Cattleya bicolor big boy - Orchid Board

smweaver · #1 08-04-2019, 01:09 PM

This is one of the most robustly growing cattleyas I've ever owned. The pseudobulbs are between three and four feet in length (measured from the base of the pseudobulb, not the pot), nearly an inch in diameter, and the leafspan of the largest growth is the length of my outstretched hand and forearm (from fingertips to elbow). This year there were four new growths and, consequently, four spikes. But since I clumsily knocked one of them off when it was still quite immature, there are now three spikes. I'll post some pictures in another week or two when the flowers open.

DeaC · #2 08-04-2019, 03:34 PM

Time this guy gets a job! Looking forward to fotos.

isurus79 · #3 08-07-2019, 11:39 PM

Wow, that thing is monstrous! Looks more like a polyploid amethystoglossa!!

smweaver · #4 08-11-2019, 05:03 PM

Yeah, it actually does resemble one of those polyploid amethystoglossa plants of Harry's, doesn't it? It's actually much larger than any of the other bicolors in my collection, with a leafspan of about 16" (and that's without stretching out the leaves), and the largest spike is also just over 16" long. It might be kind of fun to actually breed it with one of the polyploid amethystoglossas. Too bad that the flowering season for these two species is so far apart.

isurus79 · #5 08-11-2019, 05:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by smweaver

Yeah, it actually does resemble one of those polyploid amethystoglossa plants of Harry's, doesn't it? It's actually much larger than any of the other bicolors in my collection, with a leafspan of about 16" (and that's without stretching out the leaves), and the largest spike is also just over 16" long. It might be kind of fun to actually breed it with one of the polyploid amethystoglossas. Too bad that the flowering season for these two species is so far apart.

Throw some pollen in the fridge! It'll last for a year. Or send some to me

Unfortunately, the H&R polyploid amethystoglossas are 3n, so no one can breed with them. Roy did this on purpose to thwart Asian breeding programs who would have piggybacked on his decades long work with the species!

smweaver · #6 08-11-2019, 05:32 PM

Ah, so they're mules! Smart move on Harry's part. Yes, I will definitely send some to you. I can send some fresh pollen to you when the flowers open over the next week or so, so you can have it available in your freezer whenever it's time to pollinate one of your amethystoglossas.

isurus79 · #7 08-11-2019, 05:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by smweaver

Ah, so they're mules! Smart move on Harry's part. Yes, I will definitely send some to you. I can send some fresh pollen to you when the flowers open over the next week or so, so you can have it available in your freezer whenever it's time to pollinate one of your amethystoglossas.

Sounds great!

smweaver · #8 08-19-2019, 01:52 PM

The first spike of flowers is in full bloom. They are quite a bit larger than a couple of my other bicolors. Fantastic scent.

isurus79 · #9 08-19-2019, 02:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by smweaver

The first spike of flowers is in full bloom. They are quite a bit larger than a couple of my other bicolors. Fantastic scent.

Wow, they look great! Is this a first bloom?

SouthPark · #10 08-19-2019, 04:36 PM

I've got three of these bicolor plants!!! (but wait ----- mine are tiny heheheh). On the other end of the scale. They're just a couple of notches of my index finger in height heheh. Real juveniles. This is going to take a while.

The plant in the opening post is huge. Very nice blooms too.