24 VENTURA EPIPHYLLUM GARDENS 
T. M. MONMONIER’S CHIAPASIA NELSONI HYBRIDS 
The first cross we made on Chiapasia 
Nelsoni was Fairybell (Epiphyllum x D. 
Kaiserin), using Chiapasia Nelsoni as the 
seed parent. Many varieties have resulted 
from this cross, since from one seed pod 
no two plants come exactly alike. Since 
then, we have made other crosses, but this 
is only the start, for this line has great 
possibilities of being extended, since C. 
nelsoni is a branch of the Epiphyllum 
genus. 
All varieties are free flowering, bloom 
early in the spring (March and April) and 
again in the fall. Early spring flowers have 
not the depth of color that comes in the 
autumn bloom. For instance, C: Monmo- 
nieri flowers in spring with smooth petals, 
whereas the later flowers have ruffled 
edges and a much stronger fuchsia color 
so that they might almost be taken as 
sports, which is not the case; these changes 
are due mainly to thermal conditions. 
Also, since they are hybrids, you can 
look for a variation in petal count from 
one flower to another, also there may be a 
noticeable difference in stigma _ lobes. 
These changes are insufficient to constitute 
a “sport,” for even the species C. nelsoni 
may show a variation in petal count. 
These plants require some protection 
from hot sun and cold, as do all plants of 
delicate growth; new growth may also be 
injured by too strong insecticide sprays. 
However, many of these plants stayed out 
under lath through the worst winter we 
have ever experienced, and were not no- 
ticeably injured. The hybrids in this case 
are even hardier to cold than their parent, 
C. nelsoni. 
C. ANGELS TRUMPET. Indescribable 
is this exotic fuchsia purple edged flower 
shading to claret rose, completely striped 
over a tan background, trumpet forma- 
tion. Silky texture. Filament orange, pis- 
til bright cerise. Plant growth similar to 
“C. Monmonieri” and “Rubiet.” 
C. MARIONETTE. A spectacular lilac 
pink darkening toward the edges. Throat 
lime green. Firm texture and regal car- 
riage add to the beauty of this flower. 
Tubular at base, it opens into a wide bell. 
The plant shows little of the character of 
its parent, C. nelsoni. 
C. MONMONIERI. A gem of priceless 
beauty. Carmine with deep fuchsia border 
shows considerable veining at times, but 
the predominating color is fuchsia. Tex- 
ture silky; trumpet formation. Filaments 
rose, pistil orange. Plant growth dark 
green. 
Cc. MONMONIER 
C. NAYADA (WATER NYMPH). A fan- 
tastic flower, the background of which is 
delicate lavender. The petals have a deep 
lilac border with symmetrical stripes run- 
ning toward the center. The flower forms 
a wide bell (2% inches) of firm texture. 
Plant growth heavier than “Marionette.” 
C. RUBIET. Also sensational is this 
ruby red, slightly overtoned with fuchsia, 
and a decided fuchsia throat with the 
same color running down the flower stem. 
Flower slightly larger and wider open than 
C. nelsoni. Petal count ranges from 5 to 9. 
Plant similar to C. nelsoni. 
CHIAPASIA HYBRIDS 
COLLECTION 
EXQUISITE MINIATURE 
C. Monmonieri 
C. Marionette 
C. Nayada 
SOLD ONLY IN COLLECTION 
3 Small Plants for $12.00 
