Phrag. besseae

[goldenrose]

:clap::clap: they're landing lights, attracting attention!
It's a beaut Dot!

 

[Leo Schordje]

And a few months after he died, that particular besseae was exhibited by Fox Valley (who bought most of his collection) and it won the FCC, that is besseae 'Fox Valley' FCC/AOS, but it was exhibited either in St Louis or Chicago, not Ann Arbor. So Dick's plants won at least 3 FCC's.

Years ago, when besseae was still "new", I was at the Ann Arbor, Michigan judging centre, sitting next to Dr. Dick Clements. He had the most spectacular, red besseaes. Back then, 1989, all besseaes in collections were wild collected plants. Dr. Clements' plant had been turned down for scoring consideration because it had very slight "lines" like this on the petals. Although, they were shorter and not as prominent, they were enough for the judges to disqualify the plant from further consideration. Dr. Clements was actually quite disappointed because the flowers were otherwise absolutely spectacular and the marks were so very tiny. So, even plants straight from the jungle did this. It seems to be part of the "besseae condition".

Dr. Clements did his reasearch ahead of each judging (even going so far as printing out a copy of past awards and submitting these research documents with his plants at the judging sessions) and he knew that the besseaes he'd presented for judging were better than anything else that had been awarded to that date. Before he knew the reason for the plants being passed over, he asked the judges afterwards why they didn't point the plants....even for an HCC? He was told the lines in the petals (which you had to strain hard to see), were "fatal flaws". Dr. Clements was really rocked by this because according to his research ahead of time, these plants should've received point scores over 90 points, which of course, is FCC territory. He told me that he really wanted to win an FCC before he died. But, he felt he'd become a bit "persona non-grata" at that judging centre; so, he didn't attend the judgings for some months after that incident. A short while later, he wrote me all excited that he'd been back to the judging again and he won 2 FCC's! One was for a Paph. micranthum and the other was for a Paph. armeniacum; both "all covered in moss on top". He was ecstatic! Unfortunately, he passed away while gardening in his back yard before he got to see his FCC's published in the AOS AQ.

 

[John M]

And a few months after he died, that particular besseae was exhibited by Fox Valley (who bought most of his collection) and it won the FCC, that is besseae 'Fox Valley' FCC/AOS, but it was exhibited either in St Louis or Chicago, not Ann Arbor. So Dick's plants won at least 3 FCC's.

I did not know that, Leo. I bought a division of the besseae in question from Dr. Clements; but, I never got to see it bloom. I had some cultural troubles with it and by the time it had recovered, my health took a nosedive. So, the plant took another turn for the worst and I killed it with neglect while I was sick. It was a very bitter pill for me to swallow and I still cringe when I think of what slipped through my fingers. Now, I know it was an FCC! *BIG sigh* Well, they say what doesn't kill you makes you stronger! Can't say I feel like Superman, though.

 

[tomkalina]

Hi John,

Phrag. besseae 'Fox Valley' was awarded an FCC/AOS (91 pts) at the December, 1993 monthly judging in Chicago. It was originally part of the Clement's Collection.

Thanks,

 

[Shiva]

I did not know that, Leo. I bought a division of the besseae in question from Dr. Clements; but, I never got to see it bloom. I had some cultural troubles with it and by the time it had recovered, my health took a nosedive. So, the plant took another turn for the worst and I killed it with neglect while I was sick.

John! If you ever get that sick again, send me your treasures. I'll take good care of them until you get better.

 

[NYEric]

Me too! Very interesting stories, thanx for sharing.

 

[SlipperFan]

Me too! Very interesting stories, thanx for sharing.

I agree!!!

 

[John M]

Hi John,

Phrag. besseae 'Fox Valley' was awarded an FCC/AOS (91 pts) at the December, 1993 monthly judging in Chicago. It was originally part of the Clement's Collection.

Thanks,

Hi Tom,

I'm not sure. Are you confirming or disputing something here?

 

[tomkalina]

Hi John,

Neither. I was just stating a fact in support of Leo's statement regarding this clone's history and verifying the judging center's location.

 

[John M]

Hi John,

Neither. I was just stating a fact in support of Leo's statement regarding this clone's history and verifying the judging center's location.

Oh, right. I see now that Leo was uncertain where it won the FCC. I missed that detail. Well, had you exhibited it at Ann Arbour, it needed to be 100% perfect to even be considered for pointing. So, Yay Chicago! I googled it and found a nice photo. It sure is a handsome flower!

 

[tenman]

Great flower...tha lines are tha 'antennae' of the bug!

 

[SlipperKing]

RED HOT Dot!

 

[Phrag-Plus]

Gorgeous flower! Nice form and colour.
And those line make it very special, look like a butterfly with antennas. I like it!
When colour break or line are symmetrical on a flower, it is much more acceptable and interesting.

Thanks John for bringing that interesting part of history!