Copper Queen Questions for a total newbie

[PDXguy]

Hi all! Go easy on me - I'm just a guy who bought a plant and wants to make sure it grows to be happy and healthy. I don't have a green thumb, but I follow instructions and pay attention to my plants, so every bit of info really helps.

The tag on the plant I bought said:
Orchid: Blc. Copper Queen

What does "Blc." mean?
How do I care for my plant?
How often will it flower, and how long will the flowers last?

It's beautiful! It stands maybe 15 inches tall and has two orange/yellow flowers (is that what you call them?) and of course long, thick green leaves.

It came in a small container with lava rocks, and I believe I'm supposed to run water through the rocks once a week.

I have that container sitting in a tall vase where it can't reach the bottom, and I have some water sitting below the rocks at the base of the vase (the container has slits at the bottom). The plant is sitting in a north-facing window (ie, no direct sun, but lots of light. All of my windows face north, so I hope that works.)

Am I off to a good start?
What do I need to know?

Thanks so much!

[Miyuki]

Hi - Blc stands for Brassollaelio Cattleya, a hybrid of Laelia, Cattleya and Brassavola. Mine is named Chia Lin. I haven't had it long enough to really be an expert, but it has a healthy new growth, so I think it's pretty happy. Your northern exposure may be an issue. I was told it needs medium to high light level. I can only grow some Phals in a north window and they are considered okay with low light. Mine is planted in coarse bark and I water about every 10 days allowing it to dry out before rewatering. I'm looking forward to hearing more responses as I could use further advice as well.

[Gin]

You have picked a good one , if happy it will bloom on every new growth more than once a year . It will need Med. light more than a north window will supply if possible I would add an artificial light , also would take it out of the vase so air can reach the roots a tray with rocks in it and a rack of some type sitting on it then the plant on that .Called a humidity tray they really don't help increase the humidity much but will catch drips I have the same plant
Don't forget Orchid food , as to how often to water that will depend on your Temps. and Humidity . Hope this helps a little .. Gin

[justatypn]

Aboard....it's great to have you here and your first orchid . Bet you can't stop at just one.

You have choosen a lovely orchid and easy to grow...here is a cultural sheet from AOS (American Orchid Society).

http://aos.org/aos/uploadedfiles/doc...recattleya.pdf

[dgenovese1]

Hi PDX Guy,
Welcome to the Orchid Board.
Your first chid is a gereat beginning and a beautiful plant...I have one in my collection that blooms about 3 to 4 times a year. The advice you've been given is great, so I won't confuse you by supplying more...I will say that the AOS cultural sheet that Justatypn gave you a link for is something that you can print out and have a hard copy of for reference sake.
If you follow that link, on the right-hand side you'll see a link that says "Orchid Information". Click there, then click on "Culture Sheets". The last part would be to click on "Cattleya".
The only question you asked that I don't see answered yet was about how long the blooms last. On my plant, they usually last about 4 to 5 weeks before they begin to fade.

[Dorothy]

PDX
Glad to have you on 'board'

Blc Copper Queen has been renamed Marriottara Copper Queen.
It is a Cattleya Alliance hybrid as Miyuki stated.

It's parents are Rhynchosophrocattleya Toshie Aoki X Brassophronitis Richard Mueller according to the Royal Horticulture Society (RHS) where orchid hybrids are named and recorded.

Knowing it's name change may help you if you wish to search for more info on this hybrid.

In fact, one of our member's, Don, also owns this beauty - Click on the link to his thread - Blc. Copper Queen

[Jadeco]

Hey PDX, do you happen to be from Portland?