The following is our first candidate for this week. After you have had a chance to assess and research this plant, please reply to me with your commentary. Please do not forget to include your recommendation for nomination, award type and point range, if applicable.

Bulbophyllum A-doribil Candy Ann ‘Lavender Lady’ (Bulb. A-doribil Candy x Bulb. annandalei)

This cross was registered with RHS by Bill Thoms in 2007. The parent cross A-doribil Candy is also registered to Bill in 2001 (parents of this cross are Elizabeth Ann x bicolor). Species are: annandalei (50%), bicolor (25%), longissimum (12.5%), rothschildianum (12%).

The candidate cross has been awarded 15 times including an AQ to Bill Thoms. This plant is a division of Bill’s plant with the clonal name ‘Lavender Lady’ probably named for its bright lavender lip. Neither mother plant or division has been awarded.

It is growing in soft tree fern in a 12 cm pot for six months.

Three inflorescences with 4, 5, and 6 blooms per umbel (four blooms on the oldest inflorescence and 6 on the newest).

Flower Measurements:

NS H - 2.0 cm; NS V - 5.1 cm;

Dorsal Sep. W - 0.9 cm; Dorsal Sep. L - 1.5 cm;

Petal W - 0.4 cm; Petals L - 0.6 cm;

Lat/Sepal W - 1.0 cm; Lat/Sepal L - 3.9 cm;

Lip W - 0.8 cm; Lip L - 1.3 cm

Judges' Comments

Kristen Mason (Accredited Judge, Cincinnati Judging Center)

I like the brightness of the yellow color on the dorsal sepal and the petals, the upright stance of the dorsal, the darker color on the tips of the dorsal and petals, the evenness of the dots on the dorsal sepal, petals and especially the lip. The dots coalescing into almost solid color at the base of the lip is also nice. The lip has a white base color which contrasts nicely with the rest of the flower and is different than the other awarded plants both in terms of color, but also in terms of markings. The intense unmarked end to the column is really nice as is the difference in texture between the column and the rest of the flower. The spotting and bicolor nature of the ciliation on the sepals and petals adds interest to the flowers. Good display. Mottling on the inflorescence is a nice bonus. Slightly underflowered, slightly smaller than other awards both in terms of natural spread, but also individual parts, but does not affect the image of a full elegant flower. I scored this at 74 points, so close to or at a low HCC

Bill Thoms (bulbophyllums.com)

It is odd for me to see this clone presented by someone else and be asked to critique.

Since it is on the cover of my book, you can figure how I feel about it. The fact that it hasn't received an award yet is due to the vagaries of judging. It "just didn't go to the right panel."

It was not in bloom for the AQ and was passed by the team that saw it earlier, so I have never brought it back in, but have sold a few divisions.

I think its good points are: uniformity of form and color. Spots and stripes are very unstable in presentation and this clone is very good.

The size is a little small compared to the other clones, but not in relation to the plant size. Culture has a LOT to do with flower size, color and number and this is a small plant with 3 spikes. One is just opening (6 flowers), one is perfect (5 flowers) and one is starting to go (4 flowers). You can see the shape and color progression in these 3 heads.

I always thought it was award quality and still do. If I were looking at 2 spikes (without the one going), I would be at FCC (90 pts). With the third, it would be hard to justify since you are looking at collapsing flowers (in slow motion). It is at least an AM, and I would say that for someone else's cross as well.

Bill

ps a BIG thanks to Sergey for doing all this week after week. Thanks for a thankless job done well.

Al Messina (Accredited Judge, Northeast Judging Center)

Fifteen flowers on three arched inflorescences emanating from a small division of a previously awarded plant (?Parasol?); candidate minimally smaller than prior awards.

Color, form and arrangement ok. Flower count slightly less than original. Would qualify for low/mid HCC but suggest waiting for some more growth as potential for growth and larger flowers is high.

John Sullivan (Accredited Judge, Northeast Judging Center)

A beautiful presentation of a frequently awarded grex, a number of which were exhibited by this grower. The candidate presents as a basket arrangement of delicately colored flowers on gracefully arched unstaked inflorescences.

There seem to be a range of color in the awarded clones, particularly in the lip which varies from the lavender spotting seen here to more of a red in other examples. While I find the color here very pleasing, other awarded clones such as ‘Gold Star’ and ‘Parasol’ have similar coloration on larger flowers.

This is a fine grex which I feel has already received recognition. The candidate does not raise the bar, so I would not nominate it.

John Sullivan

Elena Skoropad (Associate Judge, Northeast Judging Center)

Lovely bulbophyllum! I especially like its lavender lip; nice contrast with the petals and sepals. There are 15 awards for this cross ranging from HCC to CCE. Our candidates has slightly smaller flowers; but very well presented and has very pleasant color combination. On this particular blooming the plant is the candidate for the flower award in mid to higher HCC range. I’d love to see what this pant can do on the next blooming; perhaps it could get an AM. Very well grown high quality plant which has a big potential. Good job done by the grower !

Thanks,

Elena

Deb Boersma (Student Judge, Great Lakes Judging Center)

Bulbo. A-doribil Candy Ann

This is a really cute flower and appears to have overall good form. I really like the colour and patterns on this flower. The lavender spots on the lip and the striped pattern on the lateral sepals are very appealing along with the contrasting spotted patterns on the petals and dorsal sepal. The lavender colour on the lip really pops out. I think the colour is much nicer than some of the other awarded plants that are pale yellow. When looking at the averages of flower quality awards, the flower size is a little below average but the floriferousness is slightly higher than average.

I would nominate this plant for a flower quality award and scored it at HCC 77.

Exhibitor - Bill and Deb Bodei, NJ (Associate Judge, Northeast Judging Center)