New candidate for this week is a new hybrid - Rhyncholaeliocattleya Haiku Spots (Rlc. Durigan 'Valley Isle' x Cattleya aclandiae (4N)).

Rlc. Haiku Spots was originated by Exotic Orchids of Maui and registered by M. Blietz in 2018. This cross has many species in background, most important are C. aclandiae, C. loddigesii, C. guttata and few other.

Previous Awards:

There is no awards for this cross.

There are 17 AOS awards for Rlc. Durigan. The most recent award was in Nov 2014, cultivar 'Nobile's Tigresa' HCC/AOS 78 pts.

There are 78 AOS awards for Cattleya aclandiae. The most recent award was in May 2021, cultivar 'Paul II' FCC/AOS 94 pts. Two other award in 2021 - cultivar 'Marilyn Manson' AM/AOS 85 pts and 'Black Sabbath' HCC/AOS 78 pts.

Description:

The candidate plant has 3 flowers on one staked 12 cm inflorescence. Plant growing in 3 inches plastic pot.

Flower Measurements:

NS H - 8.5 cm; NS V - 8.5 cm;

Dorsal Sep. W - 2.5 cm; Dorsal Sep. L - 4.5 cm;

Petal W - 2.5 cm; Petals L - 4.5 cm;

Lat/Sepal W - 2.3 cm; Lat/Sepal L - 4.0 cm;

Lip/Pouch W - 4.0 cm; Lip/Pouch L - 4.5 cm.

Judges' Comments

Kristen Mason (Accredited Judge, Cincinnati Judging Center)

Thank you for sharing this interesting cross. Between the bee and knowing what the parents smell like, I wish I could smell this flower. Nice presentation on the inflorescence. Nice, well saturated color on the sepals and petals with the white and fuchsia lip adding contrast and interest. Size and floriferousness strongly favor C. aclandiae and are below the geometric mean. I am not fond of the shape and presentation of the petals, curling of the lip, streaking on the column or the texture of the flowers. I would like to see more saturation of color at the base of the lip. Compared to the parents, I do not feel that this flowering is an improvement over the parents.

Deb Boersma (Student Judge, Great Lakes Judging Center)

Rhyncholaeliocattleya Haiku Spots

I love these spotted Cattleya aclandiae hybrids, they all have stunning flowers. This flower has big, bold spots on the sepals and petals, a nice wide lip with bright fuchsia colour. The influence of the Cattleya aclandiae parent is very apparent in the lip colour and the bold spotting. The flower appears to be quite flat, a nice erect dorsal sepal but the petals are somewhat reflexed. There is substantial fenestration evident passed on from the C. aclandiae parent, it would have been nice if the petals had been widened by the Rlc. Durigan parent. The geometric mean for flower count is 2.9 and this has 3 flowers, so acceptable in terms of floriferousness. The geometric mean of the natural spread of the parents is 9.4 cm and our candidate falls short here.

I think it is a gorgeous flower and although it has some form issues that are perhaps tolerated with a species in its’ parentage, I would nominate it for a quality award and score it at a low HCC 76-77.

Deb Bodei (Associate Judge, Northeast Judging Center)

Rhyncholaeliocattleya Haiku Spots (Rlc. Durigan 'Valley Isle' x Cattleya aclandiae (4N))

Observations

Both parents of this cross are highly awarded so this cross has a lot to measure up to. We are considering a flower award here since the size and floriferousness of the plant precludes a cultural award.

If we are looking at measurements, this plant generally measures up to the expected geometric mean and it has three anticipated flowers on the one inflorescence. Form and color are where this flower is falling short. Although the flowers are flat and dorsal nicely held, the size of the dorsal compared to the petals along with the fenestration between the two does not give the flower a pleasing, balanced look. The lip midlobe is curled under quite a bit. Most of the recent awards of both parents do have less fenestration and lips with superior form. The color combination and markings of this candidate do not compare favorably to either the aclandiae parent or the Durigan parent with its many beautiful color combinations.

Because of the above points I do not think this cross is an improvement on either parent.

Nominations

I would not be able to reach enough points on a scorecard to nominate this plant for an award on this flowering.

Thank you,

Deb

Al Messina (Accredited Judge, Northeast Judging Center)

Three flowers on one inflorescence, perhaps a first bloom, in an aclandiae F1 which can be difficult on occasion.

Inconsistency of petals and lips limits possibility of flower award. This F1 not as good as parents; so I, as Mr. Bee, must reject on this bloom.

However, subsequent blooms might improve form/size and I, and Mr. Bee, might feel differently at that time.

Ben Oliveros (Accredited Judge, Hawaii Judging Center)

Hi Sergey,

That's a great cross! Based on standards of perfection, I could see an

award. My concern is type of breeding. I love aclandiae and its

hybrids. But the down side to it is flower count. Durigan can hold a

good head of flowers. The question is whether it's an improvement. Maybe better than your average aclandiae, but I'm not so sure about an advancement in

breeding.

The color is stunning, the shape is good. As long as size is there, looks awardable.

Thanks,

Ben

Sergey Skoropad (Associate Judge, Northeast Judging Center)

Rlc. Haiku Spots Rlc. Durigan x C. aclandiae).

Very interesting cross.

Three relatively flat, nice colored flowers on one inflorescence.

Flowers looks exactly in the middle of two parents: aclandiae usually produce 2 flowers per inflorescence, Durigan can do 4 flowers. Flatness is a good thing - aclandiae’s flowers normally cupped, plus petals of our candidate looks wider than aclandiae. However, I found these flowers not as full as Durigan. Also, inconsistency of the petals and lip.

Color is great, very dark spotting. Size of the flowers comparable with two parents.

Can I say that this cross is improvement over the parents? I don’t think so, maybe in the next bloom.

Although, I can see many positive characteristics in this new cross and improvement is not always required to receive award, I probably would pass on nomination for quality award. I would definitely like to see it at the next bloom. With a good culture, this plant can produce several inflorescences, and, with 3 dark colored flowers on each could be fantastic display. Great potential!

I’m wondering if this cross is easier than C. aclandiae.

Thanks,

Sergey

Exhibitor - Bill Stender, NJ

Grower's Advice

Purchased from Kim Federson November of 2020. He mentioned the cross came from Exotic Orchids of Maui as a seedling. It arrived in my care in a 3” square pot and has grown out. This is a first bloom for the plant. After blooming I have repotted in into a 4 ½” terracotta in medium bark, perlite and charcoal.

It has been growing in the southeast corner of my greenhouse with fairly high light. I have 40% shade cloth over that area spring through fall, and no shade cloth during the fall to early spring months. The greenhouse is fairly new to me and I am still working out my new culture. I am struggling to give my plants the humidity they need but recent changes have improved my overall humidity.