Dendrobium Lucian Pink “Splash”

Back in 2009, I’ve written an entry describing the various type of splash orchids found in our nursery. Splash orchids occurs from mutations. They cannot be mericloned as clones will revert back to the original colour. Thus, the usually the only way to replicate them is via slow manual process of vegetative propagation.

Below are some pictures of the unstable splash mutation from the second batch of clones that turned white. Some of the splashes did show up after all.

We’ve been vegetatively propagating Dendrobium Lucian Pink “Splash”, the most floriferous among the 5 varieties for 2 years, from the few plants that we hold. This year, we are able to release a limited quantity of 10 plants for sale. Plants are to be self collected and is only available directly from our nursery subjected to availability.

Here are some of the upcoming blooms for the month of April 2013. =)

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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.

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These photos were taken by avid photographer, Ms Rita Sim, during her visit to our nursery a few months ago. You may view the full collections of her works here.

*This entry was backdated.
** Photos courtesy of Ms Rita Sim

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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.

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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. =)

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