another Brassada - Mem. Bert Field

[Dorsetman]

Bert was head grower at an old-fashioned orchid establishment in Sussex, UK- now no longer operating ( Stonehurst Nurseries) One of the old school it is said ( was said - not many of his generation left I think). The sort of chap who wore a green baize pinafore and always had a pocket-knife which he would sharpen on a whetstone, and use to cut up plants when dividing them.
I hardly ever bought from the nursery - I knew of its reputation as a centre for virus propagation - unintentionally, but Bert never cleaned his pen-knife, except perhaps to wipe it on his apron before he used it to cut up his sandwiches.He didn't believe in all this new-fangled science. Ah, the good old days...

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[catttan]

Thanks for that little bit about Bert Field, the man, and Stonehurst. Now I know why I like this Brassada - it has Bert Field stamped all over it.

[mazlani]

Love this one. The color is awesome .

[panam]

Love this one. The color is awesome .

I agree - I really am taken by the color. It's different and appealing. Thanks for the info, as well!

[paulajean]

I don't mean to be contrary, but Bert Field was my grandfather. The bio above is charming, but fictional. The real Bert Field was born in Washington State, worked as an electrician for the U.S. Army and never set foot in the U.K. Orchids were his passion and avocation. I have wonderful memories of following him around in his greenhouses and washing terra cotta pots for a penny each.

I've attached a photograph of the Application for Registration of an Orchid Hybrid that you may find interesting. My grandmother submitted this after Bert's death.

[paulajean]

Excuse me, I should have said born in Michigan and raised in Washington State. As you can see from the application, the original cross was made in 1963 and it first flowered in 1968. My grandfather passed away in 1967 so he never saw the results of the cross.

[catttan]

WOW!!! This is very interesting! The registration form does prove who the orchid was named after. Thanks Paulajean for this info. I find this so intriguing ...... 2 Bert Field's in the orchid world!

[Polarizeme]

This is so ironic. Today I noticed 2 spikes from Mem. Bert Field cross with Ada keiliana. I have no idea what this flowering will look like as I ended up with this plant hidden in a collection of Pleurothallids I bought in March.
How exciting!

[cakedaddy]

Could it be Bert White of Stonehurst?
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[paulajean]

This is so ironic. Today I noticed 2 spikes from Mem. Bert Field cross with Ada keiliana. I have no idea what this flowering will look like as I ended up with this plant hidden in a collection of Pleurothallids I bought in March.
How exciting!

I hope you'll post photos when it flowers, as I would be very interested in seeing it.