Vanda Srimahapro Star x Vanda Chao Praya Sapphire is unregistered cross.

Vanda Srimahapro Star (V. Gordon Dillon x V. Chao Praya Sapphire) has been originated and registered by N. Buranaraktham in 2012. 

Vanda Chao Praya Sapphire (V. Keeree's Sapphire x V. Bangkok Brown) has been originated and registered by Chao Praya Orch. in 1993. 

This cross has several Vanda species in the background, most important are V. sanderiana, V. coerulea and V. brunnea.

Previous Awards:

There is no AOS awards for this cross. 

There is no AOS awards for Vanda Srimahapro Star.

There is no AOS awards for Vanda Chao Praya Sapphire.

Description:

The candidate has 30 flowers and 6 buds on two upright approximately to 40-cm inflorescences (15 flowers and 3 buds on one and 15 flowers and 3 buds on second inflorescence).

Flower Measurements:

NS H - 7.2 cm;                   NS V - 7.2 cm;

Dorsal Sep. W - 2.9 cm;    Dorsal Sep. L - 3.9 cm;

Petal W - 2.7 cm;               Petals L - 3.0 cm;

Lat/Sepal W - 3.6 cm; Lat/Sepal L - 3.6 cm;

Lip/Pouch W - 1.2 cm;     Lip/Pouch L - 2.7 cm

Judges' Comments

Josephine deBeaubien (Accredited Judge, Pacific South Judging Center)

V. Srimahapro Star is a complex hybrid known for producing flowers with strong color saturation and typically has 8-12 flowers per spike. I was not able to find any measurements but believe it is most likely similar in size to our candidate plant. 

V. Chao Praya Sapphire is a highly regarded hybrid from Thailand. It is famous for its deep blue/violet coloration. This parent has two awards from the Australian Orchid Council in 2000 (1 HCC and 1 AD). This parent is slightly bigger and has fewer flowers and inflorescences than our candidate plant.

Our candidate plant is well-grown with two inflorescences bearing 15 flowers in bloom simultaneously. With 3/4th of this candidate plant being V. Chao Praya Sapphire, it has good form and fantastic color with a tessellation pattern. I would score this as an AM and would encourage the grower to get this to a judging.

Pictures of the parents from OrchidWiz.

Jay Balchan (Associate Judge, Alamo Judging Center)

What an absolutely lovely Vanda!   This is very pleasing to me and absolutely scorable.  I don’t follow Vanda breeding closely, but this looks like a miniature version of the former “dinner plate” vandas like Gordon Dillon (grandparent) keeping the rich colors and good form, but shrinking it down and adding to the flower count. Perhaps that is a more modern trend in vanda breeding… miniaturizing the dinner plates? 

The color is eye catching and I don’t see a real blemish on any of the flowers. They are very uniform, richly colored and uniformly tessellated. 

The same comments go to form.  I can see a few slight notches on the occasional flower, but overall the shapes of most of the flowers are uniform with good overlap, no windowing and quite flat. 

In terms of presentation, the plant itself is quite well grown with no loss of lower leaves from what is shown.  The flowers are nicely arranged on the spikes, although a few gaps can be seen in the 360 view.  The flowers count is strong knowing that sanderiana and coerulea are in the background, but without doing addition research as to what the other species makeup is.

Overall, I would certainly nominate this and it would likely end up with a solid AM on my card. 

Al Messina (Accredited Judge, Northeast Judging Center)

This candidate is nicely bloomed and displays form, color and arrangement which should attract the average non orchidist to dispense several $$ at Lowes/Home Depot.

The addition of V. brunnea has significantly diminished the size of the flowers with no benefit to form or average flower count of the major progenitors, viz, coerulea and sanderiana. No Award.

Judie Armstrong (Associate Judge, Florida North-Central Judging Center)

This is a very well-grown Vanda.  The flowers are full, round and flat.  Some flowers have the petals slightly reflexed forward.   The arrangement on the inflorescence could be better.  The flowers surround the inflorescence but are not consistently spaced.  I found two awards for the V. Chao Praya Sapphire parent from AOC in 2000.  Our candidates flower size is slightly smaller than that parent.  I could not find any size for the other parent.  The color of the flowers is very pleasing.  The color is definite and clear.  There is a picotee of suffused color around the sepals and petals.  The color of the lip is a dark contrast to the flower.  

I would recommend this for a quality award.  I would probably score it in the high HCC range.

Thank you,

Judie

Muthiah Vijayendran (Student Judge, Northeast Judging Center)

The candidate Vanda Srimahapro Star x Vanda Chao Praya Sapphire is a well grown plant with two unstaked inflorescences, each bearing 15 flowers and three buds. There is symmetry in the arrangement of the flowers, and they are nearly flat. The form shows roundness without fenestration, which indicates selective breeding. This unregistered grex is a cross between V. Gordon Dillon and (another) V. Chao Praya Sapphire. The latter is a hybrid between V. Keere’s Sapphire and V. Bangkok Brown. Of all these, only AOS flower quality awarded plants are V. Gordon Dillon (9), V. Keree’s Sapphire (1), and V. Bangkok Brown (1).  In the cerulean color form, V. Gordon Dillon ‘Nike’ (AM 84 points in 1981) is close to the candidate, while V. Keere’s Sapphire’s (HCC 77 points; 2000) color is deep purple, and V. Bangkok Brown’s (AM 82; 2012) is brown. The natural spread dimensions of the flowers of the former two are approximately 3.0 cm larger, and the latter is about 2.0 cm smaller. The overall color palette of the candidate’s flower is not uniform: sepals’ tessellations are neatly defined while the petals’ color appears muddy as if the color was rained on as it was drying. The dark cobalt blue lip struggles to balance the paleness of the petals. Even with the bold lavender margins, the flower is not able to overcome the visual uneasiness.  In summary, the grex is not an improvement over the lineage; therefore, it is not recommendable either for flower quality, or with fewer flowers, for a cultural award.

Paul Wetter (Senior Judge, West Palm Beach Judging Center)

Thank you for submitting this very nice hybrid of V. Srimahapro Star and V. Chao Praya Sapphire. The flowers are fairly well formed based on the ancestry. With the amount of sanderiana in the background one would expect well formed large Vandas flowers. There is some separation of the lateral sepals that is not seen in the parents. Overall, the color and form of the flowers and presentation would qualify this plant for a quality award in the high HCC to low AM. With some points off for the described sepal separation and slight cupping. 

Thank You

Paul Wetter

Wayne Wiegand (Accredited Judge, Northeast Judging Center)

This is a well-grown plant with two lovely clusters of flowers. Overall, it is quite lovely, but when I consider it for an AOS award, it, in my opinion, it falls short. The individual flowers seem to point in different directions from the center line, with some nodding, creating a somewhat open chaotic arrangement. Looking at the individual flowers, the petals are smaller than the sepals which, to me, detracts from their full roundness. The color is pleasant, and the darker margin is lovely, but the individual markings are not crisp and clear. So, while it is a lovely well grown and flowered vanda, I would not nominate it for an AOS award.

Wayne Wiegand,

Chair, NEJC

Steve Gonzalez-Costa (Accredited Judge, Chicago Judging Center)

Very floriferous Vanda at first sight and after looking into V. Gordon Dillon and all of the other lineage behind the hybrid, this clearly well grown Vanda hybrid clearly does excel with around a third to 40% more flowers er inflorescence. The form is pleasant flat where maybe only the dorsal is not as proportionally wide and the petals could have been a bit fuller, rounder, but when you look at all the award photos in the background, none of the DNA was perfect either. These include the famous V. Godon Dillon, used all over as a parent, and the V. Keeree’s Saphire and Bangkok Brown used for the V. Chao Praya Sapphire parent. Outside of the flower count, only the lip length is superior and most measurements do no approach some of the geometric means of the segments of the parents. The color is nice but not as bright, but, pleasant and it does suffuse in an very interesting manner around the periphery of each of the sepals and petals. I do not see or nominate for a cultural award, and I would also pass on a flower quality award, unless I could clearly see more wow factor where maybe the flower could score a low HCC.

Joe Bryson (Accredited Judge, Florida North-Central Judging Center)

It appears to have good color and form. The lateral sepals could be a little flatter; they appear to be slightly reflexed. Presentation is fairly good. The only downside I can see is, I don't think it is an improvement over the parents. Both parents' photos, I can find, look like there are some good, awardable cultivars out there. Having said that, I could award this plant in the AM/80 range.

 Regards,

Joe

Mike Arwari (Student Judge, Pacific South Judging Center)

Vanda Srimahapro Star x Vanda Chao Praya Sapphire is unregistered cross.

Vanda Srimahapro Star (V. Gordon Dillon x V. Chao Praya Sapphire) has been originated and registered by N. Buranaraktham in 2012. 

Vanda Chao Praya Sapphire (V. Keeree's Sapphire x V. Bangkok Brown) has been originated and registered by Chao Praya Orch. in 1993. 

This cross has several Vanda species in the background, most important are V. sanderiana, V. coerulea and V. brunnea.

Previous Awards:

There are no AOS awards for this cross. 

There are no AOS awards for Vanda Srimahapro Star.

There are no AOS awards for Vanda Chao Praya Sapphire.

Description:

The candidate has 30 flowers and 6 buds on two upright approximately to 40-cm inflorescences (15 flowers and 3 buds on one and 15 flowers and 3 buds on second inflorescence).

Flower Measurements:

NS H - 7.2 cm;                   NS V - 7.2 cm;

Dorsal Sep. W - 2.9 cm;    Dorsal Sep. L - 3.9 cm;

Petal W - 2.7 cm;               Petals L - 3.0 cm;

Lat/Sepal W - 3.6 cm; Lat/Sepal L - 3.6 cm;

Lip/Pouch W - 1.2 cm;     Lip/Pouch L - 2.7 cm

Sepals and petals ovate, apices obtuse, margins smooth, sepals and petals white with dark purple striations, margins uniformly purple; lip flat, rounded, margins smooth, color dark purple/black; side lobes involute, cream/purple; mid lobe cream; anther cap brown.

Flower Assessment

This is a well grown robust, floriferous plant. The flowers are crowded and are not fully opened and have not reached their full potential. 

Compared to the vivid colorations of the parents, Vanda Srimahapro Star x Vanda Chao Praya the color of our subject flower pales in comparison. This flower does not in any way improve on either parent. I would not award this cross. 

Susan Usseglio (Student Judge, Northeast Judging Center)

The candidate plant is well grown, with leaves expanding cleanly from the base of the main stem to the apex, indicating balanced culture and sustained vigor. The inflorescences carry a substantial display: 30 flowers and 6 buds on two inflorescences, a count notably higher than comparable plants in the lineage, which typically achieve similar totals only on a single inflorescence. The presentation is not crowded; however, a slightly fuller arrangement would have further enhanced the overall impact.

The flowers themselves are large, round, flat, and well‑formed, demonstrating excellent segment balance and mature shape. The white background is overlaid with purple and grape‑colored tessellation, complemented by a rose picotee encircling each segment. The lip is particularly striking, expressing indigo across the upper surface and violet beneath, with the coloration of the sidelobes, staminode and anther cap contributing to a unified and dramatic presentation.

Segment size, shape, and form clearly reflect the strengths of the seed parent and grandparents, while the tessellation, color expression, and lip architecture are consistent with traits inherited from the pollen parent and grandparents in its lineage.

Overall, this candidate represents a meaningful advancement within its Vanda traits lineage, showing improvement over both parents in flower quality and display. Based on the combination of floriferousness, form, color harmony, and lineage advancement, I would be inclined to recommend this plant for award consideration.

Susan Usseglio – Student Judge

Northeast Judging Center – Northboro Site

Martin Motes (Accredited Judge, Florida-Caribbean Judging Center, Motes Orchids)

Vanda (Srimahapro Star x Chao Praya Sapphire)

              Vanda (Srimahapro Star x Chao Praya Sapphire) owes its size, full form and flatness to V. sanderiana ancestry and size, color, length of inflorescence and flower count to V. coerulea. Vanda Srimahapro Star is itself a hybrid from V. Chao Praya Sapphire (Keeree’s Sapphire x Bangkok Brown). As both pollen parent and pollen grandparent, V. Chao Praya Sapphire has had subtle but discernible impact on the unregistered grex from its parent, V. Bangkok Brown, (brunnea x merrillii).

              Vanda brunnea has contributed a broader lip and reenforced the underlying spotting in our hybrid. Vanda merrillii has contributed to the high flower count (the species can produce 18 flowers on a single inflorescence) and depth of color. Suffusion of color at the apices of the sepals and petals (a much-needed quality, lacking in most standard Vanda bloodlines) is also a valuable contribution of V. merrillii to our hybrid.

              Vanda Keeree’s Sapphire, the other parent of V. Chao Praya Sapphire, is a hybrid made by Charungraks Devahasin who notably in the 1970’s and 80’s produced exceptional hybrids selected for depth of dark purple color. Our hybrid benefits from that intensity of color carried forward.

              Vanda (Srimahapro Star x Chao Praya Sapphire) in our iteration is an exceptionally showy hybrid demonstrating the value of introducing neglected species such as V. merrillii to standard bloodlines. This handsome, vigorous hybrid which would grace any greenhouse or tropical garden is unfortunately unworthy of award recognition. The distinct ridges of raised tissue in the petals are a fatal flaw which may be overlooked in our collections but not in our judging system.

Barbara Putko (Student Judge, Northeast Judging Center)

Vanda Srimahapro Star  x  Vanda Chao Praya Sapphire

Our candidate looks very well grown, the outdoor view shows how nicely it looks in natural light.  The form of the flowers shows a nice round shape, full segments, long inflorescences, flowers are nicely shingled, but some are on top of each other. The color is vivid, rich, balanced white base with grape overlay of vertical striped spots, margins diffused to a softer watercolor tone pink-purple.  The lip stands out with a dark purple with a light touch of yellow basally into white.  The side view shows the dorsal sepal flat/vertical although some others lean to the back.  Petals lean forward slightly showing negative space between the sepals.

Looking at the parents - Vanda Srimahapro Star  - (V. Gordon Dillon x V. Chao Praya Sapphire)

Vanda Srimahapro Star pulls from its parent Vanda Gordon Dillon, shape, coloration and patterning and from the other parent more of the spotting. Also, it is bred back to one of the parents carrying shape and solid color of purple.

Vanda Chao Praya Sapphire – V. Keeree's Sapphire x V. Bangkok Brown

My conclusion – this candidate has a lot going for it with the vivid eye-catching coloration, nice round form but the way the flowers present makes it difficult to ‘see’ the beauty of the plant.  I would pass.

Barbara Putko

Student Judge, Northeast JC

Alejandro Capriles (Accredited Judge, Società Felsinea di Orchidofilia (Felsinean Orchid Society), Bologna, Italy / AOS Judge (retired))

Vanda Srimahapro Star x Vanda Chao Praya Sapphire.

Flowers feature a striking pattern that creates a "fake" tesselation formed almost solely by spots. The coerulean color seems also rather unexpected considering V. coerulea is just 16.6% of the genetic makeup (we don't know if any coerulean forms of the remaining species are present in either parent, but it would explain the coloration). I do find the raspberry suffusion along the outer borders of the petals and sepals quite stunning.

The shape is perhaps a bit laking, though, considering it's almost 40% V. sanderiana. I would've expected the petals to be slightly wider, although the tailored "perky" look is quite attractive. The flower count and presentation on the stems are excellent. I think overall I would give it an HCC of 78 points.

Cheers from Italy!

Exhibitor - Wes and Laura Newton, FL (AOS Photographer and Accredited Judge, Florida North-Central Judging Center)

Virtual Award Description

Grower's Advice