2018 Volume 17 Issue 2 Pages 237-242
The genus Paphiopedilum within Orchidaceae has undergone various breed improvements, resulting in various complex hybrids with large, colorful, and round flowers. In the present study, the breed improvements of the complex hybrids of white flowers of the genus Paphiopedilum were assessed based on the sizes of Japan Orchid Growers Association prize-winning flowers between 1981 and 2015. During the past 30 years, the natural spread width (NSW) and petal width (PW) have increased by about 15 mm, while PW/NSW has increased by about 0.1, demonstrating breed improvements (larger and more rounded varieties) of the complex hybrids of white flowers. Furthermore, such breed improvements have markedly advanced since around 2000. Of note, the progenies of Paph. Skip Bartlett have greatly contributed to the improvements. In the future, breeding will be promoted by crossing these varieties as parents.
