Phrag. Cardinale 'Birchwood' AM/AOS

[SlipperKing]

That's exactly what it is.

I see that now! I was too excited about the Texans getting ready to play!

 

[John M]

Phrag. schlimii 'Wilcox' is a vigorous clone that multiplies quickly. It is also a VERY beautiful clone that has stood the test of time and it remains popular in collections everywhere. However, as everyone knows, it is actually a Phrag. Cardinale. The judges who awarded it as a schlimii were asleep at the wheel.....and they have been the laughing stock of the AOS award system ever since.

However, by any name, this is a spectacular plant and it has been spread around a lot. Occasionally, a grower has renamed his piece with the correct grex name; Cardinale.....and resubmitted it for judging, along with a new clonal name. As a result, a number of pieces of "schlimii 'Willcox' " have been reawarded as Cardinale. All of the following Cardinale's are actually pieces of the original schlimii 'Wilcox':

Cardinale 'Birchwood' AM/AOS
Cardinale 'Westonbirt' AM/AOS
Cardinale 'Kilworth' AM/AOS

There are probably more; but, these 3 (especially 'Birchwood' and 'Westonbirt'), are the most common.

Personally, whether you call it 'Birchwood', 'Westonbirt', or 'Kilworth' doesn't matter to me. I'm just glad that it's got it's correct grex name now: Cardinale. Anyone who insists on leaving the bogus name "schlimii" on their plant is wilfully perpetuating the original fraud and that's just wrong.

I agree, Michel, that your plant probably originated from the 'Birchwood' clone which was first awarded in 1970. However, Dr. Dick Clements gave it the correct name - Cardinale; changing it from the incorrect name - schlimii 'Wilcox'.....and he added his own clonal name 'Birchwood', a name he often gave to his best plants. In the case of your plant, I'd leave the name as it is; because it is correct. It is a Phrag. Cardinale and it likely did originate from the piece that Dr. Clements grew and had awarded - 'Birchwood'. So, the provinence of your plant includes the fact that it was once part of the Clements' collection and since it was awarded with the correct grex name, it's all good!

 

[nikv]

^ ^
Thanks for the clarification and history lesson!

 

[SlipperFan]

That is interesting, John. Thanks for the info.

It certainly is beautiful!

 

[Leo Schordje]

I saw Dick Clement's specimen plant of Cardinale 'Birchwood' in full glory, in his greenhouse, several times before he passed away. He was an amazing grower, often it had a dozen or more flowers on a branching inflorescence. It was a big plant then too, filled a 2 gallon size nursery can. Grow it on to specimen size and you will be amazed at the number of flowers it will produce.

Your flower looks right. You have a piece of the real deal. Nicely done.

 

[Shiva]

Thanks John for all the background. Very interesting.

 

[eaborne]

Very pretty!

 

[biothanasis]

very very nice!!!