Kirby Lesh or John Wooden?

[MrCym]

Both orchids named for wonderful men but I cannot follow the obsession of the Aussies with Kirby Lesh hybrids. Possibly time to move on??

I find it hard to believe that a KL should be awarded in 2011, OK only an HCC, but we are talking about an award on a 1991 hybrid! Hell, enough time to be two generations further on by now!

We did not register the hybrid John Wooden but the original registration was for a triploid crossing, Red Beauty 'Carmen' X Solana Beach 'St. Francis" 4n. Some of them were very good and some came spotted. We made the hybrid using our tetraploid Red Beauty 'Geyserland Netty' 4n and it is quite distinct from the triploid strain. In fact, John Wooden 'Geyserland' is one of the few Cymbidiums we have bred that is clearly FCC/Gold Medal quality. The only problem is that it has never been grown professionally and exhibited so nobody has ever seen it at its peak.

We breed from both grexes but so far, in our opinion, JW 'G' is producing the superior flowers from an exhibition type consideration. We used it largely for commercial pinks however so the flasks are in Holland rather than in hobyist's hands. However now, both flowers are eclipsed from an exhibition quality viewpoint, by Virginia Heinmiller 'NH', a massive pink of superlative conformation. May just grow this one with a little extra care and take it to Santa Barbara some year soon. Up till now, we have been too busy loading it up with pods!

[MrCym]

Posted this two hours ago to get an idea of where the hits come from. By that time in California, most all of the Aussies are asleep or terrible insomniacs! So basically the audience will be from the US and some in Europe. As I suspect, the local scene is very dreary for hobby Cyms at present. When there is so little new, then there is little enthusiasm. Quite a challenge to kick-start the interest again.

[cricketerry]

We breed from both grexes but so far, in our opinion, JW 'G' is producing the superior flowers from an exhibition type consideration. We used it largely for commercial pinks however so the flasks are in Holland rather than in hobyist's hands. However now, both flowers are eclipsed from an exhibition quality viewpoint, by Virginia Heinmiller 'NH', a massive pink of superlative conformation. May just grow this one with a little extra care and take it to Santa Barbara some year soon. Up till now, we have been too busy loading it up with pods!

Just popping over to Holland for a quick forage........then on to Salinas.........back soon

[Gary S]

As you have said many times Andy, a lot of the hybridisers are still stuck in the previous century!!

Keep marching on and leave them behind in your wake.

Gary.

[MrCym]

Terry, the welcome mat would be out!

Gary, hobbling along with my arthritis but at least moving forward.....

[Gary S]

As long as you are going forward Andy.

[Van Deiman]

Gary S, do you remember Eddie Tallerico from Dora Creek?

[Gary S]

No the name does not ring a bell with me.

Gary..