Flower Variation With a Complex Cross

[Ross]

Part of the fun in making a complex cross is the seeing the wide variation in flowers compared to species and primary crosses. The first flowers of Paph (Mary Zdilla X [charlesworthii x Memoria George A. Benedict]) just bloomed this year. Below are the parents:

Mary Zdilla = exul x Tyke, Tyke = barbigerum x henryanum

(charlesworthii x Memoria George A Benedict) Mem. GA Benedict = Lizz Greenlees x Merce Lou Audino

 

[Ross]

The first of the progeny bloomed in February and was not what I had hoped for. The form was dominated by the Mary Zdilla parent and the color by the other

 

[Ross]

This one bloomed next and resembled (charlesworthii x Mem. GA Benedict)

 

[Ross]

Here is the third, showing more of the dorsal of the grandparent, Mem GA Benedict.

 

[Ross]

Finally, these two bloomed this month.

 

[labskaus]

Great set of flowers, Ross! Interesting, how the pollen parent has softened the colours in all the progeny.

 

[Ozpaph]

I suppose that with such different parents the progeny are also likely to vary a lot. Not sure what was expected from the cross in this case.

 

[Roy]

I can see what Ross was attempting but Ross, did you check the dominance of the parents in Mary Zdilla in previous applications ??

 

[SlipperKing]

Nice demo Ross.

 

[Ross]

I can see what Ross was attempting but Ross, did you check the dominance of the parents in Mary Zdilla in previous applications ??

I forgot to mention that all are blooming in 2 1/4 or 3 1/2 inch pots. They're not true miniatures, but are definitely compact. As for dominance of bad traits, the pinched dorsal of barbigerum seems to have been bred out by the third generation. However, the petals of exul seem to be dominant, which still needs to be overcome in this line. When crossed to niveum, the petal problem of Mary Zdilla improves, but I have not yet been able to make a cross using Paph Little Bright Eyes (niveum x Mary Zdilla).

 

[Ross]

I suppose that with such different parents the progeny are also likely to vary a lot. Not sure what was expected from the cross in this case.

I'm working toward compact/miniature complex Paphs.

 

[Roy]

I forgot to mention that all are blooming in 2 1/4 or 3 1/2 inch pots. They're not true miniatures, but are definitely compact. As for dominance of bad traits, the pinched dorsal of barbigerum seems to have been bred out by the third generation. However, the petals of exul seem to be dominant, which still needs to be overcome in this line. When crossed to niveum, the petal problem of Mary Zdilla improves, but I have not yet been able to make a cross using Paph Little Bright Eyes (niveum x Mary Zdilla).

The example cross you wish to achieve is very nice Ross. Do you wish to introduce a plant that requires more specific growing requirements than the plants your currently using ? or hybrid from it that fit the growth requirements.
These usually carry the hybrid factor which are generally much easier to grow in a wid range of conditions.

 

[tim]

are you keeping any of these? are any of them up to your standards to continue to use in your program? I think this is a reminder to those of us doing some hybridizing of just how difficult it is - how many you need to flower out to get a keeper...I like the 4th one...

 

[SlipperFan]

Excellent cross, Ross. But I really love the last one.

 

[abax]

The pink one is quite exciting and I like it. As to not what you hoped for, how do you know if you don't try????

 

[Ozpaph]

I'm working toward compact/miniature complex Paphs.

Interesting.
The pink niveum hybrid is very nice.

 

[Ross]

are you keeping any of these? are any of them up to your standards to continue to use in your program? I think this is a reminder to those of us doing some hybridizing of just how difficult it is - how many you need to flower out to get a keeper...I like the 4th one...

The fourth is worth keeping because of the dorsal and it is one of the first bloomers. Fast blooming and vigorous growth are also characteristics I want to breed, so if I don't get anything decent in the first or second bloom cycle, I generally don't plan to breed on with the cross. A nice flower may never be seen if the plant takes 10 years to bloom. This is all still a very new experience for me and I still have a lot to learn as I have only been hybridizing since 2002.

 

[Ross]

The pink one is quite exciting and I like it. As to not what you hoped for, how do you know if you don't try????

Exactly! The Paph Little Bright Eyes is very nice, but unfortunately, I didn't get many plants out of the first attempt.

 

[fibre]

Thanks a lot for showing these pics, Ross!
This way we all can learn a little bit about the difficulties of hybridizing. I always love to see all the variation of one cross.
The dilute colors and the pink pouch are not my cup of tee, but #4 may be an improvement over the P. (charlesworthii x Memoria George A. Benedict). But I'm even not sure here, because the photos could mislead me.

 

[abax]

I'd make a bid for the pink niveum hybrid for sure. It's
very appealing and sweet. Keep my name in mind if you
ever decide to sell one of them.