Red odontoglossums, i.e. Odontiodas, are produced from ( originally) what used to be called Odont' crispum ( now Oncidium alexandrae) and this species - which is probably also an Oncidium now in the modern mad politically (scientifically) correct - but horticulturally idiotic system of nomenclature devised by molecular biologists.
The interesting thing is that red Odas are not this orange/vermilion/cinnabar colour at all, but more of a dark crimson. Breeding orange ones is another thing altogether - I registered one once - Oda Sheila Hands - which was a cross of a red and a yellow.
I have been growing and loving Odontoglossums for nearly sixty years now - Odm.crispum is often called the most beautiful orchid - but it is only this year that I have been able to actually flower this species - the Cochlioda. It has been in my collection perhaps three or four times ( species like this were quite unobtainable for most of my orchid life) but it is only now I have flowered it. Actually I have two - one in S/H pictured here, and the other growing conventionally which has rather more reflexed flowers. These are about 3 cm across, perhaps 1.5 inches at the maximum if flattened out. A more mature plant - these are seedlings raised by one of the South American traders , might have slightly better flowers and perhaps more of them.
An interesting addition to my collection, I think.




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