interspecies orchids

[GoldenSunshine]

I wanted to create a hybird, out of a Phalaenopsis Bellina mixed with a Neofinetia Falcata. I wonder how long that would take. Also when you make a hybrid cross like that how do you know how to culture it? I know it sounds like a werid cross, but I have seen the Vandaenopsis which is part Vanda and Phalaenopsis. Also I have seen a Neofinetia Falcata mixed with a Sedirea Japonica which is similar to a Phalaenopsis. My nose just wonders what would come out of that mixture with each parent being so fragrant itself.

[Ray]

I don't know anything about the specific genetics involved, but it seems that such a cross could be viable.

I'd try both reciprocals, but with the flower size difference, the neo x phal might be more likely to yield viable seed, as I don't know if the pollen of the neo can penetrate deep enough in the ovary of a phal.

As far as culture is concerned, that is bound to be as variable as the appearance of the plants and flowers, so the thing to do is to start somewhere in the middle, be very observant, and adjust as needed.

[PaphMadMan]

It doesn't sound like a weird cross at all. Hybrids of Neof. falcata are often charming and quite popular, and you could get a compact plant with fantastic fragrance and easy culture. I would start out growing them with general Phalaenopsis culture and only try more Neofinetia-like conditions if they don't seem to do well.

At least 8 Phalanetia (Phalaenopsis x Neofinetia) hybrids have been registered, but not Phal. bellina x Neof. falcata. It appears that all of them used the Phal. as the pollen parent, but that doesn't mean the reverse won't work, depending partly on flower size as Ray said.

At least one, Phalanetia Irene (Neof. falcata x Phal. equestris), has been used as a parent of several hybrids. In another one, Phalanetia Hatsuhotaru (Neof. falcata x Phal. cornu-cervi), the Phal. is from the same sub-genus as bellina. I'd say there is no reason to expect genetic incompatibility to prevent the cross you want to make.

It is worth noting that it is now Vanda falcata for hybrid registration purposes, so these crosses would all be considered Vandaenopsis now.

[Jayfar]

For a pic of a Phalanetia Irene (Neofinetia falcata x Phalaenopsis equestris), google for a thread on the Big Leaf forum titled "A nifty intergeneric...."

The author of the thread originally posted in 2005, but he updated the thread this past August with a new bloom photo.

[Fairorchids]

The fragrance of NF tends to disappear in hybrids, though some do carry it over.