Fredclarkeara Desert Davison (Mo. Painted Desert x Ctsm. Melana Davison)
 

Purchased from Sunset Valley Orchids' 2017 Catasetum offerings. First bloom for this plant. I'm in awe! Look how the color goes from burgundy to black, depending on the light. Forty flowers!! AOS judging is this coming weekend, I hope the judges will like it as much as I do.

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You'll let us know, right?

Absolutely! The only other awarded clone had 19 flowers that were a bronzy color (not as nice!!) and it got 83 points!

Oh my, that is a stunning Cat!!! :drool: :drool: Love that last photo with the light on the blooms. And for a first bloom that is just a fantastic looking display. I nearly bought this one at the same time as the lone Cat I have (also an SVO Melana Davison cross, spiking for the first time with 3 spikes), and now sorely regret it. There are not many SVO crosses available in Europe...

If that plant doesn't get a (great) award, the judges are out of their minds.

EDIT: I found this cross again at a german vendor!!! I guess I'm going to be doing some shopping soon. :biggrin::biggrin:

The deep red shows up really well in the still shots, in your videos it shows as black, either way I love it!
Good luck with the judging.

Exceptional! Good luck!

How on earth do you transport such a plant in bloom? Or any other 'show orchid'?
Is there a video anywhere showing the logistics?
Good luck - beautiful colour blooms!

I don't think so...but I would like to make one!! Thank you for the suggestion!

The good thing about this one is that you don't have to spend 2h polishing the leaves! :biggrin:

Surely polished leaves have no effect on a flower quality award ?!