Gary, I feel particularly ignorant about the existence of alba forms of the three Australian Cym species. Could you do me and other readers a favor? Firstly can you confirm that genuine alba forms of each species do exist? Secondly, are you aware of hybrids made between those alba forms? Thirdly, did all (or any) of those interspecific hybrids produce anthocyanin-free progeny?
Finally, when the alba forms of the three Australian species are intercrossed, do you know if any of the progeny are alba or not?
A little change of direction.....
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Gary S
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- Location: NSW Australia
Re: A little change of direction.....
OK, Andy let me answer as best I can for you and other members here.
For Cym canaliculatum, there are definitely alba forms in existence - both a pure yellow and a pure green ( the green form has 2 different distinct green color forms). I have both a yellow and green, Ken Russell has about 20 or more alba's and I know of at least 4 other growers who have alba clones.
For Cym madidum, there is an alba form, I have a piece and probably 3 or 4 other growers have a piece - it would not surprise me if all came from the same source.
For Cym suave, there is a claim of an alba on private property up in far North QLD. I believe only one isolated plant in existence, Ken has seen a photo - rather blurred and not a close up - but he is keen on it, He has been promised a piece in due course but yet to happen.
For the second part of your question, yes there are hybrids made with thee 2 alba forms in existence. I have a canaliculatum alba x madidum alba of good size but has not flowered as yet and also an aloifolium alba x canaliculatum alba, an even bigger plant but has not flowered. These were both done by a guy in QLD - who has the original madidum alba. Ken has also done a couple of hybrids using canaliculatum alba, but again we are waiting for any flowering. In general, we are finding the alba hybrids using the 2 known alba Aussie species to be slower growers.
As to the 3rd part of your question - the jury is still out on that as I am not aware of any flowering as yet using the alba's to provide an answer.
For your final part of the question - no results as yet so time will tell I suppose.
I would also say that there is a lot we don't know about these alba's and it is all suck it and see at the moment I believe.
For Cym canaliculatum, there are definitely alba forms in existence - both a pure yellow and a pure green ( the green form has 2 different distinct green color forms). I have both a yellow and green, Ken Russell has about 20 or more alba's and I know of at least 4 other growers who have alba clones.
For Cym madidum, there is an alba form, I have a piece and probably 3 or 4 other growers have a piece - it would not surprise me if all came from the same source.
For Cym suave, there is a claim of an alba on private property up in far North QLD. I believe only one isolated plant in existence, Ken has seen a photo - rather blurred and not a close up - but he is keen on it, He has been promised a piece in due course but yet to happen.
For the second part of your question, yes there are hybrids made with thee 2 alba forms in existence. I have a canaliculatum alba x madidum alba of good size but has not flowered as yet and also an aloifolium alba x canaliculatum alba, an even bigger plant but has not flowered. These were both done by a guy in QLD - who has the original madidum alba. Ken has also done a couple of hybrids using canaliculatum alba, but again we are waiting for any flowering. In general, we are finding the alba hybrids using the 2 known alba Aussie species to be slower growers.
As to the 3rd part of your question - the jury is still out on that as I am not aware of any flowering as yet using the alba's to provide an answer.
For your final part of the question - no results as yet so time will tell I suppose.
I would also say that there is a lot we don't know about these alba's and it is all suck it and see at the moment I believe.
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MrCym
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Re: A little change of direction.....
Well Gary, that's a most comprehensive reply, much appreciated. I will follow the various scenarios with much interest. The fertility issues represent a challenge which always fires me up. Cym. madidum is such a willing parent with Cym. canaliculatum close behind. Cym. suave is the fly in the ointment, surely!
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Gary S
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- Location: NSW Australia
Re: A little change of direction.....
As Ken says Andy, Cym suave is a mongrel of a thing to hybridize with, raise in flask, grow on successfully as seedlings out of flask and then keep them growing till they reach flowering age.
Having said that, in their natural environment, they grow very well into enormous clumps, flower profusely and set pods in huge quantities with their natural pollinators in the bush. One of those orchids that just likes to be left to its own devices I'm afraid.
Having said that, in their natural environment, they grow very well into enormous clumps, flower profusely and set pods in huge quantities with their natural pollinators in the bush. One of those orchids that just likes to be left to its own devices I'm afraid.