EPIPHYLLUM x 'RUBY PINWHEEL'
photo 4/4
____________________________________
The similarity of shape is striking with the picture below:
Hybrid 93 : 'Flore Pleno'
This photograph is a reproduction of a drawing in the book: "Phyllocactus by Curt Knebel", published in 1949. Curt Knebell writes in this book about the hybrid 92 (Heureka):
"Double flower in which many stamens have turned into petals. The flower is still of medium size. It has a lilac colour with a slight salmon shade. Colour tones vary depending on where the plant is located. To my knowledge, hybrids 92 and 93 are the first known Phyllocactus with double flowers. They can serve as a starting point for future hybridizers who would like to create double-flowered Phyllocacti with larger flowers and many other colours. The buds are not longer than many others but they are shorter and more compact."
"This is a step forward in hybridization, which in other times might have seemed unimaginable in Phyllocactus culture. The success consisted in transforming stamens into petals and thus creating a truly double flower. I am the first in Phyllo's history to do this. Thus, something has happened that will allow future generations of growers to continue this work and develop it even further. The true meaning of this step will be better appreciated by everyone, when we realize that all our other double flowers, such as our roses and dahlias, have been created in the same way."
Looking at the two images, there is no doubt that the two hybrids are related. So fascinated by this resemblance, I even wonder if my flower is not Knebel's hybrid. Unfortunately, dreams are not always reality!
___________________________________________