Species Versus Hybrids?

[Eric Muehlbauer]

I'm both. When it comes to planned purchases, it's usually species, as I would like to have as complete a collection of paphs as possible. Impulse and spur of the moment purchases, I usually get hybrids. I love all paph hybrids, although I don't find brachy hybrids to add much or anything over the species. Not that big on cochlo hybrids, but I'm not as into cochlo species either. With multi's, same as brachy's...hybrids may offer an advantage in ease of bloom, but I don't see it in the flowers..most of the time. (I still really want a Chiu hui Dancer...)
For phrags, my attitude is species only...1 besseae hybrid is a must, but all you need, as they are all variations on the same theme....and I'm very unimpressed by kovachii hybrids.

 

[NYEric]

For phrags, my attitude is species only...1 besseae hybrid is a must, but all you need, as they are all variations on the same theme....and I'm very unimpressed by kovachii hybrids.

For slipper orchids, except Cyps, I like both but prefer hybrids. Nothing in cyps beats the Queen, reginae! I like the combinations of the characteristics from the parents, stripes with bright white round pouches, etc. I also collect flavum and album slippers. In non-slipper orchids, except Tolumnias, I prefer straight species. Most crosses dont do much for me. BTW, I dont grow Catts, which are heavily hybridized, so that affects my prevalences.

 

[abax]

I'll grow any Paph. I can get my greedy little hands on. :>)

 

[Stone]

Absolutely and utterly species only for me. (natural hybrids are also interesting) Man made hybrids.....well you may as well grow petunias:evil:

 

[Leo Schordje]

I like both.
The species have a 'charm' to them.
Many hybrids are truly beautiful. Primary and near primary hybrids can be very very nice, especially Paph hybrids like Julius, and others that combine large formal shape of a rothschildianum with the color from lowii.

a good award quality clone of the complex Paphs is truly the epitome of the breeders art.

One thing I like to do with species, is MAKE HYBRIDS. I'm always thinking what would look good crossed to what. And I definitely believe that not all hybrids are good. I have made one or two crosses that single handed set Paph breeding back 50 years.

 

[keithrs]

I grow species because I'm truly intrigued by nature. In the words of Harry Phillips ......"It be sad to only read and hear about them in books and not in real life", Plus I have very little room to grow. Don't get me wrong... I do have a few hybrid from the early day of growing.

 

[quiltergal]

I'm not a particular fan of "Frankenflowers". I am probably 60% species and the rest primaries in Paphs. I do have two complex hybrids just to round out the collection, but they aren't my favorites. I'm even pickier with Phals. In that genre I'm 95% species with only a few hybrids.

 

[eggshells]

I grow 97% species and 3% hybrid. Dont even know why that 3% is in there. Like everyone, I find that species have that charm that is hard to explain. I think its the challenge of trying to grow something outside of their environment. Something like having and caring for a pet.

 

[Rick]

I have about 95% species. The 5% are usually gifted to me, and I save them as future presents or something I can more easily put on the kitchen table for my wife to enjoy.

I fantasize about being in the jungles when I'm in the gh with all the species blooms.

With 20,000-30,000 species with such amazing diversity of form/color, it's reall hard for me to get excited about hybrids.

 

[emydura]

I grow both hybrids and species. Most of the hybrids I grow are the multi-florals. There aren't a lot of multi species so I would find it a bit limiting just growing the species.

I don't understand the argument that the species are more attractive than the hybrids. Complex hybrids aside, I would think most people would not be able to distinguish between a hybrid and a species. In fact I think the hybrids are generally more attractive than the species. Especially the roth hybrids with the various multi species. Many of the multi species have some really nice unique traits but they also come with some flaws - small flowers, poor dorsals, narrow dorsals, poor petal stance etc. The roth parent always seems to fix that up so you end up with the best of both worlds.

I look forward to the day when we have sanderianum hybrids with metre long petals but much better form.

 

[Carkin]

Yes, I didn't fully understand the commitment that some people have to species either. That is why I wanted to pose the question. In order to understand the reasons why people gravitate one way or the other for their collections.

The answers I have got have been outstanding! :clap: I feel much more enlightened now!!!

Thank you for talking the time to share your opinions!

 

[likespaphs]

...I don't understand the argument that the species are more attractive than the hybrids....

beauty is in the eye of the beholder

 

[emydura]

beauty is in the eye of the beholder

Very true. But primary hybrids and the like are very little removed from the species. So there isn't a great deal of difference. I think the people who prefer species do so because they are opposed to hybridising or just prefer to grow things that occur in the wild. I just don't think the argument that species are more attractive than hybrids holds (unless you are referring to the more complex hybrids). In fact, I think it is non-sensical. The argument for favouring species is more a philosophical argument, not one of beauty.

 

[Rick]

I just don't think the argument that species are more attractive than hybrids holds (unless you are referring to the more complex hybrids).

For me (as a species snob) it's not a matter of more or less attractive, but the blending of traits smears (not in a derogatory sense) the "beauty" of the distinctive diversity of the species. After a while it all starts to look the same, and sensory overload sets in.

Kind of like going to a dog pound and seeing the myriad of shapes/forms/colors of man's best friend, versus going to a zoo and seeing all kinds of amazing stuff that humans had little to do in shaping.

Maybe I'm just reinforcing your argument that the appreciation is not over the absolute "beauty" of the object over a different level of appreciation for the artist who created the work.

 

[Mocchaccino]

My intention is to collect solely species but I do have a few hybrids in possession. Because I was cheated by dishonest traders who claimed those hybrids to be species.

I do not love species more. Rather it's a rational way, at least to me, to gain experience with slippers. Starting with species gives you reference on how they actually grow on natural habitat. After learning from silly mistakes or have encountered terrible losses then I would go deep down to rare species or even awarded hybrids.

For now, species state!

 

[user 9150]

This question to me is like asking if you like red wine or white wine? What about champagne or tequila, rum or gin?

It's like the answer, "I only grow white Paphs." What a boring collection to have only species or white paphs. I love orchid in all their diversity. Species are a starting point for me and the hybrids are much more interesting than the stuff they are made of.

But then again, if we all liked the same thing we would all be driving red cars. What a truly boring lot we would all be then!
Love the species, but the hybrids are much more interesting especially when you have a new hybrid blooming on the bench in all its variation and the more the better!

 

[The Orchid Boy]

I'm hoping to get lots more species orchids soon so my noid phals, paph hybrids, and potinaras are going to have to find new homes to make room for 3 hybrid orchids and 7 species orchids. I wish I had more room for hybrids but I don't. I also like growing species because someday my plant just might help "save the species".

@Orchidmaven, I hate to be argumentive but having a collection of just species is not boring. There is so much variety in just the paph species. All colors, sizes, and shapes of flowers and mottled and green leaves and even different types of mottled leaves. Species paphs don't have one overall look or similarity. Compare P. delenatii and P. sanderianum. Compare P. venustum and P. micranthum. But like you said, it would be a boring world if we all liked the same things and had the same opinions.

 

[NYEric]

The reality of having a "save the species" plant is rare and not very likely. I only know one person who has been in a similar situation. I prefer hybrid plants for the diversity and improvements over the species such as vigor, etc.

 

[gotsomerice]

Space is also my factor. I only have limited space so I do not wasted it for mass-produce Phals. Only species can stay on my growing benches! Lol

 

[quiltergal]

I'm not against hybrids. I just don't enjoy plants that have been so over hybridized that you can't tell what species lurks in their distant past. I really do like primaries because you can usually see both parents in the flowers.