Toh Garden

We have found a peculiar anomaly within our nursery. Previously, we have reviewed ‘Splash Mutations’ that involves a rare splash-patterned pigmentation on the petal/sepals. In a nutshell, mutations are changes in plant/flower anatomy and characteristics, brought about by environmental and/or genetic factors. For this anomaly in particular, we have queried several growers whom have decades of experience;  and none of them have yet to witnessed such a peculiar sight. Perhaps this (quoting one of them), is indeed  a “once-in-a-lifetime” experience.

Before we review the anatomical anomaly in fuller detail, it should be known that Dendrobium flowers typically have 2 petals, 3 sepals and 1 lip (actually a modified petal). Anatomically speaking, a flower is enclosed by 3 sepals (within a flower bud); and through the process of blooming, the inner surface of the Sepal is showcased, together with the enclosed petals and lip.

Found amongst a patch of Dendrobium Red Bulls, we came across a peculiar  “rose”. We have observed the fusion of at least 3 sets of flowers, into one single “rose-like” entity.

The above anomaly, technically termed as “fasciation”, occurs whereby several sets of petals/sepals are fused together into one flower. Fasciation could be attributed to many possible factors like pathological infections; introduction of chemicals/ hormones; physical injury to growing tip of bud; amongst others. Certain sources of research also highlights that conducive conditions for rapid growth is a necessity for such a phenomenon to occur. In this anomaly, we can observe that a certain degree of anatomical integrity being maintained, whereby the flower bud still involves the enclosure of floral parts within 3 Sepals. It is only upon blooming, then fasciation can be observed. It was most fortunate that such a rare sight has been captured on camera, as it is believed that such anomaly occurs highly randomly, and that chances for a second sighting would be extremely hard to come by.

Frequently unknown to most layman, orchids can produce many phenotypic colours and traits in a single cross with multiple alleles suppressing each other. Taking for example the above crossing between the brown curly, purple lipped Dendrobium Spatulata and yellow and red lipped Dendrobium SGH. Their progenies gave rise to a bizarre phentypic combination of  orchids as shown below.

Note the number of different variant from this spatulata type x with phalaenopsis hybrid type of Dendrobiums. Some have more curly petals as they gain more Spatulata characteristics, while others have less curly petals due to the influence of the Dendrobium Phalaenopsis genetics. Note that most of the progenies retained the red/purple lipped characteristics of both mother plant, however for some of them, the red/purple lip characteristic is missing. This is probably attributed to a pair of double recessive alleles resurfacing in progenies without this characteristic. Some gain more brownish characteristic, other gain more yellowish characteristic and the rest have intermediate colours between brown and yellow for their petals.

This example was specifically used to illustrate that phenotypic traits can be derived from both parent plants. Some progenies may have traits from either one parent strongly expressed while other progenies may have an intermediate between various characteristics of the two parents. Secondly, recessive traits underlying both parents plant may also resurface (E.g. for some of the progenies, the red/purple lip characteristic is absent despite being present in both parents). Recessive traits may stay dormant for several generations before resurfacing again many generation later.

That’s how interesting a single cross can be and particularly in this crossing as the colours and traits of both parent plants are greatly different and where recessive traits were observed. The greater number of difference in phenotypic traits, the greater number of variants in the offsprings. In fact, for this crossing, almost every single plant were unique from the others. =)

Splash mutations are well sought after by many collectors and hobbyist as they occur very rarely, maybe one plant in a thousand of non-mutants. Splash mutations are mostly unstable mutation and can only be propagated vegetatively to reproduce more of them. Thus, their rare occurence and difficulty to reproduce augmented their value as collectibles.

If you were to tissue culture one of these mutation, its very likely (based on our experiences) that the non-mutant form will be reproduced. Although for some, there’s a chance of obtaining a very small percentage of the tissue cultured crops with splash mutations.

Here at TG, we’ve been trying to stablise the splash mutation by hybridizing splash with splash for a few years. Theoretically, we believe that if the resultant seedpod produces splash progenies, the chance of the progenies being capable of being tissue culture with retained splash characteristics will be much higher. However the chances of producing such a crossing would probably be extremely slim.

Tolumnias, used to be called Equitant oncidiums, are true miniatures. Tolumnias are native to the carribean region and usually have flowers not more than 1cm large and looks very much like miniature Oncidiums. Their colour ranges from white to brown, yellow to purple, and thus is also one of the main source of colours of the many Oncidumnia hybrids today. Tolumnias are ideal as tabletop plants due to their small stature and bright colours.

The Tolumnia that we house has a unique characteristic. Their petals changes colours as they mature. Notice that in the pictures, the newly opened petals are yellow, as they mature, the sides of the petals turn orange. Tolumnia with oncidium hybrids also display this characteristic, but differently. It was observed that newly open petals are entirely yellow and gradually turns white as the petal matures in this Oncidumnia hybrid that we grow.

Tolumnias requires high humdity to grow. These plants are suitable for growing in tropical climate, and will do well in high light intensity. Being epiphytic in nature, thus high drainage media like charcoal is recommended. Misting rather than watering would be preferred by these plant, particularly if you intend to keep them indoors. Overwatering may result in leave rot.

Here at TG, we also house a few other varieties of Oncidiums, Tolumnias & their hybrids. Oncidiums has much large, flat, thin and soft leaves, whilst Tolumnias have smaller, succulent, thick and hardy leaves and their hybrids have something in between.

A species of resilient cypripedium

This year, the recession as well as heat wave (due to change in climate) have affected growers worldwide. In a way, the heat wave increased production rates in some countries like taiwan, while caused substantial damages to crops in the lower hemisphere. In the southern hemisphere, some nurseries had their plants burnt by the searing heat and wind. Here in Singapore, we experienced some high temperature of up to 36°C just a couple of weeks ago and some strong winds that damaged our nursery nettings. Well repairs are in process and almost completed. The flowering season of orchids are likely to be affected too.

I’ve been busy lately with mails of supplier’s quotation for orchids and thus unable to make any post of late. At the moment, I’m still compiling catalogues of

Nice colours isn't it?

temperate orchids offered by suppliers all over. There some really nice orchids, like the one on the left, that I’ve never seen in Singapore, coming from taiwanese suppliers.  To date, only the Cymbidiums catalogue’s ready. The file is almost 30mb in size due to the amount of pictures inside, so do be patient downloading it.

For those who have signed up for our mailing list, thanks! I will probably only be updating on a quarterly basis or when there are special offers and not spam updates like facebook’s.