Breeding for Red Phalaenopsis Part 4

Breeding for Red Phalaenopsis Part 4 - Phal. Penang

Of the parents discussed in this series of articles, Phal. Penang is perhaps the most interesting. Consisting of Rosy Charm x amboinensis, Phal. Penang was registered in 1972 by Herb Hager. To date, there have been five AOS awards granted to Phal. Penang. Most of these awarded clones have been pink flowers with red spotting. Recently, however, an Award of Merit (AM) was granted to Phal. Penang 'Laquer' which is a solid red-purple clone.

Of all the red Phals discussed in this series of articles, it has only been Phal. Penang that has distinguished itself by producing progeny that received a First Class Certificate (FCC). Phal. Mahalo 'Carmela Orchids' garnered an 82 point AM in 1986. In 1990 this was upgraded to a 90 point FCC. At the time this plant received the FCC, its flowers were described as intense vibrant red-purple. Also, worth noting is the floriferousness of this clone. When it received its FCC, it displayed sixty-seven flowers plus thirty buds and also received a 90 point Certificate of Cultural Merit.

As the table below shows, Phal. Penang has offered fertile ground for those interested in pursuing reds.

Figure 1
Awarded Red Progeny of Phal. Penang

American Orchid Society Awards	HCC	AM	FCC
Parentage
x Malibu Heir = Mahalo	2	1	1
x mariae = Sophie Hausermann	1
x Mayaimi = Midnight Rose	1
x Princess Kaiulani = Sarah Rose	1
x Redwine = Tapestry		1
x sumatrana = Molokai Prince		1

Total	5	3	1

While Phal. Penang has produced some outstanding red progeny, it is interesting that it has served as the grandparent of outstanding red hybrids as well. In fact, Phal. Penang can be found as the grandparent of some of the best recent red hybrids as indicated in the table below.

Figure 2
Notable Second Generation Red Progeny of Phal. Penang

American Orchid Society Awards	HCC	AM	FCC
Parentage
Mahalo x Cherokee Chief = Donna Goo	1	1
Paifang's Penangeorge x Heart's Desire = Flaming Desire	1
Mahalo x George Vasquez= Ember	1	3
Mahalo x Zauberrot= Hawaiian Classic	1
Red Sail x amboinensis= Red Devil		1
Sarah Rose x Malibu Heir= Strawberry Sundae		1	1

Total	4	6	1

Several things are worth noting here. First, Phal. Mahalo appears to be emerging as a worthwhile breeder of reds. Second, the Phal. Penang breeding line produced a second FCC in the cross Strawberry Sundae. Phal. Penang makes its appearance here in Sarah Rose which is Princess Kaiulani x Penang. Strawberry Sundae 'Red Vengeance' received a 90 point FCC in 1990 and was described as having vibrant magenta flowers with very fine arrangement. While the goal of a four inch, floriferous, full formed, solid red Phal. has not yet been obtained, red breeding lines are making definite progress. This series has briefly examined four parents that have produced good results toward reaching this elusive goal. What remains to be seen is whether these parents and their progeny will continue to breed improvement in red Phals and whether some other red breeding line(s) will emerge to produce additional advancements in reds.