Self-pollination can be done to produce a range of varying offspring. Usually, the offspring plant with the most desirable phenotypical characterisitics are selected for cloning (A.K.A. mass production). In reality, a batch of clones are not guaranteed to yield identical flowers. A slight degree of variance can still surface; and mutations (due to chemical/environment etc) amongst some of the plants are still possible.

To illustrate, the following are examples of the Dendrobium Shavin White and two variations:

The typical Dendrobium Shavin White flower is greenish-white when it blooms initially. The greenish colouration fades resulting in a more whitish colour, as the flower fully blossoms.

In variation 1, pink flushes are observed along the petals and sepals, with a strong pigmentation of pink along the centre of the lip.

In variation 2, the reddish-pink colouration can be observed spreading from within the column.

Cloning the above variations could produce batches of atypical looking Dendrobium Shavin Whites. However, if the variations arose from unstable mutations, there’s a higher chance that their clones may end up being typical rather than atypical based on our experience.

The Dendrobium Shavin White cut-flowers have been circulating in the market for almost three decades. The Dendrobium Shavin White’s sustainability over the years is attributed to its well-aligned blooms, lasting flowers and strong flower stalks; and also being frequent flowering and maturing quickly. Notwithstanding, favourable genes from its pedigree should be credited. The Dendrobium Shavin White is a cross between the Dendrobium Walter Oumae and Dendrobium Queen Florist. In particular, the Dendrobium Walter Oumae has favourable characteristics and is used extensively for crossing. (It is the parent of more than 50 registered orchid hybrids).

Notably, both parents of the Dendrobium Shavin White are prominently white in colour, so it’s peculiar to find pinkish or reddish colourations. Bearing that in mind, reddish colours could already be embedded within its recessive genes; and only by chance will they be revealed. The following picture and magnification shows the typical (greenish-white) Dendrobium Shavin White, but a slight tinge of pink can be observed along the pedicel (“branch” attaching the flower to the stem). Due to its ancestry or hidden recessive genes, the Dendrobium Shavin White have the mutative propensity to reveal the reddish colour. Through self-pollination, typically hidden characteristics are uncovered and amplified.

ShavinWhite Magnified

Author Seong Cheng

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