Seed vs Pollen Parent

[Fairorchids]

From time to time someone asks whether it makes a difference which plant you use as pod or pollen parent.

There is no universal answer, as the genetic dominance varies, when a plant is used as either pod or pollen parent. However, the short answer is, that it can make a significant difference.

Here are two photos of Renanetia Sunrise (= Neofinetia falcata x Renanthera imschootiana).

The first photo is from a plant with structure like an oversized NF, and flower structure very similar to NF also.

Over the last 3 years, Exotic Orchids has released seedlings from a remake, but clearly with the Renanthera as the pod parent. Plants have short stubby leaves, with leaves spaced further apart. I have now bloomed the first one, and the flowers are much closer to the R imschootiana parent also.