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Multiflora Phalaenopsis: an overview

It is probably inconceivable for a new phalaenopsis grower today to imagine that, as recently as 20 years ago, multiflora breeding was virtually unheard of. But it’s true! In 1984, at the World Orchid Conference in Miami, the late Herb Hager had a "treasure chest" of multifloras that may have been the only ones in the whole show. Of course, Herb was an early promoter of multifloras but they did not really "catch on" until the oil crisis of the ’80s. People were then more open to a smaller plant with more, albeit smaller, flowers. This happened both with phals and with mini-catts. Even in the ’80s as the demand began to grow, there was relatively little breeding and therefore progress has been slow in coming.

Because it is an artificial category, there is no single "accepted" definition of a phalaenopsis multiflora. The author would define it as such: a phalaenopsis with "smaller" flowers which is relatively floriferous and, when fully adult, will usually branch easily and often. This is due to the introduction of one and usually more of several species (such as P. lindenii, P. lobbii, P. parishii, P. stuartiana, P. schilleriana and almost always P. equestris). Most people consider 7 to 7.5 cm (about 2 ¾ to 3 inches) as the outside limit for a multiflora. Most people would add that both the inflorescence and plant habit should be compact. In complex multifloral breeding, most people agree that the parentage on both sides should be multifloral.

With very few exceptions, P. equestris is the key plant behind all multiflora breeding. These few exceptions account for less than one-tenth of one percent (0.1%) of all multifloras. Two well known lines of breeding do not contain P. equestris. One is the result of P. Micro Nova (maculata x parishii) breeding. There are about 20 registered hybrids with P. Micro Nova, including its best-known offspring, P. Mini Mark. The other line of breeding was developed mainly by H.P. Norton based upon breeding between Dor. pulcherrima and non-standard phalaenopsis. This line has produced many interesting, high quality grexes. Both of these lines of breeding initially created a great deal of excitement because both seemed to open up new avenues. However, it is now clear that, due to serious fertility problems in both of these lines resulting generally in little if any seed, both of these roads are at best very narrow, if not complete dead ends.

Without doubt, the most influential plant in the history of multiflora breeding is the species, Phal. equestris. There are almost 400 first-generation hybrids registered with P. equestris, over half of which have been registered since 1990. Prior to 1950, there were only about 20 P. equestris hybrids registered, many of them primary hybrids. People continued making these hybrids on a slow but steady basis until 1989 when 18 P. equestris hybrids were registered. This was the first time that more than 10 P. equestris hybrids were registered in one year.

Let us examine P. equestris. There are at least two distinct color forms of P. equestris. The "common" form (often referred to as var. rosea) is a white flower with a pink blush centrally and a red lip with sepals that are reflexed back. The other form (often referred to as var. leucaspis) is solid to near-solid pink (often with a white picotee). It is flatter than the rosea form and somewhat smaller. This form was not well distributed until fairly recently. In the ’90s, two plants of this variety received FCCs and both went on to receive the Hager Phalaenopsis Award.

Both forms of this species are sequential bloomers. The inflorescence will rarely have more than 8 or 9 flowers open at one time before the older flowers begin to fall off. Plants of this species will branch when large, although this appears to be somewhat less common with var. leucaspis. Occasionally, a recent infusion of Phal. equestris will result in a flower that is not flat. In addition, the flowers may have a tendency to reflect their heritage by being somewhat sequential. Contrary to a popular misconception held by many AOS judges, P. equestris does not branch readily and many of the P. equestris hybrids do not branch readily as well, especially when young. This is not and should not be considered a fault. Moreover, many P. equestris hybrids will not display a perfectly shingled inflorescence because of the arrangement of the species parent which is passed on. Phal. equestris has flowers all around the inflorescence and many first-generation hybrids reflect this trait with their less-than-perfect arrangement.

The first commonly available multiflora hybrids were usually smaller versions of the standards: especially small pinks, small candystripes and small whites. After a time, we began to see some small whites with red lips, small French spots and even the odd small "novelty". (It is interesting to note that even though Phal. equestris is the key species behind virtually all red-lipped whites, the multiflora version of this variety is somewhat less than plentiful.) The quality was reasonable at first and has improved to the point that, in most of these colors, we are at a very high standard. We now expect a complex multiflora, at least the "standard" multifloras, to show form similar to their large-flowered counterparts. Some of the better known early multifloras are P. Martha’s Gem (x P. Martha Daniels), P. Pearl of Mindanao (x P. Ella Freed), P. Swiss Miss (x P. Mildred Karleen), P. Sally Lowrey (x P. Pua Kea), P. Roselle (x P. Elisabethae) and P. Fledgling (x P. Far Horizon). Every seasoned phal grower knows some of the classic Phal. equestris hybrids, such as P. Berries ’n Cream (x P. Breckinridge Snow), P. Be Tris (x P. Be Glad) and P. Little Mary (x P. Mary Tuazon).

In addition to making the hybrid P. Little Mary, Richard Takase provided the late Herb Hager with one of the plants used in the first offering of Phal. equestris var. leucaspis. He is also the creator of several classic multiflora hybrids, such as P. Little Steve and P. Rose Baysa, in addition to many other classic standard hybrids.

There are some novelty P. equestris hybrids but, as a rule, other than the primary hybrids, they have been few and far between. Some of the better known novelty hybrids are P. Brother Pico Mary (x P. Super Stupid), P. Gold Tris (x P. Taipei Gold), P. Taisuco Dalin (x P. Sophie Hausermann) and P. Mistral’s Flame Triscup (x P. Hausermann’s Goldcup).

We also have to mention some of the more important primary hybrids. Those that are generally considered the most important (both potentially and actually) in multiflora breeding are Phal. Veitchiana (registered in 1872), Dtps. Purple Gem (1963), Phal. Ambotris (1970), Phal. Kuntrarti Rarashati (1986), and, of course, Phal. Cassandra. We discuss Phal. Cassandra below but the other four primary hybrids have been used so sparingly that there is very little worth mentioning at this time.

This is particularly surprising in the case of Phal. Veitchiana. It is comparable to Phal. Cassandra. Both are primary hybrids. Both Phal. stuartiana (parent of Phal. Cassandra) and Phal. schilleriana (parent of Phal. Veitchiana) branch relatively freely. Yet, to date, Phal. Veitchiana has scarcely been used in breeding. Only the ‘Orange Glow’, HCC/AOS clone of Phal. Ambotris has been widely distributed. It is somewhat fertile but only produces seed on an occasional, irrational and frustrating basis. It produced Phal. Rejeanne Piché (x P. venosa) but frequent attempts at remaking the hybrid have been unsuccessful. To date, it appears that it has transmitted this finicky breeding habit to its offspring. Phal. Kuntrarti Rarashati is another somewhat finicky breeder. Some clones serve as both a pollen and pod parent fairly readily, some will only work one way and others have yet to produce seed. The two best clones seen by this author are ‘I Hsin’, a brilliant orange flower with a yellow picotee, and ‘Bunker Hill’, a full yellow flower with a red overlay centrally. In addition to being flat and of good size, both of these clones have produced offspring. One of the most interesting multiflora hybrids ever seen by the author was a hybrid of Phal. Kuntrarti Rarashati and Phal. Carmela’s Pixie, registered as Phal. Taida Pixie. There were three multi-branching inflorescences bearing many oxblood colored flowers with brilliant red lips on a diminutive plant.

Next to Phal. equestris, the next most important plant in multiflora breeding is Phal. Cassandra. This hybrid between Phal. equestris and Phal. stuartiana was registered by Veitch in 1896. Phal. stuartiana branches fairly readily and this combination often produces multi-branched inflorescences bearing many small, often highly colored flowers. One of the reasons that so many people expect multifloras to be multi-branching is the large number of P. Cassandra-influenced multifloras. However, without the influence of either Phal. stuartiana or Phal. schilleriana, which also branches fairly readily, many multifloras cannot and should not be expected to branch readily. Despite its early registration, nothing was done with P. Cassandra from its registration until the 1960s. Nevertheless, it is without doubt the most important hybrid in multifloral breeding.

The hybrid itself has now been remade on many occasions. In addition to an alba form, which was made on at least two occasions, a presumed tetraploid cross was made as well at least once using P. equestris ‘Riverbend’, AM/AOS and P. stuartiana ‘Larkin Valley’, AM/AOS. As a rule, the offspring of this cross were relatively large and quite pale but a few did exhibit good color.

As stated above, Phal. Cassandra had no offspring until the mid-1960s but, even then, people wanted large flowers and it wasn’t until 1992 when 11 offspring were registered that the one-year registration of P. Cassandra hybrids went above 9 in one year. Since then, this magic number has been reached in all but one year. There are now just slightly more than 150 first-generation hybrids, with more being made and registered every day. Initially, the trend was to breed Phal. Cassandra to large-flowered Phalaenopsis, creating smaller-flowered versions. Occasionally, the names of the hybrids reflected that fact: e.g. such as P. Little Pink Doris (x P. Doris) and P. Little Netsuke (x P. Snow Leopard). There were other "small" hybrids which bear similar names such as P. Little Hal (x P. Peppermint) and P. Little Kris (x P. Pink Minuet).

The hybrid with P. amabilis, P. Timothy Christopher, has produced some very high-quality cultivars as well as some incredible offspring and is now being used extensively in hybridizing. Two of its better known offspring are P. Rong Guan Amah (x P. amabilis) and P. Sogo Lit-Sunny (x P. Sogo Lit-Angel, itself a P. Cassandra hybrid).

There are the occasional, albeit rare, forays into novelty breeding with P. Cassandra. Possibly the most famous example is P. Brother Sandra (x P. Brother Yew), which has several awarded cultivars. The flowers can be a brilliant red and have multi-branching inflorescences. They are fertile and several hybrids using P. Brother Sandra are beginning to bloom.

Two hybrids of Phal. Cassandra deserve individual mention: Phal. Carmela’s Pixie (x P. Terilyn Fujitake) and Phal. Be Glad (x P. Swiss Miss). Carmela Orchids registered Phal. Carmela’s Pixie in 1990. Not only is P. Cassandra a parent of P. Carmela’s Pixie but it also appears a second time several generations back. Many people consider P. Carmela’s Pixie to be the first "super" multiflora to be bred. There are several reasons for this. First of all, the hybrid was made and sold by Carmela and they sold, literally, many thousand plants. The original cross was made both ways (Terilyn Fujitake x Cassandra and Cassandra x Terilyn Fujitake) and both were available. Sib crosses between selected clones followed and many thousands of them were also sold. Secondly, the cross is extremely fertile. Thirdly, the overall quality of the cross was quite high and many people have used many different clones in hybridizing. Fourthly, the first plant to win the highly-coveted Hager Phalaenopsis Award was a Phal. Carmela’s Pixie, giving the cross an additional lustre. About 20 clones have received AOS awards.

The first hybrid with P. Carmela’s Pixie was registered in 1992. First-generation breeding with Phal. Carmela’s Pixie continues and there is now significant second- and third-generation breeding taking place as well. Some of the better known hybrids are P. Zuma’s Pixie (x P. equestris), Dtps. Elmore’s Sweetheart (x Dtps. Taisuco Candystripe), P. Brother Lovesong (x P. Super Stupid), P. Brother Oconee (x P. Brother Purple), Dtps. Brother Julius (x Dtps. Okay Seven) and Dtps. Brother Tom Walsh (Brother Julius x P. Brother Purple). Each of these hybrids has produced awarded progeny and has or will soon be used in further breeding.

P. Be Glad is the other important P. Cassandra offspring. Statistically, this grex is over 50% P. equestris. In view of the fact that this hybrid was registered in 1978, it has a relatively long track record. The hybrid was made by the late Herb Hager, then working at Hager’s Orchids. There is probably no one person more responsible for advancing the cause of multiflora breeding than Herb Hager. Prior to and during his tenure at The Orchid Zone, Herb not only extolled the virtues of small flowers but he was responsible for many classic multiflora hybrids in addition to P. Be Glad, such as P. Swiss Miss, P. Gladrose and P. Dawn Treader and many others.

With almost 20 awarded clones to date, there have been a few that have been used on a regular basis. Phal. Be Glad ‘Classic’, AM/AOS is one of the most frequently used. It was awarded early on and was then stemmed and made available to other hybridizers. The original cross was made with colored clones, producing small white flowers blushed pink centrally with a deep red lip. About 10 years ago, a white cross of Phal. Be Glad was made and these were widely distributed as well. It should be noted that several clones of P. Be Glad have exhibited varying degrees of fertility, which may account for the fact that the hybrids of P. Carmela’s Pixie will soon be as numerous as those of P. Be Glad in only half the time.

The two most well known P. Be Glad hybrids have species as the other parent: P. Ho’s Amaglad (x P. amabilis) and P. Be Tris (x P. equestris). Both of these hybrids are only about 10 years old, which means that their lives as important breeding parents have only just begun. Several hybrids including P. Brother Amar, AQ/AOS (Ho’s Amaglad x amabilis) and P. Bedford Innocence (Ho’s Amaglad x Timothy Christopher) have both produced outstanding flowers. Watch for them and their offspring.

Other notable hybrids of P. Be Glad are P. Ho’s Little Caroline (x P. Carmela’s Pixie), P. Fairy Tales (x P. Elise de Valec), P. Culiacan (Gato x Fairy Tales), P. Newberry Bouquet (Grand Cascade x Fairy Tales), P. Sogo Romans (x P. Otoglade [Be Glad x Otohime]), P. Nobby’s Amy (x P. Rothschildiana), P. Bedford Sneezy (x P. Terilyn Fujitake) and P. Glad Melinda (x P. Melinda Nan).

Many people would agree that P. Glad Melinda was not a particularly impressive hybrid in its own right. Only two clones received AOS awards but the grex obviously contained "the right stuff" because it has begun to produce some incredible offspring. Many of the older (over 5 years old) hybrids have received AOS recognition. Expect to see the same for some of the newer hybrids in the near future. The offspring include: P. Petite Rose (Glad Melinda x Gladrose) – 2 AOS awards; P. Small Sensation (Glad Melinda x Swansong) – 3 AOS awards; P. Gladrose (Glad Melinda x Melinda Rose) – 8 AOS awards; P. Zumita Blush (Fairy Tales x Gladrose) – 2 AOS awards; P. Joyful (Gladrose x equestris) – 3 AOS awards; P. Baby Angel (Gladrose x First Choice); and, one of our favorites, P. Bedford Grumpy (Zumita Blush x Miniflash). It is unfortunate but one of the things that P. Be Glad has transmitted to some of its offspring is fertility problems. Breeding with some clones of P. Gladrose, for example, has proven somewhat elusive while other clones exhibit normal fertility.

Phal. Baby Angel ‘Brother’ was purchased by Mr. Yung-Yu Lin of Brother Orchid Nursery on one of his buying trips to the US. It is one of only a handful of multifloras regularly used in novelty breeding. It has been bred to Phal. Brother Flare (= P. Brother Doll Art), Phal. Brother Peak (= P. Brother Doll World), Phal. Brother Delight (= P. Brother Pico Circle), Phal. Brother Kaiser  and Phal. Super Stupid (P. Brother Little Spotty, which has awarded progeny).

Several nurseries have contributed to the promotion of multifloras, probably none more so than the Orchid Zone. Also, as stated above, Carmela Orchids was responsible for the first multiflora "superstar", Phal. Carmela’s Pixie. Zuma Canyon Orchids has mericloned many fine plants including many multifloras at reasonable prices.  Very few nurseries have made many multiflora hybrids.  Much of the progress has come from nurseries that have bred only one or 2 multiflora hybrids. 

Large-scale multiflora breeding is a relatively recent phenomenon and there is not a great deal of breeding history for us to evaluate. How do you judge them? In accordance with the Handbook on judging, multiflora phalaenopsis (like all other orchids) should be judged based upon their parentage. Multifloras come in all shapes from very starry and heavily reflexed to quite full and perfectly flat. In multiflora breeding, is bigger necessarily better? Despite what the Handbook may say, many breeders would prefer an extra branch on an inflorescence or a few more flowers to an extra centimeter of flower size. One fault of many multifloras is the arrangement of the flowers on the inflorescence. Phal. equestris usually has flowers that go all the way around the inflorescence and many multifloras will have some poorly displayed flowers. It’s inherited and to be expected. Multifloras cannot and should not be lumped together in groups. As with all phalaenopsis, the parents determine the outcome. The colors vary and are quickly becoming as widespread as standard phalaenopsis.

Multiflora breeding is truly in its infancy. In 40 years, we have only seen the tip of the iceberg. Be patient! As today’s multifloras produce ever-increasing numbers of hybrids, expect to see more and better multifloras, even perfect red and yellow multifloras – probably sooner than you’d think! Tomorrow will be a colorful day.

What's hot, what's not -

Novelty Phalaenopsis Breeding in Taiwan

                                                             by Howard S. Ginsberg

When five American Orchid Society judges went to judge the South Taiwan Show in April, 1996, little did they suspect what was in store for them. After a marathon judging session that lasted well over 15 hours, they had awarded 51 plants at this one show, including one First Class Certificate and eight (8) Certificates of Cultural Merit.

Of the 50 plants plants awarded, a total of 46 were Phalaenopsis. The Phalaenopsis of Taiwan were developed from plants that came mainly from the United States. Over the years, the Taiwanese purchased Phalaenopsis from many and diverse sources, some of the most important being (in alphabetical order) Charles Beard, Irene Dobkin, John Ewing, Hugo Freed, Redlinger Orchids and Shaffer's Tropical Gardens. Plants from these sources formed the basis of most of the Taiwanese breeding stock with a few recent infusions from Carmela Orchids, Hausermann's and the Orchid Zone.

One of the most striking differences between awards granted at the South Taiwan Show and those given at most domestic shows is the number of awards that were given to non-standard Phalaenopsis. As a rule, large whites, pinks, candy stripes and French spots are considered standards. Most people would now probably include multi/miniflora Phals (or at least the smaller flowered versions of the previously enumerated standards) as standards as well. Non-standard, or novelty, Phalaenopsis accounted for almost half the awards at this show.

Although the '80s and '90s have seen vast improvements in novelty Phalaenopsis breeding in North America, there appears to have been at least as much (and arguably more) of an advance in Taiwan. Even though the foundation for current Taiwanese Phalaenopsis breeding comes from America, much of the Taiwanese breeding has been insular and relatively few plants have trickled out, at least until recently. Those that have made their way to North America have often been sold at astronomical prices and often revealed serious mutations when flowered. These articles are an attempt to help those unfamiliar with Taiwanese breeding understand some of the breeding lines as well as to become familiar with some of the key stud plants used. These articles are in no way intended to be a definitive authority but rather an introduction to these lines of breeding.

Before beginning a discussion of novelty Phalaenopsis hybridizing, we should examine one major influence in hybridizing that is often overlooked: culture. To the Taiwanese, the colour white is a symbol for death and white Phalaenopsis are, therefore, not particularly popular. However, the colour red stands for good fortune and success and yellow stands for wealth making the interest in novelty breeding comprehensible. If a breeder can sell flowers of a particular colour, he will concentrate his breeding program in that direction. In Taiwan, a great deal of time, thought and energy has gone into red and yellow breeding. Size and flower count, while important, take second place to colour.

CLEAR YELLOW BREEDING

In North American yellow breeding, Phal. Deventeriana (both the `Treva' AM/AOS and `Goldie' HCC/AOS clones) and, more recently, P. Hausermann's Goldcup have been used extensively as a foundation for yellow breeding, producing both clear and spotted progeny. Most people are familiar with P. Orchid World (P. Deventeriana x P. Malibu Imp), far and away the most awarded Phalaenopsis hybrid, and P. Sweet Memory (P. Deventeriana x P. violacea) as well as P. Jim Krull (P. Hausermann's Goldcup x P. Florida Snow) and P. Orchidview Gold (P. Hausermann's Goldcup x P. amboinensis), to name but a few of the progeny from these two noted plants.

In Taiwan, a more recent hybrid, P. Taipei Gold (P. Gladys Read x P. venosa) is proving to be an extremely good parent. P. Taipei Gold was registered in 1988 by Chen Char Sun. Several clones from the original cross (e.g. `S.T.M.' AM/AOS and 'Zuma Canyon' AM/AOS) have received AOS awards but are difficult to breed with. Similar in breeding to P. Bob Gordon (P. Mem. Anton Smith x P. venosa), the first registered cross of a large white bred with P. venosa, the flowers of the grex varied from a clear yellow to yellow with brown ticking. All seem to have had a halo of white around the column.

Gold Star Orchids remade the cross and kept the 'Gold Star' clone. Although not as clear yellow as several other clones, the 'Gold Star' clone has proven its worth in just the first few hybrids made with it. P. Taipei Gold 'Gold Star' has been bred to other yellows and to date has produced excellent results, as witnessed in part by the number of AOS awards. For those interested in breeding, P. Taipei Gold 'Gold Star' produces a great deal of seed, both as a pollen and as a pod parent.

Two P. Taipei Gold 'Gold Star' hybrids have recently received Awards of Quality from the American Orchid Society: the first, P. Brother Lawrence (1995), is a cross to P. Deventeriana 'Treva' AM/AOS; the second, P. Brother Passat (1996), is a cross to P. Brother Knight (P. Brother Imp x P. Deventeriana). P. Brother Lawrence is floriferous and produces flowers almost 8 cm. across, ranging in colour from lemon yellow to yellow green with a white halo around the column, similar to both parents in this respect. However, the flowers of the awarded clones have a richer, more intense colour than either parent. The Award of Quality was given in Dallas, Texas on March 11, 1995. One of the 12 plants shown, the 'Orchid Konnection' clone, received a 77-pt. HCC at that time. The 'Gold Dust' clone, which was included in the AQ group, had received a 76-pt. HCC one month earlier.

P. Brother Passat has flowers that are also about 8 cm. across, which are saturated (to the column) and solid canary yellow or yellow green with concentric red marks around the column. Considering the colour, size and especially the overall quality of the cross, they are a milestone in yellow breeding. The Award of Quality was received by the breeder, Mr. Yung-Yu Lin of Brother Orchid Nursery, at the 1996 South Taiwan Show.

In addition to the AQs given to these crosses, these grexes have each received several flower quality awards. As of this writing, P. Brother Lawrence had received 4 AMs and 5 HCCs both in the U.S. and Taiwan, while P. Brother Passat received two AMs and one HCC at the South Taiwan show in April, 1996.

At the South Taiwan show, the AOS judges also awarded P. Brother Victory, another hybrid of P. Taipei Gold 'Gold Star' (x P. Brother Carol 'King'). The cross flowered for the first time in spring, 1996, and this was the first time that a plant of this grex had been exhibited. Overall, the quality is very high: flowers generally over 8 cm. across, very full and flat. All are deep canary yellow, generally with fine even red spotting and/or marking. The flowers of this grex tend to run somewhat larger than either P. Brother Lawrence or P. Brother Passat.

Lastly, at this show, another P. Taipei Gold hybrid, P. Sogo Chin Chien (x P. Yungho Gelb Canary) received an AM of 82 points, appearing quite similar to P. Brother Lawrence. More recently, another plant of this grex belonging to Russ Vernon received an AM.

As of December 1995, two other yellow hybrids using P. Taipei Gold had also been registered. P. Brother Nugget (x P. Brother Imp), another solid canary yellow, many with very fine red markings, is being used in hybridizing for its intense yellow colour. P. Brother Stage (x P. Golden Amboin) is one of the best of the P. Taipei Gold hybrids. Adult plants bear long, multi-branching inflorescences with clear, brilliant canary yellow flowers. Mr. Lin explained that one possible reason for the lack of any marking on the flowers of this grex was the P. Golden Amboin used: it also was devoid of any markings.

While P. Taipei Gold has proven to be a truly "golden" parent, its true worth as a stud plant may now come from its second-generation hybrids. However, many of the most promising progeny (e.g. P. Brother Passat 'B#301' x P. Brother Lawrence 'B#30', P. Brother Stage x P. Brother Lawrence and P. Brother Passat 'B#105' x P. Brother Stage 'Lung Ching') have not yet bloomed although several could show up at AOS judgings in the relatively near future.

To date, very few of the hybrids made with P. Taipei Gold have involved the use of reds as the other parent. However, P. Brother Sara Gold (x P. Sara Lee 'Eye Dee') has proven to be a remarkable cross, producing both art shades and a distinct yellow form. The cross is very similar to P. Sweet Revenge AQ/AOS (P. Deventeriana x P. Sara Lee) in shape and colour but appears to be more floriferous on shorter inflorescences. One plant of the yellow form, P. Brother Sara Gold 'William' received an HCC in Montreal in March, 1998. At the time of writing, a similar, possibly even better, cross (P. Brother Lawrence 'B#20' x P. Sara Lee 'Eye Dee') was in bottle. Other similar crosses of P. Sara Lee 'Eye Dee' to P. Brother Buddha and to P. Brother Stage have also been made. All should produce sunset-colored flowers.

The breeding with P. Taipei Gold is only in its infancy but, based upon the relatively few hybrids that have already bloomed, P. Taipei Gold 'Gold Star' is proving to be an exceptionally important parent in yellow breeding producing large, flat deep yellow sprays of flowers. It will probably be many years before its full potential both in its first- and second-generation progeny will be known and/or realized.

TAIWANESE SPOTS

The breeding of Taiwanese spots has been an ongoing process for several decades. Using American novelty parents, the Taiwanese have produced several beautiful novelty crosses: P. Brother Carol, P. Darling Taiwan, P. Fortune Buddha, P. Hualien Glamour, P. Lung Ching's Grape and P. Princess Spot. But in 1975 when Paifang Chen Shui Fang crossed P. Mount Kaala with P. lueddemanniana var. pulchra that this line of breeding got on the fast track. Similar to the American hybrid P. Carnival, also a cross of P. lueddemanniana var. pulchra with a large white (x P. White Medallion), the resulting hybrid, P. Paifang's Queen, has proven to be a milestone in the breeding of the Taiwanese spots.

All the seedlings of the grex were purchased by Brother Orchid Nursery in Taiwan. When they bloomed, almost all were heavily reflexed white flowers overlaid with varying amounts of red blotching. However, one seedling stood head and shoulders above the rest and it was given the clonal name `Brother'. The flowers were larger, less reflexed and had more red pigment than the others. This plant was stemmed and meristemmed and has now received wide distribution throughout Taiwan, Asia and North America. Until December, 1995, sixty-six hybrids had been registered using P. Paifang's Queen as one parent. Many of its offspring have received recognition from the AOS including P. Brother Stripes (3 HCCs, 2 AMs), P. Golden Brothers (1 HCC), P. Paifang Queen Rose (1 AM) and Dtps. Mem. Doctor Ho (1 HCC, 1 AM).

P. Paifang's Queen 'Brother' has been used by different breeders for different purposes. When crossed to highly colored stripes, brilliantly colored flowers resulted (e.g. P. Brother Stripes and P. Bright Danseuse). When bred to French spots and pinks, P. Paifang's Queen 'Brother' produced large sized, finely spotted flowers such as P. Ho's Queen Elise and Dtps. Mem. Doctor Ho. It should not be surprising to see that it has also been used to produce reds (e.g. P. Talung's Red Fire and P. Brother Rose).

Probably the most interesting line of breeding is the one that has produced a distinct type of spotting pattern unique to Taiwan. This type of spotting is typified by flowers of 7.5 to 9.0 cm flowers, with large blotches of red to red-lavender. The base colour may vary from pristine white to cream to deep yellow. The size and colour of the best examples of this line of breeding make an instant impression. However, these hybrids can display some serious flaws. Often, they produce relatively few flowers, somewhat bunched at the end of a comparatively long inflorescence with flowers that show some reflexing of the segments.

The first generation in this line of breeding produced hybrids such as P. Chiayi Spot (x P. Misty Green), P. Brother Glamour (x P. Hualien Glamour), P. Paifang's Auckland (x P. Liu Tuen-Shen), P. Queen Spot (x P. Salu Spot), P. Brother Grape (x P. Lung Ching's Grape), P. Brother Yew (x P. Fortune Buddha) and, possibly the most important, P. Brother Peacock (x P. Golden Peoker). Second- and third-generation hybrids have been made, some of which produced outstanding results. For many of these hybrids, P. Brother Peacock replaced P. Paifang's Queen as the parent of choice because of its intense colour, large size and flatness. To date, it has produced P. Brother Fancy (x P. Brother Grape), P. Brother Delight (x P. Chiayi Spot), P. Brother Utopia (x P. Golden Peoker) and the unabashedly named P. Super Stupid (x P. Brother Yew). At the time of writing, three cultivars of P. Super Stupid, 'Sogo', 'Summit Amethyst' and 'B#1', had received HCCs from the AOS.

These second- and third-generation hybrids have, for the most part, continued to produce large spotted flowers. However, the result of crossing two intensely pigmented flowers occasionally produced solid and near-solid offspring such as P. Brother Fancy 'Ping Tong' AM/AOS. Moreover, line-breeding has produced large, flat flowers, occasionally with branching on the inflorescence. In March 1997, another Award of Quality was given to another hybrid from Taiwan, this time for a linebred cross of two P. Brother Peacock offspring, P. Brother Utopia x P. Brother Fancy, recently named P. Brother Passion AQ/AOS.

In spring 1998, both P. Brother Wildcat (P. Super Stupid x P. Brother Delight) and P. Brother Precious Stones (P. Brother Fancy x P. Brother Purple) each received an Award of Quality with several plants of each of these grexes also receiving awards. The flowers of P. Brother Wildcat are generally white with varying amounts of amethyst spotting, often much more concentrated centrally while the flowers of P. Brother Precious Stones can be either spotted or solid. Some of the solid flowers are such a dark burgundy colour as to appear almost black, similar to a very young port. Two other similar crosses, P. Brother Sally Taylor (Super Stupid x Brother Purple) and P. Brother Pirate King (Fortune Buddha x Brother Purple) flowered for the first time in spring 1998. In the future, expect to see more awards and high-quality progeny from all of these hybrids.

 P. Sentra, the result of backcrossing P. Three Stars (P. Paifang's Queen x P. Darling Taiwan) back to its parent, P. Paifang's Queen, is proving to be another successful parent in hybridizing. Crossed to P. Salu Spot (P. Paifang's Auckland x P. Golden Amboin) by Ching Her Orchid Nursery in 1995, the resulting P. Golden Sun is a remarkable hybrid with flowers that run the gamut from white to deep yellow overlaid with varying amounts of red spotting, almost attaining solid red in several cultivars. Several hybrids of P. Golden Sun including sib crosses, back crosses to its parents as well as line-bred crosses have produced results that will eventually show up in new breeding lines and may eventually be seen by AOS judges in the not too distant future.

Taiwanese spotted flowers, when bred to the French spotted flowers, produce very interesting results such as P. Liseron Yew (P. Brother Yew x P. Liseron). P. Frisson was bred to P. Paiho Rose (P. Barbara Moler x Vicki Sue Lockhart) and P. Paifang's Auckland and the resulting hybrids (P. Brother Mirage and P. Ho's Vivid Freckles, respectively) both have the appearance of French spots but with a great deal of substance.

YELLOWS WITH MARKINGS

Even with only a nominal amount of research, it is apparent that there are two plants that appear and re-appear regularly in the pedigrees of most of the Taiwanese yellow flowers with red markings: Phal. Liu Tuen-Shen and Phal. Golden Amboin, both of which are first-generation hybrids of Phal. Golden Sands.

The hybrid Phal. Golden Sands was arguably one of the most important milestones in yellow Phalaenopsis breeding. It was registered in 1964 by Fields Orchids as Phal. Fenton Davis Avant x Phal. lueddemanniana var. ochracea. Despite the official registration, "[t]here seems to be no question that Roy Fields used a Phalaenopsis fasciata and not Phalaenopsis lueddemanniana v. ochracea to breed the cross."

Phal. Golden Sands received sixteen AOS awards (1 FCC, 8 AMs, 6 HCCs and 1 CCM). For several decades, it remained an essential plant in the collection of every serious Phalaenopsis grower although "crosses tried with Phalaenopsis Golden Sands ‘Canary’ for several years produced no viable seed. …[S]everal Florida breeders (including Roy Fields, the breeder) [believed] that Phalaenopsis Golden Sands ‘Canary’ was sterile."⁶ After numerous frustrating attempts, it did produce seed.

Many of its most well known offspring are hybrids made using species as the other parent. Examples of this are Phal. Butterball (x Phal. stuartiana), Phal. Golden Bells (x Phal. venosa) and Phal. Goldiana (x Phal. lueddemanniana). The two most important Phal. Golden Sands hybrids used in yellow breeding in Taiwan were registered in 1976 by Jones & Scully, Phal. Golden Amboin (x Phal. amboinensis), and in 1979 by Irene Dobkin , Phal. Liu Tuen-Shen (x Phal. gigantea).

Plants of these two grexes have been used extensively in yellow breeding everywhere. Hybrids of both Phal. Golden Amboin and Phal. Liu Tuen-Shen are well known and, over the years, have been awarded on a regular basis by judges of the American Orchid Society. For example, Phal. Golden Amboin produced Phal. Goldberry (x Phal. Misty Green), Phal. Jungle Warrior (x Phal. gigantea) and Phal. Flor Del Valle (x Phal. stuartiana). Several clones of each of these grexes have received AOS awards. Phal. Liu Tuen-Shen has also produced AOS award-winning progeny including Phal. Golden Peoker (x Phal. Misty Green), Phal. Fortune Buddha (x Phal. Golden Buddha) and Phal. Yellow Queen (x Phal. amboinensis). While both Phal. Golden Amboin and Phal. Liu Tuen-Shen were and have been important in yellow breeding everywhere, their use seems to have dominated spotted yellow breeding in Taiwan.

According to Sanders' list of registered hybrids, many more hybrids have been registered using Phal. Golden Amboin than those registered using Phal. Liu Tuen-Shen. Whether this is due to the greater availability of clones of Phal. Golden Amboin, its more manageable size or the relative ease of obtaining seed is unknown. However, in Taiwan, the reverse appears to be true, at least based upon the registered crosses.

There are several important Phal Liu Tuen-Shen hybrids in use in hybridizing in Taiwan. Three important first-generation grexes are Phal. Golden Peoker (x Phal. Misty Green), Phal. Paifang’s Auckland (x Phal. Paifang’s Queen) and Phal. Fortune Buddha (x Phal. Golden Buddha).

PHAL. FORTUNE BUDDHA

Registered by Brother Orchid Nursery in 1983, Phal. Fortune Buddha has been the Phal. Liu Tuen-Shen hybrid that has produced the most visible results to date. A high number of good cultivars are available. The `KHS#3', `Tinny' and `B#101' cultivars, among others, have been meristemmed in Taiwan and are widely available. At least three cultivars, ('Rosie Posie', ‘East Bay’ and ‘Brennan’s Orchids’) have received AOS awards. The good clones of P. Fortune Buddha are used in breeding because of a deep yellow base colour heavily overlaid with red markings, large size and very round petals. However, even the best clones have a longish inflorescence and are relatively few flowered.

In its first-generation, Phal. Fortune Buddha has already produced about thirty (30) registered hybrids. Although the first hybrid with Phal. Fortune Buddha was only registered in 1991, it has already proven to be an important parent, as have its progeny. In the first generation, Phal. Fortune Buddha has produced many awarded progeny including Phal. Brother Goldsmith (x Phal. stuartiana), Phal. Formosa Zu (x Phal. Princess Kaiulani), Phal. Double Fortune (x Phal. Double Delight), Phal. Brother Goldstone (x Phal. amboinensis) and Phal. Brother Zip (x Phal. venosa).

Another first-generation Phal. Fortune Buddha hybrid (x Phal. Princess Violet) was made several years ago but remains unregistered. Although flower count is generally low, it can be more than compensated for by the large size and outstanding colour.

The true strength of Phal. Fortune Buddha may be in producing "breeder’s plants". What we mean by breeder’s plants are those that are not necessarily awardable by AOS standards but have the genetic makeup to produce outstanding progeny. For example, Phal. Peach Boy (x Phal. Hualien Glamour), which is linebred on Phal. Liu Tuen-Shen, in its only hybrid to date has produced Phal. Brother Torro (x Phal. Ambonosa), with several awarded cultivars. Another hybrid of Phal. Fortune Buddha, Phal. Brother Yew (x Phal. Paifang’s Queen), is itself the parent of Phal. Super Stupid (x Phal. Brother Peacock) and Phal. Brother Sandra (x Phal. Cassandra). Both of these grexes have produced several AOS award winners.

What may be the crowning achievement of Phal. Fortune Buddha breeding is a hybrid with Phal. Brother Angel (Phal. Golden Amboin x Phal. Golden Buddha). This is a case of very close linebreeding. Several cultivars of the resulting hybrid, Phal. Brother Buddha, have already been used in breeding further. In addition, the cultival ‘B#500’ received an HCC in March 1998. Despite differences in the flowers of these various cultivars, they all tend to be very dominant in breeding, producing deep yellow flowers usually overlaid with red markings. Despite the fact that Phal. Brother Budhha is the parent of only eight registered hybrids to date, there is no doubt that this is a parent to be reckoned with.

Readers of the Awards Quarterly have seen some of the high-quality hybrids produced by Phal. Brother Buddha. Phal. Ambo-Buddha (x Phal. amboinensis) already has five published awards (2 HCCs and 3 AMs) with several more in the works. Flowers of this grex have an enhanced Phal. amboinensis shape but are significantly larger with a deep yellow colour overlaid with varying amounts of red. Flower count and length of stem seem to vary widely but the rich colour is striking. Due to its exceptional quality, this hybrid has been remade on several occasions.

Another Phal. Brother Buddha hybrid, Phal. Brother Rush 'Sogo' (x Phal. Mem. Anna Ventosa) received an HCC at the 1996 South Taiwan Show, with clear yellow flowers.

At least three other Phal. Brother Buddha hybrids are notable. Phal. Brother Wonder (x Phal. Leyte Stuart) produces floriferous clear, deep yellow multifloras. Phal. Brother Lancer (x Phal. Plantation Polkadot) produces well-shaped yellow flowers with fine red spotting. Last, but not least, Phal. Sunrise Delight (x Phal. Rose Tris) is a handsome multiflora hybrid, ranging from fine red spotting to almost solid red flowers, always over deep yellow. Because of its substance, floriferousness and vibrant colour, Phal. Sunrise Delight is now being used in hybridizing. One of its first hybrids (x Phal. Lil Johnson) has produced deep yellow candy-striped multifloras as well as several that are solid red.

PHAL. PAIFANG’S AUCKLAND

Another significant hybrid of Phal. Liu Tuen-Shen, Phal. Paifang’s Auckland (x Phal. Paifang’s Queen) has been used extensively in breeding in Taiwan and has produced many outstanding hybrids. We expect that the story of Phal. Paifang’s Auckland may ultimately be similar to the story of an actor that toils for years in obscurity and then becomes an "overnight" star.

The first Phal. Paifang’s Auckland hybrid to receive an AOS award was Phal. Golden Beauty (x Phal. amboinensis) which received one HCC, one AM and an AQ in 1995. The originator is unknown but this is most assuredly a hybrid that originated in Taiwan. More recently, the ‘Minho’ clone received an HCC in Texas.

Although few hybrids of Phal. Paifang’s Auckland have received AOS awards, those that have give us the idea that the range of possibilities are endless. Dtps. Ho’s Happy Auckland (x Dtps. Happy Valentine) initially received an HCC and, more recently, an AM. It is a very large white flower, heavily overlaid with red centrally. Phal. Minho Queen (x Phal. Ambonosa) ‘Hsing Yah’ was awarded an AM at the South Taiwan Show in 1996: a beautiful canary yellow, heavily overlaid with brownish-red marking. Last, and possibly the most exciting, Phal. Sogo Red Bird (x Phal. Princess Kaiulani) ‘Feng Fong’ also received an AM at the same South Taiwan Show. It had three striking 6.2 cm. maroon-red flowers and one bud when awarded. The following year, the author saw it in Taiwan with a multi-branching inflorescence and about fifteen flowers.

Among its first-generation progeny, Phal. Paifang’s Auckland has several that are worth noting. They are still "toiling behind the scenes" but they are worth noting now because we will definitely be seeing them or their progeny soon. Phal. Auckland Buddha (x Phal. Fortune Buddha), another linebred hybrid, has been used on several occasions and is waiting to be discovered. At least two of its offspring, both beautiful solid reds with a yellow picotee, have been meristemmed in Taiwan: Phal. (Auckland Buddha x Sentra) ‘Ching Her’ and Phal. Chingruey’s Blackpearl (Chiayi Red Queen x Auckland Buddha) ‘Ching Ruey’, the latter receiving an AM in March 1998. Phal. Ho’s Vivid Freckles ‘Song` (x Phal. Frisson), a beautiful spotted white flower with heavy substance, has been widely released and will be seen at shows in the future. This cultivar has been used in hybridizing and has produced beautiful offspring. An unregistered hybrid of Phal. Paifang’s Auckland (x Phal. Carmela’s Spots) has produced many beautiful eye-catching progeny, spotted to the point that it is hard to distinguish the petals from the sepals.

Although a wonderful parent in its own right, Phal. Paifang’s Auckland is proving to be outstanding in second-generation breeding. As seen in the lthe first article, Phal. Salu Spot (x Phal. Golden Amboin) is the parent of the handsome hybrid Phal. Golden Sun. Ching Her nurseries has made many sibling and linebred crosses of Phal. Golden Sun, resulting in some solid reds as well as very large deep yellow flowers with red markings.

When Phal. Salu Spot was bred back to its grandparent, Phal. Paifang’s Queen, the resulting hybrid, Phal. Queen Spot was produced. The flowers are generally heavily spotted red over yellow, often giving the appearance of solid red flowers. Phal. Queen Spot has produced one AM winner to date: Phal. Sogo Beer (x Phal. Ta Lin Kaiulani) ‘Sha Yien’, AM/AOS. When awarded, this cultivar produced nine deep magenta flowers and 2 buds on a branched inflorescence. At the time of writing, another Phal. Queen Spot hybrid (x Phal. Brother Purple) Golden Peoker had just begun blooming, generally producing solid red flowers.

PHAL. GOLDEN PEOKER

Phal. Golden Peoker is probably the most widely distributed offspring of Phal. Liu Tuen-Shen. The ‘Brother’ clone was meristemmed many years ago and received an AM of 81 points in 1991. Although many cultivars of Phal. Golden Peoker have a distinct yellow base colour, the ‘Brother’ clone has a white base colour with heavy fuchsia spotting and particularly round petals.

As seen in the last article, one offspring of Phal. Golden Peoker, Phal. Brother Peacock (x Phal. Paifang’s Queen), is a key building block in the breeding of the Taiwanese spotted flowers. Another hybrid, Phal. Brother Peak (x Phal. Chiayi Spot) received an HCC at the 1996 South Taiwan Show with 7 lavender spotted flowers. Phal. Brother Peak has been used in breeding, producing Phal. Sogo Peak (x Phal. Super Stupid) with some outstanding results.

Another hybrid of Phal. Golden Peoker, Phal. Brother Purple (x Phal. Brother Glamour) may thus far be the crowning achievement of Phal. Golden Peoker breeding. Because of its colour, shape and especially its floriferousness, Phal. Brother Purple has been bred to Phal. Sara Lee, Phal. Brother Fancy, Phal. Super Stupid, Phal. Cassandra, Dtps. King Shiang’s Rose, etc. The resulting hybrids have just begun to flower. They vary in size and floriferousness but the best examples are flat and all exhibit outstanding colour. In early 1998, the first two of these hybrids (now registered as Phal. Brother Supersonic and Phal. Brother Precious Stones, respectively) received AQs with several awards to individual plants. Moreover, at least one plants of the hybrid Phal. (Brother Purple x Cassandra) received an HCC in spring 1998.

Phal. Brother Purple is on the threshold of greatness in much the same way as Phal. Deventeriana was twenty years ago. Based upon its own qualiIties, which include intense colour, floriferousness and heavy substance, the first hybrids have provided a benchmark of just what is possible in red Phalaenopsis breeding. In addition to these qualities, Phal. Brother Purple passes on another trait to its progeny – that of blooming as small plants. No serious red Phalaenopsis breeder will be without this plant on his or her stud bench.

As mentioned in the last issue as well as in an article by Paul Bechtel, the meristemming of Phal. Golden Peoker ‘Brother’ resulted in serious mutation. One of the resulting mutations, the ‘ES’ clone was awarded a J.C. at the 1996 South Taiwan Show as the origin of "harlequin" spotting. A unique trait of the ‘ES’ clone is the asymmetrical nature of the spotting, which it has passed on to some of its progeny. Apparently, a selfing resulted in several outstanding cultivars including the ‘Nan-Cho’ and ‘S.J.’ cultivars which received an AM and an HCC respectively at this same show.

Two of the earlier hybrids of the ‘ES’ clone of Phal. Golden Peoker resulted in unique results and appear to have introduced a new colour (maroon red) into Phalaenopsis breeding. Phal. Ever-spring King (x Phal. Chih Shang’s Stripes) and Phal. Everspring Light (x Phal. Everspring Star) are distinctly colored. One of the first available meristems, Phal. Everspring King `Lee’ received a J.C. from the AOS as well as a P.C. from the RHS. Several other clones of both hybrids have also been meristemmed including Phal. Everspring King ‘King Dragon’ which received an HCC in February, 1998.

A curiosity of these two grexes is the apparent linking of heavy colour saturation with poor form and shape. In general, the heavier the colour saturation, the poorer the shape. Moreover, the asymmetry of the markings of Phal. Golden Peoker ‘ES’ seems to be particularly noticeable in these two grexes. Several of the better flowers have now introduced an Odontoglossum-like colour pattern into Phalaenopsis. Several crosses have been made using Phal. Everspring King and Phal. Everspring Light and these will be blooming shortly. What they will reveal is unknown.

PHAL. GOLDEN AMBOIN

As mentioned above, Phal. Golden Amboin is also an important parent in Taiwanese spotted yellow breeding. It is the parent of Phal. Brother Angel (mentioned above) as well as two hybrids mentioned in the last article, Phal. Brother Stage (x Phal. Taipei Gold) and Phal. Brother Imp (x Phal. Barbara Buddha). Phal. Brother Imp, although only registered in 1992, has already produced Phal. Brother Knight (x Phal. Deventeriana), one of the parents of Phal. Brother Passat, AQ/AOS. It is also the parent of Phal. Gold Rush, a John Ewing hybrid registered in 1986 and remade in Taiwan, with awarded progeny each time it was made.

Phal. Ambo Canary (x Phal. Brother Canary) is another Phal. Golden Amboin hybrid. The only Phal. Ambo Canary hybrid registered to date, Phal. Brother Gold Miss (x Phal. Taipei Gold), is waiting in the wings.

Another hybrid of Phal. Golden Amboin, Phal. Salu Spot (x Phal. Paifang’s Auckland), as we saw in the last article, is a parent of Phal. Golden Sun (x Phal. Sentra), which is proving to be a very important hybrid.

These two articles have been an attempt to explain the lines of Taiwanese breeding. However, this is a dynamic, ongoing process. Hybrids made today will produce the award winners of the next century. The Taiwanese have set new standards in yellow and red breeding and even established a new class of seedlings, the Taiwanese spots. Moreover, they have managed to introduce a new colour pattern to Phalaenopsis. As further hybrids are made, who knows what awaits us. A noted American breeder may be right when he said that, although the Taiwanese breeding was exceptional, it is probable that the best results won't be seen until some of these plants are crossed with some of the other outstanding plants available on this continent.