Phal. finleyi and Phal Tetraspis C2

[YetAnotherOrchidNut]

I got these two in the spring, so I can't claim to be 100% responsible for these results.



The finleyi is my only mounted orchid, and my living room does not have high humidity so I am pleased that it bloomed and seems to be happy (there is new growth you cant see in this shot). The way it was mounted was a bit awkward as it actually trapped the spike under a root. I had to carefully pry the spike out and the blooms were very tender and some for sure did not survive. I think if it were not for that i might have two clusters of 4 or 5 blooms. But im still happy to have any at all.



The tetraspis C2 has grown a full new spike on top of the four it came with so I think it is happy, this is my first multicolor bloom from the plant. I am mostly posting it here I haven't seen anyone mention "C2", and I am curious if folks know anything about it as distinct from the C1 variant. The C2 is supposedly similar but a bit darker red. For those not aware the C1/C2 variants may have variable colored petals with each flower potentially unique, and can bloom completely red. In practice I have seen a lot of pure white flowers and just one colored but I don't mind, i find the shape quite elegant and different from most of my other phals that this plant always stands out when it is in bloom.

[tmoney]

man, that finleyi is gnarley! even tho you aren’t taking credit, they both look great and cheers to you for getting the spike to go all the way. im curious to hear more about the C2, as we have a few seedling cross with that as the pod parent, and they are some of the more interesting phals to me having that variable but solid color trait

edit, i lied. just checked and it is the tetrapsis T2 variant

but the picture of the flower in the cross photo still show the varying splotches of pigment

[Shadeflower]

I know very very little about Tetraspis breeding, I think C2 should be a more stable version color wise but I have only heard someone mention as much so a rumor of a rumor I suppose (yet how most orchid info gets established ). If I had to pick the C1 or the C2 I would pick the C2 but that is me, I have heard lots say they prefer the uneven wild look of a bit of color everywhere. It seems to be what a lot of Tetraspis keepers like about the variety.

I prefer more uniform flowers and it sounds like the C2 is a flower spike machine so that is always good if they improved that too. They both look amazing. But I really like your C2.

[YetAnotherOrchidNut]

Originally Posted by tmoney

man, that finleyi is gnarley! even tho you aren’t taking credit, they both look great and cheers to you for getting the spike to go all the way

Thanks a lot! My wife calls it my "emotional support orchid" as I soak it each morning when i make coffee, and each evening before of after dinner. I /think/ that mimics the typical rain patterns in its native environment. It is such a cute little thing, you can't see in the shot I posted but there is a tiny keiki growing on the other side of the plant, cutest thing ever. Next year ill be much more careful to guide the spike so it blooms properly. If I can.

Originally Posted by tmoney

edit, i lied. just checked and it is the tetrapsis T2 variant

but the picture of the flower in the cross photo still show the varying splotches of pigment

I had not heard of the T2 variant. It looks really similar to an (amabilis x tetraspis c1) x tetraspis c1 that I have (not in flower now). I love the "hieroglyphic" look.

I was not able to find a lot of info on the C2. A fair bit on C1 but not C2.

---------- Post added at 07:08 PM ---------- Previous post was at 07:04 PM ----------

Originally Posted by Shadeflower

If I had to pick the C1 or the C2 I would pick the C2 but that is me, I have heard lots say they prefer the uneven wild look of a bit of color everywhere. It seems to be what a lot of Tetraspis keepers like about the variety.

I prefer more uniform flowers and it sounds like the C2 is a flower spike machine so that is always good if they improved that too. They both look amazing. But I really like your C2.

Yeah, I had a choice of either, but I liked the deeper red on the C2. Not that I would turn down a C1 if someone offered it. :-)

What is it with these T1 and C2 names? I couldn't find any explanation. Clone names?

[Mr.Fakename]

Originally Posted by YetAnotherOrchidNut

I had not heard of the T2 variant. It looks really similar to an (amabilis x tetraspis c1) x tetraspis c1 that I have (not in flower now). I love the "hieroglyphic" look.

I was not able to find a lot of info on the C2. A fair bit on C1 but not C2.

Yeah, I had a choice of either, but I liked the deeper red on the C2. Not that I would turn down a C1 if someone offered it. :-)

What is it with these T1 and C2 names? I couldn't find any explanation. Clone names?

You'll probably never get a satisfying answer if you start digging in speciosa/tetraspis.

To start with, tetraspis isn't supposed to have solid patches of colour.
The type is white, or white with small dots/stripes of red or purple.

Secondly, the blooms vary from year to year, and a plant with completely white flowers can end up almost entirely red.
Those commercial denominations are to be taken with a grain of salt; they're associated with breeding lines that aim at stabilizing colour patterns (e.g. sepals fully red every time, lots of small uniformly spread dots, very deep purple...), but your growing conditions will have the biggest impact on said patterns.

Thirdly, no one is on the same page regarding distinction between speciosa and tetraspis. Are they different species? Varieties? Regional differences of the same species, due to the fact that they're found on different islands?
They've been mixed and matched so often that this question has no purpose anyway, unless you harvest plants in the jungle and need precise answers.

And to add to the confusion, other varieties like 'coffee' or 'grey' don't even exist in nature, they're the results of mutations induced by repeated tissue culture.

For what it's worth, just grab the plant you like and hope for the best, you'll never get the exact same blooms!

[tmoney]

well, the T2 as shown on schwerters site (which is where we got it and i assume the plant shown on their site is one of the same stock from the one used in their breeding program with it), has smaller bar stripes and not full coloration. see link

Phal. tetraspis T 2 - Orchideen der Schwerter Orchideenzucht

[YetAnotherOrchidNut]

Originally Posted by tmoney

well, the T2 as shown on schwerters site (which is where we got it and i assume the plant shown on their site is one of the same stock from the one used in their breeding program with it), has smaller bar stripes and not full coloration. see link

Phal. tetraspis T 2 - Orchideen der Schwerter Orchideenzucht

Heh. That is where I got the C2 and finleyi from. :-) I was very pleased with their service.

---------- Post added at 09:40 PM ---------- Previous post was at 09:34 PM ----------

Originally Posted by Mr.Fakename

You'll probably never get a satisfying answer if you start digging in speciosa/tetraspis.

Thanks for the info. You are right, everything I have read is confusing. One place I saw (no references handy) suggested there might be three sub-species or something. The white, the green-white and the one with the red bits. But other places didnt mention it, etc.

And, yeah, really at a certain level it doesn't matter, they just look pretty. I was wondering if maybe C1 and C2 meant they were "clone 1" and "clone 2" of different "found in the wild" plants, but I guess not.

[Petals Sepals and Spines]

So cool that you have a finleyi, we have two primary hybrids and and they are definitely some of my favorites... gotta get us the species as well!