This week’s Orchid of the Week is… Cym. Cliff Duncan
Parentage: This weeks Orchid of the Week is a cross between Cym. Veronica Clowes × Cym. Death Wish
Registered: 2019
The reason why it’s our Orchid of the Week:
This week’s Orchid of the Week is more of what I like in a Cymbidium Orchid. I love the diploid flowers more than the modern complex hybrids. And this one certainly delivers to those looking in the novelty space. Lots of spots and a lip influenced by its Cym. erythraeum background.
It might not be something that everyone will love, but it certainly is different and stood out in the recent South Coast Orchid Club Winter 2024 show in South Australia. A show that displayed a dominance of diploid flowers. Which was a great thing for me to see, given my preference to this type of flower. I’m hoping to get hold of a piece of this plant in the future just for its novelty factor!
With one of its parents being Cym. Death Wish, it is no surprise what resulted! Bred by Royale Orchids at a time when Kevin Hipkins was doing quite a bit of breeding in the diploid spotted space. We have some great results from his breeding in this area and some of them will be showcased here in the future.
I’d love to see what’s in store for us when this plant is used to breed!
Looking back at the original species ancestors of this plant, using Orchid Roots, Cym. hookerianum, Cym. tracyanum, and Cym. erythraeum are the major contributors present in the background.
