To illustrate, the following are examples of the Dendrobium Shavin White and two variations:

The typical Dendrobium Shavin White flower is greenish-white when it blooms initially. The greenish colouration fades resulting in a more whitish colour, as the flower fully blossoms.

In variation 1, pink flushes are observed along the petals and sepals, with a strong pigmentation of pink along the centre of the lip.

In variation 2, the reddish-pink colouration can be observed spreading from within the column.

Cloning the above variations could produce batches of atypical looking Dendrobium Shavin Whites. However, if the variations arose from unstable mutations, there’s a higher chance that their clones may end up being typical rather than atypical based on our experience.

The Dendrobium Shavin White cut-flowers have been circulating in the market for almost three decades. The Dendrobium Shavin White’s sustainability over the years is attributed to its well-aligned blooms, lasting flowers and strong flower stalks; and also being frequent flowering and maturing quickly. Notwithstanding, favourable genes from its pedigree should be credited. The Dendrobium Shavin White is a cross between the Dendrobium Walter Oumae and Dendrobium Queen Florist. In particular, the Dendrobium Walter Oumae has favourable characteristics and is used extensively for crossing. (It is the parent of more than 50 registered orchid hybrids).

Notably, both parents of the Dendrobium Shavin White are prominently white in colour, so it’s peculiar to find pinkish or reddish colourations. Bearing that in mind, reddish colours could already be embedded within its recessive genes; and only by chance will they be revealed. The following picture and magnification shows the typical (greenish-white) Dendrobium Shavin White, but a slight tinge of pink can be observed along the pedicel (“branch” attaching the flower to the stem). Due to its ancestry or hidden recessive genes, the Dendrobium Shavin White have the mutative propensity to reveal the reddish colour. Through self-pollination, typically hidden characteristics are uncovered and amplified.

The Dendrobium Singapore Scouts was registered on the 20th Jan 2010 and officially unveiled during the 100th Year Anniversary Dinner on 27th Feb 2010 at Suntec International Convention & Exhibition Centre. The Dendrobium Singapore Scouts’ unveiling ceremony was graced by Guest of Honour, Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong, who was a Scout during his former years as a student.

Scouts and friends who wish to purchase this orchid now may do so by placing an order with the Scout Shop (In Singapore Scout Association HQ). If you desire to visit and purchase directly from our nursery, kindly remember to bring along your Scout membership card for exclusive discount entitlement to the Dendrobium Singapore Scouts & other potted Orchid varieties.

In line with the centennial celebrations, the Singapore Scout Association have a few major events lined up this year for Scouts and their families to get together. For those who have missed the anniversary dinner, look out for the next event, the ‘Centenary Scout Rally’ on the 22nd May 2010 (Saturday) at Hwa Chong Institution. More details can be found on Singapore Scout Association website at http://www.scout.org.sg/.

*This entry was backdated.
**Photos courtesy of Singapore Scout Association

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.

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. =)

Multiple Spatulata Hybrids

Spatulatas (Dendrobium Lasianthera), originate primarily from Papua New Guinea, Eastern Indonesia and variably across Southeast Asia and the west Pacific Islands. Their originating sources are frequently from pristine, undisturbed forest. Spatulatas orchids are very colourful and resilient Dendrobiums and can grow to a large majestic size as seen in the photo above. Spatulatas do very well in full sunlight.

Compared to Phalaenopsis-Type Dendrobiums, which are artificially selected for cut flower production, Spatulatas are more ideal as a potted plant as their flowers can last from one to three months when left intact. It is not unusual to find Spatulatas with more than 3 colours/tones. Spatulatas are also fully compatible for hybridizing with Phalaenopsis-Type Dendrobiums.

These Spatulata hybrids will soon be available for sales in our online store.

Next up, we will be introducing more on Spatulata hybrids x Dendrobium Phalaenopsis hybrids.

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.

This hybrid was registered by Chao Praya Orch. on the 1st January, 1989.

This hybrid originate from Woon Leng Nurs. and was registered by Woon Leng Nurs. on the 11th October, 2004.

This is another unregistered hybrid by TG.