TRIPLOID (3N) PHRAGMIPEDIUM HYBRIDS

As the popularity of Phragmipediums grew with the discovery of Phrag besseae, more and more hybrids were attempted by Phrag breeders. It was soon discovered that there were some poorly-defined genetic incompatibilities that prevented good seed production in many crosses. Dr. Donald Wimber, working at the Eric Young Orchid Foundation on the Isle of Jersey, in the United Kingdom, and others devised laboratory methods to induce Phragmipedium seed to double their DNA chromosome count from normal (diploid, (2N)) to tetraploid (4N). When plants were crossed with one another, or with a normal diploid (2N) plants, these breeding incompatabilities were greatly reduced, and seed production increased.

Both tetraploid (4N) plants and triploid (3N) plants often exhibit improvements in flower size, color, substance, and sometimes, growth rate, when compared to similar 2N plants. On the other hand, 3N and 4N plants often grow larger than 2N plants and may produce fewer flowers. This said, many of the most spectacular Phragmipedium show plants seen today come from 3N and 4N breeding.

In this section we list the triploid Phragmipedium hybrids we are currently selling.

Triploid (3N) Hybrids

WSO 1957 Acker's Superstar [3N] (Eric Young [4N] 'Woodstream' HCC/AOS x Jason Fischer 'Woodstream' AM/AOS) - Wow! These will be terrific! Very few seedlings to be released.
2.5" pot, 4-5"ls Seedlings $35

WSO 1643 Appalachian Sunset [3N] (Eric Young 'Woodstream' [4N] HCC/AOS x caricinum 'Aileen' AM/AOS) - An original Woodstream cross, the first grex released was uniformly excellent. Dr. Arthur Kaplan in Norfolk, VA recently reported that he bloomed a plant from this cross and it received an AM/AOS. These, much sought after, show plants have unique coloration (organge highlighted with yellow) and shape. This triploid cross features excellent parents.
2.5" pot, 4-5" ls Seedlings Special Price! $20; 4" pot 8-9" ls Seedlings $30

Appalachian Sunset [3N] (Eric Young 'Mt. Milais' [4N] FCC/RHS x caricinum 'Aileen' AM/AOS) - This triploid cross features excellent parents.
5-6" pot, Blooming size divisions. $35

WSO 1580 Autumn Fire Eric Young 'Woodstream' [4N] HCC/AOS x Barbara LeAnn 'Hot Summer' - Exciting mating of two classic looks. Should be similar to the very popular Grouville, with a different color pallette! Very few seedlings to be released.
2.5" pot, 4-5"ls Seedlings $25, 4" pot 8-9" ls Seedlings $35

Beaumont [3N] (Mem. Dick Clements 'Jersey' FCC/RHS [4N] x caudatum FCC/RHS [2N]) - First release of this Eric Young Foundation cross with the potential to provide rock-crusher deep red flowers with long petals. These will be sublime exhibition plants worth hundreds of dollars when mature!! Vigorous!!
Sold Out (Reference Only)

Cape Sunset [3N] (Eric Young 'Mt. Milais' [4N] FCC/RHS x schlimii) - The schlimii pollen parent dramatically reduces the size of these plants. The flowers resemble the very popular orange and salmon-toned Phrag Grouville, with wide petals! This triploid cross features excellent parents.
4" pot, Blooming size division $35; 5-6" pot, Blooming size divisions $45

WSO 1347 Don Wimber [3N] (Eric Young 'Woodstream' [4N] HCC/AOS x bessae 'California Dreamin'' AM/AOS [2N]) - Classic stunning hybrid with rich orange flowers with yellow inside the pouch. This hybrid will feature large flowers, wide flat petals and tall branching inflorescences. Superior parents. The wait is over! The first several to bloom have been excellent. Award-quality potential! Limited.
2.5" pot, 4-5"ls Seedlings $25; 4-" pot 10-12"ls NbS Seedlings $35; 5" pot, Blooming Size Seedlings $40

WSO 1578 Elizabeth Castle [3N] (Hanne Popow [4N] x Mem. Dick Clements 'Woodstream's Fireball' HCC/AOS) - An excellent cross that will produce shapely large red and rose-colored flowers similar to Jason Fischer! Made with fine parents.
2.5" pot, 4-5" ls Seedlings $30; 4" pot, 7-9" ls Seedlings $40

Evy Finegan [3N] (Grande [4N] x caricinum 'Aileen' AM/AOS) - A remake of an original WSO cross (named for Bill's sister) using a huge [4N] Grande. The caricinum will dramatically reduce the plant size, and we expect exciting medium-size green-brown flowers with moderately long red petals. Very vigorous.
4" pot, 7-10" ls Seedlings $25; 5" pot Blooming Size Seedling $30

WSO 1920 Jason Fischer [3N] (Mem. Dick Clements x besseae 'Penns Creek' [4N]) - The hottest cross in Phragdom! Rich reds with wide petals. Very limited.
2.5" pot, 4-5" ls Seedlings $40;

Living Fire [3N] (besseae x Sorcerer's Apprentice [4N]) - Moderate-large sized plants with large red to orange blooms. This triploid cross features excellent parents.
5-6" pot, Blooming size divisions $45

WSO Mary Bess [3N] (besseae [4N] x caricinum) - Easy blooming fast growing with orange flowers. Very limited.
4" pot, 7-8" ls Seedlings $25

Prince Albert (Mem Dick Clements [4N] x pearcei) - Moderate sized plants with attractive red blooms and branching stems.
5-6" pot, Blooming size divisions $35

WSO 2713 Saint Ouen [3N] (besseae '#1' [4N] x Hanne Popow 'Woodstream' HCC/AOS) - Expect brilliantly colored raspberry to red flowers. Earlier grexes have resulted in many awards!
2" pot, 3-4" ls Seedlings $35

WSO Saint Peter [3N] (Eric Young [4N] 'Woodstream' HCC/AOS x besseae) - Strong growing red-orange flowered hybrid that is easy to bloom.
5" pot Blooming Size Seedlings/Divisions $35

Sargeant Eric [3N] (Eric Young 'Mt. Milais' [4N] FCC/RHS x sargentianum) - Moderate sized plants similar to Appalachian Sunset and Young Lindley. This triploid cross features excellent parents. One of the first to bloom received an AM/AOS!
5-6" pot, Blooming size divisions $45

Young Lindley [3N] (Eric Young 'Mt. Milais' [4N] FCC/RHS x lindleyanum 'Birchwood' HCC/AOS) - Moderate sized plants similar to Appalachian Sunset and Sargeant Eric. This triploid cross features excellent parents.
2.5" pot, 4-5" ls Seedlings $15; 5-6" pot, Blooming size divisions! $35

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