C. tenebrosa

[SouthPark]

This is an example of urge resistance against purchasing orchids while on a travelling holiday, where the urge resistance unexpectedly failed!!!

I'm going to have to make room in my carry-on case for the flight home later this week.

I hadn't planned on growing tenebrosa, and had never seen one in flower before - except online photos that is.

I purchased this flowering orchid soon after being captivated by its nice coloured flowers during a day trip of sight-seeing in south-east Queensland, Australia.

I believe that the daily room hotel service people will get a wonderful visual display. I definitely want to share two wonderful photos of this particular tenebrosa, capturing the beauty of the colour and shapes.

I have this orchid on a table with windows of one room opened to allow lots of air to get in.

I had to leave windows of the hire car slightly open and park where-ever I could in the shade while sight-seeing yesterday (on the day that I bought it) to avoid a cooked tenebrosa! Luck was on my side! The day wasn't too hot, and I somehow managed to find shady parking spots!



Above: C. tenebrosa in hotel room


Above: C. tenebrosa in hotel room

[signin1234]

Pretty! Excellent luck.

[rbarata]

Does it have a tag?
Mine never bloomed but, while my climate is really dry in summer, the plant is still a bit young.
You can some two of my threads about it here and here.

[SouthPark]

Originally Posted by rbarata

Does it have a tag?

Thanks for those links rbarata! The tag on this one says: L. tenebrosa 'Rainforest'.

[Roberta]

Really nice. Sometimes orchids just jump into your arms, insist that you take them home.

If you don't already have them also be on the lookout for L. purpurata (oh well, it's Cattleya now, still have the "yes but..." reaction) - they grow pretty much the same as tenebrosa, for me tend to bloom a month or two earlier)

[rbarata]

Mine is a var. rubra "Caliman" which has somewhat red/pink blooms.
It likes a lot of humidity.

[SouthPark]

Originally Posted by Roberta

If you don't already have them also be on the lookout for L. purpurata

I haven't seen live L. purpurata before Roberta! I'm sure I wouldn't be able to resist the urge for that too hahaha. Thanks for mentioning this one! I'll keep a look out for that one.

[rbarata]

I think, when tenebrosa existed in the wild, that it shared its habitat with purpurata.

@Roberta-I saw a video about both and their differences (brasilian grower) and he says that tenebrosas, when blooming, the sheaths appear at the moment the new leaves unfold. Then they stay green for months until the plant blooms.
Do your tenebrosa behave like that?

[Roberta]

Originally Posted by rbarata

I think, when tenebrosa existed in the wild, that it shared its habitat with purpurata.

@Roberta-I saw a video about both and their differences (brasilian grower) and he says that tenebrosas, when blooming, the sheaths appear at the moment the new leaves unfold. Then they stay green for months until the plant blooms.
Do your tenebrosa behave like that?

They do... they are in sheath now, and I won't see flowers until July or August. Purpuratas are also starting sheaths, but those typically bloom from late May to early July (depends on the variety) and sheaths are just getting started. So they don't tease for as long.

[SouthPark]

Originally Posted by rbarata

Mine is a var. rubra "Caliman" which has somewhat red/pink blooms.
It likes a lot of humidity.

I'll be looking out for some photos online of this one you mentioned rbarata!