Pleione humilis F. K. Ward

[Ebo]

Hello,

Several years ago I received a pseudobulb of Pleione humilis (F. K. Ward) and now that it is finally flowering, I am wondering whether it really is the clone in question. Two days after the flower opened, the sepals are now somewhat lighter/whiter and have a slightly pinkish pattern that reminds me of Pleione coronaria (only not quite as pronounced). Until last year, the pseudobulbs had the typical, very slender shape. Last year, however, it unexpectedly decided to form more classic pseudobulbs (it was sunnier than usual last year). Could this be the clone of F. K. Ward?







Many thanks in advance.

Best regards,
Ebo

[Tim Harberd]

Hi Ebo,
   Welcome to the forum!
   Dad grew a cultivar of that name, some time last millennium…. My principal memory of it was that the flower was quite unlike any other humilis, being held well above the compost on a decent, upright stem. I seem to recall that the bulbs, tho’ having the same overall shape as yours, were ribbed. Also the bulbils were numerous and tiny.
   I think I’ve got a photo of it, back in the archives, probably on slide, but finding it would be a ‘needle in a haystack’ job! I need at least three reasons to go digging into the old photo collection, but next time I do I’ll keep an eye out for it.
   Incidentally, Dad reckoned that his clone was probably a hybrid. It wasn't vigorous, and I don't remember ever seeing more than one flower at a time.

Tim DH

[Ebo]

Hello Tim,

Thank you for your thoughts on this. It sounds like it is more likely to be a regular P. humilis. Even though it produces tons of tiny bulbils. Unfortunately my other P. humilis clone won't be flowering this year, so I don't have a direct comparison. Attached is another photo, if it helps in any way. This is what it looks like a few days later. The upper tips of the petals are now about 8.5 cm apart. A photo would of course be great if you ever get your hands on it. Until then, I'll just keep the “?” on the name tag.

Best,
Ebo

[Maggi Young]

Ebo, have you looked at the website of Paul Cumbleton ? https://www.pleione.info   

[Ebo]

Hello Maggi,

Yes, thank you, I've been there very often and I really appreciate the compilation. However, it is difficult for me to decide from the one photo of the flower whether my clone is actually the clone from F. K. Ward. Apart from last year, the bulbs had the elongated shape described there. However, the flower looks quite different. I wonder whether this is perhaps just a coincidence and whether the regular P. humilis also produces these elongated bulbs. My second clone has not done this so far.

Best regards,
Ebo

[Paul Cumbleton]

Hi Ebo,
I have some literature on P. humilis 'Kingdon Ward' that may help you in deciding what your plant is. If you contact me with your email address I can send this to you. Best way to do this is via the contact form on my website at https://www.pleione.info/about--contact.html
Best wishes
Paul

[Maggi Young]

Thanks, Paul!!

[Ebo]

Hello Paul,

Thank you very much for your reply. I have contacted you by mail. Please let me know if it did not work out.

Best wishes,
Ebo

[Paul Cumbleton]

Hi Ebo,
For some reason your message has not come through. An alternative would be to send me a private message here on SRGC (if you are not sure how to do this, click on the last of the icons underneath the picture of me in my last post.)
Best wishes
Paul