Psychopsis papillio alba form

[zxyqu]

Introducing a first bloom seedling of an alba x sib cross of Psy. papilio. Have never understood why this is called an alba (white) form, as this seems more of a flava (yellow) form, but it's a pretty nice first bloom. A bit cock-eyed on the spike due to blooming under the lights. Also a bit small for papilio, but I suspect that's just first blooming syndrome. I've got 3 Psychopsis getting ready to open, so I'm hoping they'll all make it for a lineup. Anyway, enjoy...

[WhiteRabbit]

Wow! Love it - such great color!

[RJSquirrel]

nice job and great flower .
one of my spikes broke off in hail storm and its just starting to come back with buds. the other spike has been blooming well since the last post month and months ago. as long as they are happy with you they bloom and bloom.the longer older spike counted so far 15 blooms ..I have a bonus new growth on it also thats coming along fine

they call them alba bec the flower, while not white, doesnt have any other pigmentation as alba also describes the lack of pigmentation.

[Susie11]

Lovely!

[RosieC]

Really lovely!

I believe Squirrel is right about why it's an alba. If I remember right the type for this orchid is red and yellow, but this does not have the red pigmentation, its yellow and white instead. As I understand it alba is a lack of the darker pigments, rather than flava being a yellow pigment that isn't in the type. But I could be wrong there.