Pleione 2016

[Steve Garvie]

Pleione x barbarae -I have a number of examples of this natural hybrid which are highly variable. In China it seems to exist in a bewildering array of forms as a result of "hybrid swarms" yet none of the other natural hybrids seem to have such variation. Are these all Pln. grandiflora hybrids and if so with what?

[Maren]

Steve,

Pleione x barbarae is a primary hybrid of P. grandiflora x P. bulbocodioides. It is highly variable. It is also sometimes called the 'pink grandiflora', but I don't particularly like that naming because it implies that this is a pure grandiflora, which it isn't.

[Steve Garvie]

Thanks Maren.
But why is x barbarae so variable when the other natural hybirds are not?
It seems to exist in numerous forms in the wild yet x taliensis, x confusa, x lagenaria, etc are so invariable in comparison.

[vigor]

Thanks Maren.
But why is x barbarae so variable when the other natural hybirds are not?
It seems to exist in numerous forms in the wild yet x taliensis, x confusa, x lagenaria, etc are so invariable in comparison.

I think the variability comes from the backcross with the parents and the cross between the F1 generation while other natural hybrid may just F1 generation individuals

[sjusovare]

The fact that both parents are highly variable might account to the variability of the hybrid as well.

[karel_t]

This is really very interesting problem about P. x barbarae. If you look for the distribution of P. grandiflora, you will see that this species is situated in South and South-East Yunnan. P. bulbocodioides is located in Sichuan, East Tibet, ... and North Yunnan. Also the vertical spreading is different. While P. bulbocodioides is spreaded between altitude 900 - 2500 m ASL, so P. grandiflora is in 2700 m ASL. So the connecting line is really very thin.
On the other hand P. grandiflora shares the place with P. yunnanensis. So I'm convinced, there must be many hybrids between P. grandiflora and P. yunnanensis too  .
K.

[Steve Garvie]

Karel, I am glad that you also have problems with x barbarae. The orthodox view frequently repeated is that grandiflora and bulbocodioides are the parents and yet, as you point out there is a poor natural distribution correlation between these two species. I can't help but think that wild x barbarae material is not a single "taxon" but may encompass a number of natural hybrids.

[karel_t]

I can't help but think that wild x barbarae material is not a single "taxon" but may encompass a number of natural hybrids.

Steve, I can only agree with you.
K.

[Pete Clarke]

Langur, (scopulorum x forrestii) flowering for the first time for me. A nice small flower.

[vigor]

Langur, (scopulorum x forrestii) flowering for the first time for me. A nice small flower.

the forrestii gene seems weaker than the scopulorum's
By the way, I wonder the hybrids are one-leaved or two-leaved?

[Maren]

Hi Peter,
that's very pretty.

[Maggi Young]

Hello Maren - hope you're having a lovely birthday!

[Maren]

Hi Maggi,

thank you, that's very thoughtful and much appreciated.

I've had a very interesting day, especially when I left my keys in the greenhouse after locking it from the outside. I thought I'd left a duplicate set with the owners, but that was not forthcoming. I was faced with having to break a window to get in; didn't fancy that so tried and succeeded climbing in through the vent. It was a tight squeeze but gave me a real sense of achievement. The owner and his gardener stood by to give me moral support. Tomorrow I'll get a spare set of keys...

[Maggi Young]

Crikey, Maren - I was hoping you'd be having an exciting day - but that's not what I had in mind! 

[Steve Garvie]

Pleione scopulorum Selene -a semi-alba selection.


Pleione hookeriana