Fredclarkeara After Dark
 

I got this as a gift from a friend a number of years ago. It is one of the original seedlings from the original cross. The minute it bloomed I knew it was award worthy. I have tried for a number of years to get it to Judging but something always came up, poorly formed spikes, flowers not open enough or too far gone, car battery died. This year it has put out 3 new growths on which there are a combined total of 8 spikes carrying 94 buds. It will make it to Judging this year by hook or by crook. It is fully staked and just waiting for the flowers to open. Fingers crossed!

Ditto!
Joann

Thanks you to you both, I'm pleased with it and myself. Fortunately it is Show Season here in Florida so that there will be more opportunities for me to get it to Judging, hopefully I will make it this year.

Wow, that is amazing...and most definitely a WINNER. Be sure to post photos when he blooms. Does it usually spike like this during dormancy?

Looks like it's going to be gorgeous once in full bloom! I really really hope that you manage to get it to a show.

Beautiful Glen! Congratulations. Hope you get to judging successfully.

Cheers.
Jim

That definitely looks like a winner

They normally bloom fairly late in the season but mine seems to bloom much later than most, almost always after it has lost it's leaves. This time I actually removed the last of the leaves so that I could stake it .

---------- Post added at 08:04 AM ---------- Previous post was at 08:02 AM ----------

Thanks everyone, I will keep you posted on it's progress and will definately post photos when it is fully open.

Wow!!! That is INCREDIBLE!!! I do hope you make it to judging!

It's going to look incredible!

Niiiiiiiice! I can't wait to see this one!

just superb!!!!

Just an update, the plant will not be ready for Judging tomorrow, hopefully it will be ready in 2 weeks when our other local Judging Center meets. If not, it's Show Season here in Florida, I will find a Show somewhere, fingers crossed.

Boy, I'd pay a quarter to see it in person! Boggles the mind!

Did it bloom Glen? Did you get it to judging? If so would love to see some pics.

I just saw this post now but it is amazing! I too would like to hear the result and see bloom pics!

WHOOHOOO!!!! I am so excited for you, Glen...show us the bloom pictures soon !!!!

I want to see the pictures in bloom! I bet it got an award!

Sorry I didn't update the original post. When I last posted I had staked the plant and was hoping to make it to judging. The plant nevermade it to judging. When I left my friends greenhouse where my plant was growing he hung the plant back up but in a different spot. Unfortunately he hung it in a spot that was too hot and too sunny. Of the 110 buds on the plant, all but about 15 or so blasted. It did have one inflorescense that was in good shape but Fred Clarke who was in town to speak to my orchid society suggested that I not bring it to judging until next year, his feeling was that with the size of the plant, the judges would expect more flowers and would probably pass on the plant. Maybe next time things will work out better. The plant is back home and will stay here with me until it does eventually make it to judging.

Oh no, what a bummer! Bud blast is one of the most disappointing things that can happen to an orchid grower. You get your hopes up and mother nature kicks you in the stomach. I'm sorry about that. Please post pictures of the flowers that did open. Good luck next year.

What a heartbreak! I agree with tucker85. I'd rather lose a spike before they are that close to opening. It will eventually get to judging, but orchid growing is not for the faint of heart for sure! To many disappointments and much patience required :) We'd still like to see the inflorescence that did bloom. You'll have an appreciative audience here!

I was so miffed over the situation and didn't think to take pictures, will try to search my archieves and see if I can find one.

Thanks for the update Glen. That really "bites" (what happened). Will look forward to seeing pictures of the next blooms from you. I'm getting my own next month very excited, that is why I was leafing through the catasetum threads last night and came accross your post.

Is your friend still alive or did you kill him?....lol

lol, he is still alive but is still in fear of losing his life. It's really weird though, the plant only put out one new growth this year as opposed to last years 3 new growths.

any news on this ? I thought maybe the plant spiked at normal time ?
I just got one at our Orchid Society Auction. Its in bloom and I will post photos tomorrow on a separate thread.

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