Catasetum Donna Wise 'Amber x Kathleen' - Orchid Board

LauraN · #1 (**permalink**) 08-25-2009, 07:32 PM

A funny story about this one...Art Stone had several of this cross and they all looked different. This one was just barely in double spike when I selected it. The buds on it were almost white, unlike the other dark buds and flowers, plus the plant was the largest of the group. So, I decided to go with this thinking that the flowers would be a pale color...Surprise, I think these flowers ended up darker than the darkest ones that he had there!

Either way, I am thrilled with the results and it has started putting out another spike!

Roly0217 · #2 (**permalink**) 08-25-2009, 07:46 PM

Laura we are missing the pictures

LauraN · #3 (**permalink**) 08-25-2009, 08:53 PM

I've added the photos now...
Hit the submit button too soon! LOL

Roly0217 · #4 (**permalink**) 08-25-2009, 09:06 PM

Those are some beautiful flowers. I love the dark color which makes the yellow pop out even more. Congratulations on the blooms !!!!

Narnia · #5 (**permalink**) 08-25-2009, 09:42 PM

Those are awesome blooms. I love those dark Catasetums.

nancy · #6 (**permalink**) 08-26-2009, 12:37 AM

Beautiful flower - very vivid!
Cheers - Nancy

isurus79 · #7 (**permalink**) 08-26-2009, 01:20 AM

Gotta love the dark ones in a cross! I think they usually look the best.

Jorch · #8 (**permalink**) 08-26-2009, 01:39 AM

what a pleasant surprise! it's gorgeous

dvespertilio · #9 (**permalink**) 08-26-2009, 05:44 AM

Great flowers, LauraN. I have one of these too. Just a thought on how you picked the plants. I have a theory which I have tested with other hybrids also. If you have a hybrid that has the potential for dark flowers and you're looking at a group of seedlings from that cross all grown up at about the same time, always pick the largest, healthiest plant to get the darkest flowers. Why I think this is so is that the pigments that cause dark flowers, i.e. anthocyanins and such, are also the pigments that augment photosynthesis, since they're hidden in the leaves as well but masked by chlorophyll. I used to use this method to pick out the darkest Draculas when I worked for Hillsview Gardens in Oregon back in the mid 90s. And it seemed to work. Anyway, that's my theory. Congrats on your good choice!

LauraN · #10 (**permalink**) 08-26-2009, 09:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dvespertilio

Great flowers, LauraN. I have one of these too. Just a thought on how you picked the plants. I have a theory which I have tested with other hybrids also. If you have a hybrid that has the potential for dark flowers and you're looking at a group of seedlings from that cross all grown up at about the same time, always pick the largest, healthiest plant to get the darkest flowers. Why I think this is so is that the pigments that cause dark flowers, i.e. anthocyanins and such, are also the pigments that augment photosynthesis, since they're hidden in the leaves as well but masked by chlorophyll. I used to use this method to pick out the darkest Draculas when I worked for Hillsview Gardens in Oregon back in the mid 90s. And it seemed to work. Anyway, that's my theory. Congrats on your good choice!

Thanks for the great advise! I usually go for the largest plant and in this case it was a no brainer...But, the very light colored buds threw me off. I read an article recently about selecting orchids and choosing the one that was a little different from the others, and decided that even if the flowers were lighter in color, I'd be better off with the largest plant!
I'll keep your strategy in mind while selecting from now on!