Price advice on new cross, potentially award winning plant

[JackiePS]

Hi everyone!

I am watching a plant on an auction site. It's an unusual result from a cross of BLC Double Bouton & Goldenzelle. I am not sure if it's okay to post the particulars here or not. Anyway, this plant is right up my alley, I'm in love. I do not want to over pay for it but I'm thinking it could be REALLY special. My question is how much should I spend? I know this is extremely relative but I appreciate any input!

Thanks in advance

[78Terp]

Don't know about the price part but I do know that if you see one you like, snag it while you can or you may never see it again!

[JackiePS]

Yeah, I have a feeling about this baby..... the timing couldn't be worse but you know orchid addiction...... or maybe you don't... lol Did you see my other post where I begged you for help? It's in the 'cutting sheath' thread

[chemist]

Do you want me to help you bid? I should be home that time!

[PaphMadMan]

Well, if I managed to find the listing you are referring to, I'd say it appears to be a healthy mature Catt. In bloom, such a plant of good quality is certainly worth the current price. The flowers are interesting, but I wouldn't really consider them unusual, and they probably would not be considered good quality in commercial or AOS judging terms. But if they fit your tastes in a particular way I don't think the price is excessive. People certainly spend much more for plants in bud without really knowing what the flowers will look like.

[JackiePS]

Do you want me to help you bid? I should be home that time!

You are the best Svetlana! I will watch it tomorrow and decide my max price. I will message you on FB

---------- Post Merged at 10:59 PM ----------

Well, if I managed to find the listing you are referring to, I'd say it appears to be a healthy mature Catt. In bloom, such a plant of good quality is certainly worth the current price. The flowers are interesting, but I wouldn't really consider them unusual, and they probably would not be considered good quality in commercial or AOS judging terms. But if they fit your tastes in a particular way I don't think the price is excessive. People certainly spend much more for plants in bud without really knowing what the flowers will look like.

Thank you Paph Man! You probably did find the right one... I will PM you! I would like to pick your brain if that is okay. I guess I'm way off about what a constitutes 'a prize plant'

[chemist]

Why in PM to paphmadman? I would be interested to know too
Posted via Mobile Device

[JackiePS]

Too funny, have to share this! Hubby is supportive of my plant habit but thinks this plant I'm in love with that looks like a 'reject' (so much for my 'award winner')...... maybe I need to re think this.. lol! Apparently this plant I love cannot decide what color it wants to be..... lol

---------- Post Merged at 11:12 PM ----------

Why in PM to paphmadman? I would be interested to know too
Posted via Mobile Device

I want to pick his brain on how they judge plants and what they look for. Maybe we can open it up for discussion here. I'm still pretty new to the forum so I wasn't sure if we could discuss it...but if we can, LET'S!

[chemist]

So Kirk, could you please give us a lesson why that described plant in your opinion wont get reward? Asking just from curiosity, we did look up some info on aos but its not clear to the beginners.

[PaphMadMan]

You can certainly PM me if you have specific questions, but I can comment on AOS judging criteria in a general way. (Let me make it clear though, I am not trained in judging and my personal esthetics and priorities for a flower do not match typical judging standards.) For a full size complex Cattleya hybrid like this, an awardable flower is expected to be big, flat, full and symmetrical. When you look at the flower from the front there would be no gaps visible between petals, sepals and lip, and the left half of the flower should be a perfect mirror image of the right half. From the side the flower should all be in one plane as far as possible, not cupped forward or with petals or sepals bent back. Exceptional size or color or an unusual type of breeding might catch judges eyes too. In all cases they should make detailed comparisons to similar crosses previously awarded. This would be compared to what are considered nearly perfect flowers, and certainly compared to its multiple awarded parent Goldenzelle. Search for pictures of Blc. Goldenzelle 'Lemon Chiffon' and you will see many examples of full symmetrical flowers.

Again assuming I found the auction listing you're looking at, the flower might be fairly big, but it is not flat, full or symmetrical. The color is nice but not unusual. The form is much like many early Cattleya hybrids, but not like the awarded modern types. The flowers are crowded together too, not letting them be as flat and symmetrical as they could have been. It could certainly be impressive on a mature plant with many flowers, and might get noticed in ribbon judging at a show, but would not get any consideration for a formal AOS award. That doesn't mean it isn't nice or isn't worth it. Your own taste should determine what you buy, not a judging system, unless you are specifically looking to breed or show orchids for awards.

One thing that would concern me a little if I was looking at buying this plant - the other parent listed, Double Bouton, is not a named registered hybrid. Perhaps there is a registration pending, or maybe it is actually a hybrid called Double Buttons, but vendors that throw around unregistered names without explanation make me wary. It is a bit sloppy at best, potentially misleading.