Oncostele Wildcat 'Bobcat'

[Roy]

Flowering again, much better spike but not the size I'd hoped for, only 7 flowers.

[Wade's Orchids]

Incredibly intense color! Has Wildcat been bred to anything in the brassia line? That would probably go more to the brown shades, but we can hope for some reds to come through.

[Kita]

Lovely colour..

[PaphMadMan]

Incredibly intense color! Has Wildcat been bred to anything in the brassia line? That would probably go more to the brown shades, but we can hope for some reds to come through.

Rather strangely, there are no registered hybrids of Wildcat with a Brassia or Brassia hybrid. But most of Wildcat's ancestors and many of its progeny have been crossed with Brassia types so I doubt it would be difficult. Wildcat itself tends more to browns with yellow than to intense reds like this striking example. When I have some time I'll see if I can find any red tone Brassia hybrids elsewhere in the Wildcat family tree.

[Carolla]

I have a Wildcat that was named 'Petite Sirah' on its tag, but it looks exactly like the 'Bobcat', which has less yellow marking on it. I was wondering if I should change the tag? Also, it doesn't have the current Oncostele name. It's a beautiful flower, deep red and brilliant with the light behind it. I bought it in flower and now its got two new spikes with many buds coming. So happy with it! I'll be posting it when it gets in bloom, it has a ways to go still.

[PaphMadMan]

Whether you call it Colmanara Wildcat (the original registration) or Oncostele Wildcat (the currently accepted registration) is entirely up to you. Same plant, and everyone who has any idea what a Colmanara or Oncostele is will figure it out. You could even call it Ondontocidium Wildcat if you have some particular attachment to that transitional name.

But I wouldn't change the tag from 'Petite Sirah' to 'Bobcat'. There are probably a dozen cultivars of Wildcat, and some cultivars of similar hybrids as well, that no one could ever tell apart for sure unless they grew them side by side for a year and then saw the flowers at the same time. They will all vary somewhat depending on the environment and conditions. Comparison to a couple pictures is meaningless, and the pictures aren't necessarily any more accurately labeled than your plant.

[Carolla]

Ok then I'll leave it alone. Doubt that it matters much as I'm not likely to try breeding it. Can't wait for it to bloom again though!

[78Terp]

My 'Wildcat #13' is in spike right now. Maybe a month from blooming.

[Roy]

Kirk is quite correct with the mount of 'Wildcat' clones about. Unfortunately many look extremely close to one another & I'm sure there have been a few mix ups with labels. I flower Wildcat 'Carmela' twice a year & both flowerings are quite different in coloration. I saw a Wildcat 'Ocelot' this morning & its identical to this one I posted... Google or Catalogs prove that the oyher plant isn't Bobcat. Try telling that to the owner...

[Carolla]

It's good to know that they vary so much, I'll certainly keep the original label. Whatever it really is, its gorgeous. I'll find a picture of it when I got it and maybe take one of it in spike tomorrow if I remember!