Re: Re: HYB: spots (was another terminology question)
iris@hort.net
  • Subject: Re: Re: HYB: spots (was another terminology question)
  • From: C* C* <i*@aim.com>
  • Date: Wed, 27 Feb 2013 13:37:12 -0500 (EST)
Well, It seems that there is one genus that does better then iris at fertile interspecies crosses. 

Chuck Chapman

-----Original Message-----
From: Paul Archer <pharcher@mindspring.com>
To: iris <iris@hort.net>
Sent: Wed, Feb 27, 2013 12:53 pm
Subject: Re: [iris] Re: HYB: spots (was another terminology question)
Oh yes, quite fertile. Just like Irises, sometimes two plants that should be able to make seeds just won't and might simply b a matter of the clone or variant used. My own cross that I have done has been between Epicattleya 'Rene Marques' (a neat Epidendrum pseudoepidendrum hybrid) and Prostheca 'Green Hornet' . Years from blooming but will be interesting. Note: that makes it a cross between 2 Cattleyas, one Epidenrum and 2 Prosthecas! There are crosses that are between species and hybrids from 5 of the different groups as well.
Most will cross quite easlily as will their offspring with themselves, other members of the Alliance, and backcrosses. It is usually a matter of whether the resultling plants and flowers are pleasing or what one was looking to achieve. Some species are prone to reducing/increasing bud count or brancing or flower size or both. It depends on the goal. There is such a diversity and wealth of characteristics to choose from. The drawback is that they take sooooo long between generations.... not to mention maintaining them cultutrally. Many species has their own endearing qualities and morphological characteristics to incorporate. I could go on, but won't here. My point is that the majority of modern Cattleya Alliance hybrids are between 4 species groups, Brassavola/Rhycholaelia, Sophronitis, Cattleya, and Laelia. There is a trend lately of adding in the the other groups and also making new primary hybrids between all of them. Some of the other orchid groups are (Oncidium! 
, Paphiopedilum, Dendrobium ect.) are easily interfertile as well.
You can google these Cattleya Alliance subgroups just for giggles. Careful you might get hooked! There are a few more obscure ones, but they aren't used much for various reasons. Each subgroup has many, many species within that classification and are based primarily on morphological characteristics. 

Cattleya
Laelia
Sophronitis
Brassavola
Rhyncholaelia
Epidendrum
Encyclia
Prostheca
Broughtonia
Schomburgkia
Diacrinum
Barkeria
The only two species groups that don't combine well are Epidendrum and Broughtonia. Regardless of whether they are fertile or not if they bloom, they apparently aren't very attractive.
Advances in ease of culture and plant availblity are enabling new crosses easier to make. 



-----Original Message-----

From: Chuck Chapman <irischapman@aim.com>
Sent: Feb 27, 2013 11:09 AM
To: iris@hort.net
Subject: Re: [iris] Re: HYB: spots (was another terminology question)

Are they fertile?

My main point was in regard to producing fertile offspring, not about
if they could produce living offspring.

Chuck Chapman

-----Original Message-----
From: Paul Archer <pharcher@mindspring.com>
To: iris <iris@hort.net>
Sent: Wed, Feb 27, 2013 8:26 am
Subject: Re: [iris] Re: HYB: spots (was another terminology question)
Orchids are a HUGE exception. There are many species within each 
class
of orchids and most are interfertile within their class, sometimes 
even

between classes.  Each class can also have a vast differention in
flower form, plant habit, and temperature and water tolerance.  The
Cattleya Alliance is the most diverse and having numerous species
groups that wouldn't normally interbreed in their native habitats can
be hand cross-pollinated and produce an incredible array of forms.
Just saying.  Not an argument, just an oversight maybe.


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