TROPICOOLS™
 Den. bigibbum 'Four Eta'
This type of breeding has a tropical species in its background which in most cases is Den bigibbum. This is used as the basis of many of the world's cut flower orchids, lasting longer than most species and producing very flamboyant flowers. The name bigibbum is derived from the Latin bi meaning "two" and gibbous meaning "hump", referring to the two humped spur of its flower.
Commonly known as the "Cooktown" orchid, it was named by Lindley in 1853 from a plant collected on Mt Adolphus Island in the Torres Strait.
Den bigibbum flowers in Autumn unlike most other commonly used species which flower in Spring. Tropicools™ can flower any time from February to October and in some cases three or even four times a year, with their peak being between July and September.
Due to the Bigibbum influence the flowering season is extended, overcoming the problem of a short flowering duration, experienced by the traditional Australian native. Another important factor in growing Tropicools™ is that they will usually flower a year before other Australian native hybrids which need the new bulb to have a nine month maturing period. Thus, the "no maturing period required" feature of the Tropicools™ is a big plus.
We would have to say this year has been the best ever flowering of our few select bigibbum’s we have, in Wilko’s Best’ , Darryl’s Round, Full Moon, & Sedgehat, this is probably due to the repotting we did in 2008 and 2009 in readiness for the ANOS Conference.
The new crosses are nearly all using new Mums or Dads or both, we have called them ‘Newbees’, & reworked some material that was ever so popular in 2010. We have 5 Tropicools including a prospective ‘GOLD’ mine in D. Goldberg x Yondi Tina ‘Tumbi’, a remake of D. Sai – Gon and a cross that should be ‘Very Interesting’ in D. Warragul x D. Dunokayla ‘Moon Light’ Champ. Hybrid Warringah ANOS 2010.
There are 80mm pots on offer as well as 100mm, the greater majority unflowered plus the community pots (compot), we have had a reasonable response to the number of Compots last year, so we've produced a similar number this year for you to peruse and the odd Flask.
Plus we are offering divisions of our Breeder/Show Plants. Check them out.
D. bigibbum 'Darryl's Round'
D.Elegold 'Gold Blush' |
Tropicools
