New Clowesetum cross blooming for the first time
 

This is a yet to be named cross, Clowesia russelliana X Catasetum schunkei which I have grown for two years and is blooming for the first time. It has the typical shape of a 1st generation russelliana cross, the spotting comes from the schunkei as well as the frimbrated lip. I am so excited, it has two spikes, one with 30 flowers and the second with 26 flowers. I'm sitting here trying to decide what to cross it with, gotta check the pollen stash and see what I have.

I've included links to photos of the parents so you can see just how different the cross is from them, really interesting.

IOSPE PHOTOS

IOSPE PHOTOS

Cool.

Kim

Thats pretty cool. I think adding some pileatum would flatten the flower a bit and add some color. Or Mormodes! Definitely let us know what you do.

Steve - My thinking exactly - so here is what I plan on doing - 1- Ctsm pileatum 'Imperiale' to broaden the lip and to add, hopefully, some red coloring. 2- Ctsm Donna Wise (an almost completely black clone) again hoping to improve the shape and color. 3-Mormodes tuxtlensis to intensify the spotting and to add vibrant color and completely change the shape. I've got my toothpicks in hand and I'm heading out to make babies!!:rofl::rofl:

Glen, you outdid yourself! Thats an eye candy...fringed lip and a yummy color

Bud - I am going to have to include something from the Catasetinae family in your care package next week just to test your growing abilities. It's time for you to start playing with the "Big Boys"!!

Actually, I'll be nice to you and wait until they go dormant and give a chance to ease into them.

:rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl:

Dude! bring it on! I always love a challenge...and I will never refuse a free orchid LOL! But you're making me nervous! I dont want to kill orchids.

Not to worry, these are about the easiest orchids to grow and they go dormant for the winter and you don't have to do a thing to them until springtime, piece of cake. A very old orchid friend once told me that "you really don't know how to grow orchids until you done killed a whole mess of em", can you tell he was from the South, but none the less he was one of the best growers I have ever known.

(knock on wood) I have not killed an orchid yet...I do intensive research before I get my hands on it...so I know exactly what to do

Beautiful! And so many buds for a first bloom! :wtg: