Ppah helenea crosses

[Bob in Albany N.Y.]

There is quite a difference in the plant size of the different helenea crosses. The photo below is one I already showed you on another post. This plant is completely filling a 4 inch pot. It has two previously bloomed growth, three growth in flower and a few starts. The leaf span on this plant is 10 to 11 inches. The natural spread on the flower is 7 to 8 centimeters.

The next plant, helenae x Pacific Shamrock is also in a 4 inch pot. This plant was purchased at the beginning of October not in sheath or bud. It has three mature growths. One is in flower and the other two are in bud. There are also 2 starts. The flower has a natural spread of 6 centimeters. The leaf span on this plant is between 10 and 12 inches.

And now for the sweetheart of the group. This is In-Charm Topaz 'Chien'. It was given to my wife as a gift from my nephew. It was chosen out of a number of them in bloom. I've had this plant for a couple of years and it is still staying small. Now, part of this I'm sure is due to it not being happy in S/H. The flower of this plant has a natural spread of 4.5 centimeters. At this point in time it has two mature growths. One if flower and one waiting to flower. The leaf span is only 5.5 inches and is growing in a 2 inch pot.

 

[goldenrose]

:smitten::smitten: They're all sweethearts!!! :clap::clap:
Interesting dorsal on that first one!

 

[Ross]

Thanks for the interesting comparisons, Bob!

I think that even when crossing to a small Paph, "hybrid vigor" to a certain extent can undo the intent of the cross, making many of the plants larger than hoped for. This would make one intentionally select the smaller growers from a batch for further breeding. However, when selecting the smaller plants from a cross for breeding, care should be taken to make sure the selected plant is also a vigorous grower and not small because of poor vigor. As Bob points out about the final plant, the size cannot be accurately determined until one is certain that the plant is growing at its best. Once the 'Chien' cultivar has adapted to its new media and has put on another 3-6 growths, then one could better judge its real size. Still, it's a real cutie!:clap:

 

[KyushuCalanthe]

I like the shape of the first one most and colors on the second. I tend to like the primary hybrids more, and helenae primaries are usually lovely.

 

[Bob in Albany N.Y.]

Ross, You are indeed correct that the growing conditions here have not been ideal. However let me state that when the plant was first received it had a p.b. growth and a new growth. At that time the leaf span was approx. the same size. But, as you said, we shall see what the future holds.

 

[SlipperFan]

I like the colors of the second one best.

 

[SlipperKing]

I find it interesting that all three have a very similar appearence and basiclly the same color pattern. I have a couple of helenae crosses fixing to open, the Jolly Green cross and the topaz, lets see if they're the same as yours Bob.

 

[Bobc]

very nice. good photos

 

[Ross]

Ross, You are indeed correct that the growing conditions here have not been ideal. However let me state that when the plant was first received it had a p.b. growth and a new growth. At that time the leaf span was approx. the same size. But, as you said, we shall see what the future holds.

Bob, I was not faulting your culture. The point I was making mainly had to do with number of growths. I've had a couple of plants that bloomed on smaller growths, but as time went on, the leaf span increased dramatically in proportion to the number of growths.

 

[tenman]

I'm curious as to how one could obtain these legally in the U.S. AFAIK, they are still verboten here - both helenae and its hybrids - though there are supposedly one or two floating around claiming to be legal from Antec - but those couldn't possibly account for all the U.S. plants I'm seeing online.

Interestingly enough there were flasks of helenae aureum for sale 'legally' at the WOC, though the vendor hid them most of the time, including when I was there - twice. A friend picked one up, and said the vendor was challenged by APHIS but showed legal paperwork. Later, apparently, APHIS decided they couldn't sell them despite the legitimate paperwork. I'm still looking for one of those legal helenae aureums.

It's hard to know what's what with these; I'm just curious to learn more about these legal hybrids and species. I'd still like one of those aureums.

 

[Chien]

In-Charm Topaz=helenae x Pacific Shamrock, that's In-Charm orchids' hybrid. They have another hybrid, Paph. In-Charm Gold=Emerald Magic x helenae.
In many cases, the flowers and the plants of In-Charm Gold are usually larger than In-Charm Topaz, and In-Charm Gold gets more award than In-Charm Topaz in taiwan. Regarding the size, Maybe that's because Mr. Hsaio used complex as In-Charm Gold's mother, and use used helenae to held the pod to make In-Charm Topaz.

 

[Ross]

Good observation, Chien.

 

[JeanLux]

The first one must be a strong plant!!! As for the blooms I like all of them!!! Jean

 

[biothanasis]

Amazing all!!!