This week’s Orchid of the Week is… Cym. Memoria Mick Hughes

Parentage: This week’s Orchid of the Week is a cross between Cym. Splatters x Cym. devonianum
Registered: 2022
The reason why it’s our Orchid of the Week:
In October 2024, I visited a friend’s shade house here in Adelaide. Among the thousands of plants, I stumbled upon ten or so first flowering seedlings of Cymbidium Memoria Mick Hughes. At first glance, these seedlings appeared remarkably similar, however, a closer inspection showed all had subtle differences.

Out of all the seedlings, one truly stood out. This exceptional plant showcased 11 or 12 strikingly colored, intermediate-sized flowers arranged on a beautifully arching, pendulous spike. Impressively, this display emerged from a fairly small plant. Whilst first flowerings can sometimes be underwhelming, this one exceeded all expectations, delivering an extraordinary visual treat.
Seedlings of Cymbidium Splatters crossed with Cymbidium devonianum have been available in Australia for a few years now. Initially, I had other priorities and decided to pass on the opportunity. However, in hindsight, I now regret that decision! Seeing the results, I have come to appreciate the unique qualities of this hybrid. Cymbidium Memoria Mick Hughes is a compact plant that flowers prolifically even from just a few bulbs. Consequently, it is an ideal choice for hobbyists with limited space, particularly those with small courtyard gardens.
A Breeder’s Delight
Cymbidium Splatters has opened up numerous possibilities for breeding since its release. Including the creation of other attractive hybrids like Cymbidium Valley Splatters ‘Velvet Spots’, which was previously featured as an Orchid Wise Orchid of the Week. By crossing it with Cymbidium devonianum, growers have produced an exceptional plant with long-lasting appeal. This hybrid is likely to remain a favourite among hobbyists and breeders for many years to come.
Heritage and Lineage
Tracing the origins of Cymbidium Memoria Mick Hughes using Orchid Roots reveals that the species Cymbidium devonianum contributes 50% to its genetic makeup. The other significant contributors are Cymbidium insigne and Cymbidium lowianum, both of which have played key roles in shaping this hybrid’s unique characteristics.