eulophia guineensis

[samarak]

Thanks, Kip. I became fascinated by this group a few years ago and have been accumulating species, but I can't find much taxonomic information. Do you know if anyone is currently doing molecular work on Eulophia, Oeceoclades, etc.? Or if there's any current research in the Eulophiinae at all?

[Cym Ladye]

Originally Posted by samarak

Cym Ladye, may I ask what source you quoted there? I know different people go different ways, and all are entitled to their opinion, but I've never seen a classification that put Eulophia in the Cyrtopodiinae subtribe (usually Eulophiinae). I'm curious as to whether there is some new information somewhere. Thanks.

Cultivated Orchid Species by Bechtel, Cribb and Launert third edition published in 1992. I think we are all well aware of the "talking heads" moving genera around from tribe to tribe, mostly to the confusion of us judges and growers. This may be one of them. If there is a more recent, verifiable reference to another classification for this species, perhaps someone will post it here.

In regard to the seemingly non Cymbidium genera apparently included in the fine print of this section of the OB, I went strictly with the words "CYMBIDIUM ALLLIANCE" taking it literally for the scientific classification. The OB founders obviously took a more general stance. The problem is that most of these non Cymbidium genera/species just do not breed with or have the same growing conditions as Cymbidiums.

CL

[lambelkip]

The problem is that most of these non Cymbidium genera/species just do not breed with or have the same growing conditions as Cymbidiums.

Each of the genera mentioned has been bred with Cymbidiums, without using any special technique, just simple cross pollination. The fact that they are still rare is because most people have a preconceived idea of what a Cymbidium should be, and focus mainly on standard Cymbidiums. Even the AOS culture sheet only mentions two types of Cymbidium("Standard" and "Miniature")

In the past few of years, there have been many developments in Cymbidium breeding, leading to "heat tolerant" and "teacup" varieties, and more widespread cultivation of "oriental" Cymbidiums, as well as unusual species which grow monopodially like a Vanda or have a woody stem instead of a pseudobulb, or spread by long, underground rhizomes. Each of these has its own unique cultural requirements, and each is entirely Cymbidium.

I understand the desire to find new things that are well adapted to your growing conditions, but the fact is that most of the forums here are categorized based on phylogenetic relationships, not growing conditions.
There are forums for growing in greenhouses, outdoors, under lights, or in a terrarium. you could also ask one of the admins to create a new forum if you think there's a need. (or create your own social group.)

And, as you've undoubtedly noticed, there is an increasing interest in growing related genera and intergeneric hybrids, such as Eulophia, Grammatophyllum, Grammatocymbidium and Ansidium.
Fewer than half of the recent threads in this particular forum are about standard Cymbidiums.

[Cym Ladye]

Kip,

I understand your position and agree that the AOS is way behind in Cymbidium knowledge. However, I cannot let stand your comments about "heat tolerant" and "teacup" Cyms. Successful heat tolerance comes about from within the species, not from other genera. And your "teacup" varieties are derived from chemical manipulation. Asian miniature species have been readily available for at least the last 20 years in Northern California but are not the easiest to keep alive and bloom repeatedly in a collection.

Perhaps I am one of those growers who has found my genera-of-choice and know its large varied scope so as not to really want to grow other genera or multi-genera. I have successfully grown for over 45 years, have or have had virtually all the Cym. species at one time or another and made my share of successful Cym. crosses of all types. I have no desire to create another Forum or social group. The simple answer is simply not to open a thread that is of no interest to me.

There will always be those who want to pursue inter-generic breeding just because they want to explore something different, not necessarily better, but different. They have every right to do so. For now however, I think we have beaten this topic long enough.



CL