This week’s Orchid of the Week is… Cym. Darch Monster ‘Different’
Parentage: This week’s Orchid of the Week is a cross between Cym. Hot ‘N’ Spicy x Cym. Darch Freak
Registered: 2023
The reason why it’s our Orchid of the Week:
Something really different this week, from Ezi-Gro Orchids in Western Australia. A relatively recent registration and a flower you certainly wont miss in a crowd!
A very attractive labellum marking is set off by an unusual and striking pattern on the petals and sepals. Given my preference for old diploid flowers, I’m not usually too excited about most modern Cymbidium flowers, however, this one is different enough that I wouldn’t mind owning one!
Looking at some of the plants in the background it’s maybe no real surprise the result is as it is….. Cym. Darch Freak is one of the parents, and is a sepal peloric. The other parent, Cym. Hot ‘n’ Spicy, is reminiscent of Cym Robin. A spotted flower but with a much bolder red lip. And Cym. Robin is a grandparent which is a spotted flower, and a plant I hold in my collection.
With plenty of spots and the peloric factor in the background, overall, a very pleasing result I’d say.
This image was borrowed from the Ezi-Gro Facebook page. Ezi-Gro have a vast range of plants for sale on their website and having purchased from them before, I can tell you the plants I have received are very healthy.
I couldn’t find Cym. Darch Monster on the website, so I’m assuming it might be a special order, and I would expect there is a chance clones might be available in the future.
Tracing this plant’s original species ancestors using Orchid Roots, Cym. insigne, Cym. lowianum and Cym. hookerianum are the major species contributors of this plant!