Today I would like to present our next candidate - Cattleya Loddiglossa var. coerulea (C. amethystoglossa x C. loddigesii).

This primary hybrid was originated and registered by Clarelen in 1948.

There are 18 immediate offspring (Orchid Roots).

Interesting that only 3 AOS awards granted for this hybrid: two in 2019 and one in 2012!

Another interesting point that flowers of current candidate doesn’t have spots (or, almost no spots).

Please read information from exhibitor:

13 flowers on two inflorescences.

Flower Measurements:

NS H - 10.3 cm; NS V - 10.5 cm;

Dorsal Sep. - W 2.0 cm; Dorsal Sep. - L 6.0 cm;

Petal W - 3.0 cm; Petals L - 5.6 cm;

Lat/Sepal W - 2.0 cm; Lat/Sepal L - 5.3 cm;

Lip W - 3.2 cm; Lip L - 4.6 cm (not unrolling side lobes).

Substance firm.

Plant is in a 16 cm pot, 72 cm tall (above pot).

Judges' Comments

Al Messina

Thirteen flowers on two inflorescences, beautifully grown in a 'Cattleya forest'; seems to be a division of “Carolina Blue", 2012. Flower count (per stem), 11, of "Carolina Blue", is superior to the candidate, 6.6. It does not appear to be an improvement over the parents. Petals are not as full and wide as "Darlene", 2019. Not an AM flower by today's standard, in my opinion, but should qualify for an HCC, Note: I believe the video improved the award chances for this candidate.

Thanks for allowing me to participate.

Kristen Mason

Thank You Sergey for this beautiful entry.

I love the evenness of the color on the sepals and petals. The flush of yellow at the base of the segments is harmonious, attractive and adds interest. The lip details, color intensity, contrast, depth of yellow and balance give a nice contrast to the rest of the flower and gives a harmonious and elegant effect. I find the white at the tip of the lip distracting. Over all the form is nice, especially the lip and the evenness of the ruffling. There are some inconsistencies in form from flower to flower. There is crowding on the inflorescence and inconsistencies in presentation. I love the contrast in texture between the sepals and petals, with the lip having a different texture. It adds interest and depth to the flowers. Flower count is a little low, but not terrible. Wider segments would have been nice especially on the sepals, but are within the range of awards. Overall a beautifully colored and nicely formed flower. I would point this at a 79 or 80. (Wondering what its fragrance is like given the parentage).

Deb Boersma

Student judge

I am partial to spotted Cattleyas and it would have been nice if this primary hybrid had inherited spots from the C. amethystoglossa however it is a striking flower. It has good form; it is symmetrical, has a little waving on the petal edges but no more than parents or other awarded plants. The white color is very pristine and the lip nicely contrasts with the sepals and petals. I really like the deep fuchsia color of the lip it really makes the flower stand out. The flower size and flower count are within the average of the awarded flowers. The flowers appear to be arranged uniformly on the inflorescence. I would nominate it for judging.

I scored it at 78 HCC

Thanks for letting me judge, hope I’m not too far off base!

Ed Weber

Interesting that it took 50 years before the grex received an award! Natural spread of 10.3 is marginally larger than the average for the 3 existing awards. Dorsal sepal width is slightly smaller than the average. Likewise with the DSL. The same can be said for the petals. While 2 inflorescences are normal the flower count averages 12 compared with 13 for this specimen. 'Carolina Blue' is the closest comparison for me and also displays the lack of spots. But with 11 flowers on a single inflorescence it exceeds this specimen in floriferousness... or at least potential floriferousness. The presentation is much more crowded than 'Carolina Blue' with the flowers going off in all directions and a shorter space between flowers on the stem. This plant appears to be in better condition than the aforementioned award. I would most likely pass on nominating the plant.

Ed Weber

Mark Werther

Cattleya Loddiglossa var. coerulea (C. amethystoglossa x C. loddigesii).

Now this is a real thinker. My first reaction when I see the word "coerulea" is, as some of my favorites, blues are in a top group for my taste. Of course there are the real blues and then there are variances that display lilac, amethyst, slate blues, light blues and bicolors with all sorts of variations.

This is not blue or even close. It has not bred relevant spotting from the amethystoglossa and most are looking for the 4n amethystoglossa with more closed forms.

The result is basically a nice open type similar to intermedia. It is very well presented and well grown. Its lip is relatively flat and has no undercurving. But it does not have distinctive coloring for a good loddigesii, intermedia or orlata form.

Looking at 10 and 10.5 cm flowers in loddigesii 'House of Blues' from 2017 or even going way back to 'Blue Sky' from 1987 is where I would hope to emulate with some blue and more closed form and spots from the amethystoglossa.

It is a nice presentation but has unfortunately not absorbed expected breeding improvements.

Mark Werther

Tom Mirenda

An extremely well grown and thriving example of a coerulean example of a classic hybrid. The clone at the table has excellent vigor, good size, decent form, nice flower arrangement, acceptable flower count per inflorescence and attractive coloration, including a well formed contrasting lip. All of these features combine to create a pleasing result that anyone would want to grow, and is probably of award quality. In this case the video was very helpful both in determining form (reasonably flat) color (slightly more coerulean than in the still pic) and stance & arrangement (all flowers visible and not crowded)

This being said, there are some flaws, I have seen rounder flowers of both parents and segments are a bit narrow and slightly wonky. While arrangement is good, there are gaps when viewed from sides and back. All in all I see a lack of fullness both in the flowers themselves and their presentation. As lovely as the coloration is, it is delicately hued and abit washed out. I have learned that coerulean forms are different for each cattleya species and that this may be considered by many very blue, for the species involved. But to be frank, for me, I would expect somewhat more color intensity in an awardable clone of this grex. I would like to see other examples of the same cross (hopefully from the same pod) before deciding on awardability. Without that, I could see giving it an HCC of 77 or 78 points that might be upgraded on a more substantial inflorescence in the future.

Fred Clarke

Here you go:

The shape and fullness of the segments is better that most.

Lip is well formed and flat.

The plant is grown to its potential.

Flower count average (can have more per inflorescence up to 14 flowers).

Arrangement is in acceptable.

Color is hard to evaluate from the picture and video it is looking a bit pink, might be coerulescens color from.

Looking like an HCC.

Trevor Yee

This hybrid has lots of appeal with its two well presented inflorescences. The flowers on both spikes look very consistent - the petals and sepals are nice and broad with a good overall circular outline (which is also suggested by the NS measurements). Colour is clean and unblemished, with a nicely coloured contrasting lip. The firm substance is a great attribute for these cluster type cattleyas.

The most comparable AOS award is the clone 'Carolina Blue' which has a HCC of 79 pts. I believe our candidate is worthy of a higher award and I'm suggesting 80 ~ 81 pts AM.

Deb Bodei

Cattleya Loddiglossa var. coerulea (C. amethystoglossa x C. loddigesii)

Observations and Commentary

Assessing this plant for a potential flower award. Flower count per stem is lower than previously awarded and comparing it to other photos of this hybrid, there would need to be at least one more inflorescence to consider a culture award. The plant is still relatively young.

The plant is grown well and in pristine condition. Form of the flower is generally attractive and can most be compared with ‘Carolina Blue’ awarded in 2012. That plant received an HCC with 79 points with flowers of similar form and spotting. Carolina had 11 flowers on one inflorescence while our candidate has 6.5 per stem. There is some undulation in the margins of the sepals, which could be accounted for in pointing.

The color of the flower is its strength and the soft hue, lack of spots, along with the satiny sheen gives the plant a beautiful luminous appearance. The lip has good form with very little clefting. There seems to be a white marking on the apex of the lip midlobe, but it seems to be consistent on the blooms which leads me to think it is not a color break.

Measurements of segments are in range of previously awarded.

Recommendation

I would nominate the plant for a flower award and predict an HCC scoring.

Sergey Skoropad

Cattleya Loddiglossa var. coerulea.

I’m surprised to find out that only 3 AOS awards have been granted to this primary hybrid for over 70 years!

Compare to existing awards:

‘Syzygy’ AM 80 pts, 8 flowers on 1 infl., 2019;

‘Darlene’ AM 82 pts, 17 flowers on 4 infl., 2019;

‘Carolina Blue’ HCC 79 pts, 11 flowers on 1 infl. 2012.

Very well grown plant. 13 well-presented flowers on two strong inflorescences.

Shape of the flowers are reasonable full, consistent, could be placed in between the clones ‘Syzygy’ and ‘Darlene’, very close to ‘Carolina Blue’.

Size of flowers is within a range of awarded plants.

Color is soft, pleasant, consistent and close to ‘Carolina Blue’.

13 flowers on 2 inflorescences (6.5 per infl.) could be within a range (‘Darlene’ - 4.5 and ‘Carolina Blue’ - 11).

I believe these flowers are awardable.

I would nominate for flower award and score AM 80 pts.

Thanks

Sergey Skoropad

Exhibitor - Ken Jacobsen, CA (Accredited Judge, Pacific Central Judging Center)