Variations amongst specific species is obviously normal. Some are better than others, some bloom more, some have a larger flower count. I learned a lesson about Masdevallia coccina this weekend one trip to Hawk Hills Orchids in Pacifica, California. There is was confronted by hundreds of blooming coccinea, some simply breathtaking.

I have Masd coccinea of different colors in bloom at home but generic red/orange/white. I have a nice white one simply labeled coccinea (white). This one is now joined by coccinea alba 'Royalty'. The latter's flower is more than twice as big, perfectly flat and 6" taller (the last could be simply culture). Then I got coccinea xanthia (Crestwood', coccinea ('Terry' x 'Hot') ORYZ and coccinea SB #143 (orange).

All of them have flowers nearly twice as big or bigger than what I'm used to from generic coccinea. The story of this started with the divorce of the owners of SBOE which 30 years ago was specializing in coccinea amongst others. They had about 200 different clones the best of which were not for sale at any price. The wife took the nursery in the divorce settlement but some time after that died of a stroke suffered in Tokyo. The kids then attempted to run the nursery but had trouble. Prior to asking dad to come back and help, some one sold the entire collection of coccinea to one of the owners of Hawk Hills.

They have been line breeding the best of the best for 25 years now, the third generation is in bloom, the forth generation is in pods/flasks/compots. What I got was the best of whats 'For Sale'. I think they are simply outstanding but you should see the ones which are not for sale as they are now being used in the breeding of future generations.

Additionally there are hybrids being made as these people are not limited to species. Coccinea/veitchiana, coccinea/ignea and other crosses are there with spectacular results. I felt like a 4 year old with a free pass to Toys R Us. Except , of course, it was anything but free. As I'll be eating dog food for the next month, I'm enjoying some spectacular flowers. There is a cross, Red Flamingo, which out of ONE SEEDPOD has produced an array of spectacular colors. Super strong red, white, orange and a deep strong yellow which has not has been seen on a straight coccinea are some of the so called "red Flamingos'.

Conclusion is, other than high tailing it to Hawk Hill before the blooming season ends, that all coccinea are not equal. Since there is so much variation in the flowers, both shape, color and flatness, I don't think anyone should buy a Masdevallia coccinea without actually seeing the flowers. Unless of course it's a named clone whose characteristics are well known.

Nick