what is a "stud division"?

[DTEguy]

Hello,

Can someone please explain what a "stud division" is?

Thanks

[zxyqu]

A stud division, is a division of the main stud plant, ie a really nice plant of a given grex or species. In some cases, it can imply a very large division, but that would depend on the seller.

[DTEguy]

Thanks Jarad!

[silken]

My understanding is that a stud plant is a prize plant that growers keep for breeding purposes. It has the best qualities and so the blooms are used for pollinating or being pollinated for new seedlings. Occasionally the plant gets big enough they need to divide it so you are usually getting a piece of a fairly desirable orchid.

[RosieC]

I would agree with Silken. I know the nursery I have visited has massive 'stud' plants which are their breading plants. They told me they occasionally divide them and sell the divisions. As it's a division of a plant the nursery feels is high quality for breading it's something they will promote as a high quality plant.

[Cym Ladye]

Originally Posted by RosieC

I would agree with Silken. I know the nursery I have visited has massive 'stud' plants which are their breading plants. They told me they occasionally divide them and sell the divisions. As it's a division of a plant the nursery feels is high quality for breading it's something they will promote as a high quality plant.

The key words here are ...."the nursery feels"... As a rule, one man's stud plant may or may not be what you want in your collection and old stud plants may be as out of date as last year's car model. Buyer beware, as some hybridizers/nurseries place an extraordinary/overinflated value on their stud plants. More often than not, the progeny of these stud plants is superior.

CL