Stanhopea tigrina nigroviolacea 'The Predator' FCC/AOS arrived!

[WaterWitchin]

Originally Posted by Jmoney

Once upon a time I could tell what plant I had by looking at it, no tag needed. I seem to have accrued too many plants to do that reliably anymore!

Yeah, so could I forty years ago. Now I'm lucky to remember my husband's name, my dogs' names, and sometimes my own name.

[JScott]

Originally Posted by Jmoney

according to the AOS database the award from 1996 is to a cultivar 'Predator', 90 point FCC. It seems that most searches bring up 'The Predator' which could just be a typo that has been perpetuated.

I've always seen it referred to as 'The Predator', and in fact the tag on my plant says 'The Predator', but if the AOS says it's just called 'Predator', then so shall it be. For whatever reason the slightly erroneous name has proliferated to the point that everybody I've ever seen and everything I've ever read uses the 'the' in the name.

However, I always felt like the use of 'The' in the name seemed awkward, so I'm happy to just call it 'Predator'. I like that better.

[Roberta]

Definitely "Predator" ... I have a (small) piece of the mother plant with a tag in the handwriting of Charles "Butch" Weckerle-Thrun, who managed the Rowland Collection listed as the owner of the plant, and partner of Neal Crosswhite who actually grew it, and several "Predator x self" from the Rowland Collection and from Santa Barbara Orchid Estate (where some of it went, and got selfed again). Some of the tags original. Not a "The" on any of the tags that are from the source or the successor of the source.

[DirtyCoconuts]

that is so cool of a way to verify something!!!

[Roberta]

Originally Posted by DirtyCoconuts

that is so cool of a way to verify something!!!

Knowing the local "cast of characters" helps... And living near them helps too.

[JScott]

Well, the first two flowers to open are already starting to shrivel up and die. It's been four or five days. I knew this is just how this plant works, so it's no surprise, but it still makes me sad. But it still has three more spikes, all at different levels of maturation, so I'll still have flowers to come, however it's been a beautiful experience, and after struggling for so many years to get it to bloom, I feel quite accomplished. It was worth the trouble, and it was worth what I paid for it, most definitely.

[Roberta]

Looking forward to the encores! Such a great show.

[orchidman77]

Playing significant catchup here but WOW, those blooms are spectacular! I'm so glad you got blooms after years of aborted buds.

I had a division of 'Predator' 15 years ago from SBOE that I killed and I'm still kicking myself for that. I do not have "Stanhopea Space" in my growing area but I'll definitely be looking to replace it once I do. There's nothing like a Stan in full bloom.