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   THE RELUCTANT GORDON HIGHLANDER

 

A good few years ago when the late Ted Lloyd had Orchid World he bought in a collection of Cattleyas, amongst them was one named  B.L.C. Gordon Highlander it was a beautiful flower and I really wanted to buy that plant but Ted wasn’t selling at that point. He wanted to self it and hybridise with it, and so he tried, but the plant would neither self or take to hybridising.

He tried for 3 or 4 years to do something with it but to no avail, on doing some research he found that it was almost infertile . So he sold me the division when he split t  he plant and asked if I would try to do something with it, I did some research and found it was made by Sanders in 1914 and right up to the present day only three hybrids have been registered from it. One in 1939, one in1945 and one in 1956.

When it bloomed I started on a programme of cross pollinating it and selfing it , the selfings either never produced a pod or one started to form and then rotted off, so I gave that up and started to look around for a suitable plant to cross it with. I had in bloom at that time a Lovely L.c. Culminant ‘La Tulerie’ which had a large deep pink impressive flower, so I thought that is the one. I also tried a couple of others at the same time as I had plenty of pollen from the ‘Highlander’ well the cross with Culminant took whereas the others did not. I only got a very small amount of germination from the sowing and when it was time to deflask all I got was six plants, over the years I lost all but one of these plants and that one took its time to grow. Anyway last year I decided it was not going anywhere so thought about ditching it then decided to keep it for one more year.

This year I was amazed to see a sheath on the new growth, and even more amazed to see a bud forming in it, you can imagine my excitement, I watched it like a hawk making sure it wasn't over watered or kept too dry and it seemed to take forever to break out of the sheath, also hoped I wouldn’t be disappointed with the bloom. Well I wasn’t, it is more like the ‘Culminant’ parent though slightly paler and has paler eyes in the lip, the bloom is very large and a good shape. It took it’s time as it was 14 yrs ago when I pollinated it so you see I was rewarded for my patience. I will register it though I haven't thought of a suitable name yet.

                                                                                                                                             Brenda Beale.                                          

 

 

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June 2011 Abridged Newsletter

Angraecum

Sesquipedale

Brenda’s Gordon Highlander she has had for fourteen years, well worth the wait Brenda.

 

Gordon Highlander Cross

NOVICES AT THE RHS ORCHID SHOW. LONDON. 2011

 

  Our first visit to the Orchis show needed some last minute planning; those of us who sometimes go to London by rail from King’s Lynn know full well how unpredictable this journey can be, Saturday 19th March was no exception. The direct tube line to the show was closed; either a circuitous tube route was necessary, with escalators closed at Victoria, or we take the bus. We chose the latter-’ cos it was Ok.  The show was in two adjacent buildings, one for the plants, the other for pictures! We came for the plants, so in we went to find the hall just the right size to get around all the stands without fatigue. What a range of species, colours, sizes and displays!  Visitors varied too , from surprisingly young to the “extra mature” . Even the stand holders varied in origin, from Thailand to Ecuador. Of especial interest was that occupied by Writhlington School; twenty years of orchid expeditions by youngsters is a great achievement in learning and character building, in addition to hopefully creating future experts amongst orchid lovers. The young people on the stand appeared very knowledgeable and were enthusiastic– gives one hope for the future in our mobile phone, Facebook, Twitter etc society.  For novices the experience was a little overwhelming though enjoyable. Still, one stand was of especial interest, displaying The Wardian Case, a controlled micro climate cabinet for orchids. Not only does it provide a low-cost introduction to orchids but it could be a necessity for those of us who realise we may have to give up gardens, greenhouses and rooms as time marches relentlessly onwards. If a flat is the future, no need to give up your hobby!  Of course the camera worked overtime, trying to capture such a variety of beauty, We often had to wait patiently while others took their pictures-some with cameras as exotic as the orchids. Then we would chat to others about the display or plant, everyone being keen to share their experiences and knowledge-what a friendly bunch!   People were buying plants-some really big-however were they going  to get them home without damage? Later we spent the rest of a beautiful sunny day visiting Westminster Cathedral, St James Park, Trafalgar Square before ending up back at King’s Cross. What did all of these places have in common? Why orchid lovers strolling about with their shopping trolleys with exotic blooms peeping out!

Pam and Graham Hope.