I have this beautiful plant that I bought from a fairly reputible grower and he told me that it was Phrag. April Fool. I bouth it with a spike and it yeilded fantastic flowers. However, from my reading, April Fool (a cross between besseae abd Cardinale) should be dominated by micropetalum features not by the lorifolia features from the longifolium heritage. This flower clearly has protuberances on either side of the labellum like longifolium. Any input would be appreciated.

Thanks,
Paul

http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b48/plaurien/DSC00899_small.jpg

http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b48/plaurien/DSC00900_small.jpg

I don't know if it's April Fool or not but that is a beautiful plant. The growth habit, leaf shape favors the Cardinale growth habit.

Thanks Pete. Is it possible that the Cardinale was the pod parent and thus dominated the flower form? I love the plant and am very happy with the purchase. It is just that the few pics of April Fool that I have come across have more of a schlimii form with a bulbous labellum.

I still love it.

Paul

It is really beautiful - I'll see what I can turn up tomorrow - sort of tired now....:)

Whatever it is I love it. I love brilliant reds.
Grandma

Definitely not April Fool. Mine is in bloom and all the ones I've seen look the same. I will get photos of it up tomorrow.

It is very nice whatever it is...maybe Firestorm?

Jon

it is very pretty but not april fool

Here's mine currently blooming...pretty typical for the grex.
http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a218/jonbar2/DSC05534.jpg
http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a218/jonbar2/DSC05542.jpg

Jon

Jon - lovely! Are these Fools typically made w/ yellow besseae? Thanks!

Paul,

The flower is exquisite!

thanks

Wow on both flower! Looks great sorry about the mislabel!

Yes, definitely not April Fool...

Could be an Eric Young cross.. Don't know. Nice color though.

If you haven't already, send a picture to the grower that you bought it from. If he still says it is April Fool... Well, extraordinary claims require extraordinary evidence. Regardless of how many crosses he has, he only has so many, so perhaps he would be able to give you a definitive answer based on the image.

WOW! I want one of each!:clap:

Thanks to everyone for all the info. I will take Littlefrog's advice and ask the grower. I just felt a little intimidated telling the grower that I thought that he was wrong.

Jon, thankf for your pics. You flower is amazing and the shape is what I have come across in my research. However, I have not seen one from the yellow besseae.

Paul

Thanks to everyone for all the info. I will take Littlefrog's advice and ask the grower. I just felt a little intimidated telling the grower that I thought that he was wrong.

Jon, thankf for your pics. You flower is amazing and the shape is what I have come across in my research. However, I have not seen one from the yellow besseae.

Paul

Don't feel intimidated. The grower needs to know that the plant was mislabelled. The rest of them could be wrong, too. But do send a picture.

This one was made with the regular red besseae....hence the April Fools when no red was transfered to the flowers.

Jon

very nice :clap2: