How remarkable it is that the single cell that begins the life of a plant can develop in such an immense variety of ways. Looking at k a newly fertilized cell within an ovary, it is not possible to tell whether it will develop into a tiny alpine plant only a few centimetres high or a giant Californian Redwood (Sequoia sempervirens) over 100 metres tall. The beginnings are the same, but as that one cell grows and divides so the characteristics of the new plant emerge. If it is to be an annual and complete its life-cycle within a year, then there is no need for elaboration of stem cells to give strength and durability. Read the rest of this entry »

While this beautiful little species is widely grown in cool greenhouse collections for its own undeniable beauty, its hybrids have added much to its related genera. S. coccinea has been crossed with Cattleyas to produce the genus Sophrocattleya, and with Laelias to produce Sophrolaelia, while a further step forward incorporates all three genera in Sophrolaeliocattleya. While these are the most well known genera incorporating Sophronitis, they are by no means all that is available. The main influence of the Sophronitis in these crosses has been to reduce the plant to a far more compact and manageable size, easily accommodated on the window sill, and to add the brilliant red colouring found in the species. While most of the hybrids produce smaller flowers, they are often produced in an abundance, while their brilliant colour outshines all other hybrids within this group. Although the majority of hybrids containing Sophronitis produce a multitude of red shades, other colours have come through, with orange and yellow being represented where different breeding lines have been used. Read the rest of this entry »