Thank you for the photos Lise. But, they are all so close to the flower. Can you please take a couple photos a bit further away? Also, please show the whole plant in at least one of them. Thanks.
I'm not sure yet. I ONLY had 3 different clones of this species. One is called 'Sherwood' and it is a very large flower with medium colour saturation and a very round lip. It's beautiful and it's got better form than 'Royalty'; but, it is nowhere near as deeply coloured. Then of course, I have the 'Royalty' clone. The third clone, which is what I wondered that your plant might be, had very small flowers; about half the size of 'Royalty' and a much more star-like form....not as "chunky" as 'Royalty'. However, it also had super saturated colour....sometimes it even looked more saturated than 'Royalty'. If you look at your photo and my photos of 'Royalty', your flower is not as richly coloured. It doesn't look like any of my 3 plants. I'm not saying that you've made a mistake and this plant is not from me; but, I do wonder if this division is in fact 'Royalty' and the plant is too small and/or the thrips have weakened it, giving it poor flower shape and substance.?????? The lighter colour saturation of your flower, as compared to 'Royalty' and my clone #3, makes me wonder if your plant has been grown too warm? Usually, cool temps intensify the colour saturation. More photos as described above would help me, I think.
If it is not 'Royalty', I want to do right by you and send you a fresh cut division from my specimen mother plant. However, if it
is 'Royalty' and the problem is that the culture needs improving....well, that's up to you, of course.
BTW: Here's a photo of my 'Sherwood' clone. Your plant is definitely not 'Sherwood'.
Link:
http://http://forum.theorchidsource.com/ubbthreads.php/ubb/showflat/Number/131511/Searchpage/1/Main/18474/Words/spectabilis/Search/true/What_a_difference_culture_make.html#Post131511