IPA Journal First Quarter 2012

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halaenopsis

Journal of the International Phalaenopsis Alliance

Blue Phalaenopsis Doritis pulcherrima var. apiculata Phalaenopsis gigantea

First Quarter Vol. 21(3) 2012

C ONT E NTS Published by the International Phalaenopsis Alliance, Inc.

FIRST QUARTER, Vol. 21(3) 2012

FeatureS The Genus 10 Phalaenopsis, David Lafarge 13 14

Herbert Hager Award Wesley Higgins

Doritis pulcherrima var. apiculata Oalf Gruss

18 29 35

A Decade of Chasing Rob Shepherd

Taiwan virus Anabel Evans

Phalaenopsis gigantea Graham Ramsey

DEPARTMENTS Inside the IPA - 5 President Tom Harper

Symposium -

6

Regional Reports -

7

Coming in August

From USA and Abroad

New Officers -

11

Donations -

12

AOS Awards -

16

RHS Hybrid List -

30

Calendar -

34

Photos of award winners

COVER Photos: Front Cover: Phal. Summer Rose var. coerulea (Dtps. Kenneth Schubert ‘Fangtastic Violet’ HCC/AOS × Phal. equestris var. cyanochilus ‘Martel’s Blue’)

Back Cover: Above:

Dtps. Kenneth Schubert

(Doritis pulcherrima ‘Little Blue’ X Phal. violacea ‘Sapphire’s Navy’) Below:

Dtps. Purple Gem

October 1, 2011 - January 31, 2012

Photo:

Contents Illustration:

Phalaenopsis schilleriana ‘Bertrand Roy’ CCM/AOS (81 points)

Photographer: Michael MacConaill

(Phal. equestris var. cyanochilus ‘Martel’s Blue’ X Doritis pulcherrima ‘Indigo Dragon’) Grown and Photographed by:

Rob Shepherd

Phalaenopsis - First Quarter, Vol. 21(3) 2012

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Phalaenopsis o

Journal of the International Phalaenopsis

Officers President

Tom Harper, 9373 Clovercroft Road, Franklin, TN 37067-8131, 615-771-2755 harper_sro@bellsouth.net

1st Vice-President

Alliance

EDITOR Wesley Higgins

Carlos Fighetti, HC-03 Box 8125, Guaynabo, PR 00971, 787-708-0669 cfighetti@onelinkpr.net

2nd Vice-President

Barbara Noe, 1703 Grove Avenue, Richmond, VA 23220-4607, 804-355-2270 barbaranoeipa@gmail.com

Treasurer

5317 Delano Court, Cape Coral, FL 33904 239-257-1970 • IPA_Phalaenopsis@comcast.net

ASSISTANT EDITOR Peggy Alrich

13955 Matanzas Drive, Fort Myers, FL 33905 239-281-5444 • sunflowerltd@earthlink.net

ADVERTISING MANAGER Dick Wells

1151 East County Road, 800 S, Cloverdale, IN 46120 765-795-6016 • rwells@ccrtc.com

Olie Garrison, 1757 County Road 711, Nacogdoches, TX 75964, 936-462-8796 orchidolie@me.com

Recording Secretary

Cathy Rider, 6306 Amberly Place, Austin, TX 78759, 512-343-8166 cathyr@imp-res.com

Russ Vernon, 12661 W SR 32, Yorktown, IN 47396, 765-749-5809 Newvisionorchids@aol.com

Immediate Past President

2012 Symposium Co-chairs

Frank Smith, orchidfrank@aol.com Carlos Fighetti, cfighetti@onelinkpr.net

Membership Secretary

Lynn Fuller, 1401 Pennsylvania Avenue, #1604, Wilmington, DE 19806, 302-594-0765 mlfuller@comcast.net

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DEVELOPMENT COORDINATOR Marilyn Shapiro

235 East 87th Street, Apt. 5L, New York, NY 10128-3243 212-831-3076 • mlshap2@juno.com

WEBMASTER Peter Lin

1641 N. Pearson Lane, Southlake, TX 76092-4933 817-562-4608 • peterlin71@hotmail.com

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Volume 21(3) 2012. Phalaenopsis (ISSN 2225-0174) is published quarterly by the International Phalaenopsis Alliance, Inc. (IPA), to bring together growers worldwide cooperatively for the purpose of 1) addressing problems of immediate concern to Phalaenopsis growers and 2) sharing and disseminating cultural information for the advancement and conservation of the Phalaenopsis family of orchids. IPA is a recognized tax-exempt organization under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. All contributions to IPA are tax-deductible. The opinions and recommendations that may appear in this journal are those of the individual authors, and not those of the IPA, which neither adopts nor endorses such opinions and recommendations and disclaims all responsibility for them. When selecting and using any product mentioned, the reader should seek and obtain the advice of the manufacturer and of responsible government agencies. Printed by H.G. Roebuck & Son, Baltimore, Maryland 21236.

MEMBERSHIP/SUBSCRIPTION RATES: US & Canada $36 (1 year), $70 (2 years), overseas $60 (1 year), $115 (2 years) payable in U.S. funds.

For an IPA membership application, contact the Membership Secretary, Lynn Fuller, 1401 Pennsylvania Ave. #1604, Wilmington, DE 19806 or E-mail: mlfuller@comcast.net

BACK ISSUES:

Are available to members at prices quoted in U.S. funds. A charge of $2.50 per issue for mailing within the US will apply to all orders. Overseas rates will be determined at the time of shipping. We accept MasterCard and VISA. (All back issues are no longer available.) Volumes 1 thru 20: A volume consists of 4 issues. $10 per issue or $40 per volume. To order, contact: IPA Back Issues, Susan Gange, 16 Elm Ridge Road, Pennington, NJ 08534-3003, 609-730-1789 or stonybrk@stonybrookorchids. com

©Copyright, 2012 - The International Phalaenopsis Alliance, Inc.

Visit us on the web—http://www.phal.org 4

Regional Directors

Region 15 — Mid-Atlantic Region 1 — Southern California Leslie Werner Norman Fang 11039 Monte Vista Avenue, Montclair, CA 91763-6116 1604 Farmhorn Street, Crofton, MD 21114 909-627-9515 • Norman@orchids.com

Region 2 — Central Pacific Vivian Sellers

Region 16 — NJ, PA Mitch Paroly

8609 Brodie Court, Elk Grove, CA 95624 916-686-1530 • vrsellers@frontiernet.net

Region 3 — Northwest Joan Bateman

410-793-0756 • leswer@verizon.net

109 Pinewood Drive, Levittown, PA 19054 215-943-7516 • Hilolip@aol.com

Region 17 — NY, Eastern Canada Marilyn Shapiro

2022 Wallula Avenue, Walla Walla, WA 99362 509-525-9566 • joanbateman@orchidaceae.com

Region 4 — Mountain West Wes Addison

235 East 87th St., Apt. 5L, New York, NY 10128 212-831-3076 • mlshap2@juno.com

Region 18 — New England Carri Raven-Riemann

2960 N. Swan Rd., Ste. 217, Tucson, AZ 85712-6020 520-327-5025 • wesadd@cpatucson.com

Region 5 — Mid-America Joe Lankton

7153 N 50th Street, Omaha, NE 68152 402-571-8331 • JLANK46150@aol.com

182 Guinea Road, Stamford, CT 06903 203-329-7255 • carrir@optonline.net

International

Region 6 — North TX, OK, Region 7 — South TX United Kingdom & Region 8 — LA, AR Peter White Olie Garrison

1757 County Road 711, Nacodoches, TX 75964 936-462-8796 • ogarrison@sbcglobal.net

Region 9 & 10 — Midwest Bil Nelson

Germany Sascha Heikens

P.O. Box 341606, Milwaukee, WI 53234 414-672-6446 • qorchids@att.net

Region 11 — Eastern Great Lakes Dick Wells

1151 E. County Road, 800 S, Cloverdale, IN 46120 765-795-6016 • rwells@ccrtc.com 9373 Clovercroft Road, Franklin, TN 37067 615-771-2755 • harper_sro@bellsouth.net

3455 Brower Mill Road, Seagrove, NC 27341 336-879-6677 • orchidlinda@RTMC.net

Auf dem Backenberg 24, 44801 Bochum, Germany Phalaenopsis@gmx.com

Caribbean Carlos Fighetti

Region 12 — Southeast Tom Harper

61 Stanwell Lea, Middleton Cheney Banbury, Oxfordshire OX17 2RF England Phone: 01295 712159 • Fax: 01295 710668 peter@orchidsbypeterwhite.co.uk

HC-03 Box 8125, Guaynabo, PR 00971 787-708-0669 • cfighetti@onelinkpr.net

Southeast Asia Marshall Ku Region 13 — Piedmont 16, Alley 4, Lane 99, Nan Tan Road Linda Thorne Yuan Lin, Taiwan 510 • msku@seed.net.tw Region 14 — Central, South FL Joan Viggiani

6800 Appaloosa Trail, SW Ranches, FL 33330 954-434-3794 • aviggent@bellsouth.net

Australia Graham McKay

P.O. Box 874, Toowon, Queensland, Australia 4066 Phone: +61738703344 • Fax: +61738707830 ggmckay@bigpond.com

First Quarter, Vol. 21(3) 2012 - Phalaenopsis

INSIDE THE IPA

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travel frequently often covering great distances, and most often by car. Usually I am representing the IPA at one of our regional meetings. So that means trips to Atlanta, GA, Memphis, TN, Greensboro, NC, Woodstock, GA, Shreveport, LA to name a few recent trips. And, as you learned in the last IPA Journal, I traveled to Walla Walla, Washington. What a great trip to the IPA NW Regional meeting hosted by Joan Bateman and Mark Srull of Orchidaceae. I truly enjoy these trips, and meeting other Phalaenopsis fanciers is the highlight of each one.

Being the featured speaker at each of these meetings, I am usually presenting a particular program on some aspect of Phalaenopsis. During these presentations I encourage and always make time for questions. Mostly they are about culture, and they usually run the gamut of topics. Inevitably I am usually asked at least two specific questions about orchids “Have you seen those blue Phalaenopsis orchids?” and “Do I really add ice cubes to water my orchids?” So much for the serious aspects of my presentations.

While the blue color of these flowers is indeed striking, we know that it was not developed by hybridizers, so I am obligated to remind the grower that the color is actually from an injected dye indicated by small holes found at the base of the inflorescence. Unfortunately, newly opened flowers may not be blue, reverting back to the pure white flower without the dye. Next season’s flower color will be pure white. What a disappointment if you are looking for that blue color again.

The so named “ice orchids” have certainly grabbed the public’s attention with ads appearing regularly on the TV. As a tropical plant, orchids have never seen an ice cube, so I remind the grower that my best advice would be to melt the ice in a cup, and then water the plant the next day with the room temperature water. This will usually illicit a chuckle from the audience, but hopefully this technique will prolong the life of the plant and its flowers.

I am pleased that the general public has taken such an interest in orchids, and Phalaenopsis in particular. These interests can turn into passions as evidenced by each of us and our commitment to the orchid world. We chose the Phalaenopsis (or perhaps they chose us!), and they have become an important aspect of and pleasure in our lives. Our challenge is to turn others on to our passion. We do this with our regional meetings and our annual IPA Symposium.

I challenge each of you to encourage others and invite them to attend any one of these regional meetings, and certainly be part of our annual Symposium. This is how we grow, and this is how we thrive. We love new faces, and we’ll be looking for yours!

I sure hope to see you and your orchid friends at one of these meetings on one of my many trips “down the road!”

Phalaenopsis - First Quarter, Vol. 21(3) 2012

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18th IPA SYMPOSIUM Set for August 24-25,2012 - Orlando, Florida Beckons You Frank Smith and Carlos Fighetti

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ollowing the resounding success of our Symposium in Ontario, California, two years ago, the International Phalaenopsis Alliance Annual Symposium is now a two-day event. It will encompass plant entries for ribbon and AOS judging, a Preview Party, speakers, workshops, the all-important Color Fund auction and luncheon. This change, from a 3-day to a 2-day event, gives the registrants a more focused schedule of events by ending on Saturday at 5 PM. The traditional 3rd day, which has been Sunday, has been freed-up for registrants to either have impromptu sessions, take the opportunity to visit local nurseries in the area or spend the day with Mickey and Minnie at Disney World.

Each year, the IPA holds its Symposium in different parts of the world, and we have not held one on the East Coast in several years. So when the IPA approached us for ideas for a venue, Frank Smith of Krull-Smith Orchids suggested the convenience of a hotel in the Orlando, Florida area which has very effectively hosted other orchid symposia in the past. Orlando is a world vacation destination where registrants can take advantage of the many attractions in the area. It’s also a convenient central base from which to travel to nurseries both north and south. Rental car rates from the airport are also more reasonable for those who wish to spend the week traveling around the state, and many rental companies do not have a “drop-off charge” if you return the car at a different airport in the state.

The Howard Johnson Plaza Hotel will serve as our headquarters, offering shuttle service to and from the airport and a very attractive $69 per night room rate for a single or double, a rate which they are generously extending to two days before and two after the event. The meeting rooms are quite spacious, and the guest rooms are comfortable.

In addition to dining facilities at the hotel itself, the city boasts a multitude of fine restaurants, several of which are close to the host hotel.

Registration forms and additional information will be forthcoming both in the IPA Journal and on our website www.phal.org. We’re working on the budget and are

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hoping to keep the registration fee for the entire event to around $100 or less per IPA registrant, which includes Friday’s light supper and Saturday’s continental breakfast, luncheon and afternoon coffee break.

The IPA is extremely proud to announce that our Keynote Speaker will be Mr. Chen-Chung Chen, owner of Mainshow Orchids in Taiwan. Mr. Chen is well known for his breeding program on Phalaenopsis species and primary hybrids which he sells through his orchid company. He has been growing and propagating Phalaenopsis and Paphiopedilum species and hybrids for over 30 years. In addition, Mr. Chen, a TOGA judge, has served as the Judging Chair of the prestigious Taiwan International Orchid Show from 2008 to 2011. He is also the current president of the Taiwan Paphiopedilum Society. The subject of his talk will be “Improving on the Basics: Phalaenopsis Species and Primary Hybrids.”

Our new Symposium format will begin at 9 AM Friday morning with the entry of show plants for ribbon and AOS judging. Ribbon judging will commence at 2 PM, followed

by AOS Judging.

Friday evening will present a new direction for the Symposium, with the Sales/Exhibit Area opening for the first time to Registrants from 5-7 PM for the Preview Party, giving registrants first crack at the sales tables! The Preview Party will also include a light buffet of cold and hot horsd’oeuvres, salad and fruit plus a cash bar. At 7 PM, our first speaker, Frank Smith, owner of Krull-Smith Orchids in Apopka, Florida, will give us an overview of the hybridizing program of his company. This will be followed by a roundtable discussion that he will lead with a special focus on new breeding directions in Phalaenopsis in the US. The evening will also provide a great opportunity for everyone to get to know each other by sharing their questions and experiences on this topic.

Saturday’s schedule will present a full day of events beginning at 8 AM with a continental breakfast and the re-opening of the Sales Area. At 9:30 AM our Keynote Speaker, Mr. ... continued on page 28 First Quarter, Vol. 21(3) 2012 - Phalaenopsis

IPA Regional Reports Barbara Noe

C

ontinuing our occasional focus on izes in Vandaceous orchids including Phaspecific Regional Directors who laenopsis species and hybrids, Cattleyas are aggressively and selflessly work to a close second for the quantity of orchids improve the lifeline between our produced from seed and hybridized. Since valued membership and IPA leadership, the North Carolina move, Seagrove Orthis quarter we are giving you a bit of up chids has received over 100 AOS awards, close and personal information about Linmany are in recognition of excellent culda Thorne, Regional Director of Region 13 ture.

– Piedmont.

Linda acquired the nickname “Sunshine” Linda Thorne is an American Orchid Soas a kid … now she is a big kid with an ciety Judge at the Greensboro, NC judgamazing love and knowledge of orchids ing center where she holds the position of and the moniker still fits. Thank you, SunLinda Thorne chairperson. She is the past training coorshine, for all you do for Orchidom. Visit dinator for this judging center. She is also Treasurer for the Seagroveorchids.com Slipper Orchid Alliance and very involved in numerous community activities in her area.

Region 1: Southern California - Norman Fang Linda’s passion for orchids led her to leave a secure ca- Norman’s Orchids and Joan Bailey will design and place reer in Washington DC eleven years ago to start an orchid a beautiful orchid display for the IPA in the 67th Annual nursery in Seagrove, NC. One would think that Seagrove is Santa Barbara International Orchid Show on March 16-18, a coastal city in North Carolina, but it is actually one mile 2012 at the Earl Warren Showgrounds. On March 24th, an from the geographic center of the state … a notable pot- IPA Region 1 Meeting will take place at Norman’s Orchids tery village whose wares are a perfect complement to her in Ontario, CA as a part of the annual Spring Open House. beautiful orchids.

Norman Fang will speak to the group on an exciting new Because the dining room of her Maryland home was the Phal. growing technique and will be giving each IPA memnursery of hundreds of orchid flasks (bottles of baby or- ber in attendance a 32 oz. bottle of Turbo Thrive. Check chids) and nearly every window of the home was lined www.orchids.com for additional details. with plants, it was time for her to turn her hobby into a working dream. She has done just that in Seagrove. Linda says, “Now I never feel that I am going to work when I en- Region 6, 7 and 8: Texas, Oklahoma, ter my greenhouse. I feel like I am going to the most relax- Arkansas, Louisiana - Olie Garrison ing place on earth.” As a close friend, I believe I am allowed On March 24th the SOS/IPA Region 6 will hold the secto say that it is not always that serene since Linda works ond Annual Tabletop Show and Symposium featuring feverishly preparing for trips to shows where she makes an AOS Judging. Please come to this event and display your extra effort to put in a quality commercial exhibit as well orchids. Both speakers will be selling plants and there will as a first-rate sales area chock-full of desirable plants. She be an auction to benefit IPA journal color fund. Location: rarely comes home with little more than her exhibit plants Barnwell Center, Shreveport, LA. Speakers: Tom Harper and props. When she is on location at an event, she is a and Peter Lin. real ambassador for the AOS, the IPA as well as the orchid There is no host hotel; however, there are several very hobby in general. She dispenses excellent cultural advice to close including El Dorado and Sam’s Town. Contact Olie all who ask for the assistance – and always with a beaming Garrison, IPA treasurer, at orchidolie@me.com or Lena Parker at lenalparker2@comcast.net for further details. smile on her face.

Her first orchid hybrid was made in 1996 and many of her Registration of $20 includes a catered lunch. babies have flowered since then. Seagrove Orchids special- Download the registration form and event schedule

Phalaenopsis - First Quarter, Vol. 21(3) 2012

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along with contact information from http://www.phal.org/ events.htm

Region 12: Southeast — Tom Harper

Carlos Fighetti, former AOS President and current IPA Vice President, will present a Phalaenopsis program at our regional meeting at Lines Orchids in Signal Mountain, Tennessee on Saturday, June 2, 2012. Greenhouses open at 9 AM with our program to begin at 10 AM. An announcement of his program topic will be made in the next IPA Journal. Carlos is an excellent speaker having traveled the world gathering information on breeding and culture of Phalaenopsis.

Joining Carlos will be Tom Wise of John’s Island Orchids in South Carolina. Tom will present his program “The Big Bang Theory: Phalaenopsis equestris and its Hybrids”. Tom recently gave this program to the Region 13 meeting in Hickory, NC. His program focuses on the multifloras created by breeding with Phal. equestris and Phal. stuartiana.

It’s an excellent program, not to be missed.

Please mark your calendars and plan to join us for the meeting. We’ll have our auction to raise monies for the IPA Journal Color Fund, some great hospitality provided

by Lines Orchids, and a great opportunity to visit with your orchid friends. Contact Tom Harper, harper_sro@ bellsouth.net for additional information.

Region 13: Piedmont - Linda Thorne

The Region 13 Winter Meeting of the IPA was held in Hickory, NC on January 28, 2012. Hosted by the Catawba Valley Orchid Society and held at the Hickory Furniture Mart, 55 Phalaenopsis enthusiasts enjoyed a full day with five speakers providing information and presentations about Phalaenopsis orchids.

We were honored to have the Honorable Randy Wright, Mayor of Hickory, to welcome us. After sharing with us the story of the founding of Hickory, first known as Hickory Tavern, a gathering place for locals, he presented Linda Thorne, our IPA regional representative and meeting organizer, the Key to the City. Everyone applauded

the Mayor’s kind gesture which provided a great start to our meeting.

Lester Poole kicked off the day with his presentation titled “Phalaenopsis A Journey of Imagination.” His PowerPoint lecture featured a variety of allied Vanda genera that can be hybridized with Phalaenopsis. The possibilities to create new shapes, colors and interesting blooms are endless now that Lester explained how Asconopsis, Renanthopsis, Sediropsis, Phalanetia and other intergeneric beauties can be produced by just thinking out of the traditional hybridizing box. The greatest challenge to hybridizers is the lack of fertility of the hybrid and the limited number of viable seed produced.

Tom Wise of John’s Island Orchids continued the program with “The Big Bang Theory: Phalaenopsis equestris and its Hybrids”. Tom traveled from Charleston, South Carolina to share his very well presented and organized talk featuring the overall appeal and charm of Phal. stuartiana and Phal. equestris hybrids. We took a close look at Phalaenopsis Cassandra and its influence in producing those beautiful multifloral Phalaenopsis.

Our catered luncheon was wonderful and featured a variety of cold-cut sandwiches, some of the best potato salad many of us have ever had followed by those wonderful chocolate chip cookies. While some were finishing their lunch, others perused the sales area again in search of that “got-to-take-home” favorite Phalie.

Next, our auctioneer, David Janvrin, did a superb job with his quick wit and enthusiasm to raise monies for the IPA. We are grateful for his work and to all those who donated plants to our auction. Our total came to $590.

After the auction, and while AOS judging was taking place in a separate area, Mike Mims from North Carolina delivered a superb program entitled “The Colorful World of Fragrant Phalaenopsis: Hybridizing at Home.” Mike’s beautiful photographs of his own hybrids caught the attention of everyone in the room.

They were beautiful! Mike’s hybridizing goal is to produce a beautifully colored and fragrant orchid that is easy to grow. The larger and more colorful the hybrid, the better. All of the hybrids

Mayor Randy Wright presenting the Hickory, North Carolina city key to Linda Thorne.

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First Quarter, Vol. 21(3) 2012 - Phalaenopsis

violacea or Phal. bellina using Phal. micholitzii and Phal. amboinensis as grandparents. We even saw some influence from Phal. mannii.

Tom Harper of Stones River Orchids in Franklin, TN presented a lecture titled “New Breeding Trends in Taiwan Phalaenopsis.” We pictorially traveled with Tom to Taiwan and visited several cutting-edge nurseries each specializing in different breeding lines in Phalaenopsis. There were nurseries that specialized in art-colored and novelty miniatures, strictly multiflora Phals, the production of the largest and best white Phalaenopsis, advanced Harlequin breeding, and just about everything in between. The process of how the Taiwanese growers select the best from the thousands of seedlings of the same cross was discussed and how only two to three plants were chosen for mass production. My favorite from his talk was the new white Phalaenopsis which lacked any yellow-gold coloration in its throat. The US florists will love this new hybrid!

A brief explanation of the AOS awards granted for the day was given by AOS judge, Rory Jones. Stones River Orchids and Mike Mims both received AOS quality awards at the event: Phal. Dragon Tree Eagle × Joshua Irwin Ginsberg ‘Marley’ AM 80, Mike Mims Phal. KV Golden Star ‘SY5’ HCC 79, Stones River Or chids, Tom Harper Phal. Taida Firebird ‘Taida Red Rose’ AM 81, Stones River Orchids, Tom Harper Those who contributed to the fund raising auction: Ken Karb - Dtps. Dyah Redita ‘Rose Button’, (2) Dor. pulcherrima, Phal. Kuntrarti Rarashati ‘Ace’ Stones River Orchids – Dtps. Yu Pin Lucky ‘Laura’ AM/ AOS, Dtps. Taida Firebird, Dtps. Leopard Prince ‘All Sea- son Red’ Mike Mims – Phal. violacea ‘Hot Like Fire’ × self compot Lester Poole – Dtps. Fuller’s Sunset Ben Belton – Phal. Joy Musical Notation ‘Tina’ AM/AOS, and Phal. Summer Garnet ‘Red Flare’ Tom Wise - Bulbophyllum claptonense David Janvrin – Bc. Maiki, mounted Enc. tampensis Linda Thorne of Seagrove Orchids - Angraecum eburnum, Ang. sesquipedale, Phal. Chain Xen Pearl, Phal. Yu Pin Natsume ‘Sweetheart’ Ironwood Estates – C. purpurata seedling, miniature Phal.

Penny Smith, Catawba Valley Orchid Society Member and President - 3 Ceramic Orchid Pots Mary Yoder - Gorgeous Murano Glass Sculpture A huge ‘Thank You’ to the Catawba Orchid Society for all of their assistance, enthusiasm and generosity making this a wonderful day for orchids. Region 13 would also is Phalaenopsis - First Quarter, Vol. 21(3) 2012

grateful for the hard work and extra effort extended by the Hickory Furniture Mart.

Region 16: NJ, PA — Mitch Paroly

The International Phalaenopsis Alliance will co-host a region 16 meeting on Saturday, March 24, 2012 from 1-4 PM at Longwood Gardens, 1001 E. Baltimore Pike, Kennett Square, PA 19348 in conjunction with their Orchid Extravaganza. Michael Ooi, from Malaysia, keynote speaker, will be joined by Patti Lee discussing under-light culture. Each hour session will include a 45 minute presentation and 15 minutes for question and answers. A mini-IPA fundraising auction and roundtable discussion will complete the afternoon. Your admission to Longwood Gardens entitles you to participation in this event.

Regions 17 & 18: NY, Eastern Canada, New England -

Marilyn Shapiro and Carri Raven-Riemann

Due to the overwhelmingly positive response to our 2011 back-to-back IPA meetings, we are pleased to announce that the IPA Northeast Team will once again be co-hosting, on Saturday, September 8th, 2012, in cooperation with the New Hampshire Orchid Society and on Sunday, September 9th, 2012 in cooperation with North Eastern New York Orchid Society, our annual “Focus on Phals Speakers’ Day.” Dr. Ron McHatton will be our Keynote Speaker, giving his amazingly informative presentation on “New Approaches to Pest and Disease Control,” a presentation that applies to every orchid grower.

Barring any potential hurricanes aiming for Puerto Rico, Carlos Fighetti will be speaking on the newest advances in the improvement of Phal. species, covering some which might actually qualify as primary hybrids, despite the fact that they’re labeled as species. His presentation is entitled “Phal. Species and Their Variants.”

Carri will bring us all up to speed on the newest and most unique directions in Phal. breeding as seen at the Taiwan International Orchid Show in March 2012.

A nominal registration fee will provide a continental breakfast and lunch. The day will also include a roundtable discussion and regional fund raising mini-auction to enable us to continue to bring in great speakers.

Plan your fall weekend get-away around the date and location of your choice. Visit the IPA website (www.phal. org), beginning in April, where the two registration forms will be posted. Open to everyone, IPA member and nonmembers alike.

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The Genus Phalaenopsis in Cultivation David Lafarge

Chargé de Mission at Société Nationale d’Horticulture de France

T

his paper was originally written in French, and has been published in the French Orchid Society bulletin, l’Orchidophile. It is dedicated to the late Eric A. Christenson, who improved our knowledge about this fascinating genus. The history of orchid cultivation includes a few main genera. The slipper orchids, mainly Paphiopedilum, were among favorite collectibles since the 18th century. In the 19th century, the genus Cattleya, with its large pink flowers became the most fashionable orchid genus. Then, the genus Cymbidium became one of the most important plant genera in the cut-flower industry. Nowadays, the genus Phalaenopsis is a bestseller all over the planet. You can find them in every flower shop or supermarket, and hotel decorators seem to want to put Phalaenopsis on each free table they can find. Within a few years, the Phalaenopsis market became extremely important and the production is now fully industrial. Nevertheless, the genus Phalaenopsis remains widely underappreciated among many orchid growers. The genus will be described over the next several issues of this journal to promote Phalaenopsis among orchid growers.

We will deal with almost every species, even if they won’t be fully described. Some very well documented books are available to the help reader with more details. The species

will be presented according to the most recent commonly accepted classification (Christenson, 2001). This classification might sometimes be controversial, and some species, described since the publication of Christenson’s monograph, will also be discussed here and will be placed in the most convenient group.

Before presenting species, a few words about the Phalaenopsis concept. In 2001, Christenson decided to include the close genera Doritis and Kingidium. Christenson divided the genus into three subgenera, two of these being subdivided into sections. This broad conception of the genus Phalaenopsis lead to a new taxonomic combination, Phalaenopsis natmataungensis. The plants in the genus are fairly easy to maintain in cultivation, but some species may require more specific conditions. Cultivation tips to make all the species grow and flower well will be given in the last part of this work.

Generic and infrageneric classification Phalaenopsis Blume is part of the Orchidaceæ Jussieu, subfamily Vandoideae Endlicher, tribe Vandeae Lindley, subtribe Aeridinae Pfitzer. The geographic distribution is mainly limited to southeast Asia (south of China to northern Australia, including Taiwan, Myanmar, Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia, Malaysia, Indonesia and Papua New Guinea.

Plants are monopodium, which is to say that leaves are born on a single stem elongating with time. The plants do not produce pseudobulbs and the stem is usually short, nearly absent, with a variable number of leaves. The inflorescences appear between the leaves and they can bear flowers for a long time, either by elongation or branching.

Flowers are star-shaped, with petals and sepals almost equivalent, petals sometimes being slightly larger than sepals. The lip is always three-lobed and its morphology is often useful for classification within the genus. The other characteristics that are useful for classification include flower color, size and/or vegetative habit or leaves color and markings. The genus Phalaenopsis is currently divided into five subgenera, two of them being subdivided into sections. ... continued on page 28

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First Quarter, Vol. 21(3) 2012 - Phalaenopsis

Introducing

the IPA 2012 officers Welcome to our newly elected officers IPA President - Carlos Fighetti

Carlos Fighetti has been involved in orchids for nearly forty years. He was the founding President of the IPA and is the current First VicePresident of the organization. He is the immediate past president of the American Orchid Society, and has been on the Board of Trustees that organization for fourteen years, five years as a trustee, four years as the vice-president, three years as the president and now as the immediate past president. He has been a member and has chaired several committees of the AOS. He is a member and a past president of the Greater New York Orchid Society, where he also served for eight years as show Chair of the New York International Orchid Show. In addition, he is a member and was a trustee of the Ramapo Orchid Society in New Jersey. He is the current president of the Puerto Rico Orchid Society, and a member of the Mayagüez, Orquidistas del Sur and Orquidistas de Borinquen Orchid Societies in Puerto Rico. He is also a member of the Pleurothallid Alliance, and the Peruvian and Chilean Orchid Societies An accredited AOS judge, he chairs the recently formed Puerto Rico site of the Florida Caribbean Judging Center.

Carlos has among his judging experiences, four World Orchid Conferences, the Tokyo Grand Prix Orchid Show, the Taiwan International Orchid Show and several Latin American shows. He has lectured about orchids all over the US and Canada and at many international venues.

Carlos lives in Guaynabo, Puerto Rico, where he grows approximately 2,500 orchid plants. He grows a mixed collection, including a good number of species. A grower of note, his plants have received over 130 awards from the AOS for horticultural, flower quality and cultural merits, including three FCCs and one CCE. He has also received eight AOS show trophies and many other awards for exhibits at orchid shows around the country.

Phalaenopsis - First Quarter, Vol. 21(3) 2012

Professionally, Carlos retired as a Senior Research Associate of the Engineering School at Columbia University, where he was the Director of a well-known research laboratory working on nuclear reactor safety. “The main emphasis was in determining the integrity of the reactor cores and the meltdown levels for normal operating as well as accident conditions for just about every nuclear reactor in the world, including the Russian designs.”

First Vice President -

Cathy Rider Cathy Rider lives in Austin, Texas.

She has been Recording Secretary for the IPA since 2009. She and her husband have been involved with orchids since 1971.

Rider studied at Texas A&M and the University of Florida, receiving .her degree from Texas A&M in Horticulture with an emphasis in Floriculture. She has worked in the retail and wholesale horticulture industry.

Rider currently owns Silver Orchid, an orchid plant sales and event floral business. She and her husband, James, are active in their local orchid society, Heart of Texas Orchid Society, co-chairing the 2nd Vice-President position.

Membership secretary -

Lynn Fuller I grew up with orchids. My father was given his first orchids by my mother early in their marriage because she felt he needed a hobby.

It quickly grew into his lifelong obsession (as orchids tend to do). At the time of his death he had his 1500+ orchids in a three-room estate greenhouse ..... the he had been renting for over 35 years. I individually ... continued on page 28 11

IPA DONATIONS

IPA gratefully acknowledges gifts from the donors listed below.

Their generous and heartfelt donations help make the services of IPA, including the quarterly journal Phalaenopsis available to the alliance’s worldwide membership.

Platinum - $5,000 or more Gold Medal - $1,000-$4,999 Barbara Noe - Gift in kind Dr. & Mrs. Olie Garrison The Robert Gordon Family in Memory of Robert J. Gordon

Silver Medal - $500 - $999 IPA Region 12 (Southeast) Carlos Fighetti Robert B. Bannister, M.D. Kuo-Liang Hung

Bronze Medal - $250- $499 Karen Armstrong June Simpson Houston Orchid Society IPA Region 3 (Northwest)

Supporting Donations - up to $249 Joanne McHale Sandra J. Myhalik Tom Gregg Greg Corrales Everett M. Yon Hasina Ahmad Steve & Kathy Davis Raj Popat, MD Rong-Tsai Wu Penny Smith Kathleen Carter Diane Burton Valerie Hill Charles Wilson

Phalaenopsis: A Monograph

By Eric Christenson Phalaenopsis has in recent years, with millions of plants being produced for the mass market annually. Moth orchids have helped eliminate the misconception of orchids as temperamental conservatory plants only for the very rich.

In the words of author Eric Christenson, we are witnessing “the makings of an orchid revolution.”

Against this backdrop of change, Christenson set out to write a definitive monograph of the genus Phalaenopsis, the first thorough treatment since Herman Sweet’s revision in 1969. Focusing mainly on the forebears of today’s omnipresent hybrids — the species — he always keeped an eye on the characteristics that species might bring to today’s hybridization programs. With extensive keys and detailed reviews of the taxonomy of the genus, Christenson provides a thorough picture of the current scientific understanding of these remarkable plants.

In addition to its scientific content, this book offers a wealth of practical information for the orchid hobbyist. A useful chapter on cultivation techniques is included, as is a chapter on hybrids in their many forms, shapes, and colors. More than 200 color photos and 60 drawings enliven the work and provide a fascinating visual overview.

With the full sponsorship and support of the International Phalaenopsis Alliance, Christenson has written an extraordinary book reflecting years of botanical research and horticultural experience with the genus. No orchid specialist will want to be without it.

Eric A. Christenson was a research taxonomist with strong interests in the Aeridinae (Sarcanthinae), neotropical floristics, and the conservation of horticultural plants. He did field work in Peru, Guyana and French Guiana and authored the orchid treatment for the Vascular Flora of Central French Guiana. A prolific author of more than 300 publications, Dr. Christenson attempted to bridge the gap between taxonomy and horticulture, and was a strong advocate for orchid conservation, particularly ex situ propagation. He died in 2011.

Phalaenopsis: A Monograph

By Eric Christenson

• Format: Hardback • Pages: 396 pp.

• Book dimensions: 5.5 x 8.5 in. (215 x 140 mm.)

• Images: 213 b/w photos, 86 b/w illustrations Limited to available stock Hardback $75 • Leather bound $100 Plus postage and handling

Contact: Dick Wells

1151 East County Road • 800 S Cloverdale, IN 46120 765-795-6016 • rwells@ccrtc.com 12

First Quarter, Vol. 21(3) 2012 - Phalaenopsis

Hebert Hager Award 2010 Wesley Higgins

T

he Herbert Hager Award was established in the spring of 1992 by members of the International Phalaenopsis Alliance and the friends of Herbert Hager. It recognizes the accomplishments of the late Herb Hager, his lifelong dedication to the advancement of orchids, especially to Phalaenopsis, through pioneering hybridizing and superior culture. In October 2011, the American Orchid Society granted the 2010 Herbert Hager Award to Chian Xen Biotechnology, Inc. for Doritaenopsis Chian Xen Piano ‘CX339’ FCC 93/AOS in San Antonio, Texas.

Doritaenopsis Chian Xen Piano ‘CX339’ is a cross of Dtps.

Jiuhbao Victoria x Dtps. Chian Xen Mammon that was originally awarded at Taiwan International Orchid Show on March 4, 2010. The AOS description reads, “Thirty-one perfectly formed, stupendously marked harlequin flowers displayed dramatically on two cascaded, 42cm, branched inflorescences; sepals and petals crisp white, heavy, bold, broad rich purple stripes, centers largely white, picotee soft purple; lip white, lavender distally; substance firm; texture crystalline.” The cross was made by Mr. Huang Fu-Liang in 2008 who has been breeding Doritaenopsis since 1980. Huang JianMing is the manager of Chian Xen Biotechnology Inc., which breeds and grows moth orchids. The company was founded by Huang’s father and the younger Huang still recalls when his father first started growing moth orchids three decades ago.

“They had this group of people who met every few

Phalaenopsis - First Quarter, Vol. 21(3) 2012

days to share opinions on varieties, techniques and everything about the orchid,” Huang says. “There wasn’t any reward when someone developed a unique variety except for the praise and envy of other members, which apparently was enough to keep them obsessed.” Huang’s father is still in charge of breeding new varieties at Chian Xen, and one of his varieties won the gold medal in the moth orchid category at the 2010 Taiwan International Orchid Show held in Tainan County, southern Taiwan. “There seems to be a gene chart the older generation of breeders keeps in their heads,” Huang says. “Just by looking at the ‘parents,’ they can pretty much know what kind of ‘children’ there will be.”1 1

“Orchids Blossom into Big Business”, Jim Hwang, Taiwan Review, 10/01/2010, http://taiwanreview.nat.gov.tw

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Yok Don National Park

Photos: Leonid Averyanov

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First Quarter, Vol. 21(3) 2012 - Phalaenopsis

New forms of Doritis pulcherrima var. apiculata Olaf Gruss

Y

ok Don National Park is located in Buôn Đôn District, Dak Lak Province, Tây Nguyên of Vietnam.

The park was established in 1991 to protect a biological area of dipterocarp lowland forest. The vegetation at Yok Don National Park is dominated by a mosaic of deciduous forest and semi-evergreen (mixed deciduous) forest, with smaller areas of evergreen forest, particularly on hills and along watercourses. The canopy of this forest type is open and most trees have thick, fire-resistant bark.

The topography of the site is flat, at an elevation of 200 m (650 ft) with the lowland landscape dominated by dry forest studded with seasonal pools. However, there are several ranges of low hills within the national park: the highest is Mount Yok Don at 482 m (1580 ft) in the southeastern range. Yok Don Park is bisected by the Srepok River—a major tributary of the Mekong River. forma typica • Doritis pulcherrima var. apiculata • forma purpurea More than one year ago, Leonid Averyanov described a new variety of Doritis pulcherrima from southern Vietnam near the border to Cambodia in Lindleyana 22(2): 9-16 (2009). The variety differed from the typical species by the apiculated tip of the midlobe of the lip. So Averyanov named it as var. apiculata. This new variety is highly variable in the coloration. In addition to the typical form, Leonid Averyanov described also the forma typica forma nivea forma purpurea dark purple form as forma purpurea and the white form as forma nivea.

Furthermore, Leonid Averyanov and Olaf Gruss accept the genus Doritis as a distinct and clearly defined genus. In forma typica forma nivea forma purpurea this point they agree with Tomohisa Yukawa from Japan: if they would follow the taxonomy of Eric Christenson, the Olaf Gruss plants should be described as Phalaenopsis pulcherrima In der Au 48 D-83224 Grassau, Germany var. apiculata.

Phalaenopsis - First Quarter, Vol. 21(3) 2012

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AOS Awards Gallery On these pages, Phalaenopsis features photos of the American Orchid Society awards to Phalaenopsis, Doritaenopsis, Paraphalaenopsis and their hybrids.

This gallery does not include every award - photos of some awards are not available for various reasons.

Lowell McCabe

Lowell McCabe

Arthur T. Pinkers

Maureen Pulignano

James L. Harris

Phal. Golden Butterfly ‘Bryon’ Phal. celebensis ‘Bryon’ Dtps. Tying Shin Pink Kite Phal. hieroglyphica ‘Chasus’ Phal. Jiuhbao Green Apple HCC/AOS (77pts.) Nov-06-2010 HCC/AOS (75pts.) Dec-18-2010 ‘Geneva’ HCC/AOS (76pts.) Oct-22-2010 ‘Mentha’ Exhibitor: Bryon K. Rinke Exhibitor: Bryon K. Rinke HCC/AOS (75pts.) Nov-13-2010 Exhibitor: Charles & Susan Wilson HCC/AOS (76pts.) Oct-16-2010 Exhibitor: Helmut Rohrl

Maureen Pulignano

Maureen Pulignano

Exhibitor: Robin Mentha

Maureen Pulignano

Maureen Pulignano

Maureen Pulignano

Dtps. Fusheng’s Golden Age Dtps. Sogo Chabstic ‘Vini Dtps. Brother Spotted Rose Dtps. Kun Nun Honey Peach Dtps. Sweet Strawberry ‘New Orchids’ Harlequin’ ‘DeLeon’s Raspberry’ ‘Fieldcrest’ ‘Memoria Edith Shaw’ AM/AOS (81pts.) Oct-22-2010 HCC/AOS (77pts.) Oct-09-2010 HCC/AOS (79pts.) Dec-11-2010 HCC/AOS (78pts.) Dec-11- 2010 AM/AOS (81pts.) Oct-09-2010 Exhibitor: Susan Clarke

Maureen Pulignano

Exhibitor: Geni Smith

Exhibitor: Stone River Orchids

James E. McCulloch

Teck Hia

Exhibitor: Stone River Orchids

James Osen

Exhibitor: Alvin Bolt

Malcolm McCorquodale

Phal. hieroglyphica Phal. lowii ‘Highjack’ Phal. Vio Vio ‘Sweetheart’ Phal. violacea (intergrade Dtps. Tyler Richards ‘Orchid ‘Mahvelous’ HCC/AOS (79pts.) Oct-10-2010 HCC/AOS (78pts.) Dec-04-2010 hybrid) ‘Lady Day’ Konnection’ CCE/AOS (93pts.) Oct-22-2010 Exhibitor: Jim & Annette Lurton Exhibitor: David H. & HCC/AOS (79pts.) Oct-21-2010 HCC/AOS (79pts.) Apr-16-2011 Mary F. Roberts

Exhibitor: Marcus B. Valentine

Malcolm McCorquodale

Malcolm McCorquodale

Exhibitor: Al’s Orchid Greenhouse Exhibitor: Meir Moses

Craig Plahn

Craig Plahn

Mike Pearson

Phal. Kahurangi ‘Carol Ann’ Phal. Asian Medley ‘Carol Dtps. SIO’s Dark Monarch Dtps. Tying Shin Pink Kite Dtps. Fusheng’s Mystical HCC/AOS (75pts.) Apr-16-2011 Ann’ ‘Jungo’ ‘Geneva’ Dream ‘Jolah’s Pride Emily’ Exhibitor: Steve Swearingen AM/AOS (80pts.) Apr-16-2011 AM/AOS (80pts) Jan-29-2011 AM/AOS (82pts.) Jan-29-2011 HCC/AOS (77pts.) Apr-02-2011 Exhibitor: Steve Swearingen

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Exhibitor: Al Mertz

Exhibitor: Hilltop Orchids

Exhibitor: Jolah Orchids

First Quarter, Vol. 21(3) 2012 - Phalaenopsis

Jim Butler

Phal. Kung’s Amar Dott ‘Nobby’ AM/AOS (80pts.) Mar-15-08

Maurice Marietti

Dtps. Lee Koi Choon ‘Gene Tobia’ HCC/AOS (78pts.) Jul-16-08

Exhibitor: Renee & Marvin Gerber Exhibitor: Cesario Gene Tobia

Charlie Rowden

James Osen

Phal. Neo Goo ‘Ruby Glow’ Phal. Nobby’s Little Candy HCC/AOS (77pts.) Apr-28-08 ‘Nobby’ Exhibitor: Eric Goo AM/AOS (80pts.) Jul-5-08 Exhibitor: Nancy Mountford

Lowell McCabe

Greg Allikas

Maureen Pulignano

Raymond Lee

Raymond Lee

Maurice Marietti

Phal. Princess Kaiulani ‘Gene Tobia’ JC/AOS (0pts.) Jul-16-08

Exhibitor: Cesario Gene Tobia

Greg Allikas

Exhibitor: Sedona Orchids

Maurice Marietti

Phal. Spirit Creek Girl ‘Jayne Phal. Spirit Creek Pride Phal. Tai Lin Redangel Garrison’ ‘Vivian Mae’ ‘Loretta’ HCC/AOS (75pts.) Mar-29-08 HCC/AOS (77pts.) Mar-29-08 AM/AOS (80pts.) Apr-13-09 Exhibitor: Olie Garrison

Exhibitor: Olie Garrison

James W. Clarkson

Exhibitor: Chris Rehmann

Brian Kelly

Mark C. Gaydosh

Maureen Pulignano

James W. Clarkson

Exhibitor: Craig Plahn

Phal. Rothschildiana ‘M & B’ Phal. Sedona’s Formosa Ven Phal. Sedona’s Precious HCC/AOS (77pts.) Feb-16-08 ‘Sedona’s Red Sun’ Renee ‘Sedona’s Grande’ Exhibitor: Bryon K. Rinke AM/AOS (80pts.) Mar-15-08 AM/AOS (82pts.) Apr-19-08 Exhibitor: Sedona Orchids

Craig Plahn

Phal. mariae ‘Cherry Jubilee’ Phal. Memoria Liu Jin-Chyu- Phal. Mikken ‘Magnifico II’ AM/AOS (83pts.) Jun-14-08 an ‘Twinkle Twilite’ HCC/AOS (78pts.) Mar-15-08 Exhibitor: Stones River Orchids HCC/AOS (77pts.) Mar-8-08 Exhibitor: Mrs. Ralph Levy

Lawrence Vierhelig

Phal. pulcherrima Phal. pulcherrima var.

‘Alexandria’ champornensis ‘Robin’s First’ AM/AOS (81pts.) Sep-20-08 HCC/AOS (77pts.) Nov-1-08 Exhibitor: Vonder Pool

Exhibitor: Robin P. Saunders

Raymond Lee

Phal. Sogo Grape ‘Bydor’ AM/AOS (80pts.) Apr-26-08

Exhibitor: Byron & Doris McGraw

Marcus B. Valentine

Raymond Lee

Phal. Sogo Grape ‘EFG’ HCC/AOS (75pts.) Mar-29-08 Exhibitor: Jeanette Green

Greg Allikas

Phal. Tetra Green ‘Wayne’ Phal. Tristar Peoker HCC/AOS (79pts.) May-17-08 ‘Sedona’s Gold Star’ Exhibitor: Ann Ivey HCC/AOS (79pts.) Apr-19-08 Exhibitor: Sedona Orchids

Judy Cook

Maureen Pulignano

Phal. venosa ‘Crystelle’ Phal. venosa ‘Scott Ware’ Phal. violacea f. alba ‘Jack’ Phal. Yu Pin Angel Face Phal. pulcherrima ‘Kara HCC/AOS (79pts.) Mar-10-08 HCC/AOS (75pts.) Nov-26-08 HCC/AOS (76pts.) Apr-26-08 ‘Laura’ Marie’ Exhibitor: Frank Smith Exhibitor: Frank Smith Exhibitor: Jim Sloniker HCC/AOS (78pts.) Apr-26-08 HCC/AOS (77pts.) Apr-13-08 Exhibitor: Stones River Orchids

Phalaenopsis - First Quarter, Vol. 21(3) 2012

Exhibitor: Maureen Pulignano

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A Decade of Chasing the Elusive Blue Phalaenopsis

I

Rob Shepherd

n recent years the color blue has increased in popularity to become one of the highly coveted colors in orchids while also being one of the rarest colors found naturally in the orchid family. My interest in the coerulea form started well before this latest surge in popularity. For many years the coerulea form was one of the least explored color forms in Phalaenopsis breeding, very likely because coeruleas had proven to be extremely difficult to attain through hybridizing. Early hybridizers found themselves completely frustrated by failed attempts to create more complex hybrids that would bloom true coerulea and most abandoned their efforts after hitting multiple dead ends. It has only been in the last few years that we have begun to understand how to effectively breed for the pigments that give us the lovely coerulea form in Phalaenopsis that we af fe c t ionately call orchid blue.

With these recent advances, consistent commercial production of coerulea Phalaenopsis hybrids is now on the horizon.

Those recent advances did not come easily. Like those before me, I’ve experienced the frustration of a very large number of failed “coerulea” crosses. But after years of focusing on coerulea Phalaenopsis I’ve been able to successfully navigate my way through this unmarked path as a result of unrelenting determination and probably a lot of luck. I’ve always had an Phal. Equalacea grex Sapphire’s Indigo Equalacea ‘Anacapa Beryl’ AM/AOS (P. equestris var. cyanochilus ‘Martel’s Blue’ × P. violacea ‘Sapphire’s Navy’)

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“I can do anything” attitude and I have never been one to shy away from a good challenge; well my journey with coerulea Phalaenopsis has turned out to be one of the greatest challenges I have ever embarked upon. The year 2011 was a significant milestone year for me as it concluded the first decade of my quest to improve upon coerulea Phalaenopsis and bring this color form up to modern day hybridizing standards. While I have accomplished a great deal over these last ten years, I have to say I really had no idea what I was getting myself into back when I decided breeding coerulea phals was going to be a good idea. Seriously what was I thinking when I thought this was going to be easy! In reality this has turned into such a complex endeavor that I find it very difficult to concisely write about my breeding program and the lessons that have been learned along the way.

To many of you, I am largely a newcomer into the orchid industry, so I feel it’s probably important to not only tell you about my experience with coerulea orchids but to also give you some of my background as an orchid grower. While I decided to start my quest for blue back in 2001, my journey with orchids began much earlier in 1984 at the age of 11. As a child I loved growing any plant that I could get my hands on and the allure of orchids provided a challenge I was quick to entertain as soon as the first opportunity arose.

Like so many other beginners, I promptly killed my first First Quarter, Vol. 21(3) 2012 - Phalaenopsis

orchid, a Cattleya seedling purchased at a display in Orlando, Florida. I had decided to take it out of that horrible dry bark and give it a great boost in the best garden humus I had at my disposal. Do I even need to state how well that worked out? But I was not to be deterred from growing orchids.

My parents were always very supportive of my horticulture ambitions and shortly after that I convinced my Dad to go in halfs with me on an overgrown Cattleya that was on sale at a local nursery. That orchid thrived, and in November of 1984 my parents agreed to take me for a visit to a local orchid grower who was also the President of the Central East Texas Orchid Society. I bought another Cattleya from Max Nash and he also gave me a small starter of Brassavola nodosa. I still have that B. nodosa, by the way, it’s a little larger now. Max encouraged me to visit a CETOS meeting and that December at the Tyler Junior College campus, I met a group of people that would forever impact the life of a curious and soon to be addicted young orchid grower.

I am forever grateful for the encouragement, support and friendship that my fellow orchid growers at CETOS provided for the better part of my formative years. In May 1985, I joined the AOS and have been a member ever since. During that time I quickly filled my bedroom window with orchids and after turning my room into a complete rainforest with condensation dripping down the drywall; my parents built a 16x20 ft greenhouse to house my ever growing collection. As my experience, knowledge, and passion for orchids grew along with my collection, I served first as Show Chairman, Vice-President and then later President of CETOS all before completing high school. I was very lucky to live close to two professional growers who became mentors and great friends. Dillard Scott had a commercial operation

in Ben Wheeler, Texas. I spent many weekends out at his place learning about orchid growing and hybridizing. Dillard did all of his flasking in a glove box and was successful at everything from dry seed sowing, Phal. stem props to mericloning Cattleya’s despite having only the most basic of lab equipment. So I truly started with the basics. On the opposite end of the spectrum as I got older, Jimmy Rozell, who ran a commercial lab focused on Phal. seed and stem propagation took me under his wing and it was there I learned about more advanced lab techniques. During those years I dabbled with orchid hybridizing, my grandfather built a laminar flow hood for me and I began spending time with several local growers learning about hybridizing and lab work. To the testament of my grandfather, I still use that same home-built laminar flow hood to this day for all of my lab work.

College was a bitter sweet transition for me as I found it necessary to move away from my beloved greenhouse and dear orchid growing friends. Sadly, I lost many of my prized orchids during my time in college and then moved several times for my career, which was outside of horticulture. Years passed and my collection stayed fairly small. I continued to dabble with hybridizing and desired nothing more than to leverage my years of orchid growing through a focused hybridizing program where I believed I could contribute to the orchid industry. I had a passion for yellow and red Phalaenopsis, but early in my career I just could not afford the higher priced stud plants that represented the best of those color forms. But, by 2000 I had matured in my career as computer game producer and I found myself in a position where I could start investing in high quality stud plants. In late 2000, I purchased a coerulea Dtps. Kenneth Schubert and the color so fascinated me that I started

Phal. Taida Sunshine

Phal. Jennifer Palermo

(P. tetraspis var. alba × P. equestris var. cyanochilus ‘Martel’s Blue’)

(P. tetraspis var. alba × P. violacea var. coerulea ‘SDO Violet’)

Phalaenopsis - First Quarter, Vol. 21(3) 2012

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Phal. equestris var. cyanochilus ‘Martel’s Blue’ 2n

(Phal. equestris var. cyanochilus ‘Martel’s Blue’ × ‘ABC’)

doing extensive research trying to understand this unique color form. By 2001, my research had lead me to the conclusion that with a focused hybridizing program, I should be able to not only successfully hybridize coerulea phals but also be an industry leader in this direction. I started documenting what I believed at the time would be the right approach and began a multi-year quest to build the most extensive collection of coerulea phals possible. Over the course of those early years as my collection grew, so did my planned hybridizing program. What started as a somewhat simplistic and frankly naive approach eventually evolved into what is now a full research program focused on trying to understand the pigments and inheritance of the coerulea color form in Phalaenopsis.

Being in the computer gaming industry, I’ve always taken

a very active role in online communities so I gravitated to online orchid communities. I originally started with the Orchid Talk group and later began spending a great deal of time at Peter Lin’s Big Leaf Orchid Forum. It was there that I met and forged relationships with the other Phalaenopsis hybridizers that have had the most significant influence on my own personal development in this area. During that time Robert Bedard, David McDaniels, Dr. A.D. Stock and I started collaborating on breeding projects and the four of us became a sounding board for working through some of the more difficult issues we were facing in our own respective areas of focus. In 2007, Robert started the Hybridizers Forum and a fantastic community of hybridizers developed that created a platform for beginners to experienced growers to share and learn from each other. Un-

Phal. violacea ‘Sapphire’s Navy’

(P. violacea ‘Krull’s Navy Blue’ AM/AOS × ‘Crystelle’ HCC/AOS) 20

Phal. equestris var. cyanochilus 4n

Phal. Equalacea grex

Sapphire’s Indigo Equalacea ‘Anacapa Beryl’ AM/AOS First Quarter, Vol. 21(3) 2012 - Phalaenopsis

Phal. Equalacea

Phal. Louise Burns

grex Sapphire’s Indigo Equalacea ‘Pacific Steel’

(Phal. Equalacea × P. violacea ‘Sapphire’s Navy’)

fortunately, the Hybridizers Forum had to be disbanded, but I will always be extremely grateful for the support and knowledge that was passed on during that time period. In 2010, I started the Orchid Vault community (www.orchidvault.com) in an effort to continue to provide a venue for both new and experienced hybridizers to learn and share information in the hopes that I can provide the same opportunity to others that was provided to me. I owe a great deal to the individuals that freely participated, shared their knowledge and provided mentoring as they helped shape my thought processes and were instrumental in helping to refine the directions of my breeding program.

The primary goal for my breeding program was always to improve the quality of coerulea Phalaenopsis up to the same level as most other modern standard Phalaenopsis.

I wanted to produce hybrids that could withstand the test of time and provide a significant contribution to coerulea Phalaenopsis breeding. When I started in 2001 most coerulea phals had small flowers and were not particularly easy to grow. So my early focus was to create hybrids with more saturated color, a wider range of blue hues and improved vigor on both standard and multiflora sized Phalaenopsis.

My approach to accomplish this was to organize the work in phases and I planned out my hybridizing program in a very methodical manner. Starting out, there were a number of unknowns, so a reasonable amount of experimentation was planned into my breeding program to begin an-

swering those early questions.

Phase I would be focused on building a world class collection of coerulea phals and other foundation breeding stock that I felt would be necessary along the way. Some of the stud plants that I believed I needed did not exist and I would later realize that some had severe ploidy problems, so in many cases I ended up having to create my own foundation stock.

Phase II would then leverage that collection of stud plants I would need to bring together to then create a foundation of stud plants designed specifically to accomplish my longterm goals. Part of this process would include colchicine treating a wide enough range of crosses so that I would have a solid base of tetraploid coeruleas to work with. I knew I also needed to develop a better understanding of how Phalaenopsis inherited the color pigments in different crosses which would mean testing many crosses to prove out theories while also doing a large number of experimental crosses to fill in the gaps.

The best of the selections from the crosses coming out of Phase II along with lessons learned about coerulea pigment inheritance would then be used in Phase III to create the crosses that should allow me to complete my objectives. Sounds simple enough right? Little did I know just how difficult all of this was going to become. Keep in mind; I was in my late 20s when I came up with my high-level hybridizing plan. I was old enough to realize that there were

Phalaenopsis - First Quarter, Vol. 21(3) 2012

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probably more things that I didn’t know than what I did know; but not quite wise enough to realize just how much I really didn’t know. So, I blazed forward with passion for my new project propelled forward by the unending energy of a young man in his 20’s. As I said earlier, naïve would be the best description of my early thoughts on what was going to be involved with successfully creating coerulea hybrids.

By 2004, I was well into Phase I with an ever growing collection of coerulea Phalaenopsis. The process of building up my collection of stud plants was an arduous task. Just getting a single coerulea form of any given species and/or hybrid at that time was very difficult. I needed to acquire multiple cultivars of each coerulea species and hybrid, at least to the extent that they existed to make sure I had a wide range of genetic material to work with. After a great deal of searching and networking with other growers I was starting to hit critical mass with my collection, and I began working on creating both foundation and test crosses.

I was now ready to begin some of Phase II and being overly confident that I would be successful, I felt it was important to create a recognizable brand to represent my work. So I created the concept of Sapphire Dragon Orchids to be the public face of my hybrids and research… that did not yet exist. Yep, you read it right, nothing but a brand and a plan.

Don’t feel badly if that made you cringe: I winced with one eye half open while writing it.

I had been warned multiple times by other experienced hybridizers that coerulea breeding was a dead end. Previous efforts at creating blue phals were built on only two coerulea forms: standard coerulea P. violacea and standard

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coerulea Dor. pulcherrima. Combined they made the primary hybrid Kenneth Schubert which is still to this day the most common commercially available coerulea Phalaenopsis. Most attempts by other hybridizers to create more complex coerulea phals failed. Little Blue Bird and Fire Cracker were the only other documented coerulea hybrids back when I started. The original coerulea Fire Cracker had some horrible ploidy problems, so while its color was really great, it was almost impossible to breed with. I very quickly experienced this frustration firsthand.

I was going down some different paths, so I thought, with my crosses in the hopes that I would not be repeating previous mistakes. Well my first round of “coerulea” hybrids resulted in more failures than successes producing mostly magenta flowers much to my dismay. Then there were the Taiwanese hybridizers registering crosses no more than 6-9 months before I would bloom the same cross that further added to the frustration. Early on, the only cross that bloomed out coerulea was a cross between two different cultivars of Phal. equestris var. cyanochilus. Even most of the coerulea pulcherrimas crossed with other coerulea pulcherrimas were blooming out magenta. A couple of years in and my plan was not going so well.

I was extensively using P. equestris var. cyanochilus, Dtps.

Kenneth Schubert, Dtps. Purple Martin, Dor. pulcherrima var. coerulea, Phal. violacea var. coerulea, P. tetraspsis, and P. aphrodite in my crosses. Originally I believed P. tetraspis was going to be a great parent for carrying coerulea pigments. Dtps. Sapphire Tetramartin (Purple Martin × tetrapsis), Dtps. Yaphon Bluepis, and Phal. Taida Sunshine

Dtps. Peter Blue Sky var. coerulea

Phal. Penang Jewel var. indigo

(Dtps. Siam Treasure × Dor. pulcherrima ‘Little Blue’)

(P. Penang Violacea var. alba × violacea ‘Pacific Rendezvous’) First Quarter, Vol. 21(3) 2012 - Phalaenopsis

Phal. Princess Kaiulani

Phal. Princess Kaiulani var. indigo

(tetraploid red form) (P. amboinensis ‘Golden Dragon’ × P. violacea ‘Sapphire’s Navy’)

(diploid form) (P. amboinensis ‘Golden Dragon’ × P. violacea ‘Sapphire’s Navy’)

made with Phal. equestris var. cyanochilus and several other Phal. tetraspis hybrids including Phal. Jennifer Palermo all bloomed out magenta. All of the hybrids I had tried to produce using Phal. equestris var. cyanochilus were also blooming out either magenta or white. Now five years in and all I had to show for it were some expensive stud plants, a lot of magenta flowers and one Phal. equestris sib cross that had bloomed out coerulea. Every unsuccessful cross mostly increased my drive as I was determined not to fail at this endeavor. But, I have to admit, I was really feeling down by the lack of progress in 2006. As I look back, I really consider that year to be my turning point, representing both an all time low and new opportunities. It was during that time that a new coerulea Phal. was coming onto the scene, one that would drastically alter my approach and forever change my outlook. But I’ll come back to that later.

I forged ahead, each cross that bloomed out provided more important information that allowed me to focus and refine my hybridizing program. That once simple plan started getting much more complicated. It started becoming very clear that just crossing one coerulea with another coerulea was not good enough; one had to understand the specific genetics of each cultivar to be able to pair the correct two parents. But, my high level approach and goals remained the same year after year. Methodically, I continued ahead with my plan, one toothpick at a time. Unfortunately, early on I did not realize how critical it was going to

be for me to develop a full understanding of how coerulea pigments were produced and inherited in Phalaenopsis.

What none of us realized at the time was how wrong we were about the genetics that were at play.

As if dealing with a huge number of unknowns and very unpredictable results was not enough, one of the giant frustrations that I have had to deal with really had nothing to do with coeruleas. Ploidy issues have been a huge roadblock the entire time. First, almost all of the available coerulea Phalaenopsis species and hybrids were diploids (2n), meaning they had the naturally occurring two sets of chromosomes. By comparison, large standard white and pink Phalaenopsis are tetraploids (4n) with double the number of naturally occurring chromosomes. When you cross a diploid and a tetraploid, you get a triploid (3n), frequently called a mule.

Triploids are usually sterile though sometimes they will breed resulting in progeny with even greater ploidy issues.

Trying to continue to breed with plants that have ploidy problems just leads to more infertility and this very situation plagued and prevent progress in red Phal. breeding for many years. Because I wanted to use large 4n whites to improve the form and size of coeruleas, I needed to create tetraploid versions of my diploid coerulea stud plants if I had any hope of creating hybrids that would continue to be useful for future breeding. That means I needed to develop the ability in my lab to use colchicine to convert

Phalaenopsis - First Quarter, Vol. 21(3) 2012

23

diploid seedlings to tetraissues and then mentorploids. I then needed to ing me on the process of invest in the microscope doing my own chromoequipment and learn some counts. Without how to do chromosome that help, the potential of counts in order to verify my hybridizing program which seedlings had been would have been severely converted to tetraploids. limited.

What I also found was One important point that some of the existI realized early on was ing coeruleas had ploidy that good record keeping problems along with was very important both some of the other founfor my orchid collection dational hybrids that I and hybridizing efforts. wanted to use to achieve I had both a hand writmy goals. So not only ten hybridizing log and did I need to go through a Filemaker Pro database the process of convertfor more detailed record ing my coerulea breedkeeping. As a software ing stock from diploids developer, creating my to tetraploids, I was also own custom database Phal. equestris var. cyanochilus ‘Violet Eye’s’ CHM/AOS constantly running into to meet my needs came (P. equestris ‘Sapphire’s Surprise’ × P. equestris var. cyanochilus ‘Martel’s Blue’) issues where existing rather naturally. I set up crosses that I wanted to use were completely useless for my that database to be able to keep track of every cultivar, purposes. crosses I wanted to make and information about each stage On Feburary 18, 2008, I confirmed the tetraploid conver- of every cross that was in the lab and greenhouse. I was sion of my first Phal. equestris var. cyanochilus from my able to cross reference hybrids and easily track the genecross of ‘Martel’s Blue’ × ‘ABC’. This was an important mile- alogy of every line of breeding that I was creating. I later stone as it not only signirealized that after years fied the beginning of new of development and era in coerulea breeding improvement that my using tetraploid lines for little database was a the first time; I had now system that would be gained the ability to sucuseful for many orchid cessfully convert a diploid growers and hybridizto a tetraploid in my lab ers. What once started and developed the ability as a simple one layto confirm that converout database became sion without having to the now commercially rely on an outside service. available My Orchid I’ve had to make some Vault data managevery hard decisions rement system. lating to ploidy and we Very close to the same really have learned a time that I started fogreat deal over the last cusing on coerulea few years, so much that phals several other hyit would take another bridizers appeared on article just to delve fully the scene with some into the details. I have to moderate successes thank Dr. A.D. Stock for with coerulea crossPhal. violacea ‘Laela’ HCC/AOS educating me on ploidy es. Several Taiwanese (P. violacea ‘Blue July 4th’ × ‘Gaston Blue’) 24

First Quarter, Vol. 21(3) 2012 - Phalaenopsis

growers were focusing on some of the same lines that I was working on. Watching parallel crosses to my own created and registered often only a few months before mine bloomed, I knew I needed to either get a step ahead or go down a slightly different path if I wanted to maintain any kind of strategic advantage. It was during this time that some observations started pushing me in a different direction than other hybridizers and my breeding program took on a life of its own. By that point, I had collected as many different coerulea Phal. species and hybrids as possible.

This was the time period when I was focused on breeding with Phal. equestris var. cyanochilus and Phal. tetraspis.

Most of the successful Taiwanese breeding revolved around Dor. pulcherrima var. coerulea. There were some limited cases where breeding with Kenneth Schubert resulted in coerulea progeny such as Tzu Chiang Lilac (Kenneth Schubert × Tzu Chiang Tetralitz). During this time period a coerulea Dor. pulcherrima with an almost grape purple lip was used extensively by a few hybridizers with a good amount of success and it appears that most of the good coerulea crosses from Taiwanese breeders can be traced back this specific strain of Dor. pulcherrima. We have only recently been able to get that strain into the United States to start breeding with it.

Now getting back to that pivotal point in 2006, this was the same time period the Nortons’ new indigo strain of Phal. violacea was coming onto the scene. It literally appeared to be the holy grail of coerulea Phalaenopsis with extremely saturated indigo pigmentation. There was both a rush to get seedlings from HP’s crosses and a renewal of interest in hybridizing coerulea phals. I also jumped on the bandwagon and acquired a few seedlings from Frank Smith’s cross coming from the Nortons’ indigo Phal. violacea line and later acquired more seedlings from the Nortons. In July of 2006, I bloomed my first indigo Phal. violacea, the cultivar ‘Sapphire’s Navy’, from Frank Smith’s cross.

This was the orchid that helped me push past the previous poor performance of my early crosses. It appeared as if the stage was being set for a brand new generation of superior coerulea Phalaenopsis. There was a great deal of excitement and speculation as to what the new indigo violaceas would mean. While I think our excitement within the hybridizing community was well placed, the theories behind it were still ill conceived and could not have been further from reality. There was a missing piece of the coerulea genetics puzzle that we still had not discovered, but we were getting closer.

The first crosses with the indigo violaceas were made to other coerulea phals. I first started making some of the more obvious crosses pairing my indigo violaceas with coerulea Dor. pulcherrima, Kenneth Schubert and Purple Phalaenopsis - First Quarter, Vol. 21(3) 2012

Martin. Every single one of mine bloomed out magenta and talking with the Nortons’, they were having the same problem. I had remade Phal. Equalacea using different Phal. equestris and coerulea violaceas several times over the years also with the same results, more magenta flowers.

But I made one more attempt at creating a coerulea Phal.

Equalacea, this time crossing Phal. equestis var. cyanochilus ‘Martel’s Blue’ with Phal. violacea var. indigo ‘Sapphire’s Navy’ in September 2006. I did not know it at the time, but I had just made the cross that would be my holy grail.

In October of 2008, the first of these very fast growing Phal. Equalacea seedlings were in spike and I watched very carefully for any sign of coeruleas. On October 19th, 2008, the first bloom was starting to open and it was a deep indigo coerulea. I can’t fully describe the excitement that reverberated through our hybridizing community. Not only was this the first time that a coerulea form of Phal. Equalacea had been bloomed out, but it was also the first hybrid made with an indigo Phal. violacea to also bloom out a true coerulea. While I have had some really great successes with coerulea hybrids since then, this cross is still my favorite to date. It inherited the flower count from Phal. equestris and the form, color and wonderful spicy fragrance from the indigo Phal. violacea. Luckily during the period of time when I made this cross I was colchicine treating seedlings of any cross that I felt had potential. I ended up with both diploids and tetraploid indigo Phal. Equalacea. This cross was so unique; it was registered with the RHS as the subgrex Sapphire’s Indigo Equalacea. Most recently in October 2011 one of the tetraploid cultivars ‘Anacepa Beryl’ was awarded an AM the San Marino AOS judging center.

Seeking to build on this line of breeding, I’ve since made many crosses using these Equalaceas. The first to bloom was Phal. Louise Burns (Equalacea x indigo violacea) on Sept 2, 2011 named after my grandmother. This cross is also coerulea and I’m very hopeful that there will be many more coerulea crosses to come from this line of breeding.

As I write this article, a few more new crosses are in spike.

Between now and 2008, there were a few other less significant successful coerulea crosses to bloom out. Dtps. Peter Blue Sky proved to be a great pairing of Siam Treasure and Dor. pulcherrima that kept the best of both parents without the poor vigor of Siam Treasure. By this point, I was starting to get enough data to start seeing some trends that began to validate some emerging theories. This would eventually give us a better understanding of the genetics behind the inheritance of coerulea pigments in Phals. I was still trying to piece a few things together, but it appeared that I understood the process well enough to now reasonably predict when a cross would and would not bloom out coerulea. The wildcard that became apparent was that any 25

new pigment system introduced from another parent orchid could completely alter the results of the cross. The only way to know how any new parent would interact with the coerulea pigment system was to make a test cross. I did realize that if you knew the previous breeding history of the new parent well enough, there were some subtle indicators that could be used to help predict the results. But the coerulea pigment system, it turns out, is so unstable, that even very slight differences can result in drastically different results.

The big surprises that may ultimately be even more important started happening in early 2011 when the next batch of my coerulea hybrids started blooming out. A Penang Jewel remake I made using an alba Penang Violacea × indigo Phal. violacea resulted in some lovely light coeruleas with a pearlescent shimmer. I had been hopeful this approach might work, but also considered it a long shot.

Sapphire’s Tetralitz also bloomed out this year, so far with one coerulea and several magentas. Both of these crosses point to a new potential direction for creating novelty coerulea hybrids.

But it was a major breakthrough that was completely unintended that may very well have the greatest impact to our understanding of the genetics behind coerulea pigment inheritance. I had a very good modern Phal. amboinensis with a deep yellow background that that I had paired with an indigo Phal. violacea with the intent of producing some very deep red Princess Kaiulanis. Since I’ve been doing tetraploid conversions, I wanted to go ahead take the opportunity to do that with this cross since there are not very many tetraploid novelty reds available. The cross accomplished that goal and has produced some completely solid cherry red flowers. The red tetraploids from the colchicine treated batch surpassed my expectations by a long shot.

But just imagine the complete shock I was in when I realized one of them looked like it was going to bloom out coerulea. On March 12, 2011 the first indigo Princess Kaiulani began to open. How was this even possible? At the time, it just did not make any sense based on our understanding of the genetics in this type of hybrid. Since then, 50% of these seedlings have bloomed out coerulea in addition to the amazing reds. These new indigo Princess Kaiulanis should allow for the creation of some unique coerulea crosses that before we did not think were possible. Some of these have bloomed out a very deep grape, almost black color that may bring about some really unique color forms in the future. This unique color is the result of the coerulea pigments overlaid on the yellow from the amboinensis.

But, more importantly, it’s the fact that it was even possible from a genetic standpoint that forever changed the way I thought about coerulea Phal. genetics. After some careful 26

analysis, it was apparent how this had happened and that clue paired with the other data that has been gathered over these last ten years may turn out to be the key to finally decoding coerulea inheritance.

There have been other incremental successes along the way this last decade. But the critical progress that will have the most impact on the future of my breeding program is that I have finished most of the work converting my diploid breeding stock to tetraploids. I have tetraploids of the coerulea forms of Phal. equestris, Dor. pulcherrima, Phal. violacea, Equalacea, Princess Kaiulani, and Peter Blue Sky that I’m already using in my breeding program. The next challenge will be finding the right combinations of these tetraploid coeruleas with other large standard phals that will allow the coerulea color to come through and not result in magenta progeny. The first generation of potential coerula tetraploid hybrids are already growing in my lab.

I’m certainly not the only hybridizer extensively working on coerulea Phals and there have definitely been some advancements made by others in this field. Several hybridizers in Southeast Asia have made some great progress with coerulea Dor. pulcherrima lines of breeding. Now that the indigo violaceas are fully available worldwide, we are starting to see more and more crosses made with those lines as well. I expect that many of the mistakes that I made will be repeated, but I also expect some new surprises will continue to surface as the volume of these types of crosses increases. So, I think we can all look forward to many new and exciting coerulea hybrids from many different sources in the years to come.

Now a full decade into my own coerulea Phalaenopsis hybridizing project, the stage is set for some really great advancements. I’ve accomplished my early goals of getting the foundations in place so that I can make the crosses that I believe will help take coerulea phals up to the next level.

As I have hinted at through this article, I have emerged from these last ten years with a much better understanding of how the inheritance of the coerulea pigments are really working in Phalaenopsis. There is still a great deal to be answered and I realize that many of you were probably hoping I would leave the silver bullet of successful coerulea hybridizing in this article. Because of the complexity and volume of learnings to date, that information will have to wait for another day. But before I leave you dreaming about “blue” Phalaenopsis, I have one last bit of business to address…

Will there ever be a truly blue Phalaenopsis? For the most part, I’ve stopped referring to the coerulea form as blue after having had both orchid growers and general plant enthusiasts point out over and over that my “blue” orchid is purple. Every once in a while I still slip and call a coerulea First Quarter, Vol. 21(3) 2012 - Phalaenopsis

form blue, but I’ve been beaten over the head with “that’s not really blue” or “that looks more like purple” way too many times at this point. I know which battles I can win and this is not one of them. The reality is most people will perceive the color of a coerulea Phal. as violet from the traditional color wheel that most of us were exposed to in art class. So I tend to think of violet as a better description of the color of a coerulea Phalaenopsis. When placed against a true blue hue, a coerulea form is always going to have a purpleish tint to it. A few of us that were trying to get some more data on coeruleas a couple of years ago ran a project for a short period of time where we tried to use a Pantone chart to track and classify the different hues of “blue” exhibited by different cultivars. We wanted to identify the subtle variations so that we could start selecting the bluest cultivars out of any given cross to use for future breeding. We realized very quickly that what appeared as color variations, were actually differences in the saturation of the

pigments. The actual hue of the color was consistent across every single coerulea Phalaenopsis we compared. When you pair those observations with an understanding of the actual pigments that produce the coerulea color, it starts to become very clear that in their current form, coeruleas are never going to become “bluer” through hybridizing.

Now it’s always possible that some chance mutation will come along or we will figure out some other way to manipulate the pigments to alter the hue further towards blue.

It doesn’t mean we will stop trying to achieve a true blue; I just tend to be more realistic about what can reasonably accomplished and feel it’s important to set appropriate expectations up front. So until one of those things happens, we’ll have to work with what nature gave us.

Special thanks to my partner Michael for his unending patience and support.

N

Orchid Fandango

October 25-30, 2011 Auction Donations Atlantic Botanic Gardens/SRO Phal. pulchra (compot) Phal. pulchra (2 seedlings) Phal. mannii - compot

Cathy & James Rider

Phal. Batik (Spica x violacea) fragrant waxy red Phal. Sogo Gotris Phal. Sogo Gotris Dtps. Sogo Yenlin (in spike) Dtps. Mount Lip

Clown Alley Orchids

Dtps. (Martha Dolge ‘Apricot’ x Bill’s Chrisma) - compot Dtps. Maui Galaxy (sib) - flask

Gold Country Orchids

Aerangis luteo-alba var. rhodasticta - species (in spike)

International Phalaenopsis Alliance

Phaleanopsis - A Monograph, Leather Bound # 165 IPA Polo Shirt (med) White IPA Polo Shirt - White (Large) IPA Polo Shirt (2x) White IPA Polo Shirt - Black (2X) IPA Polo Shirt - Black (Med) Phalaenopsis - A Monograph, Standard Binding

Louisiana Orchid Connection

Phal. maculata (mounted) Phal. hainanesis (mounted)

Lynn Fuller

Norman’s Orchids

Dtps. Little Blue Bird ‘Montclair’ Phal. Corona (amboinensis x cornu-cervi) Phal. (violacea x Jungo Viotris) ‘Pussy Cat’ Dtps. Lester Poole ‘IPA’ (Sogo Vivien x Bro. Matou Tris) Phal. Oriental Fairy ‘Star’ AM/AOS (Ever Spring Light x Ho’s French Fantasia) Dtps. Chiadi Lisa ‘Sweetheart’ (Sogo Vivien x Taisuco Pixie) Dtps. Chiada Lisa ‘Sweetheart’ (Sogo Vivien x Taisuco Pixie) Dtps. Chiada Hebe ‘Chocolate Drop’

Orchid Konnection/Meir Moses

Dtps. (Sun Yuan Golden Beauty x Long Pride Sparks) - flask Phal. Misty Green ‘Katheryn Foss’ HCC/AOS - Stem Prop Phal. Brother Fireball ‘Friendship’ (Chiada Spot x Princess Kaiulani) Phal. I-Hsin Peacock ‘Fashion’ HCC/AOS (I-Hsin Tiger x Black Beauty) Phal. (Ching Her John x Dou-Dii Prince) x Jungo Joyce - Flask Phal. Dawn Treader

Orchidom/Nancy Mountford

Phal. violacea var. coerulea ‘Sandy’s Blue’ x self - Blue species

Stones River Orchids

Dtps. OX Firebird ‘OX 1277’ Dtps. Leopard Prince ‘New Seasons Red’ Dtps. Ox Prince ‘Ox Spot’ AM/AOS Phal. Green Field Red Zuul

Phalie Cupcake Phalaenopsis - First Quarter, Vol. 21(3) 2012

27

2012 Symposium ... continued from page 6 Chen-Chung Chen will give his presentation, followed by two break-out workshops. As with previous Symposiums, the workshops can focus on topics ranging from Greenhouse or In-Home Culture to Hybridizing, Judging Award Quality Flowers, or other topics of interest from the registrants.

Our Recognition Luncheon will follow the morning session with our “never-dull auction,” featuring plants and Phal.-related items donated by the vendors and our always-generous members, the proceeds of which will help support the Journal’s Color Fund.

Saturday’s afternoon session will feature our third speaker, Dr. David McDaniel of Orchid Classics, from Virginia Beach, Virginia. Since he is currently operating one of the best orchid laboratories in the US, he will share his extensive knowledge of Phal. hybridizing and methods for producing new plantlets. For several years, David has generously donated flasks of some of his newest hybrids for our auctions, all of them representing intriguing and cuttingedge breeding directions – each one garnering huge bids to help support the Color Fund.

We will formally end the day, and the Symposium, at 5 PM but, as has become tradition, those wishing to join others for dinner Saturday night will be able to sign up for this during the day. This post-Symposium dinner has proven to be a wonderful way to end the event, giving everyone an opportunity to kick back and relax, share what they’ve learned, and get to know other members better.

We’re expecting record attendance at this event so early registration and hotel reservations are highly recommended. For those in the AOS judging program, this event will also qualify for credit in their continuing education. And for those who simply want to become better growers and learn more from others, it’s an ideal opportunity to expand your knowledge of Phalaenopsis and collect great new ideas for improving your culture.

We look forward to what promises to be a great Symposium and to seeing everyone in Orlando in August 24-25, 2012!

R

New Officers ... continued from page 11

started with the hobby at that time, but my schedule and life didn’t mesh with orchids and only kept up with them for a year or so. After about a 10-year hiatus, I returned to the orchid world. Currently I have an ever-growing collection, mostly Phalaenopsis, between a greenhouse on a local estate and my very sunny window sill.

Quickly I became active with the IPA after being part of the group that planned and hosted the 2005 IPA Symposium in Philadelphia and have since remained very active with IPA. 28

After that symposium, I was asked to be the Membership Secretary and have continued in that position. In addition to the duties as Membership Secretary, I participated as a committee member of the IPA’s Strategic Planning Committee and I continue with on the work for the completion of that project. I am also currently the American Orchid Society Affiliated Societies Chair and was heavily involved with the organization and staffing of the AOS 2011 Exhibit at the Philadelphia International Flower Show as well as currently working on the 2012 Flower Show participation of AOS. I have enjoyed my tenure as Membership Secretary of IPA and look forward to using the upcoming term to get the membership data in a position that is more user friendly and accessible. I believe I have been a very accessible and responsive Membership Secretary as well as an asset to the IPA. I hope that anyone reading this who enjoys a truly hands-on connection with orchid growers and hobbyist throughout the world will consider getting involved or even possibly running for an office with the IPA. It has been a very rewarding period of my life. I’ve enjoyed the challenges it has presented to me as well as the reward of many new, lifelong friends – all because of our love of the Phal!

In accordance with IPA by-laws the President, First VicePresident, and Membership Secretary are elected in even numbered years. Their term runs from July 1 to June 30.

R

The Genus ... continued from page 10 - Subgenus Proboscidioides (Rolfe) Christenson - Subgenus Aphyllae (Sweet) Christenson - Subgenus Parishianae (Sweet) Christenson - Subgenus Polychilos (Breda) Christenson * Section Polychilos (Breda) Reichenbach f. * Section Fuscatae Sweet * Section Amboinenses Sweet * Section Zebrinae Pfitzer - Subgenus Phalaenopsis * Section Phalaenopsis * Section Deliciosae Christenson * Section Esmeralda Reichenbach f. * Section Stauroglottis (Schauer) Bentham In the next part of this paper, a large number of species will be described and illustrated. The species not dealt with in the descriptions will be illustrated in the chapter dedicated to cultivation.

Literature cited Christenson, E.A., 2001. Phalaenopsis: A monograph. 396 p. Timber Press, Portland, Oregon To be continued in next issue of Phalaenopsis.

First Quarter, Vol. 21(3) 2012 - Phalaenopsis

Taiwan-virus “does not exist” Anabel Evans

The explosion in European Phalaenopsis production has not gone unnoticed. Rightly, growers have been enthused by the furor surrounding orchid sales at retail. The trend has been accompanied by propagation and grower expansions in Europe, as well as increasing imports of primarily young plants from Asia. Taiwan especially has become a growing source of young plant material for Europe, but there are also ties with Indonesia, Malaysia and Thailand, as well as China, India and Japan. A key element of Naktuinbouw* Diagnostics is to bring specific attention to crop diseases arising in the field, using the specialist knowledge of the R&D group.

Phalaenopsis has been a case in point – a recently completed project has started to unravel the mystery surrounding certain virus symptoms incorrectly referred to as the Taiwan-virus.

For several years, the rise in production and import of plant material has been accompanied by a particular concern regarding virus symptoms appearing at the Naktuinbouw Diagnostics department. Ellis Meekes, plant pathologist and senior scientist of floriculture crops in the Naktuinbouw R&D group, explains, “We have been receiving an increasing number of Phalaenopsis samples that showed ringspot virus symptoms, but known viruses could not be detected.” In the field, Taiwan’s increasing participation gave reason for growers to simply associate this phenomenon with Taiwan and the name “Taiwan-virus” was born.

Named CaCV

Dissatisfied with their inability to identify the cause of the symptoms, Naktuinbouw initiated a project to make an inventory of Phalaenopsis viruses. The project, sponsored by the Dutch Product Board for Horticulture (PT), has been managed by Meekes in strong cooperation with Jan Westerhof, team manager Naktuinbouw Diagnostics. The final report was completed in May. Several conclusions have been made from their findings. Most importantly, the name Taiwan-virus is unjustified. Meekes explain with “While there are still definitely answers required about the presence of potentially new Phalaenopsis viruses in the samples tested, as far as the so called Taiwan-virus symptoms are concerned, we have been able to confirm the findings of Taiwanese scientists; the symptoms of ringspot with a necrotic centre are caused by the Capsicum chlorosis virus (CaCV), which belongs to the genus Tospovirus and was first identified in peppers and tomatoes by Australian scientists. The virus vector is a thrips species common in Asia, e.g. Thrips palmi, which are notifiable pests in Europe and not present. Scientists in Taiwan first identified CaCV as the virus causing ringspots with a necrotic centre in Phalaenopsis.” The Taiwanese research groups are conscientiously continuing to investigate the presence of other potentially new Phalaenopsis viruses and, together with propagators and growers involved in regulated propagation and production, implementing virus free programs to control CaCV and other known Phalaenopsis viruses.

For Europe, the CaCV virus probably presents a limited risk, says Meekes, since in Phalaenopsis it is considered a localized virus rather than systemic and the entrance of the virus vector, e.g. Thrips palmi, into Europe is restricted by phytosanitary inspections of imported plants. Meekes adds, “On the other hand, CaCV has a diverse host range (tomato, pepPhalaenopsis - First Quarter, Vol. 21(3) 2012

per, peanut, Hoya, Gloxinia, Zanthedeschia etc.) and should be followed with care. The minimum threat for Phalaenopsis has been confirmed by our inventory of viruses present in the Phalaenopsis samples supplied by propagators and growers. Only one plant was identified to be infected with CaCV. Among the range of viruses detected were Odontoglossum ringspot virus (ORSV) and Cymbidium mosaic virus (CymMV) (33% presence) with a 4-5% presence of Impatiens necrotic spot virus (INSV) and Tomato spotted wilt virus (TSWV). We are aware that considerable confusion can arise among growers because the symptoms of the various viruses can be very similar.”

We were amazed with the level of INSV and TSWV, which are common in other crops in Europe, but have not often been associated with Phalaenopsis. Similar to CaCV, INSV and TSWV also belong to the genus Tospovirus, but as a critical point of distinction, the vector of INSV and TSWV is western flower thrips (Frankliniella occidentalis), which are commonly found under glass in Europe. In general, however, Phalaenopsis has not been a crop considered to be susceptible to thrips. Meekes says, “It is a poignant observation to stress that very few thrips are required to cause a virus infection.”

Jan Westerhof comments that the growth in production can easily be related to this higher occurrence of virus. The higher hectarage [acreage] is raising the incidence of greenhouse systems where weeds can be present or can be influenced by the proximity of a neighboring greenhouse and clean-out practices. The weather conditions of recent summers and autumns have also been favorable to a higher infection pressure from western flower thrips.

Quality control

Referring to the high presence of the well-known Phalaenopsis viruses, ORSV and CymMV, Meekes and Westerhof are both of the opinion that propagators and growers have a responsibility to implement strict hygiene protocols in Phalaenopsis production. These two viruses are very contagious, quite stable and mechanically transmitted, e.g. knives, personnel. The leading groups of professional propagation companies have, for many years, consistently implemented a strict protocol of virus testing for candidate plants selected for tissue culture to guarantee virus free young plants for their grower customers. This protocol continues. The risks remain, however, in association with young plants bought from non-regulated propagation sources. Strict separation of young plants from different sources is advised.

The top propagators also continue to work conscientiously with the knowledge arising from the Naktuinbouw research. Meekes explains that good tests exist for INSV, TSWV, ORSV and CymMV. Tests for CaCV also exist, but they are not yet commonly used. More troubling are the virus infections that remain unidentified. Awareness of these unidentified viruses, however, is a major step forward and Naktuinbouw will continue to monitor the situation carefully. * “Netherlands Inspection Service for Horticulture” is better known as Naktuinbouw

Reprinted courtesy of: FloraCulture International Vondelstraat 162, 4 GV Amsterdam, The Netherlands E-mail: info@FloraCultureInternational.com

29

NEW ORCHID HYBRIDS

Phalaenopsis Group REGISTRATIONS Oct., 1st 2011 – January 31, 2012

Supplied by the Royal Horticultural Society as International Cultivar Registration Authority for Orchid Hybrids NAME

x Doritaenopsis

PARENTAGE REGISTERED BY

(O/U = Originator unknown)

20th ORC Koyoto Dtps. Odoriko x Phal. Hsinying Downtown Allie’s Splash Dtps. Champion Lightning x Phal. I-Hsin Bride Amiable Cat Phal. Nobby’s Amy x Dtps. Happy Cat Anmio Golden Angel Dtps. Fusheng’s Golden Age x Dtps. Sin-Yaun Golden Beauty Arco Little Caroline Phal. Arco Stripes x Dtps. Sogo Vivien Bribie Silver Prince Dtps. Bribie Q 150 x Dtps. Leopard Prince Chambers Flat Dtps. Sogo Cherry x Phal. I-Hsin Blanche Champion Cow Lip Phal. Ivory Pearl x Dtps. Yu Pin Fireworks Chian Xen Golden Sun Dtps. Chian Xen Queen x Dtps. Chian Xen Venus Chilliwack Dtps. Ganlin Fairy x Phal. Tai Lin Angel Crystal Coral Dtps. Lioulin Peacock x Dtps. Chian Xen Mammon Dai Yang Beauty Phal. Hsinying Fair x Dtps. Jiuhbao Sweetie Dai Yang Black Dtps. Champion Lightning x Dtps. Chian Xen Pearl Dai Yang Black Jack Dtps. Taisuco Stripe x Dtps. Chian Xen Pearl Dai Yang Dream Dtps. Jiuhbao Fairy x Dtps. Tinny Honey Dai Yang Honey Phal. KV Beauty x Dtps. Fusheng’s Golden Age Dai Yang Mammon Dtps. Chian Xen Mammon x Dtps. Tinny Honey Dai Yang Red Apple Dtps. Charm Sun Big Red Robe x Dtps. Jiuhbao Sweetie.

Dai Yang Shiny Shiny Dtps. Fusheng’s Golden Age x Dtps. Surf Song Dai Yang Sunkist Dtps. Surf Song x Dtps. Sin-Yaun Golden Beauty Dai Yang Sunrise Phal. Brother Sara Gold x Dtps. Chian Xen Queen Dendi’s Sweetie Dtps. Sweet Strawberry x Phal. World Class Emma’s Pearl Dtps. Emma Fay x Dtps. Chian Xen Pearl Exotic’s Hot Pink Phal. Taida Sleeping x Dtps. Exotic’s Appeal Fangmei Dowry Dtps. Surf Song x Dtps. Fusheng Pink Pearl Fangmei Orange Dtps. Surf Song x Dtps. Nobby’s Pink Lady Frog Hollow Black Cherry Sundae Phal. Golden Peoker x Dtps. Jim Hornglin Cola Dtps. Sogo Berry x Dtps. Jungo Little Rose Hornglin Redbird Dtps. Sogo Yenlin x Phal. Jiaho’s Pink Girl Hornglin Sunkist Dtps. Sin-Yaun Golden Beauty x Phal. Nobby’s Fox. Hsinying Detlef Dtps. Ching Hua Astro x Dtps. Shiuh-Dong Sweet Heart Hsinying Flame Dtps. Ching Hua Horn x Dtps. Shiuh-Dong Sweet Heart Hsinying Paul Dtps. Hsinying Maki x Phal. schilleriana Jia You Big Rich Dtps. OX King x Dtps. Charm Sun Big Red Robe Jincheng Couple Dtps. Yin-Tung Wang x Dtps. Sin-Yaun Golden Beauty Jincheng Mona Rudao Phal. Ever-spring King x Dtps. Romance Valentine Jiuhbao Angela Dtps. Acker’s Sweetie x Dtps. Mount Lip Jiuhbao Charmer Dtps. Homeline Rose x Dtps. Ruey Lih Beauty Jiuhbao Coffee Dtps. Lioulin Black Rose x Dtps. Chian Xen Pearl Jiuhbao Energy Dtps. Jiuhbao Fairy x Dtps. Lioulin Black Rose Jiuhbao Legend Dtps. Taisuco Firebird x Dtps. Homeline Rose Jiuhbao Little Pearl Dtps. Happy News x Phal. Sogo Venis Jiuhbao Little Sun Dtps. Autumn Sun x Phal. Sogo David Jiuhbao Mona Lisa Phal. Jiuhbao Polar Bear x Dtps. Chian Xen Queen 30

Orch. Research Club M. Wheeler LeBio (O/U) Huang Min-An W-S. Hong M. Wheeler W. Milevskiy Hui-Mei Lu Fu-Liang Huang K. Nakatani (Taisuco Canada) Chin-Chang Chu Hung Chuan Chih Hung Chuan Chih Hung Chuan Chih Hung Chuan Chih Hung Chuan Chih Hung Chuan Chih Hung Chuan Chih Hung Chuan Chih Hung Chuan Chih Hung Chuan Chih Dendi Orch. (D. Diehm) M. Wheeler Exotic Orchids Fangmei Orch.

Fangmei Orch.

Frog Hollow Orch.

Horng Lin Hort. Nursery Horng Lin Hort. Nursery Horng Lin Hort. Nursery Ching Hua Ching Hua Ching Hua Young Home Orch.

Jin Cheng Orch.

Jin Cheng Orch.

Jiuh Bao Biotech.

Jiuh Bao Biotech.

Jiuh Bao Biotech.

Jiuh Bao Biotech.

Jiuh Bao Biotech.

Jiuh Bao Biotech.

Jiuh Bao Biotech.

Jiuh Bao Biotech.

First Quarter, Vol. 21(3) 2012 - Phalaenopsis

Jiuhbao Ormosia Jiuhbao Waltz Kiss Diamond LeBio Caser LeBio Leopard LeBio Velvet Lester Poole Lillooet Long Pride Adzuki Long Pride Aloha Long Pride Amber Long Pride Ambiance Long Pride Audrey Long Pride Charisma Long Pride Chocolate Chip Long Pride Clark Long Pride Clown Long Pride Dancing Queen Long Pride Doll Long Pride Dora Long Pride Golden Boy Long Pride Lemon Life Long Pride Little Bee Long Pride Manyo Long Pride Momo Long Pride Mystery Long Pride Pearl Long Pride Pink Lady Long Pride Romance Long Pride Rosetta Long Pride Smoked Salmon Long Pride Snowboard Long Pride Twin Falls Long Pride Vineyard Song Long Pride White Diamond Long Pride Winter Sun Malang Meriah Marian Leitha Bushong Marlyn Milevskiy Mickey’s Glowing Red Momilani Girl Momilani Sweetheart Nancy Newcombe Nastassja Milevskiy Nellie’s Magic OX Black Eagle Raspberry Stripes Red Rose Success Satteshi Shyang Fa Spring Si Bin Honey Sir Elton John Sogo Lotte

Dtps. Jiuhbao Red Rose x Dtps. Jiuhbao Kitty Miao Dtps. Jiuhbao Sweetie x Dtps. Jiuhbao Fire Phoenix Dtps. Fusheng Velvet Lavender x Dtps. Sogo Davis Dtps. Formosa Cranberry x Dtps. LeBio Venise Phal. Fuller’s Aya x Dtps. Leopard Prince Dtps. LeBio Valentine x Dtps. LeBio Venise Dtps. Sogo Vivien x Phal. Brother Matou Tris Dtps. Jiuhbao Red Rose x Dtps. Taisuco Happyfire Phal. I-Lan Snow Fairy x Dtps. Lianher Glory Phal. Haur Jin Diamond x Dtps. Fuller’s Sunset Phal. I-Hsin Sunflower x Dtps. Mount Lip Phal. Jeannette Brandon x Dtps. Join Angel Dtps. Sogo Pride x Phal. New Cinderella Dtps. Chian Xen Pearl x Dtps. Formosa Rose Dtps. Sunrise Star x Phal. Salu Peoker Phal. I-Hsin Sunflower x Dtps. Chian Xen Pearl Dtps. Leopard Prince x Dtps. Taida Pearl Dtps. Dendi’s Sparkle x Dtps. Chian Xen Pearl Phal. Timothy Christopher x Dtps. Fuller’s Lily Dtps. Tinny Honey x Phal. Sogo Charm Dtps. Sunrise Star x Phal. Ming-Hsing Yellow Boy Dtps. Long Pride Green Pixie x Dtps. Sogo Pride Dtps. Sogo Vivien x Phal. I-Hsin Gold Dust Phal. Caribbean Sunset x Dtps. Happy Mark Dtps. Sin-Yaun Golden Beauty x Phal. Sunny Green Jade Dtps. Fuller’s Sunset x Phal. Long Pride Elegance Phal. Sogo Manta x Dtps. Chian Xen Pearl Phal. Jeannette Brandon x Dtps. Ming-Hsing Long Pride Dtps. Sogo Vivien x Phal. Brother Passat Dtps. Formosa Rose x Phal. I-Hsin Sunflower Dtps. Sogo Pride x Phal. Long Pride Elegance Dtps. Join Angel x Phal. amabilis Phal. Rong Guan Amah x Dtps. Taisuco Wonder Phal. Be Tris x Dtps. Yu Pin Polar Star Dtps. Taisuco Kochwonder x Phal. amabilis Phal. Jeannette Brandon x Dtps. Scarlet in Snow Dtps. Queen Beer x Phal. Malang Jaya Dtps. Krull’s Pink Lady x Dtps. Natalya Voloshkevich Dtps. I-Hsin Black Jack x Dtps. I-Hsin Madame Dtps. Lonnie Morris x Phal. venosa Dtps. City Girl x Dtps. E-Hsin Angel Dtps. Ching Hua Fair x Dtps. Taiwan Red Cat Phal. Dou-dii Diamond x Dtps. Sogo Pearl Phal. I-Hsin Bride x Dtps. I-Hsin Madame Dtps. Ching Hua Magic x Phal. Taisuco Crane Phal. Chingruey’s Black Gold x Dtps. Nobby’s Purple Dtps. Heaven’s Treasure x Phal. Maki Watanabe Dtps. Brother Success x Dtps. Jiuhbao Red Rose Phal. Formosa San Fan x Dtps. Leopard Prince Phal. Ever-spring Rose x Dtps. King Shiang’s Rose Dtps. Yayu Beauty x Dtps. OX Honey Dtps. I-Hsin Black Jack x Dtps. Ever Spring Diamond Dtps. Sogo Vivien x Dtps. Sogo Roren

Phalaenopsis - First Quarter, Vol. 21(3) 2012

Jiuh Bao Biotech.

Jiuh Bao Biotech.

J-S. Jhou Y.D. Wu Y.D. Wu Y.D. Wu C. Fighetti (Norman’s Orchids) K. Nakatani (Taisuco Canada) Jui-Fang Liang Jui-Fang Liang Jui-Fang Liang Jui-Fang Liang Jui-Fang Liang Jui-Fang Liang Jui-Fang Liang Jui-Fang Liang Jui-Fang Liang Jui-Fang Liang Jui-Fang Liang Jui-Fang Liang Jui-Fang Liang Jui-Fang Liang Jui-Fang Liang Jui-Fang Liang Jui-Fang Liang Jui-Fang Liang Jui-Fang Liang Jui-Fang Liang Jui-Fang Liang Jui-Fang Liang Jui-Fang Liang Jui-Fang Liang Jui-Fang Liang Jui-Fang Liang Jui-Fang Liang Jui-Fang Liang D.G. Hort. Indonesia (A. Sutanto) J. Naugle W. Milevskiy L. Parker (O/U) C. Kumano C. Kumano P. Lindsay W. Milevskiy M. Wheeler OX Orch.

Exotic Orchids Stones River E. Noguchi Yu Ming Cheng Si Bin Orchids Gardens by Bay (I-Hsin Biotech.)

Sogo 31

Sohma Kitty Sohma Mount Pearl Sohma Puppy Eye Sohma Rainbow Mountain Sohma Schillepearl Sohma Sunny Cat Sohma Sunrise Sohma’s Black Chocolate Sohma’s Black Ufo Sohma’s Candy Sohma’s Eclipse Songyun Sweet Hat Stephanie Penman Taisuco Orphic Taisuco Outlandish Taisuco Outlmatch Taisuco Outpace Taisuco Outperform Taisuco Outplay Taisuco Outrival Taisuco Outvie Taisuco Ovation Terese Good Younghome Angel Yu Pin Sun Dear Yung Hsing Cherry Yung Hsing Diamond

x Paravanda Lawang Raya

x Paravandrum Tom and Nan

Phalaenopsis Aaron Compton Alensica Arco Stripes Aries Taisuco Ben’s Lab Project Catalina Mulanax Chuah Poh Guek Dendi’s Dee Dee Etherege Egret Georgie Girl Grace Emily Hornglin Daystar How Wai Ron Judy’s Love Kua Moon Yin LeBio Bright Pink LeBio Pony 32

Dtps. Mount Lip x Phal. Sogo Kitty Dtps. Hsinying Mount x Dtps. Chian Xen Pearl Phal. Sohma Puppy x Dtps. Zumita Sohma Phal. Liu’s Rainbow x Dtps. Mount Lip Dtps. Chian Xen Pearl x Phal. schilleriana Dtps. Little Gem Stripes x Phal. Cat’s Eye Dtps. Little Gem Stripes x Dtps. Mount Lip Dtps. Champion Black Pixie x Phal. Sohma’s Chocolate Dtps. Champion Black Pixie x Dtps. Sohma’s Ufo Phal. Taida Irene Pixie x Dtps. Sohma Berry Phal. Timothy Christopher x Dtps. Champion Black Pixie Dtps. Sung Yun Ruby x Dtps. Ho’s Sweet Valentine Phal. Formosa Stripes x Dtps. Leopard Prince Dtps. Taisuco Flourish x Dtps. Taisuco Fervor Phal. Join Grace x Dtps. Acker’s Sweetie Dtps. Taisuco Warm x Dtps. Sogo Davis Dtps. Sin-Yaun Golden Beauty x Phal. Taisuco Flaring Dtps. Ganlin Fairy x Phal. Taisuco Denise Dtps. Sunrise Star x Phal. Taisuco Flaring Phal. Sogo Yukidian x Dtps. Join Yukiangel Dtps. Taisuco Pioneer x Phal. Brother Little Heart Dtps. Taisuco Feat x Phal. Taisuco Honeymoon Dtps. Sogo Cherry x Dtps. I-Hsin Madame Dtps. Hsinying Mount x Dtps. E-Hsin Angel Phal. Brother Passat x Dtps. Brother Honey Lip Dtps. Mei Dar Diamond x Dtps. Sweet Strawberry Dtps. Luchia Pink x Dtps. Chian Xen Pearl

M. Soma M. Soma M. Soma M. Soma M. Soma M. Soma M. Soma M. Soma M. Soma M .Soma M. Soma Song Yun Orchids D. Penman Taisuco Taisuco Taisuco Taisuco Taisuco Taisuco Taisuco Taisuco Taisuco W. Milevskiy Young Home Orch.

Yu Pin Biotech. (Neng-I Chang) Yung-Shing Chuang Yung-Shing Chuang

V. Doctor Anek x Pps. [Phal.] labukensis

D.G. Hort. Indonesia (H. Hardjo)

Pps. [Phal.] denevei x Ascda. Crownfox Sundancer

J. Elliott (Law Moi Hwa)

Phal. Capitola x Phal. amboinensis Phal. pallens x Phal. hieroglyphica Phal. Ho’s Little Caroline x Phal. Chih Shang’s Stripes Phal. Aries x Phal. Taisuco Kochdian Phal. Tsay’s Evergreen x Phal. Caribbean Sunset Phal. Jessie Ang x Phal. amboinensis Phal. x valentinii x Phal. Ang Ai Hue Phal. World Class x Phal. Chingruey’s Stripes Phal. Taiwan Sheen x Phal. Taisuco Egret Phal. Taida Sunshine x Phal. tetraspis Phal. Joan Kaye x Phal. Taida Sleeping Phal. Liu’s Bright Ruby x Phal. Silbergrube Phal. Jessie Lee x Phal. bellina Phal. World Class x Phal. Black Rose Phal. Dunman High x Phal. Jessie Ang Phal. Liu’s Bright Ruby x Phal. LeBio Pink Phal. Rothschildiana x Phal. LeBio Pink

A. Chadwick A. Brochart W-S. Hong B. Main (O/U) B. Belton R. Ang Chee Soong Hooi Kum Woh (T.T. Lai) Dendi Orch. (D. Diehm) B. Main (O/U) A. Lurton J. Sandrik Horng Lin Hort. Nursery How Wai Ron J. Mezey (O/U) How Wai Ron Y.D. Wu Y.D. Wu First Quarter, Vol. 21(3) 2012 - Phalaenopsis

Little Wigtris Long Pride Sunset Long Pride Sweet Whisper Malang Indah Mei-Shuai Dream Beauty Memoria Diane Belton Memoria Julio Rios Pagan Moncho Melendez Monika Baumgartner OrchidKonnection Tiny Dot Pacific Stripes Pink Sorbet Pradaka Senne Rot Sheila Cudmore Sohma Rainbow Cat Sohma Rainbow Lip Sohma Rainbow Moon Sohma’s Double Rainbow Taisuco Orison Taisuco Ornate Taisuco Outshine Taisuco Outsmart Taisuco Outvalue Taiwan Sheen Tropical Sugar Veronika Fischer Yaphon Goodboy Yaphon Nicegirl Zelda Hartono

x Renanthopsis K-Indah C-29 Lawang Hijau Ratna Handayani

x Vandaenopsis Newberry Whimsy

Phal. Wiganiae [schilleriano-stuartiana] x Phal. equestris Phal. Long Pride Elegance x Phal. Ming-Hsing Yellow Boy Phal. Jeannette Brandon x Phal. Long Pride Elegance Phal. Salu Peoker x Phal. Golden Sentra Phal. Tying Shin Surprise x Phal. venosa Phal. Amy Leann Scott x Phal. amboinensis Phal. Tying Shin Miracle x Phal. Dragon Tree Eagle Phal. Misty Baby x Phal. I-Hsin Sunflower Phal. Barbara Moler x Phal. Wössner Gold Phal. Dotty Woodson x Phal. Leucadia Tiny Orange Phal. Jackie Debonis x Phal. Fantastic Lip Phal. Vladimir Horowitz x Phal. Hilo Lip Phal. Sogo Lisa x Phal. Sogo Marball Phal. Barbara Golden x Phal. Brackwede Phal. Tying Shin Golden Ring x Phal. Tying Shin Forever Love Phal. Liu’s Rainbow x Phal. Cat’s Eye Phal. Liu’s Rainbow x Phal. Bedford Lit-Orange Phal. Bedford Lit-Orange x Phal. Rainbow Chip Phal. Liu’s Rainbow x Phal. Rainbow Chip Phal. Sogo Yukidian x Phal. Taisuco Starlight Phal. Taisuco Hilda x Phal. Sogo Yukidian Phal. Sogo Yukidian x Phal. Taisuco Falcon Dtps. Taisuco Idolater x Dtps. Shiuh-Dong Sweet Heart Phal. Taisuco Anna x Phal. Taisuco Daybreak Phal. Taisuco Sheen x Phal. Aries Taisuco Phal. Tropican Lady x Phal. Strawberry Sugar Phal. Taipei Gold x Phal. Treasure Phal. venosa x Phal. Yaphon Image Phal. Yaphon Image x Phal. amboinensis Phal. Golden Sun x Phal. gigantea

A. Christmeier Jui-Fang Liang Jui-Fang Liang D.G. Hort. Indonesia (A. Sutanto) Mei Shuai Orch.

B. Belton (Orchid Konnection) J. Rios (Tying Shin Orch.)

C. Fighetti (Coqui) O. Gruss (F.Glanz) B. Belton (Orchid Konnection) Exotic Orchids Exotic Orchids D.G. Hort. Indonesia (Supardi Pa) Röllke Orchzt.

D. Penman (O/U) M. Soma M. Soma M. Soma M. Soma Taisuco Taisuco Taisuco Taisuco Taisuco B. Main (O/U) J. Wooding (Robertson Orch.)

D.O.G. (Hassinger) Yaphon Orch.

Yaphon Orch.

D.G. Hort.Indonesia (H. Hardjo)

Ren. Brookie Chandler x Phal. Musashino Ren. Brookie Chandler x Phal. Salu Spot Ren. Brookie Chandler x Phal. Golden Peoker

D.G. Hort. Indonesia (A. Sutanto) D.G. Hort. Indonesia (H. Hardjo) D.G. Hort. Indonesia (H. Hardjo)

V. cristata x Phal. philippinensis

Carter & Holmes

Orchid Registration, 83 Victoria Road, Selston, Nottingham NG16 6AR, UK orcreg@rhs.org.uk © RHS 2012

Color Fund Thank You Thanks to all the generous donations to the IPA color fund this issue of the journal contains four additional color pages.

Phalaenopsis - First Quarter, Vol. 21(3) 2012

33

PHAL CALENDAR

A look ahead to Annual and Semi-Annual IPA meetings and Symposiums, major orchid shows and other events of interest to IPA members field trip. Contact: Dr. Hong Liu, hliu@fiu.edu

2012 2011 March 24-25 - Les Orchidophiles de Montreal Show, College de Maisonneuve, 2700 Bourbonniere, Montreal, Quebec. Contact: Andre Poliquin, 113 Oakwood, St. Bruno, Quebec, J3V 3J6; (450) 653-5416; mor-pol@sympatico.ca April 12-15 - 15th European Orchid Congress and Show, SYMA Event Centre, Budapest, Hungary. Contact: For Information, www.eocbudapest.hu April 25-29 - American Orchid Society Spring Members Meeting. Host: The Kansas Orchid Society. Location: The Hyatt Regency, Wichita, KS. Contact: Max C. Thompson, 1729 E. 11th Ave., Winfield, KS 67156 (620) 221-1856 maxt@cox.net Apr. 27–29 - Asociacion Orquideologica de Cartago Show. Host: Gimnasio del Instituto Tecnologico de Costa Rico, 800 metros este Estadio Fello Meza, Cartago, Costa Rica. Contact: Carlos Granados, PO Box 1169-7050, Cartago, Costa Rica, (506) 8379-1513, cagranados@hotmail.com May 18-20 - Redland International Orchid Festival, Redland Fruit & Spice Park, 24801 SW 187 Ave., Homestead, FL. Contact: Robert Randall, PO Box 924243, Homestead, FL 33092, (305) 245-5565 caribplants@att.net May 24-28 - 3rd Guangxi Orchid Conservation Symposium, Nanning City, Guangxi, China. Includes two-day post-symposium

June 2 - IPA SE Region Summer Meeting.

Lines Orchids at Signal Mountain, TN. Contact: Tom Harper, 615-771-2755, harper_ sro@bellsouth.net Aug. 3–4 - Houston Orchid Society Workshop, St. Thomas University, Jerabeck Center, 4000 Mount Vernon St., Houston, TX. Contact: John Stubbings, 3701 Coral Reef Dr., Seabrook, TX 77586, (832) 693-8140, jdstubbings@comcast.net Aug. 24-25 - IPA Symposium. Location: Orlando, Florida. Contacts: Frank Smith, orchidfrank@aol.com 407-886-4968 or Carlos Fighetii, cfighetti@onelinkpr.net, 787-708-0669.

Sept. 8-9 - Focus on Phals Speakers’ Day - IPA Northeast Team will once again be cohosting on Saturday, in cooperation with the New Hampshire Orchid Society, and on Sunday in cooperation with North Eastern New York Orchid Society, our annual Focus on Phals Speakers’ Day. Visit the IPA website (www.ipa.org), beginning in April, where the two registration forms will be posted.

Sept. 11-16 - 19th Australian Orchid Conference. Perth, Western Australia. Contact: The Secretary, 19th Australian Orchid Conference, P. O. Box 576, Morley 6062, Western Australia.

Website: www.waorchids.iinet.net.au Nov. 13-18 - American Orchid Society - Fall Members Meeting. Host: The Portland Orchid Society Show & AOS Members Meeting.

Doubletree Hotel Lloyd Center, Portland, OR.

Contact: Susan Heuer, susanheuer1@gmail. com

2013 Feb. 2-11 - Eleventh Asia Pacific Orchid Conference. Okinawa, Japan. Contact: No. 1 Imohori, Ushida-Cho, Chiryu-shi, Aichi-ken 472-007, Japan. Website: www.apoctrust.org March 2013 - American Orchid Society Spring Members Meeting. Host: The Southeastern Pennsylvania Orchid Society. Location: Longwood Gardens, Kennett Square, PA. Fall 2013 - American Orchid Society - Fall Members Meeting. Venue not yet chosen

2014 April 30 - May 4th - American Orchid Society - Spring Members Meeting. Host: Orchid Society of Minnesota. Location: Bloomington Sheraton, Bloomington, MN Spring - 21st World Orchid Conference.

Venue/dates to be confirmed. Provisionally awarded to Johannesburg, South Africa.

For specific details on the dates and times of lectures, luncheons and other IPA events for the Annual and Semi-Annual meetings and the Symposiums, contact First Vice President Carlos Fighetti, cfighetti@onelinkpr.net, 787-708-0669.

The cover image for Phalaenopsis, 21(2): 2011 was mislabeled The image was

Phalaenopsis Jiaho’s Lovely Star

(Phal. stuartiana x Phal. lobbii) AD/AOS (0 points).

Awarded at the Heart of Dixie Orchid Society Show, Huntsville, Alabama.

Exhibitor: Ed & Lydia Merkle Photographer: James Moore

34

First Quarter, Vol. 21(3) 2012 - Phalaenopsis

Phalaenopsis gigantea ‘Leslie Keller’, CCE 90, AM 87

F

irst off, I am not a Phal. guy. Not that I have anything against phals, I simply have a talent for killing them. During my three or four years growing under lights, I did fine, but once I moved into my greenhouse, the Phal. population started to dwindle. But one Phalaenopsis gigantea seemed to thrive. This plant was an unexpected gift to me about 4½ years ago and I loved this plant the minute I saw it. The leaves were so big. It was obviously a mature plant, but looked as if it had not bloomed in a long time, if ever. The previous owner had this plant in a 6-inch basket growing vertically, which is where it remains to this day. I plan on re-potting this spring, back into a basket, hanging vertically. I have not yet decided what medium I will use.

The gigantea lives high in the greenhouse in mostly bright light, under the hanging Cattleyas. I tend to keep it damp, never letting it dry down completely. All the orchids in the greenhouse receive MSU mix at ¼ strength, via an injector pump, every time I water. I will bump it up a little in the warmer months. In the winter, I heat with a wood stove.

The temperature always stays at 60°F or higher. My low temperature alarm will go off at 50°F. In the summer, the daytime temps are around 85°F, and the night time around 70°F. The high temperature alarm is set to go off at 90°F. This year was the second year my P. gigantea has bloomed for me. Last year, it had two inflorescences and about 50-60 blooms. This year when it was judged at The Carolinas Judging Center in Greensboro NC, it had five inflorescence and 142 blooms and six buds.

My three hour trip to the judging center was a first for me. I would have never taken this plant in had not my best friend, Marc Burchette, convinced me to do so. We were thinking maybe, just maybe, the P. gigantea

Phalaenopsis - First Quarter, Vol. 21(3) 2012

would be considered for a culture award. But never in my wildest dreams did I think it would receive an 87 point AM and a 90 point CCE. Talk about exciting. The whole experience was just amazing. The moral of the story is… if you have a special plant in bloom, take it to your local judging center. That’s what I did, and walked out with two AOS awards and an experience I will never forget.

--Graham Ramsey, g_ram@yahoo.com, President of the Western North Carolina Society, Asheville, NC

Sidebar Notes

Linda Thorne, Chair of The Carolinas Judging Center: One extremely pleasing thing about Graham’s Phal. gigantea is that many of the inflorescences were branched that held flowers. The color of the blooms was unlike any that I had ever seen. Where the blooms are typically marked with a red brown to sienna, Graham’s orchid had these black cherry blotches and spots on the flowers. The plant culture, flower shape, count, color and size all played roles in the Graham Ramsey receiving his award of quality on the flowers and the award of culture excellence on his specimen Phal. gigantea.

One hundred forty-two flowers and six buds on five inflorescences, three branched, on a large, 43-cm by 56-cm clean, extremely well-presented plant grown vertically in a 25-cm wooden slat basket; flowers translucent pearl white; sepals and petals heavily blotched black cherry; lip overlaid fuchsia, side lobes yellow centrally; column and anther cap cream-color; substance hard; texture waxy; commended for remarkable aesthetic appeal. 142 flowers 6 buds on 5 branched inflorescences.

Awarded on September 17, 2011.

35