Hello!
I had purchased an uncommom orchid hybrid some time ago and bloomed it out. However it didn't come with a cultivar name. It is really nice and I want to enter it in for judging. How do I know it is not a mericlone or if so, which cultivar is it? How would one proceed in entering it for judging? I want to enter it but don't know the rules regarding this and want to be as honest as possible. Looking at the plant it looks like it was a division from long ago!!
If you remember from whence or from whom the orchid was purchased, contacting that establishment or person might be your best first step.
If you have a picture of the bloom, someone here might be able to help you ID it. However, do keep in mind that there are so many orchid hybrids out there now, & many of them so similar in appearance ( look at all the white phals ........), that it could prove impossible to get a true ID.
Use the info that you have, and don't make any assumptions. That's all the judges ask. If there is some question about whether it's a clone, the judges can usually research it (if there are some known cultivars). If there are no other cultivars known than it's a safe bet that it's seed-grown.
Either way, seed grown or clone/division with not cultivar name, you would enter it for judging the same way: Genus Grex (parent A x parent B)
For the most part, judges go based on what is in front of them and what is known about the plant. If for some reason there are thoughts that the plant was previously awarded, then they may pass on awarding it, but I try to observe at my local judging on a regular basis and most of the time they don't question the information that is available.