You would think if something is named American hybrid it most definitely comes from the US.
However, the history plays a great trick on us here and delving into it is very important the evolution of a very important breeding line in the paphiopedilum orchids.
Recalling, as we know the breeding of paphiopedilum hybrids was at its peak in the XIX century, however, the first great stop was caused by the World War I. The destruction that raged across the continent forced the people to have special safety procedures in place.
It is hard to imagine, that somewhere in a cargo area of a steamer crossing the Atlantic, under the protection from German U-boat submarines, there was a load early hybrids being sent to safety.
This safety measure worked and many of the awarded breeding lines have been saved from the war and developed further bringing a huge change in the development of paphiopedilum orchids. Inspired by the efforts of their European colleagues, American growers pushed further in order to surpass what they have achieved.
These efforts resulted in the famous Paphiopedilum Winston Churchill, but also Paphiopedilum Indominable, Paphiopedilum British Enterprise, Paphiopedilum Hellas. The list is very long and although many of these lines have been lost in time their work had exceeded expectations.
From this work, there was created a line of specific breeding which will always contain a selected number of Paphiopedilum species orchids which the growers know will bring the most spectacular and consistently similar specimens. This type of Paphiopedilum orchid breeding movement has been called the American Hybrid. Nurseries which follow this movement use only a certain number of orchids which follow the tradition, however, there is a separate breeding movement called Complex Hybrid breeding which uses different species. This movement includes white, pink, tan, green and yellow orchids. But, this is a separate story.
The parentage of the Paphiopedilum American or Complex types usually includes a complex mixture of the below species:
However, the history plays a great trick on us here and delving into it is very important the evolution of a very important breeding line in the paphiopedilum orchids.
Recalling, as we know the breeding of paphiopedilum hybrids was at its peak in the XIX century, however, the first great stop was caused by the World War I. The destruction that raged across the continent forced the people to have special safety procedures in place.
At the outbreak of World War II, curators of museums across Europe scrambled to pack up their priceless artworks, artifacts, and prized collections to protect them from potential harm. Meanwhile, botanists in Europe were also pondering ways to preserve rare and precious plants as conservatories and greenhouses were being torn down for scrap metal, with the further recollection how they were simply destroyed and burned during the invasion.
Plant hybridizers in Great Britain, Denmark, France, and even Germany sent one of its prized plants to their closest ally: the United States.It is hard to imagine, that somewhere in a cargo area of a steamer crossing the Atlantic, under the protection from German U-boat submarines, there was a load early hybrids being sent to safety.
This safety measure worked and many of the awarded breeding lines have been saved from the war and developed further bringing a huge change in the development of paphiopedilum orchids. Inspired by the efforts of their European colleagues, American growers pushed further in order to surpass what they have achieved.
These efforts resulted in the famous Paphiopedilum Winston Churchill, but also Paphiopedilum Indominable, Paphiopedilum British Enterprise, Paphiopedilum Hellas. The list is very long and although many of these lines have been lost in time their work had exceeded expectations.
From this work, there was created a line of specific breeding which will always contain a selected number of Paphiopedilum species orchids which the growers know will bring the most spectacular and consistently similar specimens. This type of Paphiopedilum orchid breeding movement has been called the American Hybrid. Nurseries which follow this movement use only a certain number of orchids which follow the tradition, however, there is a separate breeding movement called Complex Hybrid breeding which uses different species. This movement includes white, pink, tan, green and yellow orchids. But, this is a separate story.
The parentage of the Paphiopedilum American or Complex types usually includes a complex mixture of the below species:
Paphiopedilum insignie
Paphiopedilum gratrixianum
Paphiopedilum villosum
Paphiopedilum spicerianum
Paphiopedilum barbigerum
Paphiopedilum coccineum
These hybrids which exceed in their stunning and oriental looks became a worldwide phenomena, mostly due to the fact paphiopedilum orchids are grown from seed and the siblings tend to show different characteristics to their flowers. Furthermore, they incredibly easy to care, grow vigorously and bloom freely without the fuss that Paphiopedilum species tend to require.
These hybrids like moisture and the best way to water them is once a week then drain the excess water as plants don't like to stand with its roots in water. It is advisable to use grow and bloom booster fertilizer which has a different concentration of minerals and nutrients. Although it's said Paphiopedilum orchids tend to like shadier location, these hybrids will do well in a lighter sunnier location.
When potting make sure to use a mixed media, preferably a mix of coconut husks with medium grade bark, with an addition of charcoal and perhaps rice husks or seed shells as they will keep the moisture in the pot.
As the American Hybrids are freely available on the worldwide market there is no correct place to point you, my dear reader. You can find them in big shops, local nurseries, online shops.
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Some pictures presented in this article may not belong to me and are a property of their respectable owners.
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