The leaves of P. besseae are unlike other phrags, appearing like a paphiopedilum, they are flat, moderately wide and a mid-green colour. Phragmipedium besseae belongs to the same section of phrags as does P. schlimii which is Micropetalum.
Plants from Peru have a wide geographical range, from Peru to Columbia, the flowers are orange/red in colour with wider petals and sepals, and the pouch opening is more closed. The staminode in this race of P. besseae is semi-circular with a reddish centre. The plant does not have extended rhizomes, but grows more like other phragmipediums, in clumps.
The plants from Ecuador have a limited range, are usually darker red in colour with narrower petals, the staminode is triangular in shape and usually has yellow in the centre of it. This form is known as the 'Zamoran' form, named after the area of Ecuador in which it was found. The plants have well developed rhizomes between growths, that can take up a lot of room as the plant grows. Most Phragmipedium besseae plants in cultivation and awarded are of this form as it is easier to grow, being more tolerant of cultivation. This form has recently been renamed to Phragmipedium dalessandroi by Dr. C. Dodson et al. (1996, Die Orchidee)
The separation of the two forms of P. besseae into separate species is based upon research which has found that 1) the two forms have different chromosome numbers from each other, 2) the flower colour and form is different, 3) the staminode shape and colour is different and 4) geographic distribution, are enough to make the separation of the two forms. The hybrid(?) between the two species is very beautiful but ends up being sterile due to chromosome incompatibility. Besides the red/orange colour forms of this species there are yellow flowering plants in cultivation and rumours of white flowers are also around. The yellow or 'aureum' form, P. besseae var. aureum 'Fox Valley Gold' was shown and received an HCC/AOS in 1992. This has since been selfed and seedlings are now starting to bloom, most of them are yellow to some degree. There are reports of the yellow fading to almost an ivory colour in some clones which leads the way for white flowers. If there is a white form of P. besseae this could also open an interesting line for hybridizing, as many people are trying to hybridize a white phrag. These colour forms of P. besseae appear to have arisen from the 'Zamoran' strain.
When observing your plants in flower if the staminode is somewhat circular with yellow on it then your plant is probably a hybrid between the two forms. This separation is going to lead to a hornets nest for hybridizers because without proper chromosome work being done on each plant used for hybridizing, using colour alone to tell the two forms apart is not valid enough. It is possible that temperature and light play an important role in the colour of the flower. In general cooler temperatures and more light create a redder flower as these conditions enhance sugar production in the cells and sugar enhances red pigments. As this species has only been in cultivation for a short time, compared to the other species of phrags, its cultural requirements are still open for debate. I have seen it grown in a mix very much like a paph mix, (fine fir bark, charcoal, chopped sphagnum moss and coarse perlite). In nature the plant is found at higher elevations (l400 - 1800 meters) affording the plants the cool moist habitats that they require. Yet, in cultivation many people report that growing the plants in the warm part of an intermediate house they perform best. They are easily grown under artificial lights in the home. As with most phrag species they should be kept evenly moist and seem to show no ill effect from being kept in shallow trays with 1-2 cm of water in the bottom.
This species is very sensitive to fertilizer; yellow and brown spots developed in the apex (growing point) of the plant first on the most rapidly growing leaves. At first this looks like a root rot problem due to excessive moisture but eventually the plants outgrow this spotted area when the fertilizer salts are reduced through leaching. The rest of the growth can be dark green and look quite good. As a word of caution when fertilizing use a very weak solution possibly down to 1/16th strength. (Liquid fertilizers seem to have less burning effect.) Always water the plants with plain water before they are fertilized or shortly there after.
Because this species is rhizomatous, pots should be large enough to allow for the runners to develop fully. Many growers grow their plants in bedding plant trays or in large flat pot known as bulb pans. Another method is to group several pots together so that when a rhizome reaches beyond the edge of one pot the new growth can be anchored into another. This method makes it difficult to move the plants around but allows them to develop fully. The pots can be taped together to make the whole cluster more secure. Once a growth is established in a new pot, the rhizome should not be severed until the growth is ready to send out its own rhizome. Higher light and possibly keeping the rhizomes with in the pot may reduce rhizome length, as they may start to produce a plantlet once the rhizome comes into contact with the pot edge.
Many hybrids made with P. besseae are very popular today. With the two forms of P. besseae being separated into separate species, by some taxonomists, there is going to be a lot of confusion with the current hybrids. It may be nearly impossible to remember which species was used for certain crosses. It is possible that the RHS orchid hybrid registrar will ignore the separate classification and say that for registration purposes only P. besseae will be accepted.
Hybrids made with species from the Platypetalum section are quite outstanding, they are vigorous growers, bloom well and have rich vibrant colours. Memoria Dick Clements (P. besseae x P. sargentianum), Andean Fire (P. besseae x P. lindleyanum) and Rosalie Dixier (P. besseae x P. kaieteurum) are definite show stoppers. Because of the wide petals on both sides of the parentage these hybrids flowers are quite large with full flat petals and a branching inflorescence making a beautiful display.
When hybridized with P. longifolium, P. Eric Young, the flowers can range from coral to a rich salmon. Depending on the form of P. longifolium and/or P. besseae that is used the resulting progeny can be quite variable. Seedlings have bloomed with soft pastel colours with petals cascading down at a 45 degree angle to vibrant salmon colours with the petals sticking straight out at 90 degrees. Phragmipedium Eric Young is a very vigorous grower which produces many flowers on a branched inflorescence on well grown plants.
A hybrid which is quite elegant is P. Ruby Slippers, P. besseae x P. caudatum, coral salmon colour with elongated petals. The hybrid between P. besseae and P. schlimii, P. Hanne Popow, has flowers a bit smaller than P. besseae which are a mid pink in colour. The colour can vary quite a bit with this hybrid, some clones the colour is a solid pink and quite intense while on others the upper half of the petal can be mid pink and the lower half being pale pink or white. Other clones can have flares or streaks of mid pink with lighter backgrounds on the petals. Culture has a large part to play on the colour with this hybrid as cooler temperatures and higher light will accentuate the rose tones giving the flower a lot more colour.
Hybrids made with the Himantopetalum section are well worth growing, such as P. Mary Bess (P. caricinum x P. besseae), P. Ecua-Bess (P. pearcei x P. besseae) and P. Will Chantry (P. klotzscheanum x P. besseae). All of these plants produce flowers in the coral peach tones, grow well and bloom profusely. Phragmipedium Ecua-Bess was registered as P. ecuadorense x P. besseae, since P. ecuadorense is considered a synonym for P. pearcei by the RHS hybrid registrar, the proper parentage should read as above. There are now second generation hybrids appearing on the market, one such hybrid is P. Don Wimber ( P. besseae x P. Eric Young). This hybrid looks like what most people wanted Eric Young to look like. Strong bold petals with good colour. The flower size is a bit smaller than P. Eric Young but has a pleasing shape and good proportion. Phragmipedium besseae Grouville (P. Eric Young x P. Hanne Popow) is an exciting cross, the color is hot pink on a flower of good size, shape and substance.
Other P. besseae hybrids to look for are; P. April Fool (x Cardinale), P. China Dragon (x Grande), P. Flying Fortress (x Ainsworthii (syn. Calurum)), P. Franz Glanz (x richteri), P. Elizabeth March (x sedenii) and Living Fire (x Sorcerer's Apprentice). Of course there will be others coming along very shortly as P. besseae hybrids are extremely popular. With the use of P. besseae in hybridizing, interest in Phragmipediums is again at an all time high and should continue to be for some time yet.
Ken Girard is a horticulturist with the university of Calgary. He has been growing orchids for over 25 years and is currently a probationary judge for the AOS. His interest in phragmipediums has led to some great friendships and interesting discussions, and eventually to a book on the subject which will be released in early 1997. He is also a past president and current Education Committee director for the COC.
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