It is probably inconceivable for a new phalaenopsis grower today to imagine that, as recently as 20 years ago, multiflora breeding was virtually unheard of. But it’s true. In 1984, at the World Orchid Conference in Miami, the late Herb Hager had a "treasure chest" of multifloras and I think that they were the only ones in the whole show. Of course, Herb was an early promoter of multifloras but they did not really catch on until the oil crisis. Even then, there had been little breeding and therefore there were very few plants available.

The first commonly available multiflora hybrids were usually smaller versions of the standards: especially small pinks, small candystripes and small whites. After a time, we began to see small whites with red lips, small French spots and even the odd small "novelty" (usually yellow). The quality was reasonable at first and has improved to the point that, in these colors, we are at a very high standard. We now expect a multiflora, at least the standards, to show form similar to their large-flowered counterparts.

However, some multiflora hybrids are rather star-shaped. Two such hybrids are Phal. Veitchiana and Phal. Cassandra. Phal. Veitchiana, a cross of Phal. equestris x Phal. schilleriana, was first noted in 1872 as a natural hybrid. To date, there are less than 40 first-generation hybrids registered with it as a parent.

The hybrid between Phal. equestris and Phal. stuartiana was registered as Phal. Cassandra by Veitch in 1896. However, nothing further happened until the 1960s. Despite this fact, it is without doubt the first major cornerstone of multifloral breeding. Considering the similarities between Phal. schilleriana and Phal. stuartiana (general form, size and branching habit), it is surprising to see that there are about 6 times the number of first-generation hybrids with Phal. Cassandra as with Phal. Veitchiana.

The hybrid has now been remade on many occasions. In addition to an alba form, which was made on at least two occasions, a presumed tetraploid cross was made as well at least once using P. equestris ‘Riverbend’, AM/AOS and P. stuartiana ‘Larkin Valley’, AM/AOS. As a rule, the offspring of this cross were quite pale but a few did exhibit good colour.

We have to remember that, for the most part, in the first half of this century hybridizing was not done in labs using sterile protocols but instead seed was scattered around the base of an existing adult plant. Whatever grew, grew. But, as sterile techniques were discovered, tried and used on a regular basis

Hybrids of both P. equestris and P. stuartiana were made one or two per year every third or fourth year on average from the turn of the century until about 1960. Then, with the discovery of sterile techniques, breeding began in earnest.

As stated above, Phal. Cassandra had no offspring until the mid-1960s but, even then, people wanted large flowers and it wasn’t until 1992 when 11 offspring were registered that the one-year registration of P. Cassandra hybrids went above 9 in one year. Since then, this magic number was reached in all but one year. However, there are now just slightly more than 150 first-generation hybrids, with more being made and registered every day.

Phal. Cassandra has mainly been used to make "standard" multifloral crosses. At one point, it was used to reduce the size of standards and the names of the hybrids showed that fact: P. Little Pink Doris (x P. Doris), and P. Little Netsuke (x P. Snow Leopard). There were other "small" hybrids which were named as such: P. Little Hal (x P. Peppermint) and P. Little Kris (x P. Pink Minuet). A few other multifloras are being regularly used in hybridizing: P. Mama Cass (x P. Ida Fukumura) and P. Sogo Lit-Angel (x P. Su’s Red Lip).

P. Cassandra has been bred back to its species parents and these hybrids are well known: P. Rainbow Chip (x P. equestris) and P. Petite Snow (x P. stuartiana). In addition, the hybrid with P. amabilis, P. Timothy Christopher has produced some incredible offspring and is being used extensively in hybridizing. It has been used to make P. Rong Guan Amah (x P. amabilis) and P. Sogo Lit-Sunny (x P. Sogo Lit-Angel).

There are the occasional, albeit rare, forays into novelty breeding with P. Cassandra. Possibly the most famous example is P. Brother Sandra (x P. Brother Yew), which has several awarded cultivars. Recently, it was crossed to P. Star of Dixie in an attempt at red breeding.

There are two hybrids of Phal. Cassandra that deserve individual mention: Phal. Carmela’s Pixie (x P. Terilyn Fujitake) and Phal. Be Glad (x P. Swiss Miss).

Carmela Orchids registered Phal. Carmela’s Pixie in 1990. Not only is P. Cassandra a parent but it is also several generations back in the pedigree. Many people consider it to be the first "super" multiflora to be bred. There are several reasons for this. First of all, the hybrid was made and sold by Carmela and they sold, literally, hundreds of thousands of plants. The original cross was made both ways (Terilyn Fujitake x Cassandra and Cassandra x Terilyn Fujitake). Secondly, the cross is extremely fertile. Thirdly, the overall quality of the cross was quite high and many people have used different clones as a parent. Fourthly, the first plant to win the highly-coveted Herb Hager Award was a Phal. Carmela’s Pixie. About 20 clones have received AOS awards.

The first hybrid with P. Carmela’s Pixie was registered in 1992. First-generation breeding with Phal. Carmela’s Pixie continues and there is now significant second- and third-generation breeding taking place as well. Some of the well known hybrids are P. Zuma’s Pixie (x P. equestris), P. Brother Oconee (x P. Brother Purple) and Dtps. Brother Julius (x Dtps. Okay Seven). Each of these hybrids has produced awarded progeny and has or will soon be used in further breeding.

Several other hybrids are noteworthy, particularly for their brilliant color. Many of them have been awarded and/or been used in further breeding: Dtps. Elmore’s Sweetheart (x Dtps. Taisuco Candystripe), Phal. Brother Liata (x P. Brother Glamour), P. Ho’s Little Caroline (x P. Be Glad), P. Super Pixie (x P. Zuma’s Pixie), P. I-Hsin Dancer (x P. Taida Cassanstripes) and P. Brother Lovesong (x P. Super Stupid).

Phal. Be Glad is the other P. Cassandra offspring that merits individual attention. Statistically, this grex is over 50% P. equestris. In view of the fact that this hybrid was registered in 1978 by Hager Orchids, it has a longer track record. With almost 20 awarded clones to date, there have been a few that have been used on a regular basis. Phal. Be Glad ‘Classic’, AM/AOS has been stemmed as have several others. The original cross was made with colored clones, producing small white flowers blushed pink centrally with a deep red lip. About 10 years ago, a white cross of Phal. Be Glad was made and these were widely distributed as well.

The two most well known P. Be Glad hybrids are hybrids with species: P. Ho’s Amaglad (x P. amabilis) and P. Be Tris (x P. equestris). Both of these hybrids are only about 10 years old, which means that their lives as "important breeding parents" have only just begun. Several hybrids including P. Brother Amar, AQ/AOS (Ho’s Amaglad x amabilis), P. Bedford Innocence (Ho’s Amaglad x Timothy Christopher), both have produced outstanding flowers. Watch for them and their offspring.

Other notable hybrids are P. Ho’s Little Caroline (x P. Carmela’s Pixie), P. Fairy Tales (x P. Elise de Valec), P. Culiacan (Gato x Fairy Tales), P. Newberry Bouquet (Grand Cascade x Fairy Tales), P. Glad Melinda (x P. Melinda Nan), P. Sogo Romans (x P. Otoglade [Be Glad x Otohime]), P. Nobby’s Amy (x P. Rothschildiana), P. Bedford Sneezy (x P. Terilyn Fujitake), P. Gladrose (Glad Melinda x Melinda Rose), P. Zumita Blush (Fairy Tales x Gladrose), P. Petite Rose (Glad Melinda x Gladrose), P. Small Sensation (Glad Melinda x Swansong), P. Baby Angel (Gladrose x First Choice), P. Joyful (Gladrose x equestris) and, one of our favorites, P. Bedford Grumpy (Zumita Blush x Miniflash). (Flasks of a sib cross of P. Bedford Grumpy will be available soon.)

Because multiflora breeding is truly in its infancy, we have only seen the tip of the iceberg. Be patient! As P. Cassandra and its progeny produce ever-increasing numbers of hybrids, expect to see the more and better multifloras, even perfect red and yellow multifloras – probably sooner than you’d think!

The opinions expressed in the plant of the month articles are those of Howard S. Ginsberg and are based on various discussions, observations and research which includes American Orchid Society Awards by James R. Fisher and David A. Bishop (available from the American Orchid Society) as well as the Wildcatt Database (available from the Wildcatt Database Company). The Wildcatt Database may not be perfect but it is far and away better than whatever is in second place.

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Frisky, AM – 80 February 19, 1975 A spike 28 cm in length displaying 116 flowers and buds; dorsal sepal and petals pink-striped, with sepals pink striped upper half and spotted on lower half. NS 4.5 cm

Cherry Tart, HCC – 77 March 26, 1982 Thirty flowers and fourteen buds on one inflorescence; sepals light pink; petals dark pink; lateral sepals yellow-green; lip dark maroon. NS 3.4 cm

Gina, CCM – 83 April 16, 1982 One hundred and thirty flowers and thirty-eight buds on three branched inflorescences; sepals and petals off-white; lateral sepals, petals and side robes of red lip with light speckling; plant with two keikis; inflorescences up to 70 cm in length; flowers create voluminous cascade. NS 4.5 cm

Sunnybrook, HCC – 77 April 23, 1983 Twenty-two flowers and one bud on two inflorescences; sepals and petals white, heavily overlaid with deep rose-pink; lip and side lobes deep rose-pink, creating a distinctly colorful flower. NS 4.4 cm

Howe, JC April 13, 1985 Seventy-five flowers and 35 buds on two branched inflorescences; commended for intensity of color; all segments with intense magenta center color, shading to lighter color on sepals and petals. NS 3.5 cm

Dragon Fire, AM - 80 January 13, 1988 Forty four flowers and 11 buds on one inflorescence; flowers white flushed with rose-pink; lateral sepals with lower half dotted rose-pink; lip side lobes deep rose with yellow callus. NS 4.1 cm

Cumulus, HCC – 78 April 20, 1988 Eighteen flowers on one inflorescences; sepals and petals pure white; lateral sepals and lip with yellow overlay and sparse brown spotting at base; ovary pink; award granted for unusual color and flatness of flowers for cross; reported to be bred originally from Phal. equestris var. alba strain. NS 4.2 cm

Howe, CCM – 84 March 31, 1989 One hundred and eighty-eight flowers on five inflorescences; flowers rich magenta, becoming lighter at borders; substance good; texture glistening; flowers nicely arranged so that each is well displayed. NS 3.5 cm

Soroa, AM – 83 March 24, 1989 Thirty-five flowers and 41 buds on three inflorescences; flowers bright fuchsia with white margin on sepals and petals; lip with midlobe and side lobes more intense fuchsia, callus bright gold; substance firm; texture sparkling. NS 4.5 cm

Josan, HCC - 78 March 16, 1990 Thirty flowers and 52 buds on two inflorescences; flowers large for parentage, of fine form with crystalline blush pink color; lateral sepals light green, spotted near base; lip and side lobes red, yellow at base with sparse red spots. NS 5.3 x 5.3 cm

Gypsy Lee, AM – 82 March 20, 1991 Ninety-eight relatively round flowers and 29 buds beautifully presented on five branched and arching inflorescences; dorsal sepal and petals white, flushed pink centrally; lateral sepals white, flushed apple green, spotted fuchsia on basal one-half; lip and side lobes red; substance fair; texture glistening. NS 4.8 x 5.0 cm

Olympia, HCC – 76 March 20, 1993 Sixty-two flowers and 13 buds on two inflorescences; sepals and petals white; dorsal sepal with faint pink stripes lateral sepals pale green medially with fine maroon spots; lip reddish purple, edged white distally, fading to gold proximally, callus bright gold, finely spotted maroon; column lavender, radiating to sepals and petals, anther cap white; substance very good; texture sparkling; distracting white ridge on lip precluded higher score. NS 5.0 cm

Tammy Lee, HCC – 77 April 24, 1993 Eighty-nine flowers and two buds beautifully presented on six upright, branched inflorescences borne on a well-grown plant with two flowering keikis; dorsal sepal and petals pale pink, heavily overlaid and suffused with medium dark purple, except for outer margins; lateral sepals show lighter area toward center of flower with fine red brown spots; lip very dark purple on center lobe and ends of side lobes with two prominent yellow calli in center; substance medium; texture matte; cupping of dorsal. NS 4.3 x 4.3 cm

Hsu, CCM – 87 March 26, 1993 Two hundred six white flowers and 16 buds on six inflorescences; sepals and petals light pink; lateral sepals overlaid with light brownish spots; lip, side lobes and midlobe dark rose-lavender. NS – not given

Milagro, JC, April 9, 1994 Two flowers and one bud on one inflorescence; commended for its peloric form with clear and uniform spotting over all segments and the yellow callus appearing as a protuberance on each petal; lateral sepals creamcolored with yellow-green shading, colored yellow centrally with white tips; lip deep golden yellow spotted burgundy more heavily toward outer edges, again with white tip. NS 4.0 x 4.5 cm

Quicksilver, AM – 80 February 16, 1994 Sixty-two flat, round flowers and 61 buds on three impressively branched inflorescences; dorsal sepal and petals dusty fuchsia; lateral sepals fuchsia, lower halves overlaid yellow with heavy fuchsia spots; sepals and petals edged white; lip darker fuchsia; substance hard; texture waxy. NS 4.2 x 4.8 cm

Harford, HCC – 79 March 4, 1995 Forty-three flowers and one bud on one inflores-cence; sepals and petals white, faintly veined and very lightly spotted pale rose near column on dorsal sepal and petals; lower half of lateral sepals pale green, spotted cerise; lip white, spotted cerise; substance good, excellent for type; texture matte; good arrangement of full formed flowers. NS 5.6 x 4.9 cm

TOH Little Debbie, CCM - 86 March 8, 1996 Four hundred four flowers and 23 buds on 15 inflorescences; flowers white with central pink blush; lateral sepals central half light green with maroon spots; lip light green with magenta blush on distal portion of lobes and covered with fine magenta spots, calli yellow; column pink basally becoming white distally. NS 5.1 x 4.5 cm

Angela, HCC – 78 January 25, 1997 Eighty-three flowers and five buds on five inflorescences; flower base color white overlaid with lavender-pink except for narrow white margin; lateral sepals with central chartreuse flush and lavender spots on lower half; lip midlobe magenta with narrow white border along distal side margins, side lobes white overlaid magenta on distal half, callus yellow with fine amethyst spots; column lavender-pink, anther cap white; substance moderate; texture satiny. NS 5.0 x 5.3 cm

The opinions expressed in the plant of the month articles are those of Howard S. Ginsberg and are based on various discussions, observations and research which includes American Orchid Society Awards by James R. Fisher and David A. Bishop (available from the American Orchid Society) as well as the Wildcatt Database (available from the Wildcatt Database Company). The Wildcatt Database may not be perfect but it is far and away better than whatever is in second place.