Are There Real Cattleya walkeriana alba?
 

After doing some research on walkeriana and reading the article in Orchid Digest, it seems like all of the alba forms I come across are tied to the controversy involving the clones 'Orchidglade', 'Kenny', and 'Pendentive' and have these clones in their background. I know there are many who do not accept these as pure walkeriana. My question is, are there alba forms of walkeriana that avoid this controversy and are not related to the questioned clones?

Susan

OrchidSue.

Yes, there are C walkeriana albas unrelated to the 'Pendentive' lineage (and therefore without the issues of probable C dolosa lineage ). Many of the albas are more open shaped, but some are quite good.

My feeling is that many C. walkeriana hybridizers are reluctant to breed C walkeriana albas. There might be a near universal consensus that 'Pendentive' is not a true C walkeriana. Nevertheless, many non-expert blooming plant buyers have seen the round shape of "Pendentive' and equate it with the alba form. Therefore, it would be frustrating and somewhat fruitless for a commercial hybridizer to try to perfect the alba form of a true C. walkeriana ... only to have the general public equate it to a 'Pendentive' cross.

I hope you enjoyed the Orchid Digest article. Attached is a photo of a fairly good true C walkeriana alba. I did not include it in the article because it did not really pertain ... also it had the little info tag which I put on many of my previous C walkeriana photos (because the photos were to identify plants rather than for publication. Since I now use my photos for publication, I don't use those info tags on the flowers anymore).

Hey Sue, that's a great question!

Wow, Harry that is one nice alba! Has it been used in any of your breeding programs?

Thank you so much for the information. Now I understand why other walkeriana alba plants are so hard to find and that makes sense from a business standpoint.

Yes, I really enjoyed the Orchid Digest article. I have read it thoroughly twice and spent more time looking at the lovely photos :biggrin:. I also really like the photo here of the "real" alba here. You should be proud of that one :drool:.

Susan