It is a schomburgkia .It is part of the Cattleya alliance under the genus of Laelia (also Calolaelia by some)
It is an ant loving orchid or myrmerophilia (also used by some as a species name.) meaning in nature it has a mutualistic relationship with ants. Their hollow pseudopods serve as housing for the ants and in return the ants bring in organic matter which helps to nourish the orchid. That particular species - thomasoniana is called the wild banana orchid and it is the national flower of the Cayman Islands and is fragrant.
There are 2 Sections .. those that are large epiphytes or lithophyes that grown in the Mexican highlands - who's temps are intermediate and live in the habitat of the monsoonal foothills. (to get an idea of the culture it would thrive best in)
The second section .. are those that are known to be difficult to grow.. best when mounted on oak bark covered logs in the hottest, sunniest part of a(green)house. They need to be dried out btwn waterings, and during the winter not be overwatered esp btwn periods of autumn flowering and when new growth is recommences in the spring. They are use to long periods of drought in the Autumn and Winter. Disturbing it with repotting can cause a significant setback. It thrives in an arid prairie habitat.
The species of the first section (wet)are ... elata, superbiens(fragrant), lyonsii(fragrant), splendida, weberbauerana, moyabambae, lludemmannii
The species of the second section(arid) are ... tibicinis(fragrant), brysiana, thomasoniana(fragrant), caleottiana, exalatata, wendlandi
I have found other fragrant species .. carinata, humboldtii, and undulata .. but unsure of which section they fit into ..
There is extensive research in hybridizing being done by a Mr. Paul Storm whom has a great admiration for the works of Carl Withner who also studied Schombs.
I only acquired .. it acquired me, recently and am hoping I can keep it alive ! ..LOL ..
I have gone schomb wild
.. and I scout the net looking for more species unknown to me and where I can purchase them.
Like you, when I saw a picture of this orchid .. I had to have it ..! .. While at the Orchid Show in NYC .. I returned to the only table selling them at least 4 times before I bought one, then went back 2 days later and bought another.
Please, if there are any other questions you have .. I'd be happy to answer them!
Thanks for asking!
Question for Dorothy
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