Vanda coerulea versus its many hybrids - Orchid Board

smweaver · #1 10-31-2010, 08:18 AM

Does anyone know how you can tell the difference between V. coerulea and its hybrids? Is there any way to be certain that what you're looking at (either plant or flowers) is the true species instead of a hybrid? Thanks!

Steve

rastafouni · #2 10-31-2010, 10:09 AM

Hi Steve,

First on Vanda coerulea the leaves have a more open angle with the stem than other vanda.

Then check on the side lobes : those have to be rejected on the back and end by a hook on each sides.
But on very clode hybrids, the side lobes are rejected on the back and are ending in hook shapes too. So look carefuly at the hooks : if they are sharpened it is a V. coerulea, if they are not it is a hybrid. After only one cross, the hooks are not sharpened anymore.

Sure it is not easy to tell if you haven't seen it before but once you have seen you can tell the difference. Just check at the hooks next time you are sure to be in front of a real V. coeruela...

smweaver · #3 11-01-2010, 09:33 AM

Thank you, Philippe, for your response. Can you look at the picture in the link below, please, and let me know if the hooks you referred to are the ones that appear near the rear of the lip on this bloom? They almost look like the horns of a bull or buffalo (and I don't see them on the three V. coerulea hybrids that are currently flowering in my collection).

It's not my picture, by the way, but one that I found on Flickr (and hopefully the photographer won't mind me using it here for my own educational purpose).

Thank you!

Steve

vanda coerulea (lip) | Flickr - Photo Sharing!

rastafouni · #4 11-01-2010, 10:03 AM

Hello Steve,

yes they are the hooks that I was mentioning !
Or, as on your V. coerulea hybrids there is none or, for close hybrids, the hooks don't have an absolute shape of "horn bill" and are not as sharpened as they are in V. coerulea.
Example with Vanda Sansai blue : there are hooks but compare with the first photo that you display : no horn bill shape, just kind of hooks.
Sorry not my photo as well.
Vanda Sansai Blue 'Acker's Pride' FCC/AOS (Crimson Glory x coerulea) | Flickr - Photo Sharing!

smweaver · #5 11-01-2010, 10:07 AM

Very good. Now at least I know what to look for when I'm inspecting the flowers of a plant that is being identified as the species. Thanks again, Philippe!

Steve

Roy · #6 11-01-2010, 10:28 AM

Thanks Philippe, now I know 'exactly' what to look for also.

rastafouni · #7 11-02-2010, 08:10 AM

Your welcome dear Vanda lover friends !