Another one with name confusion. I think we are stuck with ‘Undine’ since it is the cultivar name used RHS awards in 1999 and in 2010. If the 2010 was really the parent of the 1999 plant as stated in the award description, the cultivar name would need to have been different in 1999! Who knows which plants created divisions or mericlones. We are in the same boat with collection size, although I think my target will be in the 60-80 number with mature plants. I spent a few too many years exploring species when I should have been selectively looking for outstanding virus-free hybrids like you did!
It was AOS that I posted the description from, not RHS. Sorry for the confusion. Yes, of course you are correct. However, it seems like AOS would rather turn over in its proverbial grave than change anything once it’s duly registered. There are cases of things awarded being disputed and going before a review board (identification committee), but in the recent cases I know of nothing changed. I know of one that clearly (by all respected old timers, who knew the cultivar) was not the clonal name presented for judging, but a suspected sibling or selfing of that clonal name. It got by the judges and was awarded. It was challenged and the ID committee upheld the award.
At least in this description for ‘Undine’, it was noted that the previous award was a different cultivar, probably an offspring. Oh, and all divisions should be given a cultivar name when divided and passed on (because they are the same plant/cultivar). I learned this recently when I gave Patrick a division of Frans Hais!) and all meristems bear the cultivar name (and awards) of the mother plant.
Having said all of this, judges are in an impossible position in some cases trying to determine if a plant coming before them is what it’s represented as. I observed an educational judging session where a lovely seedling was presented. One of the judges insisted it was Rlc. Greenwich ‘Elmhurst’ and was not going to evaluate it. He had considerable clout and was not usually questioned, so the team was about to pass over it. Until the hybridizer’s representative spoke up (it was not his entry but that of someone he’d sold the seedling to), that indeed it was a hybrid C. Mem. Fred Brush and not Greenwich ‘Elmhurst’, the plant was not going to be evaluated. It then was, and if I remember correctly was awarded.
My point is, in the relatively limited time judges have, they obviously do their best but are not perfect. I present something expecting nothing. That way, I’m never disappointed, at least not significantly
There are some wonderful species, but I love floofy catts. Remember, you always have right of first refusal on anything I have. Best mentor a girl could ask for at a time when I knew nothing. I’d probably have killed everything and given up had it not been for your hours of coaching. I am grateful!
