Quote:
Originally Posted by Roy
What it means is that there were a minute amount of Sweet Afton x self plants ie, may 2 or 3 that I know of that were ever seen. One, probably the one you posted is the only mutation of the lot, not sure. I have seen one that looked similar to Sweet Afton but not a good flower. The selfing, like nearly ALL HYBRID selfings produce Rubbish in the seedlings. It is also a plant that didn't like being cloned or it was the way or who or both did the original cloning. This plant is TOO old to really consider looking for or really keep growing IMO. There are way better plants available these days that grow & flower much better also. Sentiment is ok but not to the extent of trying to grow difficult & crap plants in the end. I would love to have my 1st plant (m/clone) of the original, was as good as in every way & Very experienced Catt grower said so also. I don't have in now & I'm not going to get another plant. No time for it.
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Thanks for explaining that Roy. There is one photo from way back --- 1978 ...the AOC-awarded one.
CLICK HERE
Not quite symmetrical in the pattern colour distribution on its lip, but quite nice. I have seen in orchid society awards lists (in their society pdf bulletins) with Sweet Afton mentioned in them.
I have no doubt that Sweet Afton is still alive in Australia (ie. not these results of selfings or clones of selfings or mutants that you're referring to, which are not Sweet Afton).
I've been looking for Sweet Afton for various reasons ----- the main reason is I wanted a chance to grow one after seeing a photo of the flower in a book a relatively long time ago. I'm not looking for it for ease of growth - even though I reckon it's pretty easy to grow up here in North Queensland.
I'm looking for Sweet Afton most specifically for its flower. Its particular shape, particular patterns and colour distribution. There certainly are heaps of variety (heaps is an understatement of course) of orchids in the orchid world - we know that. But this cultivar (Sweet Afton) caught my eye in a book - it got my attention a long time ago, and still draws my attention.
I like old as well as the new/modern. No plant is too old for me Roy ..... even if it were a thousand years old --- or a lot older than that.
I noticed that you posted a photo of a flower with chartreuse-coloured tepals with a red lip.
CLICK HERE
That's not the plant that you mean, right? That flower you showed is not Sweet Afton. You can immediately know this - noticeably different lip features when compared with all previously awarded Sweet Afton lip features, and when compared with the flowers of Bruce Ah Sing, Ron-NY and Dorsetman. Although, despite writing this ..... the flower you showed is a very nice one.