Cattleya or Laelia genus - anyone know?

[piping plover]

Hi all, I have had this orchid over 30 yrs, a division from the botanical greenhouses at my university. Guessing it is a wildtype as they did not have many hybrids in there, Blooms January, had shiny crystal-like texture on the petals. looks unifoliate, leaves are not that wide, smaller stature than large catts.

Thanks for your help solving this mystery!

Oh, and BTW it has bloomed ONCE for me in 30 years - can't tell you how many times this d*mned plant has evaded the compost pile. It thinks it is one of those 100 year blooming cycle agaves or something.

[Keysguy]

Just a guess but I'd say Lc hybrid.
Based on petals on laelia are typically more "pointy" like the lateral sepals and Catt's petals are much broader like yours. Def. has Laelia in it though with that inflorescence length.

But that is a beautiful flower whatever it is.

[piping plover]

Originally Posted by Keysguy

Just a guess but I'd say Lc hybrid.
Based on petals on laelia are typically more "pointy" like the lateral sepals and Catt's petals are much broader like yours. Def. has Laelia in it though with that inflorescence length.

But that is a beautiful flower whatever it is.

Thank you. Good learning about the Catt and Laelia flower attributes.

[estación seca]

It has been severely underwatered for quite some time. That might have something to do with not flowering much.

[piping plover]

Originally Posted by estación seca

It has been severely underwatered for quite some time. That might have something to do with not flowering much.

yes, it does look dehydrated in those photos now that I look closer. I'll keep an eye on it more this summer for watering and plump up those pseudobulbs. Thanks!

[SouthPark]

This one has purpurata and tenebrosa type features.

[isurus79]

Beautiful color on that one! Let me know if you ever chop it up. I'd love to grab a piece.

[piping plover]

Originally Posted by SouthPark

This one has purpurata and tenebrosa type features.

Yes, so interesting. I always wondered about the purpurata connections that is why I asked about Laeila genus. I looked at tenebrosa, and I can see that as well. Thank you.

---------- Post added at 05:06 PM ---------- Previous post was at 05:03 PM ----------

Originally Posted by isurus79

Beautiful color on that one! Let me know if you ever chop it up. I'd love to grab a piece.

Thank you. I am glad I photographed it or I would have forgotten what it looked like---this bloomed approx. 5 yrs ago and not since. I'll remember that when I divide, I think it liked clay better than the basket.