Phal Hilo lip difference?

[psyc1210]

Ok, I placed an order with C&H, and they threw in a free plant. The one I ordered was a Phal. Hilo Lip 'Newberry' X self. ....but the free plant is Phal Hilo Lip X Phal Hilo Lip 'Mendenhall'.....can someone please tell me what the difference is? Are they going to look the same? I really didn't *want* the same plant for the free bonus plant...so I'm hoping there'll be at least a slight difference in the two. Any info would be awesome.

[patticake]

I don't know a lot about Phals, but I do know a little something about genetics. If they have different pollen parents (or seed pod parents) There will be a difference. Enjoy! Please let us know the outcome!

[kmarch]

Originally Posted by psyc1210

Ok, I placed an order with C&H, and they threw in a free plant. The one I ordered was a Phal. Hilo Lip 'Newberry' X self. ....but the free plant is Phal Hilo Lip X Phal Hilo Lip 'Mendenhall'.....can someone please tell me what the difference is? Are they going to look the same? I really didn't *want* the same plant for the free bonus plant...so I'm hoping there'll be at least a slight difference in the two. Any info would be awesome.

Hi psyc,

You'll notice the only difference is the part of the name in single quotes. This part of the name is called the cultivar epithet or more commonly the cultivar name. Cultivar names are usually given to awarded plants for the putpose of distinguishing them form other plants of the same cross.

Sometimes there are great differences between different cultivars, as is the case wiht Cymbidium Sarah Jean, some of which are white, green, yellow, pink, or even dark reddish-maroon. Other times there is very little difference between the look of different cultivars.

With Hilo Lip, a cross that was very popular back in the late 80's and early 90's, because it's colours were reversed from most other Phals, pike flowers wiht a white lip. I suspect the flowers on yoru 2 plants will be similar but not identical.

[psyc1210]

Thanks so much. I figured they would be similar at least, because of the names. I just had no clue what the names in the single quote meant exactly.

Also, that's really neat to know that they were really popular way back in the late 80's...My parents never had interesting plants when I was little in the late 80's early 90's, as I'm only 22 right now...

[patticake]

Kevin to the rescue! Good luck with growing, psyc1210! I was your age when I was big-time into african violets. Now, after hybridizing 3 humans, I'm really getting into orchids. I'm learning so much here. I hope you stay with it!
Keep us posted. I'd LOVE to know how the blooms compare.