Here she comes...V Pat Delight

[cb977]

This time she's decided to give me three spikes!
Was my mom's favorite plant and I know she's watching this one from Heaven...

[caseydoll]

Oh Sue I'm so happy for you! That really is a breathtaking orchid! The color is just lovely. I hope looking at it brings you lots of joy and happy memories! I'm sure your mom is enjoying it as well.

[cb977]

This one has always brought me pleasure but now it holds a special meaning for me.

It always blooms twice a year. I cut the last bloom off of it just days before I left for NY when my mom got sick in February. Two horrible weeks later, I got home and found two spikes growing! Talk about shock!!!
A week later, a third one popped up!

Yup...she's helping out with this one, for sure

[cneos]

Originally Posted by cb977

This time she's decided to give me three spikes!
Was my mom's favorite plant and I know she's watching this one from Heaven...

Beauty! Is this a mericlone?
Pat Delight always impresses. Sometimes flowers get so heavy that they bend/break the inflorescence; next blooming stake early.

[cb977]

Originally Posted by cneos

Beauty! Is this a mericlone?
Pat Delight always impresses. Sometimes flowers get so heavy that they bend/break the inflorescence; next blooming stake early.

Joanna, of course, since you asked your question yesterday it's been stewing in the back of brain

I just went out and secured the plant a little better and took a closer look at the tag.

It says V Pat Delight (M)

I always thought that the (M) stood for Magenta which is the color this looks like to me...could it possibly stand for mericlone instead?

Oh...and here's an updated photo...or three

[cneos]

Originally Posted by cb977

Joanna, of course, since you asked your question yesterday it's been stewing in the back of brain

I just went out and secured the plant a little better and took a closer look at the tag.

It says V Pat Delight (M)

I always thought that the (M) stood for Magenta which is the color this looks like to me...could it possibly stand for mericlone instead?

Oh...and here's an updated photo...or three

Commercial enterprises often use (M) to identify a plant as a mericlone. Unfortunately, this info doesn't go far enough in telling us which particular plant provided the material used to make the mericlone.

BTW, there are 6 AOS awards on record for Pat Delight. All awarded plants are notable for their 'cupped' flowers; none has 3 inflorescences. If you show the plant on this flowering, who knows what could happen? Awardable or not, there'd be an interesting discussion.

Your plant is a beauty.

[cb977]

Originally Posted by cneos

Commercial enterprises often use (M) to identify a plant as a mericlone. Unfortunately, this info doesn't go far enough in telling us which particular plant provided the material used to make the mericlone.

BTW, there are 6 AOS awards on record for Pat Delight. All awarded plants are notable for their 'cupped' flowers; none has 3 inflorescences. If you show the plant on this flowering, who knows what could happen? Awardable or not, there'd be an interesting discussion.

Your plant is a beauty.

I brought her down to the AOS last year (a 5 hr one-way trip) when she had two spikes...because I ran the records and found that none had ever been awarded with two spikes previously. She didn't win anything, which was okay because I got to see the AOS Headquarters anyway

I'm already thinking if the third spike blooms while the first two are looking great, she and I might make a much shorter trip to the judging center in Tampa and take another stab at it

Thanks for all the information, Joanna...your input is always appreciated.

[cb977]

Hi Joanna

I'm sorry..I have no idea about whether it's a mericlone or not. A friend gave it to me two years ago and all I know is...I love it!

[cneos]

Not to worry.

I ask if it's a mericlone because there is such variation in color for Pat Delight. We have a very pink Pat Delight (no clonal name indicated) whereas the clone 'Hildos' is a stunning blue-black.

Both plants bear very big flowers, the weight of which have bent (and broken) the inflorescence. Staking helps the display and saves the flowers from falling over on themselves.

Good luck with this plant ... it's a beauty I wouldn't mind having in my collection. In the absence of an 'official' clonal name, why not name it for your Mom?

[samizook]

Very beautiful!