Rlc. (Carolina Splendor x Oconee Circle)

[Fairorchids]

Another Fred Clarke creation. As usual, I bought several, so I could select a good one to keep. Here are the first two to bloom, showing a good reason to buy more than one when buying seedlings.

Photos were taking in artificial light. Real color is a warm orangey red.

[DaylightFirefly]

Really beautiful blooms!

I can definitely see the difference. Does it mean that blooms in upcoming years will be of the same shape, color, pattern? I do not have much experience with orchids. I am curious if it makes sense to keep a plant and wait for second and third blooms in hope to get better blooms?

[Fairorchids]

The shape can fluctuate somewhat with the culture. Both of these are first bloom seedlings, so plants will get a bit larger & stronger, which may lead to larger flowers.

However, as both plants are in good condition for their size, the relative differences will remain.

Also, light has some impact. We are currently in low light intensity conditions. If the plants bloom over the summer months, I would expect the color to become stronger - provided that I can keep the temperature down (high temps impact red flowers negatively).

[Roberta]

Originally Posted by DaylightFirefly

Really beautiful blooms!

I can definitely see the difference. Does it mean that blooms in upcoming years will be of the same shape, color, pattern? I do not have much experience with orchids. I am curious if it makes sense to keep a plant and wait for second and third blooms in hope to get better blooms?

Just a little note here, to explain why Fairorchids will get several plants of a seed cross... there will be plant-to-plant variation - with the same parents from the same seed capsule, it's like siblings, each one is unique. By growing several, one may be a standout in form, color, etc. That's the big difference from getting a clone, which is genetically substantially identical to the original plant and so is predictable - but no adventure.

[Fairorchids]

To elaborate on Roberta's comment:

If the parents of a seed cross are similar, the offspring should be fairly similar.

If the parents are dissimilar, you can expect significant variation in the offspring.

[Leafmite]

I like both of them. Very nice!

[Dalachin]

I see what you mean—wish I had greenhouse. Could be really interesting to get a flask of something with very dissimilar parents.

[Jmoney]

both nice but the form on that 2nd one is stellar!