Hybridizing with Phalaenopsis Species
by Bill Livingston
Phalaenopsis sumatrana
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The flower base color of the species varies from pale lemon-yellow to off-white greenish yellow, with a greenish suffusion around the apex of the floral segments, and the petals have transverse cinnamon colored barring to bars with brownish red stripes. Crossing the darker red~barred clones with other species produces red-brown to rust-yellow flowers when crossed with other species with some patterning on most. When crossed with standard whites you get dark red speckling over the petals and sepals. Flowers will be yellow-green and often have good shape, with two interrupted magenta stripes located on both sides of the median keel of the lip. Phalaenopsis sumatrana has produced many fine hybrids over the years, and is still being used with many selected clones. These plants are quite slow-growing, but on the plus side this species passes on good substance to its hybrids.
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This article which has been reprinted here with permission, originally appeared in the Volume 66, Number 4 edition of Orchid Digest, (Oct-Dec 2002), which is a Special Edition that highlights Phalaenopsis, and also features an excellent article on Phal culture by the Tuskes. The Phalaenopsis Special Edition of Orchid Digest can be ordered from Orchid Digest for $22. Highly recommended.
This article, all of its sections and accompanying photographs
are copyright 2002 by Orchid Digest Corporation.
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