I posted this on Heather's besseae photo thread last night, and Pete asked me to make a second post of it on the Phrag Gallery. I took a better photo, so here it is.

It is a first bloom, and the flower is only 2.5" wide by 2" tall. The coloration is more of a red/orange than of the deeper red that Heather has on her 'Raven' x 'Smokin.' I do really like the yellow rim around the pouch and the yellow "striations" running up the pouch.

Being rather new at this, are these newer besseae crosses consdered 3N or 4N?

Thanks for looking!

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b234/dustyatticstuff/besseaeBigBobxColossal5.jpg

Oh also, should these be grown with "wet feet" or allowed to drain?

Thanks!

Wow very pretty Susan! I would keep it moist, in a wet/ moist medium, never let it dry out all the way. I would use Leca in S/H should be fine or small CHC.

The form looks quite interesting and quite different from my bessae's

I grow all my bessies moist and not constantly wet.

Hi Paphjoint,

I was about to comment about your beautiful, classic, besseae that you posted, but happened to see your comment here first. Yes, I agree, it is a different from what I regard is the classic form of the besseae that you posted. I believe this is a result of recent, newer, breeding coming out of the USA.

It is all new to me, as this is my first besseae to bloom. I have much to learn about this wonderful species!

Dusty

Stick with Heather and you will learn lots, and lots.

I sure wish I knew more about growing slippers, especially besseae and her crosses. The first one I saw in bloom at Housermann's almost floored me.

Grandma

Just gorgeous Susan,
I don't have either of these plants of this cross open yet, so it will be fun to compare!

Susan, I hope you don't mind, I'm going to put a link to this new thread in my original photo request thread, since
this photo is better and I was really hoping that we could have one thread where we at least have links to plants
made with these particular new parents ('Smokin', 'Haven', 'Big Bob' and Colossal') so that it is easy to find
and compare this new line of breeding without having to search all over the forum for them.

~ Heather (who finds the search function imperfect....and is now off to hunt down the mention of these plants being tetraploid so
we can clarify that tidbit...)

I like the shape a lot :clap:

Heather, no need to link this thread.

I'll post this photo back on your thread.

It truly is difficult to photograph besseae. It is very difficult to get much detail, as the color blinds the camera and I have not gotten the right light exposure & focus yet!!!

Quite the challenge!

Very nice flower Susan good job

Hi Dave! Thanks!

I wish I could take credit for the flower :D , but it came to me already in bloom. I bought it from Mountain Orchids.

wow, amazing color!

instead of 3n or 4n, you don't mean f3 (the f3 refers, i believe, to the 3rd generation line breeding (i.e. for shape, color, etc)), do you?

instead of 3n or 4n, you don't mean f3 (the f3 refers, i believe, to the 3rd generation line breeding (i.e. for shape, color, etc)), do you?

Hey Brian,
The emails I have from Rob about the line indicate that Terry told him they were tetraploid.
Whether they actually are or not, I don't know.

The two I have from Orchids Ltd. are indeed f3.

very pretty