How do they get the flowers so perfect for photos?

[Roberta]

The newer breeding lines for truly red Phals (I suspect that Phal speciosa/tetraspis are involved) stay red because of those genetics. I think that these may be more of the summer-blooming type, definitely the smaller ones, typically with heavy substance. And still being fairly new, cost more - not likely to be found in the supermarket. Getting the "look" with the color overlay has been around for much longer.

[SouthPark]

Assuming a goal (just as an example only) is to have a orchid pic with flowers looking unblemished, with symmetrical features and text-book orchid judging appearance ----- it's true that some arrangement and adjustments can be involved --- not always, but maybe most of the time. And luck or probability can be involved too. Such as --- if the flowers happened to come out in some desired way already ---- and not much needs to be done, then that can make things easier to achieve the goal.

Factors include regular variations - just due to natural development --- and temperature, humidity, growing conditions etc.

And --- like the magician Derren Brown --- it can be about the audience not knowing how many trials (attempts) have been made in the background. What we may see is just footage (videos/pics) of the outcome. But in the background, it's hard to say how many attempts or how many flowerings, and how many plants may have been involved in order to get the 'shot'.

For me ----- I'm not perfect in appearance haha. So I tend not to judge where I can avoid it (even if I were 'perfect' in appearance). I just like to grow orchids and just enjoy looking at the colours and shapes - of the plants and flowers, and watch their behaviour heheh.

[K-Sci]

Originally Posted by SouthPark

Assuming a goal (just as an example only) is to have a orchid pic with flowers looking unblemished, with symmetrical features and text-book orchid judging appearance ----- it's true that some arrangement and adjustments can be involved --- not always, but maybe most of the time. And luck or probability can be involved too. Such as --- if the flowers happened to come out in some desired way already ---- and not much needs to be done, then that can make things easier to achieve the goal.

S.P., clearly,you are right. If someone flowers a lot of plants and takes a lot of picture, the person would definitely choose the best to represent them/their business.

Factors include regular variations - just due to natural development --- and temperature, humidity, growing conditions etc.

I was hoping we'd find some orchid genius who could tell us all exactly what to do with these variable, at least with cattleyas. Hey you geniuses...... we know you're out there.

And --- like the magician Derren Brown --- it can be about the audience not knowing...

There can be no doubt.

For me ----- I'm not perfect in appearance haha. So I tend not to judge where I can avoid it (even if I were 'perfect' in appearance). I just like to grow orchids and ...watch their behaviour heheh.

I often tell my wife, jokingly, I'm going to the greenhouse to see any of the orchids grew in the last hour or two.


edit: Thanks for your post, by the way.


-Keith

[K-Sci]

I've been reading the forum a lot. I've come across information twice that is directly relevant to this thread. Since it has happened twice I decided to start posting here to keep a record. This may be the only post. I'll just have wait and see what else I find.

Harry Akagi aof H&R Orchids referring to C. walkeriana. "I think the best [walkeriana] blooms are when it's in the [temperature] range of 78/58[F], with bright days. Then the flowers develop more slowly, flatten out, bloom larger with best shape & substance."


And Harry in another post: "This [C. walkeriana] flower has a nice picote. It was a little warm when it bloomed, so the petals are a little curved where they overlap." The flower is pictured in this thread:C walkeriana 'Super Blush'


And Harry with one more: "But have you noticed that even when colors are absent, whites appear brighter and more crystalline when conditions are cooler ... as though the "white" cells are enhanced to be appear even whiter."

-Keith