Phragmipedium Olaf Gruss flavum - Orchid Board

MrHappyRotter · #1 03-16-2016, 10:37 PM

Phragmipedium Olaf Gruss flavum (bessaea v. flavum x pearcei)

Phrag. Olaf Gruss is a cross between the yellow color variety of bessaea and pearcei, one of the smaller growing phrags with green flowers. The outcome here is that you get a small growing hybrid, with muted yellow tones with rosey pink blush at the petal tips.

I'm very happy with the size of this plant, it's nice and compact, one of my smaller growing phrags. I hope it stays this size. I actually did not expect it to bloom so soon after I acquired it, I had assumed that it was still an immature plant. This was based partly on the fact that I have a very similar cross, Phrag. Petit Anquette (dalessandroi x pearcei), that is quite literally 4 - 5 times larger. Of course, now I'm starting to think the Phrag. Petit Anquette is mislabelled because I never would have anticipated such a big difference in size between these two hybrids. And if there were going to be a size difference, I would have put my money on the one with Petit in the name to be the smaller of the two.

Anyway, this guy decided to entertain me with 2 spikes. I think it'll have 2, maybe 3 flowers on the first spike, and although the second spike is quite a bit younger and I can't quite tell, I assume it will produce a similar number of blooms.

Being a relatively new acquisition (thanks Beth), I haven't yet moved this over to my preferred mix, so it's still in a bark mix. I don't really treat it any differently than my other plants in terms of water, I just keep it sitting in water at all times. Because it's a shorter plant, I have been growing it on one shorter portions of the plant stand, so it does get fairly bright light. I know pearcei likes really bright conditions to induce blooming, and bessaea can tolerate a good amount of shade, so I'm sure Olaf Gruss is going to be pretty adaptable to a wide range of light levels.

(takes a deep breath)

Not the best flower shape, the dorsal is a little floppy, but I like it overall, and I wouldn't be surprised if the flower quality improved quite a bit as the plant gets older. This is its first bloom afterall.

Helene · #2 03-17-2016, 07:08 AM

Thanks for explaining and telling about the plant, I really like that

Nice plant, and a pretty cool flower ☺️😎

Optimist · #3 03-17-2016, 10:38 AM

I have recently started a paph and phrag collection this year as well. My phrags are all red types so far. I am really interested in getting some green long petaled phrags. I probably have to wait for my Olaf Gruss to bloom, it is a big plant, but I think it already had its show this year while living in Florada. My Nichol Tower and Don Wimbler are really churning out flowers though. So far, they are about the most fuss-free orchids I have owned.

ThePinkCucumber · #4 03-17-2016, 11:27 AM

I'm sure it'll only get better, though I already love the colours!

No-Pro-mwa · #5 03-17-2016, 11:52 AM

Nice soft color on it. I hope it gets to blooming good for you. I love mine but it's not the flavum besseae mine is much darker. I like the grassy leaves on it and the small size. Mine has been blooming out of it's mind, do update how many blooms yours ends up having. I will update my thread so as not to hijack yours.

---------- Post added at 09:52 AM ---------- Previous post was at 09:49 AM ----------

Quote:

Originally Posted by Optimist

I have recently started a paph and phrag collection this year as well. My phrags are all red types so far. I am really interested in getting some green long petaled phrags. I probably have to wait for my Olaf Gruss to bloom, it is a big plant, but I think it already had its show this year while living in Florada. My Nichol Tower and Don Wimbler are really churning out flowers though. So far, they are about the most fuss-free orchids I have owned.

Oh yes you will have to get one of the long petaled ones. But some of them can be very large. Just how big is your Olaf Gruss mine is not to big?

Optimist · #6 03-17-2016, 07:07 PM

Quote:

Oh yes you will have to get one of the long petaled ones. But some of them can be very large. Just how big is your Olaf Gruss mine is not to big?

mine has 10 "growths" one of those OZ plants that letstalkplants was selling. I don't know why I got it so cheaply considering what he's selling now is way out of my league.

This is it. (This is a gallon sized black plastic nursery pot)

---------- Post added at 05:07 PM ---------- Previous post was at 04:59 PM ----------

I think when I mean "big" I mean "bushy" because it is a much thinner leaf and smaller plant than Nicole Tower, and she is smaller than Don Wimbler.

No-Pro-mwa · #7 03-18-2016, 12:54 PM

Yes I finally found your picture on my other thread yesterday and posted on it. You really got a nice plant and when it blooms it is going to be spectacular.

I really like the leaves. My avatar is my big one and I love it. It is finally going to bloom on 2 growths this year for the first time.

bethmarie · #8 03-18-2016, 02:32 PM

Well done!

WhiteRabbit · #9 03-18-2016, 09:35 PM

Nice!

MrHappyRotter · #10 03-18-2016, 11:29 PM

Thanks all! I forgot to mention, the plant in the background that's also in spike is Phrag. pearcei, one of the parent species in P. Olaf Gruss.

The pearcei has a taller stance and longer, but much narrower, and darker green leaves. The Olaf Gruss is more short and stout, with wider leaves, but an overall smaller stature. The leaves are lighter green as well.