Chance catasetum cross

[AvantGardner]

So this


Plus this


Equals this, so far


The cross is Ctsm. pileatum var. imperiale x Ctsm. Dagny 'Falkor', and it was a chance, collaborative effort. Fred Clarke was hosting our OSOGSL 3rd annual Orchid Seminar. It just so happened I had a blooming female catasetum at the time. Now I've never seen the male blooms of this plant as this is it's first blooming. He asked if I'd bring it to the seminar, and also asked if I had any blooming males. I told him I didn't, but might know someone who does. So I emailed the only other person I know in our group who grows catasetinae, Marilyn LeDoux. When I thinned my collection I gave her some things that were near and dear to me in case I'd ever build my collection back. She just happened to have two blooming Dagny clones I gave her, this one and my awarded one. Since I'd always liked this one better, I opted for it.

The time came and Fred did what he does best, he gave a baby making demonstration with our two plants. Now this cross is one we're just having fun with, nothing serious. But one has to start somewhere. In the future this is something I'd like to do much, much more of with this group. The genetic variation in offspring is so random, color and form between sibs seems to be a crap shoot. The variation in pileatum var. imperiale crosses seems to be even greater than other species within the genus, giving testament to the theory that it may be a natural hybrid between macrocaprum and pileatum. But, I digress...

So wish me luck on this venture! I'll post pics of the male pileatum flowers if I ever get any!

[orchidsarefun]

Good Luck and keep us all in the loop. Results should be fascinating.

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[fishmom]

What fun! You are lucky to have had this experience. We'll be waiting for pics a few years down the line.

[gngrhill]

How exciting. I'm anxious to hear more.

[AvantGardner]

Best case scenario, the Ctsm Dagny flattens out the curled petal edges and lip of pileatum, and we get some solid reds out of the bunch. Worst case, we get some practice at growing these out of flask

[No-Pro-mwa]

Good luck with your project. It does sound like fun.

[isurus79]

Very cool! Let us know if you have "too many" seedlings on your hands.

[AvantGardner]

Will do! They're still a ways out, God willing.

[AvantGardner]

Don't want to jinx it, but I'd say it's doing its thing!

[fishmom]

A preggo cutie! How neat!!