RHS Orchid Show London 13-04-2013 part 4

[cricketerry]

And More:-

[MrCym]

Thanks Terry,

You can see why McBeans have lost their way......old and uninspiring clones generally. But the traditional Burnham display is very easy to view and it has more pizzazz, at least for me. Lovely big plants of a plant (CH) named for a small man! I was going to and fro to Pacifica (near San Francisco) and listening to Abba (we named an orchid for them) when the line came on: "the loser standing small"...... I immediately thought of the last Santa Barbara Show when old Squogre's display gained her the retort: "loser!" Just like McBeans, steeped in the past without things of real historical value. I did however note several people in your pictures who looked under 40.... a promising trend?

[richardb]

Very disappointing show.
Only a couple of Societies showing, and the same traders with the same plants.
When will traders realise that to keep our interest they need to bring along fresh stock to wow us.
The trade is very much for the "coffee table" trade these days, which makes hobby growing rather uninteresting.
Richard

[Gary S]

Richard
Just like the shows here too I'm afraid.

Gary..

[Gary S]

Van Deiman

I find nothing wrong with the plants, quality or otherwise or the people putting on the individual displays.

My issue is we see the same plants year in year out - where are all the new hybrids!!

Also vendors at the shows selling old stock at over inflated prices, then when you talk to them all they can do is whinge because no one is buying orchids that were on the scene 10 years or more ago.

Offer new clones and people will buy them

Gary..

[MrCym]

Yes Gary, quite correct. It is sad to see a once-great firm like McBeans, exhibiting dull colors and obviously poorly-grown plants. They won't be around much longer methinks!

And it's time to move forward from Finger of Suspicion and Mem. (I wish!) Cliff Hutchings also. There are all sorts of new things coming from Ruiter Orchideen and the selection will only broaden from now on. Cymbidium enthusiasts in Europe will finally get some new blood for their collections.

[Gary S]

I have no doubt that all of the great old names of the past when it comes to orchid nurseries did well back in the good old days. Over time as people have died , sold out etc, then all the knowledge is quickly disappearing and the new people in charge of these nurseries are out of their depth.

Gary..

[Albert Nakaji]

I find nothing wrong with the plants, quality or otherwise or the people putting on the individual displays.
My issue is we see the same plants year in year out - where are all the new hybrids!!

This comment has been made several times in other threads, and it is a common theme at contemporary shows. In fact, I recall hearing this same comment about our local shows even as far back as the late 1980s ("all I see are clones and there aren't any new crosses). Even here in Hawaii, where there are several notable nurseries that do come up with new hybrids and clones, the shows generally are displays of things seen over and over for several years. New hybrids are few, with the exception of one nursery that specializes in Paphs, but he gets most of his stuff from Taiwan breeders. It's not uncommon to see plants that have been around for 20+ years getting best of show, etc. A couple of local Cattleya breeders shows new things from time to time, as I also do, but that accounts for maybe less than .5% of all the plants displayed. Yes, there are new and different species displayed every year, but new hybrids are scarce.

It's also interesting to note that just because it's new doesn't mean it gets any attention. Sure, the flowers can be nice, but unless it's something that apparently is "mainstream" at the time, big and bold, it seems to be generally ignored. Cases in point are miniature Catt hybrids that I've bred and displayed over the years. It's likely that no one remembers even seeing them.

The Hilo show is arguably one of the best in the State of Hawaii (some say it is the best). We have visitors from throughout the State, the other states, and even some international visitors who come specifically for the show. It is held in August and that time of year is not a good time for commercial sales. What this means is that breeders do not target that month, or season, for blooming plants, so even if there are new hybrids being produced they may not be blooming during the show. It's a rare occasion for me to have more than a couple of my best plants in bloom during the show. I suspect it's the same for many others as well.

I have been trying to breed for plants that will flower more than once a year (spring and fall/winter), but there's not much to work with. Crossing a plant that blooms in the spring with another that blooms in the fall sometimes works. Sometimes it doesn't. Then, there are also all the other considerations that go into deciding what crosses to make.

Whether there will continue to be a decline in new hybrids turning up in shows, or whether there will be a resurgence and interest in orchid hybridizing remains to be seen. My guess is that it will continue to get worse before it gets better, if it ever does.