Rlc. Memoria Helen Brown

[SouthPark]

A slight win and a loss at the same time today. I had high hopes of my plants with tags of Rlc. Memoria Helen Brown 'Sweet Afton' were truly 'Sweet Afton'. I estimated (or speculated) on the chances being good.

However, unfortunately ----- the first of the three plants, which flowered today - is definitely not 'Sweet Afton'. It is a Rlc. Memoria Helen Brown - but absolutely not 'Sweet Afton'. All is not lost though as I have a confirmed 'Sweet Afton' incoming this season (all set up several months ago). Having a plan B and/or even a plan C is always a good thing heheh.

The orchid that flowered today - for the first time - is a Rlc. Memoria Helen Brown at least.

It could be one of those cases where the supplier (orchid nursery) purchased plants (perhaps a long time ago) from somewhere - perhaps an overseas supplier - that supplied orchids with misleading names.

Or - it could also be a case that this just so-happens to be a mutation, while my two other plants (with the same tag) may have a chance of being 'Sweet Afton'.

In any case ----- the morning started off being hopeful and promising, with the buds beginning to open. The flowers are maybe half-open and still got some way to go - still early times.

Just posting some photos taken this evening with camera flash to share. And one extra image showing features not seen in 'Sweet Afton'. I'm not a fan of C. digbyana frilly/hairy/toothy/serrated lip edges. At least from these early photos, the jagged edges are not too extreme - even though they are there.

Still a privilege to grow this particular orchid though. An interesting look from what we can see so far. Will post more photos when the flower opens up fully.


Above: This morning - buds started to open. Had super ultra high hopes that it would be 'Sweet Afton'. The lettuce leaf look was nice - or rather, nice and tasty!



Above: One quick look when I got home - and knew right away it wasn't 'Sweet Afton'. But still happy that it is at least a Memoria Helen Brown.



Above: Notice the frilly/hairy edges around the lip perimeter. Will admit I'm not a fan of edges like that - slight digbyana features. But definitely will have to live with it hahaha. Actually - regardless of what my orchid flowers look like, I love them all (the orchid plants).



Above: Added notes about features of this orchid, and details that I use to tell it is not a 'Sweet Afton' - even though the tag incorrectly has the 'Sweet Afton' label.

[SouthPark]

Above: Rlc. Memoria Helen Brown photographed this morning. The pink pattern around the lip is nice. Interesting short purple coloured line on the petal tips too - I'm not a fan of it though, but it does change up an otherwise all-green petal, providing a small touch of attractive colour effect.

The actual size of the front lobe of the lip is actually larger than what it appears in the photo - maybe due to angle and lense-related effects.



Above: Flowers on the left - Rlc. Memoria Helen Brown (newly opened flowers) and flower on the right - from a different Rlc. Memoria Helen Brown (linked in some way to 'Sweet Afton').






Above: Quite nice patterns and colour in general. Although - the lateral reddish coloured band in the throat region that runs side-ways tends to spoil the flow of the multiple longitudinal lines that run down the throat. But that's the way it is with this particular flower.








Overall, a very nice and pretty flower. Wonderful in being able to share these photos here.

[WaterWitchin]

Gorgeousness!