Nobby's Amy Cross

[shushu45]

Originally Posted by orchidsarefun

I like being able to use this site as a permanent record. Not much - if anything, as I can't find anything - is known about the relationship between leaf colour, size, shape and patterning and subsequent bloom colour/s. When these eventually bloom, I hope to track back any "different" blooms to the respective seedling. As this cross consists of 10 species, I hope that I do get some species dominating to differing degrees in different seedlings. Currently it appears that freckles is a true anomaly as it is definitely the most spotted and it has that silvery patina which the others do not. I don't know if that is going to disappear as the plant matures, or what is going to ultimately happen. That's the fun of doing your own cross !

What species or choosing makes the freckled patterns on the leaves??

If u r ever want to sell one with a freckle on it hit me up.

[orchidsarefun]

Phal Sanderiana - but not quite the same and not in all cases. Here is an example. But the older leaves are freckle-free

Phalaenopsis Sanderiana - Page 2

Phal Schilleriana - not freckles as such, but patterned leaves

Phal Stuartiana - patterned leaves

http://www.mvorchideje.cz/WEB_STRANK...tuartiana.html

so its a big deal if freckles keeps its freckles to blooming and beyond. I haven't seen anything quite like freckles ! Maybe its the combination of patterned leaves that causes the freckles to varying degrees, who knows....

[lotis146]

I believe you have succeeded in inspiring others to create their own crosses! I would love to do this and didn't realize that you could hire someone else to do the flasking. That's been the biggest drawback for me (besides being impatient) but I think it would be amazing to grow your own Orchids.

How did you decide on your cross, the parents? Are you looking for something in particular or just want to see what happens?

Thanks so much for sharing! This does seem like a great way to keep track of progress, I can definitely see using the board to be an advantage.

[orchidsarefun]

I would encourage anybody and everybody ! This one was one of many I tried and if I remember correctly was the only one out of about 20 different crosses that "took". It was by design as Nobby's Amy is really an attractive parent. The other parent is a mottled yellow and has been awarded with over 75 flowers ! I can't wait to see the progeny blooms.
The problem that I initially had was that I didn't understand ploidy of orchids. Basically even ploidy ( 2N, 4N ) is "breedable", in other words can be successfully crossed and you will get viable seeds. However many of today's hybrids are uneven ploidy - and will never produce viable seed. For example you can't cross 3N x 3N. Its a technical subject and I suggest you research on the internet if you want to do your own crosses. Any potential parent has to be researched ( OrchidWiz is invaluable for this ) as ploidy is not advertised. Some greenhouses advertise 4N plants for sale. These are supposed to be healthier and have bigger, brighter blooms. They are not that easy to breed with however and I have not succeeded as yet. BTW species are generally 2N and can be crossed. If you cross a 2N with a 4N you can get a 3N - and you basically wouldn't be able to use it in a breeding programme. Some breeders use chemicals to artificially alter the ploidy of the seeds at germination. I don't like that - the protocorms look absolutely grotesque.
I would suggest
1) for potential parents look up ( or ask here ) if there are any registered progeny for each. That would be an indication that ploidy is OK.
2) Look up if your cross has been done before. RHS is a good website for that.
3) experiment with pollination. Not every attempt will succeed, but don't be disheartened.
4) you don't have to limit yourself to Phals. I have crossed zygos, catts, oncidiums and paphs too.

[lotis146]

Originally Posted by orchidsarefun

I would encourage anybody and everybody ! This one was one of many I tried and if I remember correctly was the only one out of about 20 different crosses that "took". It was by design as Nobby's Amy is really an attractive parent. The other parent is a mottled yellow and has been awarded with over 75 flowers ! I can't wait to see the progeny blooms.
The problem that I initially had was that I didn't understand ploidy of orchids. Basically even ploidy ( 2N, 4N ) is "breedable", in other words can be successfully crossed and you will get viable seeds. However many of today's hybrids are uneven ploidy - and will never produce viable seed. For example you can't cross 3N x 3N. Its a technical subject and I suggest you research on the internet if you want to do your own crosses. Any potential parent has to be researched ( OrchidWiz is invaluable for this ) as ploidy is not advertised. Some greenhouses advertise 4N plants for sale. These are supposed to be healthier and have bigger, brighter blooms. They are not that easy to breed with however and I have not succeeded as yet. BTW species are generally 2N and can be crossed. If you cross a 2N with a 4N you can get a 3N - and you basically wouldn't be able to use it in a breeding programme. Some breeders use chemicals to artificially alter the ploidy of the seeds at germination. I don't like that - the protocorms look absolutely grotesque.
I would suggest
1) for potential parents look up ( or ask here ) if there are any registered progeny for each. That would be an indication that ploidy is OK.
2) Look up if your cross has been done before. RHS is a good website for that.
3) experiment with pollination. Not every attempt will succeed, but don't be disheartened.
4) you don't have to limit yourself to Phals. I have crossed zygos, catts, oncidiums and paphs too.

Could you tell us a little more about your experience with Orchid Origins, well more specifically how that process went down for you? (Or I can PM if you prefer, but I imagine others might be interested...?) How did you find them, or what led you to choose them?

Having the option to have someone else deal with the flasking, while you may call me lazy, is very appealing. It's not that I'm 100% uninterested in learning or going through with that process rather at this point in time that's not all too feasible. Besides it seems like enough just to care for the seedlings once they get back to you!!

Are you glad that you went this route, sending your seeds/pods away? Sounds relatively cheap...? Has anyone else done this? Good or bad results?

Thanks for sharing this process.

---------- Post added at 09:48 PM ---------- Previous post was at 09:47 PM ----------

And thanks btw for the tip on ploidy, seems like a great time to touch up on my genetics!!

[orchidsarefun]

Orchid Origins is perfect for me as its about 90 minutes from my house. I like to hand deliver pods and pick-up flasks. I found out about Shane from a fellow member of my Society - I asked him who does his flasking and he told me about him. Shane has a fantastic set-up in his basement and I think he has been doing flasking for at least 20 years.
I tried my own flasking and it didn't turn out too good at all. If you don't have all the right equipment and extreme patience, then I wouldn't recommend it.
If at all possible, you should tour your potential flasker's facilities to give you more, or less, confidence.

[orchidsarefun]

update. No sign of any spikes but at least I am getting good growth.
Freckles is changing somewhat, but leaves are still freckled.

[NYCorchidman]

All look delicious! lol

I love that last one with speckled leaves.

[lotis146]

Great job! What's the age on these guys again?

Thanks for this update too!

[orchidsarefun]

Originally Posted by lotis146

Great job! What's the age on these guys again?

Thanks for this update too!

Seeds were flasked on Feb 22, 2012. They would be a year out of flask in early July, I was hoping to get blooms by 1 year but no such luck.