This week’s Orchid Wise Orchid of the Week is… Cym. Amy Winehouse
Parentage: This week’s Orchid of the Week is a cross between Cym. tracyanum × Cym. Death Wish
Registered: 2016
The reason why it’s our Orchid of the Week:
Kevin Hipkins of Royal Orchids in New South Wales created the Death Wish line in 2001 in what was a bold move at the time. Some loved it, and some very much didn’t! The ‘uglies’ as they were called, were certainly polarising! Even now, they still create conversation and division!
15 years later Kevin registered Cym. Amy Winehouse in what is for me is an improvement on the line. As much as I love my diploids, Cym. Death Wish just wasn’t pretty enough for me for the most part, and I don’t own one. However, some of the Cym. Death Wish progeny really do spark my interest. Cym. Amy Winehouse is one of those.
For me Cym. Amy Winehouse has better, more defined markings and is much prettier than its maligned parent. And the above example from Royale Orchids has a better shape too for me. I don’t own this plant either, however whenever I see it I do think I should obtain one!
It’s not in wide circulation but every now and then you will see one. Cym. Amy Winehouse has no registered progeny as yet, but I do wonder what someone out there could create by using it as a parent!
So if anyone out there has one, here is your challenge……go your hardest and see what you can create using this quite unique flower!
The above image is courtesy of Royale Orchids.
Tracing this plant’s original species ancestors using Orchid Roots, Cym. tracyanum, Cym. insigne and Cym. lowianum are the major species contributors of this plant!