Phalaenopsis were not always grown, hybridized and produced in the
quantities we see today. Through 1945 there were only about 140
Phalaenopsis hybrids registered. Compare this with 3500 Odontoglossum
hybrids and intergenerics, 4300 Cattleyas and intergenerics, and over
5000 Paphiopedilum crosses made by that year. It is now not uncommon to
see 100 new Phalaenopsis and Doritaenopsis crosses registered in one
month. The ease of Phalaenopsis culture and relatively quick growth to
blooming size has increased their popularity greatly.
The breeding of Phalaenopsis was for years divided into two major
groups. The standard "Moth Orchids" came in whites, pinks and stripes,
had large four to five inch flowers on tall spikes. I remember quite
vividly my first visit to a commercial orchid grower. It was the Rod
McLellan Co. in South San Francisco, and some of the large greenhouses
would be filled solid with white or pink Phalaenopsis. These types of
Phalaenopsis were bred using the white P. amabilis and the pink P.
schilleriana. The second group of Phalaenopsis are the "novelty crosses"
which were a mixing of some of the various smaller flowered
Phalaenopsis, including P. amboinensis, P. lueddemanniana, and P.
violacea among others. The novelties always seemed to take a back seat
to the standard moths.
In the early and mid 1980's there was an increase in the breeding of
novelty Phalaenopsis. From a commercial vendor's point of view, this at
the time was a relatively small fad. I remember some of the crosses that
were being grown at Great Lakes Orchids, some of the flowers were
brightly colored, and often fragrant if they had P. violacea in them,
but many of the flowers were small, often faded and a high percentage
had reflexed segments. But the last few years has seen a great elevation
in the quality of the novelty types, primarily due to selecting for
improved flower qualities, and the combining of these novelty types with
the standard types.
While the old standbys, pinks and whites, are still being bred and
produced in huge quantities as they are still in high demand, especially
by the general public, other lines of breeding have emerged to produce a
larger range of Phalaenopsis types than was previously available.
Orchid breeders have been working on creating a yellow-flowered Phalaenopsis with the size of the large whites. While
almost any yellow was considered good fifteen years ago, there is now a
demand for good quality flowers that don't fade. Yellow Phalaenopsis
were derived from species like P. amboinensis, which has two-inch yellow
flowers with reddish markings. While the substance was good, the size
was brought down. By breeding P. Deventeriana and other yellow hybrids
with the larger whites, the flower size has increased to over four
inches, and is improving. The yellow color is more intense in today's
crosses, and now lasts longer, not fading to cream after only a few
days.
One species that has proven to be a pleasant surprise is P. venosa.
You wouldn't think this orchid with its brownish flowers, and somewhat
unusual scent, could be of use, but it has produced some good clear
yellows. There are many good clear yellows available today in crosses
such as P. Mishima Charm and P. Hausermann's Gold Cup. Even with the
smaller flowered yellows such as P. Orchid World and P. Michael Crocker,
the plants produce more flowers, and the flowers are larger, with
strong, clear spotting and barring.
In the last few years, a new group of Phalanopsis hybrids has been
formed, the sunset or desert tones. These are made by crossing yellow
hybrids, P. venosa or P. amboinensis with the large pinks. The form and
size is similar to the pinks to slightly more circular, and the colors
as the name implies range from a rusty pink through orange-pinks almost
into a pure orange. P. Pago Pago (venosa x Lippeglut) is a good example
of this group. Flowers range from pink with a yellow suffusion to a
uniforn deep dusky rose-pink. The substance of the flowers is heavy, and
they have good lasting qualities. It is an interesting line of breeding,
and we'll see where it goes from here.
There are a few crosses that have been made from P. violacea, P.
sumatrana and P. amboinensis that are magenta to purple in appearance.
The ideal flower in this group has solid color and bright color
intensity. These are very heavy flowers, and their subsequent breeding
to other lines enhances their substance. Unfortunately the size has not
kept up with the other groups, and a solid pure red has not yet been
made. A couple of commonly used parents are P. Malibu Imp and P. George
Vasquez. P. Brecko Impheart (P. Malibu Imp x P. Heart's Desire) has
flowers of intense fuchsia, are evenly colored and very waxy. The
crosses made with P. violacea also have the benefit of often being
sweetly fragrant.
A very popular hybridizing trend is in the multifloral Phalaenopsis
such as P. Carmela's Pixie and P. Cassandra. The primary species in the
background of these multiflorals are P. equestris and P. stuartiana.
These have been so popularthat the classes of Phalaenopsis for orchid shows in the Mid-America Region has been rearranged to accommodate them. They are in high demand because the plants themselves do not always get as large as other Phalaenopsis, and will often put on a good show at an early age. The size is only four or five centimeters but the high flower count and branching inflorescences make or good display. The colors range from white to bright pinks, some having stripes while others are being bred to have a white picotee.
Striped Phalaenopsis like P. Kathleen Ai and Hausermann's Candy and
the "French Spot" type like P. Flight of Birds have been improved upon
in size and clarity of color. They have even been combined together to
give us flowers like those of P. Double Delight which have intense
stripes, intermixed with many spots.
A new marketing trend of Phalaenopsis in the horticulture industry
is in pot plant production. Many garden center type stores as well as
mass merchandisers with garden shops - Franks Nursery, K Mart and HQ -
carry Phalaenopsis in bloom for year-round sales. If there is any
breeding done for these it is in the ability to produce plants in flower
quickly, cheaply and throughout the year. The flower quality may not be
as good as those from a more traditional grower, but you can sometimes
find good flowers. The only major problem with these orchids is that
they are often only labeled as "White Phalaenopsis" or sometimes just
"Moth Orchid".
Intergeneric hybrids have been made with Phalaenopsis, especially
with Doritis. Doritis has provided its bright color and increased flower
count, but is now several generations removed in most Doritaenopsis
crosses that they look identical with straight Phalaenopsis. Other
intergenerics have be made with the Vanda alliance, like Asconopsis
Irene Dobkin (P. Doris x Ascocentrum miniatum).
The present and future trends in Phalaenopsis breeding is in
combining the various groups to form more diverse and unusual crosses.
The first Phalaenopsis hybrid, P. Harriettiae registered by J. Veitch in
1887 was a combination of what we consider as representative of the two
major groups, P. amabilis and P. violacea. Desert tones have been
combined with stripes, multiflorals with large pinks, and so on. Other
species such as P. celebensis have been introduced recently to see what
characteristics and influences they might possess. As the breeding in
Phalaenopsis changes, new lines and combinations will be seen. We will
see introductions of other species not commonly used before, and
possibly other genera. There are enough different Phalaenopsis on the
market today to fill any growers tastes.