Phal cornu cervi Red. What's Good and what's not.

Recently, lots of people have bought plants of cornu cervi Red from nurseries around Singapore. Prices range from a few tens of dollars to hundreds. What's the difference? Well, if you buy from a good source, with selected plants that are confirmed to be of good quality, you pay hundreds. If you go to a nursery that sells them "as it is" (no guarantee), then you pay as low as $12~$15 (wholesale) to $20(retail).

A good red is glossy, blood red and even. There must not be any bars, patches or spots anywhere on the flower. One place that many people overlook is the inner side of the lateral sepal especially the part near to the base. Many flowers do not qualify under close scrutiny and the value of such flowers are really around $12 at best. Only about one plant out of 20 to 30 will qualify as a true red.

Above is a true red with no bars or patches at all.

Look closely at the area near the base of the lateral sepal, a single whit bar spoils the quality of this otherwise beautify flower.

This is the worst type with lots of bars on the inner portion of the lateral sepals. Ten years ago this would qualify as good and probably cost around $50 ~$80. Now, it is worth $15 perhaps?