Phrag. Mem Dick Clements

[nabakov5]

I defended my master's thesis yesterday, completing all my requirements for graduation. To celebrate, my best friend took me to his secret orchid dealer to pick out a brassia. Sadly, they had no Brassia's, so i picked up this little girl whom I love love love. The full name is Phrag. Mem Dick Clements 'Pisgah' X Phrag. Andean Fire 'Pisgah'. Isn't she lovely? Ok, quick question. When I picked this one out, the owner made this comment: "This is a species orchid, therefore I don't know how long it will hold that bloom." What did he mean by that? Specifically, what did he mean by "species orchid"? I love the bloom, but I really bought the plant because it has TONS of new growths including four new leads. but I have no idea what he was talking about (and I wasn't about to show my ignorance amoung the pack of orchid addicts that surrounded me). Any thoughts? Oh, and one more thing. I live next to Pisgah National Forest. Any chance that there is a connection between that and the name of this orchid?
cat

[Diane]

It is not a species, both parents are primary hybrids, the Andean Fire is besseae x lindleyanum, and Dick Clements is besseae x sargentianum. It's a lovely bloom.

[bench72]

What a beauty!

"Pisgah" would be it's clonal name... Julie posted the explanations somewhere which would be a better read than me trying to explain it... I'll muddle it all up... anyways, yes, there is more than likely a connection between the clonal name and the forest! Probably why the grower chose that particular name.

[Piper]

Hi Cat,

Congrats on your thesis defense! Holy VEAL, you must be releived!

What a lovely celebratory gift! You should call her Dorothy Yates. Actually, you should, because that's her name. Diane's absolutely right, as were your intincts. This is a hybrid cross. But Dick Clements x Andean Fire = Phrag Dorothy Yates.

That you bought it locally, you live near Pisgah Nat. Forest, and both cultivar names are 'Pisgah' suggests to me that the grower probably made the cross himself. Not that that means anything special.

You should get many blooms off this fellow. I'm not sure what the grower was trying to tell you, but Phrags will drop perfectly healthy flowers as the next one is about to open. It can be quite unexpected and freaky. Just be prepared! But certainly enjoy - it's a lovely plant!

Julie

[Tmai]

Beautiful. I love the soft rosy color. Congrats on your thesis and upcoming graduation, Cat! the phrag is a very nice grad gift.
Tami