I am by no means an expert in the ID of Chysis but, IME, there is either a great deal of variety w/in each species and/or there is some mis-labelling of some of these. I have grown 3 species and seen several others.
I've grown bractescens and mine was pristine white w/a canary yellow lip and canary yellow splotches on the petal edges but I have seen others that have the yellow showing only on the lip.
I've also grown laevis and mine bloomed out looking more like an aurea...very "muddy" to my eyes. Definitely not the strong colors of laevis.
I've also grown, and still have, violacea. I got my vio as a very, VERY small seedling 3 (or there about) years ago...last year was it's first bloom and it looked more like yours. Mine could be a bit more lavender in the areas where yours show the pink-ish tone. I expected a stronger pink/lavender coloration. I've seen some that have a very strong pink/lavender blush and coloration on the lip and I'm hoping mine blooms out stronger next time.
So, that's the long way of getting to...yours very well could be a vio. There are not too many of these in cultivation in the US. But, it might also be a wrong ID. I do believe we have someone on here that grows and knows a lot more about the ID of this group...hopefully that person will see this thread.
As to the culture. These guys get really large and will eventually do best in a hanging set up. When I gave my bractescens away...I loved it but it had gotten too big for me to accommodate in my space. My vio is still pretty small and I believe this species stays more compact than some of the others. I currently have my vio in a pot w/sphag and shredded redwood.
These guys have "seasons". They like a LOT of water when in active growth (producing new growths and maturing those new growths) and less when they have dropped their leaves. I never let any of them stay dry for long periods when but I do let them dry out a bit between waterings, after the leaves do finally drop. Once the new growths begin to develop...I increase my watering to a point where it's never left to dry out completely. Always moist but not soggy wet.
I grow mine in cattleya level light - but no direct sun. Intermediate temps.
When the new growth starts to develop...the flower will emerge from that newly forming growths and it blooms when the growth is small. And the flowers last for quite awhile.
I have found all the ones that I've grown to be easy growers. When they are young you will likely only see 1 new growth per year but as the plant ages you'll find it produces 2+ growths each year. They are cool looking plants and if I had more space...I never would've gotten rid of the bractescens and I would still be on the lookout for a intensely colored laevis. Of course, if I ever find a strongly colored laevis...it'll likely follow me home even though I don't have the space for it.
Chysis violacea care
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