In 2012, I made this cross which I labeled Benfica x papilio and there were about a dozen or so good seeds which I germinated and grew on to the size of a grape. Then I got the brilliant idea of planting them outside for the summer directly in the ground which I had done this before with great success with larger seedling and bulbs. No so this time though. In the late summer when I went to retrieve them there was only "one "lone survivor!! The others had been partially eaten by bugs and some had disappeared completely!

So I brought this one in and nursed it along for the next nearly 7 years never quite really quite sure whether I had goofed and it was infact a self of Benfica.

Well, this year it finally decided to bloom; not with one bud, but with two!! So, I watch this normal looking scape (albiet short) produce a rather fat, very uncybistery looking bud and at that point I was convinced that I just had a Benfica self. But.. as it started to open, I began not to be sure sure! I have one flower partially open and I'm waiting for it to fully open before I present it to you all for your opinions as to whether or not it is a cross or just a self!!

Unfortunately, being red, I may not be able to take a telling picture, but I'll sure try! Just 2 flowers on a 3 inch stem.

Stay tuned and hopefully I"ll be able to post pictures!!.....Donna

Can't wait to see your pictures :-))))

Hooray! You were able to post. Looking forward to seeing photos. :-)

Here's a bud for starters!!

Hurray, it went through! I've been struggling all day to get a picture and so far not good but this picture of the bud is right on. Will try again tomorrow. unfortunately, the flower isn't as pretty as the bud.

Ooooh I can't wait to see the open bloom :-)))))

Hi Donna,

I'm sending you an assortment of photos that show buds of 'Benfica.'

Donna, not seeing much papilio in the bud, BUT, we have all been surprised when the flower opens so....

Also, your nelsonii x papilio cross had a great looking bud and a stinking lubber ate it before it opened -- that hurts!

Thanks Blanca, your photos are somewhat different from my Benfica but the picture of the buds is the same. Trying to get a decent picture that isn't orange!

I'm afraid you guys will be disappointed, I'm not particularily thrilled....

Jody, that's a bummer, I've yet to bring any of those seeds to bloom, I would have greatly loved to see yours!!!

I have no idea what the appearance of Benfica x self would be. However, the width of the inner tepals in the photo you sent intrigues me. No matter what you ultimately decide about its parentage, I think that your seedling is lovely.

Thanks for sharing it does have well formed petals. If I recall correctly, Hans has posted that a triploid (common hybrids) won't bear seed from diploid (species) pollen. He's said that diploids like Papilio will host seeds from triploid pollen but only a small percentage may be viable. I'm no expert and just repeating what I've read from Han's experience. Hope this helps.

I think she's pretty, Donna! The rich red with the white brush marks and darker shading is pretty.

I too think that she is lovely, Donna! Congratulations! I only looked up Benfica so far but remembering the Papilio hybrids I saw here during the last years I would say this could be one. Lets wait for the experts...

Thanks everyone for your thoughts!!

Here is another shot that might show the center of the flower more clearly. The second flower is out and there is really no difference from

the first so I guess this is what she is going to be!! There is another bud emerging, the first time I've ever had two scapes on a maiden bloom!! That's something I guess!

I will go through all my pollen from last year and gather any papilio pollen and mix it together hoping to find a few grains that are still viable to make a back cross. If it doesn't take that might tell me something. I neglected to freeze any so who knows.

Donna

I think she's absolutely gorgeous and you should be commended on your efforts. What will you call her? If I can make a suggestion, I think you should call her "Papilion Rouge" because she reminds me of an exotic butterfly :-)))

Oh Fred, I just saw this comment and I think your name is perfect and I will hold that thought until everyone is convinced that it is a papilio cross. , I love it but I wouldn't want to use that name if it was just a self, how will I definitively know? ?

Well... I managed to scrape up some papilio pollen from last season that had not been frozen and, I might be able to convince myself that it has taken? So... wouldn't that most likely prove that it was a cross of papilio or would it? Stay tuned, there's still plenty of time to abort.

It's ony the size of a chick pea and a small one at that!!

I think it's a cross with H.papilio.

Good work, she's wonderful.

Hi Pavel,

Thank you! I've put some older papilio pollen on one flower and Fire Blade on the other and so if this backcross takes shouldn't that tip the scapes in favor of it truly being a Benfica x papilio seedling? Assuming the seeds are good of course.....

There is another bud but it's taking forever to emerge from the bulb.

Hi Donna,

It will be interesting to see if these crosses will be successful.

I think he probably will not be successful. (I hope my estimate will be bad).

Your cross will be probably triploid or tetraploid.

Papilio (diploid) and Fireblade (diploid ?).

Try one flower to pollination x self.

OK Pavel, I will on the next scape that will hopefully give me 2 flowers. By that time, I will know for sure if either of the crosses took! ;-)