Sc. Fire Lighter x Lc. Ann Akagi ‘H&R’ AM/AOS

Here is another cross we have created with great potential for improving the weak stem of the current Sophronitis coccinea hybrids, in this case with an aim towards good reblooming plants of compact size. Sc. Fire Lighter is more than 50% Sophronitis coccinea and produces huge flat glowing red flowers on miniature plants. But they often can’t ‘hold their heads up’ without assistance and the plants in general do not flourish where summers are hot and sticky. Lc. Ann Akagi combines Laelia anceps, Cattleya nobilior and to a lesser extent two other cattleya species to make a compact-standard size plant with good strong stems holding large, flat and regal orchid pink blooms with a bright yellow throat. It is a highly temperature tolerant, easy growing plant. Both parents consistently bloom twice or more per year, with buds emerging as new growths are formed. We are expecting compact plants, perhaps about eight inches tall or so, with nice strong stems of very full, flat flowers in bright pinks and brilliant magentas, with yellow throats. These should be easy growing, easy blooming plants that will give you long lasting flowers both summer and winter and sometimes at other seasons as well. Some of these are already in individual pots while others are mounted and may be ready by spring of 2010. Inset photo shows a first blooming seedling of this cross!