a Q for your old-timers regarding mericloning
 

I recall reading that orchid mericloning arose during the 1960's. Would I be correct in assuming that having a plant mericloned was quite expensive at that time? Any idea on just how common it was for orchids to be mericloned back then?

My curiosity has been piqued as I recently received, in trade, a large division of Slc. Jewel Box 'Dark Waters.' The gent from whom I obtained it has had his plant for at least 25yrs. He got his as a division from an old os acquaintance who had had the plant for at least 10yrs before that. The gent believes (if his memory serves him correctly) that the os acquaintance, in turn, had obtained his plant as a division from yet another person. So there is the very real possibility that I may now have a division of the original 'Dark Waters' as opposed to a mericlone.

Interestingly, to me at least, there is a notable difference between the division of "DW" and any of the others I have ever seen -- namely the size. Any of the "DW"s I have seen -- whether they be ones I used to own, at shows, or at vendors tables/booths -- have all easily fit the size category of "compact" (typically with pb + leaf only being about 9inches tall). This division has a number of pb + leaf that are 13-14inches tall (which would place it out of the compact category).

It could be a 4n (which sometimes happens during the cloning process) or it could be mislabeled!

I remember reading about someone lamenting the fact that these days - as compared to the old days - the size of blooms has considerably decreased, especially on cattleya species. I am sure mericloning has had a lot to do with that as only the "preferred" plants were mericloned and hundreds flooded the market. As growers appeal to windowsill growers primarily, the size of the plant also matters. Maybe it is unusual to get a large flower on a compact plant on these old hybrids ? Your plant definitely has value to a catt breeder somewhere because knowledge around genetics has considerably increased. Maybe you can get a large bloom on a compact plant, just need the right breeding stock to start with.

With the plant your division came from being approximately 40+ years out of the 49 since it was first awarded, I would say that there is a very good possibility that the plant you have is a division from an original DW. Now whether or not that plant was a mericlone or not.....any ones guess.

There were 3 DWs awarded in the 60's early 70's. It was first awarded in 1965 in OK and again in 1972 in Fl and another in 1974 in TX. There is no info in Orchid Wiz concerning size for 1965 but of note is the 1972 award which notes that the NS was 11.9 wide compared to the DW awarded in 74 at NS 9.5 wide. Perhaps yours comes from the 1972 awarded plant?? Others awarded since were 9.3 (1976 in FL.) & 9.4 (2008 in NC.).

As isurus79 pointed out it could be a 4N too due to conversion in mericloning. If you had it counted you'd know for sure, if your so inclined.

Judi