Mormodes sp. 'New Zealandia' x self

[nikv]

Hi!
I purchased this plant a year ago from Tropical Orchid Farm in Maui. When it arrived, the tag said Mormodes sp. 'New Zealandia' (colossus). This plant is currently blooming with six flowers on two spikes. The flowers are a darker color than the plant listed on the TOF website. I emailed Jeff Parker at TOF and he said that is not uncommon with selfings in genus Mormodes. He also said that the parent plant was identified by the Selby Botanical Garden, but he wasn't totally convinced. I'm questioning whether this is the correct species as the flowers don't resemble those of other Mormodes colossus that I can find on the internet. The flowers measure 2-1/4 inches across, which is much smaller than what I understand colossus to be. Does anyone here have any idea whether this plant truly is a Mormodes colossus? If not, could you suggest another possibility? Thanks in advance.





Best Regards,
Nik

[ottercottage]

Hi, Nik, I ordered one myself from TOF a couple of months ago - mine is in a 2 inch pot, but it looks like it might be blooming soon. I was interested to see your pics. I agree that yours doesn't look like the more orange photos at their site. I'll post some pics of mine when the flowers show, and we can compare since both are considered seedlings. You might ask Isurus (Steve) - he lives in Hawaii, knows a lot about this orchid group, and has visited TOF himself. Robbi