This week’s Orchid Wise Orchid of the Week is… Cym. Hot Line ‘Plum Loco’
Parentage: This week’s Orchid of the Week is a cross between Cym. Tethys × Cym. Sensation
Registered: 1985
The reason why it’s our Orchid of the Week:
Sometimes, there are just certain crosses you just have to make. And this is undoubtedly one of them. Historically, Cym. Sensation has played a crucial role in Cymbidium breeding. In fact, it became a key contributor to the development of many of the red Cymbidiums we see today.
Cym. Sensation is a plant worth knowing about. Not only does it hold historical significance, but it has also influenced an impressive number of modern hybrids. To explore its impact further, I highly recommend checking it out on Orchid Roots. There you can see both what it has produced and which background genetics contributed to its enduring popularity.
In addition, Cym. Tethys has long served as another influential breeding plant. However, unlike Cym. Sensation, Cym. Tethys remains actively used in breeding programs today. Its ongoing relevance makes it equally important for any serious Cymbidium grower or enthusiast to be familiar with.
Cym. Hot Line ‘Plum Loco’ is an interesting result of the pairing. The peloric nature creates some interest in what may be an otherwise unimpressive flower. I haven’t seen any other cultivars of this crossing, however it would be interesting to see the variations that came from the cross.
This image taken from a Facebook post on the Australian Orchid Group.
Tracing this plant’s original species ancestors using Orchid Roots, Cym. insigne, Cym. lowianum and Cym. i’ansonii are the major species contributors of this plant!