March 2018 Plant of the evening

Sarcochilus Bonanza

It was a well-grown mature plant with 6 inflorescences, 5 of which were in bloom. It is unusual to have such a large specimen size Sarcochilus plant gracing the monthly benching this time of the year. Each inflorescence carried 2-9 open flowers. The flowers were flat and have rather unusual maroon coloured tepals with white blotches.

This Sarcochilus Bonanza was bred using Sarcochilus Fitzhart ‘Good Shape’ as seed parent, and Sarcochilus Velvet ‘Chocolate’ as pollen parent. It is a third generation Sarcochilus breeding involving Sarco. hirticalcar. There are many colour variations of Sarco. Bonanza available, from predominantly white to red of different shades. The colour of the flowers of this clone most probably came from the pollen parent. According to Jorn Villien, the plant can flower twice a year, in summer as well as in spring. This hybrid is a good example of a successful hybridisation bringing two plants of different flowering periods together, in this case a Sarco. Fitzhart which normally flowers from September to November with stored pollens of a Sarco. Velvet which normally flowers between January and March, therefore extending the flowering period of the Sarcochilus orchids. Moreover, while retaining many desirable features of Sarco. Velvet, it also appears to produce side shoots easily and this helps the plant to grow to a specimen size quickly, a good feature of many Sarco. Fitzhart.

According to Jorn and Yvonne Villien, the plant is grown under laserlite cover with extra shade cloth during summer months and managed together with all other Sarcochilus hybrids. To increase humidity around the plants, the pots are placed on shallow trays with a layer of marine carpet and 3-6 mm gravel (see Figure 1).