Phal equestris 'riverbend' Cross

[lotis146]

That sounds awesome! And in low spike? I think we'll all be looking forward to that update, you must be on edge.

[orchidsarefun]

One of the parents in bloom. One or 2 of the buds blasted, I have heard that its an issue with this cultivar

[No-Pro-mwa]

Very pretty. How are the seedlings coming along? Hopefully it won't pass on that trait.

[orchidsarefun]

Seedlings are doing well, still thinking about whether or not to mount at least one.

[No-Pro-mwa]

Oh give it a go.

[orchidsarefun]

Originally Posted by No-Pro-mwa

Oh give it a go.

both parents have leafspans of at least 12 inches - so about 2 feet across! I'd have to mount on a garbage can lid.....

[lotis146]

Oh wow, those are big leaves! But gosh I bet that'd be a good show to have a mount that big (if you have the room of course).

Thanks for sharing!

[orchidsarefun]

here is a photo of the other parent

[No-Pro-mwa]

Now that is a different one. I can see why you want to cross them.

So I re-read this topic and have a question. How can that equestris have that big of leaves? And are the blooms still small? They do look about the same.

[orchidsarefun]

The cultivar 'riverbend' is supposedly a 4N plant - the flowers are slightly larger than others I have seen but its the leaves and thick roots that distinguish it. Most equestris I have seen are mini's - which I frankly prefer. With 4N plants ( N= ploidy ) you are supposed to get everything 'enhanced'. Most species are 2N.
Riverbend genes are supposed to be 'special' - I will see how special, or not, when I get the seedlings to bloom. Root growth is amazing though and I don't know if that is the 4N heritage coming through. Unfortunately with seed propagation there is no internet resource with a lot of detail and that is because there are so few individuals that propagate orchids, especially phals.