba flowers then the genetics isn't simple. This doesn't look like a fully dark dormaniana though, so I think the potential is still there. 50% is pretty optimistic though, maybe 25%?

[NeofinetiaCanada2014]

Based on Mendelii genetics, seems like you are right. That's a lot of babies to sort through!!


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[NeofinetiaCanada2014]

* Mendellian


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[lotis146]

Sorry it wasn't what you hoped for but still an interesting flower. Good job keeping it alive and happy for 10 years!

---------- Post added at 11:13 PM ---------- Previous post was at 11:11 PM ----------

Good luck with your cross!