Paph. Winston Churchill "Indomitable" FCC/AOS/RHS

[Tom-DE]

I almost lost it years ago because I divided it too soon...This is the first bloom in five years or longer. The flower is not perfect (there is a minor dent on the pouch), but not too bad considering it only got insufficient watering the last two weeks while the bud was developing.

 

[Theodoreorchidking]

Absolutely gorgeous

 

[Ozpaph]

You are a very lucky person to own such an unique treasure. A true piece of complex breeding history.
Can i ask how you came upon it?

 

[Tom-DE]

You are a very lucky person to own such an unique treasure. A true piece of complex breeding history.
Can i ask how you came upon it?

It came to me around 2003-2004. Val Tonkin from Tonkins orchids, CA. USA sent me this clone and another WC (not awarded but also a good clone, unfortunately I sold it years ago)...
Tonkins Orchids closed its business 20+ years ago.

 

[CharlesD]

Nice blooming of that one! Well done to get it flowering again.

 

[niche]

I still have one of Valarie Tomkin's Division lists from back then. She had some Great Plants! Great to see a classic!

 

[Justin]

A classic for good reason. Fantastic!

 

[littlefrog]

I also have a piece, which I inherited from an older grower maybe 10 years ago.

It has been cyclical for me, some years it grows well, some years not. Last year was not it's best year. Maybe this year.

 

[NYEric]

Nice. thanks for sharing.

 

[sergeharvey]

I paid $250 for a division...then it died.

 

[southernbelle]

I almost lost it years ago because I divided it too soon...This is the first bloom in five years or longer. The flower is not perfect (there is a minor dent on the pouch), but not too bad considering it only got insufficient watering the last two weeks while the bud was developing.

Bottom line, you saved it. Good job.

 

[Tom-DE]

I paid $250 for a division...then it died.

Sorry to hear that. Now it will cost a lot more to have a real one...($500-600 before the covid-19).

 

[CharlesD]

Tom there were two divisions at HOF for $200

They may be harder to find these days but not $800

 

[CharlesD]

Tom there were two divisions at HOF for $200

They may be harder to find these days but not $800

This yellow leopard which is a WC grandchild was $700 but it was 1” bigger in NS

 

[Tom-DE]

Charles, Are they selfing select or the real original FCC division? There are big differences IMO. Looks to me, they might be selfing...dorsal isn't as full or big.

 

[CharlesD]

Like I said yours is a nice blooming. I’ve seen it often with reflexed dorsal. I seriously don’t think there is a conspiracy to sell mislabeled Winston Churchills. HOF has the nicest complex stud plants in country that have been collected from very reputable sources. These plants also had provenance listed on the tag

I agree dorsal is different but the color is exactly the same. Complex plants can vary lot depending on culture. Unless you have a Hawaiian greenhouse in your back yard I would think you culture is different from theirs (maybe better actually for this plant?)

 

[Tom-DE]

Well, I would not buy those as an original FCC division...

 

[CharlesD]

I agree they are different but I would apply it culture. Here are two Peter black ‘emerald’ divisions. One with a superb blooming and one a crappy blooming

 

[Tom-DE]

I agree they are different but I would apply it culture. Here are two Peter black ‘emerald’ divisions. One with a superb blooming and one a crappy blooming

Culture is important but..., well there is no point to reason that. If the plant consistently produces less quality flowers, I would not believe it is a true division. There are fake divisions out there, actually too often.

 

[CharlesD]

Culture is important but..., well there is no point to reason that. If the plant consistently produces less quality flowers, I would not believe it is a true division. There are fake divisions out there, actually too often.

We’re going off one set of flowers here so unless you grew both pieces impossible to say. But you did post that big bush of an emersonii a little while ago so I’d put it on your good culture. The divisions I saw were overdue for repotting