University of Hawaii
Horticulture Digest #95, October 1991

Two new dendrobium cross combinations, UH1002 and UH1041, were recently released to the Dendrobium Growers Association of Hawaii. Flowers of UH1002 are slightly larger and have a more pronounced lavender blush than those of UH44 ('Uniwai Blush'), while UH1041 produces attractive flowers with light lavender to white petals and sepals and contrasting dark purple-violet lip. Both UH1002 and UH1041 are seed-propagated cultivars. UH1002 is relatively uniform, whereas UH1041 segregates into two distinct groups: self white or light lavender petals and sepals with dark purple-violet lip.

Dendrobium Jaquelyn Thomas, UH1002
Among plants of dendrobium Jaquelyn Thomas UH232 ('Uniwai Supreme'), a segregant appeared with a strong lavender blush instead of the typical lavender two-tone flowers. This segregant designated K599-8, was crossed to an inbred offspring (K651-7) of D. Jaquelyn Thomas, UH44, which was selected for its prominent blush. The cross, UH1002, was made on September 13, 1984 and germinated on January 2, 1985. First flowering was obtained in June, 1987.

As anticipated, flowers of UH1002 developed a stronger blush than UH44, and furthermore flowers were larger due to the influence of the K599-8 (UH232) parent. Slight variation was evident in the offspring, but the differences were negligible. Flowers were obtained thoughout the year; however more were obtained from May through October. (Fig 1) Table 1 gives the pertinent characteristics. Spray yield, spray length and number of flowers per spray were satisfactory. Percent bud drop was low. The average vase life in an air conditioned room at about 70°F was about 18 days.

UH1002 is an amphidiploid D. Jaquelyn Thomas hybrid like UH44, UH503, UH507 and UH800. Because its flowers are slightly larger with stronger blush than those of UH44, it was designated 'Improved Uniwai Blush' in addition to the number UH1002.

Dendrobium Nanae, UH1041
UH1041 is a cross made on January 5, 1985 between diploid Dendrobium Theodore Takiguchi with purple-violet lip and tetraploid D. Neo Hawaii. The triploid hybrid was germinated on April 29, 1985 and flowered beginning July 9, 1987.

The offspring segregated about equally (1:1 ratio) between self white, similar in color to the D. Neo Hawaii parent, and light lavender petals and sepals and contrasting dark purple-violet (RHSCC 80A) lip somewhat like the D. Theodore Takiguchi parent. The seasonality of flowering was like UH1002 (Fig 1), but with slightly heavier yield during September through January. The characteristics of UH1041 are similar to those of UH1002 (Table 1). However flowers of UH1041 were slightly larger and fuller, and bud drop percentage was 5.0 which is an acceptable level.

The desirable feature of UH1041 is the attractive two-tone flowers on long sprays. D. Youppadeewan, which was introduced earlier into Hawaii from Thailand as mericloned plants of selected individuals, produces flowers that are like the UH1041. UH1041 is a hybrid between D. Theodore Takiguchi and D. Neo Hawaii, while D. Youppadeewan is a hybrid between D. Theodore Takiguchi and D. Jaq-Hawaii. Another hybrid with similar two-tone flowers is D. Hiang Beauty which is a cross between D. Pale Face and D. Jaq-Hawaii.

D. Theodore Takiguchi x D. Neo Hawaii was registered as D. Nanae by K. Oka in 1965. Thus, UH1041 must retain the name D. Nanae. This new seed-propagated cultivar can be identified either as UH1041 or 'Uniwai Beauty'.