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PARVISEPALUMS & BRACHYPETALUMS by John Robertson
PARVISEPALUMS
SPECIES
We begin by running through the species, namely P.armeniacum, P. emersonii, P. micranthum, P. malipoense, P.hangianum, P. jackii, P. delenatii and P. vietnamense. Each of these species have been in cultivation for varying lengths of time, with the breeding habits and traits of some (such as P.delenatii) being well understood, whilst the more recently described such as P. hangianum and P. vietnamense are only now beginning to reveal their breeding characteristics.
Albino forms of all of these species are now known to exist, and this has the potential to produce a new range of clear coloured hybrids. Previously, some albino forms of the species were often difficult to maintain in cultivation, and some were ‘weaker’ growers than coloured forms. More recently however, smarter two step hybridizing has yielded albino strains of the species that are comparable to cultivate as the regular coloured forms. This will mean that in time, albino forms will be much more readily available to growers than was previously the case.
Arguably, almost all of the parvisepalum species have quite impressive blooms, but it should be said that some can be slow to establish ex flask. Under a conventional/natural growing environment here in the S E Queensland region, some of these species can also be difficult to flower on a regular basis, and the flowering triggers for both P. micranthum and P. armeniacum in particular are not well understood. There have been many theories postulated over the years by local growers as to reasons for low bud production in these two species. Certain clones do appear on average to be more floriferous year to year.
SOME PURE PARVISEPALUM PRIMARY HYBRIDS – P. armeniacum
Some commonly seen examples include P. Armeni White (x delenatii), P. Norito Hasegawa (x malipoense) P. Franz Glanz (x emersonii), and P. Fumi’s Delight (x micranthum). The two former examples offer (in my opinion) everything that a primary should – such as ease of growth and blooming that is often not exhibited by either parent. One huge, but often overlooked benefit for growers with this style of hybrid is the consistent flower quality that is usually delivered. If you only have limited space and money (all of us !!), you can’t go past this style of hybrid for value. It should be said, that whilst P. hangianum hybrids are spectacular with large flowers from relatively compact plants, they can also be slow to mature.
SOME PURE PARVISEPALUM PRIMARY HYBRIDS –P. delenatii
Commonly seen examples include P. Ho Chih Minh (x vietnamense), P. Joyce Hasegawa (x emersonii), In Charm Handel (x hangianum), P. Magic Lantern (x micranthum).
Again, the consistency of flower quality, and general ease of culture is a feature of these primaries. Fragrance can also be a bonus.
SOME PURE PARVISEPALUM PRIMARY HYBRIDS –P. micranthum
Some examples include Wossner Vietnam Love (x vietnamense), P. Fanaticum (x malipoense) and P. Fumi’s Delight (x armeniacum). Depending on the combination, P. micranthum hybrids can exhibit very compact growth habits, and are generally easier to bloom than the species itself. In general, pure parvisepalum hybrids tend to be more consistent than intersectional hybrids, eg. when combined with brachypetalums.
SOME PURE PARVISEPALUM PRIMARY HYBRIDS – P. emersonii.
Some of the well known include P. Mem Larry Heuer (x malipoense) and P. Franz Glanz (x armeniacum). It can be said that generally, P. hangianum breeds parallel results to P. emersonii, only that larger and more richly coloured blooms usually result.
INTERSECTIONAL HYBRIDS
P. armeniacum – The breeding habits of this species is now generally well understood, and the some of the intersectional hybrids such as P. Dollgoldi (x rothschildianum), and P. Gold Dollar (x primulinum) have been very successful. When combined with the brachypetalum group, results can also be very good, but be aware that this line of breeding tends to be generally less consistent in quality than pure parvisepalum primaries, and can in some instances exhibit colour break, petal asymmetry, and pouch/staminode deformities. Maternal influence is said to influence ease of blooming in some intersectional hybrids.
P. malipoense – Commonly seen intersectional hybrids include P. Harold Koopowitz (x rothschildianum) and P. Ma Belle (x bellatulum). Again, in my opinion, the pure parvisepalum hybrids are generally more consistent in quality than the intersectional hybrids, however aim for past proven hybrids if in doubt. Excellent stems are often an important feature of P. malipoense hybrids.
P. micranthum – Well known examples are P. Gloria Naugle (x rothschildianum) and P. Kevin Porter (x bellatulum). Richness of colour and compact growth habit are often a feature of P. micranthum breeding.
P. hangianum – Recent examples include Chou Yi Gratrix (x S. Gratrix) and Hung Sheng Knight (x glaucophyllum) and Karl Ploberger (x bellatulum). Large flowers from relatively compact plants can be a feature of P. hangianum hybrids.
BRACHYPETALUMS
We begin by running through the species, namely P. bellatulum, P. niveum, P. concolor, P. godefroyae and P. godefroyae var leucochilum and P. wenshanense. I will leave the taxonomy to those more qualified, and focus on observed breeding lines and results. Albino forms of all species are now known and becoming more commonly available to growers than was previously the case. Undoubtedly, clear yellow and white hybrids will be frequently seen on show benches in the coming years. Whilst generally recessive, albinism is easily retrieved within two generations, without the sacrifice of vigour that was often the case with selfed albino forms. Whilst not generally as large in size as their coloured counterparts, the focus is now on bridging the size gap, and I suspect that increased size is not too far away.
P. bellatulum – Arguably one of the most important species in hybridization, and it imparts great colour and shape into its’ progeny. Short stems are also a trait of this species, and correcting this has been the focus of many breeding programs.
Successful pure Brachypetalum primaries include S.Gratrix (x godefroyae) and P. Psyche (x niveum). Intersectional hybrids that feature P. bellatulum (such as with the Maudiae or Multifloral groups) should be considered speculative, and percentages of clean coloured or undistorted blooms are often quite low.
P. godefroyae - In my view there are two fairly distinct varieties of this species, with the type being white in base colour and overlaid with varying intensity of purple/maroon spotting or blotching, and the variety leucochilum which tends to be creamy yellow with maroon spotting and a clear unspotted pouch. Interbreeding the two varieties is also common. The species generally imparts relatively strong stems and round shape on it’s progeny depending on the quality of the clone used. Line breeding the species for colour will soon see virtually solid, dark maroon flowers and these forms when used in hybridizing have exciting potential.
P. niveum – Line bred forms of this species are now widely available, with very round shape, larger size and tall stems.
P. wenshanense - This was the formerly known P. Concobellatulum, and is now a distinct species. Those who have made the primary hybrid between concolor and bellatlum will have observed that the results do not resemble the lemon yellow wenshanense with chocolate spots. Many earlier registered Conco-bellatulum hybrids were in fact made with wenshanense. This is an important species in hybridizing both within the brachypetalum group and when used intersectionally, with great shape and colour being a feature. Short stems can also unfortunately be a result, depending on the other parent.
P. concolor – This relatively robust Thai species has been used widely in hybridizing, imparting strong growth and lemon colour. In our experience, the shape of this species can vary widely, with some very round forms as well as some ‘less than round’ forms. Pure brachypetalum primaries of note include P. Wellesleyanum (x godefroyae) and Amagumo (x wenshanense). This group is suited to a wet summer and dry winter climate such as SE Queensland, and frequent repotting also seems to be beneficial.
Generally the brachypetalum group breeds well with the parvisepalum group, and some well known examples include P. Vanda M Pearman (bellatulum x delenatii) and Ma Belle (malipoense x bellatulum). These hybrids generally tend to be less particular in their cultural requirements than pure brachypetalums. There can be sterility issues when attempting to breed on with this line, but for the vast majority of growers this fact is irrelevant.
There can be spectacular results when the Multifloral group is introduced to the brachypetalum group, with some truly striking results possible. It should be said however, that the percentage of quality blooms tends to be low, and some combinations can also be difficult to flower. In other words, choose carefully and consider them ‘speculators’. A well known example is P. Rolfei (rothschildianum x bellatulum).
For the truly adventurous is the combination of the Maudiae group (style) with the Brachypetalum group – in particular where vinicoloured Maudiae types are used. The best combine brachy shape with Maudiae colour and stem with stunning results. The worst however either won’t grow at all, or have very deformed and/or colour broken flowers. In my observations, niveum and godefroyae seem to work best with the Maudiae style flowers, and bellatulum less so.
Another line of breeding that appears to be currently being revisited, is the incorporation of complex hybrids with the new improved brachypetalum species and hybrids. This breeding line can produce very shapely whites and pinks from compact plants, as well as improving the warmth tolerance of complex or exhibition flowers. Another side benefit of this line of breeding can be very compact plant sizes.
This article is a lecture summary only and only reflects the authors personal observations and opinions. It also obviously does not exhaustively cover or intend to cover all possible lines of breeding, and this article should not be reproduced without the authors permission.
Brachy/Parvi Culture
I would say at the outset, these are my own personal observations on the general culture of these two Paphiopedilum groups in the SE Queensland region. As any grower will have observed, there can be wide variations in growth/vigour and ease of culture even within the one species, let alone once hybrids are made. Nevertheless, there are some general rules that seem to apply to most plants within the above two sections. I use the same potting medium for both groups, being 10mm treated bark, 10mm charcoal, Super coarse perlite and some shell grit. Fertilise weekly with a balanced liquid feed, perhaps with a higher nitrogen formula in the early Spring and Summer months, and a blossom booster formulation in the Autumn.
PARVISEPALUM
For beginner growers, in my opinion, it is best to stick with the primary hybrids made with species from within the parvisepalum group. These tend to yield similar blooms to the species, but are quicker to mature, flower more reliably, and are more forgiving of less than ideal culture than are the species. As an example, P. Magic Lantern is far easier to grow and flower than is P. micranthum, and P. Norito Hasegawa is similarly easier than P. armenicaum. Both of these primaries have the best features of both parents but tend to be far more prolific. In my view, depending on the other parent, P. malipoense hybrids can make some of the most robust and rewarding plants esp. for newer growers, being relatively quick to mature, and reliable bloomers. P. Lynleigh Koopowitz is one obvious example, with the added bonus of fragrance. Those hybrids made with P. hangianum/emersonii hybrids can be outstanding, but can also be slow to mature. Intersectional hybrids can also be very good, but do tend to be more variable than pure parvisepalum primaries in both flower quality and floriferousness. Once the culture of the primaries has been mastered, by all means have a go at some of the species. Like any Paphiopedilum regular repotting is not only essential, but beneficial, and where plants have lost their roots for whatever reason, very frequent repotting (ie. 6 monthly) into the smallest pot that will accommodate the healthy roots that are left, can be very effective in promoting new root growth. This group tends to be fairly tolerant of both heat and cold, and seems to handle the climatic variations that we experience in this region without too many adverse effects.
BRACHYPETALUM
Arguably one of the most difficult groups to grow well over the long term. We are fortunate to normally experience a hot, wet summer and cool dry winters in our region which does however tend to assist with the culture of this group.
I have found that growing all pure Brachypetalums in a separate section to other Paphiopedilums is very beneficial, particularly in the winter months when this group really does prefer reduced watering and fertilising frequency. This can be difficult to manage when different groups are grown randomly mixed in together. Ideally, the growing environment should also warm up sufficiently during the day in the winter months so that once plants have been watered, they are able to dry off sufficiently before nightfall. Overwatering and a stale potting medium through the winter months can be fatal for most pure Brachypetalums. Therefore, fresh potting medium, not over potting along with adequate air movement are essential factors in growing this group well.
In my opinion, P. concolor is the more robust of the species, followed by P. niveum. My view is that, depending on the combination, primaries are generally more tolerant of less than ideal conditions than the species, and some commonly seen examples are P. Greyii, P. Wellesleyanum and P. S. Gratrix. Some of the brachypetalum parvisepalum intersectional hybrids (particularly those involving P. delenatii) can be significantly easier to grow than pure Brachypetalums, whilst still producing flowers that are similar in form, and this style is best suited to new growers who are keen to try this group.
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